by Ciana Stone
“Give it your best shot, Pop.”
That scared Naomie enough to have her running between them and catching a slap hard enough to send her crashing back into Mace who caught her and kept her from hitting the floor.
“What the fuck, Dad?” Mace shouted as Naomie stared at Russell in shock.
His face went a bit pale. “Naomie, I–dear god, I’m sorry. You and Mace need to get out of my way and let me do what I need to do.”
“You don’t need to do anything, Russell. Please, please.” She appealed and then softened her voice. “Please. Just give me five minutes. That’s all I ask.”
“Five minutes.”
“Let go of me, Mace.”
“Are you sure?”
Naomie patted his arm. “We’re fine now. Aren’t we, Mr. Walker?”
“Yes.” His voice still carried a lot of anger, but the out of control rage was gone.
Once Mace released her, Naomie turned to look at him. “Could you give us the room for just a few?”
“You sure about this?”
“I am.”
“Fine, but I’ll be right outside on the porch.”
Naomie waited until Mace left the room, then she turned to face Russell. “First, I know that slap wasn’t intended for me, but what the fuck, Russell? You were attacking your son, and he was just trying to look out for you.”
“What makes any of you think I need looking out for? I’ve managed my entire life without help from any of you and can continue to do so.”
“Is that right?” Naomie just hit her fill mark, and she wasn’t about to take any shit from him. “Well, let me tell you something, Russell Walker. You’re acting like a chump right now. You go after Kal Burton without ironclad proof, and you’ll end up with egg on your face and you know that’s the truth.”
“A chump?” He took a step closer.
“That’s what I said. Let me ask you something. Do you trust me?”
He glared at her for a moment before he answered. “You know I do.”
“Then trust me on this. As we speak, Nash is waiting for the authorities to arrive at the cabin we found. They can take impressions of the tire tracks, take in the implements, wheelbarrow and dry molasses jug to test for prints and if it turns out to be Kal, then at least you have compelling evidence that he poisoned your stock.
“But-” she raised one hand as he opened his mouth. “If you rush out of here and do something rash, then you just might be shooting yourself in the foot. Are you listening to me?”
He literally snarled at her. “Yeah, I hear you.”
“But are you listening, Russell?”
“I said I am.”
“Then what are you going to do?”
“Get out of my way, and you’ll find out.”
“No.”
“No?”
“You heard me. You want past me? Slap me again. I’m sure this time I’ll hit the floor. My head’s still reeling from the first one, but if that’s what it takes to keep you from doing something stupid, go ahead.”
Naomie flinched as he suddenly moved toward her and squeaked a bit when his hands closed on her upper arms. “Don’t test me.”
“Don’t hurt me,” she replied softly. “Russell, please.”
“Goddamn it, Naomie.”
She gasped when he moved one hand to the back of her neck and pulled her in. His lips claimed her in a kiss that was almost brutal. Almost. Until she untensed from the shock of it and met him with equal verve. That’s when brutality turned to passion. She felt it, tasted it and knew that if she pushed just a little, she could have him. At least for a little while, until his anger and passion were spent.
And then, he’d hate her for taking advantage of the situation. He’d made it clear he didn’t want a relationship with her, at least not a sexual one. So, she didn’t try and use his rage to her advantage.
Instead, she let herself sink into the kiss, revel in the feel of his arm circling around her to hold her tight. When he pulled back from the kiss, he continued to hold her. “God as my witness, I’ll destroy him if he’s responsible.”
“And I’ll help you,” she promised. “I’m here for you, Russell.”
“Always?”
“Always.”
He looked into her eyes for a long moment. “I do care about you, Naomie.”
“I know.”
“But this can’t happen again.”
“I know.”
The look he gave her told her that his rage was fading. “Why do I get the feeling you’re just placating me?”
“I don’t know, maybe it’s because your hand’s still on my butt?”
That brought a smile to his face. “You’re such a smart ass.”
“So I’ve been told. Now, what do you say we let Mace know that you’re not going to be killing anyone today?”
“Did you really think I might?”
“Let’s say you scared me.”
“Naomie, I didn’t mean to hit you. You have to know that.”
“I do, but what troubles me is that you did mean to hit Mace and he was only trying to protect you. You don’t seem to get it. You’re surrounded by people who love you. All we’re doing is trying to look out for you. Just like you look out for the people you love.”
“That’s not lost on me, despite my behavior today and in all honesty, Mace could probably kick my ass.”
“But he wouldn’t, you know. He loves and respects you too much. All your kids do. Me, on the other hand – well let me tell you, buddy. The next time you get all worked up like this, I might just have to open a big old can of whoop ass on you.”
“Whoop ass, huh?”
“You heard me. And don’t think for a minute that just because I’m small, I can’t do some damage with my mad ninja skills.”
“Oh, I’ve never doubted that for an instant.” His smile gave testament to the rage dissipating.
“Well, all righty then. Are we good?”
“We are.”
“Then take your big paw off my ass and let’s go tell Mace to sound the signal that all’s well on the home front.”
