Chapter Twenty-One #2
Her pretty face pinches in a scowl. “Don’t you bark orders at me, Justice Creed. Once you stop acting like an ass then maybe I’ll share a bed with you again.”
The sass that rolls off her tongue makes my cock harden beneath my jeans. The need to bend her over this table and fuck the anger out of her burns in my blood. I consider doing exactly that but the creak of the screen door cuts through the moment, followed by Knox’s hard voice.
“We got company!”
The warning sends me to my feet, lifting Ryanne in the process. “Go get Hannah.” I leave her with the order and head for the door.
Through the screen I see it’s Sheriff Toder. My father rounds the house to greet him, my brothers not far behind. I push through the door and hop the porch railing to catch up.
“Sheriff,” my father greets him with a nod, the three of us flanking him. “What can I do for you this afternoon?”
“Just came by to let you know that we were unable to find any evidence that could lead us to the perpetrators.”
Braxten’s grunt portrays all of our disbelief.
“What about the fingerprints that were collected?” my father asks.
“No match.” His answer is as smug as his expression, my fists clenching with the need to wipe it off his face. “I’m going to assume it was just a couple teenagers causing some harmless trouble. Something I’m sure you can understand.” He makes the comment casually as he eyes the three of us.
Knox pushes forward but my father holds him back, placing a warning hand on his shoulder.
“I’d hardly call it harmless trouble, Rick. The damage is quite expensive. Some of it is even irreparable.”
Toder hefts his belt up on his thick stomach. “Well, I heard you were made a generous offer by the town. Maybe you oughta think about accepting it now.”
“You son of a bitch.” I push past my father, bringing myself toe to toe with him.
His head tilts all the way back, eyes narrowing as he meets my hard gaze. “Watch yourself, boy.”
“If I were you, I’d take your own advice, Sheriff, and share it with all your friends before someone gets hurt.”
“That a threat?” he asks.
“A warning,” I tell him. “The law in Mississippi states we have the right to defend our property and that’s exactly what we intend to do. Any more unwanted trespassers will find themselves leaving in a body bag.”
He points his finger at me, his eyes bulging in fury. “Don’t you quote the law to me, you smug son of a bitch. I am the law and I’ll—”
My father steps between us, forcing him back. “That’s enough, Rick. I think it’s time you leave.”
He opens his mouth but whatever he’s about to say is silenced when the front door flies open and Hannah’s voice cuts through the air.
“Wow, look at the cool police car!”
I turn around to find Ryanne running out after her, lifting her into her arms. “I told you to stay inside,” she scolds softly.
“But look at the police car, Mama.”
“I see it.” She positions Hannah on her cocked hip and faces the rest of us from the porch.
“Ryanne,” Toder speaks in stunned surprise, shock replacing his furious expression as his eyes shift from her to Hannah.
“Rick.” Ryanne’s greeting is anything but friendly, her chin lifting in indignation.
“Do your parents know you’re back in town?” he asks.
“I haven’t had anything to do with them for a long time now, something I’m sure you’re well aware of.”
Admiration fills my chest as I witness that strength I remember from her all those years ago.
He clears his throat, having the decency to look like the ass he is. “I know they’d at least appreciate a phone call.”
“Well they aren’t going to get it,” I say, cutting back in.
His gaze narrows once more on me before shifting to my father. “You really should reconsider that offer, Creed.”
“You know what this land means to me and my family, Rick. I’m not selling it for any amount of money. It’s best y’all respect that, or like my boy said, someone is going to get hurt.”
His jaw clenches with the need to say more but thankfully he’s smart enough to know when to quit. “Have it your way.” He climbs back into his patrol car and drives off.
“How come that policeman seems angry, Daddy?” Hannah asks, her voice timid as she and Ryanne walk up to us.
“Because he’s an asshole,” Braxten answers without thinking.
I send him a glare then take Hannah into my arms. “Don’t worry about it, baby. He was just here asking some questions. Next time Mama tells you to stay inside you listen, got it?”
She nods. “Yes, sir.”
I press a kiss to her hair, breathing in her scent and letting it ease the rage burning inside me.
My father reaches for her. “What do you say, Farmer Hannah, you wanna move on to them pigs now?”
“I’m ready.” Her excitement returns full force as she leaps into his arms. “You wanna come watch, Mama?” she asks, looking at Ryanne.
“I’d love to.” Ryanne begins to follow but before she can make it too far, I snag her wrist and swing her back to me, reeling her in for a hard kiss.
My tongue parts her lips for a quick taste, inhaling everything that belongs to me, with my brothers’ watchful eyes on us.
By the time I pull back her breathing is heavy and eyes hooded. “What was that for?” she asks.
“I’m proud of you for standing your ground with Toder.”
“Yeah?” She quirks a brow.
I nod.
“Good. Remember that the next time I stand my ground with you, Justice Creed.” With a hard pat to my cheek, she walks away, tossing a sassy smile over her shoulder.
Braxten breaks into muffled laughter, finding her as funny as she does herself.
We’ll see which one of us is wearing that smile by the time I’m done with her tonight.