Always Love You (MacLarens of Fire Mountain Contemporary series Book 5)

by Shirleen Davies

  “Have you worked for MacLaren long?” Jax asked Amber after they’d ordered.

  “Almost two months.”

  “And what do you do for them?”

  “I’m in charge of marketing for all their groups. I know Kevin has been working with Eric. Have you also worked with him?” She glanced at Jax, wondering about her affiliation with Eric.

  Jax glanced at Kevin before flashing Amber a too sweet smile. “I wouldn’t call it work, exactly.” She took a sip of her water. “I suppose you could say I know him socially.”

  “Ah…I see.”

  “Yes. We became quite good friends after Kevin introduced us.”

  Seeing the look of surprise on Amber’s face, Kevin glanced at Jax, annoyance clear in his expression. “Jax handles much of the marketing for our clients. I introduced Eric and Jax when we first began to work together. I thought perhaps she could provide her insights on marketing in the San Antonio area.”

  “How thoughtful of you. I’m certain Jax and I can learn a lot from each other.”

  Amber’s stomach clenched as she tried to make sense of Jax’s relationship with Eric. She knew the association with Kevin had begun shortly before Amber started at MacLaren. Eric had made a couple of trips to San Antonio since, one just before they’d become engaged less than a week before. He hadn’t left town since. Still, Amber wondered if she knew Eric as well as she thought. Maybe he had changed. She’d known other men, both in New York and Denver, who appeared happily married, then learned they thought nothing of keeping another woman on the side.

  “Your presentation is set for two o’clock. If there’s time before then, perhaps you and I can sit down for a few minutes to discuss your thoughts on the San Antonio market.” Amber finished what she could of her lunch, leaving over half untouched on the plate.

  They walked into MacLaren headquarters at one thirty, Amber turning to Kevin and Jax.

  “Let me see if Eric’s back from his lunch appointment.” She left them in a waiting area outside the executive offices and tapped on Eric’s door before opening it. He sat at his desk, the phone to his ear, and reached an arm out to her, encouraging Amber to come up beside him. She shook her head, not moving from her place on the other side of his desk.

  He eyed her, wondering at the disturbed look. He hung up and sat forward, his brows knitting together.

  “Kevin is here, along with his associate—Jax Perry.”

  Eric’s expression hardened as he began to understand her odd behavior.

  “Jax gave the impression the two of you are quite good friends.”

  He stood, making no attempt to walk toward her and took a deep breath. “Let me explain—”

  “When did you last see her?”

  “Two weeks ago when I was in San Antonio.” He eyed her, not liking the wariness he saw. “She was coming out of a meeting with Kevin, then she left.”

  “Did you ever sleep with her?”

  “Yes.” He walked around the desk, needing to get closer to her. She backed up, creating more distance. “One time. Before you came to work here. I haven’t been with her since.”

  “I see.”

  “No, I don’t think you do. Jax and I were together once. One. Time. Only. There’s been no one since you showed up, Amber.” He tried again to step toward her, but she walked toward the door and pulled it open.

  “They’re in the waiting area.”

  He glanced at her left hand, noting she still wore his engagement ring. “I love you, Amber. Jax and I were a one-time thing—nothing more.”

  She swallowed the lump in her throat, needing to believe him, and nodded. “I understand.”

  He followed her down the hall, extending a hand to Kevin.

  “It’s good to see you, Eric. You know Jax, of course.”

  “Hello, Jax. I didn’t know you were the associate Kevin mentioned would be joining us.”

  She walked up to him, ignoring his hand, and gave him a brief hug while placing a kiss on his cheek. “It’s good to see you. When Kevin mentioned traveling to Fire Mountain, I told him I wanted to come along.”

  He backed away and looked at Amber. “I understand you’ve met my fiancée, Amber Anderson.”

  Jax’s eyes widened at the news.

  Kevin stepped forward, hiding his shock. “She didn’t mention your engagement to us. Congratulations, Eric. I’m sure you’ll be very happy.”

  Eric shot a look at Jax. “I know we will. Let me show you to the conference room where you can set up while I get the others.”

