Seducing a Good Girl (Book 3 of the Billionaire Bad Boys)

5

Nicki panicked as the men came through the door. She ran for the back door, her heart beating wildly, she didn’t make it to the door. One of the men grabbed her by the arm and threw her into the table, then pulled her by the hair and slammed her into the wall. Nicky fell to her hands and knees and tried to crawl away while the men surrounded her and began to kick her. She lay on the floor and looked up just as the refrigerator toppled on her.

Nicki shot up in bed in a cold sweat. She struggled to catch her breath as she looked around her dark room. It was early in the morning; everyone was still asleep. Realizing she was safe Nicki lay back against the bed with a heavy sigh. One year later and those dreams still haunted her.

She lay in bed for a few more hours trying to go back to sleep, but sleep eluded her. When she heard the house come to life, she finally decided to get up. Making her way down to the kitchen she joined her family for breakfast, and when the meal was finished, she did her best to help Lacy clear the table and wash the morning dishes while her father, brother, and Bryce went out to the fields to tend the crop. After the cleanup, Lacy went out to tend the animals while Nicki sat down to watch TV. She would have rather helped Lacy like she used to do but since her accident, she could no longer do the work.

The morning dragged on for what felt like forever. Nicki was channel surfing when her phone beeped. She had a text message. She pickup up her phone from the coffee table and brought up the message. It was from Dominic…

Dominic: Hey doll what you up too?

Nicki: Not much.

Dominic: Me too. Want to do nothing together?

Nicki paused. She wasn’t sure she wanted to spend more time with Dominic; he was just too much a threat to her better senses.

Nicki: It’s a long drive. I wouldn’t want you to come all the way out here when you have better things to do.

There was a knock on the door. Nicki got up and made her way to the door. She opened it up to find Dominic on the other side with a sly smile. “Turns out the trip wasn’t that far after all.”

“What are you doing here?”

“I told you last night I would come by.”

“I didn’t say you could come by.”

“You didn’t say I couldn’t.” He said eyeing her suspiciously. “I get the feeling you don’t want me around. Don’t you have fun with me?”

The problem was she had too much fun with him. “You’re a bad influence on me.” She said. He just grinned; she had a feeling that wasn’t the first time he’d heard that.

“Hello, Dominic?” Lacy said coming up the porch steps with a bucket of eggs in her hand. “Nice to see you again. You must have been up early to be here now.”

“Not too early, I skipped breakfast, and I drive fast.” He confessed.

“You shouldn’t skip meals; a man has to eat to keep his strength up. Why don’t you come in and I’ll make you something to eat?” Lacy offered.

“I would hate to be a bother.”

“No bother at all I have to make lunch anyway, one more mouth won’t matter.”

“He can’t stay,” Nicki said she didn’t like that her sister was butting in when she was trying to get rid of him.

“Well if it’s no hassle I would love to stay for lunch, I don’t get home cooked meals often,” Then he stopped to think, “Actually I don’t think I’ve ever had a home cooked meal.”

“Your mother didn’t cook for you?” Nicki asked.

“No, we mostly ate out, because we travelled so much. I still do it even now, I know how to work the microwave but I don’t think I’ve ever even touched my oven.”

“Well we will fix that, today you get a good country meal. I hope you’re hungry.” Lacy smiled.

“Sounds good. You know I’ve never been on a farm before let alone a working one. What do you guys farm?” He asked.

“Wheat mostly, plus we have some animals. You know what, why doesn’t Nicki show you around while you’re waiting for lunch?” Lacy suggested nudging Nicki with her elbow.

“I don’t think so.” Nicki refused. “It would just ruin his expensive shoes.”

“Not a problem, Bryce has some extra boots inside I think they’d fit. I’ll go get them.” She offered and went inside. Lacy returned shortly with a pair of cowboy boots and handed them to Dominic who turned up his nose at them but put them on anyways. He most certainly was no cowboy. Dominic was a city boy to the core. Pampered and spoiled, but a good sport. He left his shoes on the porch and stood up eager for the grand tour.

