Chapter 21

Chapter

Twenty-One

Sloan was floating from Rhett’s kisses and support as she finally said goodnight and locked her apartment door behind her. She was dirty and it had been a long, stressful, and exhausting day, but Rhett made everything better and his kisses could distract her from any stress. Even the huge one hanging over her head.

What ulterior motive could her dad have for trying to buy her property beyond ‘saving’ her and attempting to reinsert himself in her life? Everything always went his way in business, and she knew his tactics weren’t always legal or moral. Yet she also knew he believed in his deathbed promise to her mother and thought it was his right and responsibility to have her firmly under his wing and dancing to his crazy tune.

She wanted to soak in a hot bath, but she walked over to her laptop instead. She wasn’t even sure what to search.

A loud rap came on her door. Rhett? He needed some more kisses to tide him over until the morning? Smiling, she pivoted and hurried back to the door, flinging it wide.

“Rh … Dad?” She shook her head and backed up a step, clinging to the door. “I’m not going to bend,” she said, though her voice quavered and betrayed her anxiety at having him here. Rhett was gone. She had to stand up to him on her own. Could she do that?

Please help me be brave , she prayed. Give me Your strength and the right tools to fight him.

“I think you will.” He shoved past her and into her apartment.

“Dad. You are not welcome here.” Her entire body trembled, and her stomach turned over and over again. She fought the fears away. She wasn’t a little girl any longer. She could stand up to him, and she would. Rhett’s faith in her would strengthen her as well as her faith in her Heavenly Father.

Another body, a larger and smellier body, pushed at her side.

“Hey.” She looked up to see … “Uncle Ron?”

He shut the door behind him and gave her an insincere smile. Lifting a black pistol, he gestured to the couch. “Go sit by your dad. We have a lot to talk about.”

Her stomach flipped over. A gun? She remembered how scared she was of Rhett’s gun initially, but he’d only used it to protect. Her uncle didn’t have the same values.

“Go,” he growled at her. “You got my boys arrested, so I had to do all the work to buy off your contractors’ security company and create the mudslide by myself.”

Sloan stared at him. “You bought off the security and created that mudslide?”

“Did I not just say that?” He rolled his eyes. “Now I’m done with your nonsense. Go and sit and sign the papers Eric has ready for you and nobody will get hurt.”

She walked toward her dad, simply to get farther away from that gun waving in her face. “Dad,” she whispered as she sat next to him at the table. He’d never been a loving father, but he wouldn’t let Uncle Ron shoot her. “What’s happening?”

Could she call for Rhett or call 911? Her phone was in her purse. She put her hand next to her purse on the table, hoping she could edge the phone out.

Uncle Ron stood between her and the door, staring her down.

“What’s happening dear is you’re going to sign the papers to transfer the property to your Uncle Ron and me. We will pay off your loans and give you a nice stipend and you will move back to Scottsdale and work for me like you always should have.”

He said all of this as if she’d nod and agree and sign away. She would never move back to Arizona or work for him. Yet her body betrayed her and she trembled with fear simply being this close to him. What would he do if she said no? She felt weak and cold.

“How did you create the mudslide?” She looked from her dad to Uncle Ron. She wanted to know the answer but she also wanted to stall them from shooting her.

“Didn’t know I was in the Army, did you, girl? An EOD, Explosive Ordinance Disposal technician. I knew exactly where to place the charges to make it look and feel like an act of nature.” He smiled. “Now you’ve got your questions answered. Sign the papers.”

“You two are working together?” She looked from her dad to Uncle Ron and back. “I thought you hated each other.”

“We did, until I realized—” Ron began.

“We both deserve half of the property,” her dad cut in. “Your grandfather should never have changed his will.”

They were hiding something. Rhett had guessed as much. What was it? It had to be huge to have her dad and Ron working together, to have her dad resort to Ron threatening her with a gun instead of manipulating her into what he wanted.

“Well …” Her palms were clammy, and she had to grip her hands together to keep them from shaking. She was as afraid of her dad as that gun in Ron’s hand. She reverted to a child, beaten down emotionally, always in trouble, isolated.

She pushed all the negative thoughts out on an exhale, drew in a deep breath, straightened her shoulders, stuck out her chin and said, “Grandpa did change his will. It’s my property. And nothing you two say will make me sign those papers.”

“If I shoot you dead, you’ll wish you’d signed them,” her uncle roared, moving closer with the gun pointed straight at her.

Sloan’s gut twisted, but she sat straight and tall. “It won’t matter if I’m dead,” she said in a somewhat even tone, not looking at her dad.

“The land will be mine. Alive or dead, it doesn’t matter.” Uncle Ron tightened his grip on the gun, his eyes wild.

