Page 56 of For Fillies and Monsters

I’m anything but sane or rational.

But one thing I am consistently, is passionate. And Ipassionatelybelieve that woman ismine—with every fiber of my being.And I’m fucking done sharing.

Walking into the barn, I hear the front door of the house clang shut. I suck in ragged breaths, the oxygen cutting me open from the inside out. Closing my eyes, I clench and unclench my fists, the scent of musky horse sweat and hay doing little to calm my racing heart. I have the overwhelming urge to turn around, run into the house, and strangle that maddening woman.Mymaddening woman, who is spending all her time and energy pushing me away.

Like a brat.

I expected this to be difficult. Fuck, you can’t tell me you know a more patient man than I. But I didn’t expect her to useother men to push me away, to barricade between us. Every time I think she’s starting to feel something for me, she climbs behind her wall of ice and shuts me out.

“No more, Little Filly.” Caving to my urges, I turn on my heel, the hay beneath my boots crunching with the weight. I notice every little sound: the creaking of the wind through the old boards, the shifting of the horses, crickets chirping in the corner of the musty room, cows bawling in the distance. I hear it all because my mind is quiet, my heart and blood nearly silent. One sound, one thought, rattles around in my head, falling in time with each pounding footstep against the dusty ground.

Mine.

Yanking open the front door, I plow into the kitchen, my eyes zeroing in on Nathan.

“I don’t know, Stetson. My parents do want to buy some cattle, but your place and herd aren’t exactly known for the quality we would like to have.”

Her back is rigid, as if each word is a physical blow. That’s the only match I need to ignite the silent inferno waiting to explode in my chest.

A growl tears from my lips, red hazing over the corners of my eyes. Call it ten years’ worth of watching my girl be treated like trash by everyone she meets, herself included, but I snap. Explode.Detonate.

They both whirl on me, Nathan looking far more terrified than Stetson. Although her eyes are wide, her plump lips parted in a gasp, hands clasped in front of her chest, she doesn’t look afraid. She looks hungry, and afraid of what that means for her soul.

“You.” I point menacingly at Nathan, and he shivers; actually fucking shakes. “Get the fuck out.” He turns to look at Stetson, who continues to gape at me, the same desperate expressionshe wore the day we met at the feed store on her face. “Don’t fucking look at her. Get out. Now.”

“We’re discussing business.” His voice is quivering, but clear. If I didn’t hate him so much, I’d applaud his bravery.

“Not anymore, you’re not.”

“Gus, you can’t just come in here?—”

I flash a vicious smile at Stetson, cutting her off. I don’t know what they were talking about, and I don’t fucking care. I don’t care if she thinks Nathan is the last hope she has before going under completely. She’s done with him. Even if I have to be the one to remove him from her life.

“Oh, I fucking can. Are you—” I swivel my eyes to Nathan again and he shrinks back.Pussy.“Or him going to stop me?”

“Calm down,” she snaps, clearly trying to remember the part of her that is a bad bitch—a bad bitch that likes to roll over in the presence of dominating men. My smile grows, and I know it looks feral—violent—because they both step back.

I’m so fucking proud of her. Even if she is a brat.

“Gus, leave. This is a private conversation.” She actually tries to dismiss me, and a hoarse laugh rips from my mouth.

There she is.

“Little Filly, there is zero chance I’m leaving. Either he leaves on his own two legs, or I break them both and then carry him out. Wouldn’t be the first time.”

Her eyes spark at me, trying to puzzle together my meaning. But there’s no fear in her gaze.

“He’s an asshole. I don’t know why you put up with him.” Nathan huffs.He really is fucking stupid.Stetson turns incredulous eyes on him, and I know she’s thinking the same thing. She might think she needs him, but my little filly hates him, too.

“Okay, maybe we should be done for the night. I would like you to consider my offer. It’s a better price for a hundred pairs than your family will get anywhere else. And it would be reallyhelping me out. A win-win.” She looks at me, her eyes pleading, and my skin vibrates with the need to pounce.

“Sure, okay.” Nathan does not look the least bit invested in what Stetson says and is even less interested in whatever deal they are discussing. He steps toward her and then grips her hand. Surprising both of us, based on Stetson’s grunt, Nathan pulls her quickly to his chest and then kisses her.

Her eyes remain wide open, her body stiff, as he licks at her face. I don’t know what happens next. You couldn’t pay me a million dollars to sort out the details, either. Black consumes my vision, fire erupting throughout my body, and I move, driven wholly by instinct.

“Fuck, Gus, get the fuck off him!” Small hands tear at my arms, scratching and clawing, no doubt breaking skin. My chest heaves, oxygen barely sawing in and out of my lungs. Another tug on my arm and I snap my head toward the source.

Stetson.

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