32
ROWAN
The Chapel felt heavier than the rest of the clubhouse.
Quieter and more serious, like whatever happened inside these walls now mattered more than anything else. And I guess that was true, because right now, what happened in this room would change the course of the Kings’ history.
I sat at the long wooden table, my fingers folded tightly in my lap, trying to keep my nervousness under control. Around the table sat Bear, Moose, Swampy, Ridge, Gods, and Tex. JD sat at the head of the table, calm and unreadable, as always.
And then there was Peter.
Peter Anthony,their rat.
Tex had warned me before we walked in that this was the only way, but it didn’t make me feel any better. I didn’t want to be there and I definitely didn’t want to be involved, yet I felt I owed the Kings for everything they had done to help me.
My stomach twisted again, flipping like a group of fish in too-shallow water. I didn’t like it. I didn’t like the tension, the quiet, or the way everyone seemed to sense something was different today.
I tried not to look at Peter. I tried not to think of him as a man at all and instead saw him as the monster that had taken my parents from me. The animal that had ensured that the horses and cows on the ranch had burned to death, and had almost had me meet the same fate.
I cleared my throat. “I just wanted to say thank you. To all of you,” I said, my voice softer than I intended, but I was grateful that at least that it wasn’t shaking. “For everything you’ve done for me. Protecting me and helping rebuild the ranch. I don't know what I would have done without you.”
All eyes in the room shifted to me and I tried not to show the panic that I felt. I could feel the tension rolling off every man in there, and it was making it hard to concentrate.
I reached into my bag and pulled out the check, sliding it across the table toward JD.
“What’s this?” he asked.
“I know I can’t repay you for what you or the club did for me, but I wanted to give something back as a thank you. I guess it’s more of a gesture.”
JD picked it up, his brows lifted slightly.
He gave a low whistle and looked up at me. “Well now…”
Moose leaned over. “Jesus, sweetheart.”
Bear chuckled low. “Two hundred grand. That’s more than a gesture.”
My cheeks warmed slightly, happy that they were impressed with the amount. I had pondered over it for a long time. Too much and it could look obnoxious. Not enough and it could be classed as an insult. In the end, Tex had helped me come to a decision, though even he hadn’t known the exact amount until now.
“There’s just one condition,” I continued. The mood shifted instantly and I squirmed in my seat, unsure of how they would take this next part but hoping they would be understanding. “Idon’t want anything moving through my ranch anymore,” I said firmly. “No drugs and no guns. Nothing illegal.”
I was met with silence as they looked between themselves and I plowed on regardless.
“I’m turning the ranch into a charity,” I continued. “Helping underprivileged kids learn to ride and teaching them about themselves, and trying to give parents a break. Obviously I can’t have that kind of thing happening on my land with this all happening. I mean, I wouldn’t want it happening anyway, of course.”
Swampy scowled. “Hell of a thank you.”
I took a steadying breath and continued. “I know, and I am sorry. I understand if that’s a problem. But if it is then I’d rather sell the property and start fresh somewhere else.”
The words hung in the air, thick and heavy, and I waited for what I knew was going to happen. What I had been warned would happen.
Peter spoke. “You should sell it.”
Moose frowned and Swampy looked confused.
Bear shifted in his seat and stroked a hand down his chin, and I glanced surreptitiously over at Tex but he gave nothing away.
I swallowed. “Okay then, I guess.”
