Page 58 of Deserving Ryleigh
“I’m sure there were a ton of complaints sent back in return.”
“What are we going to do?”
Brick held up his hands to silence everyone. The room was so quiet, you could’ve heard a pin drop.
Tiny felt Ryleigh’s hand tighten around his own. She hadn’t sat at the table, but clung to her laptop with one hand and held onto him almost desperately with the other.
“She’s already emailed everyone back, telling them there’s been a computer error. That of course they’ll get a refund, plus another 35 percent added on top of that. More importantly, we’re going to have to deal with the fallout from this. Bad reviews are going to come in, and some people are going to have lost confidence in us, just as I feared would happen. We can rebound, we’re just going to have to work harder.”
“Are we rebooking them?” Luna asked.
“Yes,” Brick said. “We’ve already rebooked those who still wanted their reservations. But after our current remaining guests leave—and the last is scheduled to be gone in two days—the following week is entirely unbooked. So…I think it’s a perfect time to execute a plan to end this harassment once and for all. Without guests here, it’ll be safer for everyone. Which means that anyone who doesn’t live here will need to stay away too. Savannah, Carly, Jess, Luna, Robert, Joshua, Jason…that means all of you.”
When the employees started arguing, saying they couldhelp with whatever plan was in motion, Brick stopped them. “I appreciate you wanting to help, but rest assured, if I could send everyone else away too, I would. But the asshole threatening our livelihood knows who our women are, how important they are to each of us, and I have a feeling he’d just go after them wherever they happen to be. So they’re actually safer here than if we sent them to Los Alamos or somewhere else. I don’t think he’ll come after any of you, but you need to stay on your toes. Stay safe and smart until this is done.”
He waited until everyone agreed.
Tiny had no problem with anything Brick decided. The man didn’t need to consult with him or any of the other guys about this. He always had The Refuge’s best interests at heart, this situation was no different.
“Also, if we can successfully execute Operation End This Shit, and if Harold Lodge is locked away where he belongs…I thought we could take the opportunity while there are no guests, and it’s only family here at The Refuge, to have a wedding next weekend.”
He turned to Alaska—and went down on one knee in front of the chair where she was sitting.
“I know I’ve already asked you to marry me, and you agreed to something small, but I was thinking maybe we could have our wedding here…and make it the celebration you’ve always wanted. Since we have the room, I thought we could invite some of our friends. My mom, maybe Reese’s brother and wife, a few others. Let’s make this a party…that is, if you still want one.”
“Yes! I want!” Alaska almost screamed. “And yes! Inviteeveryone! All our friends. I want everyone to have someone here they love, not just us!”
It was weird to be both happy and pissed off at the same time. Ryleigh obviously felt the same, because after she hugged and congratulated both Brick and Alaska, she asked Tiny if they could go back to the cabin.
Once inside, she sat at the table and sighed. “This has to stop,” she whispered.
“I agree. What do you want me to do?”
“Do?” she asked.
“Yeah. What should I tell your father to get him to agree to meet with you?”
Ryleigh sat up straighter. “It would be easier if I just did it.”
“Not happening, hon. I don’t want you to see one word of his venom aimed at you.”
“I’m used to it,” she said in a small voice.
“Don’t care. And it’s so damn wrong that you’re used to it. No man should speak toanyonethe way he has to you. Much less his own daughter.”
“Okay. Let me just get this set up,” Ryleigh said, pulling the laptop toward her and opening it.
But Tiny wasn’t quite done with their conversation. He sat beside her, turned her chair around, and put his hand on her nape.
She stared up at him, looking exhausted.
“I appreciate you trusting me to talk to him and pass along what he says.”
“It’s okay.”
“I don’t know how you did it.”
“Did what?” she asked.
