This whole situation with Trixy lashing out at her doesn’t sit well with me. Even more when she mentioned the shirt thing. It makes me wonder why she’s focused on Harlene. Though Trixy doesn’t need added motivation since she’s a bitch to anyone she thinks is in her way.
“I want to know what happened. Get me every detail.”
Roper nods at my words and takes out his phone. “You got it, Pres.”
I spin on my heels and head for the house. It’s by no means compact and has large open living spaces. Set up as our clubhouse, we need all the space we can get as there are about twenty of us living here on the ranch.
It’s also the reason I have a tiny cabin away from the main house. I need my own space at times. Somewhere quiet to retreat. They know where to find me and yet no one enters the cabin except me.
Decker is sitting on one of the couches, a thick file lying in front of him on the table, when he asks, “Did you make an appointment with the vet to check out those new quarter horses?”
Fuck. That’s why I rushed to her when I saw her getting ready to leave.
“It slipped my mind,” I grumble.
“Trixy bitched at the lovely lady and chased her away,” Roper says from behind me as he stalks into the kitchen.
“Trixy is a cunt with a big mouth. Need me to kick her off the property?”
I shake my head at Decker’s suggestion and tell him, “Alfie took care of it. Spread the word that bitch isn’t allowed to step foot on our grounds ever again.”
“You know it’s something you can do with a few jabs of your finger, right?” Decker says and takes out his phone.
He rapidly lets his thumbs slide over the screen before he shoves it back into his pants while my phone indicates I have a message. I take it out and see Decker’s message he must have thrown into the group chat.
“Very fucking funny,” I grumble while I take the bottle of water Roper is offering me.
“The sheriff emailed you what he had. We could check out the scene and also check the SUV since it was towed to the junkyard.” Roper gulps down his water as he waits for my reply.
Like I said, I have this nagging feeling and if something happens in my territory, I want to know everything from start to finish.
“Let’s hit the road,” I tell him and unscrew the cap off the bottle to drain the contents.
Decker gets to his feet. “Want me to tag along?”
“Yeah. You too Roper.” I want them both since Roper is not only my VP, he’s also a great tracker.
Decker’s opinion is valuable too since he used to work for the FBI and is very perceptive.
“We’re looking into the deaths of the vet and his son,” Roper informs Decker.
Decker releases a sigh of relief. “Good. I was going to bring it up in church tonight. The news article wasn’t very forward with details and even if it’s labeled as a tragic one-sided accident, my mind is triggered there’s something more going on.”
“Now he’s telling me,” I grumble.
Decker shrugs. “You just got back and jumped right on your bike again to put the herd into the other pasture. It’s not like there was time to bring it to your attention.”
“Well, it has my full attention now,” I snap, and head for my bike.
CHAPTER THREE
— Harlene —
“There’s sweat underneath my boobs, my hair is a mess, and I’ve handled more dogs in need of stitches than a normal day. I’m pooped. I need a drink or a hot piece of ass to give me some nice action between the sheets. But like I said, my hair is a mess and the whole boobs and sweat thing is messing with my level of sexiness. And I’m seriously not in the mood to chase down some dude. I might need a shower more than anything,” Cassidy complains as she strolls into the office and drops her tired body into a chair.
“All I want is a cold beer and a normal bed for a change.” I hate adding to the complain-train, but this day really sucks.
After I visited the Iron Hot Blood Ranch, I was called in to birth a horse. Thankfully that went well, but when I got back Cassidy asked for a second opinion. The dog had a lump in his belly and while we were working on running tests, the dog died. Liver cancer. He went very fast but nonetheless it’s always a struggle to have them die on you when all you want to do is help.
Then we had a goat with polio, a dog with a broken leg, and another dog who needed surgery because he swallowed something he shouldn’t have. And that’s just the thing, you never know what’s coming through the front door, but you give it your all, no matter what.
