“I’d buck you off too if you neglected me for that length of time.”
River chuckled. “I promise I’ll ride you many times every single day.”
Brit decided not to comment on that. She focused on the horse instead, opened up her hands at her sides, and approached him slowly. “Easy, Brownie. Good boy. I won’t hurt you.”
“Hon, back off. He isn’t tame. I’m really the only one he puts up with. I don’t want him to hurt you.”
“Did that mean ole River take off and leave you?” She ignored River, stepping closer to the horse. “It’s okay.” She started to hum a lullaby.
Brownie tossed his head, his wary gaze fixed on her, but he let her inch close enough to lift her hand in front of his nose so he could take a sniff at her. He danced a little where he stood but he didn’t move away.
“He could bite.” River’s voice was closer behind her and softer. “Back up, Brit. I mean it.”
She kept humming and then rubbed Brownie’s nose. He froze but didn’t try to snap at her. Her hand inched upward, petting him, and then she reached for his face with both hands to rub by his ears.
“Damn,” River muttered. “He’s letting you touch him.”
“I’m good with horses,” she whispered. “I bet he’d let me ride him in five minutes or less. He’s a big ole puppy of a horse. He just wants some love and attention.”
“So do I.” River stepped against her body and wrapped one arm firmly around her waist. His other hand lifted, petting Brownie’s neck. “He likes you.”
“I have that effect on stubborn males.” She turned her head, smiling up at River. “As you know I also get that same reaction from jackasses.”
His hand on her stomach gripped gently. “Watch it or I’ll see if you’re ticklish.”
“Not near a skittish horse you won’t. It’ll scare him when I scream.”
“I wouldn’t have to tickle you within an inch of your life if you didn’t call me names.”
“If the personality fits…”
“I’m a bit mule-headed, I admit, but a jackass?” He winked at her. “Really?”
She smiled, looking back at the horse. “No. I just like to tease you.”
The sound of a vehicle made Brit tense. She instantly feared it could be related to Kyle. Last night she’d tried to talk River into fixing her car but he’d adamantly refused. Under threat of chaining her to his bed to keep her there, he’d made it crystal clear she wouldn’t be leaving the ranch. Half of her had been relieved, terrified of being alone, and not sure where to go. Returning to her apartment would be the fastest way for her ex-husband to find her. The other half of her had been frightened. The thought of Kyle hurting River or anyone in his family made her want to leave.
“It’s just my brother. I’m expecting him. Sorry. I should have said something over breakfast this morning when we said goodbye to Trina and Nav before they left for Houston.”
“Which brother?”
“Drake.”
Confused, Brit released the horse and turned in River’s hold to frown up at him. “I thought your brother and sister-in-law were visiting him?”
“They are going to stay at his house but he came here. He’s doing some work for the family.”
“He’s a lawyer, right?”
“Yeah.”
Brit suddenly remembered that Trip was in the process of obtaining a divorce. “Oh. Right. Trip.”
River nodded. “Yeah. He is helping him.”
She relaxed.
“Where are you?” The voice was deep and sounded a bit like River’s.
“In the fourth stall,” River called out, keeping hold of Brit as he turned to face the open door.
Drake Raine didn’t look anything like Brit imagined he would. She’d pictured him in a suit, considering his occupation. He looked a lot like Navarro with his piercing blue eyes and jet-black hair but he kept his cropped hair short to his head in spikes. She had to keep her mouth from falling open from the shock of seeing his black leather biker jacket, the leather chaps he wore over dark blue jeans, and her gaze ended on a pair of kick-ass black leather boots.
“Where’s your Harley?” River’s arm tightened around Brit.
“At the house. I didn’t want to drive it on our shit roads.” Drake flashed perfectly white teeth. “I borrowed one of the ranch trucks to come out here since they are already dusty as hell. I could barely see out the windows. Don’t you guys ever wash them?” His attention fixed on Brit. “Hello.”
“In your riding gear?” River chuckled. “Nice. This is Brit. Brit, this is my oldest brother. Drake’s really a lawyer but he’s a weekend biker wannabe.”
