“I’m sorry.” Ronan’s frown deepened as he bent his head. She couldn’t see his eyes because of his cowboy hat, just his lower face and frown.
“Don’t be. It wasn’t your doing.” Kira hated feeling like she was telling a sob story for pity. He asked, she told. There wasn’t much to it. “Don’t be sorry for me, Ronan. I’m alive.”
When he looked up, his eyes were dark, not the dynamic golden color they usually were. “Your running days are over.” His voice was back to that deep, rough tone. “We’ll find the bastard and end this.”
Kira nodded, not wanting to say she had heard that song and dance before, but this time it was a little different. She almost believed him.
Chapter 16
Soon the ranch was hopping with activity. All the Warriors, except for the ones on duty, came and brought their mates. Even Becky, who rode with Slade and Jill, came without Sloan. Kira was still in the kitchen helping Wanda, who took care of the house and cooking. Kira and Wanda had hit it off right away shooing him out of the kitchen. After introductions with his men, they went on about their chores and Ronan showed the Warriors the ranch.
“So this is where you go when you disappear for days?” Duncan looked around, seeming impressed. “Nice place you have here.”
“Thanks.” Ronan’s pride flamed inside him every time someone said that and knew his father was looking down with a smile on his face. “It took me a while to get it where I wanted it, but there’s still work to be done.”
“Nice thing you’re doing for the kid,” Slade added, nodding toward Steve who was making his way toward them with Adam.
“So what exactly do you do here?” Jared asked, then pointed at the closed barn. “What’s in there?”
“I mostly take in horses that need to be tamed.” Ronan didn’t really like calling it breaking. To him, that wasn’t what he did. He wanted the horses to keep their spirit yet be a companion to the person who would be caring for it. “My men are highly qualified, but if we have a hard case, then I come in and work with them. That barn is where we house the horses that still need work.”
“I wish you guys could have seen Ronan riding that horse today,” Steve chimed in excitedly, his eyes round as he explained it all. “That horse was doing everything it could to toss Ronan on his ass, but he just kept riding until Buck got worn down.”
“You got any more ready to break.” Jared grinned, rubbing his hands together. “I wouldn’t mind giving it a try. Always thought I’d make a good cowboy.”
“You’d look goofy as shit with a cowboy hat.” Sid snorted his laugh. “And I’d lay big money down that you’d end up eating dirt.”
“Sorry, guys.” Ronan shook his head. “No one but my men or myself do the taming on this ranch. Other places may do it differently, but here it’s not a game of seeing who has the bigger balls. I don’t break these horses. I just ease them into wanting to hang with us non-horse beings.”
“Damn.” Jared frowned, but then nodded. “Though I respect that.”
“Ah, man,” Steve whined, his face a mask of disappointment. “I really wanted to give it a go. I think I got what it takes to tame one of them.”
“Now that I would pay to see.” Sid crossed his arms looking at Steve, then toward Ronan. “You sure you don’t have something for Steve to try?”
Ronan thought about it for a minute and figured hell, what would it hurt? “Actually, Steve, I do have one that isn’t wild, but will sure give you a ride you won’t forget.” Ronan glanced around at the group. “Jared, I’m sure after Steve, if you still want to give it a go, we can make it happen.”
“Hell yeah!” Steve slapped his hands together. “Wait, do I need a cowboy hat?”
“Nah, just a prayer,” Ronan mumbled, then chuckled when Steve tilted his head.
“Huh?”
“No. No hat needed,” Ronan said louder, then glanced around. “Hey, Mick. Bring Daisy out.”
“Sure thing, boss,” Mick called back, then disappeared into another barn.
“Daisy?” Steve smirked. “Ah, come on, man. Give me a challenge.”
“Steve, have you even ever ridden a horse before?” Duncan frowned, then rolled his eyes when Steve nodded. “Not one that goes around in circles at a fair.”
“Hey, it’s a horse, ain’t it?” Steve countered.
“Mira is going to kill you.” Adam chuckled, shaking his head. “If this horse doesn’t.”
