Chapter 12
Twelve
" T hat's a good-looking bull." Cody stood with his arms up on the top rail of the pen, his foot on the bottom one. Thack ranged next to him, arms crossed, horns almost glowing as he studied the big bovine.
"Yep. And he's pissed off that he's about to retire, so this will give him the life he wants. Bucking."
"And you've explained everything to him. He understands the situation." Contrary to popular belief, they didn't take animals unwilling.
Most bulls were more than happy to retire to a pasture and a life of grazing and fucking. But some lived for the eight-second ride. And the more they could buck the better.
Those were the ones who were willing to sell their souls. Or at least share their bodies.
"Yes, Boss. He came willing and eager."
He glanced back, thoughts growing just a little heavy. "They all do, don't they?"
"You would know," Thack pointed out drily.
He detected no lies. He'd offered himself to Phillip, body and soul, ages ago. And while he couldn't say he'd never regretted it, he'd also take the deal every time.
Serena, who was sitting on his shoulder, tail wrapped around his neck, chittered softly, her little horns rubbing at his temple.
"I hear you, sweetheart."
It would all be over soon. Phillip was doing his best to aggravate his uncle by buying properties, pulling them from underneath him at the last minute. Phillip was also selling things that, from the outside, looked like important family heirlooms. There was no way his uncle was going to be able to let the situation stand for any length of time.
There was no question that he would come for the rodeo. The difference was, this time, the rodeo was ready for him.
All of the children were under Brax's protection. And he would dare any demon to even look upon Brax when he was in his golden protector mode. Not only that, but Brax's mate was fierce at best. And they'd all seen the big tiger of the pride, Dimitri, take off more than one head.
So all of the little ones were safe. That left them to deal with everything else. The pack was on high alert. As were the dragons.
Hell, he'd even seen the ghost riders a couple of times, making the rounds about the outside of his land, just assuring that their presence was known.
Cody figured there was going to be an army coming. Or just a big-ass mad party of one. That would mean less bloodshed. But it wasn't going to change a thing. He wasn't gonna lose his rodeo, and he wasn't gonna get taken. That he knew.
Thack chuckled. "I can see you circling the wagons in your head, cowboy."
"I am. Running the numbers."
"Well, I'm ready. So is Uri. So is January, come to that. You just need to get that bastard in range of old Magic Missile, here."
"You got it. As soon as we know he's coming, you'll hear it."
"Good deal. I'm ready to get the show back on the road."
The bulls loved their job, but not near as much as Thack did. The big demon was a machine, working that arena like a king with a bunch of lowly knights.
"As soon as I know we're safe, we're gone. I just want business dealt with, hmm?"
"Hell, yes."
Denny wandered up like some kind of werewolf tumbleweed, and the bull started snorting and pawing. "New bull?" he asked, eyebrows rising.
"Uh-huh."
"Spiffy. Can't wait to play with him. He'll love this new life." Denny's voice was cold as ice.
"Yessir." Oh, good. That was the best way it could go. One never knew with Denny. He was all about fair play, but the rodeo was his family.
And Denny never ever let the bulls believe he wasn't in complete control of their existence.
Never.
"Good deal." Denny chuckled. "We're gonna dance, you and me," Denny told the bull. "Get ready." Denny winked at Cody. "I'm going to make rounds. I'm itchy."
"Fleas?" Thack drawled.
"I will kick your ass, horny."
"You'll try." Thack's horns grew some, glowing with golden sigils.
"Mmm. Nah. That kind of ass kicking I'll leave to your mate."
Lord, Denny could make almost anything sound sexual.
"Keep me posted," Cody said. "Blaine?"
"He ran some with Rocket today. He's napping."
"Ah. With the kitties?"
"With Raven and Rocket. He'll be fine."
Cody nodded. He liked the buddy system right now. All the way.
"Don't worry. Kelly will sound the alarm. We know now." Denny growled. "No outsiders."
"You got it." He loved a tight ship. "All right, go forth and prowl."
"Your mate doing business?"
