by Piper Stone
“I just wanted you to know that you were right that Holt Wills is a dangerous man.”
She cocked her head, swallowing hard. “What happened?”
“Well, he managed to save my life, possibly twice.”
“He did? What happened, Danni? Are you okay?”
“Oh, I am now.” I took a sip of my drink, moving toward her bookshelves and taking my time. “I’m surprised you didn’t tell me that you knew Mustang from years ago.” I heard the slight cough, although she attempted to cover it up.
“I barely knew him, mostly his reputation.”
“Hmmm… You didn’t actually consider running away with him with you were fifteen? That’s what Mustang told me. I think he cared about you deeply.” I slowly turned my head, studying her reaction.
While she paled, the same smile remained. “I thought that might bother you. We were kids. He was just a fling.”
“Right. Of course. But your father never forgave him, did he? Not only for the horses but for refusing to accept a bribe to stay out of your life. My guess is that your powerful father didn’t like the fact Mustang threatened him with telling everyone, including you about the bribe.”
“I…” She chewed on her lower lip as she stared at me. “Like I said, that was a long time ago.” She knew about the bribe all right.
“Yes, it was.” I took a few sips of wine before turning to face her. “I had to wonder why you mentioned anything about cattle fraud to me after I told you about what I’d experienced. I mean, I realize that you were tipsy, but were you attempting to see if I had what it took to come and work with you? I mean you and your boyfriend. Or are you both really working for your father?”
“What in the hell are you getting at?” Sandra huffed.
“Then you did try and warn me, but by then, I’m guessing that both your father and Randy decided that while they expanded their business, they could take out some trash. That included Mustang. Why not? After all, he was responsible for turning his baby daughter against him for several years. He was also the son of one of the men forcing Randy’s father to end his life. Then there’s Big Meadow Ranch. Well, it would seem that luck had come your way. You could take out Big Meadow at the same time, a beautiful moment of revenge for Randy having spent time in prison because of Drake Travers, brother to the current owner of Big Meadow. Am I getting warmer? What I don’t understand is why you’d agree to help.”
“You’re not making any sense, Danni, but I don’t like your tone one bit.” She placed her glass of wine on the table. “I think you should leave. In fact, get out before you say something that we’re both going to regret.”
“Isn’t Randy Harding, son of Robert Cooper, your boyfriend?” I could tell by the look of fear in her eyes that everything I’d been told by the FBI had been correct.
“I don’t know why you would say these horrible things,” she managed, her jaw clenched.
I stormed toward her, my anger ready to claw through my skin. “Because Randy had every intention of killing me yesterday because he realized that I already knew too much. Did you know that? Was that under your orders or your father’s, or just something that Randy was intent on doing? My guess is that you convinced Randy to try and warn me. Why? Was that the soft spot you had left?”
Now her face was pinched.
“You have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Maybe I don’t, Sandra, but I thought you were my friend.” I had a feeling she wasn’t going to say anything. “I was almost killed for one reason. Because I care about animals. I’m not certain what happened to you or why, but maybe one day you’ll be able to tell me.” I headed toward the door, the sadness overtaking my anger.
“I never wanted you hurt, Danni. Never. You are my friend, but you kept digging, refusing to stop. I was the person who called you, disguising my voice. I just wanted you to back off. Then you had to find Mustang. Everything seemed to unravel after that, Randy insisting that no one was going to take away what he’d worked so hard to rebuild, including the son of the man who forced his father to kill himself.”
“That might be the reason that Randy is involved, but what about you?”
She closed her eyes, taking several deep breaths. “I wanted to punish my father.”
“So you were planning on framing him.”
“Yes, okay? Are you happy now? My father has done nothing but try and ruin my life, including doing everything he could to keep Randy away from me.”
“Just like you tried to ruin my life.”
Tears filled Sandra’s eyes. “I never intended on doing that. If that asshole ranch hand had listened to me and called the right veterinarian, none of this would have happened.”
