Page 13 of Operation Wolf: Hunter
“Where are these hired hands he was paying so well? This place doesn’t look like a successful business to me. It looks like it’s on its way out.”
I ground my teeth. “Look, I don’t know why the hell this place is such a disaster right now,” I said tightly. “I fully plan on tracking down Daniel’s hired help and getting to the bottom of all this. But, in the meantime, we can’t just give up on this.”
“I don’t know the first thing about running a ranch,” she said finally. “And I don’t have the money to hire someone to do it for me.”
“Yeah, well, I know a thing or two about ranch management,” I said. “And, if I have to stay here myself for a few weeks in order to get this place up and running, I will.”
Kia blinked. “Why would you do that? You’ve got to have other things to do.”
I glared at her. “Just because I have a life and problems to worry about doesn’t mean I can’t make time for things that are important. Daniel was like a father to me, and I don’t want to see his legacy flushed down the toilet by an ignoramus like you.”
“Excuse me?” Kia nearly came out of her seat, but I beat her to it, shoving up from the battered recliner. “You fucking asshole.”
“You can go ahead and act all superior if you want. But the way I see it, nothing excuses the fact that you’re trying to do away with a man’s entire life’s work just because you’re too lazy to roll up your sleeves and figure out how to make things work,” I snarled. “Blood is blood, no matter how far apart you were, and it shows a lot about how much loyalty you must feel to your kin if I’m willing to put more work into whipping this place into shape than you are.”
Seething, I spun on my heel and stalked to the front door.
“We’re not finished talking, cowboy! Where the hell are you going?” Kia called.
“Home to get a few things. Why don’t you think on what I said and let me know if anything meaningful has gone through that empty head of yours by the time I get back.”
“Asshole!” she screamed.
I bounded down the steps, almost losing the battle not to shift into my beast before I hit the ground. I struggled for control and had to sit down on the ground, clutching my head for a few moments, before I was able to calm down.
There’s no need to be so angry,my wolf chided when I finally regained control of my human side.She’s only trying to assert dominance over her territory.
This isn’t a pissing match,I snapped, struggling to my feet again.
Isn’t it, though? You’re trying to assert your dominance over her by telling her to do as you wish, and she’s pushing back because she’s headstrong.There was pride and a hint of smugness in my wolf’s voice as he added,That’s part of the reason I like her so much. She’s a challenge. It will be fun to make her submit to us.
Jesus.I rolled my eyes. I’d had no idea that my beast was into BDSM.
No wonder the two of us didn’t see eye to eye. I liked easy women who fell into my lap, not ones I had to assert my dominance over. Yet, as I thought back to Kia, who was likely fuming over my insults, I had to admit a part of me had enjoyed the verbal sparring. She was feisty and intelligent, and she challenged me, making me want to display my superiority to her.
Shit.I’ve got to knock this shit off.
I walked back and forth to calm myself down, so I could go and saddle up Misty. I hadn’t come here so I could bang Old Daniel’s great-niece. I came here to protect Daniel’s legacy, and that was all I was going to do. The sooner I got this shit over and done with, the sooner I could get back to my own damn life, away from her.
