Page 19 of Rough Ride

“He wants the ranch.”

Eli thought about it. “Yeah, there’s that. But he doesn’t have the money. Also, he couldn’t run around doing this kind of stuff. He’s not physically capable.”

“So, if you lose the ranch because Crysta runs off scared, he will be able to buy it very cheap, correct?”

“Yeah, but if that’s what he expected of her, he learned today that it won’t happen.”

“He threatened her?” Dillon asked irritation threading his voice. “Why the hell didn’t you tell me that first?”

Eli sighed. “First, I thought you would want to know about the security breach first. And no, he didn’t outright threaten her, but it was close enough. But he damned near called her something that would have had me ripping him apart.”

“I understand.”

Of course Dillon did. His wife was the heir to a large fortune, but the family wanted nothing to do with her, because her father had been black.

“She stood her ground though, so if that was his plan, I don’t think it will work. Maybe he learned that today and will back off.”

“Or get more dangerous.”

That was what worried Eli. They had avoided Joe, even after he became ill. Maybe in their minds, they would be able to get some of the land. Thinking he would just hand over the ranch to the family that had rejected Joe was just damned idiotic.

“True. The security is running now, but I think we need to change the code early this week. Make sure whoever had the code can’t get in again.”

Papers rustled over the phone. “Sounds good. Do you want me over there?”

“No. I can handle her.”

There was a beat of silence. “What?”

Shit. “I mean…I can handle it.”

He was slipping up on the phone with Dillon after the first day with Crysta. He definitely needed to get his head screwed on straight.

“I’ll let you know if anything happens over here. It might all be coincidence.”

“You do that. And, Eli?”

“Yeah?” Eli asked.

“Make sure to keep your head screwed on straight.”

Then the line went dead. Dillon was irritating but he was right. There might not be anything going on, but it would be best for all of them if he kept his senses clear. He needed to get over to Oahu and blow off some steam but he didn’t see that happening any time soon. So, he just needed to suck it up.

* * *

Crysta was nervous. It was like she was a student teacher in front of the class for the first time. Studying the group of men who had gathered, she saw many faces she recognized. Almost all of them had been at the service a few weeks ago. Expressions ranged from blank, to smiling, to downright nasty. They were all looking at her as if she were an oddity. So, they were reserving judgement? Maybe some of them didn’t think she would stay. Crysta Miller was made of stronger stock. She’d handled teenagers, and they were scarier than this lot. The thought had her lips curving.

“What are you smiling about?” Eli said, leaning close enough that she felt his breath on her ear.

It took all her power not to shiver and lean closer. She turned and then had to take a moment to compose herself. This close she could see the deepest blue of his eyes and they made her lose most of her thoughts. She didn’t have a doubt now that he was a Dom and seeing him this close, feeling his body heat, was enough to make her yearn.

Oh, god.

“I was just remembering my first day at teaching.”

He smiled, slowly, sexy, and her heart turned over. The man could tempt a nun to sin. Over and over and over.

“I bet you were fantastic.”

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