With no other possible objections, Nicki gave in and accepted that he wasn’t going anywhere. At least not until after lunch, so she may as well suck it up and show the pampered prince of persuasion around. Nicki awkwardly made her way down the porch steps with a little effort.

She hadn’t roamed the farm often since her accident, but she had been doing well in her therapy so she would see how far she got. Their first stop the fence line. The guys were out in the field. “This is one of the crop fields.” She said leaning on the fence.

“How many fields do you grow?”

“Four.” She said.

“What are they doing right now?”

“They’re fertilizing the crop so the field will yield more growth.”

“It must take forever to grow crops.”

“Farming is a full-time job. Not everyone can do it. But my family have been farmers for generations.” It was just always something they had done. She started toward the other side of the farm with Dominic behind her. She came to a fenced in pen with three chicken coops. “This is where we keep the chickens. We sell the eggs at the local farmer’s market for a little extra income. I’d let you collect some eggs for a lark, but Lacy already did it.” Then she started wandering down to the next pen. “We also got two hogs which we keep for our purposes. We raise them from the spring to the fall and then butcher them, same with the lamb and the cow. The meat gets us through the winter when funds are tight.” She said heading toward the barn.

They had two, an old one which they converted into a loft for farmhands that were passing through or looking for work form other towns. Then there was the new barn where they kept the horses. Nicki pushed open the large doors to go inside. She made her way past the horses in their stalls. Lacy must have cleaned the stalls that morning because it smelled clean. She had mucked the stalls and lay down fresh hay.

“Cool you got horses what do you do with them?” Dominic asked reaching up to touch one of the horses, but the beast pulled away.

“We keep them for recreation mostly.”

“You like to ride?”

“I used to. I don’t get out on them anymore.” She said sadly; she had used to love riding.

“Why not?” Nicki was confused what did he mean why not? She would have thought the reason to have been obvious. “I just mean the horse does all the walking you just have to sit there right?” She supposed that was technically correct, but she could never get herself in the saddle or get back down. “After all your leg is just banged up. I’ve given to charities like the War Amps, and those kids get on horses, and they got missing limbs entirely. If they can ride why can’t you?” She’d never thought about it that way. She supposed he was right. If a ten-year-old can do it well missing a leg, she could do it with just some weakness and pain. “After all a limitation is only a limitation if you let it be.”

Nicki looked at Dominic with surprise that was rather insightful for a rich kid.

“So, you don’t ride anymore, and you don’t farm anymore, what do you do with all your time?”

“I read mostly.” She said stroking the horses face. “I’m afraid I’m not very helpful with physical labour anymore.”

“So, do something else. Get a desk job.” He said backing up when the horse snorted at him.

“It’s not like there’s a lot of desk jobs in Devon.”

“So, leave Devon. Move to the city, get an education. You don’t need to spend your life on this farm. You’re a smart girl I think you would do well in college.”

“My family doesn’t have that kind of money.”

“Apply for a grant. If you want to go there are always ways to pay for it. You have to be willing to do the work and find them. What would you like to do with your life?”

“I don’t know; I’ve never really thought about living off the farm. I just always figured I’d help my Father.”

“Don’t you think maybe you should think about it?” He was probably right, what was she going to do, spend the rest of her life on the porch reading. She was only twenty-one she should do something with her life. “What do you say you take me on a ride? I’ve never been on a horse I think it would be an interesting experience.”

“No, I can’t even get into the saddle.”

“I’ll help you up.” He offered.

Nicki looked back at the horse. She wasn’t so sure how it would go, but she had loved to ride. Getting in and out of the saddle would be the hard part, but if Dominic would help her, then she didn’t see why she shouldn’t be able to try at least. “Ok.” She decided. “After lunch, I’ll take you out.”

