Page 18 of Unchained

But she’s on my property now. She’s about to have my last name. She’s about to become mine.

So she’s going to learn exactly what it means when you piss off a cowboy and come after the only thing he loves… his family.

CHAPTER NINE

Gianna

Harper adds the final curl to my hair, then runs the brush through it, smiling as she does. Despite the red lipstick and ink-covered skin, the hair is making me appear more classy. Bridal style, I suppose. My father will be pleased with that.

“Did you have a bachelorette party?” Harper asks, grabbing the hairspray.

“I told you before, I don’t have friends back home. Nor time to party. So no, I didn’t.”

She frowns before spraying enough hairspray to make me cough.

“I didn’t have one either.”

I arch an eyebrow at her in the mirror. “Harper, you’re pregnant. I don’t think you need one last blow-out; he already blew right into you.”

She bursts into laughter, her hands holding her belly.

“Okay. True. Maybe we should grab dinner, a post-wedding bachelorette?” Harper suggests.

I hide my smile. “I could use a tour of New Falls.”

What I mean is, I’d love that. I want to get to know the rest of the girls here.

She scowls. “So, you’re using me as a tour guide?”

Now I grin. “Harper, I recall you once telling me that I only use people, including yourself.”

She glances down at the floor; I roll my shoulders. She isn’t wrong, in all honesty. I use people for my own gain. It’s how I’ve been taught to survive.

“I still think deep down you’re a good person, G,” she says quietly.

My breath catches. She sees something no one else has. And that terrifies me. I can’t be a woman who looks weak. Who seems friendly, especially not here. My life quite literally depends on being ruthless.

“Then it appears I have fooled you.”

She shakes her head as I stand.

“So, dinner? Tomorrow?” she says, completely ignoring my last statement. I’ll give it to her; she really does have balls.

“I’m sure I can fit you into my newly empty schedule,” I tease.

She starts packing away her make-up into the bag as I head over to my dress hanging up on the back of the door. I run my fingers over the delicate lace around the waist. Tiny little black diamonds are stitched into the belt.

“Did Colten have a bachelor party?” I ask, keeping my eyes on the fabric.

“Yeah, he did, a couple of nights ago. Jett surprised him, and it was quite the event. Full Jett chaos.”

I frown. I’ve met Jett; he’s the fun one that I assume most people underestimate. He even made me laugh. But I see that darkness behind his eyes. That crazy lack of fear that makes him far more dangerous than most. That was the first thing I noticed about him. Insane but lethal. So I need to keep my distance from him.

“So, a few strippers and booze, I assume?” I ask, seeing if my assessment of Jett, and well, men in general, is correct.

She laughs. “Yeah. Although, not a few, a whole bar packed full; Ace didn’t know where to look.”

That makes me laugh; I can imagine him like a deer in headlights, not wanting to upset Harper.