“I know,” Jade agreed with concern. “Katy’s more determined than ever to get as far away from the Spatafores as possible.”
“I’m sick of the damn Spatafores,” Chase said. “I’m going to get your car after the movers have you out of that rental house, Jade.”
“No, Chase,” she said and reached out to him. He took her hand, and they reined in the horses. “I care about you, not my car. Last time you were on Lusso Lane, you got shot.”
“Because I went there alone.” Frowning, Chase explained, “For all I knew, they had hidden you in someundisclosed locationthe cops couldn’t find. I figured with my Blackhawk to his head, Franco Spatafore would tell me where you were.”
“Chase,” Jade whispered, “they could have killed you.”
Ignoring that, Chase replied, “Franco claims your car is in their garage. I’ll take the cops with me when I go get it.”
Purposely changing the subject, Jade said, “I’m sorry those twins were hypnotized. But at least someone is on to Mateo here in Colorado.”
“But not Franco.”
“Two can play this game.”
“What does that mean?”
“For all Franco knows, the triggers Mateo planted are keeping you and me apart.”
Chase’s grin was hot and cocky. He squeezed her hand and said, “I don’t think we’ve beenapartfor more than a few hours since we broke the spell.”
“I think it’s your turn to strip me since I stripped you last night,” Jade said and let go of his hand. “But you’ll have to catch me first. Giddyup, Jubilee!” Giving the palomino a nudge, the mare broke into a gallop and headed on to the back road to the stables. Jade expected Chase would quickly catch up and pass her. When he didn’t, she called over her shoulder, “Slowpoke!”
A lasso slid over her shoulders, dropped to her elbows, and gently tightened. Totally surprised and impressed, Jade threw back her head and laughed. Her cowboy hat slid backward on her head, but she grabbed it before it could fall off.
Chase galloped up beside her and said, “Whoa!”
“Not your first roping rodeo?” Jade repositioned her hat and slowed Jubilee to a trot.
“Right.” Chase took the lasso off her and said, “I don’t know what game you think you’re going to play against Franco, but you’re not riding inthatrodeo.”
“Mind games are their specialty, which I’d only use as a last resort.”
Chase’s brow creased, and his deep voice was firm. “No.”
“Don’t you scowl and growl at me, Chase Cooper.”
“Keep your sassy, classy self safe, and I won’t, Jade Taylor.”
She raised a brow, and so did he. “Are we about to have our first fight, cowboy?”
“Maybe.” He nudged Valor and headed toward the stables.
Jade followed and called after him, “Let’s have it in your pool.”
She was glad Chase had kept her white bikini. Once they’d made love, the spell had broken. They realized she’d been hypnotized, and they’d had the time of their lives. Introducing her to his pool was just one of their new adventures. During the past few days, they had explored the upstairs bedrooms and made love in each. She’d found her bra and laughed as Chase grumbled. They’d climbed into the hayloft one night and stayed until the crack of dawn. She’d yet to do her striptease pole dance, and per Chase, the anticipation was killing him. Right now, Jade hoped to distract him from his anger and concerns with a swim.
“I don’t want you anywhere near the Spatafores, their house, or your office,” Chase said, never easily sidetracked, as she caught up with him outside the stables. “There’s nothing worth risking your mental, emotional, or physical wellbeing.”
“But Franco will do this to another girl.”
“Tell me this, how were you planning to escape that compound?”
Jade knew he had her there. “I hadn’t thought that far ahead. I guess I was hoping I could climb the gate or the wall.”
Chase’s jaw clenched. He dismounted, came to her, and she slid out of the saddle into his arms. Rafe and Max exited the stables and greeted them, ready to take the horses off their hands. Chase thanked them and patted Valor’s nose while Jade hugged Jubilee. Then Chase grabbed her hand, and they walked toward his house. She could feel his tension in his grasp and stride. Just inside the back porch, they took off their boots, and she started for his bedroom to get her bikini.
