Page 55 of Wild Mustang Security Firm

“You said we were going there.”

“Yes, I did.” Mac smiled. “Often and loud.”

“You mean you wanted anybody who heard you think we’re heading to Phoenix?”

“Yep. In fact, we have a decoy SUV, heavily armed with men and firepower, heading that way. Meanwhile, you and I are going to head to a little place very few people know about outside of Chandler. We’ll be safe enough there.”

“I want to go home.”

“So, you’ve said,” he acknowledged. “And I think I’ve been as clear as I can be. You aren’t going to be going home alone any time soon.”

“So, who will be with me in Chandler?”

“Just me. As you’ll recall, I was winged as well, so for at least the next few days, I’m on desk duty and will coordinate everything from there while I babysit you.”

“I don’t need a babysitter.”

“No, but you do need a keeper. What you really need is to have your bottom spanked for that stunt you pulled when they took me into the hospital. From here on out, I’m going to tally up what you’re due and at some point, put you over my knee and see that you get it.”

“What makes you think I’d allow that?”

He laughed again. “What makes you think I’d care?”

“I think you made that clear when you left.”

“That’s ten you owe me, Willa, and I mean to collect. I’ll admit I had a hand in what happened between us, but I wasn’t the only one. My experience has been the truly magnificent women, the ones worth making a life with, are proud, strong, feisty, and do not allow any Tom, Dick, or Harry to run herd over them. But when the right man comes along and they realize they aren’t going to be the dominant partner in the relationship, they settle down and live happily ever after.”

Willa snorted. “And I suppose you think you’re the right man?” she asked scornfully.

“I don’t think it; I know it. Don’t think for even a minute saying you won’t allow it negates the fact I know you want it andneed it. I made the mistake of letting you get away once. I don’t intend to make the same mistake again.”

“You are delusional,” she said, turning her back on him but wondering if it wasn’t true.

Chapter

Ten

The sun was beginning to set on the horizon when they pulled up to the small farm on the outskirts of Chandler. Willa could see hay into the loafing shed to the right of the house and several of what appeared to be well-bred quarter horses were meandering around the pasture that came close to the yard.

Mac parked, and when he came around to open her door, Willa was already standing outside the truck, surveying the barnyard.

“You keep horses at a safe house?”

“Chickens and goats as well. A farm without animals is going to attract the wrong kind of attention. One of our employees who doesn’t live far from here checks them daily and makes sure they’re well cared for, rearranges curtains, lights, etc. Anybody passing by, even on a regular basis, would assume it’s a small hobby farm.”

“Don’t you worry about predators?”

“Two-legged or four-legged?” Mac joked.

“I figure the two-legged inhabitants of this farm can take care of themselves, but there are big cats in this area. The coyoteswould look at those chickens and goats and think it’s an all-you-can-eat buffet.”

“That’s where Goose comes in.”

“I know geese are good to use as an alarm system, but they aren’t going to win in a confrontation between a predator and its prey.”

“Not geese, Goose,” he corrected. “Big bull mastiff we leave with the stock. Great dog if he knows you, sweetest thing on the planet, but you don’t want to mess with his stock. He doesn’t differentiate between two-legged or four-legged varmints. We routinely have to remove coyote carcasses, and he’s taken down two big cats that we know of. Funny thing is, he brings the dead bodies up and puts them by the trash cans.”

“You really have it all thought out.”

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