I didn’t need the Two Rivers Ranch or the shit ton of money, but it was mine. My grandparents had left it to me for a reason.
Me.
I’d think about what I wanted to do with the place. I had time. But I couldn’t let my father and brother mooch off of me, getting away with being dicks on my dime any longer.
“I want revenge.”
The entire table erupted, talking over each other.
Hayes leaned in again and whispered, “Princess, you’ve made me really fucking hard. When I get you alone, I’m going to fuck you so good.”
I shivered in eagerness. This time, I looked at him. Kissed him, then whispered, “Yes, Mr. Wilder.”
21
HAYES
While everyonein my family wanted to be at Two Rivers Ranch and see Conrad Trout finally–fucking finally–get what he deserved, it was decided that only me and Colt would go with Cassidy.
I drove down the long tree- lined drive toward the fancy-ass house that now belonged to my wife. Me, too, in a way, since we hadn’t signed any kind of pre-nuptial agreement. I didn’t want this place. I had my house on my family’s land. And I had Cassidy.
That was enough.
But I couldn’t think of only myself any longer. WhatCassidy wanted was important to me. It was a lot for anyone to work through, but she was eighteen and had been on her own since she was ten. Her mother was dead. Her father was a dick. Her brothers were a waste of space.
She didn’t even know what she wanted to do with her life. Maybe horses. She hadn’t had a chance, a healthy environment, to imagine any of the possibilities.
She’d thought the Trout money was tainted. That taking it meant she was like her father.
But that perception was all wrong because the money belonged to her. She’d need time to get used to that. For now, she was ready to at least claim it back from her father who was using it, living off of it and maybe even embezzling it.
Time and a forensic accountant would figure that out.
“You good or do you need to give me your panties?” I asked.
She gasped. And blushed. Then grinned.
“I’m callingfishon this one.”
I laughed so hard I almost steered into the ditch. I hadn’t realized why she’d chosen her safeword until now. “Holy shit, princess. Okay. But I’m spanking your ass later.”
She smiled, one so pure and happy and sweet, I loved her even more. “Okay.”
I pulled up in front of the main house and turned off the engine. Turned to my wife.
“You got this.”
She nodded, tipped up her chin showing how fierce she was. “I know.”
I glanced in the rearview mirror when Colt pulled in behind us in his patrol SUV.
I honked the horn, once, twice, then a third time like I was a long-haul trucker, then I climbed out, went around and helped Cassidy down.
By the time Colt came to stand beside us, Conrad Trout was out the front door. Rocky rushed out right after. They were off the front stoop and on the brick walk. We were in front of our vehicles, ten feet between us.
I’d seen the man before, but not this close. He looked rich and entitled and smarmy as hell. In khakis, a golf shirt, and leather shoes without socks, he screamed “country club.” The outfit, the fancy haircut, even the manicure was thanks to Cassidy’s money. I flicked my gaze to Rocky, who looked like he’d just woken up in sweats and a wrinkled t-shirt. It was two in the afternoon, the lazy fucker.
Conrad tucked his hands in his pants and looked at his daughter.
