Wanted: Undead or Alive 12 by Sparks Kerrelyn

Author:Sparks, Kerrelyn [Sparks, Kerrelyn]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Publisher: Harper Collins, Inc.
Published: 2012-03-27T07:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

“What can you tell me about Nate?” Phineas asked as Brynley drove toward the Carson ranch house.

“He’s a really nice guy. A mortal. Served in the army. He would never get involved with the Malcontents.”

She was quick to defend him, Phineas noted. “If Corky’s taken over his mind and his ranch, then it doesn’t matter how nice a guy he is.”

Brynley winced. “I hope he’s all right. He’s been through so much already, poor guy.”

Another twinge of jealousy pricked at Phineas. “If he’s a mortal, how did you meet him? At college?”

She shook her head. “Rodeo circuit. I used to do barrel racing.”

“You raced barrels?”

“No, my horse and I raced around them.” She gave him an incredulous look. “You’ve never been to a rodeo?”

“They’re not big in the Bronx.”

She snorted. “Well, they’re a lot of fun. You should see one sometime.”

“I’m surprised your dad let you hang out with a bunch of mortals.”

“Well, he wasn’t very happy about it. When I first started, I thought I was being so clever, that I’d found a way to get away from him and make some money of my own. But I soon realized that the rodeo had plenty of werewolves, and they were reporting everything I did to my dad. He could have ordered them to bring me home whenever he wanted. My freedom was only an illusion.” She made a face. “Still, it was a lot better than being at home. It was one of the happier times in my life.”

“And this guy Nate was in the rodeo, too?”

“Yep. He and his brother were into team roping. Kyle was the header, and Nate was the heeler.”

“What—”

“Kyle would lasso the head of the calf, and then Nate would manage to lasso the hind legs. It’s really amazing to watch.”

Phineas frowned, picturing her gazing at Nate in amazement. “So it takes two guys to tie up a little cow?”

“The calf is moving at the time.” Brynley shot him an annoyed look. “And they’re on horseback. It takes a lot of skill, and they manage to do it in a matter of seconds.”

“Okay. So what was the problem with Kyle?”

Brynley waved a dismissive hand. “It was no big deal. He kept pestering me for a date and wouldn’t take no for an answer. Nate told him to leave me alone.”

Phineas strongly suspected that was the sanitized version of what had happened. He recalled her fear of being attacked from behind. “Did this Kyle hurt you?”

“No. It wasn’t that bad.” She glanced at him. “Really. It was never bad enough to make me quit the rodeo circuit.”

“Then why did you quit?”

Her hands gripped the steering wheel, and he heard her heartbeat speed up. He’d touched on something, but he wasn’t sure what.

They rounded a hill, and some bright lights came into view in the distance.

“Nate’s house.” She motioned ahead. “Do you really think Corky could be there?”

Phineas winced. The house looked more like a mansion. Nate had to be rich. And he probably had a thing for Brynley.

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