Page 63 of The Unbuttoned Ranger
He pulled back to look down at her, seeing if she was serious.“CaDee—”
“You won’t change my mind. If you don’t go with me, I’ll go alone. It’s time I faced him.” She lifted her chin, looking up at him through wet lashes.“I’m stronger now. You’re right, it’s better to be the hunter than the hunted.”
He smoothed the backs of his knuckles across her cheek.“I’d never let you go alone. I’ll be there by your side.”
“Sharp…thank you.”
“Does that mean I’m off the hook for punching him?”
“No, you’re still partially in the doghouse but I understand Dante can needle his way under anyone’s skin. Nowit’s time for him to see that I’m no longer running—no longer powerless.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
“Are you sure you want to do this?”
CaDee looked up at Sharp and nodded.“I made my mind up. I need to do this.” She knocked on the motel room door.
The TV was on inside and his car was parked in front, so she knew he was there.
She heard the lock click and then the door opened, only a crack.
“Dante? I need to speak to you,” she said bravely.
He dragged the door open wider, blinking against the sunlight streaming in. Obviously, he’d been on a drinking binge. He looked like hell. His hair was disheveled. He wore a scraggly beard, and his clothes were wrinkled like he’d slept in them for days.
Dante swiped his gaze from her to Sharp.“You couldn’t come without your bodyguard?”
“Like I said, you and I need to talk.” She stayed on track. She knew what she wanted to say.
“He stays outside.”
“That’s not going to happen—”
CaDee laid her hand on Sharp’s shoulder.“It’ll be okay. Stay here. I won’t be long.”
Uncertainty crossed his features. She thought he might deny her request, but he finally nodded.“I’ll be right here.”
Dante laughed and pushed open the door with his foot.“Welcome to my lovely abode.”
Entering, she felt like she was being welcomed into a cave. The room was dark, smelling of cheap whiskey, and the TV was too loud. Empty take out containers cluttered every available space.
She picked up the remote from the desk and clicked the TV off.
“Why are you here?” Dante asked.
“I received the letter from your attorney.”
“Good to know the damn bastard is doing his job.” Dante dropped down onto the bed, his cold blue eyes burrowing through her.
“This can get ugly, Dante. That isn’t fair to Carsen.”
“What’s not fair to my boy is that you’ve poisoned his mind against me.”
“That’s not true. Anything that Carsen knows it’s because he’s seen it between us.”
“Does our son know you’re fucking the cowboy?” His words held disgust.
She reminded herself that Dante could be manipulative. He had a way of pushing people to their limits.“That’s none of your business. You and I are divorced. The reason why I’m here is to remind you that we don’t want to drag Carsen through an unnecessary battle.”
