Within seconds, the sports car roared to life and sped down the gravel drive, the tires kicking up dust and rocks in its wake. As soon as the car was out of view, Daniel rose and stretched out his hand to help Brett to his feet.
"As much as I wanted to turn you loose, I couldn't do it."
Brett hauled himself to his feet and grimaced in pain. He doubted he re-dislocated his knee, but having Jason throw him to the ground sure hadn't helped.
"It's all right.” His expression softened upon seeing the tears trickling down Alex's cheeks. “Are you okay?"
Her lip trembled and she shook her head. Wiping the blood from her lips, she walked over to where Jason was finally releasing his hold on Steven.
"I'm so sorry, Uncle Jason. This is my fault,” she sobbed.
Jason put his arms around her in a hug. “No, darlin', this wasn't your fault.” He eyed each of the hands and gestured with his head for them to enter the bunkhouse.
Brett had the distinct feeling they were all going to regret having lost their tempers. If they were lucky, all they would receive was a two-week restriction.
If they weren't, they would go to prison—this time for good.
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Chapter Twelve
That night, the house was as silent as a tomb. The earlier confrontation saw everyone confined to the bunkhouse, but perhaps what upset Alex the most was seeing Steven taken away in handcuffs. A mixture of fear and guilt had swept over her when he glanced back at her with a smile before sliding inside the police car.
"Are they going to take away Steve's parole?"
Why had the boys done that? All of the hands were at risk of going to prison and for all she knew, Steven would lose his parole because of her.
Jason stared at the bunkhouse across the road and sipped his coffee.
"Yup."
Alex's eyes stung with a fresh batch of tears.
He peeked at her and patted her knee. “Don't, honey. He knew what he was doing this afternoon. He knew the consequences of his actions and felt they were worth it."
How could he find it worth it? She couldn't fathom passing up her freedom over something so stupid.
"I feel awful, Uncle Jason. If I hadn't smacked Greg, none of this would have happened.” She glanced at the closed bunkhouse door across from her and shook her head. “I just ruined three men's lives."
He glanced at her, a rueful smile curling the edges of his lips. “Their lives aren't ruined. Brett and Matthew aren't going anywhere and since Greg isn't pressing charges, Steven will most likely only have to finish out his original sentence. He may end up finishing it here if I can convince the state to give me another crack at him."
She wasn't convinced. Until she knew what was going to happen to Steven, her guilt would only mount.
"You're not to blame for this,” Jason continued when she remained silent. “Any man that raises his hand to a woman deserves everything he gets. I interfered because of the boys’ situations. Personally, I would have loved nothing more than to turn Brett and Steven loose, but I couldn't. If anyone is to blame, it's me. I knew there would be trouble, but I let it go anyway."
Alex knitted her eyebrows in confusion. “If you knew, then why did you let it happen?"
Jason chuckled. “I did it for two reasons. One, you needed to see Greg in order to put closure on that part of your life. Two, every one of those boys is going to face challenges on the outside that don't necessarily pertain to their current incarceration. I needed to see how they would react to an emotional situation."
Alex laughed despite her sullen mood. “Poorly."
Jason nodded. “Very poorly. None of them are ready to leave. Not even Charlie and I think that's why he stays. He knows it's safe here."
Alex agreed. Though she had been horrified to see the workers attacking Greg, it had given her a small feeling of security to know they were willing to defend her honor. It still didn't explain why Matt and Steven had done it, however. She understood why Brett had tried and secretly she was thankful Daniel had kept him pinned to the ground. It would have crushed her to see him taken away along with Steven.
"Why did they do it?” she asked in exasperation. “Why did they risk everything they'd worked for just to teach Greg a lesson?"
Jason didn't answer right away. Instead, he rose and paced the area between the wicker settee and the railing. When he did speak, there was a mixture of pride and irritation in his voice.
"I've tried to give these boys a sense of family and over time they've taken it to heart. A part of me is glad, but when situations like this occur it backfires.” He paused to look at her. “They think of you as part of their family, and when Greg hit you they took it personally. At least, Matthew and Steven did. Brett, well, Brett's a different story."
Heat seeped into Alex's neck. “I didn't plan for anything to happen between Brett and me."
"I know you didn't, and to be honest my concern lies in what's going to happen once your six months are up."
Alex wasn't sure. She was positive her father would hear about today's disaster and she would undoubtedly receive another lecture.
"I don't know what I'm going to do. I'll be broke, Daddy will think I'm an even bigger airhead than before and Morgan will be the golden child.” She didn't give him the chance to argue. “I'm serious. I told Daddy to take his trust fund and shove it. I also told him how I wanted to decorate the house and he acted as though I had nothing better to do than shop. Never mind the fact I've never worked so hard in my life and though the food I make tastes like crap, I made it."
Jason's eyebrows shot up in surprise before quickly sloping to form a frown. “Did your daddy really say those things to you?"
"Not in those exact words, but the implication was there. No matter what I decide to do, I'll be starting out alone and with nothing to my name,” she said.
