Cowboy Rough [Men for Hire 3] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Page 4

  “Tell you what. Either you can jump with the bags or you can toss them over. Make your pick fast because they’re coming up the stairs right now.”

  She hugged the bags closer. How did she know whether he was scamming her or not? Did he have an accomplice below, ready to take off with the money? “Uh-uh. I’m not doing either one. You climb down first and I’ll manage on my own.”

  “Lady, this is not the time for shit like this.” He grabbed hold of the bag and purse, and with one quick tug, pulled them out of her grasp.

  “Hey! Don’t you dare—”

  The duffel bag and her purse went flying over the edge of the roof before she could finish her complaint. Ignoring her protests, he pushed her toward the trellis. “Now climb down.”

  “No.” She wasn’t by nature a person who was afraid of a lot of things, but climbing had her frozen to the roof. “I can’t.”

  “Are you afraid of heights?”

  She shook her head, knowing her answer would annoy him. “Not of heights. I’m afraid of hitting the ground with my body.”

  He scowled at her even as he chuckled. “Would you rather me throw you off?”

  Her eyes widened. “Hell, no.”

  “Then climb.” Taking her arm, he forced her to the edge of the trellis. “Get on. Now.”

  Mack’s head sticking out of the window was what finally pushed her to do it. She grabbed the flimsy wood of the trellis and swung her foot over to place it on the first rung. Once she had both hands on the rung, her rescuer turned her loose, whirled around, and backhanded Mack in the face.

  Mack fell away, cursing a blue streak. The noises his friends made as they caught him spurred her on, and she lowered herself to the next rung.

  Her hero—or at least she hoped he really was—squatted down next to the trellis. When he made a move to get on the ladder with her, she sucked in a gasp.

  “No. It’ll never hold both of us.”

  “It won’t have to.” He gripped the edge of the roof, then dropped his body over the side.

  For a moment, she stared at him, unable to move as he hung there. Then, with a grin that was the complete opposite of his earlier scowl, he let go and fell to the ground. He landed with an “ugh,” then rolled and came to his feet.

  “Keep going.”

  Yet it wasn’t until he moved underneath her that she did so. She’d expected him to take the duffel bag and run, but he hadn’t, giving her more confidence to trust him.

  That and the fact that Mack and the bald man were now out on the roof sent her scrambling down the trellis. Dougan was no doubt headed back down the stairs to cut them off on the yard.

  “Move faster.”

  She forced her answer through gritted teeth. “I’m going as fast as I—Shit!”

  But fast proved to be too fast as she lost her grip on the wood and fell backward. She cried out, her heart skipping a beat. Her breath was knocked out of her when she landed in his arms.

  “You caught me.”

  His dark eyes seemed to be laughing at her. “What did you think I’d do? Grab the bag and haul ass while your butt got flattened on the ground?”

  Did he just now notice my big butt?

  She blushed, the warmth of the response flowing up her neck as he unceremoniously dumped her to her feet. Not having anything to say, however, wasn’t a problem, as the man moving out of the front door drew her attention—and her embarrassment—away. She ignored the sounds of Mack and the bald man scrambling on the roof above them.

  “Crap!” She pointed at Dougan, but she needn’t have bothered. Her hero, as she now thought of him, was already barreling his body toward the larger man.

  They rammed together like two stags in a fight to the death. Dougan had her man—my man?—in a headlock, but she doubted he’d have the upper hand for long. Picking up her bags, she whirled and ran for her car. She was halfway there before she remembered that it wouldn’t start.

  Hell and damnation!

  She slammed to a stop, tried to change direction, but her feet slid out from under her. “Crap.”

  Her pride hurt more than her rear as she ended up flat on her ass just as a man who looked very similar to her hero dashed past her. She turned to watch him join the fight that now included Dougan, Mack, and the bald man wailing on her hero.

  I should help them. But how? And where’s Daisy? Did she get away unharmed?

