Page 22 of Wild Mustang Security Firm

The feeling of dread that had started when she realized she was in love with him was quickly blossoming into full-blown panic. It was one thing for her to love him—that she could handle—but for him to love her, then leave her? Oh, hell, no, she wasn’t going there again.

“I’ve got news for you, Marshal. You have no legal claim over me, and if I want to put an end to whatever this weirdness is between us, I will. You don’t get a vote in the decisions I make about my life.”

“I see,” he said evenly.

Mandy could tell he was working to control his temper. She thought if she pushed a bit more, he would fail, and she could walk with a clear conscience.

“Don’t get me wrong, you’re one hell of a great fuck, but I really don’t have time for anything more than that. And I’m not signing on to be anyone’s little woman or doing as I’m told. I’ve been on my own for a long time, and I like it that way,” she said, lifting her chin defiantly.

“Are you done with your tantrum?” he asked solicitously.

“Not even close,” she ranted, failing to recognize his tone was edged with anger. “I have half a mind to report you to your superiors, and if you don’t leave me alone, I will.”

“Mandy, I’m going to give you to the count of three to walk back from this and apologize. If you don’t, much as I would hate to, I’ll spank you again.”

It took every ounce of willpower she had not to do exactly what he wanted. The truth was, she wanted it, too, with every fiber of her being, but her wanting a thing had never made it true, and giving in to those feelings had always resulted in being emotionally gutted before it was all over.

“Don’t hold your breath,” she said, pushing past him.

He didn’t try to stop her, which she found curious.

From behind her, she clearly heard him say, “One.”

Deciding discretion was the better part of valor, Mandy rushed toward the door, grabbed his keys, and ran to his truck. She jumped in, started the engine, and pulled away.

“Two,” she heard him call as she roared down his driveway.

With tears streaming down her face, she drove home. She’d get one of the guys who worked for the company to return his truck to him. Making her way home, she parked in front of her townhouse, retrieved the hidden key to let herself in, then ran up the stairs and flung herself on the bed, alternately sobbing hysterically and telling herself she had made the right decision.

Watching as she got to the end of the drive and turned toward home, John sighed. The rational part of his brain told him he should let her go, get his truck back, and get on with his life. Unfortunately, at that moment, it wasn’t his brain or rationality ruling his decision-making—Mandy was. He knew it, and by God, so did she. He wasn’t sure what had upset her, but he meant to teach her, getting nasty and running from him wasn’t the way to handle it.

He picked up his cell phone and called Mac.

“I didn’t expect to hear from you until Monday.”

“We’ve had a bit of a setback. Mandy got upset and took my truck. I’m sure she’s gone back to her place, but could you drive by there, then come pick me up? I’ll call Equinox and see when they close and if I need to arrange for them to stay open late.”

“Let me get this straight. She storms out, steals your truck, and goes home, and your response is to buy her a ring? Maybe that’s not the best idea. You haven’t known her that long.”

“Not long, but better than I’ve ever known anyone, including you. I’m fairly sure I know what set her off, but we’re going to get this settled. The next time you see Miss Mandy Adams, she’ll have my ring on her finger after agreeing to become Mrs. John Hampton.”

“I see.” Mac laughed. “And does the future Mrs. Hampton have any idea what’s in store for her?”

John grinned. “When I say three before putting her over my knee, she’s damn sure going to remember what I told her.”

“I’ll leave now and see you in a bit.”

John called the proprietor of the high-end jewelry store, who told him he’d be more than happy to accommodate the marshal. John finished getting dressed and was waiting when Mac pulled up in front of the house. He joined him in his SUV.

“You were right,” Mac said as soon as John was in the SUV. “Your truck is there. I used your spare key and popped the hood and removed the starter relay, so she wouldn’t be able to go anywhere else. It’s in my glove box.”

“Thanks, Mac.” John removed the starter relay and put it in his shirt pocket. “The guy at the jewelry store said he had a couple of things he thought she might like. He asked me what color her eyes were, and when I said they were a fathomless brown, he said he might have just the ring.”

“You’re sure you want to do this? I mean, she did leave you.”

“No.” John shook his head. “She got scared when I told her I loved her and ran away. She needs to learn to runtome, not away when she’s frightened.”

“Do you have some kind of plan to get her to say yes?”

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