Troy laughed as if Shane had told a joke before gesturing toward the sprawling ranch. “You got all this land, all these cattle, all this money. Seems kinda selfish not to share a little with your long-lost sister.”
“That doesn’t concern you. My sister doesn't owe you a damn thing. She wants nothing to do with you.”
The grin slipped. “Oh, she owes me.”
“No. She doesn't.” Shane rested his hand on the butt of his gun, the gesture a silent warning.
Troy glanced around the ranch as though taking it all in, then looked back at Shane. Rubbing a finger over his chin, he took a slow step forward. “Look, we don't have to make this ugly. You write her a check, she gives me my half, everybody wins.”
Shane held his ground. There wasn't any point arguing with a man who'd convinced himself he was entitled to money that had never been his.
Movement on either side of the house drew Troy’s attention. He turned enough for Shane to follow his gaze. Tucker led several ranch hands around one corner while Seth, Jamie, and two more came from the other. Some carried rifles or shotguns with the barrels angled toward the ground, while others wore handguns openly at their hips. No one aimed a weapon at Troy. Their presence alone made it clear he wasn’t welcome on the Triple-R.
His swagger faltered.
It lasted only a second before the cocky smile returned. “Little overkill, don't you think?”
Nobody answered.
Then Shylo came into view behind Tucker, her shoulders rigid, her hands clenched into fists at her sides.
Troy's smile vanished. “There you are.”
“You need to leave, Troy,” she said.
He barked out a humorless laugh. “You really think these people give a damn about you?”
“They're my family.”
Troy's face darkened. He took two quick steps toward her before the muzzle of Tucker's shotgun rose to chest level. Troy stopped short, then jabbed a finger at Shylo. “So am I!”
She crossed her arms. “Not anymore.”
Shane was proud of her. Twenty-four hours ago, she hadn't been sure she belonged here. Now, she was claiming them without hesitation.
Troy sneered as he glanced around at the men. “They're a bunch of suckers.”
“And you're trespassing,” Shane said. “So unless you'd like to explain yourself to the police, who are on their way, I'd suggest you leave—and don’t come back.”
Troy's gaze flickered toward the county road before returning to Shane. After a long moment, he let out an exaggerated sigh.
“All right... all right.” He lifted both hands shoulder-high. “I'm going.”
He backed toward his truck without taking his eyes off Shylo. After climbing into the driver's seat, he leaned out the open window. His smirk returned as though this had all been a game. “See you around... sister.”
Shane's gaze followed the pickup as it raced down the long driveway, a trail of dust billowing behind it. Around the yard, shoulders relaxed, conversations resumed, and a few of the ranch hands strolled away, casting a backward glance or two. Shane remained where he was until the truck turned onto the county road and disappeared in a cloud of dust. Troy hadn't backed down because he'd changed his mind. He was just outnumbered.
Tucker strode over and came to a stop beside him. “He's not gonna give up that easy.”
“Nope.”
Chapter 33
Shylo stood where she was, watching until Troy's pickup disappeared beneath the iron arch bearing the Triple-R logo and out onto the county road. She wanted to believe she'd seen the last of him. Wanted to believe he'd finally accept that she'd made her choice and leave Hazard Falls behind.
She knew better.
Troy had never walked away from anything that mattered to him—not without finding a way to strike back first. The humiliation of being turned away in front of Shane, Tucker, Seth, and half the ranch would eat at him until he convinced himself someone had to pay for it.
