Page 101 of Stockman's Showdown

‘So, you gonna share, brother?’

‘Why? Are you going to give Bree some warning lecture?’ He’d like to see them try.

‘Like you gave Sophie and Mia.’ Dex grinned behind his beer glass.

Ash shook his head. ‘Don’t forget what Ryder did with Harper, too.’

‘I was only protecting you guys. You don’t need to protect me from Bree.’

‘So, thereissomething going on? How long?’ Dex asked.

‘Not long.’ He hung his head, knowing they’d harp on him just like boys. Normally, he’d say nothing about any female because none of them had mattered enough. Yet, what he really wanted to do was shout out to the world that he was with Bree, and she was with him—especially with this crowd of cowboys. ‘Bree’s keeping it quiet for Charlie. Reckons he’ll shoot me.’

‘I’m surprised Bree hasn’t.’ Dex laughed. Only to lean in again. ‘Did you notice Charlie calls youson, and uslads?’ Dex missed nothing.

‘Wait…’ Ash wiped the beer froth from his top lip as he thought for a moment. ‘Charlie does too. Is that because he knows you’re sleeping with Bree? Which I struggle to picture.’

‘Me too. Bree’s like a sister.’ Dex shuddered. ‘But you look like you’ve finally been getting some sleep, brother.’ Dex pattedRyder on the shoulder. ‘And you look a lot more relaxed, even with the whole neighbour situation.’

‘Best sleep I’ve had in decades.’ And that was the truth.

‘Oi, ten o’clock.’ Ash nodded at some people behind them.

Ryder turned and scowled. It was Leo. ‘Do not engage, Dex.’ He could feel Dex’s death look that was normally kept to the fighting rings. ‘Ash?’

Ash was facing the other way. ‘I’m looking for Harper. I’m not leaving her alone with that idiot in the same breathing space.’

‘Hey…’ Ryder grabbed Ash’s arm. ‘Don’t do anything silly.’

‘I won’t.’

‘And don’t breathe a word about Bree to anyone.’

Ash grinned that cocky know-it-all grin. ‘Oh, I’m telling Harper now. I keep no secrets from my lady, and she’s going to love this.’

‘Arsehole.’

Dex chuckled as Ash walked away.

‘Well, well, well, look at what we’ve got here. I thought you boys would be busy stirring up spinifex fairies or something on the station.’ It was Leo, with two of his men who Ryder recognised from their surveillance cameras.

‘Leo.’ Ryder was cold.

Dex casually leaned his elbow on the table, sizing up the competition. With the reflexes of a cat for fighting, Dex liked to lull people in, fooling them with his relaxed stance. While Ryder just glared.

‘Are you here to try your luck at the rodeo, Leo?’ Dex asked. ‘They’ve got a sheep they save for children, but it’ll be a good start for your boys to ride.’

One of Leo’s men scowled. ‘I’ll ride you in a minute, mate.’

‘Sorry, slick, I don’t swing that way. But we can get you downgraded to a billy goat’s saddle.’

Leo grinned. The sick prick. ‘Get us a beer and calm down, Gator. Bones go with him.’

‘Yes, boss.’

Leo put his hands on his hips and surveyed the crowd. ‘I saw that FJ Holden of Charlie’s in the car park. Is he around?’

‘Why?’ Ryder asked coolly.

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