Cowboy’s Healing Heart

11. Veiled Intentions

ELEVEN

VEILED INTENTIONS

SHANE

"What the hell?" Krystal leans forward, her eyes wide.

I grip the steering wheel tighter as we approach Silver Creek Ranch. The peaceful weekend with Krystal feels like a distant memory now. My stomach churns as I spot the swarm of reporters and cameras crowding the entrance.

Flashes go off as we pull up. Voices shout over each other, a cacophony of questions I can't make out. I clench my jaw, anger, and fear warring inside me. This isn't how it was supposed to happen.

"Shane! Shane Kennedy!" A reporter shoves a microphone toward the window. "What can we expect from Innoventis Defense Tech under your leadership?"

Krystal's head whips toward me. "What is he talking about?"

I don't answer. Can't answer. My mind races, trying to figure out how they found me. How do they know about Innoventis?

Another voice cuts through the chaos. "Mr. Kennedy! Can you comment on your initiative for veterans at Silver Creek Ranch?"

"Shane?" Krystal's voice is tight. "What are they talking about? What's going on?"

I swallow hard, my throat dry. "I don't know. Let me handle this."

I roll down the window, plastering on a neutral expression. "No comment at this time. Please clear the entrance so we can pass."

They press closer, shouting more questions. I feel Krystal tense beside me.

"Is it true about your impending nuptials?" someone yells.

My blood runs cold. I slam the car into park and jump out, my military training kicking in. "Everyone needs to step back now," I command, my voice low and dangerous. "You're trespassing on private property."

A few of them retreat, but most hold their ground. I scan the crowd, looking for a weak point. That's when I spot Tom, pushing through with a couple other ranch hands.

"You heard the man," Tom bellows. "Clear out before we call the sheriff!"

Between Tom's threat and my glare, the reporters finally start to disperse. I turn back to the truck, my heart pounding. Krystal sits frozen, staring straight ahead.

"Are you okay?" I ask, reaching for her hand.

She flinches away. "Don't. Just... don't touch me right now."

Her words hit me like a punch to the gut. I want to explain, to tell her everything, but now isn't the time or place. I nod and put the truck back in drive, easing through the gates Tom holds open.

I see my father as we round the bend to pass the main house. My father, standing tall and imposing in his tailored suit. And next to him, Courtney, looking as polished and put-together as ever.

"What the?—"

"What?" Krystal follows the line of my gaze. "Who are they?"

"It's my father."

"And the woman?"

"Nobody."

My temples throb as I process what's happening. My past and my present collide in the worst possible way.

Krystal's phone buzzes. She glances at it, her face going pale. Without a word, she hands it to me.

Jordan Hendricks: The world's about to get a lot more interested in your new man. The clock's ticking.

I glance over at her, driving to her cabin. "Who is he?"

"My ex."

"Fuck," I mutter. I look up at Krystal, trying to gauge her reaction. "Are you okay?"

She shakes her head, pulling up something on her phone. It's a picture from our dinner Friday night—me, Krystal, and Ashanti, all smiles. Posted on Ashanti's social media.

"I should have known," Krystal whispers. "I should have been more careful."

I reach for her, needing to comfort her, to reassure her. "Hey, look at me. This isn't your fault. We'll figure this out together, okay?"

She meets my eyes, and I see the fear there, the uncertainty. It kills me to know I'm the cause of it.

"I won't let him do this to us," I say, my voice firm. "I promise."

For a moment, I think she believes me. Then her walls go back up, and she pulls away.

"We should go inside," she says, her voice flat.

I nod, hating the distance between us. As we get out, my father approaches.

"Shane," he says, his tone clipped. "We need to talk."

I stand straighter, squaring my shoulders. "Not now, Father. I need to make sure Krystal's okay first."

He frowns, but before he can argue, Courtney steps forward. "Shane, it's so good to see you."

I tense as she leans in to kiss my cheek. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Krystal stiffen.

"Courtney," I say, keeping my voice neutral. "What are you doing here?"

She smiles, all perfect teeth, and practiced charm. "Your father thought you might need some support, given the circumstances."

I clench my fists, anger bubbling up. "The circumstances you helped create, you mean?"

Her smile falters for a second before she recovers. "Now, Shane, you know that's not fair. We're all just trying to do what's best for the company."

"The company," I spit out. "Right. Because that's all that matters."

