23. Kash
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
kash
A little too much whiskey is now swirling through my gut, which will probably come back and bite me in the ass.
But how else was I supposed to cope with the fucking ridiculous situation I’ve found myself in?
Sittin’ here listening to my packmates talk with Mason Callahan about their courtship with his daughter is a true test of my fortitude.
Being anywhere near the father of the woman I’ve despised for over half my life wasn’t on the agenda. Neither was falling further in love with the child she created with my packmate, but here we are.
There’s an itch running up and down my spine that I’m doing my damndest to ignore, which the whiskey is trying to help with.
It appeared earlier when Juliette and Beck walked back into the kitchen and has grown stronger each time our eyes have clashed.
I’m starting to think my instincts must be faulty because she can never be mine.
“We appreciate you being open to our courtship with Juliette, sir. I’ve missed out on enough of my daughter’s life, not to mention time spent with yours. I don’t think I could walk away from either of them if I tried.”
We all stand, and Mason circles his desk until he’s in front of Beck.
“I apologize for my harsh words earlier. I clearly didn’t have all the facts.
I would never keep a father from his child, and trust me when I say I saw how Juliette suffered when she realized she had no way to contact you.
I love my daughter and have only ever wanted what’s best for her.
In trying to protect her, I’ve done things I’m not proud of.
I can’t say I wouldn’t do it all again. Fatherhood is tricky like that. One day, I’m sure you’ll do the same.”
His gaze cuts to me at those words, and suddenly the whiskey I’ve consumed threatens to make a reappearance.
“We understand. Hopefully, from this point forward, we can take some of that burden off your shoulders. We’d do anything for her. Truly.”
“Everything and more, Mr. Callahan,” Wyatt says, offering his hand for the other man to shake. “It was a pleasure getting to talk with you. I’m sure we’ll see each other again soon.”
“Call me Mason. Sounds like we’re about to be family, after all,” the older Alpha says, shaking Wyatt’s hand, then Beck’s.
My packmates head for the door, but when I turn to follow, Mason stops me.
“Kash, hang back for a second. I want to talk to you.”
My brothers’ worried eyes connect with mine, but I simply nod. I’m not afraid of Mason Callahan. There’s little he could do to me that my father hasn’t already done ten times worse.
Watching their backs as they head out the door, I take a deep breath in and exhale, preparing to face the one man I managed to avoid for most of my childhood.
Considering he seemed to do the same, I don’t feel the least bit guilty about that.
The fact that he’s making a point to single me out now doesn’t bode well.
“Sit. We have some things to discuss.”
Making my way back to the chair in front of his desk, I drop into it, propping my elbows on my knees. “What would we have to discuss? I’ve already explained that I’m not courting Juliette.”
He takes his time filling his glass, then sips from it while he studies me over the rim. This tactic might work with other Alphas, but it definitely fucking doesn’t with me. Jack Ford’s glare is the stuff of nightmares, and I’ve never cowered before him.
“I’ve worked too fucking hard my entire life to make sure my daughter didn’t get tangled up with you.
Hell, even knowing the shit I was doing was to the detriment of my relationship with her.
” His words, sudden and scathing, hit almost as hard as a punch.
He opens the drawer in front of him, pulling out a small book and a pen before rapidly scrawling something across one of its pages.
“I’m going to make you an offer, just like I did the other pack. ”
Stunned speechless, I don’t even know how to respond. I’ve known the Callahans all of my life, yet of all the ways I would’ve expected this conversation to go, this wouldn’t have even been in the top ten.
He sets the pen down, rips out the check, and slides it across the desk. I stare down at it, the number of zeros after the comma making my throat go dry.
“What is this?” I rasp.
“That is all yours if you walk away now. You aren’t bonded to the other two. There’s no bite tying you to them. You’d simply leave, with little-to-no explanation. I’d leave that part up to you. I’d just ask that you get as far away from Darling and my daughter as is physically possible.”
Shock.
Disbelief.
Fury.
“What the fuck?” I growl, standing.
“There’s no way I can force distance with Beck or Wyatt. They’re my granddaughter’s blood. That leaves you.”
He’s staring at me as if we’re talking about the weather rather than the reality of him trying to buy me out of my own damn pack.
