Page 112 of Unchained

“Ace, I gotta go. You good to finish up?”

“Yeah, bro.”

I always knew fucking Romeo would be a risk. That was probably part of the appeal in the first place. But I’m starting to regret my past decisions, especially when it’s creeping into my future.

CHAPTER SIXTY-ONE

Gianna

I hold in a yawn, following behind Colten, who has Wyatt on his shoulders as we approach his animal shelter on the ranch.

Colt was furious when he got home last night after clearing up from the party. He apologized another five times, and then proved until the early hours of the morning just how obsessed with me he is. I came so many times that I pretty much passed out by the end of it.

I believe him. I am enough for him.

“Do you have any more goats?” Wyatt asks.

“No, buddy. We have a sheep. Some snakes. A couple of horses and some cattle here at the moment.”

I follow in behind them, and the smell of the farmyard hits me first.

Wyatt looks down at me and asks, “What’s your favorite animal, Gianna?”

I pause. I don’t know if I have one. “Well, I’ve never had any pets or lived anywhere as cool as this before. So, I’d say my favorite animal is probably a dog.”

He gives me a cheeky grin. “You’ve never had any pets? Why?”

Okay, new lesson: kids are very inquisitive little beasts. “My dad doesn’t like mess. He’s very particular about the house being sparkling.”

He frowns, and so does Colten. “I think you should get a pet for her, Uncle Colt.”

I hold up my hand. “I don’t think that's necessary. I’m too busy to look after one.”

Colten huffs, “No such thing as too busy to care for animals, G.”

I glance down at the ground. “What’s your favorite animal then, Wyatt?” I ask, avoiding Colten’s statement.

“Easy. Goats. Then horses.”

“And you?” I ask, raising an eyebrow at Colt.

“Ever heard of a Gila Monster?” he returns.

“Nope. Never in my life. How big are they?”

I’m intrigued to see if they deserve the term monster in their name.

“Not big. But they’re venomous.”

I grin. “Could it kill someone?”

“That’s very rare. Hurts like hell, though.”

Ah. A torture technique. “Do you have any?”

He chuckles, putting Wyatt back on the ground. “Not right now. Occasionally we have had them in here, injured ones that need help.”

“Uncle Colt gets loads of cool animals in here. And he saves so many of them!” Wyatt adds, beaming with a grin.