My father steps between us. "Enough. Shane, we need to discuss the DoD contract. It's been five months. Innoventis needs you to assume your roles as CEO."

I shake my head, feeling trapped. "I can't do this right now. I need to talk to Krystal first."

I turn, looking for her, but she's gone. Panic rises as I scan the yard.

"Krystal?" I call out, not recognizing the edge in my tone.

I catch a glimpse of Krystal storming towards her cabin, her strides long and purposeful, a clear sign that she's fuming. I don't blame her, but I can't let her leave without talking this out. I take off after her.

"Krystal, wait!" I catch up to her just as she reaches her door. "Please, let me explain."

She turns, her eyes blazing. "Explain what, Shane? How you've been lying to me this whole time? How you're engaged?"

"No, it's not like that," I say, reaching for her. She steps back out of my reach. "Courtney and I... it's complicated. But it's over. It's been over for a long time."

Krystal laughs, but there's no humor in it. "Complicated. Right. Just like how you being the heir to a billion-dollar company is complicated?"

I freeze. "How did you know?"

"The internet."

I block her escape, shoving my hands in my pockets to avoid touching her. "I wanted to tell you. I just... I didn't know how. I was afraid you'd see me differently."

"And how am I supposed to see you now?" she asks, her voice breaking. "As the liar who's been pretending to be someone he's not?"

Her words cut deep. I take a step closer, needing her to understand. "Everything between us has been real. My feelings for you, for Ashanti—that's all real."

She shakes her head, tears in her eyes. "I don't know what to believe anymore."

I can see her retreating, pulling away from me. Anxiety stirs, and I force myself to focus on her tear-streaked face, her warm brown eyes shimmering with pain and confusion.

Krystal doesn't move, so I don't move. I use this brief reprieve to examine what I'm feeling. All I can deduct is I can't lose her. The possibility of losing her grips my throat, making it hard to swallow, and I fight the urge to reach out and close the distance between us.

I boil the situation down to the core: I want her, my father wants me, and they expect me to take a wife.

"Marry me, Krystal."

"What?" Her eyes are wide.

I take a deep breath, steadying myself. The request hangs between us. The more I let it hang, the more sense it makes.

"Marry me, Krystal. I know it's sudden, but I love you?—"

"You what?"

"I love you." The words bloom in my chest, taking root, and I use the moment to move closer to Krystal.

"And this way, I can protect you and Ashanti. From Jordan, from the media, from all of it."

Krystal stares at me, head poised to shake, shock written all over her face. "Are you serious right now?"

"Completely," I say, taking her hands in mine. "I know I've messed up. I know I should have told you everything sooner. But I swear to you, Krystal, my feelings are real."

Krystal pulls her hands away, wrapping her arms around herself. "This is crazy, Shane. You can't just propose to fix everything."

"That's not what I'm doing," I insist, stepping closer. "I want this to be real for both of you. Your contract is almost over. I have a home in New York. Ashanti will attend the best school in the country. You'll have the opportunity to stop running. Maybe even invite your mom to visit."

I'm grasping for anything to make her say yes, and with every passing second, I pray she'll agree.

I see the conflict in her eyes, the battle between her heart and her instinct to protect herself. It kills me to know I'm the cause of her pain.

"I need to think about Ashanti," she says finally, her voice barely above a whisper. "This isn't just about us anymore."

I nod, understanding. "Of course. Take all the time you need. But please, don't shut me out. If we're going to do this, I need you here with me, fully."

Krystal looks at me, really looks at me, for what feels like the first time since we got back. "Okay," she says softly. "I'll think about it."

It's not a yes, but it's not a no, either. I'll take it. I reach out, cupping her face in my hands. "Thank you," I whisper, pressing my forehead to hers.

For a moment, we stand there, breathing each other in. Then Krystal pulls away, wiping at her eyes.

"I need some time alone," she says. "To process all of this."

I nod, even though every fiber of my being wants to stay with her. "Of course. I'll be here when you're ready to talk."

As I watch her disappear into her cabin, I feel the weight of everything crashing down on me. My family, Innoventis, the media circus—it all pales compared to the fear of losing Krystal and Ashanti.

I turn back toward the main house, squaring my shoulders. It's time to face my father and figure out how to fix this mess.

But one thing's for certain: I didn't come to Silver Creek Ranch to find her, but now that I have, I won't let her go.

I'm not leaving without her.

I walk back to my father and Courtney, my jaw clenched. "Courtney, I need to speak with my father alone."

