Page 19 of Accidentally Kidnapping the Cowboy

But tucked into the visor on the driver’s side is a Trick Lowry rookie baseball card. It was my real dad’s, and when he died and my mother remarried, Neil took it for himself.

After the hateful things they have said to me over the years, after all the gaslighting and brainwashing and expectations to do endless hard labour for them… I don’t think he deserves to keep that.

I think it’s rightfully mine.

Snatching up the keys, I open the door and step outside. It’s still early yet and the motel parking lot is quiet.

I unlock the truck with the key fob and I’ve just put my hand on the driver’s side door when I hear my name behind me.

Turning around, I see my mother standing there.

“Daisy,” she says again, and her voice hitches, as if she’s emotional, but she’s never been emotional about me.

“I’m just getting something that’s mine,” I mutter.

“We think we made a mistake yesterday,” she says. “We want you to come home. We’ll drop the charges.”

“What?” I shake my head. “I’m not going back with you.” And that place isn’t my home.

“You have to.” She sounds desperate now. “Daisy, we can’t run the ranch without you.”

“I’m not your slave, Mother.”

Her eyes go hard and mean. “You owe me everything!”

Rolling my eyes, I turn back to the truck, but as soon as I open the door, a heavy body thuds into me from behind, grabbing me around the waist.

“Get in the truck, you selfish little bitch,” Neil growls in my ear.

I jam my elbow back at the same time as I kick away from the car, fighting to get away. He yanks on my hair, tipping my head back, so I do the only other thing I can think of.

I scream.

CHAPTER 8

ZANE

The second I turn off the water, I hear Daisy’s scream.

Fuck me. I grab the nearest towel.

No, fuck whoever just made her make that sound. They’re gonna die.

CHAPTER 9

DAISY

Zane comes barrelling out of the motel room, barefoot and dripping wet, a towel slung around his hips and rage painted on his face.

“Let her fucking go,” he bellows, grabbing my step-father by the back of the neck. Neil is yanked back, and because he’s got a good hold on me, I go with him.

Shoving my hands hard into his chest, I finally break loose and Zane spins him around, smashing his face against the hood of the truck.

“What the fuck do you think you’re doing with my wife?” he snarls.

“She’s not your wife,” Neil whines. “She’s a good for nothing whore, but she works hard on the ranch.”

“Not anymore.” Zane smashes him again. “Daisy, get in the room. Call the cops.”

---