"A completely fresh slate. Sometimes that's the best way to do it, even if it is scary. You're more than welcome to stay here if you'd like. Everybody who comes through my doors has that option and you're no exception.” He pushed off the railing and started for the door. “Get some sleep. Tomorrow is a big day. We have two people coming in the morning and I need to make sure Steven is brought back here."
"Who's coming?"
"Two workers. A female and a male. I just may have to lift the boys’ restriction in order to make sure the newcomers get settled properly,” he said with a sigh. “You're going to have to bunk with the new woman until I can get the spare room cleaned out."
Another female? It would be nice to have another woman in the house to help with the redecorating, but she wasn't foolish enough to count on it. Still, she hated asking the men to help her, since she knew they would much rather be working with the horses than hanging pictures or choosing a shower curtain pattern for the bunkhouse.
"That'll be fine. In fact, I'll start on that tonight. I'm really not all that tired,” she lied.
Physically she was exhausted, but her mind was racing with thoughts of the day's events. She was certain if she closed her eyes, she would spend most of the night tossing and turning.
"Suit yourself, but I wouldn't recommend staying up too late. You need your rest or else you'll be sick.” With that, her uncle disappeared inside.
Alex remained where she was for a few moments. Her eyes landed to the bunkhouse, a soft smile forming on her sore lips. Family. The men did seem more like a band of brothers than inmates. As she thought of her uncle's comment about them accepting her as one of their own, her smile grew. It had been a long time since she'd belonged. San Eduardo may not be her home, but it was certainly an option.
* * * *
It was close to two in the morning when Alex finished arranging the spare bedroom. Her clothes were filthy, her hair was soaked with sweat and the muscles in her arms were screaming from hefting several heavy trunks. She stood in the middle of the room to survey her accomplishment. A bit drab, but that could be taken care of the next
time she went into town to purchase more supplies. At least the cobwebs were gone and the bed had fresh linens on it.
"Done.” She grabbed two large trash bags and started her trek down the stairs.
She must have climbed the staircase at least a dozen times in the six hours she spent cleaning the spare room. Her thighs ached with each step and when she reached the bottom, she glanced at the empty couch with a sinking heart. She missed seeing Brett sprawled on the sofa with his leg propped and a teasing glint in his eyes.
Thoughts of the previous night flashed in her mind and her heart beat faster while a tingle rippled through her belly. No, she may not have planned on starting something with Brett, but she was glad she had. The instant she saw him lunge at Greg, she knew she meant more to him than a one-night stand. He truly saw her as his. The notion wrapped around her like a warm fuzzy blanket as she stepped out onto the porch.
"I am his,” she giggled while lugging the two bags to the side of the house. She was about to turn around when the tiny hairs on her neck prickled.
Someone was behind her.
Since the lights were out in the bunkhouse and the boys were on restriction anyway, she knew the person behind her couldn't be any of them. Her fingers trembled and she scanned the ground for something to use as a weapon should the need arise. Nothing. Not even a rock.
Gathering her courage, she turned and a startled gasp lodged in her throat. Her horror increased when she glanced first into a pair of bloodshot brown eyes and then at the half-empty bottle of Jack Daniels in Greg's hand.
How did he get past Uncle Jason's security gate? “You shouldn't be here."
Greg swayed before leaning against the side of the house. He looked her over lazily, a dark smile playing at the corners of his lips.
"Yes, I should,” he replied while wiping his mouth on the back of his hand. “I told you I'd come for you and I meant it."
In the moonlight, Alex could see a faint blue discoloration on his cheek and her blood ran cold. The glint in his eyes terrified her and all she could think was that she was about to pay for what Steven had done.
"You need to leave, Greg,” she said as calmly as she could. “If my uncle catches you here, you'll be arrested for trespassing.” If not shot. Preferably shot.
He chuckled and pushed off the wall, stumbling as he tried to catch his balance.
"The funny thing about that, darling, is I can have your uncle's little prison camp shut down with just one well placed phone call. They assaulted me today. If that doesn't constitute grounds for an investigation into this place, I don't know what does."
He couldn't do that. Steven and Matt had been defending her. She wouldn't let anything happen to her uncle's ranch. He'd spent years rehabilitating people and she couldn't bear the thought of all that hard work being destroyed because of her no good, rotten ex.
"They did that because you hit me.” Alex swallowed the nervous lump in her throat. “None of them would have touched you had you not done that."
She threw the smallest of glances over Greg's shoulder to the bunkhouse. Though she knew it was futile, she was hoping to get a glimpse of someone—anyone—who might be awake to see the confrontation.
Greg reached out and brushed the back of his fingers over the bruise on her cheek, a remorseful expression reflecting in his glazed eyes.
He very well may regret having struck her, but she didn't regret slapping him. She might have punched him had the thought to do so crossed her mind. How dare he call her trashy!
"I suppose that's true."
The bottle fell from his fingers and hit the dirt with a quiet thunk. He took another step closer and she fought the urge to back away. Keeping her uncle's ranch safe rested on her ability to keep Greg from calling the state and that meant playing this out for as long as she could.
"Perhaps I have been overbearing with you lately. I just never realized you felt this way,” he continued.
