by Piper Stone
Dante swirled the liquid in his glass before taking a gulp, the bastard smiling after consuming almost half the glass. “Let’s just put it this way, my little pet,” he murmured before turning in my direction. “If you dare try even a single attempt, I will be forced to punish you and I assure you that you won’t like the outcome. Do we have an understanding?”
I dared to look him in the eyes, barely able to nod and nothing else. Suddenly, I wanted nothing to do with the cup of coffee.
Swallowing hard, I stared at the cup I’d just poured, bile forming in my throat. I had to push the past aside, at least for now. Somehow. My limbs stiff, I walked toward the refrigerator, finding half and half inside. I poured some into the cup, my hand shaking so badly that cream slipped past the edge. I bit back a combination of a laugh and a cry before managing to shove the carton back onto the shelf. The hard slam of the door hadn’t been intended, but I couldn’t stop my body from trembling.
At least neither of the men rushed into the kitchen to see what in the hell was wrong with me. I brought the cup to my lips, taking several deep breaths before managing to take a sip. Before walking into the living room, my thoughts drifted again to the day I knew I had to erase the monster from my life.
“I’m going out for a few hours. You will remain here,” Dante instructed. “Remember, my sweet little pet, I will find you no matter where you go.”
He’d fingered the side of my neck, laughing softly before he’d left. That was the night I’d witnessed his horrible crime, the poor man losing his life in a violent fashion. If only I would have run earlier. If only I would have resisted the temptation like my instinct told me I should have.
If only.
I resisted saying anything as I passed in front of the fire, shifting onto the couch as far away from Reaper as I could get. The same enigmatic pull remained, yet I refused to get sucked into it. God. What the hell was I doing? I had no other choice than to accept their help. I held the damn coffee cup so tightly that I was certain it would break. As I remained on the edge of the sofa, I could feel both pairs of eyes landing on me.
“We need to go to see the sheriff today. I think that’s the best way to handle this,” Scorpion said as he reached for his cup of coffee, his eyes never leaving me. “But we should talk to Hawk first.”
Hawk. Scorpion. Reaper. Jesus. The names sounded like they’d become nothing more than killers. Maybe they were, even though I knew Marines were honorable men. I could barely lift the cup to my lips, my throat tightening.
“Was everything you told me accurate?” Reaper finally asked. He didn’t bother looking in my direction, keeping his hard gaze locked on the fire.
“I didn’t lie to you if that’s what you’re insinuating,” I answered, probably more curtly that he would have liked.
“What is the full name of the district attorney you mentioned?” he continued.
“Is that necessary?”
He shifted his heated gaze in my direction, his eyes colder than before. “If you want to live it is.”
I thought about what he was requesting, my throat tightening even more. “Roger Porter.”
The way Reaper tipped his head toward his friend was telling. They were going to find out every detail of what had occurred. I wasn’t certain if I was incensed that they were taking over or thrilled that I had not only one man but two determined to find a way to resolve the issue.
Issue.
The death sentence.
Scorpion eased off the couch, moving toward a jacket he’d tossed over the back of the chair. When he produced what looked like two phones, I bristled and I had no idea why. “I went out this morning, purchasing two burner phones. I figured these would be needed since you left everything at the cabin.”
The brute of a man didn’t have to say because of me. I already knew that.
After Scorpion tossed both phones in Reaper’s direction, I huddled closer to the back of the couch, hugging the warm cup against my cheek. The bitter brew was enough to remind me where I was.
Cowboy land.
Montana.
Big sky country.
Home of the tough men who adored taming women.
Isn’t that what all the romance novels wrote about?
“Thanks. I feel a little like a shark out of water,” Reaper said before taking both of the phones and turning them on, obviously studying the phone numbers provided. I watched as he programed a single number into one, doing the same to the other before handing one of them to me. The second our fingers touched, the same damn electricity soared through me, leaving me breathless. I hated the way my body reacted to him, as if I couldn’t live without him.
I yanked it from his hand, cradling it in mine.
He snickered and shook his head. “I’m going to risk leaving you here while we talk to the sheriff. Kinda want to feel out the waters as to what we can expect. I’m certain she’ll need to talk to you later as well. You have my new number in case there’s an emergency. You’re not going to call anyone else. Period. However, I do want you to check in with me in a couple hours. I need to know you’re all right. You’re also not leaving this cabin. Do you understand?”
While his words were forceful, they were also laced with the same concern as before. “Sounds almost like you actually care about me.”
Exhaling, he gripped my hand that was wrapped around the phone. “I’m not fucking around with this, Mitch. You’re going to do as I say. Tell me you are.”
“Fine. I’ll call you and I don’t plan on going anywhere. Besides, where the hell could I go?”
Another look was shared between the men. They didn’t need to say a word to each other in order to communicate.
I could feel the heat of his body as he crowded closer. It was difficult not to suck in my breath given the way my body tingled.
“You know I will find you if you do.” He lifted my chin with a single finger, giving me the kind of look that made certain I knew he wasn’t kidding. “I’m a damn good hunter.”
