“He’s right,” Knox grumbles, “Either of us can make contact with your uncle. For me, it could be to make a deal for the ranch, with Rossi Enterprises breathing down my neck, it wouldn’t appear unusual, but it would likely be best for Caden to get in touch, I’m sure Anton is expecting it at somepoint from him if your family connections and history is anything to go by.”
“Not you,” I breathe, “You’re not going.”
His eyes soften. “I’ll do what I need to do.”
“Going in blind will get you killed,” Cade interrupts. “You have no idea how many men he has or if any of them are still loyal to your name. Attacking will only end in failure, and it would be such a shame for you to die now when you’ve clearly fought so hard to survive.”
“And what?” I snap, “You’ll get him to spill all his secrets?”
“I’ll get enough so we can actually make a solid plan of attack,” Caden rolls his shoulders, “By all means princess, you want to go in headfirst, be my guest but you don’t have my men and you don’t have me if that’s the course you choose to take. You’ll be alone.”
“Fuck,” I grumble, pinching the bridge of my nose, but I know he’s right. “Fine.”
“Very good.” There’s a touch of condescension in his tone. “I’ll get in touch and arrange a meeting.”
“This is more than just my life,” I rush out as he moves toward the exit, “I have promises I need tokeep.”
Cade’s eyes lift to Knox. “Can see that.”
I stand at the fence, the sun lowering and setting fire to the sky, streaks of oranges and pinks cutting down behind the mountains. Ralph stands in the middle of the herd, paying attention to nothing but them. I won’t lie, it hurts a little. I thought we were friends.
I sense rather than see Knox’s presence as he comes up beside me, leaning his arms against the top rail, his hat low, creating deep shadows across his eyes.
“What are you thinking?” He asks.
We’ve been apart for most of the day. He’s worked the ranch like he always does, but I couldn’t bring myself to really move off the porch, Judge at my side, only leaving to do his business or get a drink. I feel fucking useless.
I shake my head. “When my father died, I knew it wouldn’t be easy to take over,” I say, my eyes on the bull, “But I didn’t expect people to turn on me the way they did. My uncle, sure, he’s a misogynistic piece of shit and always has been, but clearly hedid something right.”
Knox remains silent at my side.
“And I can’t help but think that if I were born a man, this wouldn’t have happened. What is it about men that makes them feel so threatened by a woman in power?” I laugh, “And even now, I have a man going in my place to figure out the next move. I feel weak, Knox, and I don’t much like feeling weak.”
“If there is one thing I know for sure,” His deep voice rumbles down my spine, “Is that you’re not weak and never have been. They are threatened by you, not because you’re a weak woman but because you have the power to destroy them. If you’re so weak, Hellion, then why are they going to so much trouble to silence you? You continue to rise up, even when you’re knocked down.”
A breath rushes from me. “I’m scared too.”
“Of your uncle?” Knox edges closer, pressing his arm against mine.
“No,” From the herd, Ralph appears, his gait swaying side to side as he ambles toward us. “For you. Because I’ve brought you into this. I was selfish.”
“If selfishness keeps you with me, darlin’, then keep being selfish.”
“Bet you never thought you’d say that to me, cowboy.”
He chuckles warmly, “Yeah, then you told me you loved me.”
My head snaps to him, and my heart thumps hard in my chest. I’ll go to war. Burn the whole fucking world to the ground and move mountains for this man.
“Keep looking at me like that, Hellion, and we won’t make it back to the house.”
“That truck hood looks like a great place to start,” I tease just as something cool and wet presses to my arm, like damp leather, and a laugh bursts from me when I see Ralph’s dark eyes staring expectantly.
A huff leaves Knox as he shakes his head. “You turned my prized bull into an oversized fucking puppy.”
“He’s a good boy,” I grin, giving the bull a scratch on the side of his face.
“I’m going to get us dinner,” He sighs as he turns to walk away. “A fucking good boy.” He mumbles to himself, “He’ll be rolling over for belly scratches next.”