  A set of arms that reminded her of her man’s enclosed around her, picking her up off her feet. She let out a scream, but no one paid any attention.

  Relief swamped her, however, when she caught the sight of Daisy standing on the porch of a nearby house. Several of Daisy’s neighbors watched from their front porches, viewing the scene with a mix of horror and fascination on their faces. She wondered if Daisy or any of them had called the authorities.

  The man who had hold of her carried her with her back to his chest toward an older pickup truck parked in the street. She struggled, attempting to kick his legs or bite his arms, but his grip on her didn’t give her room to move. Once he made it to the pickup, he switched to carrying her with one arm as he opened the passenger side door then plopped her onto the seat.

  She pushed back, trying to get out, when he clamped his hands down on both her forearms and shoved his face inches from hers.

  “Calm the hell down. Gabriel sent us.”

  Chapter Three

  West had wanted to argue with Collin when they’d driven up to find Joe and a woman on top of the second story overhang and Collin had told him to get the woman. He’d have preferred to have joined the fight. But now that he’d touched her and felt how wonderful she was in his arms, he was sure that he’d pulled the better duty.

  She was a fighter, trying to kick and bite him all the way to the truck. If he’d loosened his hold on her even in the slightest way, she could’ve done some real damage. Then when he’d dropped her into the truck and struggled to keep her there, he was sure that he’d found a spirited woman.

  And damn how he loved a spirited woman!

  Once he’d mentioned Gabriel’s name, she’d settled down. Her ample chest, barely covered by the skimpy tank top, still heaved as she dragged in air. Her hair was wild, like she’d just gotten properly fucked all night long. Her big brown eyes still held a glint that promised to release more fight if given the chance. She clung to the duffel bag even as she let her purse slide to the floor of the truck.

  Since when does a woman discard her purse before her luggage?

  He tilted his head, hoping she’d calm down even more. “You’re Sienna North, right?”

  She nodded, her fear palpable even as she stuck out her chin in defiance.

  “Are we good now, Miss North? Will you stay put while I help my friends?”

  Her gaze slid past him then back. Clutching the duffel bag tighter, she nodded, giving him the permission he needed.

  “Good. Lock the doors and don’t get out. This shouldn’t take long.” He’d just turned around and started toward the fight that was already winding down when he heard the sound of the pickup’s motor turning over.

  He whirled around and saw the woman giving him one more fright-filled glance before wrapping her other hand around the steering wheel. “Aw, hell, no!”

  Eating up the short space with bounding strides, he threw his body into the air as she pulled the pickup away from the curb. If he’d been two seconds slower, he would’ve ended up facedown on the gravel street. But luck and speed were with him as he hurled his body over the side and landed on the truck’s bed liner.

  Tires squealed and kicked up gravel as she floored the pickup. He rolled toward the cab, came to his knees, and pounded on the glass between them.

  Her startled gaze found his, and for a moment, she took her foot off the gas. But then a determined expression settled over her and she slammed her foot back down on the pedal.

  West latched onto the top of the truck and held on. He wasn’t known for having a hot temper, but getting tossed a
round the back of his own pickup brought out the worst in him.

  “Stop the fucking truck! Now!”

  “No!” She barely paused at the stop sign at the end of the street, then made a hard right turn.

  If she throws me out of my own truck, I’m going to find her and tan her hide but good.

  Figuring he’d frighten her even more if he hollered again, he had enough sense not to say his threat out loud. Besides, he’d give her the benefit of the doubt and chalk her move up to fear. Not that he wouldn’t like to give her a good spanking just for the pleasure of it. He could still feel the curve of her ample bottom against his crotch and it mellowed his anger.

  Yeah, a spanking would be great. If she ever stops throwing my ass around.

  He tugged on the two windows that made up the rear window of the truck and pulled them apart. Although the opening was okay for letting her hear him better, it was nowhere near large enough for him to get his body through. He doubted he could get more than one arm along with his head inside the cab. And that would only serve to scare her more.

