“We worked for a business tycoon and rancher that ran illegal bull-riding events.”
“Oh hell, Elise,” Tommy stated as he ran his hand through his hair. Vic felt his stomach clench again. Those illegal events left many men for dead and bulls destroyed, too. They were despicable.
“Devlon bet on an event he rode in and won, but the owner had plans of someone else winning, so he could take the money. It was over fifty thousand dollars. Plus, Devlon owed this guy twenty thousand from gambling.”
“Shit,” Tommy stated.
“So what happened after the match?”
“They beat him and killed him.” She lowered her head. Vic squeezed her shoulders.
“What do you mean, the business tycoon?” Vic asked.
“It was his men, but he ordered it.”
“You know this for certain?” Tommy asked.
“It was him, but they dumped Devlon’s body in between the cabins we all stayed at. I saw him that night. I saw the crowd of cowboys gathered around and people yelling to call the sheriff, but it was too late. Devlon was beaten and shot multiple times. They were sending a message, to never double-cross their boss.”
“You saw his body, baby?” Tommy asked and she nodded her head.
Vic pulled her into his arms and hugged her to him.
When she pulled from his shoulder to look into his eyes, she was crying. “This is why I was so quiet when we first got here. I have been avoiding these types of places for years and these types of people, the ones who ride bulls.” She chuckled as she cried. “And here you two are, bull-riding trainers and all. It’s crazy.”
He pressed her head against his shoulder and continued to hug her.
“I’m sorry you went through that, baby. So sorry that you had to see him like that,” Vic stated.
She pulled back and wiped her eyes.
“It was hard, but it forced me to get the hell out of Tennessee.”
“How did you do it? How did you get out of there?” Tommy asked, and immediately Vic noticed her demeanor changed. She turned away and began to slide off of Vic’s lap to stand.
“It doesn’t matter. I had to leave. They were coming for me next.”
“What do you mean?” Tommy asked.
She turned to look at them.
“They wanted me to pay off Devlon’s debt.”
“How? By riding bulls?” Vic asked, feeling shocked.
She shook her head and whispered before she turned away. “By riding men.” She crossed her arms in front of her and stared out over the water.
“Jesus!” Tommy whispered as he stepped toward her and wrapped his arms around her from behind. He laid his chin on her shoulder as Vic walked in front of her. He and Tommy locked gazes a moment. They were both concerned.
Vic placed his fingers under her chin so that Elise would look up into his eyes.
“How did you get out of there?” His heart pounded in his chest. If she were forced into sex to save her own life, it would kill him inside.
“I’d rather not say.”
Vic exhaled then placed his hands on his hips.
“Did you do what they said? Did you do that to survive?” He found himself asking but not wanting to know the answer. When she shook her head, he felt relief fill him. “No matter what happened, no matter what you needed to do to get out of there and survive, it’s okay with us. We won’t judge you, Elise. We love you and you’re our woman now,” Vic told her.