Russell released her. “But it’s not. Not really. This thing is escalating, Naomie, and we need to put an end to it before more than cattle gets hurt.”
“Amen to that, sir. And we will, but within the law, okay?”
“Within the law.”
Naomie smiled and nodded. She wasn’t at all sure there was a happy ending in sight for this mess. Someone had a big grudge against Heritage, and if it wasn’t Kalvin Burton, then they needed to find out who it was, and stop him.
She agreed with Russell on one thing. The situation was escalating. Poisoned water and poisoned food could well mean a loss of organic status and stock. If that didn’t satisfy their enemy then whoever it was, might just decide to strike at the people who lived and worked on Heritage.
And that couldn’t be allowed.
Chapter Twenty – April 5th, 2019
The moment Kal got off the phone with Cici, he stood, picked up a chair from where it sat by the dinette table and hurled it across the room. It banged into the refrigerator, bounced off and slid into the cabinet.
“Son of a bitch!” He kicked at another chair, and it jostled the table, sending his coffee cup sliding off onto the floor. The ceramic cup exploded, sending shards and coffee all over the place.
Rather than clean it up, he stomped out of the room, muttering curses as he placed another call.
“Where are you?” he asked the moment Edward answered the phone.
“On the nineteenth hole, collecting my winnings from some very poor sports.”
“We need to talk.”
“I’ll call you back in five.”
The line went dead. Kal walked outside and sat down in a chair beneath a pergola on the patio beside the pool. He felt like his head was about to explode. With a grunt, he leaned back, closed his eyes and willed himself to relax.
His phone rang, and he snatched it u
p. “I’m in my car. What’s up?” Edward asked.
“I just got a call from Cici. Heritage lost nearly fifty head of cattle due to poisoning, so they conducted a search and found a cut fence with tire tracks leading away from the fence. When they followed the tracks, they found an old hunting cabin and in the wood bin was cow feed, tomato and dandelion plants, along with molasses.”
“And you’re concerned over a bizarre concoction like that because?”
“Because tomato plants can kill cows. Someone doctored the food with the molasses and dandelions to entice the cows to eat the poison.”
“And again, this is your concern because?”
“Because the goddamn cabin is on my property.”
“Jesus.”
“Yeah. Edward, you know I’m leveraged to the hilt in this project. If it goes south, I could lose everything. I can’t have fingers pointing at me over this mess.”
“I’m in that boat with you. I’ve got half my portfolio sunk in your project. Christ. This is bad.”
“Tell me about it. Any ideas?”
“Let me think.” There was a long pause before Edward spoke again. “What about Cici?”
“What about her?”
“Well if anyone can convince her family of your innocence, it’s her. Can you talk her into going to bat for you?”
“I don’t know. When we spoke, she said she didn’t believe I had anything to do with it, but that’s it. I don’t want her to feel like I’m using her to get myself out of a jam.”
“Then I don’t know what to say except you better come up with something, or we’re going to be crawling home to Daddy asking for a loan, and I don’t know about you, but the last thing I want to do is go to my old man for money.”
“It’s not going to come to that. There must be a way out. Wait, I didn’t even know there was a cabin on that property. In fact, I’ve never even stepped foot on the place. Someone could have been using it without my knowledge, so there’s nothing to tie me to what happened. There can’t be any proof.”
“Are you certain?”
“What the fuck is that supposed to mean? Of course, I’m certain. I’ve never been there so how could anything tie me to the place or the events that took place there? I just own the land. And I can verify my whereabouts on any given day for the last year, proving I was never there.”
“Then let’s hope that will suffice. Still, you might want to see if Cici will add some support.”
“I’ll talk to her when I see her later.”
“You’re seeing her today?”
“Yeah, in a couple of hours.”
“Well, good luck. Let me know how things go. And do try not to lose our money.”
“Don’t worry. Talk to you soon.”
Kal put the phone on the side table and leaned back, feeling a lot more positive. He hadn’t just been blowing smoke up Edward’s ass. He’d never stepped foot on the property in Texas and could prove his whereabouts on the dates of the events that happened.
He was safe and planned on staying that way. Relieved to be shed of that weight, he went inside, called the housekeepers quarters and asked to have the kitchen cleaned up, then Kal went upstairs, undressed and got into the hot tub. He wanted to be relaxed and in control when he saw Cici because aside from what was going on at Heritage, there was something else she wanted to talk to him about and he hoped it was their relationship.
Kal had realized over the last few weeks that he wanted more from Cici. He wanted a real relationship with her and tonight he intended to tell her just that. He’d never asked a woman to be his steady companion, be exclusive with him, move into his house or marry him, but he’d take any or all of that from Cici. However much she was willing to give.
*****
Cici was waiting with the door opened when Kal stepped off the elevator. She ran into his arms, and he could tell by the tension in her body that she was stressed. “Let’s go inside, baby.”
