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🕑 Added 2025-01-21 10:59:34 +0000 UTCWind in the Smoke
Chapter 119 - An Exchange of Words
Thomas Rainwater is the president of the Confederated Tribes of Broken Rock and the leader of the Broken Rock Indian Reservation.
He was rarely seen outside the Indian reservations, but now he was present because many ranchers from the Indian reservation were selling their cattle in these lands. As their leader, he showed his support for his people.
After recovering the stolen cattle, the Dutton family did not seek retaliation. Dante couldn’t imagine what they might have done if that dispute had led to the death of any of their family members.
But since everything had turned out fine, it wasn’t the Duttons who harbored resentment. Instead, it was Thomas, who couldn’t determine if Robert’s death had been accidental or a murder.
The cleaners Dante hired that night had staged the scene to make it look as though Robert's death had been an accident.
For the forensic experts examining Robert, it seemed he had fallen from the horse he was riding, hitting his head on a rock and losing consciousness. Hungry wolves roaming at night had done the rest, eating half of Robert’s body while he died in his sleep.
Of course, Robert’s family wondered if this was possible or just a story invented by his killers.
Even though Thomas didn’t fully believe that the events had unfolded so naturally, he had to accept it and move on.
“It’s a pleasure to have you here, Mr. Rainwater. Please, make yourself comfortable and enjoy the auction, which is about to resume,” said a man in a suit and hat as he greeted Thomas. However, as his eyes drifted toward the audience while pointing out the seats, he noticed Dante discreetly seated next to Susie at the top of the rows, right in the central section.
“I won’t be here for long,” Thomas replied with a haughty expression. It was comforting to be treated with respect, even outside the Indian Reservation.
“I’m sorry, I need to greet a special guest.” But just as Thomas was about to ask for details about the sales, the man who had received him disappeared, heading toward the seats farthest from the main auction area.
The way Thomas had been brushed aside left him slightly irritated.
Coming to a place that wasn’t exactly ideal for selling or buying cattle, he had expected better treatment and the chance to meet some important faces. Instead, the president of the Cattle Auction Association had rushed to greet a man seated next to a beautiful woman.
Thomas had seen that man before. He was the youngest of the Dutton family, just starting in the business world but already making waves with his enterprises.
Watching the auction president run toward the youngest Dutton like a lapdog filled Thomas with rage.
To outsiders, Dante was a young adult who lacked experience. His appearance added to his charm, but to some, he came across as reckless and impulsive, which was why he was often underestimated.
Out of necessity, Thomas had studied each member of the Dutton family and had never considered Dante a threat until he began exerting influence within the Indian Reservation.
“We’ll talk to him later,” Thomas muttered as he sat in a relatively empty area.
But minutes later, a figure sat next to him and asked, “What’s the president of the Confederated Tribes of Broken Rock and leader of the Broken Rock Indian Reservation doing at a cattle auction in Montana? Don’t tell me you’re planning to start your own ranch.”
Thomas didn’t need to turn his head to know it was Dante, who had taken the seat beside him.
“If I answer your question, will you answer mine?”
Dante, watching the auctioneer and raising his paddle to bid on a new lot of cattle, nodded slightly and said, “I’m interested, so go ahead and ask me anything.”
“I’m here because many ranchers from the Indian Reservation are auctioning their cattle and well-trained horses in this place where opportunities can be significant,” Thomas said calmly. To him, Dante was just another man he could toy with.
Dante nodded slightly and said in a surprised tone, “I didn’t know your position gave you time to waste like this.”
“I wouldn’t call it wasting time, but it doesn’t matter. Now tell me, what is the youngest member of the Dutton family doing at a cattle auction?”
“Isn’t it obvious? I’m just buying cattle with my fiancée.”
Seeing his serene expression, Thomas nodded slightly.
“But that’s not what you really want to know, is it? You’ve been scanning the room as if looking for important figures, yet none seem to interest you as much as speaking to my father.”
Dante stared at Thomas, paused, and advised, “To keep things peaceful, I’d recommend you avoid causing more disturbances like the incident with the cattle you tried to steal.”
“Steal?” A cold laugh escaped Thomas’s lips. Taking Dante more seriously, he said, “You’re too young to understand the meaning of our hatred for the lands your family took from us. It’s not personal; it’s about making decisions to reclaim what’s ours.”
“Ours? Nothing in this world is ours, Mr. Rainwater. We’re just opportunists who won’t live more than a hundred years on this land. Why not focus on the good we can do together?”
“What could you possibly achieve while living under your father’s shadow?”
“First, I can break the barrier between our cultures. I employ workers from the Indian Reservation in my companies, and they have access to everything these lands can offer.” Dante shifted his gaze away from Thomas’s face and added, “You’ve surely investigated the Sons of Anarchy and know who I really am.”
Thomas had indeed noticed that organization, which had donated significantly to orphanages within the Indian Reservation and had been offering substantial support to the poorest communities lately.
Initially, he had wanted to thank the leader of that foundation for their support. But when he discovered that a Dutton named Dante was behind it, he found himself with many unanswered questions.
“What are you trying to achieve?”
Dante smiled slightly and said, “Just peace for my family. If my success can change things, I’ll do whatever it takes to end the rivalry between our people. What you want only breeds resentment, but what I seek will change everything.”
“You can think that way, but I’m not interested.”
“That’s a shame, but you can’t choose what my people want to donate to the communities. In fact, half the cattle I bought today will go to my workers, and a portion will be given to the Indian community.” After saying this, Dante stood up, and Susie naturally followed him.
Dante glanced at Thomas one last time and said, “Be smart. I’d hate for something to happen to you.”
“Watch your words.” At that moment, Mo, a tall man who held the position of coordinator for Native American Affairs, glared at Dante, clearly annoyed by the threat.
But Thomas stood up, extended his hand, and interrupted Mo’s aggressive response. “I got the message. You take care too.”
“There’s no need; I’m always looked after.” Dante didn’t shake Thomas’s hand. Instead, he took Susie’s hand and walked away, giving a smile to the man who aimed to destroy his family.
On their way out, Susie asked, “Was it wise to confront him so aggressively?”
“I’m just showing confidence. He’ll probably think I’m reckless or foolish. What he won’t imagine is that I can take him down anytime he becomes a danger to my family,” Dante replied, considering Susie’s calm and intelligent demeanor.
As the two spoke, a fight suddenly broke out outside the main auction area.
Two men were arguing over a horse.
