Ride

"Let's ride" I shouted , my horse began to gallop I can see Clare out of the corner of my eye. Riding horses was always an escape, not that my daily life was all that bad on my end. For other people my life is scary. I would be scared to if I crossed Jenevieve Gallardo. We might look like good honest people but we ain't. Them cattle trailers ain't just haulin cattle and I am not just Daddy's country girl. No I am way more than that, my Grandpa has always made deals with bad men and my daddy was no different. My daddy never kept anything from me I know what him and his men do. The men went from "Let's ride" I shouted , my horse began to gallop I can see Clare out of the corner of my eye. Riding horses was always an escape, not that my daily life was all that bad on my end. For other people my life is scary. I would be scared to if I crossed Jenevieve Gallardo. We might look like good honest people but we ain't. Them cattle trailers ain't just haulin cattle and I am not just Daddy's country girl. No I am way more than that, my Grandpa has always made deals with bad men and my daddy was no different. My daddy never kept anything from me I know what him and his men do. The men went from cowboy hats to suits, unless they are actually working the cattle. Daddy lets me help out with both sides of life. Especially making deals and there is a big one coming up. I would do anything for this ranch.

"Jen, God dammit girl. What have I told? I found this in the stable." Daddy yelled holding up my hand gun. I smiled at him and grabbed the gun from my saddle and tipped my hat at him. I slid off my horse and handed the reins to the stable hand.

"Jen, I need you to nail this deal this deal means no more middle man we deal with Santos directly. This leaves less of a trace to the ranch and our people." I nod my head at him; I hate to see him like this almost desperate. "Daddy I got this. I am gonna go get dressed."

Clare and I walked into the house and headed up to my room with hast I know she is dying to know the plan for tonight, but in truth I didn't have a plan. There was a plan but power in the Santos family changed. DeAngelo Santos stepped down and his son took over. There is not much to know about the younger Santos I don't even know his name just that he is 32 and very tall and can have a challenging temper.

"So.. you gonna tell me what the plan is?" She said and I hung my head. "There is no plan. I play the room, we start off polite. I explain why we are a better fit and how not dealing as a third party would benefit them." I nodded my own head as I talked this out with Clare, I didn't have much of a plan. My country charm won't help me and I don't think my feminine wilds will help us in this situation either. I am not even sure if this is a good idea these are not people to get mixed up with but its a bit late for that.

After a nice shower I start curling my hair and applying light make up. This was a business meeting not my normal rodeo meet ups. The Rodeos were where we conducted a lot of our business but this meeting would bring the fun back to having the ranch we are delivery and disposal only. I sighed to myself and went to my bed to see the outfit that Clare picked out for me, she never ceases to amaze me. It was an off shoulder bodysuit, black jeans, and knee length boots.

Once I slid my boots on there was a knock on the door. "There here." Clare yelled through the door. I paired the outfit with one of my metal belts and tan hats. "Its show time." in said to myself before heading out the door. When I got to the stairs I could see my father introducing himself to the group of men. But just like that the sound of my boots on the hardwood floors alerted the men of my presence. "Gentlemen this is my daughter Jenevieve. She will be leading this meeting." Daddy says. All but DeAngelo look taken back, which causes me to smile at all of them. Put my hand out to shake each mans hand but the first to take it is the devil himself.

"Castello Santos, I am the only one you need to address. They are just here for formalities and my father well he insisted. Do not waste my time though the view is lovely the drive back to the airport is long." Castello said, his tone was almost challenging like if he thought we were already not worthy. "Mr. Santos we are not here to waste your time. We have called you here to ask if you would reconsider our value to your business." I say, Clare comes around offering the men drinks. "So you want us to stop using the cartel that you operate under?" Castello asks, I nod my head at him and walk around the table and stand behind m father.

"Yes Sir. If you cut out the cartels involvement on the delivery side we would be able to continue hauling with the cattle from the ranch but also we would be willing to become a disposal plant if you would." Castello smiles this time while taking a sip of his whiskey.

"Show me this Ranch. I want to see if there is anything else you can do for me since I came all this way." DeAngelo starts to chuckle as he hears the words Castello spoke. I look over to him and smile before I speak up. "Sir what was the reason you came out to see us?" The older Santos man stood us and reach his hand out to me. "You my dear" he said and I took his hand, but confusion still clear on my face. "You tame stallions. I have one that needs to be tamed." Before I can respond Castello snorts and interjects. "We do not have a stallion we have a few mares and a foal." But before anyone can respond DeAngelo leads me outside and smiles. "Told you that stallion needs some work. Would you show me yours I have heard great things about the two of you." "Yes Sir I will go get him."

Gorgeous George is our Stallion, we have a very close bond. When he came to us he was wild he had kicked one of the stable hands teeth out and no one would go near him but for some reason he loved me and always loved to chew on my hair. I was still very taken back by what DeAngelo said, he was clearly referring to Castello but what he wanted me to do about that I had no idea. I mean I am just trying to help the ranch not be involved with a bunch of mafiosos. I saddled George up and brought him out of the stables. "Ride him for me won't you?" DeAngelo said. I nodded and mounted him. DeAngelo grabbed the reins and walked next to us.

"See the thing is, my son he needs to be tamed. He has engulfed himself in our business. He doesn't even come to Sunday dinner with his momma anymore." I looked down at the man once again I was confused, I did not understand what he wanted me to do. "Sir I do not understand what you want me to do." smiling he said "I used to know your Papa. He was an honorable man, before he passed he asked me to take care of you, this is my way of doing that." We kept walking as he talked about how him and my grandfather knew one another. My Papa was a crazy man and it didn't surprise me that the two were friends in secret.

"So you see you will marry Castello," When I heard the words I snapped out of my thoughts. But before I could even speak I was cut off.

"What did you say Father?" It was Castello he had taken his tie and suit jacket off, his sleeves were now rolled up and he was aproching us with anger in his voice and fury in his eyes. "You will marry Jenevieve." With the sound of his repeated words George took off. It was like he could sense my need to flee the situation; we took off into the wood. The ranch was on 100 acres and butted up against the woods; through the years a lot of people had gotten lost in there but not me and George.

We had been riding for almost and hour and I knew if George kept running at this pace it would kill him. I slowed my gentle giant next to the stream and let him drink from it. I climbed off him and slumped over next to a tree; what was I supposed to do?

My mind was empty I could handle guns being pointed at me, hell I could handle the 3 times I was shot. I was fearless yet here I am scared shitless, hiding like a coward this was not me. I wiped the tears from my eyes and laughed. 'Don't think we are getting that deal.'

"Jenevieve is that you? Come out."