Rough and Ready (More Than A Cowboy 2)

Reed turned me to face him and set his hands on my shoulders. I looked into his dark eyes and just… breathed. I was safe with him. With his touch, his heat seeping into me, I knew nothing was going to go wrong.

“Call him,” he said, his voice gentle. For me. Only me. “Tell him you give up and will give him the money. The gym.” He glanced at Randy. “Your guys know where it is since they’ve been camping out. I want to see that asshole taken away.”

Randy didn’t say a word.

I nodded, understanding what he wanted me to do. I pulled out my cell, swiped the number that I’d avoided for weeks.

“Jesus, Harper. Why the fuck haven’t you called me? You’re such a bitch.” I pulled the cell away from my ear and hung up.

Reed’s jaw was clenched tight having overheard. I took a deep breath. Called back.

“Hello, Harper.” This time, he sounded much more pleasant. The way he could switch from angry asshole to smooth was another indication he was a psychopath.

“I give up. I’m…” I looked to Randy. “I’m scared. God, Cam, I can’t even leave my building.”

“Then give me the fucking money.”

I sighed. “Fine.”

“You always were useful for something,” he replied.

“I can come now to your apartment.” Clearly, he was desperate. The guy who’d made him that way was standing ten feet away from me.

“You want cash, I have to go to the bank,” I told him.

“Fine. Two hours.” He hung up.

I tucked my cell back in my coat.

“Good girl,” Reed said then leaned down and kissed the top of my head. I exhaled and felt shaky. This was really happening. Cam was going to come to the building, and Randy was going to take him. Probably kill him.

“We’re done here,” Reed said to Randy, stepping back and pulling me with him. “He’ll be at the gym in two hours. Give me fifteen minutes alone with him, and he’s all yours. Then this shit is done.”

“Yeah, yeah. If Cam shows, I won’t even remember his sister’s name.” Randy looked from me to Quake.

They had a little stare down then Quake nodded.

Randy and his goons went to their car, and we watched them drive away.

“Hang in there, doll,” Quake said, coming over and patting my shoulder. “It’ll be over soon. You can stop running.”

I looked to Reed, who nodded.

“I already have,” I said to Quake but kept my gaze on Reed’s. He pulled me into his arms, and I knew, even in a rundown strip mall, I was exactly where I wanted to be.

26

REED

I’d fought in the ring. Wanted to win. Always. After years of taking his shit, his belt and his hard-slung belligerence, I’d fought back against my dad. Had wanted him dead. Saw it done. Paid a big price for it.

But my father had been after me. His anger had been directed solely my way because I hadn’t fallen in line. I might have gone along with his crimes, but I hadn’t been in on them. I’d been able to handle it. Knew the score. Even knew I’d have to go to juvie to see him dead.

It had been worth every fucking minute of it.

But this Randy fucker? I’d wanted to stalk across the parking lot and finish him for even looking at Harper. He preyed on the innocent. Used them. Harper was strong and brave, but she didn’t live in his world. Didn’t know how low people went. How desperate. How dirty. Well, maybe she did with Cam, but he wasn’t anything like Randy.

I wasn’t sure if Cam was a sociopath or a psychopath. Maybe both, especially where Harper was concerned. But he was also a dumbass. He’d been born with a silver spoon in his mouth, taken the opportunities that afforded and made a good life for himself. Instead, he ended up owing a guy like Randy.