CHAPTER 47
Special K
My brothers and father follow me to the barn without a word.
Their silence is unnerving. Normally there’s no end to them running their mouths. It’s almost like they’re conserving their energy for some kind of coordinated assault.
Joe the stable hand meets me in the aisle and takes DG to be fed, watered, and spoiled, as usual. “Thanks, Joe. Appreciate it.”
“You got it.”
I lean back against one of the stall doors and face them. “All right,” I tell my brothers and father. “Go on. Let me have it. I’m ready.”
They’re still quiet. Almost like they’re stunned. It’s disconcerting. One of Cal’s eyebrows has arched high on his forehead. Finn looks perplexed. Declan looks like someone’s just put a gun at his head and ordered him to solve history’s most difficult calculus problem.
“What?” I ask. “Haven’t you ever seen a gorgeous woman on horseback with a Pussy on her back?”
Declan lays his hand on my shoulder. “Kevin, I’ve never been prouder of you than I am in this moment.”
“I didn’t think you were a fan of cats,” Cal says.
“No, but he’s always liked pussy,” Evander says.
“You didn’t mention that the squatter looks like a young Angelina Jolie,” Finn says accusingly.
“Not that you noticed,” Declan adds “Since you’re happily married to your own hottie and have no interest in Angelina Jolie or her pussy.”
“I noticed,” Dad says. “She’s one of my favorite actresses. Great legs.”
“Changing the subject!” Cal announces.
“To something better than Angelina Jolie’s legs?” Declan asks.
This is great. They’re so busy running their mouths that they’ve pretty much forgotten about me. I take a deep, healing breath and decide to relax. What’s the worst that could happen?
“Let me see if I got this straight,” Finn says, feigning confusion. “You found that woman wandering around on the mountain, is that correct?”
“Christmas came early for you, bro!” Declan says. “I was going to get you a new belt sander, but that’ll seem chintzy now that you found Venus on the Half Shell on Washoe Ridge.”
“No wonder you blew off Harper,” Evander says.
“Unrelated,” I snap.
Declan pretends to dramatically wipe away a tear. “They grow up so fast, know what I’m sayin’? You think the young-uns aren’t paying attention, and then before you know it, the student has surpassed the master.”
“Fuck off,” I say.
“Ah,” Evander says. “The deed story was bullshit, then, just a way to stall us and get more time with her.”
“So you could squirrel her away from prying eyes,” Finn says.
I notice Cal is fairly quiet. I guess he’s decided to let me handle this how I see fit and share only what I want. But my brothers have always been truthful with me. When they were having trouble with their soon-to-be wives, we talked it out.
I can’t shut them down now. They deserve more than that from me.
“I didn’t squirrel her away,” I tell them.
“Everything I’ve told you is true. I did find her hiding up there.
She does have a deed that was gifted to her, and she thought it was real.
She had the best intentions. She went there because she thought she’d be safe and no one would bother her.
As I already mentioned, she’s in trouble and afraid. ”
“Any more specifics to share?” Finn asks.
“Yeah. She just told me that the Russian mob is trying to kill her.”
“Oh, is that all?” Declan asks.
“And you just now learned this?” Evander crosses his arms over his chest.
“Just today, yes. It was the last straw. I told her she had to come down here and stay with me.”
“That’s mighty gentlemanly of you,” Finn says.
“What the hell’s going on here, Kevin?” Dad steps into the middle of our circle.
“Frankie’s is in trouble, Dad,” I say. “She wants to disappear.”
“How about you?” Evander asks. “You plan to disappear with her?”
“Ooooh! I get dibs on his room!” Declan says, snorting with laughter.
Dad shrugs. “Russian mob. Big fucking deal.”
We all turn to stare at him. Our father is usually careful not to cuss.
“I hear that’s their motto, actually,” Declan says. “Russian Mob: Big Fucking Deal.”
“Well, it chaps my hide that Russian mobsters think they can rule the roost and threaten young women,” Dad says.
“Especially the ones who look like a young Angelina Jolie?” Declan asks.
Dad slaps him on the back of the head.
“Well of course we’ll help her, son,” Dad says. “Whatever she needs. But I’d like to make an observation.”
“About her legs?” Declan covers his head in preparation just as Finn and Evander smack him in unison.
“Of course, we’ll do everything in our power,” Dad says. “But running from what frightens you is never the answer.”
“But she wants to run,” I say.
“Fine,” Dad says. “Then we’ll help her do it the right way. And that means preparation, not panic.”
We all smile at Dad. The apple never falls…