  ******

  “Thanks for taking the time to meet with us, Kevin. I’ll get together with the rest of the management team to review your suggestions, then have Eric get in touch.”

  “I’m glad you found the information useful. Let me know if you have any questions.” He watched Heath leave, followed by everyone except Eric. Kevin packed up his folders before turning to Jax. “Looks like we have plenty of time to make our flight.”

  “I’d like to have a few words with Eric.”

  Kevin nodded, still showing the irritation which had been simmering since the lunch with Amber. He’d never seen Jax behave with less than the upmost professionalism and regretted his decision to bring her along. He walked out, leaving the two alone.

  “My understanding when we met was that you had no one in your life. I wish I’d known about her.”

  Eric didn’t blame the accusation in her voice. “When you and I got together, I had no attachments, Jax, and no plans to develop a relationship with anyone. Amber and I weren’t together then.”

  “If I’d known, I never would have come here.”

  Eric shoved his hands in his pockets. “It didn’t occur to me to mention Amber when I saw you at Kevin’s office during my last trip to San Antonio. I won’t go into details, but I’ve known Amber since high school. I hadn’t seen her in years, not until Heath introduced her as our new marketing director, which was after I’d met you. The relationship moved rather quickly from there.”

  “She must be quite special.”

  “She is.” Eric glanced at the door, wanting to find Amber and make sure everything was all right. “I’ve been in love with her a long time.”

  Jax heard the sincerity in his voice. “I truly do wish you the best, Eric, and hope this won’t impact your business with Kevin. He’s a good man, and I know he’ll do a great job for MacLaren.” She left without another word.

  ******

  Eric stood outside Amber’s office door, hearing her speaking on the phone, waiting to knock. If their engagement hadn’t been so new, he might not feel the apprehension at her reaction to Jax, a woman he liked, but nothing more. He heard her hang up and knocked.

  “Yes?”

  He walked in and closed the door behind him, leaning his back against it, and crossing his arms. He stared at her a moment, trying to gauge her mood. “Are you okay?”

  Amber moved around her desk to lean against it, her hands grabbing the edges on either side of her.

  “She’s quite beautiful. I can see why you’d be attracted to her.”

  “Yes, she is beautiful.” He dropped his arms to his sides and pushed away from the door. “The problem is, she isn’t you. I know things have moved fast between us and there are a lot we still need to talk about, but trust me when I tell you that you’re who I want. No one else.”

  Amber never saw herself as a woman possessed of much drama. She had no intention of making this more than what it was or blowing it up to create a wedge between her and Eric. However, the warning signals in her head cautioned her to slow the pace, make certain they were making the right decision to marry.

  “So much has happened since I arrived, including dealing with the danger to your family. I wonder if we’re rushing this.” She held up her left hand, indicating the engagement ring. “Do you think we’re moving too fast?”

  “No. If there’s anything I regret, it’s not hunting you down sooner. I never should’ve let you leave Californ
ia when every instinct I had told me to stop you, force us to talk it through. Pride got in my way.” He moved up to within inches of her. “I won’t let anything come between us this time.”

  “We both have pasts the other knows nothing about.” Her whispered voice shook as Eric let his knuckles slide down her cheek.

  “If it’s important to you, we’ll fill in the gaps.”

  “It’s not important to you?” Her voice quivered as his hand moved down her arm and grasped her hand.

  “No, but it’s not that I have no interest in learning what’s happened in your life since we split up. I just don’t need to know the details of the relationships you’ve had. I want to move forward, just you and me, forgetting about the mistakes we’ve made. Can we do that?”

  She looked at their joined hands, then gazed up at his face, offering a tentative smile. “Yes, I believe we can.”

  He pulled her to him, letting out a breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding. His hands moved up her back, rubbing small circles as he rested his chin on the top of her head, feeling her relax against him.

  She laid her head against his chest, hearing his heartbeat, and feeling the warmth of his body pass to hers. He’d had other women since their split, lots of them from what she’d learned, but none of them mattered. He was hers again, and she’d hold on to her last breath to keep him.

