CHAPTER 9
COWBOY
“I’m not giving up Andi, no matter what.
” Ria struggles against me for a moment before she settles again.
“Yes, I have to think about Ria, and what I just saw out there is proof that Andi wants what I want. She’ll protect Ria with her life.
That’s what she needs,” I argue with Striker.
“I know I should have come to you sooner, but the damage was done already, and I couldn’t take it back.
She’s mine. I won’t give her up, no matter what you or anyone says.
Fuck, she could be pregnant with my kid right now. ”
“You fucking didn’t take Gambit’s advice, did you?” Striker barks.
“Well…” I don’t need to say more.
“Shit. Okay. Go out there and tell her what your plan is. I’ll support you. But you get to deal with her overbearing mother.”
“I can do that.”
We walk out of the kitchen, and I glance around. I know Andi needed a second to process everything and went to my room. Between Ria coming into our lives and finding out her counselor was murdered, it was a lot on my girl.
I head toward my room. I don’t find her there, but I see the necklace she always wears sitting on my dresser. I freak out and run through the clubhouse with Ria in my arms, trying to find her. Today has been a shit show.
I found out my sister and mother were murdered by my brother-in-law, who ended up killing himself too.
I didn’t even know my sister had gotten married.
His parents didn’t want the baby, who was left in a crib while the others lay dead around her.
A neighbor heard her crying and went to investigate.
Ria is only three months old and has already lived through so much.
And now I’ve learned my girlfriend’s stalker has escalated to murder.
“Striker, help me.” I hand him Ria, and he takes her like the professional he’s becoming with the newborn twins he has.
I run outside and don’t see her. Dialing her number, it goes straight to voicemail. I wasn’t in the kitchen that long, but my fear is that she took off on me again. She can’t do that right now, not with her stalker out there. I dial Butcher and hope he has eyes on her.
“Where is she?” I ask by way of greeting.
“You lost her? I thought you said you didn’t need me, so I’m taking some much-needed time off.”
“Butcher.” I know he doesn’t know how to relax or take time off.
“I had eyes on her but lost her. Okay?” he says. “I’m going to find her, though. She’s running. What happened?”
“What do you mean? You were there.”
“She came out of your room and was determined to walk away for a few weeks to give the police time to find her stalker. I lined up a safe house for her, but then she disappeared. I figured she slipped out the side entrance and caught an Uber before I could get to my bike. She’s heading to campus.”
“Get to her.” My voice is tight with tension. I head back into the clubhouse and beeline for Ria.
“Mr. Rutherford, you need to figure out everything and get Ria safe before you worry about your girlfriend. She’s young and will understand.”
I pause at the caseworker’s words.
“Listen here, Mrs. Ambrose, that young girl, as you call her, is my everything too, just like Ria is going to become. I don’t care if you think she’s young.
She’s lived through more than most adults and is far more mature than you think.
Don’t judge her based on what you saw here.
I need to get her back. Besides, Ria likes her already. ”
“Fine. I’ll come by and see you next week. Get a better place to stay with the baby. This is no place for a little one.”
“You have a problem with our kids being around here?” Gambit walks out with his son in his arms, his wife, Franci, following behind him. “Our clubhouse is becoming a family place. We’re cleaning it up. But yeah, Cowboy needs a place to raise his daughter, and we’ll help.”
Prez doesn’t say anything unless he means it.
I’m glad I don’t have to worry about struggling, but I’m also glad I put an offer on the house Jude pointed out.
It’ll be perfect for Andi and me. We can raise our kids there and still have the animals we both love.
I just need to get my woman to come back to me.
I hate that she runs before asking questions or talking.
I’ll be reiterating to her that she and Ria are my first thoughts, and I want her to come to me in the future, not run.
My phone pings, and I answer it. “Did you find her?”
“No, I missed her. She was prepared. Have someone bring a cage here to get Lennox so we can question her. She’s helping Andi out. I’m heading out to see if I can see her on the road.”
“Thanks, man.”
“Don’t thank me yet. I’m her protection too. If she says that you hurt her, I’ll help her hide from you.”
“Fuck you. I didn’t do anything.”
“Then why did she run?” He hangs up without letting me defend myself, and I realize he could be right.