"Fast and furious."
"Tell him thumbs-up." Denny jogged off, leaving a furious bull watching him go. Denny had that effect on the beasts, demon or not. Made him so good at his job as head bullfighter. The crowds loved the show.
Thack nodded abruptly. "Well, now that you're up and about, I'm headed to bed. Night, Boss."
"Night." He had some rounds to make of his own, which included talking to Kelly, their resident security psychic. He might have news.
So Cody grinned at the bull. "You just wait. He'll be here." Then he headed off to Kelly's wing of the house. Man's family had owned the damn show once upon a time.
Kelly was sitting outside when he arrived, leaning against a porch rail. "Knight."
"Howdy." Cody chuckled. "New bull is in place."
"Good deal. We got about…" Kelly checked his watch. "Sixteen hours. Give or take."
"Is that a betting pool average or a clairvoyant moment?"
"Which one do I bet on?"
"You bet on your man, of course. I'll let the dragons know, for sure."
"Thanks."
"No, thank you." He liked Kelly. He was a cowboy, really, and that Cody could trust.
"We protect our own." Kelly's words echoed Denver's.
"We do that. And y'all are my family." That was that.
"We know—all of us." Kelly winked at him.
"Good deal." He clasped hands with Kelly, then moved on. Mobilizing his people.
It was time to get their collective shit together.
Phillip grinned as he read his emails.
His assistant in Florida was reporting great news. His uncle was traveling.
He'd left the demon realms with only two guards and an assistant to handle travel once he hit the human realm… One of those guards was loyal to Phillip.
Cody said the psychics all agreed that his uncle would arrive around two a.m., but he personally thought it would be midnight.
The old bastard was always in a hurry.
"Serena, my love, I want you to go stay with Brax."
She frowned at him, making grabby hands, but he shook his head.
"No, love. Brax will keep you safe. I will not have you harmed, and neither will Cody."
She clacked her teeth, her way of chittering, of making noise.
"He wants you. You must stay out of sight. I will call upon you if I need your skills, I promise."
She frowned deeper, but she nodded, wings fluttering.
"That's my girl." Her power in his uncle's hands could be devastating. That was why he'd made her flesh and given her will. "You are dear to us. Our family."
She nuzzled his cheek.
"Yes, exactly. Now, would you like some ice cream?" He took time every day to savor a treat with her.
"Are you spoiling the imp again, demon?" Cody asked, strolling in to lean a hip on his desk.
"I am. We're celebrating."
"Are you? What are we celebrating today?"
"My uncle is in the human realm." Phillip bared his teeth. "I finally pissed him off enough."
"Well, go you, lover." Cody grinned, fangs showing just a tiny bit. Selena leaped at him, her tail curled with joy.
"Mmm… hello, beautiful. Have you been causing delicious trouble?"
She chittered her teeth and clicked her claws, the little noises so happy somehow. She could always let them know how she felt.
"Excellent. Soon we'll all go together, spread our own joy over the earth." Cody always sounded so wicked.
She perched on Cody's shoulder, and Phillip chuckled. "May the gods help me."
Cody's smile widened. "Oh, wicked lover, you're lost there. You'll have to settle for me and the rodeo."
"Always." He rose. "I feel like pizza. How do you feel about garlic tonight?"
"You know, contrary to popular belief, I love it. Especially in your hot blood."
"Mmm. True."
"Make sure you get enough to have energy. Tonight's going to be fun."
"I think so." Phillip was ready for anything Cody threw his way. Or his uncle, for that matter.
There was a tension around Cody's lips, and he knew that his vampire wasn't as blase as he liked to pretend.
"Also, I promised Selena ice cream, I think." He rose and came around to take Cody's arm.
"Oh, that is her favorite? Let's indulge her." Cody offered her his finger, and she nipped, drawing blood, which she lapped up.
Phillip wrapped an arm around his mate. "And me."
"And you," Cody agreed, and they headed to the kitchen. They were gearing up for war. This might be their last chance to relax for a while.
A few days, at least.