Sloan’s heart raced out of control. “I have a will, and my friend Kathy is my benefactor.”

“Pardon me?” Her dad glared at her. “Everything should go to me.”

“Why would I give anything to you?” She forced herself to look at him and not quake as she had her entire life. She was an adult. He couldn’t manipulate her like he’d done when she was a child.

“I am your father!”

“You’ve never been a father to me. You’ve been a jailer and a puppeteer.”

“You are my daughter and will do what I say.”

“No.” She held his gaze. The dark ugliness in his eyes made her spine prickle with apprehension. What would he do?

“Sloan.” His voice became placating. “You’re exactly like your mother. You know you need me. Everything will be fine. You just sign these papers and I’ll take care of you.”

“I don’t need you and I’m not signing.” She held his gaze.

“You will obey me.” He puffed himself up. His voice was as terrifying as his eyes.

“I will not.” Sloan said the words evenly and without a tremble in her voice or in her hands. She’d never been so proud of herself.

Thank you , she prayed.

Silence filled the room for a few moments. Her dad stared her down, his dark eyes more intense than she’d ever seen them.

She sat tall. Could she do this? Never bend to him again? Even if he killed her?

“Then we’ll kill this Kathy,” Uncle Ron said, interrupting the standoff.

“And kill all of her family?” Sloan acted un-phased but her hands were clammy. They couldn’t hurt Kathy. She shouldn’t have brought her friend into this. “This land never gets to you two, no matter whose blood you stain yourself with.”

She might get shot. Right now. But she felt as brave as Rhett always told her she was. She was doing it. Standing up to her dad. On her own.

“She’s right,” her dad muttered. “You can’t kill her.” He focused on Sloan. “How are we going to get you to sign these papers?”

She stared at him, holding his gaze and thanking her Father above. “You’ve lost your mind. Nothing you can do to me would make me sign them, and as soon as Uncle Ron isn’t waving a gun around, I’ll report you to Sheriff Pollard and Sheriff Coleville.” She wasn’t sure why she’d thrown Rhett’s brother in there.

Ron’s eyes narrowed and he moved in closer. “I’m going to shoot her in the leg. See if she’s as brave when she’s bleeding and in pain.”

Cold sweat pricked at her neck. He looked crazy enough to do it.

“No, you’re not.” Her dad stood and stepped in front of her. That was surprising. Had her bravery made him respect her in a twisted way?

He turned his back on Sloan and said to Ron, “What you are going to do is walk down two doors to Rhett Coleville’s house. You rig a quick explosion with the natural gas line and the cowboy dies.” He swung back to face Sloan. “Unless you want to sign the property over to us.”

Sloan couldn’t even comprehend the words. Horror made bile rise in her throat, choking her. Not Rhett. “You wouldn’t … You couldn’t.”

It wasn’t possible. Her father was a controlling, unfeeling jerk, but he wasn’t a murderer. What if her family background was even worse than she’d imagined? Rhett’s Mama had hugged her and prayed for her to find Rhett. Her dad had threatened to kill Rhett. Hers and Rhett’s families and lives were polar opposites.

Rhett had protected her from her cousins and the mud, and what had she done? She had only brought horror and pain into his life. She’d let herself fall for his sweet words, blue eyes, protectiveness, fun teasing, and incredible kisses. And now she would get him killed.

“Your choice, Sloan. Sign over the property, which we are paying you for, taking a headache off your hands really, or your cowboy boyfriend explodes.” Her dad arched an eyebrow and waited.

“You can’t. No. Please.” Sloan didn’t care about the property in the face of Rhett’s life, but she couldn’t get the words out. Her throat was raw and her heart raced out of control. All her bravery disappeared. She grabbed at her dad’s arm with sweaty palms. “Don’t!”

“Go,” her dad urged Uncle Ron.

Ron gave a grim smile, shoved the gun into his waistband, and strode to the door, flinging it open.

Help me , she begged her Father above, the only Father who had ever loved her. Save Rhett!

She had no bravery, no inspiration. She was weak and in her dad’s power. Just like she’d always been. He’d always find some way to win. She would be weak and submissive. Just like her mother.

“I’ll sign the papers!” she screamed as loud as she could, grateful the words had come. “Please don’t hurt him!”

Ron turned back, still standing in the doorway. Her dad looked to her with a satisfied smile. “You’ll sign the papers and you’ll never breathe a word of this to anyone, or your Uncle Ron will make sure Rhett Coleville dies. Maybe his beautiful house will blow up. Maybe his truck. Maybe it’ll be a job site with a tragic propane leak.”

“Please don’t.” The thought of Rhett’s house or truck blowing up or him dying on a jobsite played through her mind. “No, please.”

