I don’t miss the glint in his eyes when he looks at her. He looks at her like he already owns her. He’s acting as if he holds all the cards in his hand, but I think Kat has the whole deck and doesn't know it.
“It’s just a small scratch.” I can tell from Kat’s tone she’s full of shit and is lying through her teeth.
“How about what you did when you stole the car?” Kat’s face pales for a second. Oh no. What did she do? I can go on for days listing things Kat accidentally did.
“Why do you park all those cars so close together? You have all that room.” She throws her hands in the air, and I know it’s bad. I should have known it wasn't as easy as her snagging some keys and taking a car. It never is with Kat. Catastrophe always follows her, and the older she gets, the bigger those catastrophes are.
“Don’t start that bullshit, Judge. You know I can pay for all that tenfold and I will. You’re not showing up on my land, threatening my woman’s sister.” A thrill runs through me at him calling me his woman.
When I was told I had to marry Judge, the idea of belonging to a man made my skin crawl. Clay talking about owning me only has me wanting it.
“Doesn't mean I won’t press charges.” He smirks.
I want to call his bluff, but Judge has never been known to be anything but a harsh man. One who is looking like he knows he’s winning this battle.
“She’s not eighteen yet,” I rush to say.
“Tick tock.” That smirk turns into a full-on smile.
I didn't know a smile could be filled with so much warning. I try to think about what day it is. They’ve all mushed together since I got here. Clay makes me forget most things, but her birthday is close. Really freaking close.
“Then we’ll see you in court,” Clay challenges, making me fall a little more in love with him. I’ve never seen anyone stand up to Judge before, and in our small town, Judge is somehow law and he’s not even a real judge!
“You sure you want to do that?” He folds his arms over his chest. “This is my city.”
“Wait, you’re going to throw me in jail?” Kat starts to panic. “He can do that?” Kat’s eyes plead with me. “You’d do that to me?” She pulls her panicked eyes away from me to Judge, and I swear for a moment he falters.
“You could take the ring,” he offers this time.
“You don’t even like me and now you want to marry me?” she says in a high-pitched squeak, brushing past me and going for Judge.
I start to grab her, but Clay stops me with an arm around my waist as he pulls my back flush to his front. I’m not sure what side of Kat we’ll get, but she can be a lot like her name at times. Sweet as can be until her claws come out, then she can be a bit irrational. Okay, “a bit” might be an understatement.
“Who said I didn't like you?” he answers, looking at her like she’s crazy.
“This is the most you’ve ever spoken to me at once. You normally say one or two words to me, and those two words are always calling me little girl!” She pokes her finger right in his chest as she tilts her head all the way back to look up at him.
I try once again to go and grab my sister. I saw Judge lay a ranch hand flat on his ass with a backhand one time right in the center of town. I don’t know what happened, but Kat and I were at the farmers market and spotted them across the way at the feed store. One second they were talking, and the next the ranch hand was on the ground. I don’t think Judge would lay a finger on Kat. I’ve always thought he could be harsh at times, but he was always fair. Right now he’s being underhanded.
As much as a lot of people stayed out of his way, I don’t think it would be hard for Judge to find himself a willing wife. This is a whole lot of trouble for just a wife. There has to be a lot we’re missing here, but as my eyes go from my sister to Judge, I think there’s a lot she hasn't told me either.
“I’m not here to debate with you, little girl. You’ve got little time to decide what you’re going to do.” He gives Kat one last long look before he turns and heads back towards his truck. “I’ll be back. Not one hair on her head better be out of place, Clayton,” Judge throws over his shoulder before getting into his truck and leaving. Kat turns around to look at me while Clay says what we’re all thinking.