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Cal, either oblivious or not giving a damn, kept going. “Your lady told Elena to back off…you.” He grinned. “Told heryouwere her man, and you were getting married.”
Duke’s whole body went stiff. “She said that?”
Cal grunted, amused. “She did and then said ‘cause you’re getting married, Elena washerbitch. Our girl here shot her down, and it wasbeautifulto watch. She said, ‘I don’t fight over men. And neither should you.’ She’s pure class, our Elena.”
Duke turned to me, his voice low and edged with something dangerous. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
I met his gaze, steady. “You said she was my boss, and I have to eat the shit she shovels.”
His brow furrowed. “Elena?—”
I cut him off before he could finish. “I know where I stand, Duke.”
His jaw was clenched, but I wasn’t done.
“Now, if you don’t mind, I’m going to finish getting the horses ready and work like a fucking dog for youandFiona. Thanks for letting me know she’s my…ah…boss. You hear that, Cal?”
Cal swore. “That ain’t fuckin’ right! Ifthatwoman’s the boss, I’m quittin’. No two ways about it, Duke.”
“She’s just working with Elena, not any of you,” Duke assured Cal sharply.
“That ain’t right either.” Ben came to stand next to me. “I guess you’re marrying her and all, but she’s mean as a rattlesnake.”
“Watch your words, son,” Duke warned.
“Maybe you should ask your woman to do that.” Ben wasn’t backing down. “And if you gotta problem with me sayin’ that, sir, you can tell me now, and I’ll walk right on?—”
“Enough.” I raised a hand. “Cal, Ben, get to work and get the fuck outta my stable.”
Once they left, I looked at Duke. “Message noted. Anything else?”
Duke opened his mouth, then closed it.
“You know what I’m tired of, Duke?” I closed my eyes for a moment and then looked at him, watching me, waiting for me to tell him my truth. “I’m tired of being fucked around with—first you,then Mama, then Nash…and now Fiona. You don’t want me here; you tell menow. I’ll leave rightnow.”
“To Maverick Kincaid?” Something ugly came into his eyes, and it made me feel dirty.
“Why the hell do you care, bossman?” I threw at him. “You’re marryingwhatshername.”
“Who I marry is none of your business.”
I laughed without humor. “And where I go because you’re treating me worse than Nash did—and he was pretty fuckin’ bad—is none of yours. So…you want me gone?”
He stuck his hands in his pockets. “No,” he bit out grudgingly.
“Then ask your woman not to speak to me. She does, so help me God, I’ll wipe the floor with her.”
His eyes narrowed. “Is that a threat?”
“It’s a fuckin’ promise. Put that in your pipe and smoke it.”
CHAPTER 24
duke
Itook my time getting back to the ranch house.
I couldn’t believe Fiona had accosted Elena, even after all our conversations. But then, I’d liked that about Fiona in the past, hadn’t I? That she was pushy. Went after what she wanted. She was good in the sack and the boardroom. Didn’t take any prisoners. Shot the wounded and moved over dead bodies to make her ambitions come true.