Ronan met Mick taking the reins, then led Daisy into the corral. All the Warriors stood on the outside rail watching. He thought about tying Steve’s hand down like in the rodeo, but decided against it. Daisy didn’t really buck. She just jumped and kicked a little bit. He’d just let him get on, stay on for about two seconds… until Daisy threw his ass off. He knew Steve would be fine. She didn’t stomp, just got a little feisty.
He stood in the middle of the corral talking gently while looking her in the eye. He then glanced at Steve, who stood on the outside looking as if he were having second thoughts. Daisy was a big horse, no doubt about it.
“Change your mind, bro?” Adam smirked, staring from the horse to Steve.
“No, I didn’t change my mind.” Steve pulled up his pants and headed into the corral. “Just giving the pretty girl a minute to… ah, you know.”
“Actually no, we don’t know,” Sid replied, giving a low whistle. “Seems like that big girl is ready for ya, Steve-o.”
Ronan grinned, knowing Steve was definitely having second thoughts. For someone who knew horses, Daisy would give them pause. She was one hell of a horse, and huge. He glanced at the lake to see the women still talking and making wedding plans, oblivious to what was about to happen.
“So, hey there, Daisy.” Steve reached out to touch her muzzle, but she reared back, her eyes widening as she side-stepped. “Whoa.” Steve jumped back, tripping over his own feet.
“Never reach for a horse’s face from the side until they are used to you,” Ronan said, calming the skittish mare.
“Noted.” Steve gulped, then cleared his throat. “She’s pretty big.”
“Yes, she is.” Ronan tried to hide his grin. Everyone thought they were experts when it came to horses. And most men with egos bigger than their brains thought they could tame them. Daisy, though, who tamed for someone like Ronan or his men, taught the wannabe cowboys different.
“So do I just hop on or…” Steve glanced around the horse. “…use that thing.”
“Hop on, and you’ll go right back off,” Ronan warned. “And that’s a stirrup, which I suggest you use.”
Ronan knew Steve was in for a ride because Daisy could sense his nervousness, which played into her plans. Yes, horses had plans, and if you contemplated those plans, they took advantage. Ronan learned a long time ago that horses were very smart and if you didn’t watch yourself, you’d be played.
He held Daisy while Steve clumsily climbed on. “Okay, ah, now what?”
“This was a bad idea, man.” Adam chuckled with his hand on his forehead. “If the horse or Mira don’t kill him, Sloan will if we come up a man short because Steve got his ass stomped by a girl horse.”
“Adam, shut the fuck up,” Steve said from atop of Daisy. “I’m trying to focus.”
Checking to make sure Steve’s feet were in the stirrups, Ronan handed him the reins. He noticed that his ranch hands were scattered among the Warriors, watching as well. “I’m letting go,” Ronan warned. “Just hold on and enjoy the ride.”
“That’s it?” Steve’s voice rose. “What the fuck, man? I thought you were going to teach me.”
“I am.” Ronan shrugged. “This is how we all learned.”
Ronan’s men murmured in agreement. “Don’t forget to tell him about the hit and run, boss.”
“Oh shit,” Ronan replied with a grimace. “I almost forgot.”
“What do you mean, ‘oh shit you almost forgot’?” Steve’s eyes were wide as saucers. “What the fuck, dude?”
“When you hit the gro
und, run the fuck away,” another one of Ronan’s men answered. “Don’t worry, you got this. Just suck that saddle up your ass, boy.”
His men didn’t mince words. “Letting go, you ready?”
“No.” Steve nodded, contradicting himself.
Ronan let go, then walked slowly backward, not taking his eyes off Daisy until his back hit the corral. He then climbed up and sat on the top, ready to intervene in case things went really wrong. No way would he let Steve get injured; his pride maybe, but not bodily.
“Ah, she’s just standing here.” Steve frowned, then glanced at Ronan. “Is this all she’s going to do, ’cause if it is I’m not impress—”
Yells rang out from his men, as did loud claps of hands. Daisy shot straight up in the air, then began jumping like a hornet’s nest was let loose on her ass. Steve screamed as he held on for dear life.
