Page 23 of The Unbuttoned Ranger (Texas Heat: The Heart of a Texas Ranger #1)

Sharp got out of his truck and looked around at the lot of the Steubenville motel, the place looked abandoned except for two vehicles. One registered in Chicago and the other Texas. He only recognized one.

He ’ d done some digging and uncovered news he didn ’ t like much.

He stepped into the lobby and the attendant was sitting with his legs propped up on the counter watching porn on the TV. When he saw Sharp, he stood in agitation for his show being interrupted. “ It ’ s fifty a night. Cash or charge.” He reached for a key off the hook.

“ I ’ m not here for a room.”

He rehung the key and sat back down. “ Read the sign on the door. No solicitors.”

“ What room can I find Dante in?” Sharp didn ’ t have the patience or the time to move slow.

“ Who the fuck is Dante?” The man kept his eyes glued to the TV.

“ The man who ’ s driving the car with the Chicago plates.”

“ This is a reputable establishment. I can ’ t give out names or information.”

With a shake of his head, Sharp pulled out his wallet, fished out some bills, and slapped them down on the dirty counter. “ How about now?”

The man reached over, snapped up the money, and shoved it in his pocket. “ Room 220.”

“ Thanks.” Sharp strode out, took the broken and crumbled sidewalk to the room, and knocked.

“ It ’ s about time you got here with our takeout,” Emily said as she swung open the door wearing a man ’ s T-shirt. When she saw Sharp, she wobbled. “ Sharp? What are you doing here?”

“ I should ask you the same question.”

“ Who ’ s here?” A man bellowed behind her a second before he showed up at the door, wearing only a pair of boxers.

“ I ’ m confused. Sharp, what are you doing?” Emily peered back with concern.

“ I need to talk to your friend. Alone,” Sharp said cooly.

“ Who the fuck are you?” Dante growled.

“ Sharp Creed. How about we don ’ t pretend you don ’ t know who I am considering you ’ ve been stalking your ex-wife.”

“ Look, I don ’ t know what ’ s going on here, but Sharp you can ’ t come in here shouting and making demands,” Emily intervened.

“ I ’ ll let him explain the details to you later, but for now go down the street, grab yourself some dinner, because the takeout guy ain ’ t coming,” Sharp said.

She hesitated then must have realized she didn ’ t want to be a part of whatever was happening. She stepped out of view and came back with her clothes on and her purse. She didn ’ t say a word to Dante as she left.

“ Some balls you got showing up here and sending away my girl.” Dante snorted. “ You must like my sloppy seconds.” His smirk sent a tremor through Sharp.

He stepped inside, forcing the other man to take a step into the room. Sharp closed the door behind him. “ Would you like to get dressed?” The room smelled like sex and stale liquor.

“ No thanks.” Dante reached down and scratched his balls through his boxers. “I must say, this is a surprise.”

“Is it, though?” Sharp replied, recognizing Dante's composed facade was hiding inner turmoil.

“How about a beer, partner?” Dante offered as he grabbed a bottle from the mini fridge. “You Texans like beer, right?”

“I won’t be staying long. You’re far from home.”

Dante popped the lid to the bottle. “Vacation. I like Texas—people here are friendly.” His smile unsettled Sharp. “How did you find me, partner?”

“ It ’ s Texas, partner,” he said in a drawl. “ Someone always knows something. I ’ d ask how you found CaDee, but I already know the answer. You placed a tracker on her car the night you broke into her apartment in Chicago.”

“ Whoa, slow down there.” Dante held up his hands for dramatic effect. “ Or should I call you Ranger? That ’ s quite impressive.”

It didn ’ t surprise Sharp one bit that Dante had done his research.

“ I thought you might like this back.” Sharp reached into his jacket pocket, withdrew the tracking device and laid it on the table.

“ I debated whether I should take it to the Sheriff and let him handle it, but I thought a chat between us was warranted.”

Dante stretched out on the bed. “ Did CaDee send you?”

“ No.”

“ Oh? She doesn ’ t know you ’ re here. Let me ask, how does my wife taste these days?”

So the gloves were off. “ Don ’ t you mean ex-wife?”

“ Not when it ’ s only a matter of time before she comes crawling back,” Dante said smugly.

“ I wouldn ’ t hold your breath,” Sharp said, tightening his hands into fists.

Dante noticed the gesture and chuckled. “ Why? Because you think you and my wife and son will live happily ever after in Hicksville ?”

“ No, because she divorced you.”

“ So you ’ re here as the jealous boyfriend?”

“ I ’ m here because the moment you made a bad decision by coming into Fin ’ s Creek you dragged me into this. You might be brave to walk onto a man ’ s property in the middle of the night, but that badge won ’ t protect you in these parts.”

Dante leaned back slightly as his gaze narrowed. “ Is that a threat?”

“ I don ’ t make threats. I make promises.” The two men glared at each other.

“ Do you really think you ’ re going to keep me from my son? A father has a right to see his child.” His callousness slipped.

“ A real father wouldn ’ t hurt a mother in front of his child or make his ex-wife flee her home.”

Dante ’ s jaw tightened. “ That ’ s the story she ’ s telling?” His lips thinned “ She started this. The day she took off with my boy she set the guidelines. I will see my kid.”

“ That ’ s between you and the court system, but when it comes to CaDee and Carsen, if I feel I need to protect them I will at all costs.”

“ You can have her, buddy. She ’ s used up and trash anyway. But as far as my kid is concerned, I ’ ll have a relationship with him at all costs.”

Sharp realized the conversation needed to end before he did something he ’ d regret. “ Do you know his name?”

“ What?” Dante roared.

“ Your son. His name?”

“ Of course. It ’ s Carsen.”

“ Because all I ’ ve heard you reference him by is kid or boy. Why don ’ t you ask yourself if you truly want to be a father, or are you chasing fatherhood because of your ego?” Then Sharp walked away, taking a deep breath in an attempt to rein in his anger.

He got about halfway across the parking lot when he heard, “ Enjoy that pussy. Just remember I used it up.”

Keep walking, Sharp. He ’ s only trying to ruffle your feathers.

He heard scuffling of bare feet hitting the concrete. He swiveled on his heels in time to see Dante coming at him, fist drawn. Sharp ducked in time to dodge a punch to his face, and then he straightened, hitting Dante square in the jaw that sent him reeling onto his back.

“ Stop writing checks you can ’ t cash. And stay away from Carsen and CaDee or the next time I won ’ t stop at knocking you on your ass. Got it, partner?”

Dante sprawled on his back, rubbing his jaw.

The attendant had gathered and was in shock.

Sharp climbed into his truck, started the engine and took off onto the main road. Dante deserved worse.