Her dad studied her, a smile on his lips. “You always knew you’d come back to me, didn’t you Sloan?”

She nodded. Her palms grew sweaty, despair cloaking her. The property didn’t matter. She’d do exactly what her dad said, just like she had throughout childhood and teenage years. To save Rhett. And once she agreed to this, once he knew she was weak for Rhett, the demands would keep coming.

“I allowed you go off to college and work for DWA after you graduated. Your professors at school and managers at work always kept me informed. I helped you succeed, made you think you could do it on your own.” He smiled. “Your little friend Kathy helped me as well. I always know what’s happening in your life because of her.”

Sloan’s mind protested his words but she feared he was telling the truth. Her professors and managers she could believe, but Kathy … not loyal and amazing Kathy who helped her find her Savior and believe in herself.

“Did you really think I would let you go on your own and not help you?” His look was the patronizing father that she loathed. “You could never have made it on your own.”

She had made it on her own. Right? Had she not? Had he been tugging the strings all along? The sickening realization that he had made her want to vomit. Her hands shook and cold chills raced up and down her spine. But please not Kathy.

He patted her cheek as if she were a small child. “It’s okay, dear. I did it for you. I wanted you to spread your wings but now it’s time to come back home. You are excellent in the commercial construction industry. We’ll soar together and I’ll train you to take over my business someday.”

Bile crawled her throat. She wanted to tell him that would never happen but she felt weak and achy. She feared he was right and she hadn’t accomplished anything without him and she never would. He also held the trump card … he’d hurt or kill Rhett.

“Swear to me on your mother’s grave that you’ll never tell anyone the truth. You’ll share that your ever-patient, loving, and supportive father got you out of a bad situation by buying a lemon of a property.”

To save Rhett, Sloan would swear whatever they wanted. She despised being back in his power, but she had no choice. Heavy black clouds covered the sunshine and any hope in her life.

She’d never done anything on her own. Kathy wasn’t even loyal to her. And she’d never be with Rhett. Her dad would make certain of that.

Uncle Ron yelped in surprise.

Sloan’s gaze darted to the doorway.

Rhett’s large frame filled it up. He yanked Ron’s arm up behind his back and slammed him into the open door, banging Uncle Ron’s forehead against the edge. Blood ran down a cut on Ron’s forehead and he whined in protest, flailing to try to get free.

“Rhett,” she gasped, struggling to her feet. He was here. Was there hope or would her father and Ron kill him?

Rhett ripped the pistol out of Ron’s waistband and aimed it at her father. “Stand up nice and slow, Mr. Jensen.”

Her dad stood, holding his hands up. “It was all Ron. You know I’d never hurt my girl.”

“He’s lying,” Sloan gasped out.

At that moment she realized … he was lying. Her dad was a liar and manipulator. Maybe he had interfered with her university and job, but Kathy would never betray her and Rhett wouldn’t either. He’d come for her. The dark clouds parted and there was hope in the world again. She thanked the good Lord above.

“Sloan,” Rhett said slowly, pinning Ron against the door with her uncle’s arm in that awkward position while calmly aiming the gun at her father. “Call 911.”

“It’ll be your testimony against ours,” her dad said. “Nobody’s going to believe the revered Eric Jensen did anything but try to help his daughter get out of a real estate mess, which is what these papers say.”

A cold sweat broke out on Sloan’s forehead. Her dad was right. Rhett, Kathy, and the Savior would be there for her, but no one else would believe her testimony over him. They never had.

“You didn’t act ‘revered’ at the job site today,” Rhett said. “I think a redneck Montana judge will listen to us.”

What if her dad squirmed his way out of being arrested or staying in prison? Would she ever be free of him?

Rhett looked strong, brave, and perfect. And she was descended from a devil.

“You’re okay, Sloan.” Rhett’s calm voice soothed her. “Call the police.”

She eased toward her purse and phone, on the table next to her dad. Pulling the phone out, she held down the side button and said, “Call 911”.

Her dad grabbed her and yanked her in front of him, wrapping one arm around her neck and the other tight around her shoulders. He put pressure on her neck, making it hard to breathe.

“Sloan!” Rhett called to her.

“Drop the phone, or I will break your neck,” her dad snarled at her.

Her dad. Her own father. Would he really do it? Chills encompassed her body, and she gasped for air. She’d always been petrified of him, but their interactions had never gotten this ugly.

She dropped the phone. He eased the pressure slightly but didn’t release her.

“Release Ron and give him the gun,” her dad said to Rhett, “or I will break her neck.”

Rhett arched his eyebrows, unfazed and unafraid. He wouldn’t let her dad break her neck, would he? Would her dad really do it? She wouldn’t put anything past him tonight.

