“But?” I prodded, knowing there was more to her statement.
“I know you want to be there for the both of them, but Sinclair has been raising that child on her own for nine years.”
“Yeah, so?” I leaned against the counter and crossed my arms.
“So, she’s not going to like you swooping in like a superhero and spoiling her daughter. She’s also not going to like you making decisions, such as whether to buy the girl a horse, without consulting her.”
“It’s just a pony.” I waved her comment away.
“I’m telling you, she didn’t like it. I think I smoothed things over, but even if she shares parenting responsibilities with you, you have to defer to her. She’s the mother.”
“And I’m just the step-dad.” That irked me. I already loved that kid.
I heard a car door shut and looked out the kitchen window. “Oh, hell no.”
“What?” My mother came to look out the window with me.
“It’s Stark’s men.” I strode through the living room to the front door. Before I burst through, I stopped to hear what they were saying.
“We’re not selling.” Sinclair tore up a set of papers. “Stark is going to have to find somewhere besides Salvation to build his prison.”
That’s my girl, I thought.
The first asshole scowled and I didn’t like the menacing look in his eyes. “You shouldn’t have done that. What sort of example are you setting for your little girl?” He nodded toward Alyssa.
Was that a threat? Was he threatening a child? I saw red, and in an instant was barreling through the door. I gripped the asshole by the front of his shirt and pushed him down the stairs.
“Take Alyssa into the house, Sinclair.” I demanded. It was taking every bit of strength I had not to beat the shit out of this guy in front of them.
“Why don’t I show you your room?” my mother said from the door.
“You go, baby,” Sinclair said to Alyssa.
“You too, Sinclair,” I growled, giving the man a light shove and releasing him. “I just need to remind these fuck- ah...men that they’re trespassing.”
When I heard the screen door shut, I stepped into the asshole’s space again. “Are you stupid? How many times do I have to say no before you understand what the word means?”
“Stark will have your land-”
“Get the fuck off my property.” I stepped up and bumped him with my chest. The next move would be my fist down his throat.
I felt a hand on my back. “As much as I’d like to see these men gone, going to jail won’t help,” Sinclair said.
Jesus. I whipped my head to her, wondering why she was still there.
“I have the sheriff on speed dial, boys.” She took out her phone. “Go now or you can spend the night in jail. I’m sure your boss will appreciate the negative publicity of two of his men being arrested for trespassing and harassing a little girl.”
“Listen to my wife because I’ll be well within my rights to physically toss you off my land.”
“This isn’t done,” Asshole one said, backing up toward the car.
“Jesus, you and your boss are idiots. No means no, asshole. Stop wasting my time. Next time there won’t be talk. You’ll be battered and bruised while the sheriff takes you to jail.”
The two goons got in their car, making a crazy three-point turn and then sped off.
“They’re-”
Sinclair’s voice cut off when I whirled on her. My chest was heaving as I worked to rein in my anger. “You had no business dealing with them-”