High-Stakes Colton

by Karen Anders

  Against his will, memories of Matt surfaced.

  She tilted her head and studied him. The look in her eyes was soft and tender, and it did crazy things to his heart. “Did you know someone who lived on the streets? Is that why you have that look on your face?”

  She gave Lotus a few more swipes, then dropped the brush into the bucket. He straightened and followed her out. “I knew someone once,” he said.

  She headed for the crossover and the tack room. Opening the door, she indicated a saddle rack and he let the pad and blanket drop away into her hands as he slid the saddle in place. She walked over to a blanket bar and set the blanket and pad there.

  He was busy neatly adjusting the girth strap, getting it ready for the next time the saddle would be used.

  “Making a difference counts,” she said. “It feels good to do something for the greater good.”

  He wondered if that was because there was so much infighting in her family. “What prompted you to take on this project?” She turned to him and opened her mouth.

  “Alanna?”

  The sound of Fowler’s voice sent her gaze to the door. “Here,” she called.

  He appeared, looking every inch the oil baron. His mouth pinched when he saw Jake. “I need a word with you.”

  “Me?” she asked, although his gaze was on Jake.

  “Yes,” he said. “And, you, how goes it with Zorro?”

  “It’s Jake. Just in case you forgot my name. It’s progressing,” Jake said.

  “See that it continues to progress,” he said curtly, then turned to Alanna. “Come on. We don’t want to be late for dinner. You know how Whitney gets and it’s even worse now Daddy is missing.”

  “Can’t we just talk at dinner?” Her voice was weary and Jake wanted to step in and lessen her burden, but that wasn’t why he was here. He had to curb the impulse.

  “No. I don’t want to discuss this at the house.”

  “Very well. Thank you, Jake, for your help.”

  “My pleasure,” he said as Fowler’s eyes narrowed.

  “He can finish up in here,” Fowler said, taking Alanna’s arm and ushering her out.

  She was turning into a paradox for him. She exuded both vulnerability and strength. But she was warming to him. Fowler’s interruption was ill timed. His gut told him she was about to say something no one in the Colton family had ever heard from her. He was sure she didn’t expose her vulnerability to any of them. That made him feel sad for her and wasn’t a good thing in his line of work. Neutrality was what he needed to maintain and he fought against with her.

  There was still a wariness about her that had him wondering what it was going to take to win her over completely. Which was insanity. Because winning her over was not the objective here. Solving her problem wasn’t the goal he needed to achieve. He was here to get the dirt on her so she could either be eliminated as a suspect or she could be arrested. Once that was accomplished, he would go home and she’d either stay here or end up in jail. So there was no point in winning anything.

  As soon as they were out the door Jake slipped to the opening and peered out. They were heading for the Cisco barn. Shutting off the light and closing the door, he shadowed behind them. Fowler’s voice carried on the wind.

  “I’d rather wait until we got to the stable office to tell you what this is about,” he snarled.

  “Why all the secrecy?”

  “It involves delicate matters and should be discussed in private.”

  “In other words, I’m going to argue and you don’t want everyone to hear.”

  “Alanna. Wait until we get to the office.”

  “Okay,” she said on a sigh. “But this would be a good time to tell you that I intend to expand the operation. Initiate and open a training center and purchase a string of broodmares and two stallions I have scouted to begin a breeding program for barrel racers.”

  “For the love of...” He grabbed her arm and all but dragged her the rest of the way. Jake wanted to throttle the man for treating her so roughly, but kept at a safe distance.

  Their heels made a clicking sound on the concrete aisle as they headed toward the office and the door closed with a slam behind them.

  Jake noticed there was a gap in the top of the office and the beams. He was going to have to climb if he wanted to hear what they were saying. In the dim interior, he found a makeshift ladder that looked like it was used to access the skylights. He set his foot on the first rung and was up into the beams.

  “...out of your mind...thinking...not going...”

  He heard pieces of the conversation as he carefully made his way over to the office.

