Page 74 of The Outsider
All the air went out of the room. All eyes were now fixed on John.
“That’s right,” he said, almost taunting. “I’ve got more than enough for probably a few lifetimes. I’d never leave you out in the cold…but keep your lives as easy as they’ve been, with automated farming equipment, machines, and so on? Nah, I don’t have to do that.”
There was a brief, heavy silence.
“You’re obligated to hand them over, Madigan,” Jameson said, an angry tremor in his voice. “You owe it to this community.”
“I’ve given you what I owe,” John said, defiance set in his jaw. “Anything more is a favour you’re asking me. I’m your only shot at getting your hands on them.”
There was an outbreak of loud, frantic chatter at this. Jameson yelled over the din, calling for order, but it took several minutes for everyone to settle.
“What do you propose, John?” Abby asked once quiet had been restored, her grey eyes wide.
“Accept Claire and Asha as full members of the community,” John said, “or I swear, you’ll never see a single PNC from me. I’ll gladly watch your equipment break down and your harvests shrink, because if you’re that stubborn, you don’t deserve my help anyway.”
He shrugged. “Your choice.”
I gaped at him. Abby’s lip curled slightly, but I couldn’t tell whether she was angry, impressed, or both by John’s audacity.
“Very well,” she said. “We’ll call a vote, but I don’t think the result will be in doubt. We’ll then open negotiations. At this time, I think it no longer appropriate for Claire and Asha to be present. I’d ask that you ladies wait outside the council chamber until discussions have concluded.”
I nodded and stood on wobbly legs, clammy with nerves. Somehow, I made it to the door with Asha. I looked back at John just before leaving, and he gave me a small, almost sheepish smile. I have a plan. I suppressed the urge to roll my eyes. The man never ceased to amaze me…but a little warning wouldn’t have gone amiss.
Asha and I waited in the common room. I collapsed into one of the armchairs while she paced the length of the room. My heart pounded in my ears. What would I do if they didn’t take the bait? What if they hurt John? I didn’t think his closest friends would stand for that, but I also couldn't be sure what the rest of them were capable of.
Voices spoke animatedly back and forth in the next room, but I couldn’t make out what they said. I stared at the closed council room door, willing it to open, but it was at least another twenty minutes before it finally did. I was in agony the entire time.
The door banged open, and the entire council filed out. The Armstrongs, Hardings, and McNeils flashed us sympathetic looks, while others stared at us with open hostility. I didn’t care; I only wantedto see John. He exited second to last, Kimmy at his side. Abby and Jameson followed behind them.
“Remember, Madigan,” Jameson said severely, “one wrong move, and they’re both out. Come spring, you’ll be expected to keep your end of the bargain—whether you’re still interested in the redhead by then or not.”
“I’m aware,” John replied irritably. “And I’ll thank you not to talk about my wife like that.”
Jameson grunted. “We’ll see.”
He turned and followed the crowd out of the Lodge. Abby stared at John with raised eyebrows.
“You’re certainly Oisín’s grandson,” she said. “I hope you’ve found your Aoife.”
With a small smile, she left. I waited until it was just the four of us before hurrying over to John. I couldn’t help but throw my arms around his neck, pulling him into a tight embrace. My pounding heart still hadn’t fully recovered.
“You insane man!” I exclaimed, exhaling heavily as I hugged him hard. “What did you do that for? You didn’t even warn me!”
“I couldn’t,” he said, gently wrapping his arms around me. “I was hoping I wouldn’t have to do it. And they had to see it wasn’t your idea. You had to be as surprised as everyone else.”
“Did that have anything to do with where you snuck off to yesterday?”
“Yeah,” he answered, kissing my hair. “I stashed the extra PNCs in the safe at Summerhurst.”
“Well, don’t ever scare me like that again. I was afraid they’d hurt you.”
John scoffed. “When I’m their only chance at keeping their lives nice and easy? Not likely.”
I slapped a kiss against his cheek and then released him. Kimmy had left John’s side to meet Asha and was now murmuring something that sounded vaguely apologetic. John caught my chin in his hand and tilted my face up to him.
“The risk was worth it,” he continued, smiling. “You and Asha are staying with a six-month trial period. If all goes well, we’ll get married in the spring, and you’ll become a full member of the council.”
“That’s amazing,” I trilled, unable to control my excitement.
