“You have my word,” Ethan said.
“And mine,” Brad added.
“My stomach suddenly hurts,” Macy said.
Mine too, Brad thought.
“Looks like I'll be late back to pick up the others.” Ethan wrenched off his headset and opened his door. Brad opened Macy's, got her out of her harness in record time, then gripped her around the waist and lifted her out.
“Take a breath, Brad.”
He did, and then another, before moving to his brother's side.
“Who are you?”
The man who approached wore a lightweight suit and had a tanned face. Brad didn't recognize him as one of the consortium.
“You’re trespassing.”
“Technically, yes,” Ethan said, “but the Buchanan land has been open for public use for years. People hike through it daily, and camp on it. I’ve been bringing in charters for months.”
“Well it’s now private property. No more charters and hiking allowed.”
“I didn’t catch your name?” Brad said to the man.
“Macilvoy, Stephen Macilvoy.”
He felt Macy move to his side, her body pressing into his.
“What the hell are you doing here, Macy Reynolds Delray?”
The woman who’d been in the middle of the group stepped forward. She was looking at Macy like she was something that needed to be picked out of the heel of her shoe. Brad didn’t like the look.
Polished, every inch of her was sleek and smelled of money. Her suit was white, the skirt short and tight, and jacket fitted. She wore a pale blue satin shirt with the top buttons open, which allowed him and anyone else looking to see the lace edge of her white bra and swells of her breasts. Her hair was long and blonde, face perfectly made up, and Brad had met plenty of women just like this one when he was still living under his father’s roof.
“What the hell, Nadine?”
Macy said the words in an even tone, unlike the Buchanan woman, who'd shrieked at her.
“Your parents wanted this place to stay untouched. It's got the oldest Redwoods in these parts. Tell me you're not actually considering turning it over to them so they can build a resort?”
No flicker of guilt crossed the woman's face. She just smirked, and she may have been a woman, but Brad's fingers itched to slap it away. He looked for his father in the group of men, but for now EG had chosen to remain hidden. Gutless bastard.
“My land, my choice.”
“I don't think so,” Macy said, taking a step forward.
Brad's hand shot out and wrapped around her wrist, pulling her back so she was once again settled between him and his brother.
“There's a whole town of people not far from here who are willing to do what it takes to stop them, Nadine.”
Nadine Buchanan's eyes narrowed.
“Don't challenge us on this, Macy, you won't win.”
“Well now,” Ethan said. “That's where we come in, isn't that right, brother?”
Brad nodded. “Damned straight. We have money and a legal team, Miss Buchanan, and we’re willing to fight you on what’s being proposed for here.” He then looked to where his father was hiding. “You going to stay out of sight until we leave, EG?”