“Each and every one of us wants some hot action between the sheets, Cassy, girl.” Joaquin smirks. “A cold beer right after and a good bed for a bleep of sleep before getting some more action. But none of us live in la-la-land and we have to deal with real life shit. So, grab your sweaty tits and buckle up. We have another full day tomorrow and Marie is taking over for the night in case there’s an emergency.” He grabs some jelly beans and throws one in my direction. “Are you still living out of your suitcase or did you unpack?”
“Stop forcing your candy on me,” I scold and pop the jelly bean—that landed between my boobs—into my mouth.
Joaquin has a sweet tooth and though he eats plenty, he still manages to have a full six pack. Totally not cool since I only have to look at sugar to add a few pounds.
“And, no.” I release a deep sigh. “Everything is still in my suitcase.”
“Girl,” Joaquin says in a scolding tone. “I would have expected it if your family was still alive since you were only supposed to be here for a two week vacation. But this isn’t a vacation anymore. You’re not going back to finish the whole learning experience with that horse clinic you decided to help out. It’s canceled. This is your home now.”
I cringe because he’s right. The last five months I’ve been working at a clinic in another state to learn other procedures from a friend of my father’s since he worked a lot with horses. I only got back a week before my father and brother had their accident. I was supposed to head back for three more months but that’s not possible, since this clinic has now become my responsibility.
“Maybe I need to sell the house and move,” I whisper, letting my thoughts flow. “It’s so hard being in that house alone.”
“Are you going to sell the clinic?” Cassidy snaps.
I’m taken aback by her question. “Of course not. Being a vet is my life. My family worked hard to build this up and I’m going to fight with every inch of strength I possess to keep this running and follow the dream of my legacy. Which also happens to be my dream. My legacy…if I ever find myself the right man, settle down and pop out a kid or two.” I glance around the room where there’s a painting on the wall my father had made of my mother. She died three years ago due to complications after bypass surgery.
“There are so many memories in here,” I add on a voice filled with emotion.
“And there’s too many memories in that quiet house. Here you put your brain to work and follow a routine you know by heart. At home it’s the silence and raw emotions screaming at you. And even if Cassy and I moved in, you still feel alone. It’s called grieving, sweetheart.”
“Well, whatever it is, it sucks.” And I hate how thin my voice sounds.
“I know, sweetie,” Cassidy says and pulls me into a hug.
Joaquin joins in but all too soon he says, “Okay, somebody needs a shower.”
Cassidy steps back and grumbles, “I did mention the whole boob sweat, remember?”
“I’m just fussing with you,” Joaquin chuckles. “You smell all woman and look like a hot mess. Rather sexy if I say so myself. Yeah, I’d totally do you.”
Cassidy narrows her eyes. “I don’t even care if it’s a compliment or not,” she says as the door opens behind her and I see Roper step inside. “I am rather sexy. I’d totally do me too. I’m glad we agree. Now all I need is that drink and a hot piece of ass to give some action between the sheets.”
“You
rang?” Roper says with a rough but husky voice. “Cause I sure as fuck would be up to answering your needs for a nice round of fucking.”
Cassidy spins around and they take their time to assess one another until Weston steps inside and breaks their connection.
“What’s going on?” he asks Roper.
“The lady here requested something I’m more than willing to give her,” Roper replies in that throaty voice of his.
Weston shakes his head. “For fuck’s sake, Roper. Keep it in your pants. We’re not here to find you a woman who willingly lets you tie her up to—”
“Roper here won’t keep it in his pants and I’m most definitely a woman who needs to be tied up otherwise he wouldn’t survive the night.” Cassidy shoots Roper a wink and I seriously wish I was more like her in the whole flirting and demanding sex department.
She’s a real sex bomb and knows it too. I swear she can go from a hardworking vet to a stripper chick who can clean out any available man’s bank account in the blink of an eye.
Now if I would so much as try to wink people would think I have an eye problem. Not that I would even dream about flirting with a dude. Or would be able to get a man into my bed. Or hell, be self-assured like Cassidy and act on my needs and ask a man to screw my brains out.