Drake raised a tan hand and lifted his middle finger. “I ride my bike everywhere unless I go on a date or it’s really crappy weather.” He winked at Brit. “It’s nice to meet you.” His gaze lingered on River’s arm around her waist and then shook his head. “Already grabbed her up, huh? Some things in this family never change.”
“Excuse me?” Brit frowned.
Drake grinned. “You’re pretty.” He winked. “With us Raines it’s always about who has the best luck.”
She wasn’t sure how to take that. River chose that moment to speak. “Trip is going to be happy you’re here to help him with those divorce papers.”
Drake’s smile faded. “I see.”
“Why don’t we go back to the house and then you can call him and let him know you’re home.”
“Sure.” Drake glanced at Brit. “Nice meeting you, darlin’.”
“What is it about this family and nicknames?” She shook her head as she pointed to her chest. “My name is Brit.” She shot a glare at River. “Not baby, not darlin’, or any other term.”
“She really hates it when I call her fu—”
Brit elbowed River hard, silencing him. “Don’t even say it.”
He laughed, winking at her. “I was going to say feisty.”
“Sure you were.” She rolled her eyes. “Behave.”
Drake laughed. “Do you know River at all? You may as well expect the wind to stop blowing. It comes that natural to him for his mouth to get him into deep shit.”
“It’s a family trait,” River chuckled. He winked at Brit. “I won’t say what you think I was about to.”
“You were going to say it.”
He had the nerve to laugh. “Guilty.”
“Let’s get to the house. I missed breakfast and I want out of these chaps. Damn, it’s hot out here.” Drake turned, walking away.
Brit watched the oldest Raine swagger out of the stall. He had a really nice ass. The arm around her tightened.
“Were you ogling my brother?”
She turned her head and grinned up at River. “You all pretty much have the same body type.” Big, muscular, and impressive, she thought. “I was just noticing.”
He laughed. “You can notice all you want but remember whose bed you belong in.”
She turned to face him, her arms lifting to grip his broad shoulders. “The bed that has chains hidden in the canopy. That’s hard to forget.”
He grinned. “You liked them.”
“I like you.” It was getting easier for her to admit that. She knew she was getting too attached to River and when he wasn’t a part of her life anymore, she would miss him. Sadness swelled at the mere thought of when it would come time to leave the ranch and the man who was becoming someone important to her. Fear came next at realizing it would seriously hurt when that day came. She was falling in love with him, had to admit that, if she wasn’t already there. “I’m not interested in your brothers.”
“Good. I’d hate to have to kick their asses and if one of them tried to flirt with you that’s what I’d do. You’re mine.” His other arm wrapped around her as the sound of an engine flared up outside. “We should get out of here and go back to the house. Drake gets testy when he skips meals. It’s never a good idea to have a hungry shark on the loose.”
She smiled. “I bet it?
??s convenient to have a lawyer in the family. Has he ever had to bail you out of jail?”
“Just once.” He chuckled.
“What were you arrested for?”
“Underage drinking when I was seventeen.” He winked. “It’s not on my record since I was a minor but man was Drake pissed. He was still in law school and it embarrassed him.”
Brit was relieved it was something that minor. “I am ready for lunch.”
“I’m ready to eat too.” His gaze lowered to her chest. “Just not for food but yeah, let’s go.” He released her and stepped back, glancing at the horse. “I’ll be back later, Brownie.”
The horse snorted. Brit laughed, walking out of the stall with River right behind her. He opened the truck door for her and helped her in. She flashed him a grin of thanks. He did small things like that for her. Opened her doors, held her hand, and just treated her as if she were special to him. Watching him walk around the truck, she reflected on just how different he really was from her ex-husband. The way River had announced she belonged to him should have caused a feeling of terror. It was something Kyle had told her often, instilling that fear, but with River, she just felt happy when he said it.
I’m in deep shit, she thought, staring at River when he settled behind the wheel. He turned his head, catching her expression, and frowned.
