Slow Hand by Victoria Vane Page A

friggin’ loyalty, Wade.”
    Wade’s expression darkened, his lips compressed. The testosterone levels were rising as palpably as the flush invading Nikki’s cheeks.
    â€œSave it for later, will you, Dirk? Nikki doesn’t need to witness our family feud.”
    â€œWhy’s that?” Dirk challenged. “Don’t want her to witness your shortcomings in our pissing contest?”
    Wade met his brother’s glare, fists clenched at his sides. “I said this isn’t the time , Dirk.”
    Silent seconds ticked by making Nikki feel like a participant in a Wild West showdown. Just when she was certain violence would erupt, Dirk backed down.
    â€œWe’re not done talking, li’l bro—not by a long shot.”
    â€œNo. We’re not done,” Wade bit back, “but it’ll have to wait.”
    Another grunt followed and Dirk disappeared, leaving Wade staring down at his boots and shaking his head. After a time he exhaled an exasperated breath.
    â€œIs it always like that with you two?” Nikki asked. They were so different from one another, he and Dirk—like oil and water—and seemed to mix about as well.
    â€œYeah. Pretty much. A real lovable type, my big brother.”
    â€œWhat’s the story anyway, Wade? Why are you and he at each other’s throats?”
    He gave a crooked grin. “Noticed that, did you?”
    â€œYeah. Kinda hard not to.”
    â€œYeah. I s’pose it’s a combination of things. Dirk’s problem is mostly disillusionment. He isn’t the man he was before he joined the Marines, either physically or emotionally.”
    â€œBut you said his disability has hardly slowed him down much.”
    â€œThat’s true when it comes to the ranch, but how many one-legged rodeo cowboys have you seen?”
    She had no answer to that.
    Wade continued, “Dirk’s still struggling to adjust to life in general—and not making it easy on any of us. Deep down he knows things can’t go on like they used to in the old days, partly because he can’t go on like he did before. The ranch isn’t the same either, but he’s not ready to accept that and let it go.”
    â€œAnd your father? What does he say?”
    â€œHe’s torn, of course. He knows how it is, but he and Mama so desperately want the old Dirk back, and the old life, that they keep hanging on, too. In the meantime, I keep dumping money into the place.”
    â€œI can understand why. So what will you do now?”
    He gave her a grim look. “Whatever has to be done. I hate to see the place go but I’m a pragmatist. I’m not going to hold on to a losing operation out of misplaced pride. We had an offer on the table. It was a decent offer. We may not get another one. I’ll try to reason with my brother, but if it comes down to it, I may have to beat some sense into him.”
    â€œYou’re joking, right?”
    He shrugged. “Let’s just say all the options are on the table.”
    â€œReally? Then what happens if he kicks your ass?”
    â€œWouldn’t be the first time.” Wade rubbed the bridge of his nose.
    Nikki was incredulous. “ Your brother broke your nose? ”
    â€œAnd a few ribs, but he had two good legs then. I figure we’re more evenly matched now.” Wade cocked a grin. “But then again, I’m a lover not a fighter.”
    Nikki laughed, relieved to see him returning to equilibrium. “I kinda had that part figured out already.”
    â€œTold you I’d be happy to back up my words.”
    â€œYou missed your chance, cowboy. There won’t be another.”
    Although she’d already seen enough to know he wasn’t like the others she typically went for, she still suspected he’d play her in a heartbeat if she gave him a chance—well, a second chance, given that she’d already given him the first one last night.
    â€œYou