Page 15 of Operation Wolf: Hunter
This makes it all the more important for me to get rid of him . . . fast.
“You know, I do appreciate your willingness to help and all, but it’s going to take at least a couple of weeks to get this ranch into any kind of shape,” I said, wheels turning in my mind. “And I’m sure, with twenty ranches to manage, you can’t possibly have the time—”
“Are you trying to weasel out of this already?” Hunter demanded, his brows drawing together. “Because I can assure you, I have no issue with making the time for this. My ranches are fully operational and can stand to lose me for a few weeks.”
“No, I’m not saying that,” I said quickly, putting up my hands. “I’m just thinking . . . what if I try to sell the ranch off as-is to someone who really wants to use it as a working ranch and is willing to fix it up and take care of it?”
Hunter frowned. “I suppose you could try to do that . . . but with the state it’s in right now, you’d get chump change for it. It would be much better for you to fix it up first. But I think you’re underestimating just how much profit this ranch could turn for you if you kept it in good shape.”
“Oh, yeah?” I folded my arms and sat back in my chair. “Well, why don’t you enlighten me?”
Hunter named a figure, and my jaw dropped.
“Shit! Is that per month?”
Hunter laughed. “More like a year,” he said. “But still, that kind of money is nothing to sneeze at. You could make a nice retirement nest egg . . . or use it for other things, I suppose.” His eyes narrowed. “I gather, from your initial reaction to my proposal, you could use the money?”
I bit my lip. I wasn’t exactly broke or anything . . . but I’d gotten into a fair amount of debt after opening up the studio and purchasing new equipment. And though I was making my payments on time, I wasn’t really living frugally, so I didn’t have too much in the way of savings. The ranch might not make me rich, but I could use the profits to pay back my debt and start putting money away.
“Yeah, I could use the money,” I said after a moment. “But it doesn’t change the fact that I have a condo and a studio waiting for me back in New York and bills to pay, all of which are going to pile up if I don’t get back to work. I don’t see how I can stay here long enough to get the ranch turning a profit.”
“Do you have enough for a month?”
“What?” I asked.
“Do you have enough savings set aside to pay for a month’s worth of expenses back home?” Hunter asked. “Because, if you do, I’m willing to make a bet with you.”
“What kind of bet?” I asked, responding instinctively to the challenge in Hunter’s voice. I kicked myself for displaying such eagerness in my own voice, but I couldn’t help it. I had a competitive streak in me.
“Well, I bet that we can get this ranch turning a profit in one month,” Hunter said. His expression was deadly serious, but there was a gleam in his eye that told me he knew he had me right where he wanted me. “I’ll stay on, teach you the ropes, and help you whip everything into shape. Heck, I’ll even hire some help if we need it.”
“I don’t want your money—” I started to say, but Hunter held up a hand.
“Think of it more as an investment,” he said. “If we pull this off, I’ll get a ten percent share of the profits in exchange for my labor and experience.”
“Hmm.” I nodded, considering. Ten percent was more than fair, considering he was bringing a hell of a lot more to the table than I was. “Go on. What happens if the ranch doesn’t turn a profit by the end of the month?”
“If the ranch doesn’t turn a profit, then you can sell it off to whomever the hell you want. Another rancher, another housing developer. I won’t like it, but I won’t stand in your way either.” Hunter raised an eyebrow. “Does that sound good enough to you?”
“Almost too good,” I admitted. “I feel like I’m missing something. What’s in all this for you?” I spread my hands. “In the end, no matter how all this plays out, this helps me, not you.”
Hunter stood up. “I guess a tough bird like you wouldn’t be able to understand something like an act of selfless love.”
I shot to my feet. “And what is that supposed to mean?” I asked, gripping the edge of the table to steady myself.
Hunter laughed, but the sound was full of mockery, all traces of his earlier warmth gone. “You’re just like every other woman I’ve met. The only thing that lights up your eyes is dollar signs, and anytime someone does something that isn’t motivated by greed or desire, you’re instantly suspicious of it.”
He curled his lip as he looked down at me, and though I stiffened my spine, inside, I’d never felt so small.
“Let’s get you to bed, princess. The sooner you get back into fighting shape, the sooner you can get to work.”
He grabbed me by the elbow and led me up the stairs, but I dug my heels in.
“Get me to bed?” I demanded. “What the hell is that supposed to mean? Aren’t you going home?”
Hunter rounded on me, his big hand settling on my arm, and I gasped as I looked into his eyes. A glowing gold ring surrounded his green irises.
“The doctor said that someone needed to observe you overnight to make sure you didn’t slip into a coma, so that’s what I’m going to do.”
“That’s ridiculous,” I sputtered. “I took a nap on the couch earlier while you were gone, and I woke up just fine!”
“Maybe, but I’m not taking any chances,” Hunter said, his grip tightening on my elbow. “You’re not going to cop out of our agreement by going into a coma and leaving me to do all the work by myself. Now, let’s go.” He tugged me toward the stairs.
“Fine,” I hissed. Then I yanked my arm out of his grip, stomping toward the staircase. “But I won’t have you manhandling me. I’m perfectly capable of climbing the staircase, even in my weakenedstate,” I sneered.
Even so, I had to grip the railing as I climbed the stairs to the second floor. And I couldn’t help but feel Hunter’s burning gaze on my ass with every step I took.
