The tigers would win.
Valens believed that down to his very core.
The Thatcherton tigers were the best, and they would come out on top.
19
ISA
As soon as Isa walked through the cabin’s front door, Luke all but jumped down her throat.
“Where in the fuck have you been?” he asked.
Isa kicked off her shoes and made her way to the kitchen, where she poured herself a very big glass of wine. “None of your business, Luke. I am a grown woman.”
“A grown woman with an injury.” He pointed to the stitches on her arm.
“Are you serious right now? We both know I’ve had worse cuts than this, and you never cared. What’s this really about? And please. Make your whole spiel short. I wanna drink this wine in a bubble bath.”
“You’ve gone off with a man you barely know for over a week now. Do you even know this man?”
Isa rolled her eyes. “Sure I do. Even if I was out there having a new one night stand with a different guy every night, it’s none of your business. You’re part of my team. Your job is to drive, not tell me how to live my life. You’re not my father or my keeper.”
Luke’s shoulders were tight as he glared at her. “Isa, you’re being a child.”
She scoffed. “Then you’re gonna love my news. Where’s Tarrah?”
“In her bedroom with that Elija guy. She’s also lost her head over some new man. What’s with you both?”
“You’re just mad Tarrah isn’t fawning over you anymore. She found someone who actually appreciates her and gives her the attention and care she deserves.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said.
Isa laughed. “Are you kidding? You can’t be that dumb.” She turned away from him and walked down the hall to Tarrah’s room. She knocked on the door. “Sorry to interrupt you, love birds. I need to make an announcement, and I’d rather we all be here, so I don’t have to repeat myself.”
“Just a second,” Tarrah called out.
“I’ll wait for you in the living room.”
Luke was right on her heels, following her closer than he had a right to. She sat on the couch, and he stood, facing her with his arms crossed. “I don’t like how you’re behaving.”
“Then quit,” she told him.
He didn’t like that, his mood only darkening. He was going to quit soon anyway. There wasn’t a chance in hell Luke would want to stick around to help her run a kids’ camp.
A few minutes later, Tarrah came into the living room, holding hands with a very pleased looking Elija.
They sat on the armchair, cuddled up like two kids in love. Isa’s heart melted. It was so good to see a sweetheart like Tarrah, who gave away her love so freely, be cherished by Elija. The way he looked at her wouldn’t have been out of place in a romantic comedy.
“What’s happening, Isa?” Tarrah asked.
“I’ve got really cool news. I’ve bought a mountain. The mountain right next to this one, to be precise.”
Luke shouted, “What?” and took a step closer to her, looking almost murderous.
Tarrah clapped her hands together. “Oh, how exciting. Congratulations, Isa. What do you want to do with the property?”
“I want to open a summer camp for kids. A sleep-away one where kids can try all kinds of cool, fun things. Sports and stunts. All the good stuff.”
“That is amazing. You’re gonna rock at running a camp. You’re basically a big kid yourself.” Tarrah smiled at her warmly. “I am so proud of you. This means you can stop doing stunts and settle down right here.”
Isa watched Elija for a second. The shifter was obviously waiting for Tarrah to say she would stay too. Maybe her friend didn’t want to assume Isa would offer her a job.
“I don’t know what your interest in such a project would be, but if you want a job as my assistant or something, I’m sure we can find something.”
Tarrah’s smile widened. “I would love that. I was gonna have to quit anyway. I’m staying here to be with Elija.”
“You’ve both lost your fucking minds,” Luke yelled, making the windows shake.
Elija growled low. “Easy, now.”
“It’s okay, Elija,” Tarrah told him. “Go on, Luke. Rage out all you want.”
“Tarrah," Luke spat, "you cannot stay here and shack up with a man you barely know. And you? You bought a mountain? When? How? Have you lost your fucking mind? Did you even get the property appraised?”
“Why would I? Chances are I’ll have to demolish a lot of the infrastructure anyway. Besides, you know I have a hefty trust fund from my father.”
Luke’s jaw went slack. “Are you telling me you spent all of your father’s money on a mountain?”
Isa shook her head. “No. I spent my money on a mountain. A mountain that will give me and a whole lot of other people jobs. Not to mention the benefits it will have for the kids who become my campers.”
“You’re not going through with this,” he snapped.
“It’s too late. It’s done.”
“You need your father’s permission to spend that money,” Luke pointed out.
Isa grinned. “Nope. I don’t. He lied about that fun little part. Just another way for him to control me. Isn’t that messed up? He has no say in what I do or what I spend my money on.”
“Isa,” Luke said, trying to remain calm, but in fact, he was on the verge of losing his mind. “I can’t let you do this.”
“It’s done. Luke, there is nothing you can say or do right now that will change this. It’s done. I am the owner of a mountain.”
Luke pulled out his cell phone and cursed up a storm as he tapped the device furiously. His face fell when it started vibrating in his hands. He looked up at Isa and tensed as he brought the phone to his mouth.
“Mr. Ellis, hi.”
Isa gasped. If she hadn’t been sitting, she would have fallen flat on her ass. “What?” she whispered.
“Yes, sir. She’s right here.” Luke listened intently to the caller, who apparently, was none other than her father.
Isa didn’t know what to do, what to think. She felt caught and insanely angry. There was too much happening in her body all at once.
“One moment, sir.” Luke lowered the phone. “He wants to talk to you.”
She shook her head. “No. Not until you tell me just what in the fuck is happening right now.”
“Maybe it would be best if you let your father explain it to you.”
“Not a fucking chance, Luke. Who are you?”
He sighed. “I’m a private security guard. Your father hired me years ago to join your team and keep tabs on you.”
Isa stood, dropping her wine glass to the ground. It shattered, but she didn’t even hear it. “You’ve been telling my dad everything about my life?”
“It’s my job. I get paid to do it.”
She inhaled before passing out. “I pay you.”
“That money is transferred back into your trust fund. Your father didn’t want me double-dipping.”