  “I don’t care whether you like it or not, Fowler. I’m in charge of the stables.”

  “You think you can make this end run because Daddy is absent? He wouldn’t approve this.”

  “I’m sick of hearing that. My name is listed as manager of the stables. I’m the one who practically grew up on a horse’s back. They were better companions than half the people I knew. I want to do this my way.”

  “Alanna. Be reasonable. We have enough turmoil as it is.”

  “That’s just an excuse and you know it. You want to take over everything. I’m not a figurehead, Fowler. I know more about horses, breeding and stock than you do. Zorro was a huge mistake and bringing in a horse whisperer isn’t going to do a damn bit of good. If you had consulted me in the first place, I would have told you he wasn’t worth...”

  “Don’t you chastise me, sister. That horse has champion bloodlines and will be an asset to the stable.”

  “You don’t like to admit you were wrong.”

  By the look on Alanna’s face, it was clear Fowler sifted out the things he didn’t want to discuss and discarded them. “I’ll freeze the assets, Alanna.”

  She pushed a lock of wild long hair behind her ear, her eyes widening. “You wouldn’t dare.” Her voice was hushed with shock.

  He chuckled cynically. “Try me.”

  She folded her arms over her chest, drawing her composure around her like a queen’s cloak, her face masking what she was feeling inside. But she sure was projecting it with her eyes as they snapped when she lifted her chin. “You’ve made your point.”

  The tension left Fowler’s body and he leaned against the desk, running his hand over his face. “Fine.”

  “What did you want to order me to do?” she snapped.

  “Alanna.” His voice held a warning in it, but Alanna didn’t heed it. She was deep into her anger and resentment now. He didn’t exactly blame her for her reaction. Fowler lived up to his reputation.

  “Well, it seems that’s your MO,” she said through clenched teeth. “Tell me.”

  “I want to sell off half the stock. I have a list.”

  “What?” Alanna flinched like the words were blows. “They’re not ready.”

  “You spend too much time training them. It’s a money sink and unnecessary.”

  Her arms dropped and her hands fisted at her sides. “You really do think I’m simply warming those saddles. Don’t you? Every cent I spend returns double or triple when I price those horses out.” She flung her arm out, pointing to the stables in the distance. “It builds our reputation. Do you think that just happened? No!” She tossed her head. Her blond hair spilling over her shoulders and rippling down her back. “I built it. You have no right to tell me what to do in this respect. At least Daddy would back me on that!”

  He lifted a sardonic brow and said slyly, “You’re so sure about that?”

  “Fowler.” Her voice was like steel. “You aren’t doing this.”

  “I am. Get used to it. Daddy isn’t here now. Is he?”

  She closed her eyes for a moment and said, “No, he isn’t.” Her breath hitched. “He’s gone.”

  “Sometimes, Alanna, I wonder about you and if your disagreement and passion for the stables made you—”

  She advanced on him in a rush and slapped him, her face broadcasting he’d pulled the f
inal straw. The crack of it echoed all the way to the rafters.

  Shaking with anger, she said, “Don’t you ever accuse me of harming Daddy ever again.”

  “Fair enough,” he drawled, rubbing at the red spot on his cheek. “Don’t you ever slap me again, sister.” Jake didn’t like the menace in his voice.

  Fowler started to leave, but realized Alanna wasn’t with him. “Aren’t you coming?”

  “No. I’ve suddenly lost my appetite,” she said, her voice clipped.

  “Dinner,” he growled. “Whitney—”

  “She can go to the devil and so can you, brother.”

  The door shut behind him and she murmured, “I hope you choke on it.” Her breath came in short, shallow gasps. Covering her eyes, she burst into tears. Backing against the desk, she sat on the edge and sobbed.

  The sound of the raw pain in her voice pissed Jake off and he wanted to take Fowler apart and kick his ass all over Colton Valley Ranch for hurting her. Taking away her power and leaving her ineffectual. She’d been bold enough to make a solid move and tell him her plans for expanding and he’d discounted them without even asking questions. The man was so closed minded it made Jake want to take a shot at opening that mind of his.

