Growing up on a ranch was difficult, being isolated in the Oklahoma countryside. You had always felt at peace around the animals, you loved the freedom. But freedom doesn’t last for everyone and certainly not for you.

A local boy had pulled you in with sweet words and a promise of the life you always wanted. And you fell for it, fell for the charm. What you hadn’t realized at first was that it was a trap, months into the relationship you realized just what kind of man you fell in love with.

And then there was Graves. An ex-military man has been working for your father for awhile now, helping to maintain the ranch. For the most part Graves was not a man you really thought about. Yes he was around often, but the two of you never really interacted.

And then you left, you ran. In an effort to escape, to heal your heart and your mind. Claiming that you needed space and needed to explore the world, that staying was too much for you.

But Graves didn’t leave. A year passed and there was no sign of you. Graves had kept an eye on your social media, had a few of his old contacts keep an eye on you. Always claiming that he was just doing it for your father, that he had no interest in you. But that would be a lie.

Graves has always had his eye on you. Your fiery personality paired with the soft girl he knew was inside drew him in. But he always pushed that thought away. He worked for your father and he was older than you. He was no good for you. Or atleast he convinced himself that he wasn’t.

Graves wasn’t sure when the yelling had started, he had been checking on a horse out in the pasture. But as he approaches the barn, the words slowly start to become clearer. And so do the voices. Your voice.

“I told you to leave Josh, I don’t want you here.” Your voice is shaky as you shift away from the man you’re arguing with, moving closer to one of the horses still in its stall.

“Do you think I care? You ran from me for a year? A year?!” Josh yells, stepping closer to you. His eyes dark as he looks at you he doesn’t seem happy.

And something inside Graves just snaps. He can’t believe Josh had the audacity to even show up here, to bother you. He’s not even questioning why you are back. All he’s focused on is protecting you.

Graves strides into the barn, making his way directly over to Josh. Graves fist connects to Josh’s nose, a crunch echoing through the barn. It’s almost immediate that Josh slumps to the ground, not being as strong as he likes to pretend he is.

“I suggest that you leave, you aren’t welcome on this property. Stay any longer and you’ll be dealing with more than a broken nose.” Graves' voice is a low growl as he looms over Josh, the anger evident. Graves is not going to let anyone hurt you or make you uncomfortable.