Let alone ask a man like Weston. Maybe I should. It sure would be a nice way to put my life on hold and find some release. He looks like he’s good for it. Who am I kidding? He’s more than good for it from what I’ve been told.
Marie was kind enough to inform me today how these men have screwed every piece of ass available in this state and all of the surrounding states. Reminding me of why my father kept them away from me. He wanted someone who would treat me with respect and not like some piece of ass.
“For a moment there I thought you were going to ask me to tie you up,” Weston says in a panty wetting tone, reminding me of the very words that just entered my brain before he spoke.
“Nope, I’m good,” I quip, hoping it comes out more determined than I feel.
“Too good,” Weston mutters underneath his breath and it makes me narrow my eyes.
“To what do we owe the pleasure? Well, pleasure you two plan to direct at these two hot women...unless you have another one of your buddies—” Joaquin gasps. “Sweet baby puppies along with pie and some whipped cream, look at all that hotness. Who might you be fine sir?”
The man who just walked through the door raises his eyebrow at Joaquin. “The name is Decker, boy. And I’m the kind of man you wouldn’t know how to handle.”
Joaquin swallows hard and a visible shiver runs through him and Decker tilts his head.
“Maybe we should bring you along, introduce you to Alfie. Cock or pussy, he’s always in the mood to play,” Decker chuckles.
I can’t help it, it’s too screwed up, all of it. The corner of my mouth twitches before I quip, “Okay, then. Well, it’s fun chatting with y’all but I’ve had a long day. So, if there isn’t an emergency, I’d like for y’all to leave.”
“I’d like to have a word with you,” Weston states.
A deep sigh rips from my chest. “Is there an emergency?” I ask again.
“Not really.” He rubs his forehead and the movement makes his hat tip somewhat back.
“Good, then I will see you in the morning.” I grab my bag and glance at Joaquin. “Can you handle briefing Maria for me?”
“There’s only one dog staying overnight, right?” he questions.
“Right,” I reply and move myself past the men. “Later, Cassidy. And don’t forget, you’re on shift early tomorrow morning.”
“Yeah, yeah,” she absently replies.
I hear footsteps behind me when I stalk across the road. I don’t have to look behind me because I’m fairly sure it’s Weston. “Did you not hear me tell you to come back tomorrow?”
“You did, but this can’t wait.” His voice is right behind me and it makes me stop and spin around way too fast, almost causing me to twist my ankle.
His arms flash out and he grips my hips to steady me. Instant heat ignites underneath his palms. His eyes flare and widen slightly, letting me know he feels it too. It was the same boost of warmth I felt when he cupped my cheek the first time we met.
He drops his hands and steps back. “Please hear me out.”
Decker is standing behind him and Cassidy strolls up with Roper in tow. “Sorry, Harlene. I’m not passing up this hot piece of ass.”
She opens the door—seeing Cassidy and Joaquin both moved into the guest bedrooms—and leaves me in the living room along with Decker and Weston who pranced into the house behind me.
“Seeing as I apparently don’t have a choice, please speak your mind and get things over with.” I drop my bag next to the lazy chair and plunk down.
Neither Decker nor Weston take a seat. Both of them stay quiet and right where they are while they keep staring at me.
“Okay, enough,” I huff and drag my tired ass out of the chair.
“What do you know about the incident that caused the deaths of your father and brother?” Weston says, catching me by surprise and making me fall back into the chair very ungracefully.
“What?” I whisper, feeling my throat thicken due to the memory of losing them flaming up inside me.
Weston squats down in front of me. “I didn’t know about any of it until you mentioned it to me. I looked into it and I’m not so sure it was an accident.”
“They...they say he must have seen something on the road or lost control after the curb, it’s...there weren’t any track marks on the road indicating there was anyone else involved. What are you trying to tell me?”
