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Chapter Sixteen

RED

“ W ill you stop pitching a hissy fit!” I grin as Cami fumes in my truck.

She made me take her to every pharmacy in the county for the morning-after pill. I tried to explain that she’d never find them, but she wouldn’t hear it.

“What kind of backward state bans medicine?” She crosses her arms as she stares out her window.

I can’t say I blame her. It should never come to our government making choices about our bodies, but here we are.

“Red ones. They aren’t banned, just not stocked. Sugar, if you want, I’ll drive you to every pharmacy in Texas until we find some.” She sighs and relaxes a little.

“I can’t believe how stupid I’ve been. I didn’t even know you took them! I guess I just got lax with it since Ry…” I throw a look her way when his name slips out of her mouth.

“I’ll fuck his name out of your mouth, Sugar. Do not bring him up when we’re discussing a situation that may or may not have you bearing my children.” Her eyes widen and then narrow.

“Are you one of those neanderthal men that get overprotective of their pregnant partners?” What the fuck did she just call us?

“Partner? No, I don’t fuck partners the way I fucked you. We are so much more than that, Darlin’. If you get pregnant, you will be my wife. Plain and simple.” She rolls her eyes at me and returns to looking out the window.

“It’s not the fifties. I do not need to be married to have a baby.

And if that is what cowboys call a proposal, no wonder you think like cavemen.

Besides, the chances are unlikely right now.

I was just trying to be a responsible adult.

We aren’t even in a relationship.” I hit the brakes and veer off the road.

Horns blare as the traffic around us avoids a traffic accident as I park my truck and turn on this infuriating, gorgeous woman.

“Listen here, Darlin’. ‘Cause apparently, I wasn’t as clear as I thought I was last night.

I made you mine. MINE. That means I don’t share, I don’t give up on you, I don’t walk away, and it sure as hell means we are in a relationship.

In a very serious, committed one where we would need to get married with a family in the near future.

Now, do you have any questions?” She opens her mouth, closes it, swallows hard, and then fucking pouts.

“TONS! You can’t just announce all that like you’re the final say on it.” I grin as I turn the truck back to merge onto the highway.

“I just did. You get what you get, and you don’t bitch. You’ve been after my ass since you landed in Texas. Congratulations, Darlin’, you got yourself a cowboy.” I drive us home as the sun finally breaks through the clouds, and I can’t help thinking it’s a good omen.

When we arrive, Colton is on the porch, pacing on his cell phone. He pulls on his beard in thought as he listens to who is on the other line.

“Right, and the meeting is in an hour?” I open Cami’s door and help her out of the truck.

“Yes, we’ll be there, thank you.” He hangs up and smiles at us as we approach him hand in hand.

“I have fantastic news. How badly do you wanna stick it to your ex?” Cami bounces up slightly with a joyous smile.

“I’d crucify him if I didn’t think he’d try to become Christ’s second coming. Why?” The excitement in her tone should scare me, but instead, I find my cock getting harder.

“Got a good power suit in that suitcase upstairs?” She nods at Colton and then lets go of my hand to rush inside to change.

“What have you done?” I cross my arms as he snorts.

“We’re going to crash an emergency planning meeting the Danders are holding. Go put on a suit. We have thirty minutes.” I slapped his shoulder and headed up as well.

Twenty-five minutes later, we are all entering town hall to a chaos of raised voices. Colton went directly to the mayor and spoke to him privately as I led Cami into the multi-purpose room Serenity uses for everything from traffic court to council meetings.

“Camila, how are you?” My jaw tenses as Jeremiah comes over to kiss my woman.

I drag her behind my back and step into his face.

“Touch her. I dare you.” His smile never drops.

Instead, he tilts his chin in the direction of the town sheriff, who is in attendance tonight.

“When have I ever given a fuck about the law?” I tilt my head to the side, wondering if he believes jail time would stop me from kicking his ass.

He must sense the answer to that question cause he holds up his hands and backs off.

“This is a closed-door planning board meeting. Not sure what you’re doing here, Justice.” Cyrus Dander approaches us with his customary sneer.

He’s the youngest of the group, and Ma always said he must not have gotten enough love as a child since he’s a pickle shy of a sandwich. It’s his eyes that unnerve me. They’re always so unfocused and downright deranged.

“We haven’t had the pleasure. Cyrus Dander.” He reaches out for Camila’s hand, but I swat it away.

“Nor will you ever.” The mayor slams his gavel on the table and the room quiets and turns in his direction.

“Before we vote on the plans for the highway expansion, Colton Justice has a few items he’d like to present to the board.” Mayor Grant points at Colt, but before my brother can speak, the Danders butt in.

“He has no business addressing us tonight. He isn’t a member of this board.” Elijah Danders calls out to the room, and I sigh.

He’s always had a thing against Colton ever since my brother stole the prom queen from him and took her virginity. My straight-laced, law-abiding brother isn’t the saint everyone thinks he is.

He’s worked hard to keep his image clean, but he’s seen a few back-alley fights in his day.

“Well, this injunction says otherwise. I’d get your attorney on the phone.” The crowd starts to mutter, and Cami squeezes my hand.

“This is better than TV.” I glance down at her giddy tone.

“Mr. Justice has informed me that Danders Construction is under investigation for corporate espionage. Until this matter is concluded and settled, the Town of Serenity must vote on whether or not to approve their bid.

The members go up to cast their votes one by one. We stand against the back wall as the mayor counts out the fifteen votes.

“The motion to deny the bid passed with thirteen to two votes. Thank you all for coming out tonight on short notice.” Mayor Grant bangs the gavel, and the Danders start shouting.

“We’ll see you in court, Justice!” Elijah pulls his other brothers out the door as Colton joins us.

“Fucking assholes actually think they have a chance in hell.” I’m paying attention to Colt as he speaks, but my eyes are watching the mayor’s daughter approach us with a sweet-as-sin smile on her face.

Oh fuck.

“Colton, Red. Oh, hello again.” Becca Grant waves at Cami, who has turned to stone next to me.

“Do you have dinner plans tonight, Red?” I raise our entwined hands so she can see them.

“I do, Ms. Grant. I’ll be busy every night.” Her face drops, but then she smiles again.

“I see. Congrats to you both. You’ll be the envy of the town. I’d teach her to shoot Red. Have a good evening.” She walks away with her head held high.

“I like her.” That catches me off guard.

“She’s a sweet girl.” I instantly feel horrible for the way I’ve treated women in the past.

As if they were just temporary fixtures I could use and discard at my discretion.

“Is that guilt I see in your eyes for your whorish ways, big brother?” Colton grins as Cami giggles next to me.

“I will bury you next to Mittens.” Colton gasps and fucking clutches his pearls.

“Why I never.” He flips imaginary hair over his shoulder as he walks away, then stops when what I said hits home.

“Where Mittens is buried? You said she was stolen!” I bite my lip and try not to snicker.

“She was under my truck. You were twelve. I couldn’t tell you I flattened her.” Colton launches himself at me.

“YOU FUCK!” Cami laughs as he beats on me.

A whistle blows, and we break apart to look at the Sheriff.

“Go home, you two. I’m not dealing with your Mama tonight.” I take Cami’s hand, and we flee the town hall.

“How many times has your Ma bailed you idiots out?” I glance at her as I start the truck.

“This year?”