Page 33 of Lake's Legacy

“To call the police and to call the elders to let them know what happened. We need you to step up while Coyote is out of commission,” Crow says.

I grimace, knowing he’s right. While I want to insist that Toff take my place, I know it won’t fly with the elders. We’d bebucking tradition; the tribe needs stability, not more upheaval. I glance at Toff.

“You have to. We need to call a meeting and tell everyone what happened and what we know. Our tribe is under attack. Everyone expects you to take over. I know it isn’t what you want.”

“But it’s what I must do, at least for the interim. While you wait for the cops to arrive, contact the elders again and tell them I need to meet with them,” I direct Crow. “I don’t know how long we’ll be at the hospital, so make it for sometime tomorrow morning.”

He steps away to make the call while I run my hand through my hair in a failed attempt to calm my nerves. Taking over as chief of the tribe was a role I’ve avoided ever since Dad laid out the plan when I turned twelve. That day, he explained every detail of my life as if it had already happened. Where I would go to school, what subjects I would take, who I would marry, and how many kids we’d have. His plan had me attending meetings to learn about the tribe’s business and their quest to achieve recognition by the government. Coyote has spent his entire life working to achieve this recognition. It is the legacy he’s worked toward. If he can’t succeed in his lifetime, I know he’ll expect Toff and me to continue the battle.

“Was Dad conscious?” Toff asks.

“For a minute,” I pull out the USB drive and show it to him. “He gave me this and then muttered something about a man.”

“Who?”

I shrug. “No idea. He only managed to say, ‘Don’t let him.’ I don’t know who or what he’s trying to do. Maybe we’ll find some answers on the drive. My brothers are meeting us at the hospital. Maybe Pirate can find something. He always has his computer with him. But for now, let’s keep this between us.”

Toff nods as the girls return. “Ready?”

“Okay, they’ll expect you at eleven,” Crow announces before we can leave. “They’re happy to hear you’re taking over as chief.”

“You are?” Olivia asks me.

“Have to. The tribe needs a leader and expects me to step up.” I take Olivia’s hand and kiss her fingers. “It won’t be forever, just until Dad gets out of the hospital.”

Olivia nods as Annette studies me. I give her a questioning look, but she shakes her head and turns her attention to Toff.

“You guys take off. I’ll come to the hospital after the cops finish here,” Crow says.

The engine's hum is the only sound during the forty-minute drive to the hospital. We’re all lost in our thoughts. I glance at Olivia often to make sure she’s not sleeping. I’m still not convinced she doesn’t have a concussion, even though she isn’t showing the signs. She’s staring out the window, her eyes open as she chews on her bottom lip. I feel guilty for not paying her more attention. Lifting her hand, I kiss her knuckles.

“You doing okay, baby?” I ask her.

She jolts but smiles at me. “I am. I'm just coming to terms with everything that’s happened today. It’s a lot.”

I grunt in agreement.

“Do you think our kidnapping has anything to do with the attack on your father?”

I sense Toff and Annette stiffen as they tune into our conversation. “I don’t know. Seems like it should. I can’t imagine we’re facing more than one enemy. However, we won’t know until we figure out who attacked the chief.”

“Once you become chief, do you think whoever attacked him will come after you, too?”

CHAPTER TWENTY: OLIVIA

This has been the week from hell. Forget that. I am in hell. That’s the only explanation for all the shit that’s happened this week. Almost getting kidnapped, then getting kidnapped, and now the brutal attack on Lake’s father. Those are just the highlights. Now, Lake has agreed to step up as chief. I don’t know what that means. Is he now in danger, too? Not that I don’t think he can handle himself, but whoever attacked Coyote stabbed him in the back. Did his attacker sneak up on him? Or is it as I fear? That Coyote knew and trusted his attacker?

Lake startles me when he lifts my hand to kiss my knuckles. “You doing okay, baby?”

I offer him a smile, even though I can’t find anything to smile about. “I am. I'm just coming to terms with everything that’s happened today. It’s a lot. Do you think our kidnapping has anything to do with the attack on your father?”

“I don’t know. Seems like it should. I can’t imagine we’re facing more than one enemy. However, we won’t know until we figure out who attacked Coyote.”

“Once you become chief, do you think whoever attacked him will come after you, too?” Because that is my second biggest fear. My first? That I’ll lose him once he becomes chief. It isn’t that I’m not worried about his safety. It’s just that Lake won’t turn hisback on anyone after the attack on Coyote. So, no, my primary concern isn’t Lake’s safety. I’m worried about how his becoming chief will impact our relationship. Maybe I’m being selfish. This is likely only temporary, but I can’t help but feel I’ve already lost him.

“I hope he does. I want to get my hands on him. But hey, you don’t have to worry about me. Whoever attacked Coyote caught him by surprise. He won’t find me an easy target.”

I nodded in agreement because I’d already come to that conclusion. “When those guys locked us in the cellar, they said we were serving as a distraction.”

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