Page 113 of Stockman's Stormcloud

‘Pity, we would’ve moved in the same circles, I might have hired you for the muscle, or as a driver, or met you inside a fighting ring.’

‘And that’s where Leo, my man, would kick your arse,’ said Hank, sounding like a school bully’s sidekick. ‘Leo only ever punched on with the tough guys, not farmers.’

‘So that must make you a gender-confused cockroach that only comes out after dark to fight?’ Bree said.

Leo laughed, with his hand still tucked in one pocket,while stroking his shirt, as if he was used to wearing a tie. ‘You do amuse me, Bree. How about dinner?’

‘You must like rejection daily.’

‘Not with ladies who amuse me.’

‘I’m not some toy.’

‘No, you’re not.’ Leo’s eyes crawled up and down Bree.

‘Oi, watch yourself, mate.’ Ryder was giving Leo that lethal look that even worried Dex. It made Hank step back.

But not Leo. He was a cold and calculating enemy, who had always been one step ahead of them. ‘I’m willing to make a wager with you two brothers.’ Leo pointed at Ryder and Dex.

‘Yeah, what’s that?’ Dex didn’t mind a bet.

‘I’ll fight Dex for both of your shares in Elsie Creek Station.’

‘And what do we get? Your shares in your station?’

‘No,’ said Ryder, using the back of his hand to tap Dex’s arm. ‘We get Leo’s entire station.’

‘You can’t bet on cattle stations over a fight,’ Hank stammered out.

‘This is the Northern Territory,’ said Bree, ‘they do a lot worse for a cold beer on a hot day.’

‘Ryder, you must be as sick as I am over our lawyers fighting with our money, when we can fix it here, tonight.’

Ryder took a moment, tilting his head as if sizing up Leo who wasn’t jacked like other fighters, but Leo had an edge about him of a man who’d fight to the death.

The corner of Ryder’s lip curled into a sly grin as confidence shone in his dark eyes. ‘I’ll fight you.’

‘No. Not you. Him.’ Leo pointed at Dex.

‘What are you doing, brother?’ Dex had never seen Ryder like this. Was he still playing the protective big brother, after all these years?

Ryder got right in Leo’s face, toe to toe. ‘Why? Do I scare you that much?’

‘You’re a killer.’ Leo sighed as if bored with the conversation, when most people would cower at Ryder’sangry glare. ‘I recognise that look—’

‘From the mirror?’

‘I’ve met some of your type in my time in the Navy. I’m surprised they let animals like you out to play with the public.’

‘No cops here. No laws here. So how about you and I settle this score today? Right now.’

‘With Dex.’

‘And I bet Dex can kick your arse, too.’

‘Brother?’ Dex had never seen Ryder like this. Unless Ryder had a plan?

‘Bree, do you think Dex will win his fight?’ Ryder didn’t even look away from Leo.

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