Rebel Wolf (Wilde Brothers Ranch #5) - Scarlett Grove Page 0,23

I guess we'll find out. But I know one thing. I'm not giving up. And I'm not going to let Bobby and Charlie McCoy ruin my life.”

After they were done loading the minerals into the barn, Gunner drove his own truck over to Austin's house and knocked on the front door.

Cheyenne, Austin's mate, answered the door with their toddler son on her hip. “Gunner, come on in,” she said, leaning in to give him a pat on the back.

“Is Austin around?” He stepped over the threshold and wiped his boots off on the welcome mat.

“He's in his office, upstairs,” Cheyenne said.

Gunner walked through the old farmhouse, where he and his brothers had all grown up. It still looked so much the same. So many of the antique heirlooms that had been passed down from generation to generation remained with the old house, but Cheyenne had brought a new sense of style and creativity to the space that opened it up and made it feel more modern.

Gunner climbed the stairs, passing photographs of their family from when he and his brother were children, pictures of his father with his own brothers and sisters when they were young, and pictures of his grandparents before them. They went back generations until the photographs turned into paintings.

He got to the top of the creaking stairs and walked down the narrow hallway to the end, where he turned into the large room that had been converted into an office.

Austin sat behind his desk, reading glasses perched on his nose as he looked down at his computer. “Hello, Gunner. What's up?”

Gunner slipped into the chair on the opposite side of the desk. “I had an altercation in town today, and I wanted you to hear about it directly from me.”

Austin took off his reading glasses and folded his hands together on the desk, turning serious eyes toward Gunner. He pursed his lips and raised an eyebrow. “Go on.”

“I was attacked by the McCoy brothers. We got into a bit of a brawl. They started it, but I admit I swung back. Charlie McCoy punched me, but I ducked, and he punched the truck and put a dent in the siding. You can take it out of my wages. I take full responsibility.”

“The McCoys attacked you at the feed store? They're getting more brazen all the time,” Austin said, leaning back in his chair. “Did they give a reason for this attack?”

“There's something else you should know because I don't know how it's going to affect our family. Their sister, Cassidy McCoy, is my mate. I didn't know that until they told me today at the feed store. We've been seeing each other. I didn't bring it up because I wanted to keep it private for now. I didn't know how our relationship was going to turn out. She told me that she was home from school and wanted to go back, so I didn't even know if we were going to end up together. She never told me she was a McCoy. She told me she had some drama with her family, but she didn't tell me anything besides that.”

“Have you talked to her about this?” Austin asked, leaning forward, his elbows on the desk, his gaze directed at Gunner.

“Not yet. I honestly don't know what to say. But there's one thing I do know, Austin. I'm going to fight for her, no matter what. I need to know that your behind me.”

“You know I am, and so are the rest of your brothers. The feud with the McCoys could have ended decades ago if it weren't for Charlie and Bobby McCoy. They've had a problem with Cal and Cash ever since high school, and they won't let it go. But they have no right to control their sister's life or happiness. If you bring her here and they come after her, know that we have your back. We'll have both of your backs,” Austin said.

“Thank you, Austin,” Gunner said, standing.

“And, Gunner,” Austin said as he turned to leave.

Gunner turned back to his brother. “Yes?”

“The ranch will take care of the dent in the truck.”

Gunner nodded silently and turned away. When he was back home, in the silence of his own house, he sat at the kitchen table with a glass of iced tea. He took a deep breath and picked up his phone. He wanted to call Cassidy, but the fact was he didn't even know her number. They'd been doing all their communication through