Page 79 of Bleeding Blackheart

The little girl in me whose horses were taken as a child is healed with Violet before me. Whenever I look into her eyes, I think of Margaret, and I promise myself that I’ll take care of everything she left behind. Violet starts to get excited, and I know she’s ready for her meal.

I surprise her by giving her the banana first, laughing at how rapidly she eats it. I get her food set up quickly for her to munch on throughout the day until Dallas arrives, and I make sure she has plenty of water to stay hydrated.

Despite losing all of her stable mates, she’s been in good spirits overall, but I know she’s still affected. I could go back in and let her be, but I want her to get some fresh air outside of these walls before she’s cooped up in here all day.

We have a million saddles available with the other horses gone, and I grab one out of the pile to secure on her. She stays still while I do so, eager to get out of here too. “I know. I’m almost ready.” I pat her sides and reassure her, feeling her excitement pulse through me when I open the gate.

Skye may not like reins, but Violet does. I use a step stool and the horn to help me get my foot in the stirrup, and once I’m seated, I give her some comforting pets and take the reins.

Violet responds with a small tap against her belly, getting her to move out of the stall. I wonder how long it’s been since she experienced this. Margaret was probably the last one to give her a ride. Gunner says Violet doesn’t like Dallas enough to let him. And I know Gunner never got this close with her.

She picks up her pace a little when we get away from her stall, but I try to slow her down, not wanting to get too far away. My butt bounces up and down a little while I ride, but my phone stays secure in my bra.

Violet lets me guide her with the reins, taking turns and going in circles. I tell her what a good girl she is and give her praise, wanting to reward her good behavior.

I lead her on a path back to the stables, then we go in another circle back the other way, a bit further than before. The house is pretty far out from where we are, but we’re still on Gunner’s property, so I’m not too concerned.

In the distance I see an obstacle course set up. It’s probably the same one Gunner used with Willow. When I thinkof how Violet’s probably never been out here, I direct her up to it slowly, wanting to have some fun.

She approaches nervously, but I scratch her ears to calm her down.

I’m getting ready to get off and explain things to her when she starts to go through the path, climbing the ramp and weaving through poles. She may not have done this here, but she’s clearly had some training. I give her ten or so minutes of exercise, and when she starts to get tired out, I exit the course and lead her a little bit beyond it by a small stream.

The day Gunner found me in the stream, I thought it would be my last. Who knew the scary cowboy with a heavy hand would turn out to be the person I’m closest to in this world? I smile, thinking of what Charlotte would think of him. She was always into bad boys, and despite all he’s done, she’d try and push me into his arms.

I take a turn and guide Violet back to the house while she walks slowly, munching on shrubs and grass along the way. In the short time that I’ve spent here, I’ve already grown used to calling Gunner’s ranch home, and I’m nervous to start over somewhere brand new. But for the first time in my life, I won’t be taking a risk alone. And the risk I’m taking will be a fun one.

When we’ve been strolling for a few minutes, I give my girl a little kick to put some pep in her step. I wasn’t comfortable running away from the house, but I don’t mind going a little faster if we’re heading to it.

I let go of the rains and grip the horn, closing my eyes for a second while I grip her sides with my heels, trusting her to stay on our path. I think of Skye again and how fast she was going with me on her back. I felt free and weightless, and Violet gives me the same feeling, running against the wind like nothing can hold us back.

My lungs open when I take in a breath, and I burst into laughter when I let it out. I feel like I’m on a rollercoaster ride I never want to end.

Taking a peek, I see Violet’s still going the correct way. “Such a good girl. I’m so proud of you.”

I give her a little squeeze, getting her to go a little faster while I close my eyes again. The wind from outside blows rapidly through my sweater, and for a moment I think I might get swept away.

I open my mouth to give Violet more praise when the air is knocked out of my lungs. My feet rip from the stirrups, and my back feels like it’s cracked into a million tiny pieces when I hit the ground below me. My eyes fly open, and when I see the white sky, I think I’m dead.

But I know I’m not. I’m in too much pain for that. Blinding pain that burns through my entire being. I open my mouth again to suck in a breath, but a rope tightens around my core, preventing me from breathing.

Tears pour from my eyes, and I hear Violet whinnying. I barely am able to lift my head to look at her while she spins in circles. I stretch my fingers out to reach her, but my body drags across the grass rapidly away from her.

She runs after me, trying to save me from whatever’s attacking me, but someone shoots at her. I blink through my tears, letting out a garbled cry while I tell her to run away. I kick at the same time she turns her back, heading back to the house.

Arms wrap around me from behind, and I smell an aftershave that I’ve only smelled once in my life before.

He’s found me. My father has found me, and he’s taking me.

I gasp, trying to get any air in my body while I’m hoisted off the ground and over his shoulder.

Gunner. He’ll never know what happened to me. He’ll think I ran off again and just left him. I can’t scream for his help. I’m too far from the house, and my voice won’t come out. My tears keep pouring while my eyes stay on the grass, turning away down some path I’m not familiar with.

The rope that binds my waist is somehow wrapped around my wrists while he carries me, and I yelp at the pain.

He slaps my ass hard, making the tears spill faster. “I told you you’d never escape me, you cunt. Did you really think I wouldn’t come back for you? My child? My property?”

My body pushes through the painful burning, and I manage to get two breaths in and out before I respond. “Fuck.” Breath in. Breathe out. “You.”

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