18. Ransom
18
RANSOM
M r. Dagney gives me my first task.
“His name is Chaucer,” he tells me. He holds onto the chestnut colored stallion—this huge, powerful beast. “Track record-setter. Won over $2.3 million over his career. His stud fee is nearly $100K. Only one problem.” He pats the horse’s neck. “He won’t stud.”
Chaucer pulls on the reigns, as though offended, and gives his neck and shake.
Mr. Dagney takes a step away, which I find kinda funny.
Never met a Blood Agent who was afraid of horses.
He frowns at the horse, then holds the reigns out for me. “He’s a pain in the ass,” he says. “If you can tame him, I’ll give you more work than you can handle.”
I take the reins. “Yes, sir. We’re gonna get along just fine, aren’t we?”
I pat Chaucer, gentle-like. He puts up his nose, suspicious.
We’ll get there.
My gaze slips beyond the stables. The big Preacher house stands up like a castle towards the entrance. It’s got big, green hedges to separate it from the rest of the farm.
There’s a library on the second floor. Through the big, curved windows, there she is. Claire. All long, blonde hair. Curled up in her chair. Book on her knees.
My fingers twitch. I want to get them in her hair.
As if she can feel my eyes on her, Claire turns, and for a second, our gazes meet.
“Ransom!” Dangey’s voice pulls me out of my fantasy. He jabs his thumb over his shoulder. “Stables are this way.”