Page 23 of Stone Cold Savage

“We need to reconnect with her,” Coy said.

“And follow the money, big brother.” Nash winked.

“And that.”

7

She was fascinating to watch, Rip thought as he stood just outside the barn door and watched Devyn work out with a bag, one punch and kick at a time. The idea that they called this place a barn amused him as it wasn’t like any barn he’d ever seen. No farm animals. Maybe a few pets that he could hear in the distance somewhere, and of course, Diesel rested in a nearby corner, eyes fixed on Devyn, and that damn kitten was in a picnic-like basket of soft blankets right next to his dog. It was more of a party barn if you asked him.

There was a wide-open space for entertaining, a pool table, and a wet bar setting the tone, along with rich leather furniture and the biggest screen television hanging on the wall that he’d ever seen. There were stairs leading to the living quarters upstairs that he was staying in –– Nash’s place –– but Rip had no idea this was below. He could see some sort of dark room in the distance with a large ornate wood barn-like door that might have been a theatre-type setting. There was a large open kitchen that was lit by the night sky, peering through the large roll-up glass door that led to an outdoor kitchen and seating area that looked as swanky as the inside of this barn. If this was ranch living, count him in.

At present, Rip was watching Devyn take out her frustrations in the state-of-the-art gym that sat behind a glass wall where she was leaving every last emotion behind. Petite, delicate, and beautiful as she was, what he saw unleashing in the distance was the wrath of a capable woman on a mission of vengeance. She was seething with anger, drowning in sorrow, and tortured by a pain he didn’t think she could even explain. It was obvious to him somehow, even if it wasn’t to her, which explained her smart mouth and bratty disposition at times.

Devyn appeared to be tough, or at least liked to tell everyone just how strong and grown she was, but it was clear, as he watched her whale on the bag that didn’t stand a chance, that she was trying to convince herself as much as anyone else, just how tough she was. He’d give her credit, though. She was damn near convincing, until the tantrums, or until… the tears. She was unhinged, losing it, and coming completely unwound as she fought against whatever demon she was facing at the moment. Based on what he’d gathered in the handful of days he’d been on the ranch, he was sure there were plenty.

Diesel lifted his head slowly and scanned the room until his eyes fixed on Rip. He knew he was there, even if he couldn’t quite see him in the shadows. Instead of alerting Devyn or even come running, his badass highly trained soldier of a dog moved closer to the fucking kitten and rested his head in the basket, never losing his sights on Rip.

“Traitor,” Rip said under his breath before heading inside.

The music she was playing grew louder as he drew closer. He didn’t take her for a metalhead, but it paired well with the assault she was serving the punching bag. Rip wasn’t intentionally being discreet with his approach, but Devyn was so in the zone that she didn’t see or hear him coming.

“Dev?” he said, as not to startle her.

When she didn’t even acknowledge him, he shouted, “Devyn.”

Still nothing.

After a hard shin kick to the bag, she’d turned just so and saw her reflection in the long wall of mirrors and… saw his as well. Startled and with little time to react, much less register the image Devyn saw standing directly behind her. In a sudden motion, she quickly executed a roundhouse kick, trying to fight off her assailant, but she was met with much resistance. She may not have seen or realized it was Rip, but he knew full well it was her and… what to expect. A fight.

Rip grabbed her leg before it could make contact and steadied her so as not to cause her injury or to fall. That didn’t stop her in the least. Devyn continued to fight, and Rip let her. Every swing she took was met with an open palm or a duck of his head. She wasn’t angry, she was grieving, and he could see it. Grieving a mother she thought she knew. Grieving the family life she thought they had. Grieving the safety she once felt in this place. Grieving… a life that was no longer hers. Everything was different now and always would be despite the outcome of all that was falling down around her.

It was clear, to even Rip, that Devyn liked to be in control, given her actions and reactions to almost everything. She did well and felt her most confident when in control. She was feeling anything but that, and it was plain as day. Devyn was spiraling, and he was going to let her, even if it meant being on the opposite end of her fury.

Diesel barked, catching Rip by surprise and earning his attention, which was a rookie move if he ever made one. In a split-second, Rip turned his attention to his dog and surroundings to make sure it wasn’t a warning of danger; Devyn was able to land a punch right to his eye, causing him to lose his balance and let go of her leg. When Devyn began to fall backward, she’d reached for Rip’s shirt with a tight fist and brought him down with her. She hit the ground hard on her back. Rip caught himself, managing not to crush her, and hovered just inches above her.

Their breath caught, each locked in the other’s stare. The close proximity and compromising position they were in hadn’t even registered as they remained locked at that moment. Still. Unphased by all that was around them. At that moment, it was just the two of them, surrounded by both confusion and certainty that this was precisely where they were supposed to be, with each other. She seemed to feel safe, and he felt protective. Until that brief moment faded, and reality came back into view, settling around them.

“Rip.” She said with surprise, gently touching his red and puffy eye. “Oh my gosh, I didn’t realize it was you. I…”

“It’s okay.” He began.

“No, it wasn’t. I-I don’t know what got into me.” Her voice quaked as her eyes filled with emotion.

“You were focused, and I startled you. It just took you a minute to realize it was me. That’s all.” Rip justified her actions because he understood the kind of focus and anger she was grappling with.

“I was, but to not realize it was you… you were standing right in front of me.” Her lip quivered, and she quickly pulled out from beneath him and leaned against the wall. “What is happening to me?”

“Really. It isn’t a big deal, not the first time I took a fist to the eye, but definitely the first by a lawyer –– it’s usually really bad men, but there’s a first for everything, right?” He teased with a light tone.

“It’s not funny, Rip. I don’t understand. I’m not like this.” She muttered with frustration.

“You were in the zone.”

“Stop, will you? Stop defending my actions. It’s not okay. I hit you.” She pleaded. “I don’t even recognize who I am anymore.”

“I know you’re used to shooting me, but honestly, this isn’t that serious.” Rip continued, ignoring her plea to be serious as she had a deep reflecting moment.

“That was different. I meant to shoot you. I didn’t mean to hit you. I was just caught up in some crazy moment.” She admitted. “It’s like I saw you but didn’t at the same time. The only thing that registered was someone was behind me, and they shouldn’t have been.”

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