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Which is also why I wasn’t allowed to have anything to do with the planning.
People mingle and chat as the wait staff wearing white suits bring around champagne and appetizers. I know the moment we are spotted as people turn and stare, their conversations momentarily stop.
I should smile and welcome my guests, but I don’t have it in me right now. Instead, I lead Dakota over to the bar. “Whiskey. Neat. Double.” The bartender nods once and grabs a glass.
“Of course, Sir,” he says, looking between me and Dakota.
“I would love a red wine, too, please,” she says as the bartender slings a glass of amber liquid across the bar top. “You must excuse him; he’s a nervous wreck at these things. Social gatherings just aren’t his thing. Sometimes he forgets basic manners, don’t you, babe?”
“Yup,” I grunt, taking a sip of my whiskey. I down half the drink in one gulp, relishing in its smoky burn. The pain is a welcome distraction from my current surroundings. And company.
“Declan!” A deep voice rings from behind us. Recognition floods me, making me down the rest of my drink and motion for another as Dakota accepts her wine.
I turn to find a face that begs to meet my fist.
“Jones.” I clench my jaw as the man approaches.
I don’t like many people, but if there’s one man I truly hate, it’s Todd Jones. Owner of the next biggest ranch in the area, he always goes out of his way to make things difficult for me, no matter what it is.
“Fancy party you throw here. Not like the fundraiser we threw at our ranch last month, but it’s—quaint.”
“I think it’s lovely, don’t you, babe?” Dakota asks, linking her free arm with mine.
“Speaking of lovely, who are you?” Todd’s attention turns to her, and more specifically, where our arms are joined.
“Dakota Meyers. And you are?”
“Todd Jones. Owner of Three Hills Ranch.” Todd holds out his hand for a shake, which Dakota accepts, only to have him lift her hand and place a kiss on her knuckles with a slight bow.
What the fuck is with men kissing her hand tonight?
“Knock it off, Jones,” I say, pushing him away from her hand.
“Relax, Declan, I’m just being polite.” He turns to Dakota. “I swear he’s such a caveman sometimes. Don’t tell me the rumours are actually true and you’re a couple. You are much too good for him.”
I’m a breath away from sucker punching Todd when Dakota squeezes my arm and dons her courtroom voice.
“The rumours are very much true and believe me, I’m thankful every day I convinced this man to be mine. You also don’t know the first thing about me, so do not presume you know that I’m too good for him. I think daily he’s too good for me.”
“He’s not too good for anyone, except his own ego,” Todd laughs out loud, raising his voice so everyone can hear.
“Listen, Jones.” I take a menacing step toward the man, only to be held back by Dakota’s grip on my arm and Wyatt’s restraining grasp on my shoulder. I didn’t hear my friend approach, but I’m not surprised he shows up when I need him.
“Can it, Jones,” Wyatt warns.
“Or what, Winters?” Todd rounds on Wyatt, not lowering his voice. “What are you going to do? You need my money too much for the rodeo. You won’t kick me out.”
“Fuck this!” I brush off both Dakota and Wyatt. “And fuck you, Jones. You come waltzing in here acting like you’re some hot shot rancher when all you are is a washed up wanna-be trying to be relevant.”
“At least I’m trying to make a name for myself. Better than a silver-spoon fed trust fund baby that couldn’t work on a ranch, much less run one.”
I can feel the anger rising in my chest. I want to lay my hands on Jones, get out all the anger that’s been brewing inside of me, but I can’t. Not here.
Breaking my gaze away from him, I notice we’ve gathered a crowd around us. The very people I have to impress are now gasping, staring as if we are a circus attraction, which, to be honest, we are right now.
Todd looks smug with his chest puffed out, strutting like he’s won. “Got nothing to say, Declan? Don’t worry. Soon I’ll have your ranch, and your woman.” Todd leers at Dakota in a way that makes me want to claw his eyes out. I may not have a claim to Dakota himself, but I won’t let this snake get so much as another look at her.
Before I realize what I’m doing, I lunge forward and grab Todd by the collar with both hands, pulling him close. “Get the fuck off my property, Jones, and you can take your money with you. I don’t want you to have anything to do with the rodeo; do you understand me? You won’t even be able to watch from the stands after I’m done with you.” I lower my voice, uttering my words through gritted teeth at his ear. “Say what you want about me and my ranch, but if you so much as even breathe in Dakota’s direction again, it will be your last. Do you understand me?”
