27. 27
27
M alice stayed hidden until all the men were in place. He’d watched as Bonnie had pulled into the drive and gone inside, then turned his attention back to the road. It hadn’t wavered since. The same car he’d watched the asshat get into days before eased down the road toward his cabin and hesitated at the first Y. Just as Malice had suspected he would. He hadn’t been close enough to see which branch Bonnie had taken, now he had to choose one. That was why they’d chosen this as the place to confront him.
That and because it was out of sight of the cabin. He didn’t want Bonnie to see what he suspected would happen here. Not that he planned to kill the dumb fucker. No. that would be too easy.
He waited until the car stopped then broke cover. He didn’t look around to make sure the others were where they were supposed to be. He trusted them, he knew they’d be in place.
While he’d still been on the phone with Bonnie, he’d sent messages to Ghost and Lurch letting them know what was going on. They’d gathered the men and they’d gotten in place. If this fucker hadn’t been behind her, then they would have all gone back to what they were doing, no harm, no foul. But here he was, and here they were. This would be ending soon. One way or another.
He moved from the trees and toward the car, his pistol still under his shirt and out of sight. No point in escalating this if he didn’t have to. Though, from his dealings with him before, he didn’t think the guy was smart enough to take the hint.
Malice watched as the fucker’s eyes widened when he was spotted. The man’s knuckles turned white on the steering wheel, but Malice had to give him credit, he didn’t try to leave or get away.
Determined this was only going to go one way, Malice marched up to the driver’s side of the car, stopped a couple of feet away and stood, feet set and his hands on his hips. He stared at the man for a moment, then took off his sunglasses and used one earpiece to hook them in his collar before returning his hand to his hip.
“Get out and talk to me like a man.”
The fucker’s face flushed, but he put the car in park and got out.
“What do you want?” Malice didn’t wait for the man to say anything before he started.
“That’s none of your business.” The fucker didn’t stammer but it was damned close.
Malice stared at him a moment, waiting for the man to say more. That he’d been partnered with Ghost wasn’t the only reason he’d been given his nickname. He’d had people tell him that when he wanted to, his looks could make lesser men shit themselves. Some had even called it his malevolent look. Malice didn’t think of it that way. To him it was just the I’m not believing your bullshit look. Either way, he gave it a moment to see if this stupid fuck was as dumb as he’d been acting so far. He didn’t have long to wait.
“I need to see Bonnie. I need to talk to her,” Fuckwad said. His usual bravado and attitude were missing, though it seemed like he was working back up to them.
Not if Malice had anything to do about it.
“She doesn’t want to see you.”
Fuckwad shook his head. “I need to see her. It’s important.”
“I suggest you forget about her. Drop anything you have for her in the mail and never even look at her again.” He wanted to fold his arms across his chest, but kept his hands on his hips because folding his arms would be more intimidating, but it would make reaching for his pistol take longer. And while he didn’t think this would go that far, he’d hate to be wrong and have that second or two of delay cost them something he wasn’t willing to give up.
“I can’t. I need to talk to her. I need to tell her I’m sorry.”
“Put it in a letter.” Malice wasn’t going to back down. Nor was he going to tell the fucker that he knew he was lying. That would only escalate the situation. Not what he was trying to do right now.
Fucker shook his head. “I can’t be sure she’ll get it. Or read it if she does. You’ll keep it from her.”
Malice shook his head. “I don’t do things like that. Bonnie makes her own decisions.”
Fucker made a sound of disbelief. “You’re full of shit. You just want her for yourself.” Now fucker was getting belligerent. His temper was getting the better of what little good sense he had, if any. “See, even the smile on your face says I’m right.”
“No. My smile is because I was right.”
“About what?” A crease formed between Fucker’s brows.
Obviously, this guy was no smarter than his actions had led Malice to believe.
“You are as dumb as you look.”
“I have a master’s degree —“
“Having a piece of paper that says you learned something doesn’t make you smart, not in a way that matters here and now,” Malice said.
“Of course it does, it shows that I am smart enough to do a job.”
“No, it shows that you spent years with your ass in a chair, aping back what your professors wanted to hear. It means nothing when it comes to how the world works. It means nothing when it comes to how to treat people. It means nothing when your mouth and your actions have gotten you in more shit than you know how to get out of.” Malice wanted to move in and use his fist to wipe the know-it-all smirk off the fucker’s face. Instead, he stayed where he was, and lifted a brow as he continued to watch the man who wasn’t supposed to be there. Wondering when, or if, the idiot would realize they weren’t the only two men out here.
“Let me guess,” Fucker’s gaze skimmed down Malice’s body then back up before he finished. “You never finished high school. You started working as a ranch hand and have gone from one ranch to another wherever the work took you. Or maybe you were a rodeo jock. Followed the circuit for a while then got on with a ranch. You think a man has to work with his hands to be a man.” The derision in his tone was clear.
Malice quirked one brow as he listened to the fucker’s rant. He couldn’t help the smirk that settled itself on his face as he thought about how this idiot needed a couple of serious life lessons. And damned if he wasn’t lucky enough to get to teach him one.