“We went to the scene of the accident, and talked through how it happened since we have all the information that was written in the report. Then we went to the junkyard where the SUV was towed to. Do you know if the SUV was damaged before they crashed? Was your father in a fender bender or your brother or anyone else who might have used the car?”
My tired brain is trying to process the flow of information. “My dad was obsessed with the SUVs the clinic owned. All three the same color, each one in excellent condition. If you so much as got one speck of dirt on it, you’d have to clean it, no matter the time or day.”
“Thought so. Reason enough to think another car was involved. There was blue paint on the side of your father’s SUV.” Weston’s eyes are keeping me locked and drawn to him when he adds, “Can you think of anyone who wanted to hurt him?”
I shake my head. “No. Not that I know of. He was loved by all clients. There are no money problems or any issues that might lead to anyone wanting to hurt him.”
“Can I ask what the whole thing with Trixy was about?” Weston asks.
I can feel my forehead scrunch up when I wonder, “Why in the hell bring Trixy into this?”
“Because we think she might be involved.” My head swings toward Decker, the one who just puked out these insane words.
Because it’s crazy. They said it was an accident that ripped both my father and brother away from me. Why do they suddenly say otherwise? Why do they think Trixy is involved?
“I’d like for you two to leave now,” I calmly state and get up from the chair, forcing Weston to back up.
“What’s wrong?” Decker stays in place and shoves his thumbs into his jeans pocket as if he’s just getting comfortable. “Scared? Does the bitch have something on you we don’t know about? Or were you the one involved instead? Yeah, running this clinic all by yourself is nice without daddy to hold you back.”
I’m in front of the asshole the next instant. My two hands hit his chest with all my strength. “You asshole. How dare you? No, I wasn’t involved. And neither was that bitch Trixy. It should have been me, okay? I should have been the one driving that SUV. But I tripped over a damn shopping bag with a shirt I didn’t need causing my father to order me to put ice on my ankle while he and my brother went out instead.”
Decker snatches my wrists
in his large hands to keep me in place. I start to fight him but a strong arm sneaks around my waist and pulls me against a hard chest.
A rumble flows through said chest before I hear Weston’s voice, “Let her go, Decker.”
I hate myself for losing control. I never lose control, not even when I’m facing something impossible, but I’m damn tired, I’m cranky, and had a really shitty day. And now this.
Decker’s hands leave my wrists and I’m spun around to face Weston. “Why are you so sure Trixy wasn’t involved? She clearly hates you.”
“Let me go,” I growl through clenched teeth, getting fed up with this whole situation.
He instantly lets me go, so I give him the answer to his question. “She’s hated me ever since her boyfriend broke up with her and asked me out on a date. But I know she wasn’t involved because she was here around the time of the accident. Right here to demand the stupid shirt she thought was hers to buy and not mine.”
I stalk to the cabinet that’s against the wall near the door. It’s where I threw the bag with the shirt when I almost broke my neck. I snatch up the bag and shove it against Winston’s chest. “Here you go. Seeing she’s your fuckbuddy, you can give it to her and tell her to leave me the fuck alone. Now get the hell out of my damn house. The both of you.”
CHAPTER FOUR
— Weston —
“I don’t think kidnapping her will go into the books as one of your brightest ideas,” Decker says and chuckles before he glances over his shoulder to the backseat where Harlene’s bright blue eyes are spitting fire at us.
“If you have a better plan, I’m all ears,” I snap while keeping my eyes on the road as I drive back to the ranch.
“Roper is keeping her friend busy. He needs to know what’s going on. The pretty boy lives there too, right? I’m guessing it won’t take long for them to discover she’s missing.”
“I know,” I grumble, annoyed by Decker’s words. “But I can’t help losing my shit when I just found out someone wanted her dead, and instead managed to kill both her father and brother. I can’t explain it any other way than I need for her to stay safe long enough for us to find out what the fuck is going on. I know I didn’t think things through, but that’s all I got.”
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