***

They returned to the house where they found Lacy putting lunch on the table; a platter of fried chicken, homemade potato salad, and roasted corn on the cob. It looked like a good hearty meal. Dominic was impressed by how much Lacy could do in a brief period.

“It’s not so hard. I prepped most of it this morning.” Lacy explained when he commented. “The actual cooking time isn’t that long.” She said placing the big bowl of chilled potato salad on the table as the men came into the house dusty and dirty from the fields. They each washed up first before taking a seat at the table.

Bryce kissed his wife before he sat down. “Looks great babe.” He said reaching for the chicken.

Dominic pulled out a chair for Nicki who smiled at him as she took the seat. “Such a gentleman.” Lacy teased sitting down next to Bryce.

Dominic smiled and took his seat. He wasn’t trying to be gentlemanly. It was just force of habit. His parents had ingrained manners deeply in him and his brothers until it was just second nature to them. “My Mother did her best to raise me right.” He said accepting the plate of corn from Nicki’s brother.

“Well she should be proud is seems to have taken,” Mitchell said happily. “So many young folks today have no sense of courtesy. So, Dominic, we had no time to talk last night, you were so busy. Tell me about yourself.” He insisted wanting to know more about the man that was chasing his daughter.

“What would you like to know?” Dominic was an open book he had no problem telling this man anything he wished to know.

“Tell me what do your parents do?”

“Well, my Mother is a ballerina. She used to dance, but she retired from dancing about ten years ago. Now she owns a New York ballet company called Utopia where she mentors new budding will be ballerinas. My Father is in the music industry. He used to be the drummer for a rock band call FX, but he retired from the performing end of things some time ago. Now he divides his time between Chase Recordings, an international recording studio he inherited from my Grandfather and Blue Moon Records, a major production label he acquired before I was born.”

“They sound very busy.”

“They are.” He admitted accepting the potato salad.

“Do you have any siblings?” Mitchell asked.

“Four actually, two older and two younger brothers.”

“Are they also in the performing arts?” Lacy asked.

“Well, Lance is a fashion photographer, one of the best in the field. Lucas is a daredevil, you know like Evil Kanivil, he drag-races ten-second cars and jumps bikes. Brandon is in Massachusetts getting his law degree. Then there’s Justin; he’s a photojournalist.”

“And you’re an artist.”

“Yes, Sir.”

“How did you get into that?”

Dominic took some chicken and passed the platter. “I just sort of always did it. From the first time I could hold a crayon I was doodling, and when I was eight, my Mother gave me my first sketchbook and some professional pencils. By the time I was thirteen, my bedroom had looked like an art studio; with easels, canvases, and paints everywhere. I sold my first painting when I was eighteen.”

“And just how old are you?” Mitchell asked eyeing Dominic closely.

“Twenty-seven.”

“You’re quite a bit older than Nicki.”

“Only six years, I don’t think it’s that bad. Age is just a number it shouldn’t matter if you two people connect. My Father is fifteen years older than my Mother, and they have been together for thirty-four years.” Dominic said in his defence.

“So, cradle robbing runs in your family,” Mitchell said with some disapproval.

Dominic didn’t like the way he said that. Like there was something wrong with what his parents were doing, or something unnatural about his attraction to Nicki. “Daddy.” Nicki scolded as the whole table went quiet.

“I’m just saying a man of thirty should not be dating a fifteen-year-old girl. It’s illegal for a reason.” Mitchell said.

“She wasn’t fifteen.” Dominic snapped instantly trying to regain his usual easy-going composure. “She was eighteen, and they were in love.”

“Young girls always fancy themselves in love but are usually too stupid to know better. Your father was preying on her naivety. She might have felt differently if she had some experience.”