Not a single one of this dumbass’s assumptions were correct, not that Malice would bother telling him that. He knew the type and knew he wouldn’t listen if he tried. Instead he stared at the fucker until the other man spoke again.
“What? Did you forget how to talk? Did you realize that there is no argument from a neandertal like you?”
Malice slowly shook his head, his gaze never leaving the man in front of him. “I’m waiting for you to realize you’d be better off to shut up, but it looks like you’re not that smart.” He knew enough about this idiot from everything he’d said so far today to know that would sting his ego. “I suggest you get back in your little car, turn around and leave. You don’t have to go home, but you can’t stay here.”
“I’m not leaving. Not until I see Bonnie. I’m going to take her home with me where she belongs.”
“She doesn’t want to go home with you. She didn’t even live with you before. I have no doubt she has no desire to live with you now.”
“You’re holding her hostage out here. I’ll go to the police and file a report.”
“You go right ahead. I’m sure they’d like to talk to you.” Malice was smiling now, but it wasn’t his happy, pleasant smile, it was the one that half the men in his old unit had told him was frightening. A couple had even called it terrifying. He wasn’t sure if it was because of the way it made him look or because they knew it meant he was through playing with whoever was on the receiving end of it. “Why don’t you hurry off to go tell them I’m holding her against her will? Send them out to talk to her. Let’s see what she tells them.”
Malice had no doubt it was an empty threat. The last thing this idiot wanted was to talk to the police, especially since Bonnie had already been to them about all the shit this fucker had done to her already.
Deciding this idiot wasn’t going to do anything he’d need his pistol for, and if he did, then his brothers had his back, Malice gave in to the urge to fold his arms across his chest. He stared at the trespassing idiot for a long moment, waiting for him to make a move, any move, either to leave or press forward.
“I’m not leaving until I see Bonnie,” the idiot changed tactics.
“Then we’re at an impasse. You’re not seeing her. I don’t care if I have to stand between you and her all night or for the next year. She doesn’t want to see you.” Malice kept his voice even and calm. This wasn’t up for debate. He’d made sure she was safe inside for a reason. And even if something should happen to him, which he doubted, then his brothers would make sure she stayed safe. There was no doubt they’d stand between this abusive fuckwad and his woman.
Where the hell had that thought come from? His woman? When had she become that?
“I’m not going anywhere.”
This wasn’t the time. He pushed thoughts of Bonnie and their status from his mind as he focused on the problem standing in front of him. This was what needed his attention right now. The rest could wait.
“Look, you’ve got two choices,” Malice said, doing his best to keep his tone reasonable. “We can stand here all night. Or you can leave.” He let his gaze flick to the car for a split second then back to the idiot in front of him. “I would suggest the latter. Furthermore, I suggest you go home, forget about Bonnie, and move on with your life. She wants nothing to do with you.”
Fucker’s face turned red. Malice wasn’t sure if it was embarrassment or fury and the only reason he cared was to give him an idea of what the assface would do next. It was already clear the man wasn’t smart enough to take good advice, but was he stupid enough to keep pushing Malice?
Malice wouldn’t make the first move. No. he would stand here until the other guy did, whatever move he made but if Fucker was going to start something, then Malice wouldn’t hesitate to end it.
They stood staring each other for what seemed like an eon, but in reality, less than two minutes had passed. A flicker of movement in the trees to the left told Malice that one of the brothers had gotten impatient and was moving for a better view, but he didn’t look in that direction or acknowledge that he’d seen anything. He didn’t let his gaze leave the man in front of him. He’d learned long ago not to take his eye off the threat.
Not that this fucker stood much of a threat to Malice. But he was a threat to Bonnie, both physically and to her state of mind. That Malice wouldn’t tolerate.
“Why are you staring at me like that?”
Fucker’s nerve broke long before Malice even began to get impatient. He’d learned a lot of things in the military and not the least among them was the patience to outwait a target. That had come in handy so many times since his separation, especially when dealing with someone who assumed he was just another cowboy, and dumber than they saw themselves. Or just another bartender and not bright enough to see though whatever they were pulling. He’d learned other useful things, but this was one he’d used more than a little. He stared at the out of place man for several seconds more before he spoke again.
“I’m waiting for you to realize you’re not going to get your way and go away.”
“I am going to see Bonnie.”
“You’ve already seen all of her you’re going to. Through two pieces of glass in traffic was more than she wanted, and I’m not going to let you torment her more. Go home and let Bonnie live her life.” It was more than he’d planned to say, but the idiot in front of him just wouldn’t take a hint, whether subtle or blatant. Malice began to wonder if he was going to have to put the man back in his car and send him on his way.
The idiot stared at him for several seconds longer, eyes narrowed as if trying to glare through him. Malice had seen far more intimidating stares from the horses on his parents’ ranch, and that was before he’d gotten through school. This fucker couldn’t begin to compare to what he’d encountered with the Army or when he’d been overseas. Malice lifted one brow and stared back, shifting his weight to the other leg as he stood his ground. Malice didn’t know how long they stood, staring at each other in silence. And he didn’t care. He could stand here all night if it meant protecting Bonnie.
