Branded as Trouble (Rough Riders #6)(93)

“Habit. Although, I’ll point out I didn’t sneak. I was already here when you snuck out.”


“And when did you slink away, deputy?”


“As soon as humanly possible.”


“Why?” It was weird having a conversation with someone she couldn’t see. Almost like he was a ghost. Or she was in a confessional.


“My older brothers are pissed off at me for some things I said.


Dad ain’t bein’ real friendly either. I ain’t about to apologize. If pesky Keely wouldn’t have forced me to come by showing up on my doorstep, I wouldn’t even be here tonight.”


“You guys are still fighting? That happened a couple weeks ago.”


“How’d you know about it?”


“That was the same night I called Colt to help me with Sky and Kade’s girls. I knew he was upset but he didn’t get into specifics.”


“Just as well.”


Kyler, Thane and Gib ran inside.


The sound of sloshing liquid drifted to her. India recognized the sound of a half-empty bottle of booze and her mouth watered.


“So you never answered my question, India. What’re you thinking about?”


“I’m contemplating my place in the universe. Or my navel.


Take your pick. They seem to be one in the same these days.”


“Smartass.”


“Sorry. I needed a second to clear my head because it is overwhelming. What are you out here thinking about?”


“I’m a trained soldier. It isn’t my job to think. It’s my job to do what I’m told.”


“Is that why you went into law enforcement? Just another set of orders to follow?”


“Maybe. You have to admit…the uniforms are sexy as shit.”


India laughed. “And every woman loves a man in uniform.”


“Loves. Right.”


Rather than quiz him on why he was so determined to keep Domini at arms length, she asked, “Do you miss being a soldier?”


“Yes.” More sloshing liquid. “And no.”


“Well, that cleared things up a whole bunch for me, thanks.”


Cam’s chuckle wasn’t particularly pleasant. “Welcome to my world.”


She shivered as much from his tone as the temperature.


“You want my coat?”


I want a drink of whatever you’re having.


“No. Thanks, though. I should head back inside. Probably time to eat.”


“They’ll come looking for us. Or maybe I oughta say Colt will come looking for you.”



“You don’t sound too happy about that prospect.” India faced him, or where she thought he might be lurking. “In fact, several times, like at the basketball game, you’ve questioned whether I should be with Colt because he ends up injured around me.”


“Sorry for snapping, I was on edge about Domini’s situation that night.” Pause. “Besides, why would you give a shit what I say or what I think?”


“I don’t. But if you think Colt doesn’t listen to you or care about what you say or what you think, you’re an idiot, Deputy McKay.”


She could tell that statement caught him off guard. “I wouldn’t torpedo the first decent relationship Colt’s ever had, India. Far from it.”