“No.”
His head tilts, his arms hitting the desk as he drums his fingers together. “You really want to subject those girls to your father’s warpath when he catches wind of what’s going on here? You’re willing to risk them?”
“No, I?—”
“Kash, you and I both know that there isn’t a version of this that ends peacefully. Bow out now. Let my girls find a little slice of happiness without the taint of a decades-old feud hanging over their heads. Think about it. The offer will be here whenever you finally see reason.”
Rubbing my hands across my mouth, I glance down at the check and feel my stomach pitch. Without another word, I turn to leave. Just before I cross the threshold, I pause. Looking back at Mason, I voice the only words that I’m capable of right now.
“I don’t know what kind of man you think I am, Mr. Callahan, but I can assure you I’m nothing like my father—mostly thanks to the time spent right here in Darling growing up.
Despite our differences, I’d never wish my father on anyone, most especially Juliette and Charlotte.
Whether you believe me or not, they’ll always be safe with me. ”
When I walk out, it’s like my lungs are frozen in my chest, and I’m having a hard time taking a full breath.
As I pass by the sitting room, all three women pause and stare my way.
I simply offer a nod as I stalk past, and when I hear Juliette call out my name, I can’t stop. I need to get the hell out of here.
I’m through the door and walking down the steps to where my brothers are waiting for me.
“Juliette’s going to spend some time with her mama, and… Whoa, dude. What happened back there?” Wyatt asks, taking in my face which I’m sure is pale as fuck.
“Nothing.” I toss the keys to Beck, who’s watching me with a worried expression. “You can drive. I’ve had too much to drink.”
“Sure thing, brother.”
I don’t remember the car ride or the next couple of hours that follow.
I’m so lost in a replay of those few short moments in Mason’s office that the next time I look out the window, most of the afternoon has passed and we’re edging toward evening.
The one thing I’ve gone back and forth with are Mason’s very first words.
I’ve worked too fucking hard my entire life to make sure my daughter didn’t get tangled up with you.
What the hell did he mean by that? What else has he done to keep us apart?
Suddenly, all of these questions start whirring through my mind, and nothing I try silences them. Then I realize there’s only one other person who might have the answers.
By now I’ve sobered up enough to be confident I can drive the mile back to the Callahan estate. I might be risking the devil’s wrath, but I’m willing to if it means I can quiet the voices inside my head.
Beck and Wyatt are nowhere to be found, but that also means the rental is gone.
Gramps would let me borrow his car, but on impulse, I head for the stables, seeking out my favorite chestnut stallion.
In seconds, I’ve got him saddled up and I’m riding through the large field to the west of our estate, heading for the small gate that will take me right onto the Callahans’ property.
Wonder if they still keep that open?
Back before we were enemies, they never bothered to close the thing because it was easier for Juliette and me to get back and forth without hitting the main road. Of course, knowing Mason, he probably locked that thing down tighter than Fort Knox.
As I ride, the wind and sun offer me something I haven’t felt in over a decade.
Peace .
There’s something about being on horseback that grounds a man. Maybe it’s the freedom one feels being this close to nature, or maybe it’s simply the horse’s presence that seeps deep into your soul and smooths out all the harsh edges.
That’s what we’ve fought tooth and nail for all these years after all.
Horses for Healing is our way of helping people of all walks of life reconnect with the natural remedies that only these majestic beasts can offer.
With Beck’s degrees, Wyatt’s hands-on experience, and my business savvy, we’re going to turn that fifty acres into a place the Fords can be proud of.
Up ahead, the gate appears, and to my surprise, it’s wide open.
In a matter of minutes, I’m through the barrier and riding along the edge of the property until I come upon the Callahan stables.
Not sure if it’s my lucky day or what, but I catch sight of Juliette crouched under the hood of an old red truck, her blonde hair pulled back into a simple ponytail.
The white tank she’s wearing is smeared with grease, her jeans stretched against the round ass that’s aimed my way, with her booted foot propped up on the silver fender.
She hears my approach, her head snapping up and deep brown eyes staring at me from beneath the brim of her hat.
“Kash?”
Walking Maximus over to a hitching post alongside the stables, I dismount and secure his reins to the post before making my way over to her.