“You okay? You look a little pale.”
“Yeah.” She reached over and rubbed the top of his thigh. “I’m actually great.”
His large hand settled over hers and he squeezed gently. “I won’t allow anything to happen to you.”
“I believe that,” she said honestly.
“Good.” He released her hand, threw the truck in reverse, and backed away from the barn.
* * * * *
River watched his frowning brother pace Nav’s office. His fingers drummed the desk and his gaze slid to the closed door. Brit was making them lunch. She’d offered, and he’d agreed since he really wanted to hear what Drake had found out. He turned his full attention on his brother.
“How bad is it?”
Drake stopped and faced him. “Kevin has it out for that woman in the worst way. Word is that he’s got feelers out everywhere and if she pops up on the radar he’s got men he pays who automatically go fuck up her life. They make sure she gets canned from any jobs or tossed from where she’s staying.” He paused. “How invested are you in this woman?”
River leaned forward, his hands fisting in front of him. “Very.”
“That’s what I was afraid of. I don’t know how much of it is true but according to my sources she’s got a drug habit, went after Kyle for his money, and set him up to go to prison.”
“I don’t buy that.” River had no qualms about it being bullshit. The woman he’d come to know wasn’t the type.
“I didn’t either at first.” Drake sighed and then moved closer to bend over the desk. “I had you turn on the computer for a reason.” He grabbed the keyboard, turned it his way, and started to type. “This is going to be hard for you to see. I’m just warning you.”
River wasn’t concerned until a website loaded and he saw the content. His breath caught and then rage hit him as he jerked his gaze to Drake. Drake met that dirty look with a frown.
“You sure you want to see this?”
“Why are we on a porn site?”
Drake hesitated. “Watch.” He clicked the mouse and then backed up across the room to lean against the far wall, putting as much distance from his brother as he could get in the small room.
River stared as a video loaded and then his gut tightened at the grainy video of a party that someone shot with a shaky hand camera. He recognized a few faces from his days on the rodeo circuit. One face caught his attention. It was Kyle Marthum holding a beer, standing with some of the Marthum-sponsored riders. Some of River’s hardest competitors when he’d been bull riding stood shoulder to shoulder with Brit’s ex-husband.
“Here’s to the man of the hour,” Kyle laughed. “I knew you could take first place.”
The rider grinned, annoying River instantly. Boyd had been an asshole, an egomaniac, and had a crappy sense of sportsmanship. Every time they went against each other and Boyd won, he’d go out of his way to rub it in.
“Hey, Kyle?” someone shouted. “Your wife is coming down the stairs.”
Kyle’s face turned red and he released Boyd and pushed through a few men. The person with the camera followed into a large entryway and a curved stairwell of an obviously really nice house. River was stunned when he saw Brit. She wore a sexy white teddy, her hair was tangled and wild, and she staggered on the stairs, barefoot, gripping the railing with both hands. The outfit was so tiny it left nothing to the imagination.
Kyle shoved men out of his way. There had to be thirty of them, all men who worked for the Marthums, if River had to guess. Kyle stormed up the stairs.
“Damn it, Britney,” he raged. “I told you to stay in our room. You just can’t do it, though, can you? You got to put on a show for all the boys.”
It was obvious Brit was really drunk as she swayed, her chin lifted, and she tried to grab her advancing husband. Her arm never even came close to touching him. Kyle cursed, bent, and threw his wife over his shoulder. His hand smacked her ass hard when he straightened with her dangling down his back. The red handprint was easily seen since the teddy barely hid any part of her ass.
“You want to party? Fine.” Kyle turned on the stairs, facing his guests. He grinned. “You know the rules. Nobody touches.” He walked down the stairs.
The cameraman laughed. “Someone get me a beer.”
Kyle walked into a room, men followed, and so did the camera. Kyle none too gently dumped his wife, ass first, on a pool table. Brit nearly fell over but Kyle gripped her shoulder, holding her up, and laughed loudly, glancing at his guests.