“But it did. Then I met Mustang. I feel sorry for you, Sandra, but sometimes the choices we make in our lives cause harm to others. What I don’t feel is guilty in helping to catch you in your lies.” I opened the door, sighing before walking out and leaving it open.
The flashing blue lights should tell her the rest of the story.
Now it was time to continue on with my life, and with the man I loved.
Chapter 16
Mustang
Ten Days Later
Guilt.
Anger.
Remorse.
All three emotions had spun themselves into something that I knew I had to deal with. I’d also felt fear. Fear of the unknown. Fear of the future.
Mostly, fear of losing the woman I loved.
Finally the nightmare was over, the persons responsible admitting their crimes. I knew Danni remained troubled by the betrayal of her friend, but at least she’d learned the truth. She’d also helped the case against Randy Harding and Sandra Ellis with the wire she’d worn. It had been risky, but several FBI agents had surrounded the house.
Sadly, Sandra’s father had gone into hiding, some convinced that he’d been a part of the scheme.
As far as the future? Well, I was actually looking forward to it.
“You sure you’re up for this, cowboy?” Danni asked, her tone far too sultry not to be locked away in my cabin, a roaring fire in the fireplace.
Hell. In the last few days, all I’d wanted to do was remain locked away, but only if the woman who’d captured my heart remained by my side. She’d proven to be a handful, refusing to allow the horror she’d experienced to bother her in the least. I had to admire her tenacity as well as her resolve.
The woman was tough as nails.
Grinning, I opened the rear door of her Charger, allowing Zorro and Rattler to jump out, both pups immediately racing for Hawk’s front door. “I’m up for just about anything. How about you?” As I placed my hand on my throbbing cock, an actual blush flowed into her lovely cheeks.
“You’re incorrigible. You do know that.”
“Which is why you adore me.”
She punched me lightly in the gut before trying to push me away. “You? Who are you again? Oh, yeah,” she mused as she rubbed her hand across my chest. “One mean fighting machine.”
“Very funny.” I took her by the hand, pulling her fingers to my lips. Maybe I should be grateful that Snake had given me the advice or Randy Harding would have lost his life that snowy day. Instead, he’d wear a sling on his arm for another week or so. He also wouldn’t be aiming a gun at anyone else for a long time.
At least if the FBI had anything to say about it.
“Mmm… You keep that up, we might need a quickie.”
“Only after a well-deserved spanking.”
“Hey! I’ve been good lately.”
“Uh-huh. Come on. There’s some people I want you to meet.” As we walked toward the entrance, the dogs had already announced our arrival, the door open wide.
“About time you got here,” Hawk said, winking then laughing as the dogs raced inside. “I think those two are buddies.”
“They are a handful,” Danni said.
“Just like the little filly here,” I stated with utter dominance on purpose.
As he took our coats, I nodded toward Scorpion as he stood in the doorway of Hawk’s office, leaning against the jamb. When Bryce and Caroline walked in, the smile on Danni’s face grew wide.
“Everyone, this lovely veterinarian, Danni Brexton, has stolen the heart of our wistful, fun-loving Mustang,” Hawk said after clearing his throat.
“Remind me to kick your ass later,” I huffed, everyone else laughing.
“Danni, this is my feisty broad, Bryce, but watch her, she has a mean right hook,” Hawk continued. “Over there is Caroline, the only woman who can keep Scorpion in line.”
“Scorpion, Hawk, and Mustang. Now, what are the names of the other two posse members?” Danni asked.
“That would be Reaper and Vader,” Scorpion said quietly, as if he had some news.
“Heroes, monsters, sinners and saints. Isn’t that what you all call yourselves?” Danni asked.
As I glanced at Hawk, he gave a nod of respect, Scorpion doing the same. I’d told the entire story about the mission, every damaging detail. What had surprised me the most was that she’d simply brought my hand to her heart.
