Page 26 of The Cowboy's Ultimatum

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Sipping his beer while he waited for Helen’s return, Kenny was confident she would do as he asked. Most of his worker bees were compelled to agree for the money. Erin was a perfect example. Her training barn was about to go under before he’d stepped in and offered her the risky, illegal lifeline. But Helen came from a wealthy family and didn’t need the cash. He would have to rely on fear, which wouldn’t be a problem. His only issue was her cowboy boyfriend. Cowboys could be stubborn.

“Hey,” she said, breaking into his thoughts as she sat down. “I have a question.”

“Go ahead.”

“Why me?”

“Why you what?”

“Don’t be obtuse, Kenny, it doesn’t suit you.”

“Whoa…who are you and what have you done with Helen?”

“Just answer the question.”

“Helen, I don’t have to do anything. I’m the one calling the shots.”

“That remains to be seen.”

“What the hell happened to you in the five minutes you were gone?”

“I had an epiphany,”

“Really. And that was?”

“You wouldn’t be asking me to do your dirty work unless you were desperate,” she replied, then sat back, ignored the shot glass that had arrived while she was gone, and sipped the glass of water.

“Explain,” he said, annoyed but also intrigued.

“You have trouble connecting with these particular—what do you call them? Clients? Anyway, you have trouble and you’ve been looking for someone who can deal with them socially. Someone who won’t raise eyebrows. They don’t want to be seen with you, or meet you in some back alley someplace. Then you realized you had someone right under your nose. Me. The way I see it, you need me, but I sure as hell don’t need you. You could threaten me, you have threatened me, but I don’t scare easy. And Kenny, in case you’ve forgotten, my sister-in-law is Annie Baker, one of the biggest country and western stars on the scene. She knows people. Powerful people. Go ahead, push your luck and see what happens. Oh good, here’s my salad. I’m suddenly hungry.”

As their plates were set in front of them, Kenny stared down at his barbecued ribs trying to think of a response. Not only had Helen’s short speech caught him completely off-guard, she was right. He did have trouble connecting with his elite clients, and she was the perfect person to bring into his organization. He also abruptly realized he’d made a mistake sending Bear over to harass Andy for confronting Erin. It had alienated Helen.

“Now, Kenny, we know where we stand,” she said, picking up her fork. “You’ll have to use something other than fear to entice me. You can give it some thought while we eat.”

His pulse ticked up.

She was interested after all.

The spoilt little rich girl had been toying with him.

But she had no idea who she was messing with.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Continuing to listen to Helen and Kenny’s conversation in the small office, Sheriff Cooper stared across at Brody and shook his head.

“Just what does that girl think she’s playin’ at?” he muttered. “Didn’t I make myself clear?”

“Apparently not clear enough,” Brody replied, reaching for his phone. “Though you have to admit, what she just did was pretty slick. Not that I’m sayin’ it was the right thing to do. ”

“It wasn’t, and it was too slick if you ask me. Who are you callin?”

“Andy. He needs to know about this so he can talk some sense into her when he gets the chance.”

“Good idea. You can’t mess with guys like Ken Lockhart. She’s in way over her head.”

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