  ******

  “All I need is a ride from the auto shop to the cabin. I wouldn’t be calling you if I’d been able to reach Amber or Eric.” Dana let out a frustrated breath. The last person she’d wanted to call offered a mumbled oath into the phone.

  “Fine. Stay where you are and I’ll pick you up in thirty minutes.” Mitch hung up. He’d just arrived at his place, making the decision to take his motorcycle out for a quick ride before settling in for a night of reviewing contracts for the MacLaren bucking bull operations in Montana. Someday his father, Rafe, expected him to take over the presidency from him. To do that, he needed to learn not just about the bull business but also the other operations in the MacLaren empire.

  He set his helmet back on the shelf, intending to take his truck, then changed his mind and grabbed two helmets. If she needed his help, she’d just have to settle for what he offered.

  Dana watched as one set of headlights after another sped past the auto shop. She’d worn a skirt for the interview a few blocks away. By Monday she hoped to hear if she’d won the part-time job as a graphic designer for a fledgling advertising firm. The teaching position plus this one would be what she needed to sustain herself until she found a more permanent job.

  She heard the rumble of a motorcycle and looked up to see it slow before pulling into the parking area, stopping a few feet from her. Dana ignored it, scanning the cars moving past, hoping he’d arrive soon.

  “Well, you going to get on or not?”

  She swung her gaze to the rider who removed his helmet. Mitch glared at her, an impatient gleam in his eyes. She checked her watch. Thirty minutes exactly. At least he could tell time. She straightened her skirt and walked up to him.

  “Nice ride. Is this my helmet?” She pointed to one secured at the back.

  He nodded, her reaction not what he’d hoped. Mitch thought she’d back away, run inside, and call a cab. Instead, her appreciative gaze wandered over the bike, noticing the details most people ignored.

  “Do you want to hop on the back?” she asked, amusement clear on her face.

  “Hell no.” He nodded for her to get on behind him.

  Dana lifted her skirt and slipped her right leg behind him, then settled into the backseat, wrapping her arms around his waist. “Let’s go, Galahad.”

  What had he expected? Mitch asked himself as they made their way through evening traffic. The woman continued to surprise him. Nothing seemed to phase her, not even his beast of a Harley, or riding behind him in a skirt that rode up to her hips. He spotted a burger place he liked and pulled in, riding up to the order window, and looking over his shoulder at Dana.

  “What do you want?”

  “Double cheese burger, double fries, and a chocolate shake. Oh, and one of those berry turnover things they have.”

  Mitch shook his head. That was more than most of his friends ate. He doubled the order and pulled up to the next window as the noise of several motorcycles came up from behind them. He shifted in the seat to look over his right shoulder. Six bikes entered the lot. A couple pulled a few feet away, others crowded behind him at the pickup window, and two stopped just shy of blocking the exit. One, who Mitch suspected of being the leader, stopped so his handlebars touched Mitch’s and stared at him while keeping his bike running.

  Dana leaned forward to within an inch of his ear. “Ignore them.”

  “No shit,” he answered as he paid for the food and handed the bags to Dana. “Hold on. We’re out of here.”

  Mitch pulled into a break in traffic, gunning the bike, and moving past the cars ahead of him until he’d put a comfortable distance between them and the bikers. Fifteen minutes later they stopped in front of Dana’s cabin. He got off and grabbed the bags of food, then followed her into the house.

  She opened her purse, rummaged for money, then handed him what she thought her food cost.

  “Forget it. Save your money to pay for that wreck of a Jeep of yours.” He set the food on the kitchen counter and dug inside until he pulled out two burgers, handing one to Dana.

  “She works great. Just had a little hiccup today.” She grabbed the burger from his hand, unwrapped it, and bit off a large bite. “I’ll pit her against that truck of yours any day.”

  Mitch almost choked on his food. “You’re on.”

  “Can I take her out someday?”

  “Who?” he asked, taking a gulp of his soda.

  “Your bagger. Can I ride her sometime?”

  Mitch set down his soda and cocked his head. “You’re talking about my bike?”

  She nodded, concentrating on her food.

  “No one rides my bike. Especially not some inexperienced squirt of a thing like you.”

