Page 2 of Rough Stock
“Oh, yeah. They told me not to come over here but, of course, I ignored them. I’m my own dog. I don’t usually take cues from the people around me, especially if they’re fucking yellow-bellied cowards,” Jensen quipped.
To his shock, a tiny smile turned up the corners of her mouth. “How would they take to you calling them that?”
“If it’s true? Don’t see that they’d have a say in it,” he said, trying hard not to chuckle.
“And you’d take a punch for that?”
“Fuck yeah,” he answered. The only thing he couldn’t fight was the grin that spread across his face.
For the first time since he’d been standing there, she looked up at him and grinned herself. He was shocked again when she held out her hand. “ShyannaOwens.”
The grip she gave him when he took it was a surprise?firm and yet soft. “Nice to meet you.”
She nodded. “Likewise.”
Okay, we’re making some progress here, he thought. “You looking forward to tomorrow?” he asked as he sat down.
She shrugged. “Why would I be looking forward to tomorrow? It’s work. There are about eighteen guys out there who want to slay me. I spend all my time looking over my shoulder. Am I looking forward to tomorrow? Nah. Another day at the office,” she said and swallowed down the whiskey. When the bartender looked her way, she held up the glass. “Hit me again.”
As Jensen watched, the bartender poured another two fingers into the glass and Shyanna took a sip. “Do you enjoy what you’re doing at all?” he had to ask. It certainly didn’t sound like it.
“Let’s see… I’ve been called a whore, a dyke, been sabotaged, had my horses injured and poisoned, one of them stolen and he’s never been found. They most likely killed him. Oh, and I’ve had the shit beaten out of me at least a dozen times, and a couple of guys have tried to rape me under the guises of ‘teaching me a lesson.’ Do I enjoy what I’m doing? When I’m left alone and allowed to do it peacefully, sure. Otherwise, it’s a pain in the ass, but I’m not going to back down that easily.”
Jensen was almost speechless. “They tried to rape you?”
Shyanna chuckled. “Oh, yeah. What did that one guy say? ‘This is the only reason you’re doing this, to get close to the cowboys, so it’s my responsibility to oblige you.’ I believe those were his exact words.”
“You’re shitting me.” Jensen could hardly believe it.
“Wish I were, but I’m not.” Shyanna took another sip of whiskey and sighed after it went down. “That’s the kind of treatment I’ve gotten. That’s the kind of stuff you and your buddies have put me through.”
“Hold up just one damn minute,” Jensen almost yelled. “I’ve done nothing of the sort. I had nothing to do withanyof that. My mama taught me to respect women, and I do. Matter of fact, she taught me to respect everybody, and I try to do that?always. So before you?”
“Calm down, cowboy. It was just a figure of speech. I didn’t mean you specifically. It’s just that you’ve all started to look the same because you all treat me the same. That’s all,” she said, staring down into her glass, and Jensen could’ve sworn she was embarrassed.
“It’s okay. I get it. But you won’t get that shit from me. And if anybody gives you trouble, just let me know. I won’t stand for it,” he told her firmly, and he meant it. Nobody would rough her up as long as he was around, not if he could stop it.
She chuckled. “I can take care of myself, but thanks. I’m no weak little fading flower.”
“We all need a helping hand from time to time. Has nothing to do with you being weak or a woman. Just has to do with the business. We need to hang together. When times are tough, being unified is what keeps us going.”
She chuckled again. “You’re so fucking naïve.”
“Maybe so, but I sleep well at night.” As soon as the words were out of his mouth, she turned and stared at him, and a smile stretched across her face. “Well, I’ll let you get back to your drinking, but it was nice to meet you, Shyanna. Good luck tomorrow.”
She nodded, and the drop of her lashes told him that, regardless her tough exterior, she was a little on the shy side. “Same to you, Jensen. Thanks for coming over and introducing yourself. Have a nice evening.” He almost chuckled when she tipped her hat to him, and he did the same as he walked away.
“Well, let’s see the teeth marks,” Stag said as Jensen ambled back up to their little group.
“No teeth marks. She seems very nice,” Jensen told them, hoping the edge in his voice would shut them up.
“Nice like a stoked-up bull in a too-small chute,” Calvin threw out.
“See you met the new dyke on the circuit,” a voice said, cutting through their banter, and Jensen turned to find Tilford on the fringe of their cluster.
Jensen fought the urge to fire back and worked to keep his composure. “You don’t know that she’s a dyke, and besides, what if she is? She’s actually very nice and very professional,” he announced.
“Professional at giving head? Because I’m long overdue,” Max said as he walked up. “Saw you talking to her. Did she offer?” he asked, laughing.
