Page 147 of Colt

Dad stalked over to the small hut where the prospects did their guard duty and began to open the gates.

I looked on, curious as a huge car hauler turned slowly into the gates. My chest began to squeeze when I noticed the lone vehicle it carried. It was my dream car, a big, beautiful, matt black Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon with a huge, red bow on top.

“What the hell’s going on?” I murmured to myself as the car hauler pulled into the parking lot and came to a stop.

The truck driver jumped down from his cabin and called out, “Freya Stone?”

My jaw dropped as something thrilling buzzed through me. I pushed the excitement down, taking a deep breath to stop my heart from pounding. There was no way somebody would buy me my dream car. Jesus, you could buy a house for the same money as a G-Wagon.

“Over here,” Kennedy called out, pointing me out to the guy who walked toward me with a clipboard under his arm.

“What’s going on?” I asked as he approached.

“Happy new car day.” He beamed a smile, handing the clipboard to me with a pen. “Just sign here and here,” he asked, pointing to two spots on the paperwork.

I stared at him with my mouth hanging open and my heart racing out of my chest.

“You are Freya Stone?” he checked.

I nodded, lost for words before taking the pen and signing my name twice, almost robotically.

My mind reeled as I stared at the matt black vehicle, parked in the lot, its chunky, thick lines and tinted windows gleaming in the winter sunlight. What the hell was going on? I’d dreamed for years of owning a G-Wagon. I used to tell Colt that when I made my first million, I’d treat myself. Nobody else knew it was a secret wish of mine, just him.

My body locked, my spine straightening as rigid as steel as my eyes lifted to meet his gaze across the parking lot.

A grin stretched across Colt’s face as he watched me take in the sight of the luxury car, mischief dancing in his expression.

My eyes widened big as saucers, “What did you do?” I screeched, my voice echoing off the clubhouse.

Colt just shrugged nonchalantly. “Happy graduation,” he called back, arms folding across his chest as he shot me a smirk.

My mouth formed a perfect ‘o’ shape, disbelief filling my head. “It’s too extravagant,” I told him. “It’s too much.”

He lifted one shoulder in another casual shrug. “I can afford it. Told ya I was gonna get you a graduation gift. That old banger you drive is as old as the dinosaurs. Figured it was time to upgrade your ride.”

I jerked my thumb toward the G-Wagon. “It’s a three-hundred-thousand-dollar car, Colt.”

Dad head jerked back in surprise. “It’s a what now?”

“We talked about it in Church,” Colt reminded him. “It’s not like this is total shock to ya, Prez.”

“Don’t remember that part,” Dad muttered, rubbing his beard while he eyed the car. “It’s a lotta scratch to be throwin’ around, Son.”

The clubhouse doors flew open, and Atlas came sauntering out, followed by Cash. “She’s here.” My brother whooped. “She’s fuckin’ gorgeous.”

Dad stared at Atlas skeptically. “Did you know how much scratch this one spent?” He jerked a thumb toward Colt.

“Yeah,” Atlas said, eyes darting over the car. “We talked about it in Church. He’s a rich little fuck. Pocket change to him.”

Dad’s lips pursed. “My mind must’ve been somewhere else. Don’t remember takin’ about it.” He turned to Colt and clapped him on the shoulder. “Personally, I think it’s a waste of green, but it’s your money. Your decision.” He gave the men chin lifts and headed back into the clubhouse.

I stared at the car, my shock turning into a tide of emotion. Gratitude swirled along with disbelief as I took in my beautiful new car. This gift was beyond anything I could’ve imagined, and it was just like Colt to remember the small conversations and make my dreams come true.

My heart fluttered as my eyes found Colt’s again across the parking lot. He’d risked a lot to get me this car. Dad seemed to have accepted it just fine, but it could’ve gone a completely different way.

Colt’s smile spread slowly across his face, crinkling the corners of his eyes, which were fixated on me. He dipped his chin, a silent affirmation of his feelings.

Tears welled in my eyes, blurring his beautiful face.

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