“Lee, what the bloody hell?”
“She’s mine, motherfucker,” I mutter, the foal going crazy as I let Anders fall to the ground. “Fucking mine.”
His eyes are wide. I don’t think anyone’s ever talked to him like this before. This place? It’s supposed to be all about etiquette and polite manners. The only time anyone even gets heated is out on the playing field. Well, today he learns what the real world is like. The real world I’ve seen. The one that damaged me and left me unable to process my emotions.
Much to my bewilderment, Luce’s concern is immediately on the animal. Apparently unafraid of my sudden outburst, her only thought is for the safety of her frightened foal. She’s over to it in less than a heartbeat, stroking his snout and tutting gently.
And it’s only that that finally brings my anger under control.
“Put him in Delmar’s stall,” I call to her, my eyes going back to Josh as he stumbles to his feet.
“Oh, so you think you can take that piece of ass and my new horse?” Josh remarks with a bitter laughter. Luce is quickly exiting with the horse in her hold. “Don’t you take that horse anywhere!” he spits.
Once again, my fist collides with the side of his face. He stumbles, catches himself, and lunges toward me. There’s a scuffle, but he’s like a toddler. He’d never last a minute out there in the real world without his money and his fucking etiquette.
I shove him back into the wall, and our eyes lock as I stab a finger in his direction. “Touch her again, you fucking creep, and you’ll find out just how hard I can punch.”
“Should have known violence would be your answer. Rupert Lee, embarrassment to his whole fucking fami—”
“I’m reporting you and keeping the foal with my horse until the club decides what to do.”
“What? No, you can’t do that, you— You can’t just decide what to do with my horse!”
“Her horse now,” I say with a satisfied grin. “The staff won’t let that foal back into your care after all this. Not until management makes a decision. So take it up with them. While you can,” I retort, my last words holding warning.
The Chuk Polo Club takes harassment and assault seriously. They can’t take his horses from him, sure, but they can revoke his access and force him to relocate the animals or surrender them. The foal is upset and needs care, which he won’t get while Anders is around and has pending harassment or assault charges against him.
Stepping out of the stall, I take out my phone and find the contact number for management. It’s the end of the day, so I’m surprised when someone actually picks up. I tell him exactly what’s happened, including my own behavior, along with the fact I’ve instructed for the foal to be kept in my stall. No point sugar coating it, or when they find out the truth it will look better for Anders.
Anders steps out of the stall. He shoves me, curses, and makes a total ass of himself. Thankfully, in a matter of a few minutes, a few security officers run into the stable and restrain him enough to escort him out. One officer stays back, I recount what happened, before he too leaves.
Taking a deep breath, I turn to my stall and saunter over. As I approach, I take note of Luce inside as she comforts both horses. Horses are known for being pretty easily spooked and after all that yelling, I’m stunned to find the foal and Delmar leaning toward her, happily getting petted and looking as serene as two horses could.
“A true horse whisperer,” I comment as I pace near her. Luce has her head rested against Delmar’s neck while the foal leans into her arm. She gives a slight shrug, moving only a little so not to disturb the horse. Sighing, I square my shoulders and tell her what I have to. “He’s going to be banned from the club until management decides what to do with him… Security needs to know if you want to file criminal charges.”
“I don’t think that’s necessary,” she mumbles, her eyes fluttering closed as she continues to pet the horses. They are comforting one another; it’s a beautiful sight.
“Are you sure? I’ll be happy to testify or whatever I need to do—”
She interrupts me. “I just want to forget it happened. If anything, help me figure out how to get this little guy out of his ownership.”
Without a thought, I nod. “Consider it done.”
“Thank you,” she breathes.
I analyze the scene a little more before suggesting, “For now, do you want to get out of here? We can go together to my place… Get some food, hang out. Get your mind off things.”
“I have my truck here,” she sighs.