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CHAPTER SEVEN
BINDI STRUGGLED TO breathe. Wrapping her fingers around the man’s large hands, she tried ineffectually to pull them away from her throat, but he merely grunted and tightened his grip. Her mind struggled to make sense of the previous few minutes.
Bindi had been sitting in the bleachers, watching the bull riding, just as she’d promised Mack she would. It was everything she’d thought it would be, stressful, dangerous, and full of testosterone-filled men and their egos. But it was also nail-biting and thrilling, as everyone around her held their breath, watching as each rider was successful, or failed to make the eight seconds. It was even exciting waiting for Mack to mount up. They called his name and Bindi had sat higher in her seat, craning her neck. There he was, clambering up onto the platform.
Bindi’s heart had plummeted as she watched him.
Mack wasn’t wearing a helmet.
His black Stetson was pulled down over his forehead, so she could only just make out his eyes.
How could someone who’d already suffered a head injury be so reckless?
Admittedly, some of the other riders also only wore a cowboy hat, but the majority so far had all been wearing protective headgear. Clearly, helmets weren’t mandatory, otherwise all the riders would have them on, but surely Mack should be wearing one?
She’d been so gullible, she’d never even thought to ask him about it. She’d just assumed he’d be sensible. But she was fast finding out that Mack and sensible were two words that didn’t go together. Part of the reason she’d come to Cairns with him was to make sure he wasn’t alone, so that if he suffered another dizzy spell, she could be there for him. Now she just felt stupid and betrayed. Why should she worry about his health when he clearly didn’t care a whit? He must really believe he was indestructible.
Her excitement faded, turning to fear, as a cold lump settled low in her belly. She didn’t want to watch, but couldn’t tear her gaze away. She held her breath as Mack’s bull exploded from the chute and then watched as he was thrown about on the bull’s back.
Amazingly, Mack made it to the full eight seconds, but Bindi didn’t wait around to see him celebrate. She marched down the bleachers, anger clouding the edges of her vision. How could he be so foolish? They hadn’t made any formal arrangement, but Mack would probably assume she’d go back to the bull pens to congratulate him. Well, that wasn’t happening.
People milled out in front of the food stands, but Bindi was too angry to be swayed by the delicious smells, she just wanted to get out of there. Not sure what her next move should be, she headed toward Mack’s truck. Perhaps she’d grab her swag and take it out under the line of trees beyond the parking lot. Find a nice spot where she could fall asleep under the stars. Because one thing was for sure: she didn’t want to sleep anywhere near Mack Diaz tonight.
She was caught up with her own thoughts as she threaded her way through the crowd on autopilot, head down and mind on other things, not noticing anything or anyone around her.
It wasn’t until she was nearly back at the car that she heard footsteps behind her. Glancing back, she saw a large figure looming in the shadows. A man, tall and wide-shouldered. She quickened her steps. Someone was following her. No, that was crazy, there were people everywhere, he was probably on his way back to his own vehicle.
With a sigh of relief, she reached the front of Mack’s black truck, but when she turned, the man was still there, getting closer. A frisson of ice slipped down her spine, but she told herself not to be an idiot. This man was probably looking for Mack. All she needed to do was tell this guy he was back at the bull pens, and she’d be fine. There were other people around. Somewhere. Although, she couldn’t locate anyone nearby at this particular moment.
She held her ground and waited for the man to step closer.
Stopping less than a foot away from her, he tipped back his hat and Bindi gasped and covered her mouth with both hands. Even in the murky gleam cast by the irregular spotlights, she recognized his features. She stepped backward, but came up against the cold, metal panel of Mack’s truck.
“I thought that was you,” the man said, voice a deep baritone that sent shivers through her whole body, making the hairs on the back of her neck stand up. “Fancy meeting you here,” he said with a menacing grin.
“Mutt!” She could barely utter the word as images of her brother’s best friend assaulted her mind. The last time she’d seen him, he’d threatened to kill her for what she’d done to Kai. Did he still feel the same way? “What…what are you doing here?” she asked, hoping her voice sounded steadier than she felt. Mutt should be back in New Zealand. How had he come to be here? Was this just a terrible coincidence?
“I heard you was living near Cairns. I’ve always wanted to visit Australia. Thought I’d cross over the ditch and take a look for myself. Didn’t have nothing else to do. Could hardly believe my good luck when I spotted you back there. It must be karma or somethin’.”
His good luck was her bad luck. Because the last person she ever wanted to see was Mutt Waititi.
“Oh. Right.” Bindi backed slowly away, down the side of the truck, but Mutt followed her. It was almost seven years since she’d seen him. He’d grown, got bigger and broader, if that was even possible. Surely he wasn’t still holding a grudge?
“I haven’t forgotten, if that’s what you’re thinking.” Mutt followed her menacingly through the gap between the cars. A whiff of beer fumes met her nostrils. Mutt was drunk. That wasn’t good. “Kai died because of you. And you got away with it, ran away to Australia, free as a bird.”
She and Mutt had wildly differing points of view when it came to her brother’s death. Kai had taken his own life, an intentional overdose when he found out he was going to jail for what he’d done to her. But Mutt blamed Bindi because she’d gone to the police. He’d said that blood should always be thicker than water. Mutt believed she’d forced Kai’s hand, that he felt he had no other choice. And a tiny part of her agreed with him. But the rest of her knew she’d done the right thing. Even though Kai was her brother, he’d also been a monster.
“Kai made a choice,” she ground out between gritted teeth. “He chose to take his own life rather than face his punishment like a man.” Mutt had her backed right up against the rear bed of the truck, but she lifted her chin and stared at the big Maori man, ignoring the smell of liquor on his breath.
“No, you drove him to it, you little slut. You deserved everything, because you led him on, like the little slut that you are.”
Anger flared through Bindi. Before she knew it, her hand flew up and slapped Mutt fair across the face. How dare he say that? Kai had been ten years older than her. He knew right from wrong. She’d trusted him; she’d been his innocent and vulnerable younger sister, looked up to him.
Mutt’s big hands wrapped around her throat, taking her by surprise. “Don’t underestimate me, little girl. I mean to make you pay for what you did to Kai.”
She couldn’t answer because he was squeezing her neck so tight she could no longer breathe. Panic kicked in, and she began to claw at his hands and face.
“Get off her.” A figure darted out of the dark, latching onto Mutt’s arm and wrenching him away. “Who the fuck do you think you are?”
