Page 11 of Their Property
“Now.” I turned to address the remaining men in the room with a smile. “Shall we?”
“You really didn’t knowit would be me?” I scanned the letter from my father, which outlined the Sons’ contract as my bodyguards. My name wasn’t mentioned anywhere. I was only referred to as “The Ambassador”.
“No,” said Dyno. “And I take it you had no idea it would be us.”
The three of them sat on the opposite side of a round banquet table. Except for the soldiers posted at the doors, we were the only ones in this massive dining hall. I had chosen a table in the center of the room for the most amount of privacy while we talked.
“No,” I admitted, setting the letter down. “So it seems only my father would know both pieces of information. Why would he do that?”
“We assumed it was for extra security.” T-Bone grabbed a handful of peanuts from one of the bowls on the table and shoved a few in his mouth. “If our orders were intercepted by a hostile territory, the ambassador could’ve become a target if they were named.” He opened his palm, allowing the raven on his shoulder to peck at a few peanuts.
“That makes sense.” I squirmed in my seat, unsure of how much of the past, if any, I should bring up.Why did you leave?I wanted to demand.
Like I even had a right to demand that. There was no history between us, not really. They rescued me on my father’s orders. We had become friendly during and after the ride back. But that was it. There was nothing there.
I had a massive, out-of-control crush on them that came roaring back with a vengeance after four years, but it certainly wasn’t returned. They probably saw me as everyone else did—a naive, dimwitted, spoiled girl who knew nothing of the real world. Why would they ever want me? Besides, they had each other.
“Can I ask,” I fingered the edge of the tablecloth, “why did you assume my father made a mistake?” I focused on Munin, T-Bone’s raven, who was now preening his feathers. “And why do you feel unfit for the position?”
All three men shifted in their seats, sneaking glances at each other and looking highly uncomfortable with the question.
“Your father is…very protective of you,” Dyno began.
“Please.” I waved my hand and finally allowed my eyes to roll. “There’s no need to remind me.”
T-Bone chuckled, hiding another smile, while Munin cawed softly, as if echoing his laughter.
“Idon’t believe we’re underqualified for the job.” Dyno placed a hand on his chest. “We succeeded in getting you out of Blakeworth, after all.” He looked to his right. “Grudge, what do you think?”
“Hm.” Grudge jerked his chin down in a sharp nod and pointed across the table to my father’s letter. He may have been a man of few words but his feelings were clear—he wanted to stay as well.
I gave him a grateful smile, warmth fluttering in my chest. He didn’t return it, pulling his gaze away after catching my eye for a moment, and the flutters deflated. Well, he and Dyno were willing to stay, at least. The only holdout was T-Bone.
His peanuts now all gone, T-Bone crossed his arms over his broad chest and tipped his gaze up to the ceiling.
“No one is better qualified to protect Miss Vance than we are,” he said as if I weren’t even in the room. “If you two still want to do the job, fine. I’m in.”
“Then what was that all about earlier?” I blurted out, the hurt coloring my voice. “You said ithadto be a mistake. That youcouldn’ttake the job. Why?” I stopped myself from asking the question that I really wanted to know,Do you really hate me so much?
T-Bone rested his eyes on me for the first time, his expression blank. Even so, his gaze was arresting. I wanted him to always look at me. I wanted to poke cheeks and see that hidden smile shine full and bright, like it used to.
“I got defensive out of concern for you. Your, ah, reputation in this new territory.”
“My reputation?” I repeated. “I just arrived today. I haven’t had time to develop a reputation.”
“A new ambassador, who’s also the daughter of a prosperous governor, being guarded constantly by three roughneck bikers?” T-Bone cocked his head. “That’s one hell of a way to start a reputation. You heard ol’ Stick-Up-The-Ass out there. They don’t even want you alone in the same room as us. By the way… Hey boys?” he yelled across the banquet room, holding up an empty bowl. “Can I get some more peanuts for my bird?”
None of the soldiers posted at the doors responded or moved a muscle.
“See? Fuckin’ useless chaperones,” T-Bone grumbled.
“I don’t care what anyone thinks we’re up to behind closed doors,” I said. “I trust you three. My father trusts you. That’s why he chose you.”
“And we’re grateful for that, but youshouldcare about what people think,” T-Bone retorted. “You’re a representative. The people here have a lot of backwards ways of thinking. They’reyearsbehind Four Corners in terms of progress. How do you think they’re gonna feel about the young, beautiful new ambassador being constantly surrounded by three outlaws who are twice her age?”
I opened my mouth to answer but my brain, heart, and stomach were stuck on the fact that he called mebeautiful. T-Bone also seemed to realize that he said it because he was looking away from me again.
“I’m happy to represent Four Corners in such a way,” I said, lifting my chin. “I will be proud to show them that our territory thrives due to its citizens, whether they love men, women, one person, or multiple people. No matter their age, ability, ethnicity, or background. Where we come from, everyone has a place and deserves basic respect and human rights. We’ll show them how to do that here.”
