The Colt & The Cobra - THE SPECTER SERIES [book six]

Chapter EIGHTEEN

Mikki De'lucca

"I was fuckin' with you before, Sugar, you don't really gotta help me.. You should go back to the house, take it easy.." Colt casts a sidelong glance at you as you follow him through the backyard towards an enormous red painted barn..

The Ranch is like something from a postcard.. So picturesque, so peaceful, you breathe the fresh air and listen to the distant chirp of songbirds.. It's almost easy to forget there is a world outside of this place..

It's beautiful here in Roan Range County..

Maybe the most beautiful place you've ever seen..

"I want to help, Colt.. I know you like to think of me as the Spoiled Mafia Princess, but I'm not actually afraid of a hard day's work.." You shrug, ribbing him right back..

He chortles.. "You're really never gunna let me forget that, are ya?"

"Nope." You offer nothing but a sweet and sardonic smile as you round the barn to the front entrance..

Immediately you're captivated by the stunning palomino mustang stabled in the front of the barn..

"Ohh.. Beautiful boy!" You coo softly, stepping closer with a carefully outstretched hand, leaving enough distance for him to come to you, letting him take in your scent as you peer into the biggest, brown eyes you've ever seen.. "Hey baby.. Aren't you handsome.."

The mustang's warm muzzle nudges against your palm and he let's out a joyful nicker.. "Pffffft.."

"He likes ya.." The Cowboy hums, crossing the barn towards the workbenches where his tools are layed out..

"The feeling is mutual.. He's stunning.. What's his name?" You ask as you begin to offer the Mustang ear-scritches that he enjoys so thoroughly his eyes roll back..

"Ah that's Banjo.. He was Kane's pride and joy.. Kid loved that horse.." The Cowboy smiles fondly..

"Hey Banjo buddy.. You're a good boy, huh?.." You purr as the mustang snorts merrily..

"Poor fella doesn't get half the attention he was used to.. I don't got the time and Jules-- Ah, it's just too much for her.." Colt begins shifting equipment about, selecting his tools before heaving a ladder down from the wall with a pained grunt.. "Fuck me.."

"Sweet-baby-Jesus, Cowboy, just let me help you!" You rush towards him, taking the weight of one end of the ladder and helping him to carry it back outside where he props it up against the wall..

"Thanks, Sugar.." He holds out a hammer in his right hand with a smirk.. "Now if ya could just climb up there and fix the roof for me--"

A riotous giggle escapes you.. "You're such an ass!"

He grins.. "Yeah?"

You fold your arms, tipping your head back to peer up at him.. "Oh yeah.. Seriously, what can I do?"

He rubs the back of his neck, looking around the barn.. "Tack needs cleaning.."

You nod.. "I can do that.."

He narrows his stare on you.. "You know how?"

"Of course I do.. The stables were the only place on Angelo's estate nobody would come looking for me.. I used to hide out there alot when I was younger.."

"Hide from what?" He probes curiously..

Feeling overexposed by the flooding memories of your youth, you shake your head, turning away to look out towards the thick treeline that borders the back of the property, taking in the triumphantly tall evergreens reaching towards the clear blue sky.. "Nothing.. Everything.."

Your voice trails off as your focus falls on a figure in the distance.. A man, standing over by the edge of the forest.. Watching you..

Charlie..

Your breath cuts out and your chest aches as you reach up to rub your tired eyes and when you open them again.. He's gone..

Great.. Another hallucination.. Forcing you to face the fact that you're still crazy as hell..

Colt interrupts your bitter ruminations.. "Mikki--?"

A defensive wash of anger curls through your being as the thud of your heartbeat climbs in your throat and blood begins to rush in your ears.. "You'd never understand, Cowboy.. Your family loves you, obviously they do.. God, you probably don't even know how lucky you are.. My family.. My father.. The only thing he knows is greed, blood and hatred.. You think I'm some spoiled princess because I grew up in a big house with a rich daddy, I don't blame you for that.. The tabloids would certainly agree with you.. You said it yourself, I'm just a bratty little bitch, right?"

He groans.. "Fuck.. Sweetheart--"

You sniff.. "The truth is, I was a fucking commodity, Colt.. I still am.. Magazines make money selling their lies and nobody questions it.. But when I speak, every word from my mouth is doubted, scrutinised and twisted up to be used against me.. People on the street think they know me.. They think I murdered my own brother to take over the family business.. They think I killed my husband to cover up my crimes.. Do you have any idea what it's like to have everybody believe the worst, before they've even met you?.."

He shakes his head.. "Thats fucked up, Mikki.."

You scoff.. "Thats not even the best part, Cowboy.. You know how the mob strengthens relations with other crime families.. Don't you?.. They pimp out The Princess.... I'm so fucking tired of being Mikki De'lucca.. I just-- I cant--"

The Cowboy reaches out to you.. "Mikki, Sweetness.. I-- I'm sorry.. I didn't mean--"

You brush his hand away from your shoulder.. "It's fine, Colt.. Whatever.. Really, it doesn't even matter.. There's nothing you can do.." You turn your back to return to the barn where you lean against the door of Banjo's stable.. Finding comfort in the sweet beast as he nuzzles your neck with his nose..

"It matters, Mikki.. You don't deserve this.."

"You don't know what I deserve.. You really don't know me."

He stops you, taking you by the elbow as he turns you to face him, his blue eyes burning so fiercely you can barely stand the heat.. "I know enough to know I fucked up making those same assumptions.. I know you're sweet enough to let a confused old man call you by somebody else's name.. I know you're strong, and tough enough to stand up for yourself.. I know you're scared of the people who have hurt you.. And I know you make me feel--"

The fluttering in your stomach intensifies when he stops himself short with a sigh.."You make me feel like a fucking idiot, Sugar, because every goddamn thing I thought I knew about you since we met has been wrong.."

He gently draws you closer, your hips bumping against his as he reaches out, lifting your chin to bring your gaze to meet with his.. "We're in this together, Mikki.. You say you have nothing, but that's not true.. You got me now.. And I'm not gunna let anything happen to you.."

Your arms move to wrap around his back as he hauls you into an embrace, tears filling your eyes you bury your face into the plaid pattern of his shirt..

You need his words to be true, because you're so tired of feeling terrified and all alone.. "I get that you don't like me, Cowboy, I'm not stupid I can see how different we are.. But.. I - - I don't think I can do this without you..
Colt.. You're my last hope.."