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I kept my face neutral. He knew. Hefinallyknew what Nash had worked so hard to hide from him. I’d never understood his reasons until Ifinally figured it out. All of these men were cowards, unable to tell the truth, allowing manipulators like Gloria to ruin lives.
“And?” I asked, stretching the word out as if wanting to know how this was any of my business.
“And?” He looked bewildered.
Oh, he expected me to fall on my knees and suck his dick now he’d gotten his head out of his ass?Well, shit, that wasn’t going to happen!
“I…know, Elena,” he whispered.
“What do you think you know?” I demanded, my fingers tapping against my forearm as if I was keeping time.
I had to wake up early to take care of the horses. I didn’t have time to chit-chat with the bossman, who was going to head to Dallas to placate his lunatic mother and then sleep in the next morning.
He walked up to me. I took a step back. “Nuh-huh. Keep your hands to yourself. You’ve been takin’ some liberties, bossman, that you aren’t allowed with me.”
“Cut that bossman crap.”
“Why?”
Rage simmered inside me. The son of a bitch thought he could just walk in after ten years, after the last two weeks, and pretend we were more because now he’d seen the light? Talk about being an entitled asshole.
He took a slow breath, exhaling through his nose like he was trying to hold something back. “I didn’t know, Elena.” His voice was rough like the words hurt coming out. “About Nash. About Mama. Abouteverything.”
“Okay.” I shrugged. “I’d like to get back to sleep. I’vegot to be up in five hours. I’m in the short round for breakaway.”
And no jokes, I needed my mind and body rested for the fast-paced roping event.
“Elena. I?—”
“Say what you have to say and do it fast, Duke.”
“I’m sorry,” he exploded. “Okay. I’m fuckin’ sorry.”
“Good for you.” My hands dropped to my hips. “Anything else?”
“Yeah, wanted to give you fair warning that I’m not selling the ranch, and I’m not letting you go.”
I swallowed, the knot in my chest tightening. And suddenly, the room felt even smaller.
“Do what you want with your ranch, Duke, but I’m a free agent. I just got offered a job by Knox Lawson, and I can write my own check.”
“This ain’t about you working the horses, Elena.”
He came forward and stood so close with his head down, our breaths mingled.
I pushed him with both hands. “You motherfucking son of a bitch!”
Goodbye equanimity. Hello, angry bitch.
I shoved him, and he barely stumbled back a step, his boots planted firm. Damn him for being solid, for beinghere, for looking at me likethat—like he regretted everything. He had no right!
"You don’t get to do this, Duke." My voice was shaking with rage, bitter and righteous. "You don’t get to come in here, tell me you’re sorry, and think it fixesa damn thing!"
“I know it doesn’t.” His jaw clenched. "But I love you, Elena, so it’s not like I gotta choice."
I laughed, harsh and humorless. "You have no fucking idea what it means to love.”
His eyes darkened, and he stepped closer again, slow and deliberate, like he was testing his luck. "I was a stupid kid, Elena. And yeah, maybe I’m still a stupid adult, but I swear to God, I?—"