She nods, her smile never faltering. "Of course, Shane. I'll be at the house if you need me."

As she walks away, I turn to face my father. His eyes are sharp, assessing.

"That woman," he starts, nodding towards Krystal's cabin. "Who is she?"

I cut him off. "What are you doing here, Father?"

He straightens all business now. "We're in the final stages of the DoD contract. The cybersecurity compliance and DCAA accounting standards are approaching."

My stomach tightens. I knew this was coming, but not so soon. "Noah can handle it."

"Noah's good, but he doesn't have your experience. Your military background, your connections. They're invaluable."

"I left that life behind for a reason."

"Did you?" His voice is sharp. "Or are you just hiding from it?"

His words hit too close to home. I turn away, looking out over the ranch. The open fields, the simplicity of it all. It's everything I've come to love. Everything I want to protect.

The thought of spending my days cooped up in an office, staring at the same four walls, is suffocating. It's like a prison sentence I'd rather avoid.

"There are networking events, industry days," my father continues. "Your presence could secure this contract for us."

I close my eyes, weighing my options. I know what this contract means for Innoventis. I also know what it could mean for me—a way out, eventually. If I play my cards right.

"Noah can come with me," I say finally, turning back to face him.

My father nods a small victory. "Of course. He'll learn from you."

I see the pride in his eyes, the expectations. It's suffocating. But I push it down, focusing on the task at hand.

"When do you need me?"

"Next week. There's a cybersecurity summit in Washington."

A week. My mind races to Krystal, to Ashanti. To the life I've built here.

Can I have them both?

"I'll be there," I hear myself say.

My father smiles, but it doesn't reach his eyes. "Good. We'll discuss the details later."

As he turns to leave, I catch sight of Krystal watching us from her window. Her eyes meet mine, questioning. I want to go to her, to explain everything. But I can't. Not yet.

I watch my father's retreating back, a familiar weight settling on my shoulders. I've spent years running from this life, from these expectations. And now, in one conversation, I'm pulled right back in.

But this time, it's different. This time, I have something—someone—worth fighting for. I just hope it's not too late.

I turn back towards Krystal's cabin, my heart racing. I need to tell her everything. But as I take a step forward, my father's voice stops me.

"Oh, and Shane?" He doesn't turn around. "Bring your... friend . It's time she saw what you're really capable of."

My blood runs cold. I watch him walk away, my mind reeling. He knows. Somehow, he knows about Krystal. And now, he's made her a part of this game.

I stand, torn between two worlds, as the sun sets over Silver Creek Ranch. The life I've built here, the peace I've found, is hanging by a thread. And I'm the one holding the scissors.

As I walk towards Krystal's cabin, my mind races with possibilities. How do I explain this to her? How do I protect her from the world I've tried so hard to leave behind?

I reach her porch, my hand poised to knock. But I hesitate. Through the window, I can see her and Ashanti laughing over something. They look so happy, so carefree. Can I really disrupt that?

Before I can decide, the door swings open. Krystal stands there, her eyes searching mine. "Shane? What's going on?"

I take a deep breath. "We need to talk."

She nods, stepping aside to let me in. Ashanti looks up from her homework, her face lighting up. "Mr. Shane!"

I force a smile. "Hey, kiddo. How's the math coming?"

She wrinkles her nose. "It's hard. But I'm figuring it out."

"That's my girl," I say, kissing her forehead. The gesture feels natural and comfortable. When did that happen?

I clear my throat. "How'd camping go?"

"It was the best. Mr. Kelvin took us hiking and fishing." She continues, and I nod, letting my gaze wander back to Krystal.

She watches us, her expression unreadable. "Ashanti, why don't you finish up in your room? Shane and I need to talk."

Ashanti gathers her books, giving me a quick hug before disappearing down the hall. The warmth of her embrace lingers, a stark contrast to the cold dread settling in my stomach.

Krystal turns to me, arms crossed. "All right, Kennedy. Spill."

Kennedy . Right back where we started.

I take a seat on the couch, trying to gather my thoughts. How do I even begin to explain?

"That man you saw," I start, "that's my father."

Krystal's eyebrows shoot up. "Your father? I thought you said your family was in New York."

"They are. Were." I run a hand through my hair, frustration building. "It's complicated."

"Then uncomplicate it," she says, her voice sharp. "Who are you, Shane?"