A part of me wanted to laugh, to push hard against his dominating ways, but I wasn’t a fool. I needed to stay put in the only protected environment there might be. “I promise.”
Reaper chuckled, the darkness of his tone driving into every cell in my body. “Good to hear. Let’s just hope I can count on that promise. If not…”
He didn’t even bother finishing his sentence.
I’d be punished like a bad little girl.
Again.
Damn him.
Damn this bullshit.
Damn my stupidity.
“Let me make a couple of calls and we’ll get out of here.” Scorpion rose to his feet, moving out of the room quickly.
I put the cup of coffee on the table, hating everything about the moment. “Is it okay if I go outside or am I a prisoner in the house?”
He seemed surprised by my question. “You’re not a prisoner, Mitch, but all our lives are in danger now. That should mean something to you.”
I had no idea how to respond, although every thought in my brain had centered around the very peril that I’d placed them in.
All because of my stupidity.
I walked back to the bedroom, grabbing my coat. At least I could enjoy the sight of the mountains. I almost started laughing hysterically at the thought. Enjoy? I walked past him without bothering to look in his direction as I struggled into my coat. I knew if I dared glance into those gorgeous eyes of his that I’d be sucked into his charismatic realm all over again.
This wasn’t romance.
This was some kind of thriller where one or more players were destined to be killed.
As I stepped out onto the back deck, I was struck by the magnificent beauty even as the frigid air cut through me. I’d barely paid attention to the freezing temperatures when I’d been on the mountain. Now? It cut through me like a sharp knife.
Shivering, I took a deep breath, surprised how amazing the cold air felt in my lungs. Chicago was entirely different. The
scents. The atmosphere. It was so quiet here with the ground blanketed in a fresh coat of white snow. Even the trees seemed to sparkle in the morning light, their limbs dipping as if in reverence to Mother Nature. I was struck by the beauty, in awe of the sight of the mountains.
Montana was an amazing state.
Too bad I might die here.
I moved toward the railing, smiling as my boots crunched on the ice covering the snow. Grasping the railing, I peered out at the impressive land surrounding the cabin. While the house itself was older, some of the furniture well worn, the scenery surrounding the little cabin was breathtaking.
I could live here.
A laugh threatened to bubble to the surface. Maybe if I’d looked at the few other job offers that I’d been given, I wouldn’t be in this mess. But then I wouldn’t have met Reaper. Was there such a thing as destiny? Fate? I shook the thought aside, narrowing my eyes as an entirely different noise caught my attention.
A whinnying sound.
A horse?
Well, duh. It was horse country after all. Where was it coming from? I stepped off the deck, traipsing through the snow in the direction of the sound. As I rounded the corner of the house, I was taken aback, my hand involuntarily floating over my mouth. There in the distance was a barn, the fresh reddish brown paint giving it a stark appearance in the freshly fallen snow. A new fence surrounded a good portion of it. And inside? Two of the most beautiful creatures I’d ever laid eyes on.
Horses.
The only way I’d ever seen them before was in pictures and movies. Seeing them a couple hundred yards away yanked at my breath.
And my very soul.
A giddy laugh bubbled to the surface. I was shocked how much just seeing them had affected me and I realized only after I’d taken a solid twenty steps closer that I’d even moved. I’d been the kid who’d collected horses. Magazines. Picture books. Small figurines. I’d fallen in love with them when I was six and always wanted to become an equestrian. Dreams. I’d had a few back then. They’d been forced aside when reality had taken hold.
Go to school.
Get a job.
Begin a life.
Yeah, I’d done a piss poor job for the majority of it.
As I walked closer, the beautiful white horse shifted its head in my direction. I couldn’t tell if the creature was a boy or a girl, but with such beautiful eyes, I was going to guess a girl. Wasn’t that silly? The black horse was taller. Maybe the male. A stallion. When I moved closer, he also noticed, snorting and huffing then moving closer to the white horse.
He was protective of her.
I could swear they were a couple.
I couldn’t keep a smile off my face. They were magnificent in every way, their coats shining and their manes floating in the light breeze. They were also obviously well cared for, so majestic and bright-eyed. I dared to inch closer, finally standing within a few feet of the fence.
The black horse whinnied in a more aggressive manner, stomping his hoof on the snow with enough ferocity that a spray managed to spill out over the fence. He was not happy I was in the vicinity.
“It’s okay. I’m not going to hurt you. I promise.” I held out my hand, taking very small and careful steps closer.
The black horse pushed the white one aside, moving all the way to the fence and staring at me with one eye. The horse was sizing me up, his nostrils flaring. I didn’t blame him one bit. I was a mystery woman interfering with their daily activity.
“You’re beautiful,” I whispered in a gentle tone, taking two additional steps closer. He reared up slightly, stomping down with both feet.
This time, the spray of snow floated in my direction, dancing down over me with tiny pellets of ice. I couldn’t help but laugh. The beautiful creature was so protective. If only I could find a man who would treat me that way, who would love me no matter what.
