Chapter 22
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
DIXIE
I have no idea why I ran to here, but I did.
Looking at the derelict house that sits on a large field, tucked alongside the creek, it was very picturesque when I was a child. Now, not so much. Nothing but harboured bad memories here.
I deserved so much more than the hand I was dealt. But I was never the ‘woe is me’ type.
My legs begin to move towards the wrap around porch, which has seen better days. Wood weathered, some beams broken, some missing completely, which cements the fact that my dad just up and left. I have no idea if he is still running Mules. But I would be shocked if he was.
Stepping cautiously onto the porch, I inhale deeply as I step back and look out at the view. The mountains stand tall and proud, the dusk settling in just over the snow tipped tops. Always loved this view. The sound of the creek trickling by, it was the same creek that ran through Rivera Ranch and The Oaks, but this is where the mouth of the creek was.
Our house felt like it was at the base of the mountains, even though it wasn't, you would think that if you saw how it sat.
It was such a beautiful plot.
Not so much anymore.
Moving forward, my hand reaches out as I push gently on the front door and my brows crinkle when it doesn't open. Not sure why I am shocked.
I turn and find myself sitting on the top step of the porch. I should go back home. And by home, I don't mean Rivera Ranch. I mean to Wyoming. I don't belong here. My past will eventually catch up with me, Lucian is no doubt still here, hopefully with a bullet through his skull, but if he is still alive and kicking, he will sniff me out. He won't leave without me in his grasps.
My chest aches.
Hate that I ran out on Tripp.
I just needed some fresh air.
Realising that I was still utterly in love with him suffocated me. Seeing him lying in that bed, pinned and caged... I couldn't breathe. I needed out, and truthfully, I don't think I can break my heart or his again. The thought of losing him is too much to even think about.
Dropping my head into my hands, I sigh. It had been such a long day.
“Well, well, well...” I hear his voice before I see him and my skin prickles with goosebumps. Slowly lifting my head, my eyes meet his.
Lucian .
“Pretty good aim for a useless little girl.”
I crinkle my nose, arms wrapped around my knees that are bent up.
I wish I could ignore him.
“Not that useless when I shot one of your guys dead with a bullet to the temple,” I shake my head from side to side.
He laughs.
I drop my head again, not wanting to give into the fear that is currently crippling me as the seconds pass.
His boots scuffle across the dirt that sits just in front of me, and my eyes are pinned to them, dirty and scuffed.
“We're leaving in four weeks, I suggest you get yourself packed up.”
Snapping my head up to look at him, my eyes widen.
“Who said I am leaving?”
He rolls his eyes. “We have a show...”
“There is no we . I am not leaving. I don't want to leave with you.”
He lowers himself in front of me, black eyes on me.
“Who said you had a choice?” he reaches out and grabs the top of my arm, squeezing tightly as he drags me to my feet. “Remember why you came back here, Dixie? This was always the plan.” His finger runs across my bottom lip, “We already eradicated one problem; the focus is the gold mines. We said we would split it three ways… Unlike some greedy assholes.”
“I didn’t want to be part of the plan, I left you, I gave you all I had and told you it was over,” I try and pull my arm from his grip, but he just tightens it. “I came back here for Clay, and to get what is rightfully mine—his money—I need it for Lainey. I don’t care about anything else; I have no interest in being your mole.”
The sound of the back of Lucian’s hand marking my cheek fills the emptiness, my head spinning from the force and tears sting behind my eyes. “If you do not do as I say, I will take the Rivera Family out one by fucking one and make you watch as I sink a bullet between their eyes.” His tone is cold, heartless, “Then I’ll kill Lainey.”
Swallowing the bile that coats my throat, my eyes fill with unshed tears.
“And I mean it Dixie, I want to know everything those bastard boys are up to in regard to the gold mines, that's my golden ticket, and if you play along, it'll be yours too,”
he shoves me back and I fall onto the steps of my childhood home with a crash, pain radiating up my back.
“Do you understand me?” he asks, his eyes steady on mine and all I do is nod.
“Good,” he stands tall, brushing his hands off of invisible dust. “Wallen is meeting up with the big suits that Clay was in dealings with next week, so hopefully he gets a move on with taking over the land too. We're sitting on a damn goldmine… literally. ”
I stay mute.
“I'll see you in four weeks,” Lucian says and I bury my head back in my hands, and when I finally look up, he is gone.