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“Can we get this show on the road?” I looked at my watch. “I need to get to the stables.”
That had been an argument. I wasfine, as in I could do my job—but Duke insisted that Ben do all the heavy lifting while I was supposed to sit like a queen on a gossamer perch.Like hell!
Mac didn’t look up from his laptop screen. “Duke’s changed his will.”
“Jesus Christ, Duke.” My voice came out rougher than I meant, my body tight with anger and something that felt too much like fear. “Is this really necessary?”
Duke’s gaze locked on mine. “Yeah. It is.”
“You’re not dying on me,” I announced. My heart stuttered at the thought that there would be a world where Duke Wilder wasn’t alive. He didn’t have to be with me, but hehadto be alive so I could watch him in my mind’s eyes and know he was safe.
“People make wills, Elena, not because they’re dying but to protect their assets and loved ones and in that fuckin’ order,” Mac stated dryly.
Nokoni sat back in his chair, arms crossed, watching us with quiet interest. I don’t think he knew either what the hell was going on or why he was here.
“Okay, so let’s get to the highlights. If something happens to Duke, as in he dies,” he paused for dramatic effect, and I rolled my eyes, “everything, and that’s the ranch, the business in Dallas, everything goes to Elena Rivera.”
I blinked. "What?"
"If something happens to me”—Duke’s voice was steady,toosteady—"everything goes to Elena and any children we might have."
I felt like I’d been kicked in the chest by a rank colt—stunned, breathless, and knocked clean off balance. I opened my mouth, but nothing came out.
Duke wasn’t done.
"And in the event of your passing, and if we have no children, all non-ranch assets go to you”—he turned to face our friend—“Hunt. That’s Ironwood, the houses…everything.”
Hunt looked much like I had a moment ago. “The who? The what?”
“You’re my only family outside of Elena,” Duke said softly.
“Don’t worry about it,” I muttered. “I’m gonna outlive your ass.”
Hunt chuckled, shaking his head.
“And the ranch”—Duke turned to Nokoni—"shall be placed in a land conservation trust for Nokoni’s tribe, with binding conditions: no development, no sale, no roads. The land must remain in its natural state, preserved indefinitely. It will no longer operate as a ranch, but it will remain untouched as it is now."
Nokoni’s eyes went wide and then moist. “That’s a hell of a thing, Duke.”
“It’s the right thing,” Duke said solemnly. “We protect the land this way.”
“The will also states that Elena, you, and your children, cannot rezone the land, use it for any other purpose than how it’s being used.” Mac looked around the room.
Hunt whistled. “It’d be seriously profitable for you, Elena, if Duke croaks.”
I punched Hunt in the shoulder. He gave out a fakeouch.
Nokoni let out a long breath, still looking like someone had hit him over the head. "Duke, are you sure about this?"
Duke nodded. "I’m sure."
I finally found my voice. "You’re out of your Goddamn mind," I snapped. "You don’t just hand your entire legacy over to me like that."
Duke’s gaze didn’t waver. “You’re my family, so it’s your legacy, too.”
Goddamn him.
"You don’t even know if I’m staying," I tried again, desperate for him to see how insane this was.