Dominic put down his fork, he no longer felt like eating. “My Mother was and is a smart woman, and my Father preyed on no one.” Dominic stood up. “Excuse me, but I’ve lost my appetite. Thank you for your hospitality.” He said with a nod to Lacy. “I’ll show myself out.” He said and left the kitchen. He stopped on the porch to change back into his shoes.

He was heading for his car when Nicki came out onto the porch. “Dominic.” She called to him. He paused and waited for her to come down the steps and over to him, leaning heavily on her cane. “Please don’t leave.”

“I’m not sitting at that man’s table. He implied that my Father is a pervert and that I am as well. There is nothing wrong with what I’m doing.”

“I didn’t say there was.” She said reaching him. “I’m sorry about my Father he’s not a very liberal thinker, but he has a good heart. Please don’t leave mad.”

“What do you care you didn’t want me here today anyway.”

“Well, now that you are here I don’t want you to leave mad. Let me get some food, and we’ll take it to go. We’ll go on that ride I promised you, and we will have a picnic somewhere else.” She suggested. He could see the hope in her eyes. He supposed as long as he didn’t have to deal with her father he could bear to stick around.

“Ok but if that man says one more thing about my Mother I will deck him.” He warned. His good nature only went so far. When people started talking trash about his mother, his quiet reservation became a white-hot rage.

“Ok you go wait for me in the barn I’ll be right out.” She promised and then went back inside.

Dominic changed back into the other boots and headed for the barn. He leaned against the wall and waited for Nicki. She was taking a long time, so he began to pace, he was still worked up about her father. Who was he to judge Dominic’s family? He didn’t know them. Anyone that saw his parents together would never question their love.

He was utterly outraged. He wanted to go back inside and tear that man a new one, but he wasn’t a fighter. He’d always found he could talk his way out of a fight. Well unless it was with his brothers. Lucas and Lance used to team up on him and pick on him when they were little. They grew out of it of course, but when they were boys, Dominic had to learn to defend himself.

Dominic came to a stop when Nicki came into the barn with a bag. “You’re going to have to help me saddle the horse. I’ll tell you how to do it grab that satchel.” She said pointing to a leather riding bag hanging on the wall. Dominic took it down, and Nicki stuffed the food into the bags. “Ok so open the stall and bring the horse out.” Dominic unlatched the stall door, and he urged the animal out. Nicki gave him directions, and he went about saddling up this horse and then another. Nicki tossed the satchel over the horse and checked the straps. “It’s got to be tight, or you’ll fall off.” She said tugging on the straps. “You did well.” She said with a smile and then hung her cane on the stall door. “Ok, up we go.”

Nicki took hold of the saddle and slipped her bad foot up into the stirrup with great difficulty. Dominic put his hands on her hips and helped lift Nicki into the saddle. Once she was seated in the saddle, he grabbed the saddle of the other horse and hauled himself up. The horse moved, and Dominic almost lost his balance but recovered quickly. The horse kept moving, and Dominic wasn’t sure just how to get control of the animal.

“Use the reins,” Nicki instructed. “Get a good hold and control the horse’s head.” She said demonstrating on her own. Dominic did the same, and soon the horse was under his control. “There you go now you’re a cowboy.” She teased. “Follow me.” She said riding out of the barn. Dominic gave the horse a nudge with his boots and then followed Nicki out.

***

“Daddy that was uncalled for.” Lacy snapped as she watched Nicki leave with the bag of food she’d come back for. “Dominic is a nice man, and you were incredibly rude to him just now.” She scolded.

“He’s way too old for her.” Her father argued.

“He’s not that old, and Nicki is a grown woman she can date whoever she wants to, and she happens to like Dominic, and you’re chasing him away and after he’s been nothing but respectful to you.”

“Things should be a certain way. Older men should not chase younger women. What is wrong with the women his age?” He asked as he enjoyed his meal.

“In case you’ve forgotten Jove is older than Millie by almost five years.” Lacy reminded him.

