Page 38 of Captured by the Billionaire Cowboy (The Secret Billionaires #7)
“ W e’re here for you.”
Ciara forced herself to remain calm, to not show her fear. Yet she couldn’t stop the unease, or the terror, as Rowan’s warnings blazed through her. Had these men sent the threatening messages?
Had they come to carry them out?
She might be scared, but she wouldn’t let them see it. “I have no business with you,” she calmly replied. “I’m not in charge of the auction.”
“No, you just ended it.” The bald man stepped forward, his eyes bright with menace and unvoiced threats. “You took what belonged to us.”
“I took nothing of yours. Like I said, I wasn’t running the sale.” Of course, the auctioneers resided in the house a few yards away, but she couldn’t direct them there. The elderly couple couldn’t handle the furious men.
“You might not know us, but we know you. You’re the woman who made that contest,” the man growled. “Now people are complaining about us.”
“You’re the reason there’s no auction,” the other spat. “You bought every single horse before we even had the chance to bid.”
“We drove hours to get these horses, and suddenly we get a message it’s over,” the third snarled. “That doesn’t work for us. We’ve already sold them.”
Anger chased away her fear. “How can you sell something you don’t own?”
“We were prepared to offer a high amount since we already had a buyer, and that should have been enough to secure the product. Our buyer is going to be furious when we don’t supply the pounds of meat we promised.”
Anger turned to fury, and fury to rage. “They aren’t pounds of meat,” she bit out.
“They’re animals. Living, breathing, beautiful animals, and they deserve to live.
And that’s exactly what they’re going to do.
” She glared at each man. “It’s not my fault people don’t like your disgusting profession. You chose to earn money this way.”
“But now we’re not earning money,” The bald man’s voice was soulless, chilling. “This isn’t the first time you messed with us. But it will be the last.”
Stay calm. Relax. Breathe. Ciara slid her hand into her pocket, grasping her cell phone.
Only if she tried to call the police, would they grab the phone?
“I’m not sorry you don’t have animals to slaughter, but I’m sorry you wasted your time.
” She spoke in a quiet tone, to avoid further escalation. “But it’s over.”
It didn’t work. “You’re not as sorry as you’re going to be,” the man in the middle growled. “And it’s not close to over.”
He started forward, but the bearded man stopped him. His eyes flashed ice, his anger more controlled, powerful, dangerous . “We want those horses.”
Her heart stumbled out of the gate. Would they try to steal the horses?
How could she stop them? Even if she managed to call the authorities, their response could be slow in the rural countryside.
The men could easily get away with a trailerful of horses, and there would be nothing she could do.
“What do you see when you look at them?”
The men stopped, exchanged glances. “Sick animals that should be put out of their misery,” the bald man answered roughly, while the others nodded. “These animals are only good for one thing.”
“That’s not what I see.” Ciara touched a horses’ flank, channeling the strength he represented, conveying her own.
Even now, the fur was silky smooth, muscles underneath with the power to heal.
“I see beautiful animals in need of love and care, creatures with feelings and emotions. Horses with the potential for riding, for companionship, even for showing. I will not surrender to your dictates, or your threats. I love these animals, and if there’s a chance to save them, I will. ”
The men opened and closed their fists, staring at her, as she approached them. “So what are you planning to do? Are you going to break the law?”
Before they could answer, a new voice boomed, “Think very carefully before you answer that question, gentlemen.”
Rowan appeared, as she’d never seen him before.
Power defined, massive and so very dangerous .
A black t-shirt and form-fitting jeans outlined his chiseled body as he prowled towards them, accompanied by Quinn, Spencer and two other large men.
His back was straight, his jaw set and his gaze hard.
Tension thickened the air, stealing the oxygen.
But for Ciara? Pure relief.
The men’s eyes darted between the five newcomers who had the advantage in size, strength and number.
Like middle school bullies, they withered in the presence of greater strength.
“We weren’t going to do anything!” The bearded man held up his hands, and even the mean one blinked rapidly. “We just wanted to talk to her.”
“Talk to me .” Rowan stalked forward in barely controlled fury, like dynamite that would explode with a single spark.
“Not her. You will never contact this woman again. Not by phone, not on the Internet and certainly not in person. Don’t even look at her again.
