Page 185 of Roulette Rodeo
I skip away—actually skip, like a schoolgirl who hasn't just caused a minor scandal—leaving them standing there in various states of shock, embarrassment, and what looked suspiciously like arousal on Talon's face.
Behind me, I hear someone say, "Lucky bastards," and another respond with, "That omega's going to be the death of them."
Maybe. But what a way to go.
The registration tent for prize claims is set up near the admission gates, and there's already a line forming—mostly parents claiming stuffed animals for their kids, a few teenagers with giant inflatable prizes. But everyone parts when they see me coming, body glitter still catching the lights, hair wild from the ride.
"Congratulations, Miss Vale!" The elderly woman behind the registration table beams at me. "That was quite a show! Haven't seen riding like that since my own rodeo days."
"Thank you," I say, still high on adrenaline. "So about the renovation prize..."
"Oh yes, Henderson Construction will be in touch within the week to schedule an assessment. You can choose any single structure on your property for a complete renovation or rebuild." She hands me a packet of paperwork. "Very generous of you to win this for your pack. That young Rafe especially—that barn's been weighing on him for years."
Everyone really does know everything in this town.
"And my other prize?" I ask, thinking of Corwin's giant plushie.
She laughs. "Oh honey, that thing's already been loaded into a truck. Your pack's young Mr. Corwin arranged for delivery while you were riding. Said something about making sure you had it for your nest tonight."
My heart does a little flutter at that. Of course he did.
I finish the paperwork, my hand still slightly shaky from the adrenaline, and head back toward where I left my pack. They're still standing where I left them, now joined by Poppy andMalrik who apparently couldn't resist coming back to witness the aftermath.
"—can't believe she actually said that out loud," Corwin is saying.
"I can," Talon laughs. "This is Red we're talking about."
"The whole town heard," Rafe mutters, still looking shellshocked.
"The whole county heard," Shiloh corrects. "Pretty sure they heard it in the next state."
"You're all being dramatic," I announce, rejoining them. "It was just a little joke."
"A little joke?" Rafe turns to me, and there's something dangerous in his eyes that makes heat pool in my belly. "You just called me 'Daddy' in front of half the town."
"Technically," I correct, "I called you 'Daddy Rafe,' which is different and way more specific."
Poppy absolutely loses it, cackling so hard she has to lean on Malrik for support. "Only you, Red. Only fucking you."
"I need a drink," Rafe announces. "Several drinks. Possibly all the drinks."
"Good thing we have that open tab," Talon says cheerfully.
As we head toward the beer garden, Corwin falls into step beside me. "That was incredibly dangerous," he says quietly.
"I know."
"And reckless."
"Yep."
"And probably the hottest thing I've ever seen."
I grin up at him.
"Really?"
He leans down, his breath warm against my ear. "Watching you ride that bull, knowing you did it for us, for Rafe specifically? Knowing you've been hiding that skill this whole time?" His voice drops to a growl that sends shivers down myspine. "We're going to have a very interesting conversation when we get home."
