“You have no idea what they built,” Annalise said.
“I know exactly what they built, and it would be so easy to tear it down.”
“How did you do it?” Annalise asked.
“Excuse me?” Raymond asked.
Vinny frowned as he looked at Annalise. She turned her back on them and swung her hips as she walked toward Raymond. She put her hands flat on his desk, leaning forward, her big tits nearly in his face.
He didn’t get it.
She hated her stepfather, but the way she walked wasn’t in sync. Everything about her screamed attraction. The additional sway of her hips, how she leaned over, almost tempting.
“Tell me how you want to win me over.”
Raymond smiled and stood. “Is that what you want?”
“Yeah, I need to know exactly how far you’re willing to go to get me. My mother didn’t want me, but the lifestyle you provided. No one has ever wanted me for me, and let’s be frank, the only thing those boys want is their ranch, so tell me, Raymond, what is it you want? You’re right. I’m tired of fighting you. I’m tired of everything. You always win, but the least you can do is tell me how you do it.”
“Now that’s a beautiful sight. You see, Annalise, I know that by helping people, they have to owe me a favor. The inspector I sent to you, he has a little drug problem, and so all I had to do was give him the supply he needed, and then he was able to butcher the ranch as he walked around. It’s so easy. Everyone is always so busy that a little tug here, a snap there, and safety is so important you know.”
“It sounds easy enough,” she said.
Vinny had to stand and listen as Raymond bragged with pride about every single demeaning thing he’d done in the last several years in his attempt to finally push Annalise into a desperate corner.
He wanted his stepdaughter begging for his help so he would have all the power.
“Now, I’ve got you.”
There was a pause.
“No, you don’t,” Annalise said. “You disgust me, you vile creature.” The sudden turn of Annalise startled Vinny as she stepped away from the desk. She kept on walking away. “This ends today. You are not going to hurt these men. You’re going to leave their ranch alone, and you will leave me alone.”
Raymond frowned. “That’s not happening.”
Vinny watched as Annalise pulled her cell phone from her pocket. She clicked a button, and the sound of Raymond’s voice filled the room.
“You little bitch.”
“It was time for me to take a leaf out of your book, Raymond. You said so yourself, you get everything you want by playing dirty. You thought I wanted them here to try to convince you to leave me alone. It wasn’t. I knew you wouldn’t be able to resist telling me the details of how you ruined my life. That’s why I didn’t tell you, and you fell for it. I hate you. You disgust me.”
“You’re not going to get away with this.”
“Yeah, I am, because if you don’t leave me alone, and if I find out that you did this to any other woman, I will take this to the cops. Maybe the media.”
Vinny had heard enough. “Fuck this. You’re finished, Raymond. Good luck,” he said, grabbing Annalise’s arm. Without another look, he took her away from her stepfather and out of the city that he was pretty sure was giving him hives.
Chapter Twelve
“Blow out the candles,” Annalise chanted.
Gabe was being difficult, but she could see the little smile pulling at the corners of his mouth. He was pure sex appeal, ruggedly handsome and brooding.
“Come on, we don’t have all day,” Vinny said.
“Okay. Okay.” Gabe moved in closer to the cake she’d made. Annalise had put all her love into it, even finding out Gabe’s favorite flavors and fruits to make it perfect.
“Don’t forget to make a wish,” she said just before he blew out all the candles.
He stopped briefly and winked at her. How could such a simple act make her heart beat faster? She was in love.
Gabe blew out the candles, then stood back upright. She hugged his side, and he tucked her in close. “What did you wish for?” she asked.
“Can’t tell you that.”
“I don’t know if I can eat a piece of cake after that meal,” Archie said. He sat in the recliner with the required birthday hat on his head.
“It’s strawberry shortcake,” Vinny said.
Archie shrugged. “I guess I’ll find room then.”
She began to slice the cake, placing pieces on the cute disposable plates she’d bought weeks ago for today. Annalise couldn’t help but wonder if her men had any happy childhood birthday memories. They’d had hard lives growing up, but that was the past now.
After a few hours of relaxing in the living room, allowing their food to digest, they all headed outside for a bonfire.