Chapter 1 - The Knife Beneath the Gate
Elena climbed from the grandstand into the rodeo arena after billionaire ranch heir Cole Barrett mocked the cleaning crew as “people born to watch, not compete.” She took the red cape from the handler, faced the massive black bull and slipped as it thundered past without touching her. Dust swallowed the arena. When she stood again, the crowd roared, but Cole laughed from his private box. “One lucky fall does not make a maid brave.” Elena lifted the cape. “I repair your stables before sunrise. I know more about these animals than you know about honest work.” The bull lowered its horns for another pass. Then the gate attendant noticed a fresh cut in Elena’s boot sole. Someone had sliced it before she entered. He reached beneath the gate and found Cole’s silver pocketknife buried in the sand.
