and nail to purchase the prized collection of their choice. I shifted closer to the stairs, keeping my attention pinned on the copper-haired vixen as she was escorted toward the rear set of doors by one of the burly security guards. My entire body remained electrified, my balls tightening just from the sight of her.
“Careful with that one as well, Mustang. All kidding aside. The rumor mill has it that she’s a ball buster,” Tanner huffed, even growling under his breath.
“Meaning what?” I shot him a nasty look.
“No one seems to know who she is, but she’s been asking a lot of questions the past couple of weeks, snooping around where she shouldn’t be. She’s even making inquiries with certain members of law enforcement.”
“Why?”
“I told you, lots of unscrupulous people in the business,” Tanner huffed. “Some particular ranchers are starting to notice, the kind you don’t want to have on your radar. The girl is going to get herself in a heap of trouble if you ask me. You know how tight the big boys are. They don’t like to be fucked with.”
“Interesting.” Yeah, I knew exactly how tight they were. In some ways, it was like going back in time, an old boy’s club. A feisty woman wouldn’t be accepted easily, especially one with a caustic mouth. Why did I have the feeling he had more of an indication about what she was looking for than he was willing to tell me? While Tanner was a good man, foreman for Hawk’s brother Drake as well as their father, he didn’t take kindly to outsiders.
Including me.
“I’m going to do a walk, see if there are any other ranchers that will fight our bid. Just my advice. Keep her off your radar.”
“Yeah, I hear you. I’ll keep that in mind,” I said with no inflection, making a mental note to mention it to Hawk at some point. Chuckling, I realized I didn’t even know her name.
I remained standing in the back of the crowded auditorium, studying the way the various ranchers handled placing their bets. There were always strategies, but in the end, it all boiled down to the person with the highest bid. However, it was obvious that the old timers expected to win the opportunity. I was here for one thing. Angus beef.
As the bidding process began, I paid close attention to who was most active. I knew a few of the cowboys, although time hadn’t necessarily been good to them. While the younger group of bidders didn’t surprise me, they seemed out of their element.
After a few minutes, I’d seen enough. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary. I walked outside into the sunshine, immediately grabbing my sunglasses. My mood remained surly, likely from the various nightmares that had kept me awake over the past week.
And the tequila I’d consumed in an effort to soothe the demons. The hangover left my mouth dry and my pulse skipping.
Plus, I wasn’t a patient man and auctions held no interest in my mind. As I walked through the aisles, the stench grew significantly worse, the heat oppressive for a September day. I found my way to Lot 63, the pen full of the Angus steer Hawk was determined to purchase. I had to admit the animals were impressive as hell.
But I walked on by, acting as if I didn’t care, moving to the next pen. At least I could find a position where I could study the Angus for a few minutes as well.
I moved closer to the metal fencing, leaning over the top rail. When I noticed the same girl from before taking pictures in as clandestine a manner as possible, I became even more curious, heading to the other side of the pen. She didn’t bother acknowledging my presence.
At least at first.
“If it isn’t the dangerous man,” she stated in a nasty voice. “I’m curious. Are you just some jerkoff who enjoys threatening women, attempting to disguise yourself as my friend?”
Jesus Christ. The woman was one hellion on wheels.
“Mouthy brat, this dangerous man saved you from being accosted.” I could tell she was shaking, as if the confrontation she’d experienced inside had rattled her.
“Mouthy brat? You have some nerve.”
“I guess I could say the same damn thing about you.” I lifted a single eyebrow after issuing the words, every inch of my body electrified just as before. Why would I have such a reaction to a strong-willed, bitchy female?
Even if she was sexy as fuck.
The same visions flashed into my