Alex cringed when he slipped his arms around her waist. There wasn't the sense of security from his embrace that she felt with Brett. She felt trapped, cornered by the man she had once agreed to marry. A shiver ran through her at the feel of his hot breath on her sweaty skin. The stench of whiskey was overpowering and she willed herself not to twist her head away.
"You haven't been the only one. Daddy is just as guilty. No one seems to understand that I want to be more than what people think I can be,” she said and withdrew. “I'm tired of the party life and living off my father. I can do it if I have someone who believes in me."
But she did have someone who believed in her. The boys believed in her. They encouraged her to keep trying even when she wanted nothing more than to quit.
A frown creased Greg's forehead. “I do believe in you, Alex. You don't have to work on some smelly horse ranch to prove that. Soon, you'll be finishing school and moving on to being one of the best architects on the Eastern seaboard. If you don't want to party anymore, I can live with that. Just don't end what we have, sweetheart. Please?"
She had an idea. It was sketchy at best, but if she could lull him into a false sense of security, then maybe he would drop the issue of reporting her uncle. The plan wasn't exactly fair and in many ways made her no better than him, but at least the Bar K and everyone on it would be safe from his manipulations.
"I—I don't know. You just threatened to have Uncle Jason's ranch shut down and you said some horrible things to me today. What would you do in my position?"
He took the bait. Hook, line and sinker. “Take me back and I'll forget all about it. I had it coming for being foolish enough to say and do those things to you. What do you say?"
I say I'm a traitor. “Tell you what, why don't you go back to Bangor and wait for me? When my six months are up, everything will be different."
Even pretending to flirt with Greg felt wrong. She may not know Brett well enough to love him, but she did feel a sense of loyalty to him. He'd risked his freedom for her and she couldn't erase the feeling she was somehow betraying him.
His expression brightened. “Promise?"
"I guarantee it.” She gestured to the road. “You should go before someone sees you."
Greg licked his lips before nodding. “All right. I'll be waiting for you at the airport when the time comes,” he said while pointing at her.
"You do that."
Her stomach twisted into knots when Greg pressed a hard kiss to her lips. The taste of alcohol assaulted her mouth and a ripple of nausea swept over her. He withdrew and staggered away.
She wiped her mouth on her hand and attempted to spit out the foul taste lingering on her lips. “Yuck."
She bent down to pick up the fallen bottle and buried it in the trashcan next to her. The last thing she needed was for her uncle to see the bottle and assume it was hers. She capped the metal can and jumped when she turned to find Brett standing behind her.
She released a nervous laugh while placing her hand to her chest. “You startled me."
She frowned at his solemn expression. Had he seen her throwing away the bottle? She hoped not. She didn't want him getting the wrong idea, but his hardened stare told her he was thinking something.
She gestured to the trashcan. “That wasn't mine."
Brett clenched his jaw. “I know whose it was and I can guess why he was here. How did he convince you to take him back?"
He thought what? This was worse than she thought. Her jaw slackened and she shook her head.
"Brett, it's not what you think."
His expression didn't change and she winced. He didn't believe her. Could she blame him? She could only imagine how it must have looked to him to see Greg kissing her, even if the gesture had been unwanted.
"It never is, now is it?"
Her lips thinned at his tone. She could understand his irritation, but she didn't see the need for him to taunt her. She placed her hands on her hips.
"No, it isn't. If you'll give me two seconds to explain—"
Brett shook his h
ead in disgust before turning away. “Whatever you have going with Greg, keep me out of it. I don't need to hear the details."
He stalked toward the bunkhouse with her hurrying after him. “That's not fair! You're not letting me explain."
Brett whirled around, fury blazing in his eyes as he took a step toward her. “Fair? You want fair? I'm on lockdown for the next two weeks for what happened today. Matt's got it for a month and Steve will not only lose his parole, but he might have to go back to Houston. Do you think that's fair when just twelve hours later, I see the person responsible for the whole damn thing pawing you like nothing happened?"
"You're not going to listen, are you?"
"Listen to what? We're not together, so if you want to take back a man who hits you, go right ahead. Personally, I don't care what you do.” With that, Brett stormed away leaving her feeling more miserable than before.
Alex groaned. She may have saved her uncle's ranch from Greg, but in the process, she'd just lost the one man who'd made never going home worthwhile. Her uncle was wrong. She was alone. When the others heard about this, they would never trust her again.
She walked with heavy steps up the front porch, keeping her eyes downcast as she entered the house. What was she going to do now? Brett wouldn't listen and she was simply too tired to make him.
"Hell of a day, huh?"
She lifted her eyes to see her uncle sitting in the armchair closest to the door. She winced. On top of everything else, she'd managed to wake Jason.
Wiping at her eyes, she released a sarcastic laugh. “You could say that. How much did you hear?"
"Enough to know Brett has the wrong idea.” He gestured to the couch. “I heard what was said between you and Greg. I'm not exactly sure what you have in mind, but he can't have my ranch shut down. He started everything by assaulting you. There isn't a judge in three states who will take him seriously with that hanging over his head."
Oh for the love of God. Why hadn't she thought of that? The only explanation she could come up with was that she hadn't been thinking. In her panicked state, all she could see was her uncle losing his land and the workers forced to leave.
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