Page 204 of Ice Princess

GUNNER

Turns out,if you post a dramatic family showdown live on the retirement group home chat, it takes half a day for the rest of the town to hear about it.

In detail.

And then in exaggerated detail.

And then in details that never actually happened.

By evening’s end, without dad having to call anyone over, the entire family floods my parent’s home to discuss the matter.

At first, there’s a lot of shouting and demands. Some family members insist that only Uncle Clarence and Uncle Stewart should pay for the damages. Others suggest we should find a lawyer and counter-sue so we don’t have to pay a cent.

Dad spells out what losing a court case will mean for us—filing for bankruptcy, losing our retirement accounts and houses, giving up all gold, jewelry, and even the furniture and clothes we own.

My uncles and aunts flinch.

“Carol, what do you think of this?” Uncle Robert asks, looking at my mother with desperation in his eyes.

The rest of the family turn to mom too. She’s been silent through most of the chaos. In fact, ever since Uncle Stewart was transported to the county jail and Uncle Clancy became the first Kinsey to have a wanted notice publicized on the nightly news, she hasn’t said much at all.

“I’m just observing who my real friends are,”mom told me when I asked her if she was okay.

Marjorie White’s been noticeably keeping her distance from the house, and mom missed the last Lady Luck Society meeting. I’m considering whether I should ask Rebel, the new face of the Society, to help mom out.

“I think a settlement is a great idea,” mom says, stunning the room into silence.

“But Carol!”

“Whoever would like to take this to court, can do so. After you lose everything, I will be sure to share canned food with you and you may use the wooden shed at the back of the property until you get back on your feet.”

Everyone flinches.

Mom smiles tightly. “Cake anyone?”

Later that evening,I head to the ladies’ outdoor garage. With Uncle Stewart behind bars, the Safety Committee should be scrambling to give April and Rebel their shop back but, instead, they’re doubling down.

Chance’s lawyers have officially sued the organization. I don’t know much about law but, from what Chance has explained to me, his lawyers are confident that the Safety Committee is about to get creamed. At least those lawyers are finally good for something.

Rebel’s bent over the open hood of a car, looking utterly angelic while fiddling around with the engine. A pink bandana is tied around her forehead and a ponytail dangles over the shoulder of her pink jumper.

Blue eyes flit to me and then crinkle with a warm, genuine smile. “Gunner, you’re early.”

I wave in a silent instructiontake your time.Then I take a seat around the table, watching her work. She moves with confidence, putting wires together, staring at waveforms on her laptop and cleaning car parts that I probably couldn’t name if my life was on the line. It’s the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen in my life.

“Huh.” April’s voice makes me jump. I look over my shoulder at Chance’s girlfriend as she takes a can of soda from the fridge. “Chance was right. You do melt.”

I arch a brow.

She smirks at me and then at Rebel. “I’m glad you know how lucky you are, Kinsey. Never forget it.”

“I won’t,” I respond. I’m no idiot. I was lucky enough to gain Rebel’s heart but, more importantly, I was lucky enough to gain Rebel’s trust. Life will change and the both of us might change with it, but my adoration of Rebel Hart will always be the same.

Oblivious to our conversation, Rebel runs around the hood of the car, takes her place in the driver’s seat and turns the key. The engine rumbles to life and she throws her hands up.

“Success!”

I applaud, “Nice shot.”

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