Page 13 of Seized by the Lawman

Chapter 4

“WHAT THE FUCK did you just say?”

Nix looked across the distance of the porch at his brother Kace who looked floored. “Like I said, bro. Carson asked me for a personal favor and I agreed.” Although Nix believed he said the words level enough, he felt a headache starting at his temples. He knew for the next month he’d be working himself day and night to prevent from happening what he had no control over at the bar that night—getting wrapped up in Melly’s web. Problem was, he liked his women strong, independent, feisty, and never a pushover…and she fit the bill nicely.

“Really? Are you insane?” Kace shook his head.

“Nope.”

“Why the hell would you agree to something this absurd?”

Nix shrugged. “I just want to help.”

“Hell with that. There’s more to the story. Confess,” Kace urged.

Shifting his boots and resituating his hat, Nix wanted to tell his brother to mind his own damn business, but when it came down to it, he needed to spill his guts and maybe then he wouldn’t feel like he’d been run through the wash and rinse cycle. “Fine, but you can’t tell no one. You hear? Four months ago, while we were at Lori’s having a couple, remember that redhead, the one I danced with, then—”

His brother’s eyes widened. “You had sex with the boss’s daughter?”

“In my defense, I didn’t know who she was when I met her. Neither did you. I’m thinking we must have seen each other when we were kids, but damn, those years are a blur.”

“That’s because you were eyeballing every cheerleader.” Kace broke out into laughter, slapping his palm against his thigh before he finally managed to control himself. “Shit, bro. You’re in deep shit. No wonder you agreed to this. You’d be dead meat right now if she’d told her old man that you two had gotten your freak on.”

“Real mature, ass. That’s not the reason I’m doing this, or at least not the biggest reason.” He scratched his jaw.

“Sure. You’re doing this because you think you have another chance with her. You can’t fool me.”

“No. She’s off limits. I’m doing this because Carson has cancer. Although I don’t agree exactly with how he’s going about things, he seems to have his daughter’s best interests at heart.”

Kace sobered. “Carson has cancer? Does Dad know?”

Nix shrugged. “I don’t know.”

“That sucks, man.” Kace got up from the chair and went to the rail where he leaned on his elbows, staring out at the edge of the woods. “But keep in mind, you screw this up and there’s no coming back. Cancer or not, the man will wring your neck.”

“I know, but all I have to do is keep my hands to myself for thirty days. Hell, I’ve gone fifteen months without sex while deployed across the pond. I’ve told myself, each time I feel something below the belt I’ll remember that she’s Carson’s daughter. I can’t think of anything that can shrivel my balls quicker than that thought.”

“I hope you’re right, bro. You’re gambling your future.”

“It’s not the assignment I wanted, but there will be plenty of cases in the future. This will be a piece of cake. I’ll get in Carson’s good graces and everything will be smooth thereafter.”

Kace looked at him, doubt marring his prominent features. “You know I’m on your side, buddy, but if you find yourself in her bed again you might as well put a ring on it because that’ll be your only savior.”

Nix paced the porch, his stomach knotted. “Marriage? I don’t even know her.” Although, he knew enough that he still found himself attracted to her.

“Just as Ma says, you’re not getting any younger. Carson’s your hero and wouldn’t he make one helluva father-in-law?”

“Let’s not talk about this. I’m not ready for marriage, and I assure you Melly wants nothing to do with me. She just wants to save her ranch. I get that, I do.”

“What are you going to do if she isn’t ready to head up the place? Are you going to tell Carson?”

His brother made a good point. Nix could be placed in a tight spot. Although he’d bet the petite redhead could do just about anything she set her mind to, even running a ranch. He knew how difficult running a place could be though. This situation could turn into a headache. “I’ll think about that if and when I come to that bridge. For now, I’m going to grit my teeth because she wants me on her ranch even less than I want to be there.”

“Hell, bro. We’ve had to do far worse things to complete a mission. At least you’ll have a place to sleep and a great view.”

Nix turned and leaned a hip against the rail. “But this entire situation is—”

“Fucked up? Crazy? Ludicrous? Probably what most parents would do to protect their kids?”

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