Chapter 20
CASSIDY
“What’s the matter, princess?” Hayes whispered.
He moved his arm from the back of my chair to around my shoulder, pulling me close.
We were at his parents’ house having dinner. This time, we ate inside because it was raining. The big table was full plus babies in high chairs. All the Wilders were here.
All.
Because tonight we were celebrating my inheritance.
Hayes and Colt spread the word through the family group text and Ma–what Mrs. Wilder told me to call her after the wedding–shared that dinner was bratwurst and onions, supposedly everyone’s favorite.
I’d never been the center of attention before, but everyone hugged me, offered me huge smiles. They thought I was like an answer to their prayers or something.
They were a happy bunch in general, but knowing they could finally give my father what he deserved–to be stripped of the ranch and money–was cause for celebration.
“It’s a lot,” I said, turning my face so his eyes were right there.
He leaned the few inches so our lips brushed.
“I feel like a pawn or something.”
“You inherited the ranch long before any of us knew you. You were ten, princess. Ten. I’d have found you eventually and you’d still be mine. You’d still be sitting right here. I’d still have your panties in my pocket.”
I was running out with all the times he took them. And kept them. I never saw them again and I had no idea where he was hiding them.
I glanced across the table at Katie, who was handing Trace off to Bray.
“Katie must hate me,” I whispered. “She lost so much because of my father and–”
“Because of your father. Not you.”
“Now if she still sues–”
“The lawsuit was against your dad, not the ranch. Not you.”
“He doesn’t have any money. At least that I know of.”
I hadn’t gone to Two Rivers or contacted my father or brother. Nothing had changed except now I knew the big family secret.
“Katie,” Hayes called and I blushed, tucked my face into his neck.
“Yeah?” she asked from across the table.
“You still want to sue Conrad Trout?”
The table went quiet and everyone looked between me and Katie. She flicked her gaze at Bray, then Cassidy. “Oh my God, the money.”
“What money?” Hayes asked.
I was confused. Was there more money?
“The money Mr. Trout paid my father to marry me,” Ellie said for her. “It was a half million dollars. Your money, Cassidy.” She looked to Trig. “No wonder he didn’t come after it. He knew it wasn’t his.”
Trig nodded. “Probably.”
Ellie turned to look at me again. “I will give it back, but some of it Katie’s used because she needed money to pay her old lawyer fees and… I–”
Hayes held up his hand. “This is pretty complicated, but all within our family.”
Katie, Ellie, and Trig nodded. Baby Sage, who was in Trig’s lap, reached out for her grandmother. Trig lifted her up and passed her off.
“Let’s get Cassidy settled on her ranch first, then–”
“You want me to move to Two Rivers?” I asked, not really thinking about ever living there, just that I’d inherited it.
Hayes turned his head back toward mine. Gave my shoulder a squeeze. “You want us to live there?”
Us. That felt so good to hear. Every day I was married to Hayes, the less alone I felt.
“What I don’t understand,” Cam from the far end of the table. “If the ranch belonged to your mom, Cassidy, then why did she leave when they divorced? Shouldn’t she have kicked your dad out?”
I never thought of that and glanced at Hayes. I wondered if I’d ever know that answer, or at least the truth.
“I just want my father gone,” I said, circling back. “I want–”
What did I want? I knew he was a jerk. I knew he didn’t like me. I didn’t know he’d fucked me over. Stole from me with no intention of ever telling the truth.
He was greedy. Mean. Spiteful. And he didn’t give a shit about me.
The land had never been his. I had no idea what my mother saw in him, but their relationship wasn’t my concern. Maybe my grandparents knew he was a dick and didn’t want him to get his hands on the land. But he had.
He’d gone against everyone’s wishes. That had to stop.
He had to stop.
The only person who could do that was me. For so long, I felt cast aside. Unwanted. But that was because my father wanted me out of the way because he wanted what I had.
Now, I had everything I wanted. A family that actually cared about me. Saw value in me. Wanted me around. I had a husband who made me the center of his life. Who took care of me. Calmed me. Loved me.
I didn’t need the Two Rivers Ranch or the shit ton of money, but it was mine. My grandparents had left it to me for a reason.
Me.
I’d think about what I wanted to do with the place. I had time. But I couldn’t let my father and brother mooch off of me, getting away with being dicks on my dime any longer.
“I want revenge.”
The entire table erupted, talking over each other.
Hayes leaned in again and whispered, “Princess, you’ve made me really fucking hard. When I get you alone, I’m going to fuck you so good.”
I shivered in eagerness. This time, I looked at him. Kissed him, then whispered, “Yes, Mr. Wilder.”