I think over my conversation with Striker. I can’t think of anything at first. Then it hits me. I did say that I needed Ria to be my focus. Fuck! Could that have been what she heard, just a small snippet of a bigger statement?
“Want to stay in the safe house out back until you close on your place?” Gambit offers.
“Yeah, I need to.” I accept, knowing it’s the right choice.
“Get your stuff figured out. If you need anything for the baby to hold you over until you get your own, we have things you can borrow.”
“I’ll place an order and have a couple prospects go pick it up.”
“Good choice. The offer still stands. If you need anything, just let me know.”
“Thanks, Prez.”
Andi
It’s been a long twenty hours. I had to pull over a couple of times because the tears would blind me. I’m mad at myself for not confronting Callum and Striker and asking them what’s wrong with me other than the stalker, but now it’s too late.
I pull under the arched entrance that proclaims Forging Forbes Ranch, the ranch that’s been in our family for generations.
It started as a small stud farm and has grown into one of the best breeding programs for barrel racing horses in the area.
It also helps that Raine is partially from here, although her mare came from Ethan and Hailey’s farm.
Is it bad that I hate this place? Like my uncle, I don’t want anything to do with it.
This ranch only holds bad memories for me.
My father was murdered because of it. My mother has strived to prove she’ll be the best lady of the ranch by forcing me to continue racing when all I wanted to do was quit.
Pulling up to the main house, I’m out of the truck and stretch my back as I hear the screen door slam against the frame.
My grandmother is off on one of her adventures, so I know it’s my mother.
I take my time, not turning to acknowledge her yet.
I’m not ready to face her wrath. She’s angry and upset with me, and part of me gets it, but a greater part doesn’t.
I’m not a child. I can make my own decisions.
“Are you going to continue acting like a child and not tell me what the heck you think you were doing messing around with a man old enough to be your father?”
“Callum isn’t that old. Jeez, Mom, stop being so dramatic. Ethan is older than Hailey.”
“That doesn’t make it right. You shouldn’t be messing around with bikers. They have reputations.”
“That’s so prejudicial, Mom. Callum is an accountant by day. He’s part of a club that, as far as I know, doesn’t do anything illegal.”
“Don’t you talk back to me, daughter. I know what I see on TV.”
“That’s a drama show. Real MCs aren’t all like that. I’m sure there are illegal ones out there, but for Callum, it’s about brotherhood and common goals.”
“You don’t have time to be messing around in a relationship that isn’t going anywhere, Andi.
You need to get with the program and start training again.
The association wants you to come back. As for your counselor, I’m sorry for your loss, but we need to figure out why your file was taken.
She’s been your counselor since your father died. What could be in there?”
“Is that all you’re concerned about, Mom?”
“Well, no. I’m not heartless. I’m just worried about what this could mean for your career. We don’t need any tabloid fodder.”
“I’m not going back to racing. I retired. I can’t even get on another horse’s back.”
“You’re just trying to be loyal to Raine.
You’ll be getting back on another horse.
This farm needs you to, and I need you to.
Do you know what I’ve sacrificed for you to be where you are right now?
What your father did? This is all he ever wanted for you.
” She waves her arms wide, indicating the ranch.
This is where she always goes. Always to the sacrifices she’s made, like I haven’t sacrificed anything at all.
Reaching into my truck, I open my backpack and pull out my most treasured possession, other than my necklace.
I hold it up. The journal has a dark leather cover, worn not only from me opening and reading it every day, but also from my father, who wrote in it every day of my life until his death when I was ten.
“Where did you get that?” My mother comes off the porch and reaches for it. “I’ve been looking for it. I thought it was lost.”
“I found it when I was packing for college last summer. I dropped my jewelry box he gave me that Christmas, and it fell out of the back.” I hold it to my chest. “It’s mine. You can’t have it.”
“No, it’s mine. He was my husband.”
“He was my father, and every day he wrote in here for me. Not for you, for me. I know he did it for Tiffany too, and I know where that journal is hidden. But this is mine.”
I step back from her and look up at Jon, who is still standing on the porch. Nodding at him, I turn around and look at the ranch that so many people have lost their lives for or sacrificed so much.