  But he’d done something to Jake’s way of thinking. Just when he was convinced Alanna was innocent, Fowler inserted doubt. He wasn’t sure he was the best judge when it came to this woman.

  Could it be her disputes with her father, the constant undermining of her skill and authority over the stables, had pushed her too far?

  At the sound of shod hooves on the concrete, Jake jerked out of his thoughts. He moved quickly out of the rafters and back down the ladder. The door to the arena was open and as he watched, Alanna Colton, riding hell-bent for leather, streaked through on a horse that looked like it could run forever, muscled for speed.

  Anger and velocity didn’t mix well in any vehicle.

  He took off at a run for his own horse.

  Chapter 5

  With the wind tearing at her hair and the moon bobbing in the dark, star-filled sky, Alanna pushed her horse Somerset to even greater speed, the landscape covered in shadows. He moved powerfully beneath her, as she bent low over the animal’s neck. It was as if she wanted to outrun her pent-up frustrations, her anger and her aching unmet needs.

  There was always the sense of betrayal by both her brother and her father in this matter. She was due respect. She’d earned it every step of the way with her blood, sweat and tears.

  Tears that now flowed down her cheeks mixed with both sorrow and anger.

  The moonlight illuminated the road ahead of her, but she knew this countryside so well as she’d ridden it and played in it since she was a kid.

  She’d fought hard all her life for recognition and independence in a family that always seemed to be at odds. She was part of a strange and murky legacy evidenced by the checkered pasts of her father and uncle. It was unnerving to say the least that she’d come from serial killer stock and the rumored information that her father had been a notorious bank robber.

  How does someone overcome that kind of a background?

  Who could she ever depend on?

  Over the whoosh of the wind she heard the pounding of hooves and looked over her shoulder to find a man on a galloping blue roan. Her mouth tightened. All she needed was to spar with sexy-as-hell Jake McCord.

  She veered off the road and headed to open ground, spurring Somerset on. But the roan was fast and streaked past her. Jake reached out to her bridle, slowing her horse, starting her to sputter in anger.

  She came out of the saddle spitting mad and went toe-to-toe with him. “Who do you think you are?” she shouted. “You had no right!”

  “I’m only trying to keep you from breaking your fool neck,” he said sounding way too calm. Her irritation escalated. On the heels of Fowler’s obvious disrespect when it came to running the stables, Jake got her back up over a simple gallop in the moonlight.

  “Who appointed you my guardian?” It wasn’t Jake she was angry at, but he did something to her that always made her feel as if she was on the verge of disaster and all it would take would be one wrong move.

  Taking a deep breath, she forced herself to concentrate on the anger swirling in her. She had to summon every ounce of determination to hold his gaze. His face was cast in uncompromising lines, his mouth compressed, his expression shuttered. He held her gaze for a moment, then leaned forward and rested his hands on his hips, a strange tension springing up between them that made Alanna feel as if she were about to shatter.

  “You’re obviously upset and I’m quite aware you don’t need a guardian, but you do look like you could use a friend.”

  Everything stilled in her at the sound of his voice offering her what she had only thought moments ago wasn’t possible. Waves of loneliness washed over her. Who could she depend on? Him? She didn’t even know him and she still wasn’t sure if he wasn’t part of a plan Fowler had initiated to influence her.

  The expression on his face was so sincere, but she was still so wary, so afraid to give herself over to anyone’s care, especially this man who was still a stranger.

  “I don’t need a friend,” she refuted. But that was such a lie. She really did need someone to confide in. She could never talk to anyone in her family and definitely not the servants. Her good friend Samantha was a great choice, but she had a husband and three kids to keep her busy.

  “I think you do,” he said. “My shoulder is ready and waiting.” He offered. He leaned into her space, surrounding her, corralling her. Alanna’s heart skipped a beat, and then kicked into overdrive as he dared to get closer, though wariness was not the dominant emotion. It should have been, but it wasn’t.