“Don’t let go of those reins,” Ronan yelled, confident any moment Daisy was going to win this battle. Steve looked like a ragdoll getting tossed and thrown all over the place.
“My nuts!” he screamed as he slammed down repeatedly on the saddle.
The men groaned, then cheered him on. Ronan knew when it was going to happen. Daisy took one giant leap and kicked her back legs out, sending Steve flying in the air and flat on his back. Sure the kid was stunned, Ronan jumped off the fence, ran toward Daisy and jumped on to take control.
It took longer than usual to calm her, but Ronan was able to keep Daisy from stepping on Steve who lay on the ground, rolling around, holding his balls and dry heaving.
“Whoa there, girl.” Ronan finally got her settled, then hopped down, handing the reins to Mick. “Make sure she gets a good rub down and an extra apple.”
After Mick took Daisy out, Ronan walked over to where Steve lay, still holding his privates. “So, you still ready to tame ya a wild one?”
The laughter was broken up by women’s voices. “Steve, what in the hell did you do now?” Mira peeked through the rails staring at him. “Are you okay?”
“I think I’m going to have to see a doctor.” Steve’s voice was high pitched, making all the men laugh harder. “Slade!”
Everyone glanced toward Slade, who shook his head with a big grin. “The day I have to look at your nuts is the day I rip up my doctor’s degree. Ice that shit, and that’s all I have to say.”
Ronan laughed, then reached down and helped Steve up. “Always adjust after you get in the saddle,” Ronan said, then patted him on the back. “It’s a hard lesson, but we’ve all had to learn it. You’ll walk funny for a day or two, but you’ll be fine.”
“Thanks for giving me that little bit of advice now.” Steve hissed out in pain, then glanced at him. “So how did I do?”
Ronan heard the need for acceptance in his voice. He’d heard it so many times before from others. “You did good, Steve.”
“Did I make it?” When Ronan didn’t answer, Steve looked at him. “Eight seconds. Did I stay on for eight seconds? Isn’t that the time in the rodeos?”
“Ah, I’m sure you did or at least close.” Ronan frowned, then glanced around at everyone who was still chuckling.
Steve stood up straight, one hand still gripping his junk as he stared at everyone, his expression a mix between anger and pain. “I just broke my damn junk, and no one timed me. Are you fucking kidding me?” Steve shouted, then grimaced when he threw his hand up in the air in exasperation. “Fuck it, I need some ice. I feel them swelling.”
Ronan choked back a laugh, then nodded. His eyes met Kira’s, who had her hand over her mouth trying not to laugh.
“Come on, man.” Gary waved him over. “I’ll get you some. Maybe next time wear a cup.”
“Well, that sure as hell would have been great advice before I sat my stupid ass in the saddle.” Steve huffed as he walked like he had a stick up his ass toward the house with Gary.
“So, who’s next?” Ronan asked with a knowing grin.
“Fuck that.” Jared waved him off. “I’m good, man.”
“That’s what I thought.” Ronan smiled, then headed toward Kira.
“That was kinda mean,” she whispered to him, her lips twitched as she tried not to grin.
“No, that was a lesson,” he whispered back with a wink.
Chapter 17
Kira had been helping Wanda in the kitchen cook up the biggest pot of chili she had ever seen in her life. She was a sweet lady who talked nonstop. Wanda took care of all the men who worked under Ronan, making sure they were fed. She also cleaned, which she said was a breeze since Ronan was hardly ever there and when he was, he was outside working.
Once she was finished helping Wanda, she headed outside and joined the women. They all stood around, excitedly planning Mira and Steve’s big day. She stayed quiet, only putting a few inputs here and there. And then after the Steve fiasco, everyone had settled down near the lake, where a large bonfire blazed, while they sat and ate Wanda’s amazing chili.
Her gaze kept traveling to Ronan, who stood with the men talking and laughing. He seemed so relaxed. Her eye scanned the property, realizing that this was where he belonged.
“You’ve been quiet.” Mira sat next to Kira, feeding Drew her bottle. “Everything okay?”
“Absolutely.” Kira smiled, then held out her arms for Drew. “Let me feed her. You get to hold her all the time.”