  Her eyes widened then narrowed on him. She had become used to this reaction from male bikers. “I’ll bet you let Eric and Kade take her out.”

  “Sure. They’re my brothers. You? You’re…” he didn’t know what to say as she stood a foot away, glaring at him.

  “I can handle her as well as anyone.”

  “Well, I guess we aren’t going to find out.” He finished his second burger, popped the last fry in his mouth, and crumbled the bag before heading toward the door, then stopped to pull out his phone. He dialed Kade’s number, getting voicemail.

  “Call me. It’s important.” He hung up and dialed Eric. “It’s Mitch. I saw a group of six riders at the burger place about an hour ago. Their colors read Devil’s Sons. You ever heard of them?”

  “No. Kade is at Heath’s place. Where are you now?” Eric set the phone on speaker so Amber could hear.

  “At Dana’s.”

  “Oh, yeah?” Eric chuckled into the phone.

  “I don’t want any crap from you, Sinclair. She needed a ride—that’s all. I’m heading to Heath’s.”

  “I’ll meet you there.”

  Mitch shoved his phone in his pocket then turned toward Dana. “Call Amber when you need a ride to pick up your Jeep.” He stepped outside, pulled the door closed with a slam.

  Jerk, Dana thought as she heard his bike start up and pull away. She dialed Amber.

  “Hey, guess you got my voicemail about my car being in the shop. I’m not sure if it will be ready tomorrow or Monday.”

  “No problem. We can scrounge up a car for you to use in the meantime, then I’ll take you to pick up yours when it’s ready.” Amber peered through the blinds to see Eric leave. He’d promised to call if they learned anything about the riders Mitch had spotted. “Why don’t I come over for a while?”

  “Sounds good. Oh, I hope you’ve eaten because I have nothing.” Dana opened the refrigerator to see
a carton of milk, eggs, mayonnaise, mustard, a bottle of wine, and beer. “Unless you want egg sandwiches,” she laughed.

  “I’m good. I’ll contact Brooke, too. See you in a few minutes.”

  Chapter Twenty-One

  “Does anyone recognize the name?” Eric asked the group of men congregating in Heath’s study. Clive and J.D. had arrived a few minutes before after a meeting with Sheriff Andrews.

  “They’re a support group to Satan’s Brethren,” Kade answered. “I was afraid this might happen.”

  “What?” Eric asked.

  “At first I thought Robbie would keep the hunt for me within the Brethren. Looks like he decided the help of his support club, Devil’s Sons, is worth the risk of being discovered. They’re a bunch of wild cards with little allegiance to anyone—not even the Brethren.”

  “Riding up to Mitch seems pretty bold if Robbie wants to keep it quiet.” Clive jotted down notes, then closed the binder.

  “Intimidation, maybe.” Eric didn’t like the idea of the gang announcing their presence. “At least now we know the threat is real.”

  “Where are the women tonight?” Heath asked.

  “Amber texted me that she and Brooke are at Dana’s.” Eric pulled out his phone confirming he’d received no other messages.

  Heath pinched the bridge of his nose between his thumb and forefinger. “I want everyone to work from home tomorrow.”

  “What about travel?” Mitch asked.

  “I’ve asked Cam to stay in Cold Creek with Lainey and Cassie. Rafe is staying in Montana, although reluctantly. We’re asking for trouble riding back and forth between here, the office, and airport. Phyllis will reschedule meetings or travel. Let her know.”

  “And the weekend? Are we still planning to try and draw them out?” Eric, Mitch, and Kade had planned to ride out on Saturday in an attempt to draw the gang’s attention.

  “I’d suggest holding off on that until we have more information on Robbie’s location. I’d recommend limiting your activities off the ranch. If you leave, go in groups of no less than three people and let Clive or I know where you’re headed,” J.D. said.

  “Health’s right. This is heating up fast and will escalate quickly when Robbie gets here. There’s no point in thinking he won’t show. The Devil’s Sons making themselves known in Fire Mountain leaves no doubt about what’s going on. Frankly, everyone should plan to stay on the ranch until this is over.” Clive nodded toward J.D. “We’ll let you know if Robbie is spotted in the area.”