“Yep. She’s one of us. Why don’t we girls grab a drink and let the boys talk. I also have freshly made doggie treats,” Bryce cooed.
As Danni ran her fingers through mine, the same desire rushed to the surface. She was one hell of a woman.
“Come on. Scorpion has news to share. Plus, after this last couple of weeks, I think a drink or five is in order.” Hawk moved immediately to the bar in his office, pouring us a round of bourbon.
“You did damn good,” Scorpion said casually, although there was a twinkle in his eyes. “Plus, you got one hot little mama right there.”
“Touch her and I’ll sic Caroline on you,” I growled.
“Trust me. I can barely handle my woman at this point,” Scorpion said, laughing. “I’m just glad you’re all right. I missed all the fun after the arrests.”
“I came by the bar a few days ago and you weren’t there. What the hell?” I challenged, lifting a single eyebrow.
“I just had to go out of town for a couple days with Caroline.”
“Yeah. Yeah. What is this big news you have?” I asked, savoring the bourbon. It had been a long time since I felt truly relaxed.
“Reaper is coming home in a couple weeks.” Scorpion’s voice seemed odd.
“O-kay. What aren’t you telling me?” I glanced at Hawk who had obviously heard the news already.
“Vader is missing.”
I shrank back. “What do you mean missing?”
“He hasn’t been heard from in six weeks,” Hawk answered. “He was really despondent when he was last seen, some reports saying suicidal.”
The news hit me hard, anger swelling again. I fisted my hand and snarled. “Goddamn all this shit. If we hadn’t gone on that freaking mission in the first place then…” Shit. What the fuck was I doing?
“Then what?” Hawk demanded as he moved closer. “Then Snake would be alive. Is that what you’re trying to tell me? Is that it?”
“Whoa,” Scorpion hissed, moving between us. “We’re friends.”
“Maybe not. I know you blame me, Mustang. I know you do. Just fucking say it for once. Have some damn balls for once in your freaking life.”
“Stop it!” Scorpion snarled. “This is bullshit.”
“Fine. I did blame you. Okay? I even hated you,” I barked, instantly loathing that it had come to this. “Then I realized my anger was directed at the wrong man. You were doing exactly as you’d been trained to do. I’m the one to blame. I was the one who froze that day we went in to rescue him. Me. If I hadn’t then we would have saved Snake before the explosion.” The harshness of my tone was freaking uncalled for, the echo something I would never forget.
The tension between us was something I’d tried to avoid, but Danni had been right. I couldn’t avoid my past or my feelings any longer.
“I’m the one to blame,” I repeated.
Hawk sucked in his breath before patting me on the shoulder. “There isn’t a one of us who hasn’t second guessed our decisions. I’ve been sick about it, second guessing everything, every single decision. But I finally had to make peace with what happened. The assholes to blame are those responsible for taking him prisoner.”
“He’s right, Mustang. I’ve stayed awake nights blaming myself for not stopping Snake. I had a chance to do it. I have no idea what I was thinking.”
“He would have refused. You know how Snake was,” I managed.
“Yeah, that’s for certain,” Scorpion half whispered.
“We have to let go of this guilt. That’s not what Snake would have wanted,” Hawk said quietly before lifting his glass.
I gave him the nod of respect this time. As I lifted my glass, I could see a glimpse of Snake’s face in my mind. At least the man was smiling. That was the way I wanted to remember him. “To Snake.”
“To Snake,” Hawk said with authority.
“To one crazy motherfucker,” Scorpion added, allowing us all to laugh.
“Okay. The last I heard, this was supposed to be a party,” Bryce said as she walked in.
“The lady is right. Hey, why don’t you take Danni to see the new barn,” Hawk suggested.
“Why?”
“Remember that steer she saved?” he asked, giving me a sly smile. “I purchased him. I thought she might like to know that he’s healed just fine. I had him put in stall number five for the time being just in case.”
