Page 41

Rebeka

FOUR LARGE DEVIL SPAWNSstared their evil beady eyes up from their perfect striking poses.

Shit. Shit. Shit.

Shit.

Two were well within striking distance while the others were far enough away that I didn't have to worry about them unless they were some snake gang and had planned an organized attack. Which I wouldn't put past them. They probably knew I was the girl who’d enjoyed using their family members as target practice growing up.

Close by, Brenton shouted, “What are you doing?”

“Trying not to hyperventilate and die. How about you?” His footsteps sounded closer and closer. “Stay where you are,” I said, pure panic in my tone.

Breaking the staring contest with the closest rattlesnake, I glanced up to Brenton's confused face.

“Four rattlers. Two are close, too damn close. I think I peed my pants a little,” I whined. I wasn't proud of it—the peeing of my pants or the whining—but I was scared. Terrified, really. Snakes were enemy number one in my book. Plus, I was running rogue these days without health insurance and couldn't afford a trip to the emergency room for antivenom.

“And you were just reaming my ass about watching where I walked.”

“If I live through this, I will punch you in the balls for the jackass timing of that comment.”

His chuckle inched up my nervous anger.

“This isn't fucking funny. I’m going to die a slow miserable death, and you’re fucking laughing.”

His loud laugh reached my ears as he walked into the small clearing. At my back, Brenton wrapped his hands around my waist. I tensed at the contact, which made the snakes rise higher.

“It's okay, Beks. You're fine.”

“Shoot. Them.”

“I'd prefer not to get trampled to death. I didn't survive multiple deployments to die out here.”

Dammit, he was right. But still, they were snakes, live ones that needed to be vanquished.

At first I fought his slight pull urging me back, but then I gave in to the comfort of his protective grip and calm, soothing orders.

“Easy. Slow steps, okay? Right foot. Good. Left foot. Now pause.” There was no way he couldn't feel the way my entire body trembled in fear. “Beks, come on. You're fine. I'm here, and I won't let anything bad happen to you, okay?” Two more steps back. “If the snake does get to you, I'll suck the venom out.” Another step back and my shoulders dropped from their high perch by my ears. “Is it bad to hope they bite you in the pussy so I can have a reason to suck on that for a while?”

And just like that the fear drained, sending my blood pumping fast and hot for an entirely different reason.

“You don't need a snake bite for that, B. All you have to do is ask.” His hands still on my waist, we ducked and weaved as one between the longhorns. “But before you ask, let me shower. I wasn't kidding about me peeing my pants.”

Fine lines burst from the corners of his eyes with his broad smile. “Deal.”

Over the next hour, we drove through the remainder of the beautiful property, checking out a few areas even I hadn't seen since I was a kid. A few times he’d point to something and ask about a memory, wondering if it was true, which would launch me into a story about us. It was perfect with the brilliant sunset off the horizon that painted bright colors across the open sky. But then again, it was always perfect when it was only us two. It wasn't until other people got involved that everything went to shit all those years ago.

A dark SUV pulled away from the barn as we grew close. With my brows raised at the unfamiliar car, I shot a quick, concerned glance to Brenton. He merely shrugged and went back to watching the sunset. Even though he thought nothing of the incident, a slight uneasy feeling developed in my gut.

The sensation worsened as we eased into the barn and parked in the spot reserved for the Gator. I shut off the engine and paused. Not sensing the same thing, Brenton slid off the bench seat and stretched out his stiff back, turning when I didn't follow. He gripped the roof to lean into the cab, momentarily distracting me with his inked, flexing biceps and spread muscled chest.

“You coming?”

“Yeah. Hey, I want to get that damn cat before the other calves are born. I might go out tonight to see if I can get it myself. Wanna come with since we didn't work on your head stuff today at all?”

“Sounds like a party. We staying out all night?”

“Depends on the kitty, I guess. I'll pack enough food and drinks in case it turns into a long hunt. I'll double-check the weather too; I noticed a few thunderheads a ways west.” After a glance at my watch, I looked back at him expectantly. “Let's head out after dinner. Two hours from now?”