I meet Krystal's intense stare, admiring her directness. She's not about the BS, and that's why I respect her. Strength radiates from her, a quality she'll need in my world, where New York's shark-infested waters crave blood.

No, to answer her question.

Who am I? The soldier? The heir? The ranch hand? I'm not sure I even know anymore.

But I know somewhere along the road of figuring it out, I found her. And it's made me see my future differently.

"My full name is Shane Kennedy," I say finally. "My family owns Innoventis Defense Tech."

Krystal's eyes widen. "The defense contractor? But that's a multi-billion dollar company."

I nod, watching her face carefully. "And I'm supposed to be its next CEO."

She takes a step back, shaking her head. "No. That's not possible. You're just a ranch hand. You fix tractors and mend fences."

"I do those things," I agree. "But it's not all I am."

Krystal sinks into a chair, her face pale. "So everything you told me... it was all a lie?"

"No!" I stand up, moving towards her. She flinches, and I stop, my heart breaking. "Everything I've told you about my time in the military, about why I came here. That's all true. I just... left out some details."

"Some details?" Her laugh is bitter. "You're a billionaire, Shane. That's not a detail. That's a whole other life."

I kneel in front of her, desperate to make her understand. "It's a life I've been trying to escape. Coming here, meeting you and Ashanti. It's the first time I've felt like myself in years."

She looks at me, her eyes searching mine. "Why are you telling me this now?"

I take a deep breath. "Because my father wants me back in New York. There's a big contract coming up, and he needs me there."

"And you're going," she says. It's not a question.

I nod, the weight of my decision heavy on my shoulders. "I have to. But not without you."

Krystal stands up abruptly, pacing the small living room. "You want me to what? Leave everything behind and follow you to New York? Just like that?"

"I know it's a lot to ask," I say, standing up. "But Krystal, I?—"

A knock at the door cuts me off. We both freeze, staring at each other.

"Krystal?" A familiar voice calls out. "It's Jordan. We need to talk."

Krystal's face drains of color. She looks at me with panic in her eyes. "Shane, you need to hide. Now."

I shake my head, stepping closer to her. "I'm not going anywhere."

The knocking grows more insistent. "Krystal, I know you're in there. Open up, or I'll?—"

I move past Krystal, yanking the door open. Jordan stands there, his hand raised to knock again. His eyes widen when he sees me. Then he recovers.

"Shane Kennedy. I didn't expect to see you here."

I straighten to my full height, blocking his view of Krystal. "Too bad. What do you want?"

Jordan's eyes narrow. "Kennedy? As in Innoventis Defense Tech?"

I don't answer, but my silence is confirmation enough. A slow smile spreads across Jordan's face.

"Well, well," he says, looking past me to Krystal. "Looks like you've traded up. But don't forget, I still hold all the cards regarding Ashanti."

I feel Krystal stiffen behind me. Without thinking, I step forward, forcing Jordan back.

"You don't hold anything," I growl. "Now leave before I make you leave."

"No need for violence. I'm going." Jordan holds up his hands, still smirking. "But, Krystal, the deadline remains."

He turns and walks away. I close the door, straining to control my anger. When I turn back to Krystal, she's leaning against the wall, her face in her hands.

"Krystal," I say softly, moving towards her.

She looks up, her eyes filled with tears and fury. "Don't. Just... don't."

I stop, my hands falling to my sides. The distance between us feels insurmountable.

"I think you should go," she says, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Krystal, please?—"

"Go, Shane." Her voice is stronger now, final. "I need time to think."

I nod, my heart heavy. As I reach for the door, I turn back. "For what it's worth, I never meant to hurt you. Or Ashanti."

She doesn't respond, just turns away. I step out, closing the door behind me. The click of the lock feels like the end of something I never knew I wanted so badly.

As I walk back to the bunkhouse, my mind races. Jordan knows who I am now. My father knows about Krystal. And Krystal... Krystal might never trust me again.

I reach my door, but I can't bring myself to go inside. Instead, I sink down onto the porch steps, my head in my hands. I feel completely lost.

The sound of footsteps makes me look up. Tom stands there, concern etched on his weathered face.

"You alright, son?" he asks.

I laugh, but there's no humor in it. "Not even close."

Tom sits down next to me, his presence solid and reassuring. "Want to talk about it?"

I look out over the ranch at the life I've come to love. At the life, I might have just lost. "I don't even know where to begin."