“Chase,” Knox snaps.
I grin, “I don’t know how you work for a man like him, truthfully.”
“Yeah?” Chase’s smile back is cheeky, playful. “You know what, you’re right. He can be a real hardass.”
“If you two are quite finished,” Knox glares, “We have ground to cover before the sun goes down.”
“Don’t be like that, boss,” Chase teases. “You know we have time.”
“I swear to fucking God, Chase,” Knox snaps.
But Chase doesn’t heed his warning, “You really got up his ass, sweetness.”
“It’s a skill,” I flutter my lashes.
Knox presses his heels into Honey, spurring her to take off ahead of us, putting a good bit of distance between us.
Chase tuts loudly. “You really are under his skin. Never thought it would happen.”
I roll my eyes. “You’re mistaken.”
“Oh, I’m not. I’ve worked with that guy for along time. I’ve seen womenthrowthemselves at him, and he’s never batted an eyelash, but you?” He whistles, “He’s going out of his skin.”
I look at his body shrinking on the horizon the further he gets from us. Running, it seems.
“Don’t hurt him, Elena,” Chase’s tone turns serious, “Please.”
“I don’t intend to hurt anyone,” I bite a little harder than I intend.
“He’s been through a lot, far more than any person deserves, but especially him,” Chase sighs. “He gives, even if he goes without.”
I knew that already.
“I plan to change that,” I tell him. “He won’t go without anymore.”
Chase huffs a laugh, “Yeah, and how do you intend to do that, sweetness?”
“If I tell you that, I’d have to kill you.”
His face drops as his skin pales.
I don’t think heknowswho I am, but I’m guessing his intuition is smart enough to give him at least a warning.
I throw him a wink, hoping to ease him before I press my own heels into Apollo’s side to spur him to break into a run. He listens without hesitation and lunges forward.
A shocked laugh erupts out of me, and I cling onas Apollo gallops, his dark mane blowing out behind him. He is grace and power, his impressive body taking the turns on the trail without hesitation. We fly through the trees, heading down the mountain toward Knox. Behind me, I hear Chase coming up the rear on his own horse, his laugh an echo that bounces off the trees.
My skin prickles, my heart pounds.
I am wild.
I am free.
There are no shackles binding me. No threats awaiting my return. Hinging at the waist, I lower myself to Apollo.
“Look at you,” I praise the horse, “Go, sweet boy.”
Somewhere between the three of us, Judge runs with us, his happy barks bouncing back to my ears.
