Page 40 of Stone Cold Savage

“So, you noticed, huh.”

Rip held her stare longer than probably appropriate when dealing with a client, “Maybe.”

She leaned in and whispered, “So you are a stalker.”

Realizing how far the conversation was going in the wrong direction, Rip was quick to reel it in. “No. Just doing my job.”

He saw the pain in her expression his words left, and it caused his chest to tighten. He didn’t understand how or why, and this wasn’t the time to dissect the ins and outs of feelings. Rip was determined to keep the conversation easy, and professional, despite Devyn’s efforts to take it further… and his desire to explore said efforts.

“Right. A job. Seems like I’m a lot of work for everyone around here.” She hurried away, turning her attention back to the kitten.

“Why do you say that?”

“Isn’t it obvious? I’m sort of the outlier here. I’m not like the rest of them. Everyone is either coddling me or scolding me for being, well, me. Which is it? Should I be baby sister Dev or grown and mature Dev? Both seem to get me in trouble. I’m a walking talking contradiction.”

“I think your family just loves you so much. They’re distracted by the contradiction,” Rip said. “I’m sure it’s hard for them. You’ve all suffered a tremendous loss followed by chaos and danger around every corner.”

“They have to realize we’re all in this together, though, right? I mean, come on, I may not be a roughneck rancher or a…whatever Coy and Dill do, but I’m capable, smart, and can contribute if they’d just let me.”

“Have you told them that?” Rip asked.

“Only my entire life.” She snorted.

“Maybe you just need to show them. Instead of running out in the road after stray kittens and throwing tantrums at the dinner table, you can show them just how capable you are.”

“I’ve tried. The will. I’m sure you heard. I took care of all the estate planning, made sure everyone was protected and taken care of, and look how that turned out.”

“That wasn’t their doing. That was your mother’s doing.”

“And if they’re taking their cues from her, it’s no wonder they question my every move and still treat me like a child.”

“Prove them wrong, Dev. Show them.”

“How?”

“I don’t know. Only you can answer that. Find a need and fill it. That’s your spot to take. Your role. Whatever you want to call it.” He said. “What’s your role going to be, Dev.”

“I don’t know. They won’t let me have a gun, even though I’m a pretty damn good shot.”

He snorted, “I can vouch for that. There’s enough people with guns around here, though, you trying to blend in?”

“I already do.”

“Then what else?”

“I pack a good punch.” She shrugged.

“I saw you in the gym. You can handle yourself. I could probably help you and teach you a few things to make you stronger, but I’ll give credit where credit is due. You’re not bad at hand-to-hand encounters. So is Coy. So is Dillon. So is Ransom and the others. What do you do that none of them can? What’s their weakness and your strength?”

“I guess I need to figure that out.”

“Figure it out, and you might earn the respect I think you’re looking for.”

“Wow. Never really thought about it like that.” Devyn watched the fire dance while she wrapped her mind around the words he was sharing. “You were right.”

“About?”

“All that wisdom you’re dropping… you must be old.”

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