Page 23 of August’s Cowboy Braxton

Braxton saw my face and took the phone from my hand.

His jaw clenched. "That's it. No more public appearances. No more rodeo grounds. We're moving you out of Mustang Mountain entirely until⁠—"

"No."

"Addison—"

"I said no."

"This isn't a negotiation."

"You're right. It's not. Because I'm not asking your permission."

Braxton turned to face me fully. "Someone is threatening you. Someone who has been tracking you for months. Someone who was in this room tonight. You can’t keep walking into public spaces like nothing is wrong."

"I have obligations."

"Your obligations can wait."

"They can't. Rodeo Royalty Weekend is in three days. I have junior queens depending on me. Sponsors expecting me. A community that⁠—"

"A community that can manage without you for a weekend."

"That's not your call to make."

"It is when I'm the one trying to keep you alive."

The words hung in the air between us.

I stepped closer. "Mayor Nelson hired you to protect me while I do my job. Not to decide whether I get to do it at all."

"Your job is going to get you killed."

"My job is mine. Not yours."

Braxton's hands flexed at his sides. "I can't protect you if you refuse to follow instructions."

"Instructions? Is that what you call it when you tell me where I can go and what I can do and who I'm allowed to see?"

"I call it keeping you safe."

"I call it control."

"Because it is. That's what protection looks like. Controlled variables. Managed risk. Following a plan."

"Your plan."

"Yes. My plan. Because I'm the one who knows how to do this."

"And I'm just the pretty girl in the crown who needs to smile and do what she's told?"

He shook his head. “That's not what I said."

"It's exactly what you said."

Braxton's expression turned cold. I'd seen that look before. On sponsors who didn't like being told no. On men who thought my crown meant I owed them something. On people who wanted me to be grateful for their attention and obedient to their expectations.

"I don't want obedience, Addison. I want cooperation."