Page 34 of Ride the Sky

Fallon’s presence and popularity rocked the rodeo world. Cowboys hate her guts, because she’s a woman on their turf. Hell, I’ve heard the whispers myself. And I make damn sure to put everyone in their place concerning Fallon McGraw. She deserves to be here. Even if I hate that she’s riding bulls.

Fallon sighs, and she and I move away from the bar to stand in the middle of the floor.

“Surprised to see you here, Weston.” The edges of her lips curl. “Slummin’ it.”

Weston chuckles. His gaze flicks to me. “Who’s this? New bodyguard?”

I roll my eyes, irritated. All Weston wants to do is psych out Fallon. There’s real money to be made in this event, and he doesn’t like anyone cramping his style.

Fallon ignores the jab. Keeps her cool gaze lasered on Weston. Inside, I know she’s steaming.

She scoffs, gestures at the cameraman behind Weston. “Need a camera to stroke your ego?” She bats her eyes. “Wait, I forget, they’re here for me, not you.”

Weston’s face darkens.

I smirk. Cole might be a legend, but Fallon’s the star, and he fucking hates it.

“I couldn’t help but stop to see if you decided to show up or turn out tomorrow.”

Fallon arches a brow.

Weston’s bark of laughter quiets the bar. Cowboys crane their necks, beers forgotten. Everyone eager for action, a fight.

Fuck.

“I guess you didn’t hear the news of the draw.” Smug smile on his face, Weston looks toward Pappy. “Pappy, I’m surprised, keeping the news of the draw from your girl. Although, it wouldn’t be the first time you kept secrets from your client.”

Tension falls over the bar like a blanket.

Fallon blinks then recovers. “They drew bulls?”

Face darkening, Weston says, “Earlier tonight.”

“None of that, Weston. Trying to scare my girl.” Pappy swaggers to Fallon’s side, shoving a drink into her hands. “Drink this,” he orders, “and let me handle it.”

For once in my life, I agree with the fat bastard.

Weston looks to the cameras. Grins. “Maybe she is scared.”

Fallon’s nostrils flare. “I’m never scared.”

She isn’t. It’s what terrifies me.

“Don’t,” I warn her. Weston’s baiting her. Fallon gets on her bulls blind. It’s the mental mindset of a cowboy.

She twitches beside me. It’s like waving a red flag at a bull. She can’t back down. She won’t. It was a problem when I trained her, and it’s a problem now.

“He’s trying to psych you out,” I tell her, yanking her back against me.

“Fuck it,” Fallon says, looking both murderous and petulant. Eyes flashing, she swivels her head to Pappy. “I want to know. Tell me.”

Pappy places a hand on Fallon’s shoulder. “You drew Goliath Jim.”

Fuck.

Horror and panic zip through me.

Across the room, I see Dakota press a hand to her mouth.

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