Page 47 of Cowboy Peril

First, she needed to distract him enough to get a hold of that gun. “Can you get me a phone?”

“I’m thinking.”

“I could log in on yours.”

“You’d like that, wouldn’t you?” He peered in the rearview mirror again. “I’m sure you know a way to do that so they can track us.”

“I’m no techno-geek.” She forced a laugh, trying to sound lighthearted and foolish despite the fear coursing through her. If he actually believed her to be dumb, it might work in her favor. “How did you get on the ranch? We thought we had everything covered.”

He laughed. “I’m smarter than you and a bunch of cowboys. Most men will do anything to protect the woman they love, even give me their clothes.”

She frowned. “I don’t know what that means.”

“I took that Buster guy’s clothes by threatening to shoot the woman he cares for. We’re the same build. All I had to do was keep my head down and waltz into that barn. Brilliant. See? That’s why I’m going to get what I want. I’ve thought through every possible scenario.”

Keep bragging. You’ve never dealt with Parker Wells before. She hadalwaysgotten what she wanted. “Those kids sure were excited about building a fire to cook their own hotdogs. Too bad they won’t be able to do that. You probably traumatized them for life.”

“Good. I don’t like kids.”

“How can you not like kids? It must be because you haven’t been around them. I used to feel the same way, but working on the ranch has given me a new understanding of what’s important in life.” She tried again to reach the tire iron.

“Oh, yeah? Like what?”

“People. Love. Not investing in the rat race. Take you, for example.” The handcuff bit into her skin as she stretched. “Money’s all you care about. Why do you need it so bad?”

“A question from someone who’s never been without.” Derision dripped from his words.

“I can’t help it because I was born to parents with money. My father worked hard for what he had.” She gave up, tears springing to her eyes. The iron was only inches from her foot. A mile of inches.

Despair swelled. What if she didn’t find a way free? What if Colt was injured more than she thought and couldn’t come for her? What if the sheriff couldn’t find her in time?

“You’ve gone quiet,” Mark said.

She sniffed. “Leave me alone.”

“Are you crying?”

“No.” Almost. She took a deep breath. She wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of knowing how frightened she was.

“I’m not going to drive all the way to Mexico with some whiny, sniveling woman. Chin up, or I’ll dump your body somewhere no one will be able to find you.”

Heartless man. “I’m entitled to a few moments of self-pity. In that note you said you once wanted to marry me. What happened?”

“Your father refused my request. Accused me of stealing from the company.”

“Weren’t you?”

“Yeah. Your point? I wouldn’t have had to embezzle funds if I’d married you.”

“I didn’t know you existed.” The man was delusional.

“That could’ve been easily remedied. Had he not said no, made accusations and threats, your parents would still be alive. It’s really all your father’s fault, you see.”

“What do you so desperately need money for that you’d commit murder?”

He shrugged. “At first, it was to pay for my mother’s medical bills, but it’s too late for her now. It’s all about revenge. Plain, simple revenge toward the family that ruined my life…and hers.”

Chapter Twenty

---