“You know, I think she’d like that.” I took another gulp of my drink before easing it onto the bar. As I walked toward the door, I stopped in front of Hawk, giving him a salute.
I could see the look in his eyes, the level of emotion that had run through all of us over the last few months.
As he lifted his arm, holding his head high as he saluted, I was allowed once again to feel honor.
Honor for my country.
Honor for my unit.
Honor for the men I called my friends.
“We will find Vader,” I said after lowering my arm.
“You’re damn straight we will,” Scorpion stated.
“And we’ll bring him home.”
Hawk’s last words had dual meaning. I only prayed to God that our friend would return in one piece.
“What are we doing in the barn?” Danni demanded as she took backward steps away from me.
“I thought you’d want to see the steer you saved.”
Her eyes lit up, a smile crossing her face. “I’d really like that.”
“Don’t worry, he’s doing very well.”
“He better be.”
Chuckling, I rubbed my jaw as I inched closer, eyeing the few saddle racks. They would make for a nice spanking spot. “Well, I wanted to surprise you and not only with the steer.”
“Another surprise, huh?” She noticed my gaze and grimaced. “And what would that be?”
“Give me your hand.”
When she hesitated, I gave her a stern look.
“Why don’t I trust you?” she moaned as she took my hand into hers.
“Hmm…” I yanked her closer, immediately fisting her hair. “I guess that’s the question you’re going to have to ask yourself, sunshine. I’m a pretty trustworthy guy. I always keep my promises.”
She clawed my shirt, a sultry smile crossing her face. “Yes, I guess you do.”
The scent of her perfume wafted into my nostrils, creating such a wave of longing that I would be forced to keep my hands off her for the rest of the night. Unable to help myself, I crushed her mouth with mine, pulling her tightly against my chest. I would never be able to get over the feel of her in my arms or the worry that had almost consumed me.
As she pushed her tongue past my lips, the savage beast inside me took over, passion roaring to the surface.
Whimpering, she raked her fingers down my jacket, craw
ling them underneath as she ground her hips against mine.
My cock was at the point of aching, my balls tight as drums. When I broke the kiss, I shook my head and cupped her jaw. “Careful or I just might take you right here.”
“Oh, no, you won’t,” she purred.
“Hmm… It would seem that you need to earn your surprise.”
She slipped her hand between us, sliding her fingers to my cock. “And how can I do that?”
“You can certainly do that later.” Grinning, I whipped her around, pushing her toward one of the saddle racks, pushing her over and immediately bringing my hand down hard and fast against her backside.
“Ouch! What the hell are you doing?”
“Such language for a beautiful woman. I think we need some serious work on correcting your behavior.” I smacked her several additional times and as she tried to flail, I was forced to pin her arm behind her back.
“You are so mean.”
“So you’ve told me how many times?” I couldn’t keep a grin off my face as she kicked up her boots, one after the other, struggling to get away. “You better maintain your position, or I’ll pull off my belt.”
“No. No! I’ll get you for this,” she moaned.
I refused to stop, spanking her long and hard, prepared to rip off her clothes for a little pre-dinner wickedness.
Until I heard the sound of at least two vehicles.
Sighing, I shifted my gaze toward the set of open barn doors. “Looks like we have company.”
Danni managed to wiggle out of my hold, blowing me a kiss before running her fingers through her hair.
“I hope nothing’s wrong,” I said as the headlights remained on.
When I felt her hand grasping mine, an odd feeling settled into my stomach.
“You know I love you, right?” she asked.
I tipped my head, seeing tears in her eyes. “With all your heart. What’s wrong?”
She touched my cheek in such a gentle manner that I shuddered. “Sometimes, cowboy, you ask too many questions.”
After finally hearing several vehicle doors open and close, I turned my attention toward the entrance, watching as Scorpion walked in, his swagger matching the goofy grin on his face.
