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Russell stepped back. “He’s in the great room.” He motioned toward where his father was still sitting, then closed the door and went to his office. He’d find something to do. Anything was better than having to spend time with that man.
Grant had always given him the creeps, but Duane had this air of darkness around him that got Russell’s Spidey senses tingling. When he was a kid, Russell had believed Grant to be the bogeyman. Now he knew the man was just an asshole, and Russell valued his time too much to spend any of it with him. Still, he was curious about what they wanted, so after a few minutes, he wandered in.
“We need to keep that land in the hands of people who belong in this valley,” Grant was saying.
“What sort of people are those? And what right dowehave to say who gets to own what?” his dad asked in that way he had that let Russell know he was only playing along with Grant.
Duane stood behind his father, arms over his chest, as if he was trying to be intimidating.
“I want the valley to prosper and be sustainable,” Russell’s dad continued. “I also want our community to be healthy. Are you saying it isn’t?”
“With people likehim?” he asked. “My son tells me that Rafe is just like his uncle. I figured that with him gone, we could get someone upstanding to take over the ranch.” He glanced at Duane, who nodded and sneered.
But they were no match for his dad. Russell watched his father letting Grant wear himself out on the line like some trophy fish.
“What we need to do is get him out of the valley,” Grant said.
His dad drew slightly closer. “And what is it exactly that you object to? Is it the fact that the man is gay—or the fact that he beat the shit out of your son here in the world championships?” There was more than a hint of glee in his dad’s voice, especially when Grant’s expression fell like a bad cake. Duane, on the other hand, had gone red and seemed ready to blow.
“My son is gay as well,” Russell’s father said. “The way I see it, if a person wants to spend their time with someone else—straight or gay—it’s no business of mine… or yours. And as for the community… when did you ever give a crap?” Grant’s face grew redder by the second. “You talk about what’s best for it, even as you try to force your neighbor out. How neighborly is that?” His father was in rare form, and Russell was gladhewasn’t on the receiving end of his bite.
“Then I guess you aren’t angling to get your hands on it either, right?” Grant snarled. “The whole town is already talking about how Russell and your new neighbor were seen together acting all chummy in the bar.”
Grant Mendeltom was a real piece of work. But then, Russell shouldn’t have expected anything different. “I think that’s enough,” Russell said, striding into the room. “I don’t need to justify myself to either of you. My business is exactly that—mine.” He pointed toward the door. “I suggest you go… now. You have worn out your welcome.” Russell kept his voice even but let a hint of menace enter it.
Grant stood. “I should have known coming here would be a waste of time. You’re all in league with one another, standing against good God-fearing folks. But you aren’t going to get away with it.”
“Yeah,” Duane echoed.
“With what?” Russell asked, drawing nearer. “I suggest you watch your threats, or I might be forced to do something about them. We defend our own out here.” He drew even closer and lowered his voice. “And you know… I have enough resources to buy you out many times over. God knows why you think you have the right on your side, but I’d tread carefully if I were you. So I suggest you crawl back into whatever bigoted hole you dragged yourself out of and stay there.” He met Grant’s eyes, his own gaze fierce and determined. “I’ll be sure to let the men here know that neither of you are welcome on our property.”
The hatred that glared from Mendeltom’s eyes almost made Russell step back. “Like I said, I should have known,” he growled.
“Then why did you bother coming?” Russell asked before quickly closing the front door behind Grant and Duane. He took a deep breath, willing his anger to subside. Then he returned to where his father waited in the great room. “Sanctimonious asshole.” He really wanted another drink, but it was a bad idea right now. So instead, he poured himself some water.
“You know he’s going to cause trouble,” his dad said.
“I’m not so sure. Grant usually manages to get his own way. But not this time. I don’t think he knows what to do when he’s thwarted. At least, I hope that’s the case,” Russell muttered as he sat down. “Though it’s Duane I’m worried about. I think Grant is mostly talk, but Duane? He’s a loose cannon. And ever since Rafe beat him, Duane’s ego, which is definitely bigger than his brain, has taken a hit.”
The smile on his father’s face caught him by surprise. “Isn’t that the pot calling the kettle black? You usually get your own way as well, you know.” He leaned forward slightly. “Just make sure that what you want this time is the right thing.” He held Russell’s gaze. “We have a lot of money, and that means we have a great deal of influence. Just make sure that whatever you do is the right thing, for the right reasons.”
Instantly Russell thought of Rafe. And he knew, deep down, that helping him was what he was going to do. As for his reasons? Well, he’d figure them out… soon.
Chapter 5
RAFE WASN’Tsure why he was so anxious, but he could hardly sleep. After a full weekend working on the ranch to get it ready for winter, he should have been exhausted, but his mind refused to settle down. And so he just lay there, thinking about Russell and wondering what could be in his uncle’s safe-deposit box. Why had Uncle Mack been so secretive about it?
Rafe rolled over again, the dogs huffing as he moved. Clearly they had no trouble sleeping. God, he hated this. He rode bulls for a living and had nerves of steel, and yet his mind whirred with thoughts of the damned box… and Russell.
He could almost smell him in the room, and that alone got him excited. Hell, on the circuit, the few times he’d dared to be with someone, the wham-bam would be long over by now and he’d have moved on to another city. But this was different—this ranch was now home, a place he intended to put down roots. But what should he do?
He’d never had a relationship that had worked. Hell, not even his family wanted him. And now he had a chance to make his mark here in the valley, and he sure as hell didn’t want to mess that up… even if every cell in his body was wondering how things could be with Russell.
Lola shifted from the corner of the bed and came over to lie next to his back, pressing right against him. Rafe lightly stroked her head a few times. He was being ridiculous about all of this and he knew it. Whatever was in the box would still be there in the morning. And as for Russell, well, that would work itself out too. Most likely with Russell finding someone a fuck-ton more interesting than Rafe.
He must have finally fallen asleep, because the next thing he knew, Lola was nudging him awake as light streamed in the window. He got up, dressed, fed the dogs, and headed out to finish his chores, pretty much on autopilot. The life of a rancher was going to take some getting used to.
After finishing with the horses and checking on the cattle, he made some breakfast and set the dogs out with the herd, then headed into town. He drove to the bank, the key in his pocket and a copy of the legal papers on the seat next to him. Hopefully, if he needed anything else, Luther would be able to provide it.