  Her mouth opened in a silent cry as she tried to reach around and close the windows. But keeping her hands on the wheel was all she could handle.

  “Look, Sienna, I’m one of the good guys. We’re here to help you. Pull the truck over and let’s talk, okay?” He hoped that calling her by her first name would make her feel safe.

  “No.”

  Still, her softer tone gave him some hope. “You’re safe, I swear it.” He managed to hold on with one hand even as he crossed his heart. The gesture gained him the response he’d hoped for. The corners of her mouth twitched upward.

  “You can’t leave my friends behind. Not after what they did for you.” If easing her fear with a joke didn’t help, maybe good old-fashioned guilt would.

  She blinked and he could see her considering his words.

  He pushed on, not letting her have too much time to think and come up with the wrong answer. “They’re putting their lives on the line for you and that’s okay. It’s what we do as part of Gabriel’s crew. But it’s not okay that you don’t let us help you. It’s not okay that you’re leaving them to get hurt, maybe even to pay the ultimate price, for helping you.”

  That did it. He could see alarm for them replace the fear in her eyes. She slowed down, then pulled the truck over to the curb.

  “Thanks, Sienna.” He didn’t move, careful to take the next step without making her bolt. “Can I get in the truck with you?”

  He took the slight nod she gave him and ran with it. Hurling his body over the side, he opened up the driver’s side door and waited for her to scoot over. He slid in beside her and offered her his hand.

  “I’m West Young.” Giving her one of his best smiles, he added, “And you’re one hell of a driver.”

  She took his hand and he felt the softness of her palm next to his rough one. Hard work on the ranch as well as time spent on missions helping women had hardened his hands and given him scars as well as a few broken bones along the way. He was, as he liked to call it, cowboy rough.

  “Do you mind if we get back to my friends now?”

  She tucked her head. “Yeah. I guess we’d better.”

  “Great.” He let out a breath that matched the relieved one she gave, then settled into the seat, ready to head back to Miss Daisy’s.

  * * * *

  Sienna knew she shouldn’t have taken off, but she’d followed her instincts, and after what had happened at Daisy’s, all she could think to do was to run. Even after West had told her that he and his friends were sent by Gabriel, she hadn’t wanted to stop.

  But West had seemed so sincere, and even after what she’d done, he’d made her feel safe enough to slow down and think. She’d called Gabriel for help, so it only made sense to take the help once he sent it. Just because the man who’d become her hero hadn’t taken a moment to tell her that he was on her side didn’t matter. What had she imagined him doing? Telling the goons Big Dan had sent to “hold up for a sec while I introduce myself, okay?”

  She took a deep breath and pulled the duffel bag into her lap again. Having it close to her made her feel more secure. Like at the very least she had a say over that. Everything else in her world was spinning out of her control and making her feel like she was lost in a strange tale that might never end. Or, if it finally did, it would end badly.

  “I’m sorry.” It was hard to say the apology, but she owed him that.

  West put the truck into drive, then shifted toward her. “I get that you were scared, so we’ll let it slide this time.” He tugged off his jacket and gave it to her. “Here. You look like you could use this. And don’t go stealing my truck again. I tend to get a little cranky when that happens.”

  She met his smile with one of her own. He had a sense of humor, something that had always made her feel easier with men. “I’ll try not to. And thanks.”

  He laughed as he brought his gaze to the rearview mirror. “Try and remember we’re on your side, okay? Especially when you talk to the two guys pulling up behind us.”

  She twisted around to stare out the back of the truck and saw the two men from Daisy’s jumping out of a Jeep and striding toward her. Their expressions left no doubt that they were angry as hell. “Uh-oh.”

  “You got that right.” West pointed a finger at her. “This time, do as I say and stay put.” He grinned as he pulled the key out of the ignition and held it up to her before clutching it in his fist. “Just to be safe.”

