Page 125 of The Rancher's Secret Relationship

How strange, I can’t help thinking again. I’ve never heard Culo talk in such a high-pitched tone before. Flint and I are outnumbered and outgunned, so why is he acting like it’s the opposite way around?

"Would you, in my position?"

It’s easy to see that the calmness of Flint’s tone has the same effect on Culo. He finds it maddening as heck, just like I did.

“Why would you even ask that? Yes, I will. Hell yes, I’d have fucking given up a long time ago.” Culo shoots Flint an accusing glare. “And you know why that is?”*

“Should I give it a guess? Does it have anything to do with you not growing a pair—”

“Fuck you!”

My heart breaks at seeing Culo’s spit landing on Flint’s expressionless face. But at the same time, I can also feel my shock wearing off with the way Culo keeps acting like a toddler throwing a tantrum.*

I know I still need to be careful. A false sense of security can still get me killed. But on the other hand, I’m finding it a lot easier to think more clearly, and I’m hoping and praying...

Please, God.

Is there anything I can do to help Flint and me survive this?

“I already offered you money,” Culo rages at Flint. “And sure, I’ve been hearing stories about you having money yourself, but who doesn’t need more money? So why can’t you just fucking stop making trouble for me?”

“Because you killed my brother.”

“And that’s why you’re all alone, aren’t you? Because you knew if you went after me as Agent Flint Fucking Harding, your hands are tied, and you can’t fucking kill me. You gotta give me due process, and you know there’s still a chance I’d walk away free.”*

Culo’s lips tighten as he looks at me. “See how he can’t say a word? Because it’s true. He wants to kill me. So this man and me, we’re no different, Beth. And that’s why...”

The next few seconds are a blur.

Culo grabs my hair, yanking me toward him, and that’s all it takes for Flint to snap. He lunges forward with a roar, his movements so fast and fluid that even Culo’s men are caught off guard. Flint’s fist connects with Culo’s jaw, the sound of bone hitting bone echoing through the van. Culo stumbles back,but before Flint can land another blow, two of Culo’s men are already dragging him back.

“Don’t you fucking touch her," Flint snarls, his voice raw with rage. He fights like a man possessed, his muscles straining against the men holding him back.

I can't remember feeling so helpless as I watch Culo's men shackle his wrists above his head.

And then Culo starts punching him.

Again and again and again.

Each blow lands with a sickening thud, and I can’t stop myself from screaming.

“Please! Stop, please! Please!”

And Culo actually does stop, but as soon as his eyes turn to me, I know I’ve only made it worse.

“Youbitch.”

He charges towards me and slaps my face so hard that I can taste blood on my lips. “Do you know how disappointed I was to find out that you left Bucks with this asshole? Because I know you, Elizabeth. I know how pure and sweet you are. You’re my fucking angel, and that’s why I fucking know...you would never have gone with him if you didn’t trust him. And I can see it now, you bitch. You trust him in the way you never trusted me. And that’s why...”

His thumb presses against the corner of my lip, and I swallow back the urge to throw up as I watch him lick the blood off his skin.

“I need you to tell me the truth. Are you still a virgin?”

I nod...because I don’t see any reason to lie.

“Good girl. Now, one more question...and you need to think very clearly because your answer will have consequences.”

Tears have already started rolling down my cheeks, but I don't even know why I'm crying.

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