Page 114 of The Rancher's Secret Relationship

"Why do you call him that?"

"Because it's his name?"

"You already know his real name."

"I..."Don't understand why we're arguing about Migs' name?

"Call himCulo," he bites out. "It's safer."

"Is he that well known around here?"

"In certain circles, yes."

And since I have a feeling those circles include the guys in Bucks and the like...

"Culo," I repeat obediently. "Got it."

"How did you even get mixed up with him?"

"He used to date my roommate."

"And that's why he abducted your dog?"

I squirm in my seat. "He says I led him on."

"Did you?"

"Of course not!" I can't help glaring at having to answer such a question. "He's my roommate'sboyfriend—-"

"Then why would he think you were leading him on?"

"He says it was because I was nice to him—-"

His lips tighten anew, and I'm starting to feel judged.

"You wereniceto him."

"I'm nice to everyone!"

"And yet you didn't hesitate to point a gun at me—-"

"You made me panic, okay? You really weren't supposed to notice I had one. All I wanted was a ride to Bucks—-"

"But a sleazeball like Culo never made you panic?"

"Look, I don't know what you want me to say. When I first met Culo, he was okay—-"

"I see."

Why is he clenching his teeth like that? Maybe he thinks I really am an idiot fornotsensing anything off about Culo—-

"We're here."

His abrupt tone cuts into my thoughts, and I look outside the window as he switches off the engine. A faint glow on top of the hill draws my attention, and if I squint hard enough, I can barely make the outline of a fancy-looking cottage behind equally fancy-looking gates.

"Is that his place?"

"No. But a close friend of his owns it."

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