Chapter 36
“P lease don’t leave,” Maisie begs, as I finish loading up my truck.
“I have to.” I lean in and take her in my arms, feeling real bad for what I’ve asked of her.
“You don’t have to leave, I know it would be hard and I hate that I’m gonna have to lie to her too, but we can get through it, together,” she tells me, wiping away her tears. “We’re doing it for her,” she reminds me.
According to Garrett, Maisie didn’t even question the fact that Walker has to die, it only shows how well she fits in around here.
“You ain’t the one who's gonna kill him,” I point out sadly. How the hell would I be able to hold Leia in my arms and comfort her in her grief, knowing I was the one who caused it?
“Neither are you, if you ain’t here,” Cole grumbles under his breath.
“I told ya, as soon as you get the all-clear from Noah, I’ll be on the first flight out here.
I ain’t missin’ out on makin’ that bastard pay.
I’m goin’ to Dallas, I ain't a million miles away. I’ll be back to meet these guys too,” I promise, taking hold of Maisie’s bump and trying to show some enthusiasm.
I’m gonna hate missing out on being a full-time uncle, but I can’t stay in town.
Seeing her every day would be far too much of a torture.
“You better,” Garrett warns me sternly, placing his arm around Maisie’s shoulder to comfort her, as I pull away
“Call when you get there,” she calls out as I get in the passenger side of the truck, and Cole gets behind the wheel.
“You know Garrett wants your hide for leavin’,” he tells me as we pull away.
“Yeah, but there ain’t no other way. You know that.” I look to my brother knowing that he may not like what I’m doing, but he understands it.
“I do.” He nods his head.
“We gotta make a stop off before we go to the airport,” I explain before he takes the road that leads to the freeway.
“A detour to where?” Cole asks.
“To the Mason ranch.” I watch him shake his head at me, but instead of arguing, he does exactly as I say.
When we get there, I tell him to stay in the car as I head for the front door, and Caleb must see me coming because he opens it before I even get to it.
“Take a walk with me,” I order, looking at his busted-up face and the huge bandage he’s got ‘round his hand. I lead him away from the house.
“You're not gonna tell Mayor Walker what we know. If ya do, I swear I’ll find you a space in the ground next to him.”
“I got it.” The jumped-up prick ain’t so confident now, and when we reach the corral on the other side of the yard, I lean over the top of it and stare out at the view.
“My family are gonna take that land back and when that time comes, if I were you, I’d make sure your dad and your brothers show no resistance,” I warn, knowing that a storm is brewing. Mason still hasn’t paid for what he did to Aubrey and now this… his day is coming.
“I’ve been thinkin’ ‘bout what ya said. You havin’ the hold over Walker, not your father, means you were the one pushin’ for this marriage to happen. I need ya to tell me why.”
“Why’s it even important?” Caleb frowns.
“It’s important because I’m in love with that girl, and I know her inside out.
She’s gonna marry you to protect her dad and there's nothin’ I can do ‘bout that, now. All I can do is warn ya that if you ever fuckin’ hurt her, not only will no one ever find your body, but if they do, it will be unrecognizable.
Now, tell me why?” I keep my voice calm, despite its threat, and wait for his response.
“My family have known about The Order for years. Dad’s always wanted to be accepted into it, but they’re selective and he’s far too old now.
They can do things for a man, put him places he ain’t ever dreamed of, and I want a little bit of that for myself,” he admits.
“When Walker becomes governor, which he will…”
I can’t help but laugh at his optimism. I’m pretty certain Walker won’t be making it to his next dental check-up, let alone through a campaign.
“…when he does, this town will be looking for a new mayor,” he points out. “If I’m married to Leia Walker, I’ll be a good option for The Order.”
I stare at the man in front of me and wonder if Leia will ever be able to love him, and thinking about it for too long makes me want to kill him.
“I meant what I said, if you hurt her, I’ll kill ya, and if you ever tell her what you know—”
‘That secret isn’t gonna help me get what I want with anyone, other than Walker. If it comes out his reputation is ruined, I wanna keep it buried just as much as you do,” he tells me with a snigger.
“Watch your back Mason,” I warn him, stepping away and heading back toward the truck.
“What was that all about?” Cole asks when I get back inside.
“I gotta feelin’ Leia’s gonna marry him,” I admit, hating how the words sound out loud.
“She doesn’t have to, you told her we ain’t a threat, right?” Cole points out.
“Yeah, I told her, but she knows about the people who protect her dad and she’s gonna want to please ‘em. If Noah can’t sort this shit out before that weddin’, she’ll go through with it, for sure.”
“Then don’t fuckin’ leave. I’ve stayed quiet on this, because I know where you’re at in your head, right now. But Wade, you can’t go if ya think she’s gonna marry him. You can’t leave her behind in the middle of this shit show.”
“That’s why you're gonna look out for her. I don’t know much about these people, who promise men power, but I do know they expect those men to uphold their reputations. While Caleb is trying to impress them, Leia is safe,” I explain my logic.
“Safe ain’t happiness, Wade.” Cole makes another valid point. He seems full of wise words these days.
“Yeah, well, you know yourself, there ain’t many of us that get it.” I tap his shoulder as he starts the engine, and as he drives me to the airport I look outta my window and think about all the things that I’m leaving behind.
I guess my fuckin’ heart will have to be one of ‘em.