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I felt a presence just a couple of seconds later and bristled. Kane. He even refused to allow me to have this moment alone.
“You’re good with him,” he said.
“They know when you’re good people. I’m certain they can’t stand you.”
He chuckled, which made me cringe. I wasn’t normally so nasty to anyone. I had to assume I was taking my irritation at my body’s betrayal out on him.
“Maybe you’re right, Ms. Rossi. I’m sorry. I mean Mrs. Thorn, but I have to tell you that I own a ranch as well.”
“Really?”
“It was my father’s. When I came back from serving my country, I found out he’d left the place to me in his will. It needed a lot of work, which took a hell of a lot of money, but I refused to let some shyster get it.”
I wasn’t certain why he was telling me something so personal, maybe to extend an olive branch. I continued to stroke the horse, trying to curtail the nastiness I’d suddenly felt. “You were in the military?”
“Yes, ma’am. A proud Marine. It was either than or go to prison. That’s where I was headed according to my pops.”
“Oh. Did being a Marine straighten you out?”
He laughed again. “It hardened me instead. I also wasn’t there when my pops needed me the most. It’s the single regret of my life. Anyway, I’ll leave you alone, Mrs. Thorn. It’s just good to see Majesty warming up to someone. He only likes Daniel. No one else can get near him.”
“I love horses. I used to ride but that was taken away from me, and please call me Mar… Maria.” Fuck, I’m almost used my real name.
“Boss wouldn’t like that.”
“Yeah? Well, he’s not here. Is he?”
He turned his head, his eyes flashing amusement. “You’re right. It’ll be our secret, Maria.”
“Good.” As his phone rang, I returned my attention to the fabulous creature. “You are such a sweet boy. Yes, you are. I adore you.”
I laughed softly as I continued stroking the horse’s nose. I could swear his huge eyes were half closed. He was more than just majestic. He had incredible power over me. I wasn’t certain if that was a good sign or not, but I’d take it as one.
“What the fuck do you mean? Accident? That’s bullshit and you know it!” Kane snapped, his booming voice floating in my direction.
As I turned my head, I could tell his furious he was by the way he paced the grounds and his fisted hand.
“No, that’s insane. It was planned. It was an assassination attempt. Get him back here now. I don’t give a fuck about an accident report. Yeah. Yeah. I’m not leaving her. I need to get her to safety. They will strike again. Goddamn it.” Kane almost threw his phone after ending the call. I’d certainly never seen him this angry.
Before I could even ask what was going on, Kane had spun around, heading in my direction with a determined, enraged look on his face. He didn’t give me time to object, grabbing my arm with enough force a pain shot to my shoulder.
“What the hell are you doing?” I demanded, struggling to get out of his hold.
“Getting you back to safety, Mrs. Thorn. Do not fight me or so help me God.” He still had his phone in one hand, using his thumb to dial someone else.
“What the hell happened? An assassination attempt?”
“Yeah, on Daniel.”
Oh, my God. I was sick to my stomach, shocked at what I’d heard.
“Drake. Get several men to the main house. Now. Yeah, we got a big problem. Someone tried to kill Daniel. Roger is dead. Secure the grounds as well. Call everyone in. Contact Constantine as well. He needs to be here. Now.” He shoved his phone into his pocket, immediately grabbing his weapon. He did his best to keep me protected, his training forcing him to shield me from what, some sharpshooter hovering in one of the outlying trees?
I was suddenly paranoid, scanning the area just like he was doing.
“They tried to kill him?” I whispered as he stormed down the path, dragging me along behind him. I could barely keep up without falling given his very long legs. Forget about fog chasing my intelligent thoughts away. I was in a dark abyss, a prison of my own making, never to climb out. Unless I fell into quicksand. Oh, God.
“Yeah, they did.”