“And if you recall I was against that relationship too. The only reason I even tolerate that lazy lout is that he fathered my grandbaby. I look forward to the day Millie realizes she can do better.”

Lacy rolled her eyes exasperated with her father. “Jove and Millie are in love they aren’t going to get divorced. As for Dominic, your only objection is ridiculous. What should his age matter so long as he treats her well? You’re looking at this thing the wrong way. Nicki has a shot with a handsome, respectful man who happens to be loaded. You can’t do better than that. Do you want to get in her way? You’ll drive him off, and she’ll resent you for it.”

Her father looked as though he understood her point. He lowered his gaze ashamed. Nicki was his last single daughter in a matter of two years two of his three daughters had married and settled down. The idea of losing Nicki to a man that may very well take her away was hard for him to accept.

“Oh, fudge.” Her father snipped tossing his fork on the table. “Fine if the boy comes back, I will apologize, but I’m going on the record as saying this is wrong and I don’t approve.” He said standing up. “I’m not hungry anymore. I’ll meet you back in the fields.” He said to Bryce and Clint just before he walked out.

“I’ve never had so many people walk out on a meal.” She said eating her salad.

“Cut your father some slack he’s just having a hard time letting his kids grow up. He’ll come around.” Bryce defended her father. “Give him time.” He said taking the last bite of his chicken as he came to his feet. Bryce kissed his wife one last time. “I’ll see you at dinner. Come on boy let’s get back to work.”

***

They had ridden for almost half an hour when they came to the trail that winded between her family’s property and the neighbour’s. It went deep into the trees and came out the other end on to the highway leading into town. Nicki used to ride this trail all the time it was quite pretty and secluded.

Nicki led Dominic through the trail telling him about all the times she used to ride. How she would race her horse through the trees. The wind in her hair, the freedom she felt as she leaned low over the horse’s neck and held on tight as the beast ran. “I’ll race you to the end of the trail.” Dominic challenged as he trotted beside her. The trail was narrow not allowing for a side by side race.

“I don’t think a race would be safe in these trees.” She refused.

“Sissy, in the words of my crazy brother, you only live once so you might as well seize the moment.” He said driving his heels into his horse’s side spurring it forward and giving it its head. The horse broke into a run and Dominic took off down the trail.

Well, she sure wasn’t going to be shown up by a city boy that had never before been on a horse. Nicki snapped the reins and sent her horse running. She leaned over and urged the animal faster. It didn’t take long for Nicki to catch up to Dominic but getting around him was harder. She came up on his left and Dominic steered the horse to cut her off when she moved to the right only to be cut off again. Nicki tried the left side again, and this time she got around him and took the lead. Dominic wasn’t far behind her as the finish line grew nearer.

Reaching the end of the trail, they broke through the treeline and out onto the highway. Nicki pulled back on the reins and brought the horse to a stop while she watched Dominic do the same. Nicki was smiling and laughing. That was the most fun she’d had in well over a year. She was so glad she let Dominic talk her into riding again.

“What a rush.” Dominic chuckled bringing his horse alongside hers. “Where now?”

Nicki rubbed the neck of her horse. “Let’s go down by the river so the horses can drink. It’s not far off. There’s a turnoff just up the road.” She said leading the way to the slow-moving shallow river just down the road. There were plenty of secluded spots around the river, but the one she was headed for was a popular fishing spot. A lot of people from town hung out by the river drinking and fishing. The bank was low allowing the horses to reach the water with more ease.

As they reached the river, they were alone. Nicki brought the horse to a stop and waited for Dominic to get down off his horse. He then came over and helped her off. With Nicki on her feet, Dominic led the horses to the water and while they drank he took down the satchel and joined Nicki at a picnic table. This was a perfect place to have lunch.

They broke out the chicken and the salad and enjoyed their meal while the horses rested. “So, this is country life?” Dominic said leaning on the table. “Seems fun.”

