Page 9 of Rope Me

I turn at the voice, instantly recognizing the man who strides toward us, Mayor Randolph Bellcourt. His presence radiates unwelcome authority, and Cassidy stiffens beside me.

“You didn’t pick him up,” Cassidy says, stepping forward but keeping her tone steady. “So I brought him here. I called you this morning, Randolph. Several times.”

Randolph pinches the bridge of his nose. “I didn’t ask for your schedule, Cassidy. I asked why my son is on a horse. Youknow how I feel about ranchers.” His sneer is directed at me now.

My jaw tightens. “I don’t care for your tone.” I step forward positioning myself between him and Cassidy. He can intimidate her all he wants, but if he thinks this bullshit is going to work on me, he’s got another thing coming.

“Alex—” She puts a calming hand on the back of my arm.

Randolph’s gaze flicks between us, settling back on Cassidy. He rolls his eyes. “Calm down cowboy. Cass, who is this?”

My muscles clench and restrict.I hate the way he calls her Cass. I hate the way her body reacts to his presence.

Before she can answer, I step forward. “Alexander Kingridge. This is my ranch, and you’re trespassing.”

“Ah, now it makes sense, a Kingridge. If you don’t have the power anymore, you might as well chase the money.” Randolph smirks. “It was right there in front of me this whole time, the change in lifestyle. The… rustic choices.” He motions dismissively at Cassidy.

“You have no jurisdiction here and I’m telling you, you need to leave.” If I lose my cool this dude has no chance. The rage that bubbles inside me is immediate and all-consuming. Cassidy’s hand on my arm is the only thing keeping me from lunging at this douchebag.

“Dad! Hey Dad.” Connor’s voice floats over to us on the breeze.

I turn to see Bowen, horse lead still in hand. He raises an eyebrow at me then folds his arms across his chest. His mouth pulls into a cocky smirk as he eyes Randolph.

Randolph raises his voice. “Son, off the horse.”

“Ah man, I was doing so good,” Connor mumbles his protest.

“Connor,” Cassidy calls gently, “we’ll try riding again another time. It’s your dad’s day, and it sounds like you’re leaving with him now.”

Connor dismounts with Bowen’s help, his disappointment palpable.

Randolph steps forward, lowering his voice. “We aren’t farmers, no matter what little fantasy she’s indulging. But it’s nice of her to introduce you to her… companions. You know, all the men she’s spending time with.”

That’s it. Too fucking far.

“You’re done.” My voice is low and menacing.

“That’s enough.” Cassidy’s voice is cutting. “Alex let it go, you don’t know what he’s like. He’ll make your life a nightmare.”

“Ha,” I scoff. “I’d like to see him try. He just made an enemy of the wrong man.”

Cassidy continues, “Randolph, on your days with him you can do what you want, but trust that I’m going to do the same. Connor honey, I love you so much and I’ll see you in a few days.”

Connor takes a cautious step toward his mom and buries his face into her. She wraps him in a hug. Randolph stands facing me and I silently will him to make a move toward me or toward Cassidy. A single inch forward is all I need to justify the punishment I’m ready to rain down on him.

Our silent standoff is interrupted when the barn doors push open again and the rest of my brothers file out in a line. They come to stand beside me, blocking Cassidy and Conner from Randolph’s view.

“We make a formidable wall, don’t we?” Bowen lets out a humorless chuckle.

“I sure as hell wouldn’t want to come up against us on a bad night,” Holden adds.

“I was straight looking for a fight tonight.” Callum presses his palms together.

Randolph’s eyes wander across the line assembled in front of him. In a wild move, he seems to actually consider taking us on before ultimately taking a step backward.

“Connor, to the car.” Randolph barks.

“He needs to find his jacket, it’s inside. We’ll be right out.” Cassidy’s face is unreadable as she pushes past all of us and makes her way into the party with Connor.

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