Page 49 of Untamed

Colter’s jaw clenches, his eyes burning a trail of hate through Brandon.

Brandon smirks, taking a step back. He points at Colter. “Watch your back you son of a bitch.”

Colter takes a step forward, his hands balling into fists, but he doesn’t get the chance to respond because Maverick’s voice cuts through the tension.

“What the hell is going on here?” he barks, a curious glint in his eyes as he looks between the two men.

Brandon glances at Maverick, his face smug. “Nothing.Just making sure this asshole knows his place.”

Maverick’s brows furrow in confusion, before he eyes me expectantly. “Mila?”

I force a smile, shaking my head. “Nothing. Just too much testosterone in one place.”

Mavericks narrowed gaze stays on me, as he barks out to the men, “Get back to work.”

Footsteps on gravel indicate they’ve listened to my brother’s orders. I exhale a sigh of relief, and I feel like I can finally breathe.

“What happened?” Maverick demands, his voice low and suspicious.

I shrug, aiming for nonchalance. “Nothing. Really. You know how Brandon gets. I swear he would start a fight with himself if he could.”

Maverick searches my face, his intense stare making my skin itch. He sighs, running a hand through his light brown hair, “Brandon can be an asshole, sure. But he doesn’t start shit for no reason, Mila. If I find out there’s something more going on here, Colter will be the first one gone. Do I make myself clear?”

Fear snakes its way through me, but I roll my eyes, crossing my arms over my chest. “Colter didn’t do anything wrong, Mav. I know Brandon is your best friend, but itwashim who started the fight. It’s obvious to a blind man that Brandon has an issue with him.”

Maverick hums, then turns to walk away, throwing over his shoulder. “Whatever you say, Mila.”

When Maverick disappears into my father’s office, I glance at Colter. My heart pounds in my chest when I find his eyes already on me. His jaw is clenched and anger rolls of him in waves.

I shoot him a timid smile, before pulling my cellphone out of my jeans pocket. I find his number—that he insisted I take, just last night—and type out a message.

Me: Let’s go for a drive tonight. I’ll meet you by your truck at 8 p.m.

I don’t wait for a response, slipping my phone back in my pocket and heading for the barn.

Hiding in the shadows by Colter’s truck, I keep my eyes on the bunkhouse waiting for him to emerge. I glance down at my phone, my stomach sinking when I check the time. It’s only a couple minutes past eight, and I shouldn’t be worried, but after everything that happened earlier… What if he doesn’t show? What if he’s decided I’m not worth the hassle?

Maybe he got what he wanted when he fucked me, and now he’s done.

Maybe… my thoughts trail off and I suck in a breath, when the door to the bunkhouse is pulled open.

My breath lodges in my throat, only to rush out of me when Colter steps out into the cool night air. My heart pounds in my chest as I watch him move toward the truck. The fear of someone catching us keeps me crouched low and hidden from anyone that might be watching us. Colter knows I’m here; it’s written in the tense way he holds himself and the tightening of his jaw.

His footsteps pause, and I watch as he scans his surroundings before pulling the truck door open. That’s my cue.I quietly open the passenger door and crawl into the foot well, wanting to stay hidden.

“Keep down until we’re off the ranch. We don’t know who’s about,” Colter grunts out, his tone as moody as ever.

I can’t help my eye roll, or the smile that tugs at my lips as I tease. “Nice to see you, too.”

“Is it?” he shoots back, starting the truck and putting it in gear.

My brows furrow, and I glance up at him, but his eyes are hard on the windshield. “Of course it is. Why wouldn’t it be?”

“Well you seemed cozy with Brandon earlier, thought you were maybe looking for another cock now you’ve got your virginity out the way.”

I recoil at his vile words, my body jerking as we make our way up the drive. I climb up on the bench, glaring at him as I spit. “Screw you, Colter. You know it wasn’t like that. I was trying to protect you, damn it.”

He laughs but it’s humorless. “Oh, you did screw me, Sunshine. Now I’m going to fuck you back twice as hard,” Colter bites out, his gaze unwavering from the windshield.

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