“You aren’t the only ones who like to ride in front of an audience.”
River felt sick as he leaned back in his chair. He watched Kyle tear his shirt off and then push Brit onto her back. She didn’t do anything but stare up at her husband. Her hair partially hid her face but there was no doubt it was her. Kyle tore off his belt. Men started to chant encouragement, crowding in closer. River recognized one of those men as the asshole who’d fought with Adam at the bar. The men watched as Kyle reached for his wife. Brit tried to roll over but Kyle just grabbed her hips, pulling her closer, and tore at the thin lace that barely kept her covered to reveal her entire naked lower body. When Kyle leaned over his wife, River’s hand moved faster, grabbed the mouse and shut off the site right before Kyle entered her.
He sat there feeling sick. Kyle had taken his wife in front of his friends on a pool table and Brit…
“I know. I watched the entire thing. He did her on the table, then threw her back over his shoulder and took her upstairs to their room. His friends were laughing about what a drunken pill-head his wife was but hot.” Drake’s voice stayed soft, a mere whisper. “There were a few other videos. Same shit. He’s throwing a party for some of their guys and he did her in front of them.”
River stood. “I’ve never seen her messed up.”
“You barely know her.”
“I’m going to go talk to her.”
Drake sighed. “Okay.”
River walked out of the room, feeling anger build. It wasn’t directed so much at Brit but the fact that he’d seen her with her husband. Kyle was an asshole who fucked his wife in front of a crowd of men. What kind of bastard did that? A memory flashed of some bars River had been in when he and his friends had partied with rodeo bunnies. He’d had sex in public with women plenty of times. The fact that it was Brit who’d been put on display was what really pissed him off.
The smell of bacon teased his nose. Brit turned at the stove, removing the cooked strips, and met his gaze. Her smile spread instantly, lighting up her face. He stared into her eyes as he came to a halt, seeing pure innocence and sweetness there. This was the woman he’d come
to love. The drunken mess of a woman in that video wasn’t in front of him.
* * * * *
“I was about to call you and Drake.” Brit noticed River had an odd expression on his face. “BLTs all around.” She waved toward the island where the other plates waited. “Just let me make these last few sandwiches and we’re ready to eat.”
“Brit?”
Something in his tone alarmed her. His voice sounded gruff. She turned to face him, staring at him, and her gaze darted down his body to his clenched fists at his side. She jerked her attention back to his face and saw the tense line of his mouth and the resulting crinkles there.
“What’s wrong?”
He blinked. “Did you know you’re on the internet?”
“The internet?” She shook her head. “I don’t even own a computer. I’ve wanted one but they aren’t exactly in my budget but one of my coworkers keeps telling me I’m missing out on a lot.”
River paled a little. “You don’t know, do you?”
“Know what?”
He sighed and walked around the island slowly, approaching her, then stopped close enough to touch her, but he didn’t. “Someone taped some of Kyle’s parties. They loaded some of them up on those internet porn sites.”
Her knees collapsed as her mind reeled at the implications. She would have fallen if River hadn’t grabbed her, held her up, and jerked her into his arms. Her eyes closed as nausea rolled through her stomach and bile rose.
“Oh God,” she moaned. Hot tears welled behind her closed eyelids and she clutched River’s shirt.
“You looked pretty drunk.” River held her tightly. “It’s all right.”
“I wasn’t drunk.” A sob came out and she got control of her body, her legs taking her weight. “I was drugged.”
River’s entire body tensed against hers. “Drugged?”
She nodded into his shirt, unable to look up to see his face. “Drugged.” She fought hard to not totally lose it. “Oh God. It’s on the internet? The prosecution swore all those tapes were destroyed after the trial. They promised.” She opened her eyes, hot tears spilling out. “They promised. They—” Her voice broke.
She fought not to throw up at the horror of what River said and what he must think of her. Somehow some of the tapes had ended up on the internet for anyone to watch. River had obviously seen them since he knew and had told her. She pushed away from him, struggling when he tried to keep hold of her, but he released her when she fought harder.