Page 110 of Ironwood Ranch Cowboys

Duke scrubs a hand over his jaw. “Perfect.”

“No,” Cody says, stepping into the room. “Perfect would’ve been all of you making one competent choice between you.”

My laugh comes out ugly. “You know what? Great. Since everyone’s here, maybe we can make it official. Is there a sign-up sheet for controlling Annie’s life, or do you divide it by department?”

Cody’s eyes snap to mine.

Silas says, “That isn’t what’s happening.”

“Really? Because from where I’m standing, you just told me who I’m not allowed to date, so I’d love to hear the alternate interpretation.”

Cody goes very still. “He said what?”

“Oh, don’t act surprised,” I bite out. “This whole place runs on men with opinions.”

Duke mutters, “That isn’t untrue.”

Silas shoots him a look that could strip paint.

Cody’s expression, meanwhile, has gone flat in the way that means he’s angry enough to become even more controlled, which on him is somehow its own kind of violence.

“Silas,” he says, “explain.”

Silas doesn’t look away from me. “She left at night without telling anyone.”

“And?”

“And went into town with Duke.”

Cody pauses. I can practically hear the gears turning.

Threats against me. Late-night disappearance. Duke. Silas. Me. Personal entanglement colliding headfirst with security concern and control.

“Annie,” Cody says, “where did you go?”

I whirl on him. “No.”

His brows draw together. “No?”

“No, I’m not doing this with you too.”

“This isn’t interrogation. It’s fact finding.”

I let out a short, incredulous laugh. “You really hear yourself say things like that and think it helps?”

His jaw tightens.

“Answer the question,” Silas says.

I turn back on him so fast my hair slips from my bun another inch. “Stop ordering me around.”

“Then stop acting recklessly.”

“Going to Old Mill with Duke isn’t reckless!”

Silas shakes his head. “Leaving after dark when someone’s already threatened you is.”

“Maybe I didn’t tell anyone because I didn’t want exactly this reaction!”