Should’ve stayed in her own lane, got what was coming to her.
But now she’d done it again, and teaching her the same lesson twice wouldn’t bode well for his semi-clean reputation if anyone were to find out. He wanted to find her though, scare her a little. But first he had to deal with Junior. That scrawny little turd lost them a fuckin’ belt buckle and a thousand dollars cash.
“Sorry, Jas! I thought I had it but…”
“No! You hesitated! You lost your damn nerve! I needa partner who can win! Someone who’s got the guts to take risks! You’re out. I’ll get myself a new man.”
“No! Jasper, please! We were goin’ places man, we still can!” Jasper waved his hand, turned his back, and left Junior begging for another chance he’d never get.Jasper had other fish to fry, namely the little whore who showed back up a second time, to play a cowboy’s game.
As he passed underneath the stands where everyone in the crowd was cheering, he felt two powerful hands fist his shirt and throw him to the ground. “Fuck! What the hell!” He shouted from where his face just planted in the dirt. He tried to flip over but there was a boot in his back. “Get off of me you son of a bitch! What’d I do?”
“Shut up.” A deep, harsh voice echoed under the metal seating area. He didn’t recognize it, but it definitely sounded like a cop or military.
“Shit—did I forget to register my truck?” He grunted from his fetal position on the ground.
“No, you sick bastard. I’m here to collect justice, not your fuckin’ traffic violations.” Whoever this stranger was, pissed didn’t even come close, and he was looking for a fight. Jasper felt him fist the back of his shirt and flip him over, slamming the back of his head on the ground. The man’s boot transferred to his crotch, applying pressure without mercy. Jasper let out a yell as the beast in the dark screwed over his manhood.
“Get off!” He begged, but the man didn’t relent. “Who the fuck are you?” Jasper spit. The words, and all the leftover dirt from his mouth, flying towards his accuser as he grunted in pain.
“I’m your worst fuckin’ nightmare, here to haunt yourdreams until the day you die.” The man roared through gritted teeth. Jasper still didn’t know what the hell he did to this asshole.
“Every time you feel like someone’s watching you, it’s me. Every time you close your eyes and the wind howls, you’ll wonder if it’s your judgment standing outside the window.” Who the fuckin’ hell was this? He wracked his brain, trying to think of anyone from his past that still might have a beef with him. The demon in the dark leaned in closer. “From this day on, you’ll live your life on edge—and if I choose, you’ll disappear. Your sick face, wiped from existence.” There really wasn’t any light except for the moon, Jasper could barely make out an expression.
“Remember this—I’m your Grim Reaper, the one who knows exactly what you did and who would happily spend a life sentence in prison for your murder—after you’re dragged down to hell where you belong.”
“Fine, fine!” Jasper begged. The man’s boot, still digging into his balls. “Just tell me what I did so I can pay you off, or whatever!”
“There’s not enough money in the world to erase what you did. The cowgirl who just kicked your ass in that arena—she ain’t your sin anymore.”
“Oooh, haha.” Jasper chuckled through the torture. “I get it. You like eating my sloppy seconds?” He heard the crowd roar as the Reaper’s fist connected with his face. And then it was lights out.
Chapter Thirty-Six
I pick the skinny bitch up off the ground and haul his ass to the bed of Dixie’s truck. It’s convenient that I parked in the dirt lot just a few yards away from where I knocked him out. Everyone’s watching the rodeo, but I’ve got to hurry just in case. I pull the tailgate down and toss him in, then lift and lock it back in place. Turning the engine over as quietly as possible making sure I leave the fairgrounds undetected. I’ve ridden through this town enough since I got here, to know there’s an abandoned edge a few miles out, where people toss all the shit they don’t want. I don’t think it’s technically a landfill, but might as well be.
When I get to where I’m going, I hit the brakes hard and hear his body slam. I grab the sharpie marker that’s in the cupholder and stuff it into my back pocket as I exit the vehicle because I’ve got plans. Jogging around to the back, I drop the tailgate and drag him off by the boots, letting him flop in the dirt. I hope he hit his head hard enough to add an extra hour of sleep.
Call me twisted, but I find a sick and worthy satisfaction in stripping is ass bare. He’s got zero muscle and, yep—needle dick. Just like I knew it’d be. He’ll live, but when he comes to—he’ll have nothing. Not even his boots to walk home in. I want him to feel the shame he put on her all those years ago. I want him to feel powerless, violated and used. I grin because, short of chopping his tiny dick off—this will be the next best thing. Marker in my hand, I roll him over to his belly with my boot. He grunts, but he’s still unconscious.
Down the center of his back I draw an arrow, pointing directly to the crack in his ass. Then below it I write, like a tramp stamp, the words—Entrance Only.I’ve found the woman I want to live the rest of my life with, so I can’t do to him what I’ve done to others. Humiliating him will have to be enough. I leave him face down in the dirt, without a shred of remorse. Then I laugh out loud as I climb back inside the truck and drive away. He won’t think so, but fuck, I’m funny.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Billie and I won! The buckles and the cash! Together with our horses, they announced us the winners and presented us with our prizes in front of the entire crowd. Except, Chris wasn’t there. I can only imagine where he’s gone and what he’s doing. I haven’t seen even a shadow of Jasper. Though, I saw Junior sulking away somewhere. That should make me happy, but I have a feeling I know where the ones missing are. One with a bloody nose, and one with bloody knuckles.
We sit at the bandstand, listening to the music, outside under the lights with our plate of funnel cake. Billie elbows me and smiles. “Cheer up, Dee. It’s been a great night! Even if your boss is out breakin’ bones. The perp deserves it.” I give her the smile she demands and tap my boot to the rhythm of the beat. I stare ahead, she stares at me. I can feel her eyes burning a hole through me. “I’m so sorry you had to go through all of that.” She puts her hand on my knee and I turn my head back to look into her eyes when I say,
“Me too.” She waits to see if I’ll say anything else. “It was a long time ago. I dealt with it the best way I knew how, which was to put up walls. Chris helped me tear them down. I don’t need to re-hash it with anyone, but thanks for being willing. I’ll be just fine.” She smiles and puts her arms around me.
“Your dad didn’t give you his love, but in doing that he gave you grit. You inspire me, Dee.” She squeezes me a little tighter, then pulls back.
“Wanna go down and dance?” I say, as I stuff one last piece of deep fried sugar into my mouth. She nods her head, and we move out onto the dance floor. The band is playing Shania Twain,Any Man of Mine.We twirl and sing the words at the top of our lungs, and I soak in the magic of having fun with an old girlfriend, who’s quickly turned into abest friend.
The crowd and the dance floor clap as the song ends and when I look up, Chris is standing at the edge of the floor—smirking right at me. He bids me to come to him with two fingers and a wink. Billie smiles and smacks my butt, encouraging me to go. His strides are faster than mine. When we reach each other, he picks me up, throws me over his shoulder and yells to Billie, “She’ll call you!” Then he hauls me to the truck.
I don’t ask questions as we drive. I just hold his hand and let him take me wherever we’re going. He drives to the top of a hill overlooking the town of Dill Creek and backs the truck up so we can sit on the tailgate and look at the lights and the stars. “So…” I start, my legs draped over his. “What’d you do to him?” I smirk knowing he’s probably not dead and buried somewhere, but definitely in worse shape than he was before.
He pats my thigh. “Nothing…we just had a talk.” I furrow my brow and lean in closer to see the full expression on his face.