  He swung open his door and moved toward them, his hands up and his palms facing toward them.

  “Hang on, guys. Let me explain.”

  The man who’d caught her when she’d fallen from the roof tried to get past West. West pushed back even as the second man stopped and shot her a look that had changed from anger to one of confusion.

  “No need. She took off, leaving us behind. What the hell are we here for? To act as her personal roadblocks?”

  “Yeah, Joe, that’s exactly why we’re here. That and more.” West had his hand flattened against the shorter man. West was taller than Joe, but a little shorter than the other man who was staring at her as though she was an alien from outer space.

  Joe shot West a scowl, then backed off, and ran his hand over his head. “Why the hell did she run anyway? You almost lost your truck.”

  “She was scared, cuz. You get that, don’t you?”

  Were they really cousins? Or was that just a word men used like bro or dude? She pushed her hair away from her face and hugged the bag even tighter. She was stuck. If she tried to run, they’d catch her before she got ten feet. And even if he’d left the key, West had already shown her that he wasn’t going to let her take his truck. Besides, she already felt like she could trust him. Hadn’t he taken her away from Big Dan’s men? So why shouldn’t she trust the other two men?

  “Collin, give her a break, man.”

  The third man’s cool gaze regarded her, then gave her a slight nod. “Fine. But we need to get moving. Those three back there won’t stay down for long.”

  They hadn’t killed her attackers. She was relieved and nervous at the same time. Did Collin mean that they’d come after her again? Even though she had them to protect her? Yet she knew that if Dan had his way, they’d never stop until they got her and his money back.

  Joe had visibly calmed down. “Question is where do we take her?”

  “Not back to the ranch. Gabriel’s already had his fill of men doing that.”

  “I don’t know. I think he’s ready to accept that the ranch is sometimes the best place,” added Collin.

  “I’m not ready to push it.” West checked with her then faced his friends again. “Besides, I’ve got a better idea.”

  Did he mean better for them? Or better to keep her safe? She kept her hopes up as West leaned in and explained everything to the other men. Although she strained to hear, she couldn’t make out anything he said aside from the occasional word.

  Did he
say trailer? And rodeo?

  Her mind ran with the possibilities as he pivoted and came back to the truck. He slid back behind the wheel, his gaze drifting to the rearview mirror.

  “Where are we going?”

  He let the truck idle as Collin and Joe got into their vehicle and pulled out ahead of them. “You’ll see.”

  When she didn’t answer, he placed his hand on top of hers. “Don’t worry. You’re safe with us.”

  * * * *

  Collin didn’t bother asking Joe what he felt about Sienna. He could sense his stepbrother’s attraction to her in the way Joe looked at her. Even when Joe’s anger had lashed out at her, Collin knew that he’d felt the need to have her. He kept the Jeep behind the pickup, letting West take the lead.

  “She’s something, huh?” It was an uphill battle getting Joe to lighten up. Once he got angry, he stayed that way for a while. Collin was usually the one who tried to keep things light.

  Joe stared straight ahead, acting like his usual stoic self. “I guess.”

  “I guess, my ass. She’s got a body that won’t stop, and after what she’s already been through, you know she’s got the strength we’re going to need in a mate.”

  They sometimes used the term wife to refer to the woman of their dreams, but often, they called her their mate. It had a more primal sound to it, and better reflected their physical need for her. But physical wasn’t the only kind of allure she had to have. They wanted a woman who could stand on her own two feet, but knew when to ask for help, too. Although they didn’t know much about Sienna North, from what he’d seen, she seemed to fit the bill to a T.

  “Yeah, she’s great looking. Hardheaded as hell, but hot.”

  Collin smothered back a grin. Laughing at Joe whenever he was in a mood was never a smart thing to do. Still, he ventured ahead with his thoughts. “I’m only putting this out there, but do you think she’s the one?”