30
ROWAN
Iheard the truck before I saw him.
The sound of tires crunching over gravel echoed through the old mill, and my heart kicked hard against my ribs. I’d been sitting near the reinforced window, pretending to read one of the old magazines Moose had found, but I hadn’t turned a page in twenty minutes.
I was waiting. Waiting and worrying.
Every sound had made me tense. Every passing minute had stretched longer than the last.
When the door opened and Tex walked in, I knew everything was going to be okay.
His shoulders looked lighter somehow. The hard tension that had lived in his jaw had eased, just enough for me to notice.
“It’s done,” he said. “At least your involvement.”
The words hit me like a wave, and I wasn’t sure if it was from relief or the thousand questions that washed over me that was making me dizzy. Did I even want to know what had happened?
But I knew I did. I had to know everything or I would never feel truly at peace again.
“It’s done?” I repeated softly.
He nodded once. “They’re finished. Mateo’s dead. Rest of ’em scattered or dealt with.” His eyes softened slightly as he looked at me. “You’re safe, Rowan.”
Safe.
The word felt strange. Fragile, almost. But relief flooded through me so hard my knees went weak.
Before I could stop myself, I crossed the room and wrapped my arm around him. I hadn’t even known I was going to do it, but clearly my body had because it molded itself around his, pulling him close, my face pressed into his chest.
He stiffened for half a second, like he hadn’t expected it, and then his arms came around me, strong and warm and solid, pulling me even closer.
“Thank you,” I whispered against his chest. “Thank you so much, Tex. For…foreverything.”
I didn’t cry, though I thought I might. It certainly felt like I should. But instead there was just a quiet relief that settled inside me. Like something that had been pressing down on me for weeks had finally lifted.
The weight of worry. The realization of who my parents had really been. The fact that they had done it all for me—to keep me safe and give me a future. Now that the threats on my life were gone, I could remember them for who they were to me. My mom and my dad. Parents that loved me and wanted the best for me.
Tex held me for a second longer than was really necessary before slowly, and what felt reluctantly, letting me go. My body ached for him as the heat from him left.
“So what now?” I asked. It still felt like I was waiting for the bad news. It felt impossible that this nightmare could actually be over.
“JD’s dealing with the fallout of everything,” he said. “Meeting’s set with whoever’s next in line. They have a stepson we think they’re going to be bringing in, but who knows. They’llwant to save face, of course, and agree the terms because it ain’t gonna be over for the Kings, but we’ve already agreed that your land’s non-negotiable. It’s not even on the table for discussion. And after what’s just happened, we don’t see that it will be a problem. They went too far and they know it.”
I nodded and let out a slow, shaky breath. I had been waiting to find out what would happen next and I had already prepared myself that I might have to give up something to buy my freedom, and I guess my life. Hearing that I wouldn’t have to do any of that was unexpected, and extraordinary. “Wow, okay.”
Silence settled between us as the reality of my situation hit me again. Only this time harder. Everything I owned was gone. My ranch had been destroyed, my home, my things, my beautiful animals.
“I’m not sure what I’m supposed to do now. I don’t really have anywhere to go, Tex.”
The words sounded hollow out loud. Because now that I wasn’t thinking about dying, it hit me how bad my situation was.
Tex studied me for a moment, his expression solid and calm. Like he’d already thought about this.
“We’ve got a house,” he said. “One we use when members come in from outta town. It’s yours until the ranch is back up. I’ve already got people cleaning it up for you. We’ll take you there soon. It’s not a safe house, don’t worry. You can come and go as you please. It’s just a house for you to rest in.”
My chest tightened. “Tex, I?—”