“I hate to break it to you, Mr. Jensen, but you have absolutely no idea what you’re doing. You can’t break her neck from that angle.”

How did Rhett know that?

The calm in his voice was reassuring but the pressure of her dad’s arms and hands was horrifying.

“What?” her dad roared. “I’ll do it! And I’ll escape.”

“Sloan.” Rhett tilted his head slightly to her right.

Somehow, she knew exactly what he wanted her to do. She ducked her head to the right and sank her teeth into her dad’s arm for good measure.

He squealed.

Rhett aimed and fired.

Sloan and her dad both screamed.

Her dad’s shoulder on the far side of her was jolted backward, and she turned her head to see a hole in his shirt where the bullet had hit, blood dripping from the wound.

He released her, dropped to the floor, and hollered in agony.

Rhett whipped Ron around and slammed his head into the doorframe. Ron sank to the floor, keeling over onto his side.

Rhett shoved the gun in the back of his own waistband and ran to her. He lifted her off her feet and into his arms, cradling her close. “Are you all right? Sloan! Are you all right?”

She nodded, tears streaming down her face. She was a mess inside but that wasn’t what he was asking. “They didn’t hurt me.”

“Oh, thank all the angels in heaven.” He set her feet on the ground, still cradling her close, his eyes swiveling from her dad to Ron.

Her dad was whimpering and holding his bleeding shoulder. Ron looked down for the count.

“Sloan? Are you okay?” It was Carmel’s voice floating up the stairs.

“Carmel,” Rhett called out. “Sloan was attacked. I’ve got the perps under control. Call 911 and get help here quick.”

“Okay!” the lady yelled, and her footsteps retreated fast.

“You’ve ruined everything!” her dad yelled. “I would’ve helped you, paid you generously, and made you a billionaire when we were free to process the rhodium Ron has already collected and collect more.”

“Rhodium?” Sloan looked from her dad to Rhett.

“I wondered,” Rhett said. “I was researching what could be more valuable than land and precious metals came up. They’ve found rhodium in riverbeds nearby in Montana. The deposits have been worth billions. I was coming over to tell you when Ron opened the door and I heard you yell.”

Sloan leaned heavily into him. She didn’t care about this rhodium; she only cared that her dad and Ron hadn’t hurt Rhett and were going to be arrested. Could she finally be free of her father? Could she be with Rhett or was she the opposite of what Rhett believed she was? She wasn’t brave. She’d cowered to her dad, she’d never accomplished anything without him, and she would’ve willingly signed everything over to keep Rhett safe.

“Rhodium is eight times more valuable than gold,” her father said, his voice laced with irritation and pain. “Fourteen-thousand dollars an ounce, Sloan. Ron figured out that the river you own is full of it. He’s already retrieved piles of it and there’s a lot more undiscovered. I know how to help you protect the find and not get slaughtered by taxes, thieves, or major corporations. Let me go right now and I’ll help you from afar. I’ll only take forty percent.”

She could only stare at him. He’d been willing to kill Rhett and claimed he would break her neck to protect himself. She started shaking, the realization of what could’ve happened to Rhett slamming into her. Tears streamed down her face. It would’ve been all her fault.

Sirens blared through the night. Ron stirred and groggily sat up. Rhett released her, ushered her behind him, and pulled out the pistol.

“Move away from the door,” Rhett commanded Ron.

Ron had blood streaming down his face. He shuffled farther into the room on his rear. He looked miserable and disoriented.

“They’ll never believe you two over me,” her father taunted. “Let me go or you’ll regret it. I’ll make both of your lives miserable. Sloan, you will always need me. You know you can’t survive without me.”

Sloan couldn’t stop the tears tracing down her face, the churning of her stomach, the bile crawling up her throat, or her body shaking uncontrollably. Her father would accomplish what he was threatening. He’d make their lives miserable, somehow plant lies and ruin Rhett’s career and his life. She’d brought this misery on Rhett. He was her own personal superhero, the only man she had ever wanted to love, but she didn’t know how to stand by his side.

She was born of the evil spouting threats from the floor and if her father had controlled even her college and work experiences she’d done nothing on her own. She needed to talk to Kathy. Her dad couldn’t be using Kathy, could he? She didn’t know what to believe any longer.

Rhett was from a protective and loving father and an angelic mother. He was brave and perfect.

She hung her head, relieved they’d survived and wishing the nightmare with her father would end but knowing it never would.

How could she feel she was worthy of Rhett when her confidence was a charade and everything she’d done was a farce? Her father controlled everything. When it counted she’d broken down and submitted to him, like she’d always feared she would.

She didn’t even know who she was.