Page 27 of Falling For Her Cowboy (Silver Creek Ranch #9)

He laughed. “Believe me when I say you’re going to be on your back soon enough.”

The contents of her stomach threatened to erupt.

He was never going to touch her again. If he thought he was going to do what he’d done to her before, he’d better rethink.

She’d made herself a promise that no man would take advantage of her.

She’d trained hard to ensure she’d never be vulnerable now.

She just needed her hands free.

Melah held her head high as they marched along. She needed to remain focused. She was going to make it out of here. She was not going to be his victim. She had too much to live for. She had in the past, but those plans had changed.

Now she had a new future.

Ridge’s smile came to mind. Her heart stuttered with the thought of the man who’d done everything he could to show her how much he was into her and how much he wanted her. Baggage and all, the man was determined to have her.

Shit.

She should have snagged her cell phone from the saddlebags. She’d been so focused on finishing the fence that she hadn’t thought to take her phone and put it in her pocket. Of all the days for her to not have her phone on her, it would be today.

Someone would search for her. Thankfully, a few of the guys knew her last whereabouts and hopefully they’d heard the gunshot.

Once they realized she was missing, they’d look for her.

A sense of hope bloomed in her chest. Someone would tell Ridge she was missing.

After his public display in front of the entire ranch, she doubted they would not tell him.

She focused on his image. She’d see him again. Hear his laughter, feel his strong arms around her. There would be plenty of days where she’d rest her head on his chest while he slept and listen to the steady drum of his heartbeat.

She had fallen for her cowboy. There was no doubt in her mind that she loved Ridge. She just wished she’d realized it before now. Melah would tell him. Whatever Theo had planned for her—she would survive.

Again.

She didn’t know how long they’d been walking.

Her arms ached from being tied behind her.

She wouldn’t complain or show any weakness.

She tried to think of good thoughts. The sight of her father’s face when he’d picked her up at the airport from the military for the final time came to mind.

His face had lit up the second he’d seen her. There was nothing like a father’s love.

He’d like Ridge. Melah was sure of it. With the way Ridge was protective of her, and cared for her, Vernon Battle would be pleased.

Somehow, she’d get the two of them together.

Matter of fact, she wanted Ridge to meet her entire family from her Uncle Billy and Aunt Sherrie, her cousin Athena to her friends Terri, Issac, and Cora.

They were all her family and people she loved more than words could explain.

“This way.” Theo pushed her in another direction.

She glanced over at him and still couldn’t believe he was out of prison. How? He’d only been sentenced a few years ago. It was bad enough that his sentence was lightened because of recommendations the brass had given him. He should be buried underneath the prison for what he’d done to her.

“I see you got yourself a new boyfriend.”

“That’s none of your business,” she snapped. Her voice was muffled around the cloth in her mouth. She spun on him and advanced. The protective nature inside her flared. He wasn’t going to set foot near Ridge. “You don’t worry about him either.”

“Touchy subject, huh.” He laughed. He narrowed his eyes on her and nudged her away from him. He towered over her and had about a good twenty pounds on her.

She’d never understood how he had made rank. He had been a horrible soldier and an even worse leader.

“I could have killed him the other night. I saw him sleeping outside your house. Things not going well? Is he not giving it to you good?”

Melah screamed and lunged toward Theo. He pushed her down to the ground.

She fell backward and landed on her butt.

She tried to get back up, but he used his foot to offset her motion, sending her sprawling onto her back.

She struggled against the ties that held her hands behind her back.

If only she could break free. She’d show him she was not the one to mess with.

They were no longer in the military now.

She didn’t have to worry about saving face or her position.

Now they were both citizens.

Theo bent down and grabbed her by her chin. His hateful gaze was laced with ill intent. A shiver rippled through her. What did he have planned for her?

“Oh, don’t worry. Your sorry excuse for a man will find you.

It may be a while before they find your carcass, or whatever is left of it.

The coyotes and vultures will be making a meal out of you.

” His menacing grin spread along his face.

His eyes hardened as his gaze roamed over her.

“You are going to pay, you little bitch. I rotted in a jail cell because you couldn’t keep your mouth shut, and your pussy wasn’t all that. ”

“You fucker!” Her muffled scream went unanswered.

He smirked and rose to his feet and looked around.

He’d never had her permission. What transpired between them hadn’t been consensual.

How dare he make it seem as if it was. The man was truly delusional if he thought she’d wanted him.

Had wanted his advances. She’d been happy, and everything had been stripped from her because of him.

Her sense of worth, her relationships, her career—all of it gone because he’d taken something that was never his.

Every ounce of anger and rage that lingered inside her rose and threatened to explode from her. He didn’t deserve to live for what he’d put her through. Breathing this air, walking this earth—he didn’t deserve any of it .

Melah glared at him. The moment she was free he’d wish he’d forgotten her when he was in that jail cell. She didn’t care what happened to her, but all she knew was that she was going to get revenge.

It was hers to take.