Page 80 of Promised to the Cowboy

I step forward, pulling strength from Gabriel’s solid presence beside me. “You don’t get to call me yours. You don’t get to pretend you care. The only reason you’re here is because you can’t stand losing. Not the land. Not control. Certainly not me.”

His mask slips. His eyes narrow. “You’ve grown bold.”

“No,” I say, voice steady and strong. “I’ve grown free. I used to think if I was quiet enough, good enough, useful enough, you might actually love me. But you don’t know how to love anything that isn’t useful to you. So hear me clearly: I’m not for sale. And this family sure as hell isn’t for sale.”

The yard falls silent.

Alexander studies me for a long moment, reassessing. Then he turns his attention to Jacob. “I generally get my own way, Mr. Sutton. Eventually.”

“You generally poison people’s water too?” Jacob growls.

Alexander’s eyes flicker, as if he wasn’t expecting that. “I’m not here to discuss unfounded allegations.”

“Unfounded allegations?” I demand in disbelief. “What iswrongwith you? You burned a barn with an innocent woman inside. You forged Gabriel’s signature. God only knows what else you’ve done! This stops. Now. Before anyone else gets hurt or worse.”

My father ignores my outburst. He smooths his cuff with that calm, calculated motion I remember from childhood. “It appears today’s conversation has reached its natural conclusion.”

He turns toward the waiting SUV, then pauses. He looks back at me. The smile returns, cold and razor-sharp.

“So good to see you’re well, Evangeline.” His eyes drop meaningfully to my stomach, then rise slowly to my face. “Do take good care of my granddaughter.”

The world tilts.

He knows.

My blood goes cold.

Beside me, Gabriel goes rigid, then lunges forward with a snarl of pure rage. “You stay the fuck away from them!”

“Gabe!” Daniel and Ethan grab him, holding him back.

I press my hand hard against Gabriel’s back, trying to ground him even as my own heart detonates. “Gabriel,” I say sharply. “He’s baiting you. Don’t give him the satisfaction.”

Alexander watches the scene like a scientist observing an experiment. “Temper, Mr. Sutton. Not very becoming.”

Gabriel strains against the hands holding him, but my touch seems to reach him. He stops fighting, though every muscle is still coiled tight.

Alexander gives a small, satisfied nod. “I’ll be in touch.”

He slides into the SUV. The convoy pulls away in a cloud of dust.

I don’t move. I can’t. My hand stays pressed to Gabriel’s back as the last vehicle disappears over the rise.

He turns and pulls me into his arms, holding me like I might vanish. I’m shaking, struggling not to fall apart.

Because my father knows about the baby.

Gabriel pulls back to look at me. “Evie?”

I open my mouth. Nothing comes out. Because suddenly I can’t feel my fingers. Or my feet. Or anything except the crushing weight in my chest.

The ranch carries on around me. Phones ring. Boots thud across the porch. Voices overlap. Plans are made. Security tightened. Everyone moving.

My knees buckle.

Gabriel catches me before I even realize I’m falling. “Whoa. I’ve got you.”

He scoops me into his arms and carries me into the house, one hand cradling the back of my head as though shielding me from the whole world.