Page 32 of Enchanted Hero

Everleigh bit her lip. “What are you doing?” she whispered.

Alexander didn’t answer as the boy’s father, identifiable as a bigger, meaner version of the boy, emerged from a back room. He was very large, although not quite as big as Alexander, with the same scowl as his son. He hesitated slightly at the sight of the businessman. “Hey, aren’t you that bigwig? What do you want?”

Alexander pierced the man with the blade of his gaze. “I want to know why you abuse these animals.”

Everleigh bit back a gasp, as the man’s eyes bulged. “What did you say?”

Alexander stepped forward, and suddenly the danger increased a thousandfold. His power came from more than physical strength, its origin stronger, deeper. The ruffian’s scowl faltered. “I asked why you abuse your animals.”

“We don’t abuse our animals.” Yet the man’s voice cracked with the lie, as he glanced away.

Alexander moved forward. “That’s not what I see. That animal has been neglected and beaten. Do you always hurt those who are weaker than you?” When the man didn’t respond, Alexander drew himself taller. “I see.”

“I didn’t say yes!” the man growled.

Alexander glared, and the ruffian all but withered. “You have no proof,” he whined.

“I can find it.”

Everleigh stood perfectly still. Alexander was calm, cool and calculating in getting his way with her, but with the man, he was ruthless, dominant,unstoppable. Now it was clear how he got what he wanted.

What would happen if he focused that power on her?

“I’m going to buy your farm.”

“What?” The man stumbled back. “You can’t do that. It’s not for sale.”

“I don’t care.” Alexander moved closer. “You abused that horse, and now I can see you abuse all your animals.”

“Why you–” the man snarled. He pulled his arm back…

“I wouldn’t if I were you.”

The words were low, and yet filled with undeniable power. The man froze in fear.

“You should consider yourself lucky. I could make one phone call and you’d be in jail. Instead I’m giving you a chance. You sell the farm and promise to never hurt animals again. And just to make sure you’re truly reformed, you’re going to become an activist against animal cruelty.”

The man paled. “Are you serious?”

“You disagree, and I’m calling my friends in the government. You have thirty seconds to decide.”

The man turned as red as the prize-winning tomatoes in the produce tent. “You can’t do that.”

“I can do whatever I want.” Alexander challenged. “No animal deserves to be whipped until its half-dead.”

Everleigh gasped, as the man’s jaw went slack. “How’d you know about that?” Then as if realizing what he’d just admitted, he clamped his mouth shut.

“Fifteen seconds.”

“They’re just dumb creatures! They don’t even feel emotion.”

“They have more emotion than you.” Alexander’s voice was deadly. “Whether or not you take my deal, your days of torturing animals are over.” Alexander reached into his pocket and retrieved his phone. “Five, four, three, two–”

“Okay, okay!” Sweat dripped off the man, soaking his shirt, as he held up two beefy arms. “I agree.”

“Excellent. My lawyer will call to arrange everything. Until then, treat these animals as if they were your own children. If I hear about you abusing one more creature, you go straight to jail.”

Blue veins bulging out of his head, the man nodded curtly.