Page 39 of Destry

She smiled, clearly pleased with the answer. “Good to know.”

Then her eyes were on me. She studied my face for a moment then smiled. “Take care of our guy. We have a lot of money riding on a championship from him.”

I lifted my chin, cutting a glance at Destry. “I will.”

And I meant it because he was mine to take care of.

CHAPTER

SIXTEEN

Destry.

The barn was quiet with only the occasional sound of a horse shifting in the stalls.

Savvy had finished her runs a while ago and now she was kicked back on a few bales of hay, watching as I put her horse away. I could feel her eyes on me and I didn’t have to look back to know she was thinking about something.

After I secured the stall, I finally turned and walked over, dropping down between her thighs, right in front of where she sat. She didn’t say anything, just scooted forward and her arms slipped around my neck as she pressed herself against my back.

I let my hands rest over hers as I tipped my head. “What’s on your mind, Rebel?”

She was quiet for a second before she finally said, “I know about the horse.”

I stilled but let my thumb graze her knuckles. I figured she would find out eventually.

“Yeah?”

She nodded and pressed her cheek against my back. “Shore told me.”

I laughed, shaking my head. “That woman don’t know how to keep nothing to herself.”

Savvy smiled against my shirt, but when she spoke again, her voice was softer. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

I brushed my fingers along the back of her hand before answering. “Would you have taken it if you knew?”

She was quiet but I didn’t need her to answer. I already knew the truth.

“You needed that horse, Rebel. I had the money to get it. It was that fucking simple.”

She sighed and her fingers traced light patterns on my chest. “It’s not simple for me.”

I turned slightly, glancing over my shoulder. “Why not?”

She shifted, finally lifting her head but keeping her arms draped over my shoulders. “Because it’s a big deal. You didn’t have to do that.”

I turned and dragged her around my body until she was on my lap. “Yeah, I did.”

She frowned. “Why?”

“Because I wanted to and I do what the fuck I want. But more than anything, I did it because I wanted to see that pretty ass smile on your face.”

I could see the fight in her eyes and the stubborn part of her that didn’t know how to take things freely or know how to accept help without feeling like she owed something in return.

I wasn’t about to let her overthink this.

I tilted my head. “You mad about it?”

She rolled her eyes. “No.”

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