“It is mostly work.” She informed him. Life wasn’t all riding and relaxing by the river. Real country folk spent their days and nights working until they couldn’t move. “Your life now that must be fun. With all the travelling and all the parties. Getting to see the world and hobnob with the rich and famous.” She could see the silver lining in his world more than her own. It must have been nice to have the money to do whatever he wanted when he wanted.

“It’s not always so great.” He sighed. “Sometimes you got to smile when you don’t feel like it. You got to go to parties when you’d rather stay home and watch a movie. You got to laugh at jokes that aren’t funny. Pretend to like people you can’t stand. You never know if people like you for who you are or if they only like you for what they think they can get out of you. Have you ever stood in a crowd and felt utterly alone? That’s my life.” Then he smiled again, a smile that seemed practiced. “But listen to the rich kid complain about how hard he has it.”

“I guess everybody’s life has their ups and downs. Still, you get to do what you love. That must count for something.”

“It does. What do you love?”

“Books.” She giggled. “I read a lot of books.”

“You ever think about writing a book?” He asked.

“Actually yes.” She had thought about it for some time, but she only recently got a computer. “I don’t know anything about writing.”

“They have classes for things like that. You could go to school for it. Maybe one day write a top-selling book.” He suggested.

Writing school sounded like fun, but she could never afford to go. No, she was resigned to the fact that she would likely never leave this town.

“So last night was fun,” Dominic said with a grin.

“The party was ok.”

“I meant the stuff in the car.”

Nicki blushed and nervously brushed her hair behind her ear. “That was ok too.”

“Ok? Just ok?” He said dipping his head trying to catch her diverted gaze.

She could feel her cheeks flush. “Maybe a little better than ok.”

Dominic chuckled. “I find it hard to believe you’ve never had a boyfriend.”

She looked up at him. “I wasn’t very popular in school.”

“No one has ever shown an interest in you?”

She cast her eyes down again. “Well, there was one person.”

“Oh? What happened?”

She shrugged her shoulders. “Nothing. He liked me, and I liked him, but nothing ever happened. Though I’m sure, he wanted it to.”

“Why did nothing happen?”

She sighed as she thought about the relationship that never was. “He was a really big guy. Sociality awkward just like me. I guess I was intimidated. He was like a big bull in a china shop, and I was broken and fragile… I was scared he would hurt me. Not on purpose but accidentally. I think my fear led to his frustration and he left town.” She said sadly.

“He just left you?”

“I didn’t take it very well. Now I sit around and think about what never was.” She said and looked up at him again. “Nothing ever happened, so I don’t count it as anything.”

“As you shouldn’t.” He said taking her hand in his and giving it a little squeeze. “I hope you're not scared of me. I would never hurt you.” He promised.

Nicki noticed that Dominic was staring at her with a little smile. “What?” She asked wondering why he was looking at her that way.

“I just thought I wished I had brought my sketchbook with me. The way the afternoon sun is basking you in its light, the shadows of the trees, it’s beautiful. I’m feeling inspired.” Nicki stared into his eyes and felt the same pull she had the night before. He felt it too she was sure as Dominic moved closer. He wanted to kiss her, and she wanted his kiss. The moment was casting some magnificent spell over them.

Suddenly the sound of a revved-up engine intruded on the peaceful moment breaking the spell. Nicki turned around to see a souped-up red four-by-four Chevy pull up with the radio blaring. Once the truck was stopped, the doors opened and out poured a rowdy bunch of local boys. Mark Harris and his gaggle of thugs. They were the local bullies and had been since they were children. Mark ran the show though. He blazed the path, and his lackey friends followed.

They had worked in the sawmill until Jack Moore moved in and took it over with some other commercial properties that were sold upon his arrest to pay the IRS. But back when Jack Moore was running the show, everybody knew he’d hired on Mark and his friends to do his dirty work in Devon. He paid them to harass the farms, vandalize the properties, and genuinely make life hard for everyone until they sold. Of course, no one could ever prove that Mark was behind any of these things, but that was mostly because the Sheriff was crooked and also in Moore’s pocket.

