“Enough. I have to get to Regan,” the bastard roared out. I supposed he had a point. My da and I along with Franchetti and his sister with two goons headed over to the farm in my Land Rover. The rest followed in a rental van. Even though I should be focused on the mission, I can’t stop looking back through my mirror to stare at her. Fuck, she was stunning. For the first time in my life, I want to do things to her that I’ve never done before.
At twenty-two, I was considered pretty old to be a virgin. Between living on a ranch in the middle of nowhere and having been homeschooled, I had zero legitimate opportunities to meet girls my age. It was probably why they pushed Regan and us together.
After we pulled into the driveway, I got out and led the way inside to greet my mother and bring my plan into motion. The ladies stayed put with my mother and two of their minions as babysitters. I walked out, but for some reason, I had to see her one more time. So I ran back inside and said, “Behave, little one,” I said with a wink, running out the front door.
Chapter 3
Silvia
The second we turned the corner at the baggage claim, I spotted a tall cowboy with the hat, flannel, boots and all. The closer we got, the hotter he appeared. Holy hell, who was this guy? I knew he was Regan’s ex and therefore entirely off limits so why couldn’t I stop looking at him. He glanced at me for a brief moment before he quickly looked away as if I repulsed him. That infuriated me beyond belief. It was evident that he was disgusted by me. He can go fuck himself. I couldn’t stand the fact that he made me feel inferior because my brother stole his woman. Maybe he should have been a better boyfriend.
“Come on, let’s go before the prick gets suspicious,” he ordered. Even his voice had my body doing things utterly foreign to it.
The entire drive to his ranch, I felt his eyes on me through the rearview mirror. My heart did things it shouldn’t have done for this stranger. His long dark eyelashes contrasted his vibrant green eyes, and it was framed by his chocolate brown hair. How was it possible for him to be so hot? Regan had to be nuts. And with that burning thought, I had the first taste of pure, bitter jealousy. He’d been hers until my brother stole her away. His heart had belonged to his long-time friend.
“Silvia, stop worrying. Your father and brother know what they’re doing. We will be safe.”
“Yes, mama,” I agreed, knowing that would get her to leave me alone with my thoughts. Unfortunately, those thoughts were all about the handsome, jerky driver. We exited the car after the men secured the area, then Declan and his father escorted us inside. His mother looked up and smiled, wiping her hands off on her apron.
“Oh, boy. Ye brought some lovely people with ye. A pretty lass as well. How nice.” She came up to me for a hug, then to my mother.
“Mother,” he hissed.
Mr. Sullivan wrapped one arm around her waist and kissed her cheek before he growled, “Woman, this is Mrs. Franchetti and her daughter. They’ll be staying with us until this is all wrapped up.”
“Good, I’ve just finished some pies in the kitchen.”
“Perfect,” Declan grunted, heading into the kitchen. Really? Was this a time for him to be thinking about food?
He came back out with a pie. “We’ll be back,” he said to his mother. He turned to my brother and father adding, “Come on. Let’s go.”
“What just happened?” I asked.
“I haven’t the faintest…” his mother said.
We stared at the front door for a minute when Declan popped his head back in. “Behave, little one,” he told me before leaving again.
“Come into the kitchen. I’m sure everything will work itself out.” I felt like I entered an alternate universe. Did she have no clue who my father and brother were or what they were about to engage in or was this common around here?
“Relax. My son isn’t just handsome. He’s strong and intelligent as well,” she remarked, tossing a wink in my direction. I blushed immediately as both my mother and his stared at me like they knew something I didn’t.
Then my mother leaned down and whispered, “He is really handsome.”
Now I understood what they were thinking. Why they were under the impression that there could be anything between the cowboy and me confused me. The guy was a jerk to me. There was nothing there, and there would never be. I won’t be second fiddle to anyone. I told myself that repeatedly as we all spent our time baking to ease the fears of what was going on down the road.