Rough and Ready (More Than A Cowboy 2)

Quake’s eyes flicked between the two of us, and his jaw clenched. “Yeah, that’s something I’ll take care of.”

“You’re gonna need to get in line, yeah? I’m taking care of it first. You can deal with what’s left.”

“What? No,” I said, but the guys were staring at each other, doing some kind of man-mind melding thing and hadn’t heard me.

“I’m all for a meeting with Randy,” Reed’s tone was laced with fury when he said the guy’s name. “But she’s not getting near any of them.” He thumbed in my direction.

“She’s gotta go,” Quake countered. “We have to make a deal. Giving him the brother instead of her.”

I wasn’t sure who was going to win this fight, and I tuned the two of them out as I

drank my coffee and thought about it all.

Randy wanted my money. Money that Cam owed him. I wasn’t going to give it to Randy. His intimidation tactics so far hadn’t worked. Oh, they’d worked, but not for me to hand over the cash.

“Randy uses intimidation to get what he wants,” I said out loud.

Both guys quieted.

“What?” Reed asked, looking my way. He stroked my shoulder to tell me he was paying attention.

I glanced at Quake. “I would assume that intimidation works when there’s something at stake. That’s how guys like this work. Why Cam—my brother—is freaking out.”

He gave a single nod. “Yeah.”

“People will hand over cash to Randy because they don’t want a family member or friend or loved one to get hurt.”

“That’s right,” Quake responded, but I could tell he was waiting to see where I was going with this.

“I have no reason to give this Randy guy the money to save my brother. I don’t love Cam. I don’t even like him. He got himself into this mess and should face the consequences.”

“So he sent his guys to try and intimidate you,” Reed said, catching on.

“But that’s not working either,” I said. They scared the shit out of me, but I hadn’t given in.

“Not with me around,” he vowed.

“Exactly. You’ve got me protected, and he has no leverage with me when it comes to Cam.”

“Go on,” Quake said, eyeing me with curiosity.

“He wants the money. He obviously thinks I have it since he keeps coming around. I doubt Randy’s threatening my parents. What if I really don’t have the money?”

“You mean spend it?” Reed asked.

I glanced up at him. “I’ll give it to you.”

He pushed me back a little, so he could turn me to face him. My knee came up onto the booth’s cushioned seat. “Whoa, princess. I don’t want your money.”

He sounded insulted. “Yeah, but—”

“Why haven’t you touched any of it?” he asked, cutting me off.

“I told you. My parents gave it to me as payment for what Cam did. Hush money or whatever you want to call it. It’s tainted.”

“So I should have it? I might only have a recliner and a bed, but I’m not broke. I’m not taking anything from those fuckers. I won’t take anything that hurt you.”

God, that was… sweet. My heart didn’t have a chance around him. Over and over, he proved himself more honorable than anyone I knew. He’d been the only person to ever stand up for me. Protect me. Be with me or do something for me without any reason or motive.