“I was watching you this afternoon.” Masenak was waiting for Sasha at the stable as she walked Chaos down the aisle toward his stall. “I wasn’t pleased. You had your instructions and you didn’t obey them. I won’t permit that.”

“If you were watching me, then you know that I was working with Chaos all day,” she said coldly. “It takes time and patience when you’re dealing with a horse like him. He made progress.”

“You’re making excuses,” he said impatiently. “You didn’t ride him.”

“But Chaos let four other horses with riders on the same track with him without attacking them. How can you expect to have a race if Chaos won’t allow Reardon’s horse on the track? And he let me put a saddle on him this afternoon. Ask Davidow if that isn’t progress.”

“I want you to ride him. Reardon will be here in another few days and you’ll make me look like a fool to him if he doesn’t see you on his back.”

“I have a little time,” she said flippantly. “I might get there yet.”

“Bitch!” Masenak took a stride toward her and his hand reached out, his nails digging into her shoulder. “You’ll get there tomorrow, do you hear? Or I’ll have you—” He broke off and jerked back away from her. Chaos was suddenly rearing behind Sasha and lunging toward Masenak!

“I heard you.” She turned and tried to quiet the stallion. “So does Chaos. He doesn’t like you. You’d better get away from here or he might hurt himself trying to bash your head in. He’s very fond of doing that. Then you wouldn’t have any fine horse to show off to Reardon.”

Masenak was breathing hard but backing away. “Tomorrow you ride him,” he hissed. “You understand?” He turned on his heel and strode toward the stable door.

He’s gone. She opened Chaos’s stall door. Now stop that nonsense. He’s not worth your effort.

Nor yours. Chaos went into his stall. You should not have let him touch you. But since you’re so pitifully weak and weaponless, I will do you the favor of stomping the fool for you.

No. All she needed was to have to defend Chaos from a vengeful Masenak. Well, not right away. Not until I tell you that you can. There might be problems. And I’m not all that weak. She changed the subject. But I thank you for allowing those other horses to share your space on the track today. It was very helpful to me.