“It’s a surprise.” He grins, and my heart flutters.
Dean might be trouble, but damn do I love it.
28
Chaos
Willa shifts on herfeet, rubbing her thighs together. She’s been wiggling around ever since she left the bathroom, and it’s adorable. I glance down at her, and she gives me an irritated frown.
“Something on your mind?”
Her eyes narrow. “You know there is.”
We’ve been at the bar drinking for the past hour, but I’ve yet to touch her. I like knowing she’ll do whatever I ask. More than that, I like knowing that all I’d have to do is reach under her skirt and her pussy would be bare and ready for me.
A few minutes ago, a band started singing on stage, and the crowd has doubled in size since then. Willa stays next to me, sipping her drink and rocking her hips back and forth to the song. A pendulum that has me hypnotized.
I’m lost in my head after everything that’s happened since we got to town. Seeing the ranch again, facing mybrother, listening to Tate’s bullshit. It’s a whirlwind of emotions. But more than anything, I’m fucking pissed.
It’s been a long time since I’ve managed to leash this level of rage, and if one more person tries to push me, I might finally snap.
I’m thankful Soul and Venom decided not to listen to me and made the trip out here, especially with so many eyes on me. I don’t like being outnumbered or watched. Reminds me of prison.
Willa spins in my arms, wrapping her hands around the back of my neck. “You’re thinking too much.”
“How can you tell?” I take a swig of beer.
“This wrinkle right here.” She drags her finger down the center of my forehead, along the ridge of my nose. “You crinkle your eyes when you’re worried about something.”
“I’m not worried.”
“You have a plan then?”
Up until now, she hasn’t asked me point-blank what I intend to do, and I was kind of dreading that question because I wish I had a plan.
The truth is, the list of investors was a dead end. Some backed out with a little pressure, but not enough. And I still don’t have any more rights to the land than Kincaid. With him driving business into the ground the past few years, we’ll be forced to sell to satisfy debts, and he knows it. There’s no way the judge will decline his request.
“I’ll figure it out.” I pull her close because she’s the only thing that feels good when everything else is a disaster.
She frowns but doesn’t push me on the subject, which I appreciate. Thinking doesn’t clear my head. If anything,it makes it all more jumbled. Fucking, on the other hand, might do the trick.
Scanning the bar, I find Kincaid dancing with Eden. After our chat when he got here, he’s kept his distance. But he’s been purposefully staying within view like he wants to taunt Willa with her sister. I’m not worried that she might still feel anything for him, but it’s a dick thing to do.
Emotional warfare at its best, and from the smug smile on Eden’s face, she loves it.
I’ve never liked Willa’s sister. They’re only a year apart in age, but Eden acts much younger. She was the baby of the family, and their father treated her as such. While Willa was constantly held to ridiculous expectations, Eden was handed anything she could ever want.
Kincaid looks up and grins at me. What I wouldn’t give to smash this beer bottle on the bar and then jam it into the side of his throat. It’s hard to imagine that we ever used to be close. Between me leaving and both of us changing, I don’t recognize my brother anymore. He’s the man Tate has molded him into, and I hate it. My gut twists as I think about Mom always saying Kincaid and I were thick as thieves. What would she think if she saw what’s become of us? She’d be so fucking disappointed.
In the corner, Kincaid’s cop buddies hold their post, watching me, making sure I don’t start shit. Kincaid must really think I’m an idiot. My club might run Vegas, but I don’t have that sway here, and I know it. I’m road captain for the club, so I’m used to navigating different towns. Different people. Different situations.
If they’re expecting me to make a move, they’ll be disappointed.
With my record, it wouldn’t take much for them to lock me up and hold me long enough to have the ranch parceled out by the time I get out.
I can’t do that to my grandfather’s land. And I sure as hell can’t do that to Willa.
“We’re leaving,” I decide, tugging her with me as I head toward the front of the bar.
