Page 10 of Their Property
Mr. Willis, who had been silent until now, stepped up with a concerned expression. “Miss Vance, I don’t think that would be proper.”
I leveled him with my best stern look. “If they are to be my bodyguards, sir, it’s only natural that I’ll be in private with them regularly.”
“Yeah, that,” T-Bone shook his head, his face darkening, “isnotgoing to happen.” While his amber gaze had been locked on me a moment before, now he looked everywhere but at me. That hurt, especially combined with his sudden refusal to do the job.
He had been warm and jovial when we first met. Fun-loving and flirtatious without crossing any boundaries. But he’d done a one-eighty right before leaving Four Corners. He’d grown cold, distant. Stiff and formal, especially around my father. He never even said goodbye. None of them did.
After so much time had passed, I’d hoped he’d be alittlehappy to see me. But it was painfully clear, like back then, that he didn’t want to be anywhere near me.
“Hold on.” Dyno raised his hands. “We should talk about this before making any rash decisions.”
“Decision’s already been made,” T-Bone argued. “Wecan’ttake this job, D.”
“Are you saying that as president or as you?”
“Both.”
The room fell silent again as the two men squared off to face each other, some unspoken battle waging between them. I didn’t know if they’d start fighting or making out. Both options seemed equally likely. The Sons were always open about their love and affection for each other. I never got the courage to tell them how much I loved seeing them act that way.
Grudge stepped between them before anything could happen, teeth bared as he waved my father’s letter in T-Bone’s face. That broke the tension, at least temporarily, and I came back to my senses.
“You three have traveled all this way.” I folded my hands and straightened my spine. “Maybe if we all sat down, had a bite to eat and a drink, we could come to a solution.”
The tension bled out of T-Bone just a fraction, giving me a tiny shred of hope.
“I thought we just came to a solution?” Willis sputtered.
“Istill have not made a decision, Mr. Willis.” I shot him my best scathing look. “Don’t I get a say in who my own bodyguards are?”
“With all due respect, Miss Vance, your father would not want his treasured daughter to be guided by…by a…”
“Come on, say it,” T-Bone goaded him. “You’re a big boy. You can do it.”
“A…abiker gang!”
The bikers in question all snorted, and I had to stop myself from making a very similar noise.
“My father’s decree is in that man’s hand right now.” I nodded at Grudge. “Which seems to contradict your statement, sir.”
“But…but—“
“However, I am open to the possibility that this could be a misunderstanding.” I released my hands and walked forward a few steps, my body growing warmer as I moved closer to the Sons. “Which is why I suggest sitting down and talking it out. Like civilized people.”
T-Bone resumed looking at the ground, avoiding my gaze again, but looking like he was trying to hide a smile.
“As Sevier leadership, we are also hosts of this territory,” I reminded the suited, shock-faced men. “What kind of leadership are we showing to not offer hospitality to weary travelers?”
Neither of the suited men seemed convinced, but all three Sons were full-on grinning.
“Have it your way, Miss Vance,” Willis said, looking like he’d swallowed a sour melon. “Our dining area is this way. We’ll have the kitchen staff prepare you something. But!” He held up an index finger, staring daggers at me. “We’ll have soldiers posted at the doors, to keep an eye on you at all times.”
I suppressed an eyeroll. Really, no one would believe I wasn’t a child anymore.
“Um.” Lieutenant Gonzalez cleared his throat. “Should we stay, Miss Vance?”
“No, you may go.” I smiled at my soldier escorts. “I’ve kept you long enough. Thank you for coming this far with me.”
“Best wishes, Miss Vance. And good luck.” The soldiers nodded sharply and turned to leave, again to the stupefied faces of the Sevier officials. Lieutenant Gonzalez bumped fists with Dyno on his way out.