  She closed her eyes and wanted nothing more than to flee again. As much as she wanted someone to confide in, it felt too dangerous. There was nothing easy about leaning on him or in to those oh-so-broad shoulders. That strange sense of desire and anticipation crept along her nerves. If she leaned forward, he would kiss her. She could see the promise in his eyes and felt something wild and reckless and completely foreign to her raise up in answer, pushing her to close the distance, to take the chance.

  She took a step back, realizing how close she was to him. “What happened?” he prompted.

  What happened? A simple question as loaded as a shotgun that had been primed and pumped. “Jake, please just leave me alone.”

  His gaze darkened even more and a muscle in his jaw twitched, the charged silence between them growing more electric with every heartbeat. Why did he do this to her whenever he was near? “No can do, not when you left the stables like your tail was on fire.” Then he said gruffly, “Let me help.”

  She folded her arms over her chest and looked away, trying to defuse the building heat. There was something...some underlying intuition that told her he knew exactly how she felt. That he knew the loneliness and the isolation, that he was just as starved for human touch and the kind of understanding that feeds the soul. Oh, God, she wanted to just let go and give him a piece of herself, but she was so terrified she wouldn’t get it back or she would be tricked and her heart would be exposed. Better to remain an island. “You can’t help. There’s no one who can help me. I’m used to taking care of myself.”

  “Maybe you are, but I’m offering. I don’t like seeing you like this. Talk to me.”

  His masculine scent feathered along her nerve endings, setting off tingling sensations everywhere, and Alanna closed her eyes, struggling against the thick, pulsating warmth that flooded through her. It felt like he was offering a lot more than his attention and sympathy. She couldn’t accept because if he showed her any kind of compassion, she wasn’t sure she could hold back what she knew would happen and she wasn’t sure her heart could handle that right now.

  She couldn’t trust him even if she wanted to, she didn’t have the energy right now to fight off a kitten let alone this sexy, powerful man. Without responding, she reached past
him to grab up her horse’s reins. His arm shot out and he roughly caught her wrist.

  Everything inside her stilled and the anger dissolved into something hotter, fiercer and totally overwhelming. She would have been all right if he hadn’t touched her, but this man sent pure adrenaline pumping through her. The same frantic excitement she had experienced when she’d delivered the towels, creating such havoc she could barely think.

  “Jake.” She turned to him, pleading, “Let me go.”

  Jake had been watching her with such grim tension around his mouth that he appeared almost angry, the charged silence between them growing more electric with every heartbeat.

  Just when Alanna felt she couldn’t endure it one moment longer, a tremor shuddered through him and his eyes were suddenly smoky and heavy lidded. He dragged her against him, whispering her name, and then his mouth slammed into hers, and her eyes closed, every nerve in her body primed for the first touch of his lips against hers. Nothing could have prepared her for the chaos that contact created, and Alanna grabbed at the fabric of his shirt as he crushed her against him in an unbreakable hold.

  His mouth moved against hers with the kind of thoroughness she’d been aching to experience, and she yielded to his hungry kiss. He made a low sound and silently she tightened her free arm around his waist, a deep poignant feeling unfolding in her chest as she responded to the gentleness, the warmth, the protectiveness of his enveloping embrace. She had never really had a chance, she realized. She’d been attracted and intrigued from the moment she first saw him crossing the arena floor.

  Spanning her jaw and inhaling sharply, he molded their bodies together as he roughly caressed her back. He was the one still, solid thing in her wildly reeling world, and Alanna clung to him, her mouth going slack beneath his, the heat and the hardness of his body sapping her strength.

  He finally tore his mouth away, his breathing raw and labored. He said nothing, just stared down at her for a long moment, awareness arcing between them like electricity. He watched her, his eyes a dark, bottomless blue, his expression intense. Was he trying to read her? She felt those eyes were reaching right into her soul.