And if you dare threaten her…” His voice trailed off, the consequences unsaid yet massive under the power that was Rowan Byrne.
The man’s expression faltered, and the others stepped back. “We didn’t mean anything by it.” He kicked the dirt, sending up a cloud of gray. “She’s just caused a lot of problems.”
“You’ve caused your own problems,” Ciara snapped. She would not sit by and play damsel in distress. “You’re the ones earning a living off the blood of these poor animals. You can’t complain when people don’t like it.”
The man turned red, but under her glare, didn’t respond.
“I know about the messages.” Rowan’s voice was quiet and solemn, and all the more dangerous for it. “That’s a serious crime, and we won’t hesitate to prosecute.”
“We didn’t do anything,” the man snarled. “You have no proof!”
“Actually, we do.” Spencer stepped forward. “I traced the messages on the ride here. If you aren’t feeling agreeable, I could just pass the information to the cyber-crime unit of the local police and–”
“We’re agreeable!” Sweat sheened on the bearded man’s face. “Please don’t go to the police. I just got out of prison, and I don’t want there to be any misunderstandings.”
Ciara gasped, as Rowan visibly stiffened. She’d boldly challenged them, never truly believing they would harm her. But a man who had already broken the law could very well do so again.
“There won’t be any more misunderstandings as long as you stay away.” Pure power forged Rowan’s every word. “If we see you again, or receive any more messages, we’ll go straight to the authorities.”
The men backed up, turned and stumbled to their truck. The engine roared to life, tires screeching, as they drove far too fast down the rural dirt road. In moments, only the scent of body odor and alcohol remained of the thugs.
They were gone. It was over. She was safe. She repeated it again and again, yet her heart didn’t stop galloping, like a horse who didn’t realize she’d passed the finish line. At least one of the men had already been to prison, and he was clearly scared of going back. What had they done?
What would they have done if Rowan hadn’t showed up?
Stay strong. Sweat coated her body, even as she shivered, despite the day’s brutal heat.
Burning and freezing, a smothering juxtaposition of sensation.
Suddenly, she was pulled against an iron chest, wrapped in corded arms, captured against a wall of strength.
The fear receded as Rowan embraced her, smoothing down her back, whispering soft words of comfort.
She pressed into him as he tightened his hold, enveloping her in pure power. She never wanted to let go.
She couldn’t stay forever, even as she let herself linger, caught in possessive arms. Ever-so-slowly her heart returned to normal, her breathing quieting to slow, steady breaths. Finally, she pulled away.
He didn’t let go.
But after a few seconds he finally did, with a reluctance that proved they’d be doing this again soon.
For longer. And closer. And even now, he kept a hand on her back, a reminder he was still present.
“Are you all right?” Concern darkened his eyes, and something far deeper.
Emotions he never showed lurked, as he rubbed his thumb against her cheek.
No, she was not okay . Not even a little.
Yet instead of the truth, she said nothing, nodded.
His jaw tightened. She hadn’t fooled him. “Being afraid does not mean you aren’t strong. I won’t let anyone hurt you,” he promised solemnly. “But I am furious.”
Ciara narrowed her eyes. Rowan still held her, but a sternness tightened his expression. They held each other’s gaze, neither blinking, neither moving. A horse neighed, and they both turned at the same time. “We need to take care of the horses.”
Rowan took a deep breath, clearly fighting for control.
Finally, he nodded. “Even with multiple trailers, it’ll take two trips to get all the horses to the ranch.
We’ll load half, the men will drive them, then Spencer and Quinn can get them settled.
You and I will stay here to care for the rest until they get back. ”
How smoothly he usurped the reins of the operation. A tinge of irritation flashed, but she smothered it; he had, after all, just gotten her out of precarious situation.
Yet his need for control dominated as they loaded the horses onto the trailers, as he directed everything and everyone. When the men finally left with the first load of horses, gratitude had turned to frustration.
Now they stood at the fence overlooking the remaining horses. For just a moment, she let herself savor the moment, the warm sun on her back, the dewy grass under her boots, the sights, sounds and scents of her favorite animals. Yet even the lily-scented air couldn’t erase the tension.
“How could you come here alone?” Rowan’s voice was low, somber. “What were you thinking?”