Page 40 of Honoring Freedom
Her sisters exchanged knowing glances but let the subject drop, for now.
Justice’s phone rang and she suddenly looked tense. She glanced at the screen, her playful demeanor evaporating. “I’ve got to take this,” she said, her voice losing its usual lightness. She stepped away from the table, heading out into the hallway for privacy.
Her sisters exchanged concerned looks but remained silent, giving Justice the space she needed. Freedom watched Justice’s pinched expression. “I hope everything’s alright,” she murmured, breaking the uneasy silence. She’d noticed that all her sisters were acting strange these days. She wanted to mention Midnight’s death to them but if she did, she’d probably lose all control and be a blubbering mess.
Justice's voice was quiet but urgent as she talked on the phone, her normally calm demeanor replaced with intensity. The call was short, and when she came back, she looked composed, but Freedom could see in her eyes that something was bothering her.
“Everything okay?” Hope asked cautiously, her brow furrowed in curiosity.
Justice nodded, though her smile didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Just some unexpected news.” She took a deep breath, forcing herself to refocus. “Now, where were we? Ah yes, party planning”
After each sister had their assigned party duties for the day, Freedom quickly made her exit.
A thought had been bothering her through the breakfast meeting. Although there was no proof that Kent participated in the incident at the Catskills cabin, or her horses getting sick, deep in her gut she knew he played a role. There were too many roads that led back to the scheming man. He’d never accepted that she made the breeder an offer he couldn’t refuse and that was how she bought Requiem and Midnight. Ronnie Quay had owned her a big favor and she called it in. Kent had been as mad as a hornet, even showed up at Sagebrush Rose demanding that she sell him the sires.
She’d laughed at him, and he’d stomped away like a child having a temper tantrum. Men like Kent weren’t used to hearing the word ‘no’.
As she thought about the issue even more, she knew there was only one way to let her steam off. She drove straight over to Kent’s house, not listening to her own reasoning that it could be a big mistake.
It was a risk, but anger soared through her. She’d invested so much in her horses, spent so much time with them. Had such high hopes for the magnificent sires they were sure to be. This felt like she’d lost part of her family.
By the time she strode up to the grand double doors of the natural stone mansion, she didn’t have the opportunity to knock because the brawny, bald man with a tattoo of a cross on his cheek flung open the door and gave Freedom a sweep of his beady gaze.
“What do you want?” he growled.
So, apparently he recognized her.
“I’m here to see Kent.” She didn’t dare show any fear.
“He doesn’t take drop ins.”
“Tell him I’m here to speak to him about my horses being poisoned.” She held the man’s gaze.
“Wait.” He closed the door.
Freedom turned to look out over the land. Kent had a beautiful piece of land himself. The lush pasture went on for what seemed like miles where horses grazed. Ornate bushes and plants lined the cobblestone walkway and the front of the extravagant home. She could tell a lot about a man by his house. Kent liked finer things and wanted everyone to know that he could afford them.
The bodyguard returned. “He’ll see you.”
“Wonderful,” she said sarcastically. Once he stepped back so she could pass, she crossed the threshold and waited for him to lead the way down the long hallway to a closed door.
She didn’t wait for Mr. Happy Pants to open the door for her, and she shoved her way inside, barging into the masculine office. Kent was sitting at his desk, like a king on his throne, wearing a grin that ate right through Freedom. No doubt he knew exactly why she was there. She did get satisfaction in seeing the ugly, colorful bruise around his eye.
“What do I owe this pleasure, Freedom?” he said smartly.
“Let’s cut to the chase, shall we?” She reached into her pocket and pulled out the plastic bag, slapping it down on the desk in front of him. “Look familiar?”
He examined the bag with a narrowed gaze. “No.”
“I’m sure the person who broke into my cabin to steal them provided you with all the details how he stole my panties and then damaged a truck.”
Kent appeared genuinely surprised. “How about you fill me in on what I don’t know because I’m out of the loop.”
“You had someone poison my horses. Was it for revenge?”
“Hey, hold on there, sweetheart. Let's not start blaming anyone just yet." He got up. He was tall, had a full head of dark hair, and kept his goatee neatly trimmed. Although he was the devil incarnate, he was a handsome man. And he did have a bit of charm. “Now what’s this about your horses?”
“I know you’re behind this.” Her distaste seethed through every pore.