She couldn’t prove it, but she was sure that these men were responsible for destroying their fields last year, tearing down their fences and letting the animals out. They were probably also the ones that invaded her house and had beaten her. Every time they were around she felt uncomfortable. Dominic seemed to sense her discomfort. He looked at her and then at them and sat up straighter.

Mark was finishing a beer, belched, and then he tossed the empty can in the bed of his truck and grabbed one of the many fishing poles from the bed. “Well look what we got here, the last Taylor sister whoring herself out to a stranger like her skank sisters,” Mark said mockingly as he and his friends began to circle the table. Mark touched her hair. “Looking good Nicki, nice to see you up and walking around.” Everyone laughed, and Nicki pushed his hand away.

“Easy buddy, back off,” Dominic said glaring up at Mark. “You’ve had too much to drink, so why don’t you and your little friends take your rods and go master your bait elsewhere.”

“Big talk from the city boy here,” Mark said pushing Dominic’s shoulder.

“Don’t shove me,” Dominic warned. “Walk away.”

They all laughed, and Mark proceeded to make fun of Dominic. “Oh yeah city boy, you think you can take on the five of us?” He asked shoving Dominic again.

“I’m a lover, not a fighter,” Dominic answered.

“Sissy boy.” Mark laughed. “Come on boys let’s leave the sissy with the slut,” Mark said as they turned to walk away.

Dominic stood up. “Apologise to the lady,” Dominic demanded.

The men stopped and turned to face them again. Things were going to get physical. “Dominic, leave it alone.” Nicki pleaded. She didn’t want to see him get hurt defending her honour. It wasn’t worth it.

“Listen to the b***h, Dominic.” Mark mocked.

“You apologize, or I swear I will lay you out.”

“You can’t fight.” Mark challenged shoving Dominic once more. “You said so yourself.”

Dominic’s fist came up fast and punched Mark in the face. He stumbled back and fell into his friends. It took a moment for Mark to recover and then he and his friends came after Dominic. Nicki screamed when the men rushed the table. Dominic fought back fiercely. He kicked two, slugged one, swung John into Jeff and flipped Rick over the table and on his back on the other side. Mark tried to punch him, but Dominic moved fast and caught Mark’s hand and twisted his arm behind his back and forced him face first on the table his arm pulled back hard enough to break it. Mark cried out as Dominic held him down. One hand restrained his arm and his other arm across the back of Mark’s neck pinning him to the table.

“I said I’m not a fighter; I didn’t say I didn’t know how to fight.” Dominic hissed. “I’m a black belt in Jung Fu and Taekwondo. Apologize, or I will break your damn arm.”

Mark tried to move but couldn’t. Dominic pulled back on his arm, and Mark yelped in pain. “Ok, I’m sorry. I’m sorry!” He cried out. Dominic released Mark, and he backed away licking his wounds. Mark glared at Dominic. “You’ve made a big mistake buddy, a big mistake. You might leave, but she still has to live here.” Mark hissed.

“Is that a threat?” Dominic growled.

“Not at all, but accidents will happen.” Mark snarled as they walked away.

Nicki’s blood ran cold flashbacks of her beating raced through her mind. The intruders hadn’t said a word, but the note they left had said those very words. Accidents will happen. She had suspected in the past, but now there was no further question in her mind. Mark and his friends were responsible for her leg. They had assaulted her.

Nicki shot up to her feet. Her pulse was racing; she felt an overwhelming need to run. “I want to go. I want to go right now.” She said trying not to hyperventilate as she limped her way to the horse. Dominic gathered their things and met Nicki at the horse watching her trying her best to mount the beast.

“Nicki, calm down, you’re going to hurt yourself.”

“I want to leave.” She insisted.

