“He’s got a license,” Beck replied as he dialed the number on his cell phone.
“How do I know that? I don’t even know you, except that you’re Ridge’s brother.”
“This is our other brother, Jace. Retired Green Beret, like the rest of us. He’s more than trained, honey. He’s a lethal weapon.”
Valentina’s eyes widened and then she looked Jace over. He hadn’t thought that expression would affect him, but damn if the woman was hot and getting hotter by the second. Who was she? Where did she come from? Why the fuck did he care?
“Green Beret or not, he’s just as wrong for pulling a weapon on me.”
“You pulled on me first.”
“Damn straight,” she said back and then looked at Beck as she heard him saying that they would ‘be at the house when he got there.’
* * * *
Standing on the front porch steps, Valentina was tapping her foot as they waited for the sheriff to arrive. Ridge joined them, and another guy came out the front door.
“What in God’s name is going on?” Sparrow asked, looking her over. She had pulled off her hoodie, and Beck had offered her a bottle of cold water.
“Your new tenant pulled a gun on me in the woods.” Jace snapped. Sparrow was a big guy who looked like he was the oldest and the meanest of the brothers, except maybe for Jace. He was a jerk and a half with a bad attitude.
“A gun? What the fuck are you doing with a gun? You could shoot yourself!” Sparrow yelled.
She chuckled and then crossed her arms and turned away from them as she saw the sheriff’s patrol truck coming down the long road before their driveway. It would take him another thirty seconds or so to arrive.
“Did she just turn her back on me?” Sparrow asked, his tone harsh and almost firm enough to make her turn back. God, these military men were a force.
“Sure did. She’s crazy I’m telling you. Could shoot any of us if we’re not careful,” Jace said to her. She swung around to face him.
“First of all, I’m not crazy, and I know how to use my weapon. Secondly, you came at me first and I was defending myself. Maybe you’re just pissed off because I was able to draw my gun on you first and held my gun to your neck.”
“What?” Sparrow asked.
“She got the pull on you?” Ridge asked, chuckling.
“She didn’t get the pull on me. I let her make that move. Ask Beck where she was when he got there. Underneath me, arms above her head, pleading for mercy,” Jace said to her, looking her body over at the same time his brothers were.
She should have been bent out of shape, pissed off and ready to hit him—hell, all of them. But instead, her pussy spasmed and her breasts felt full and aroused. What in God’s name? She exhaled and threw up her hands.
“Jerko,” she said aloud as the sheriff’s truck came to a stop and the sheriff got out.
Holy shit, another tall, badass-looking guy. What was with this town?
The introductions were made and the sheriff eyed her over and listened as Jace started to explain what happened and she interjected when necessary. Was it just her, or was the sheriff seemingly amused at this?
“Listen, we can go round and round about this all freaking morning. I have things to do. Can you please let these men know that I have a license to carry and am more than capable of handling my weapon?”
The sheriff looked at Jace. “She is legit. Let’s cross this off as a misunderstanding and be grateful that no one got hurt,” the sheriff said to them.
“Thank God, finally. If I had to listen to these two argue any longer, my head would explode,” Beck stated, throwing his hands up in the air.
“Maybe he needs to learn some manners,” she whispered and then put her palm out for Beck to give her gun.
“I need to learn manners?” Jace asked, practically yelling at her.
She took the gun from Beck and smiled. She glanced at Jace. “Yes, it’s done like this,” she said and looked back at Beck.
“Thank you for holding onto my gun while you confirmed that I have a license. Sorry for the inconvenience of the situation. Have a nice day.” She turned toward the sheriff. “I appreciate you taking the time to come out here and resolve the situation, putting certain people at ease about my carrying a firearm and being more than capable of using it.” She glanced at Jace, sending him daggers with her eyes. His brother’s snickers didn’t go unnoticed.