Page 81 of Rough Ride

She smiled.

I spent a few minutes filling out the release paperwork. Then my belongings were returned to me. Most of them, at least.

“Where are my throwing knives?” I demanded.

“Evidence locker,” the desk cop replied. “Didn’t you read the paperwork? In addition to disorderly conduct, you’re charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. The defendant is claiming you threatened him with the knives.”

“That’s bullshit!” Sophie exclaimed. “He only punched him!”

I clenched my jaw, then grabbed the bag with my other belongings and turned away.

“Any chance I can get a ride?” I asked.

Sophie sent one final glare at the cops, then said, “Why do you think I waited all night for your bail to be posted?”

“You didn’t have to do that,” I said.

Her smile made something soften behind my ribcage. “Yeah. I did.”

We stepped out into the sunlight, and I felt myself smiling. Yeah, punching Appleton was definitely worth it. Even with the bullshit charges.

“Surprised they let you out on bail,” someone drawled as soon as we were outside. “Aggravated assault is a serious charge.”

Ted Salmon was wearing jeans and a tan Carhartt jacket rather than his white suit, but he looked every bit the jackass he always did. He was flanked by two men who looked like bodyguards, based on their build and the way they eyed me like I might be a threat to the billionaire.

“I knew Appleton would go crying to daddy,” I said. “But I didn’t think he’d do it so fast.”

He ignored my comment. “I’ve got a lot of friends in Fort Worth. I can make those charges go away.” He snapped his fingers. “Just. Like. That.”

“I don’t need to listen to this,” I told Sophie.

She glared at Salmon. “I’m parked over here.”

“Bull Riding’s your strongest event,” Salmon said before we could walk away. “You’re scheduled to go right after Chris.”

I frowned. “The schedule’s not released until the day before the event.”

Salmon snorted. “I make the schedule, boy. Chris’ll go before you. And when it’s your turn, all you have to do is make sure you don’t score higher than him. Do that, and these charges will magically disappear.”

I felt my blood begin to boil. “You want me to take a fuckingdive?”

“Of course not!” Salmon laughed. “You’re welcome to get second place. So long as Chris gets first. What do you say?”

I took a few steps toward the man, which prompted the two meatheads on either side of him to move closer. Yeah, definitely bodyguards.

I collected a wad of saliva in my mouth and bent forward, spitting it onto his expensive boots. “That’s what I think of your offer.”

Salmon never looked down, and his face earned a few more wrinkles as he squinted at me. “You’ll regret that.”

“Lick my balls,” I said, showing him my middle finger. “Come on, Sophie.”

As we walked to her car, Salmon laughed quietly to himself.

36

Sophie

We drove in mutual silence for a little while. Sawyer was a physical presence in the passenger seat, and when I glanced over at him, I saw him in a new light.

---