Page 146 of Knot Her Cowboys
“Cooper, we both know I’m not a patient soul. Let’s start on the surprises!”
I laughed, gathering her close and hoisting her over the fence so she could perch her ass on the saddle blanket. “They’re coming throughout the day.”
She purred, nuzzling my cheek. “Well, this was a lovely surprise to start the day. Very open to being lassoed, blindfolded, and railed in the future. Do I get to know the next surprise?”
“Soon. First you have to get dressed and we have to drive into town.”
“Okay, but I’m going to need snacks or I might starve.” She kissed my cheek, leaning in each direction to plant one on our packmates too.
Dakota dressed hastily and scooped her up, carrying her like a princess. The rest of us dressed and flanked her in case anyone was out and about early so they didn’t get an eyeful of Riley’s ass.
As obvious as her joy was from the outside, it was even louder inside the bond. Getting to experience the slow build of her contentment with each day that passed was a privilege I would never take for granted. Her happiness steadied me. The more I leaned into our connection, the easier it was to let my own happiness sit at the forefront. Worries were quieter, painwas duller, and regrets fell apart under the weight of what we all shared.
The drive into town involved Riley cuddled in the back between Dakota and me, sipping a coffee and eating the fruit salad Cash had prepped for her. A lot of the surprises had come to fruition around the same time and we had all worked on different avenues on them. We figured we might as well make a day of giving them to her.
Our first stop in town was the diner for a proper breakfast. Levi's cousin, Jensen, was already waiting for us. We crowded into the booth to order our food.
Jensen passed Riley an envelope. "Bit belated, but Dakota told me you might want this.”
Riley flipped up the top and pulled out a sheet of paper. “Oh my god.”
I already knew what it was, but I peeked over at the copy of Darrell Decker's death certificate anyway.
"Dakota is absolutely correct. Thank you for this. I’m going to hang it on the wall right next to my restraining order against Darlene. Not that I anticipate her causing too many problems after a twenty-five-year sentence for arson and kidnapping, but better safe than sorry.” Riley tucked it back into the envelope and held it to her chest. “Have they been causing any problems since he died?”
Jensen clucked his tongue. "Yes and no. From everything I've heard, the other Decker boys are happy to fill the vacuum Darrell left behind. They went along with the story they were given, that he swerved avoiding an animal, wasn’t wearing his seat belt, and got ejected. I imagine they didn't want anyone looking deeper into things, so they let it be even if they knew where he was going and why. I'm glad to know they haven't been by to bother you since.”
“Me too.” Riley sighed, leaning into me. “It’s so weird to not have to worry about him or Darlene. Good weird, but still strange. I’m grateful for the physical reminder.”
I slid my own envelope onto the table in front of her.
She looked at me curiously. “Not a reminder, but definitely interesting. I don’t snoop the papers that often anymore, but glad I did in this case.”
Riley pulled out the article I’d printed. In big, bold letters the headline read:
GERMAN BILLIONAIRES NAILED FOR TAX FRAUD
Investigation launched into connected New York firm, Rochford & Reed
A spike of panic was followed by relief as she read through. “Holy shit.”
“Share with the class?” Cash asked. He and I already knew what it said, but the others didn’t.
“The two German alphas I almost packed up with got arrested.” Her eyes darted over the page, reading further. “Felony tax evasion. They’re looking into the company Bruce’s and Bryan’s families own, too. Talk about dodging a fucking bullet.”
“And related to that,” said Cash, “you should check the balance of the omega trust they set up for you.”
Confusion rolled down the bond, but Riley acquiesced, pulling out her phone and opening up the banking app. Pure disbelief covered her face. “What?”
Cash grinned. “Yeah, I was able to look into it all for you as your first bond, and I’m guessing the reason they were so desperate to get you back is because they hid alotof their money in your omega trust. Not entirely sure what they planned to do after that, but the law protects everything in the trust despite thevarious government agencies confiscating their personal assets, which means?—”
“I’m amillionaire?”
"Indeed you are.” Cash beamed.
Tears slid down her cheeks in a clash of joy and anxiety. “What thefuck?” she whispered in awe. “What am I supposed to do with that much money?”
“You’ll have time to figure it out,” Dakota said soothingly, taking her hand in his, and she held on tightly. “No need to rush.”
