Lainie turned her head and looked at Tanna lying on the other bed. “Why?”

“Now, don’t get pissed off, but Kyle had the advantage because he’s a bull rider. Like your father was.”

Lainie scowled. “That has no bearing on it.”

“Plus, Kyle had bedroom tricks up his sleeve that Hank didn’t.”

“At first, but trust me when I say Hank more than made up for lost time and opportunities.”

Tanna bounced up and snatched the bottle from Lainie. “You cannot toss that out there and then pull that silent crap. Spill.”

“You know when you have those defining moments in your life? And everything that seemed so murky suddenly becomes crystal clear? I had one of those.”

“When Hank was injured?”

“Ironically, no. Before that.”

“Does Hank know how you feel about him?”

“I think so.”

Tanna studied her curiously. “While you were in the bathroom did you call Hank?”

“No.”

“Why not?”

“Because I’m fine. I don’t want him to worry. His big tryout with the EBS was this weekend in Tulsa, and there’s nothing he can do about it from there.”

“Maybe you ought to allow Hank the chance to comfort you like you comforted him when he was hurting.”

That statement jarred her.

“Think about it. You’d be pissed if it were the other way around and he kept something like this from you.”

True. Quiet seconds ticked into minutes. The booze took effect, filling Lainie’s body with a mellow heat. She blinked sleepily. Resting her eyes for a bit was a good idea.

An annoying buzz started by her head. Then it finally stopped. Tanna shook her shoulder. “Lainie? Wake up. Hank wants to talk to you.”

She peeled her eyelids open. “Hank is here?”

“No. He’s on your cell.”

Lainie squinted at her. “Why were you answering my phone?”

“Because it buzzed like four times, so I figured whoever was calling needed to talk to you.”

“Did you tell him?”

Tanna gave her that what-the-fuck-do-you-think look.

“Give me the goddamned thing.” Lainie held the phone away from her ear in anticipation of Hank yelling at her. “Hey.”

“Baby, are you okay?”

“I’ve been better. How’d your night go?”

“Don’t you pull this subject-changing bullshit on me. Jesus Christ. I cannot believe you were attacked. Why didn’t you call me right away? Do you have any idea how hard it is for me to stay f**king calm?”

“Which is why I didn’t call you. I knew you’d be upset.”

“Upset?” he barked. “I’m beyond upset. When I get my hands on that cocksucker I’m gonna break him in two. Then feed him to the hogs.”

“I’m fine.”

“I’m not. I won’t be fine until I lay eyes on you, Lainie, so fair warning—I’m on my way to River Bend right now.”

Butterflies took wing in her stomach, not from the whiskey. “Hank—”

“Not another f**king word. I’ll be there in roughly seven and a half hours. We’ll talk about how we’re gonna handle it then.”

“I can’t believe you’re coming here.”

“Lainie. Darlin’. Did you honestly think I’d stay away?” His tone was as soft and sweet and loving as she’d ever heard from him. “Baby. That ain’t the kind of man I am.”

She teared up. “I know.”

“Good. Rest up. I’ll be there before you know it.”

The tight feeling in her chest that booze couldn’t loosen gave a little. She hung up.

Tanna sat beside her. “Don’t be mad at me.”

“I’m not. God. How could I ever be mad at you? Especially after you—” Her voice caught on a sob.

“Maybe the whiskey wasn’t such a good idea if my tough-as-nails buddy Lainie is starting that ‘I love you, man’ crap,” Tanna said.

Lainie laughed and sobbed simultaneously. Then exhaustion and Jack Daniel’s overtook her.

Hank’s blood absolutely boiled. For the first time in his life, he truly understood what savage meant. The thoughts he entertained on the drive turned more bloody and violent with every mile. When he managed some semblance of control, he called Kyle.

It took Kyle a while to calm down from his burst of rage. Hank waited and watched as the mile markers passed by.

“So what’s your take on this?” Hank asked Kyle. “You’ve competed with him. Do you know him?”

“Bottom line is, Ace Newharth is extremely cocky, with a holier-than-thou attitude and a huge following from hard-core fans who want religion with their bull riding. He’s also the favored son of several prominent sponsors, as well as in tight with the president of the EBS.”

“Which means what, Kyle? He can’t be touched? He’s immune to the law?”

“Yes. No. Fuck. I don’t know what good it’ll do to file charges against him, because they’ll never stick. It f**king sucks.”

Hank counted to ten. “Our only option is to sit around with our thumbs up our asses while that f**king lowlife can get away with attempted rape?”

“Hank. Listen to me. I hate this as much as you do. But it’ll be Lainie’s word against his.”