Page 97 of Cryptic Curse

I sit back in my chair, kind of impressed and also kind of horrified.“So…hoard houses, don’t build hotels.Buy red and orange.”

He raises his glass of root beer like a toast.“Now you’re playing to win.”

I clink mine against his.“Next game, you’re going down.”

He smirks.“We’ll see, kid.But hey, at least this time, you’ve got a strategy.”

“Strategy,” I echo.

“It’s kind of like what your dad does,” he says.

I cock my head.“Yeah?”

“Yeah.Your grandfather, Brick Bellamy, inherited this ranch from his family going back generations.When he died, your father took his money from his trust fund from your grandmother, the Cooper Steel heiress, and bought up tons of land to expand the Bellamy Ranch so he could use it for whatever he wanted.”

I think for moment.“Our ranch is huge.And we have a lot of livestock for sure.Lots of barns and residences for the ranch hands.”

Ted nods.“Yes.”

“But how much property do you really need for cattle and fields?”

Ted fiddles with the dice.“As much as hethinkshe needs.But that’s not even the point.The property belongs to your father, and he can use the land for whatever he sees fit.”

“What else would he use it for?”

Ted drops his gaze back to the Monopoly board.“We should get back to the game.”He rolls the dice and lands on Boardwalk.

“Ha!You owe me rent.”

Ted grins.“Here you go.”He gives me a handful of fake cash.“Just goes to show you that sometimes even the sharpest strategy can’t save you from the cruel hand of fate.”

30

DANIELA

Iwake up with a jerk when my phone alarm goes off.

I think I slept.Maybe.I woke up a lot, thinking about the orgasm that Hawk gave me.

It was amazing.

I’m still warm all over from it, yet I’m also chilled.

A strange sensation, to be sure.

Because intermingled with thoughts of Hawk are thoughts of the note taped to my door yesterday.

Hawk promised to get security on me.

I thought I was done with all that.Done with having to fear for my life.For my body.

Here in the state of Texas, I thought I could live a normal life.

Apparently not.

Normal life just isn’t in the cards for me.

I get out of bed, shuffle into my bathroom, and turn on the shower.