Page 10 of Saddled in Secrets
Colton’s shuttered gaze drifts to the front door. “And eventually, the answer will change.”
My fingers strangle the ball of yarn to resist throttling him. “I thought if I snapped my fingers, a plane would appear in the sky?”
“As it turns out,” he drawls. “Even you have limitations.”
“Go figure. I’m a hostage on my own vacation,” I mumble absently. “Trapped in a gilded cage with my bodyguard. How romantic.”
This trip lost its purpose before it truly began. My stomach sinks while I mourn the wasted opportunity. Mom would be very disappointed.
“Don’t fret, Princess. You’ll be breaking hearts and wreaking havoc on your home turf by the end of the month.” The tattooed grump’s expression sours into a tight pucker. He probably ate a lemon to perfect the look.
I toss my unfinished ear muffs beside me. “That’s still two weeks away.”
“Could be faster.” Another evasive response.
The urge to snap at him gnashes my teeth. I hate how much power he holds. It’s only gotten worse since I lost my phone. Maybe I should try masturbating my brains out again. At least I was blissed out then.
But Colton might hear me if I do. The reminder heats my cheeks. That won’t fly, especially when we’re barely on speaking terms.
Whatever. I stare at him while he glowers in return. A sigh buzzes my lips. Such an attractive grouch. My gaze swoops lower, appreciating the full package. His shirts are unnecessarily tight. It’s like he can’t find any that properly contain his oversized ego. Or he’s purposely putting himself on display. If that’s for my benefit, it’s another missed opportunity. There’s no sex in our future.
Colton’s mouth opens but then his phone chimes. He digs it out of his pocket and glances at the screen. Tension solidifies his muscles into a statue.
“Duty calls,” I grumble at his reaction.
“We’ll finish this discussion later.”
“I’d rather not.” My fingers beckon for him to return my precious headphones. “Just leave me alone, m’kay?”
Colton’s flinch is slight, but I notice. Guilt threatens to retract my statement. Pride raises her head and flips him off.
Just a bit longer. Once we’re back in Cloverleaf Meadows, we’ll go our separate ways and I’ll put this disaster behind me.
Present day…
I’m not sure where to begin, but my current pickle of a predicament seems adequate. My morning started off with a ransom call. And for the record, receiving threats of bodily harm before sunrise is a rude awakening.
Do what we say and nobody gets hurt.
The cagey voice haunts me as I blindly follow the directions.
If your dad and brother show up, the mare pays the price.
A shudder racks my limbs and I grip the steering wheel tighter. As it turns out, Uncle Jimmy decided to steal my late mother’s favorite horse to pay off a debt to this shady crew of cowboy criminals. I’m not sure how he got onto our property and snatched Echo without anyone noticing, but the fact that he’s mydad’s brother must’ve lent a hand. Maybe Colton will get fired. The thought almost makes me smile until the GPS tells me to turn right.
All these people want from me in exchange is a conversation. Or so they claim. That’s how I find myself pulling up to what appears to be an abandoned building on the outskirts of town.
Paisley is practically trembling in the passenger seat as I shift the truck into park. My best friend is the only person these crooks approved to join me on this rescue mission. Based on the ashen hue to her complexion, I should’ve left her sleeping in my brother’s bed.
But it’s too late now.
I cut the engine when an older man appears in front of the steel structure. From the corner of my eye, I notice Paisley typing on her phone. She’s more than likely texting Brody, choosing to ignore my warning. The instructions I received were very specific about not telling anybody else or they’d hurt Echo. That means I better haul ass before reinforcements arrive.
Hinges creak when I open the door and jump out. My bestie follows my lead, sticking to me like glue while we approach the guy shrouded in shadows. I ignore the tension knotting my stomach into a tighter tangle with each step.
“You made the right choice, Bianca Benson.”
My heart lurches even though it’s not surprising he knows my full name. Uncle Jimmy obviously gave this man every bit of information he needed to contact me. What’s shocking is the guy’s appearance. I’m instantly creeped out when his dead eyes settle on me, shivering from the impact. My body naturally sways closer to Paisley for moral support.
