Page 48 of Cowboy

“That’s what you get for fucking with my girl.”

It was hours before everyone was arrested, including several local police officers. The women and children had been taken from Greece, her surrounding islands, and nearby nations. They were destined for a bidding block in Russia. Now, they were being cared for, and arrangements made for their safe return.

The cargo included illegal furs, drugs, electronics, and stolen weapons from the military of Great Britain, Spain, Italy, and Turkey. As the story unfolded over the next few days, everything was revealed.

Dimitri Stepanapolos had attempted to change his uncle’s will to get control of the ships and other businesses. Due to a strange set of circumstances, the ships received catastrophic damage and would never sail again.

At this time, the news could report that the Stepanapolos Shipping lines were bankrupt, the casinos owned by Constantine Liconitis had been sold, with the money being donated as he instructed. Poaching groups across Asia, Africa, and Europe were arrested and now in custody, spilling their guts to anyone who would listen for a plea bargain.

For the men of VG, it was a good week. A very good week.

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

On the following Friday, Moose walked Autumn down the aisle per her request. He’d never been so moved by a request in all his life. He sobbed in Matthew’s arms, wondering why she would want to choose him. A broken-down, widowed[PC3]SEAL with anger issues. Autumn didn’t see it that way.

She saw the man that had helped to kill the men who killed the only woman she ever loved. Her grandmother. It surprised Autumn that the morning of her wedding, her parents called.

“Autumn? It’s Dad, honey.” She stilled, not saying anything, as the women in the room stared at her. Keegan was working on her makeup and hair while Winter was doing her nails. “Autumn.”

“What do you want?” she asked coldly.

“Honey, that’s no way to talk to your father,” he said calmly.

“You’re not my father. You haven’t been my father for twenty years. What do you want, Francis?”

“Look, we went up to see Mom and noticed the place had burned down. Asking around, we heard the news that she was gone. I’m sorry. Really, I am.”

“What. Do. You. Want?”

“Jesus, Autumn, can’t you just talk to me? I mean, I’ve lost my mother here as well,” he said.

“Yea, you seem really broken up about that. Don’t bullshit me, Dad. You left us, and I haven’t seen you since. What do you want?”

“Fine. That ranch should go to me. I mean, it’s mine. I’m the only child. And if she had any money, well…”

“You can stop right there. The ranch was left to me in her will, and I’m going to keep it going as a wilderness guide and horseback riding center for the mountains. Someone will run it for me with the inheritance she left me. It wasn’t much, but it’s enough to keep it going for the first year. She left you nothing. Zero. Nada.”

“It’s mine, Autumn. We need it. Your mother and I are in a bad place.”

“What’s the matter, Dad? Didn’t you hit it big on the roulette wheel last night? Were the cards not kind to you? Or did Astra buy another expensive handbag? Which is it, Dad? Actually, never mind. I don’t want to know. I don’t care.

“Grandma gave me everything. Love, comfort, food, shelter, an education, and so much more. She made me into the woman I am today. The woman that’s going to be married today. You won’t have the good fortune of meeting him. Nor will you ever see my face again. If you attempt to touch one thing that belonged to Grandma and now belongs to me, I’ll sic so many attorneys on you, you won’t know what happened.”

“You used to be a sweet girl,” said her father.

“I used to be a lot of things, but whatever I am now, you can blame on you and credit Grandma.” She hung up the phone, and the women all watched as she closed her eyes, taking in deep breaths.

“Honey?” whispered Suze.

“I’m okay. In fact, I didn’t realize how much I needed to do that. I’m good now,” she smiled. “I’m really good.”

Later, as she was dancing with her husband in front of their family and friends, she didn’t feel the stab of loneliness at not having a father-daughter dance. She felt the stab of sadness at not having any of her own family there. Then she realized she did. Every person here was her family. Her friends.

Moose danced with her, beaming with brotherly pride and adoration.

“I wish you really were my brother or father, Moose,” she smiled.

“Hey, I’m not that old. Brother is fine, but I damn sure couldn’t be your father,” he smirked. “But I know what you mean. How about I be your surrogate brother. If Cowboy gets out of line, I’ll make sure to rein him back in.”

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