Page 16 of Brutal Heir

“I can’t believe I’m going to ask this,” she says, breaking my train of thought. “But, is this area safe?”

I glance over at her again. She looks worried. Considering how green she is when it comes to the ranch, it shouldn’t surprise me.

“Nowyou worry about being safe?”

She’s sitting in my truck, with me, and she worries. But, when she’s running around on her own, without a damn weapon, in a truck that barely has 4x4, she thinks she’s okay.

“Nowhere on this ranch is completely safe.”

She tightens her lips. “I meant having to go out on this road.”

Even with the attitude, she looks too damn pretty. I’ve managed to keep her at a distance, but my cock’s been semi hardsince she showed up at the hangar. I know exactly what button to push now.

I smirk at her, relishing the satisfaction of getting under her skin. I make sure to curl the corner of my lips up so she can see, taunting her. “What’s the matter? Getting sent out to the job sites too far below your pay grade? You feel like you’re slumming right now?”

As expected, the muscle at her jaw tightens. “You’re impossible.” For an added bonus, she folds her arms right under those mouthwatering tits as she looks away.

That should keep things civil for a while. We continue the drive a couple more miles. Up ahead, there’s a big gap in the brush and mesquites. Truckloads of caliche are piled high, stacked up back to back at the edge of the clearing. They were just starting work on the well pad when the weather turned bad.

My pulse quickens as we get closer. In a few months, Kelly Oil & Gas will have everything set up for the five wells they have planned here. And that’s only the first step.

I have a lot riding on this project. I paid a couple million for the mineral rights when I had Addler buy this place for me. He’ll transfer it over when the time is right. It’s my best chance of going legit and dragging any future generations from the family business.

We arrive at the site, and I bring the truck to a stop. The clearing is filled with heavy machinery parked to one side, including several bulldozers. Likely we found the one we’re missing. The problem is, while they’ve started working on the pad, the damp ground may not support the truck’s weight, and we’ll end up stuck. Again, I’m stuck having to take Sage into consideration.

After scanning the area, I open the door and exit the truck. “Wait here.” I toss the instruction over my shoulder. “I’ll go check it out.”

But the passenger door opens, catching me off guard. “No way.” She shakes her head . “I’m not going to sit here and wait for you.”

“Stay in the truck, Sage,” I say firmly, but it’s a waste of breath. Even through the front windshield, I can see the determination in her expression.

“I can handle it.” She jumps out, slamming the door behind her.

Damn woman. I clench my jaw, taking the last few steps around the front of the truck. She barely manages to take a step when the distinct sound of a rattle fills the air. I freeze, my senses heightened. It’s the last thing you want to hear when you’re out in the middle of nowhere.

Sage freezes midstep. Her mouth drops open in a terror-filled expression. Every bit of color has left her face. She sucks in a breath, for what will likely be a bloodcurdling scream.

“Quiet.” I keep my voice even, catching her before she can make a sound. At least she has enough sense to listen this time.

I scan the area beside us, searching for the rattler. I know from experience how dangerous these reptiles can be. All I see is dirt, rocks, and grass. It’s not under the truck, so it has to be…

“It’s behind me,” she confirms, barely above a whisper.

I straighten so I can see past her shoulder. Sure enough, the animal’s coming out of the grass, the rattle sticking up from what looks like a six-foot body. It’s slithering along the edge of the road, its body going over rocks and brush, coiling as it preparesto strike. That only leaves me a second or so to act.

“Give me your hand.” Reaching out with my left, I grab her forearm, pulling her to me as I draw my gun with my right. She slams into my side. I use the momentum to pivot, getting her out of the way of a strike, in case I miss.

I bring my gun up, take aim, and squeeze the trigger then watch as the snake takes the bullet. Its body twists, dislodging from the initial coil. I aim two more shots at the head. The snake writhes slowly, not yet completely still. It’s always the most disturbing part, thinking a snake has to be dead, yet the body’s still inching along.

Sage’s arms are around me, her face tucked against my shoulder. She’s shaking. Who can blame her? Not that she can see it, but the snake’s longer than she is tall.

Her fingers curl into my shirt as I check the area, making sure there isn’t another threat to deal with. Damn it, now I’ve had to kill another animal because someone didn’t think to check their surroundings.

“Let’s get you in the truck,” I say, but Sage’s body tenses, and she tightens her hold on me. Does she think I’m going to take her to the thing that could’ve attacked her? “Come on. We’re going to the driver’s side.”

Her grip loosens, and I’m able to get her to move, though her step is unsteady. There’s too much at stake to try and have her walk around the truck. I set my gun in the holster and swoop down to put my shoulder to her stomach. She lets a surprised yelp as I straighten.

“Hush,” I say, knowing it’s not the slickest move, but it’s the most effective in case I might need to pull my weapon again.

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