His only concern with staying out here all night was that eventually Bonnie or one of the other women would wonder where they were and come looking. That might put them in danger of encountering this fucker. While Malice wasn’t worried about his safety, he could hold his own against this soft wannabe, the idiot had already shown he didn’t mind man-handling women to get his way. Malice didn’t want any of the women on the ranch put in that situation, but especially not Bonnie. She’d already had enough bull shit from this loser. She didn’t need more.
Fucker shifted from one foot to another then back again. His gaze flicked around them. Malice could tell he was getting antsy. Malice wished he’d brought a vehicle with him, if only so he could lean against it and look bored. But that was only to amuse himself. From the way the other man shifted, Malice knew something would happen soon. Whether he would give up and leave or do something more aggressive, that was the answer Malice was waiting for.
As expected, a couple of minutes later, dumb fuck made a show of taking a deep breath and letting it out as a sigh before turning and going back to his car. He moved slowly, but didn’t turn back to look at Malice as he got inside and started the engine.
Malice didn’t move, didn’t act like he’d even noticed any change in the fucker’s behavior. If the guy turned around and left, Malice would let him. If he tried to proceed up the road, either branch, then there would be more words, and possibly more.
Anticipation ran through him as he watched the stupid man put the car in gear. He looked behind him, as if he was going to back up, but Malice had seen how far his hand had moved when he’d shifted gears. He hadn’t put it in reverse.
Malice let his eyes scan the clearing. There was enough room to turn the car around, but it would be tight. If that’s what he was doing, then Malice would let him, but he suspected that wasn’t what the idiot had in mind.
Malice watched as the idiot cranked the wheel, looked around them again then turned back toward the front of the car, a look of glee on his face that was more than enough warning for Malice.
When the idiot hit the gas, the car moved forward, slowly at first then with more speed. Right toward Malice.
Malice stood his ground. Options raced through his mind as he watched the car approach. Years of training and time spent in dangerous situations served him well as he didn’t panic, but his mind suggested options and discarded them just as quickly.
He could move, but then the fucker would get past him to the cabin where he hoped Bonnie was still inside with the doors locked.
No.
He could stand here and let the dumb fuck hit him. Then the man would get past him and to Bonnie.
Again. No.
He could go with either of the previous options and hope his brothers stopped him before he reached Bonnie.
While he trusted his brothers, that wasn’t an option, not if he could help it.
After going through several options and discarding them all, he planted his feet a little wider, so he had a good, stable footing then unfolded his arms and reached behind him. He hadn’t even had a chance to touch the pistol resting in the small of his back before the idiot proved he wasn’t as stupid as he’d pretended.
The fucker slammed on his breaks, skidding to a stop several feet from where Malice stood, and shifted the car into reverse.
Malice wrapped his hand around the grip on his pistol, then froze, waiting to see what the other man would do.
He couldn’t help the shot of satisfaction that flashed through him as he watched the idiot’s eyes widen and fill with fear as he realized why Malice held one hand behind his back. It was instantly apparent to Malice that the worthless fucker had seen someone pull a pistol from a holster in the small of his back before. The fuckwad reversed, hitting the gas so hard he threw dirt as his wheels spun for a moment before catching ground. Malice stepped forward, following the man as he backed up. When he stopped and cranked the wheel in the other direction, Malice had no doubt he was spooked and leaving, but he didn’t relax. No the fucker had planned to try to get past him and he wasn’t letting his guard down until the man was gone.
When the fucker hit the gas again, he threw dirt again but this time he sped down the dirt road, back in the direction he’d come from, at probably twice the speed. Malice would have liked to believe that they’d scared him off for good, but he didn’t. Instead some instinct told him that the fucker wouldn’t try to confront them head on again. Instead he would wait until no one was looking and try to take Bonnie. Possibly from work. That made making sure she was safe at work a priority, at least until they could know that the dumb fuck wasn’t going to be more of a problem.
Once the car was completely out of sight, Malice’s brothers stepped into view. First Ghost then Lurch, Tuck, Jake, and the others. They all approached him. Malice released his grip on the pistol, took a deep breath and forced his muscles to relax from the ready tension he’d held them in for the last few minutes.
“What did he have to say?” Ghost was the first to say something as they got close enough to speak without raising their voices.
“A bunch of macho shit, she is mine, I have to see her that kind of crap.” Malice didn’t bother to resist rolling his eyes. “He tried to wait me out, but as you saw, that didn’t work for him.”
“I saw you reach for your pistol but stop before drawing it,” Lurch put in as he joined them.
“Yeah, he thought he was tough enough to get past me, until he realized I wasn’t unarmed and would do what it took to stop him.”
They talked for a few minute more then split and went back to what they’d been doing, a couple going back to the evening feeding and the rest heading back to their homes.