The thought was ridiculous. There was no man out there who would go to that extreme to protect and honor.
Why did Reaper’s face flash into my mind?
Shaking it off, I took three additional steps, easing my hand in front of me, my palm up.
The horse stared at me for what seemed like an eternity then finally lowered his head, sniffing my hand before resting his nose against my fingers.
Another shiver rushed through me, one of sheer joy and utter appreciation. Very slowly I rubbed his muzzle, brushing in gentle strokes. “You are such a beautiful boy.” I was rewarded with his tail swooshing back and forth. I took the final step closer, shocked that he nuzzled against my face. Nothing could be better than this.
I closed my eyes as I caressed the horse’s face, savoring every minute of the quiet and the peace surrounding me. While I knew it would be short-lived, I wanted to relish every moment.
Another whinnying sound drew my attention as the black horse shifted his head away from me, snorting toward the white one. As she drew closer, her tail swinging back and forth, I could swear there was love in their eyes. When the white horse dropped her head, allowing me to stroke her mane, a tear slipped past my lashes. “Both of you are just so beautiful.”
“Just like the woman standing in front of them.”
There was nothing more enthralling than the sound of Reaper’s voice. I was tingling all over, my nipples aroused within seconds. The way I reacted to him was incredible as well as frustrating as hell. He wasn’t my forever. No man could be.
I eased back, but only a couple of inches, still stroking the white horse’s mane. “They’re beautiful.”
“All horses are magnificent creatures sent from God.”
I was surprised to hear him say the words. I’d thought the man was so hard-edged that he couldn’t handle anything soft or romantic. Or regal. “Yes, they are.”
The sound of snow crunching under his boots created another vibe of electricity. I wanted to hate the connection we shared, uncertain of why it had even occurred, but I was far too intoxicated by his scent as well as his presence.
He drifted closer to the railing, studying the dark stallion before lifting his hand. “It’s been a long time since I’ve ridden a horse.”
“That must be akin to a crime for a cowboy.”
Laughing softly, he tipped his head in my direction. “There really wasn’t a chance to do it while stationed in Afghanistan.”
“That must have been hard.”
As I studied his face, I could see another faraway look in his eyes, as if he was so completely uncertain of what to say.
“I never realized just how difficult it really was until returning home.” His words were husky, almost guttural, as if the admittance was more challenging than he might have imagined.
I continued to stroke the white horse, nuzzling against her muzzle. “I would love to own a horse.”
“They take some work. And money.”
“I know. I’ve researched everything it would take to purchase and keep one.” I said the words absently, not even certain why I bothered to tell him. Reaper didn’t seem like the kind of guy who wanted to get to know anyone.
Especially me.
Why should he? I was just a thorn in his side, a risk factor that could alter his life forever.
“That’s very interesting for a city girl,” he said quietly.
“Not really. You forget that we lived in a small town. Besides, I think every city girl longs to live in the country. Horses. Dogs. A little log cabin.”
“Not a white picket fence?”
I shifted my gaze in his direction, studying his face. There was no doubt just how gorgeous he was with his chiseled features, but his eyes held such sadness. I could become lost in them for hours. Days.
“I don’t believe in the huge fairy tale if that’s what you’re insinuating. I was taught that reality takes a toll.”
He wrinkled his nose as he shot me a look. “Your parents taught you that?”
“Absolutely. They didn’t want me to become disappointed in life.”
“Does th
at mean you aren’t?”
I took a deep breath of the cold air, hating the fact my skin felt like it was on fire and my heart was hammering against my chest. The effect he had on me was ridiculous. “I’m a realist, Reaper. I see things as they are. Hard. I realized that after the death of my brother. If you find a few moments of joy, then you should consider yourself lucky.”
“Wow. That’s a mood breaker,” he said, laughing.
Shrugging, I shifted around to face him. “And what about you? I can tell that whatever you experienced was horrible, but I doubt you’re the kind of man who’ll talk about what happened. You’re simply going to bury it inside, refusing to acknowledge that it’s gnawing at you, clawing your insides out. Then one day you’re simply going to explode, unable to control your actions or your feelings.”
He whistled then sucked in his breath. “That’s just about the saddest thing I’ve ever heard.”
“But correct. Isn’t it?”
As he shook his head, a slight smile crossed his face. “Yeah, maybe you’ve pegged me more than I care to admit. However, I’m not going to allow the past to fester.”
“Isn’t it already?”
“Let it go, Mitch. We don’t need to be best buddies.”
I bristled, moving into another protective mode. “Nope. You’re right. We don’t.”
I turned my full attention to the horses, cooing under my breath as I stroked both their manes. Their response was adorable and as they finally moved away from the humans who’d invaded their space, they snorted and pawed at each other.
“Maybe at some point I can take you for a ride,” Reaper said, his tone now shifting into his dark and dangerous mode.
He was so infuriating, driving me to the point of losing my temper as well as clinging to him like some stupid little girl. “I’d like that. When I was little, horses were all I could think about.” I was shocked I’d shared the thought, hating myself for allowing my guard to fall.