“I still can’t believe Ronan is doing this.” Mira sighed, looking around.
Kira nodded, happy for her sister and yet, a feeling of dread eased into her happiness. She pushed it away. Just one day she wanted to be worry-free. Just one. Was that too much to ask?
Tessa walked up and sat down, holding a cold beer. “You know,” she took a sip, “one good thing about being a vampire, you can drink all the beer you want and not get drunk, at least not stupid drunk. Maybe just a buzz.”
Mira laughed, showing her fangs, and Kira had the hardest time remembering her sister was now a vampire. Not that she cared, but it was just strange. Their lives definitely had taken a turn.
“The no sleeping part and never being tired is a big plus.” Mira leaned back with a sigh. “Especially with Drew. Before I couldn’t get enough sleep, but now it doesn’t matter.”
“How’re things with you and Jared?” Kira looked up from Drew in time to see Tessa shrug.
“They’ve been better, but he’s trying,” Tessa replied. Neither Mira or Kira missed the sadness in her voice.
“How’s the sex?” Mira asked, gaining a surprised glare from Kira.
“Mira!”
“Oh, that’s not where the problem is,” Tessa replied with a tip of her beer. “Sex with Jared Kincaid is off the charts.”
“Warriors do have a way with them, don’t they,” Mira agreed wholeheartedly.
“That they do.” Tessa nodded, then glanced at Kira. “Have you had a chance to talk to Lana or Caroline about contacting your cousin?”
“No, I haven’t had a chance.” Kira took the bottle away from Drew so she could burp her. “I don’t know. Sid and Jax don’t seem too enthusiastic about letting them talk to the dead. Then again, I can’t blame them. After what I’ve seen and heard that they’ve gone through, I don’t feel right asking.”
“I would ask anyway. I’m sure if they didn’t think it was safe, they wouldn’t do it. Plus, I was thinking that maybe your cousin would know where Orjyll is hiding out.” Tessa leaned closer. “From what I understand, they’ve been searching nonstop for the asshole, and no one can find him, not even a clue to where he is.”
Kira wasn’t surprised. Orjyll was a sneaky bastard. He could hide in plain sight, but so could they. It was why this cat and mouse game had gone on for so long. If witches didn’t want to be found, you wouldn’t find them. Even though Orjyll’s magic was pretty much nonexistent, he had enough followers who had drank the Kool-Aid to do his magic for him. Tessa was right; this could be a way to pinpoint where the bastard was. But putting someone else in danger wasn’t something she was eager to d
o.
Tessa glanced over her shoulder. “Lana,” she called out, then motioned her over.
Lana, who had been talking to Jill and Angelina, walked over. “Oh, can I hold her?” Lana stepped around to Kira.
Kira handed Drew, who had finished her bottle, over to Lana. “She may have one more burp left in her.” She tossed her the spit up rag. “You’ll probably need this. She’s a spitter.”
“And I bet that makes Steve so proud.” Lana chuckled, putting the rag over her shoulder and she patted Drew softly on the back.
“You have no idea.” Mira laughed with a shake of her head.
“So, have you heard anything else from Emilia?” Tessa asked, making room on the bench for Angelina.
“No, nothing.” Lana frowned, looking from Tessa to Mira and Kira. “Why?”
“How comfortable are you with trying to contact her?” Tessa asked in low tones. Sid was close enough to be able to overhear their conversation.
“It’s not me who’s uncomfortable with it.” Lana nodded toward Sid, then glanced at Mira. “You want me to ask her to lift the curse?”
“Yes.” Mira nodded, her gaze going toward Steve. “I’m just afraid—”
“I know.” Lana cut her off, then chuckled when Drew let out a loud burp. “Well, goodness, you gorgeous little piggy.”
“We also think she may be able to tell us where Orjyll is,” Tessa added, as she stood, holding her arms out for Drew. “My turn.”
Lana’s eyes opened in surprise as she handed Drew over. “I didn’t think about that.” Her voice lowered even more. “Let me talk to Caroline, but honestly, this is going to have to be done without Sid or Jax knowing. Actually, none of them can know because of that damn Warrior code they stick to.”
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