They went into her living room and sat on the couch and she took his hands. “Before you say anything,” she opened the conversation, “let me say that I know you’re not responsible for what happened. You’d never do something like that.”
“Thank you. That means the world to me. And you’re right. If this project fails, I’m going to take a huge financial hit, and my reputation will be in the garbage. And just as important, if not more, I’d lose you, and that would hurt more than being broke.”
“Kal…” she looked down at their clasped hands. “I don’t know what to say.”
“Maybe that you’re just as crazy about me?”
“I am,” she looked up to meet his gaze.
Nothing could have made him happier. Cici’s support meant everything to him. Kal pulled her into his arms, and the passion of her kiss filled him with something as powerful as happiness, but a lot more primal.
“I want you,” he murmured against her lips.
“That’s an easy wish to grant.”
He pulled back. “Maybe not. I want you my way.”
“Which is?”
“Bound and at my mercy or simply under my command, whichever you can give.”
He saw the shock, followed by the apprehension in her expression. “I, uh, Kal, I’ve never played that game and–and I’m not sure. I mean, I don’t like pain, and I mean I really don’t like pain so–shit.”
She pulled away and stood. “Are we making a huge mistake? I mean, I thought we were good together sexually, but if that’s what you’re into then we’re really not a fit at all.”
“I didn’t say pain, Cici. I said at my mercy. Being bound is your choice.”
“But at your command? What the hell does that even mean?”
“Do you want to find out?”
“I don’t know.”
“Then maybe I should go. Maybe this is a mistake.”
He stood and started for the door, but she called out to him. “No, don’t go.”
Kal turned to face her, and she walked over to him. “Show me what you mean.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
He didn’t have to consider it long. Kal was honest when he said he wanted her. He did. More than he’d ever wanted a woman. “Okay. Then come here.”
Cici walked over to him, and he smiled at her. “Kiss me.”
“Well, that’s easy.”
“No talking, Cici. Just do as I tell you and only as I tell you.”
She shrugged, and he got the distinct impression she was just placating him, which served to erase his desire. “Forget it. This won’t work.”
This time when he turned away, she grabbed his arm. “Yes, it will. I just need to know what it is you want and how you want it. I’ll be quiet, but don’t go. I want to try. Really.”
“Fine.” He took hold of one of her arms and steered her through the penthouse and to the bedroom.
“Take off your clothes.”
To her credit, this time she didn’t comment, she just stripped. When she was standing naked before him, he reached out to run one hand across the top of her breasts and down the center of her body to the junction of her thighs.
“This is what’s going to happen. You’re going to lay down on the bed so that you can reach up and grab that bedpost. Then you’re going to spread your legs, and I’m going to make you come. With my mouth and hands and fingers. But you won’t come until I tell you. Clear?”
“Clear.”
“Then lay down baby.”
He was surprised when she did as ordered. And even more surprised when she said, “I’m yours.”
With a smile, he started removing his clothes.
Chapter Twenty-One - April 5th, 2019
Naomie woke to the sounds of engines and loud voices. She jumped out of bed, threw on some clothes and ran outside onto the porch of her cottage. The main compound was flooded with light and activity. Men were leading saddled horses from the barn as trucks and ATV’s lined up almost like a caravan.
Or po
sse. That thought scared her legs into motion, and she ran toward the hub of activity. She spotted Russell at about the same moment he saw her. He held up his hand at the three men with him and then headed in her direction.
“What’s going on?” she asked.
“This thing is out of control. I got a call from Mace. We had cattle in one of the feedlots on the western border, down around Laredo. An hour ago, a hundred head were driven across the border into Mexico, and two Heritage men were shot. One’s dead, and the other in critical condition.”
“And you’re going to do what? Cross the border and go after them?”
“Shore up our boundaries. Until this damn thing is over, we’re going to patrol our borders twenty-four seven.”
“Then you better hire a damn army because you don’t have enough people to do that and keep Heritage running. Just call the authorities, sir.”
“I’m not a fool, Naomie. I called.”
“So, what is this all about?” She waved her arms around, indicating the bustle of activity taking place.
“I’m sending what men we can spare to secure the western border and increasing patrols on this property and all others until we catch whoever is responsible.”
She steeled herself for a better than average chance she would receive a verbal punch over her upcoming question. “And why are they all wearing sidearms and have rifles?”
“You know better than to ask a stupid question like that. I’m not sending men out unarmed. Two people were shot tonight. I’m damn lucky to have men willing to stand watch considering that.”
“You’re right.” She hated to admit it, but it made sense. She’d not be willing to ride a fence line or stand watch knowing there might be armed enemies looking to hurt or kill, whatever it took to steal the cattle.
“Who hates you enough to do this?” she blurted.
She saw shock register on Russell’s face. He’d clearly not given this situation that kind of consideration, but perhaps he needed to. “I’m sorry sir, but it seems to me that it’d take a deep hate to create this much chaos and to be willing to kill. And to what end? Heritage can absorb the loss of the cattle. It won’t break you. So, what is the goal? What would someone gain from all this?”
