Page 203 of Dark Night of the Soul

“Now?” he asked.

“Yes. Now.” I looked back at William. “Thanks for the chat.”

Then I pivoted and headed for the car. Kincade fell in step beside me.

“What was that about?” he asked.

“If there are going to be men living on my estate and guarding it, I intend to meet every single one of them.”

“All of them?” His brows lifted.

“Yes. We can start with the perimeter guards after I see the stables. Oh, and get that kid a better chair. That stool looks like a medieval torture device.”

None of them moved. Ludwig stayed by the driver’s door. Ulrich watched me like he was recalculating.

Then Kincade said, “You heard the lady. Let’s go.”

He got in and shut the door. I slid in beside him.

“I thought I wasn’t a lady,” I said.

“You have your moments,” he replied.

“To the stables, Ludwig,” I called.

“She always this bossy?” Ludwig asked.

“You have no idea,” Kincade said.

I grinned.

The stables were on the east side of the estate—a separate outbuilding that once housed thoroughbreds. Edward had sold them off at some point, leaving the place hollow and unused.

I was out again before anyone else, marching toward the door. It never occurred to me there would be anyone in there until I barged through and halted.

Seven men.

Three in various states of undress—that was awkward—two playing cards, and two who popped up from a stall to see who’d arrived.

Behind me: Ludwig and Ulrich.

Beside me: the imposing presence that was Kincade.

“Put a shirt on,” Kincade barked.

Ah. So, we were doing jealous this morning.

They scrambled to obey. All but one.

But I wasn’t looking at them—okay, a little, because abs—I was looking at the living conditions and feeling my stomach drop.

Narrow iron-frame beds had been shoved into stalls that used to house horses.

“This is the bunkhouse?” I said.

“I’m sure it’s a work in progress,” Kincade said, like that made it better.

“These are men,” I snapped, heat rising. “Not livestock.”