“Ok, we’ll leave.” Dominic took her by the hips and pushed her up into the saddle. He then mounted the other horse and followed Nicki as she made her escape. “Why are you freaking out? I dealt with them they left.” Dominic said keeping pace with her.

“They did this to me.” She said with tears in her eyes.

“Did what?”

“They broke my leg.”

“Really? Why aren’t they in jail?” He demanded.

“Because they wore masks, I can’t prove they did it.”

“Well, how do you know it was them?”

Nicki just looked at him. “I just know.”

“Are you certain?”

“Very.”

“Well then let’s go to the Sheriff’s station.”

“It won’t matter, he won’t do anything. The Sheriff is crooked. He’s for sale; he’ll never look into this. He didn’t know when it happened, he won’t to do anything about it now.” She just wanted to go home. Nicki took a short way home and put the horses away without another word. She limped her way quickly to the house with Dominic behind her. She didn’t stop to say good-bye she just pushed past Lacy and headed for her room to be alone and cry.

***

Nicki pushed past Lacy without a word. Dominic got the feeling she didn’t want him around anymore. Lacy glared at him. “What did you do?”

“I didn’t do anything. Some jerks showed up and upset Nicki.”

“What jerks?”

“Some arrogant cowboy and his drunken redneck buddies. I dealt with them.”

Lacy rolled her eyes. “Sounds like Mark Harris and his lackeys. They are always trouble.”

“She thinks they’re the ones that attacked her.”

“That wouldn’t surprise me,” Lacy said heading for the cow pen.

“You know?”

“We all suspect, but we can’t prove it.”

“She thinks she can’t go to the Sheriff.” He said following her.

“She can’t. He won’t do anything. He’s crooked. He does nothing unless you slip him something on the side. There is no justice in this town.” She said opening the pen gate and stepping inside.

“Why do you stay here if it’s so bad?”

“Where would we go?” Lacy asked.

“I’m not letting this lie,” He said taking out his cell phone and bringing up the note app. “What are their names?”

“What are you going to do about it?”

Dominic pinned her with an icy stare. “Lacy, their names.”

She looked thoughtful for a moment then gave in. “Mark Harris, Jeff Wilson, John Yankee, Rick Forbs, and Oscar Wallis. Mark’s the ringleader. If there’s trouble, they are usually behind it.”

“Thanks.” He said typing their names into his cellphone. He then headed for his car.

“Where are you going?”

“Back to my hotel. Tell Nicki, I’ll call her later.” He had other things to do right now. Dominic got into his car and placed a call to New York. He knew a few people in high places and a few in low ones too. He made his first call to a private investigator his family had used in the past. He wanted to know more about Mark Harris and his buddies. His next call was to his family’s lawyer. He wanted to know what could be done about Nicki’s case.

Before he headed back to the hotel, he wanted to check in at the Sheriff’s station. Dominic headed into town and parked out front of the police station. He got out and went inside. Walking up to the counter, he saw three men. One Sheriff and two deputies playing cards. The oldest of the three got up and came to the counter. “What can I do for you?” The Sheriff asked.

“I’d like to file a complaint.”

The Sheriff eyed him closely, “Ok stranger what’s the problem?”

“I was attacked by some of your local boys.” He said, watching the old man, trying to judge his reaction. “I want to press assault charges.”

“You don’t look too worse for wear.”

“What’s your point?”

“My point is you don’t look hurt. I am a busy man, and I don’t have the time to waste on frivolous charges.”

“You consider assault frivolous?” Dominic asked a little annoyed. He could see what Lacy meant about the Sheriff. He was useless. “Fine I’m leaving, but this is far from over. I’m having my lawyer look into you and this quaint little town. When you see me again, it will be the end of your career. Of that, I promise you.” He warned and headed back to his car. The authority in this town was crooked and if there were one thing Dominic would not stand for it was crooked cops. He’d see to it that Nicki got justice for what happened to her.