“No. I’m done.” Dakota told him as he poured himself a cup of coffee then decided to change the subject. “Why are you here anyway?”
“I wanted to tell you that Shelly, Jessica, and I are going away for a week. Can you keep an eye on the house for us?”
“Of course.”
“Thanks.” Nathan stood and put his hat, coat, and gloves on. “We’re just going to Cheyenne, but I wanted to let you know.”
Dakota gave him a nod and watched as Nathan walked out the door. He envied Nathan. He had a wonderful wife in Shelly and a beautiful little daughter in Jessica. Dakota sighed as he wondered if he and Megan would have had a child by now. It didn’t matter anymore. She was out of his life. He and Storm were the only single ones left from his childhood friends, the boys he ran with while growing up. The boys he got into trouble with, he thought with a grin. They’d all been young and rebellious. The bad boys of Dry River were what people had called them and some still did, even to this day. Hellions, they’d been, all six of them. He grinned as he thought about his friend, Lucas Taggart trying to steal a car belonging to a cop. A cop, who would later became his stepfather.
Shaking his head, he was surprised they all hadn’t ended up in jail. They’d come close, all having been arrested in their youth for various things. Cooper Lang, for vandalism, Lincoln Cole, for theft, Montgomery Bradford, Storm Bateman, and himself for breaking and entering. Lucas had the choice of either doing better in school or going to jail. He chose to do better in school and once he started getting better grades, the rest of them did the same and all graduated the top of their class. Now they were all successful and four of them were happily married. Dakota loved them all, including their wives and children.
Storm had been married once, but he was sure Storm would never remarry. Not after what Tracy had done to him. He loved his little girl, though and he was a great dad. As for himself, Dakota knew he’d never marry now. He couldn’t see another woman being in his life. It wouldn’t be fair to her or him because he’d always love Megan.
He thought back to the first time he’d teased her about her hair. It was their third date. They sat in the restaurant waiting on their dinners.
“Did your parents name you Meg because of your hair?”
“My hair?” Megan frowned at him.
“It’s the color of nutmeg. Meg...nut...meg.” He grinned.
“Very funny.”
Dakota chuckled. “It’s very pretty. Is it real?”
“Of course, it’s real,” she said with huff.
“I’ll find out you know,” he said in a low tone of voice.
Megan gasped. “You think so?”
“Oh no, darlin’...I know so.”
“I seriously doubt it.”
Dakota leaned back in his seat, folded his arms, and grinned. “Darlin’, even you have to admit we have a spark. You gave it away on our first date when you said you would have taken more than just dinner.”
Megan laughed. “Maybe I meant you could have taken me to a movie.”
Dakota grinned. “You can tell yourself that but I know what you meant.”
She smiled at him. “I know what I meant too. Same as you.”
Dakota growled. “Damn it. We’re leaving.”
“After dinner, Dakota. You can wait that long, can’t you?”
“I’m not sure I can. You’ve had my dick hard since the first time I set eyes on you.” He watched the blush move into her cheeks. “What? Too much?” He shrugged. “I say what I feel and darlin’, I really want to feel you under me.”
But they hadn’t made love that night. Aiden had intervened once again. He’d been at a party and had drunk too much, so he had called Megan to pick him up.
Dakota swore at the memory, grabbed his coat, hat, and strode out the door, slamming it behind him, to head for the barn. The cold air hurt his lungs as he took deep breaths. Damn her! Damn her to hell, for getting into his heart and never leaving.
****
Three weeks later, Megan was still without a job. She wasn’t sure what she was going to do. Her unemployment paid the rent but that was about it, her food supplies were dwindling, and still no word from Aiden. Wanting to strangle him for leaving her in the lurch, she clenched her hands into fists, and cursed him. She’d followed up with a call to every place she’d had an interview but had been told they’d hired someone else. She had a sinking feeling it was because of being fired from the bank.
Picking up the newspaper, she scanned the employment section yet again. She supposed she could take a job as a server or something, but her apartment was high in rent and she still had six months left on her lease. A tear rolled down her cheek and dropped onto the newsprint. It was hopeless. Her brother was on the run from the FBI and because of that, she owed Dakota ten thousand dollars. It might as well be a million right now.
A sudden knock on her door startled her. Cautiously moving to the door, she jumped back when someone pounded on the door just as she reached it.
“Miss Carson, I need to speak with you. Now,” a male voice with an accent yelled from the other side of the door.
Oh no! It had to be that Vincent guy again. “I haven’t heard from Aiden. I don’t know where he is. Please leave before I call the police,” Megan told him.
His laughter came through the door. “You’ll be dead before they get here. Open the door so we can talk because if I have to break it down, you’ll regret it. Come...let’s be civilized...this time.”
Dead? Oh. My. God. Megan took a deep breath and opened the door. He came striding in and stopped in the center of the room then spun around to look at her. He was actually a good-looking man. He was tall, around six feet with slicked back black hair, brown eyes, and a thin nose. Only those piercing eyes stared at her, sending a chill down her spine. “What do you want, Mr....?”
“Caporale, Vincent Caporale. Your brother owes me money, Miss Carson, and I want it.”
“You’ll have to wait until he comes back––”
“That’s where you’re wrong, Miss Carson. You see, if I can’t get my money from him, I’ll go to his family. You understand me?”
Megan backed away from him and into what felt like a brick wall. When she turned there was a huge man standing behind her. She quickly shifted away.
“How much does he owe you?” She began to tremble, but tried to be brave.
“Fifty thousand dollars. Your brother has quite the gambling problem, Miss Carson, and he came to me for the money to keep up his habit.”
“I don’t know where he is. He disappeared after being released from jail on bond.”
“What was he in jail for?”
“Embezzlement,” she whispered, now feeling terrified.
Vincent Caporale burst out laughing. “Priceless. I seriously doubt he was embezzling to pay me back though. He probably wanted to use it for gambling himself deeper in debt.” He sobered and stared at her. “I’ll give you one week to find him and if you don’t, you will pay me what he owes me or I’ll make you disappear. Don’t even think of going to the police. I’ll know.” He spun on his heel and walked out of her apartment, the brick wall following him and slamming the door behind him.
Megan collapsed on the sofa. Dear God. Now what?
She picked her phone up but put it back down knowing she couldn’t call the police. He said he’d know and she believed him. Shivering, she took the afghan from the back of the sofa and wrapped it around her. Her entire world was falling apart. Aiden was nowhere to be found, she owed Dakota ten thousand dollars, and he hated her. Now, Vincent Caporale wanted fifty thousand dollars or he’d kill her. What was she going to do?
How was she going to find Aiden in a week? She certainly couldn’t afford a private detective. God help me! She pleaded. The only thing she could do was leave but since she didn’t have a job, she couldn’t get an apartment anywhere. Sighing, she knew what she had to do. Picking up her phone, she called Dakota.
****
“Wal
ker,” Dakota answered when his cell phone rang.
“It’s me...Megan.”
“Are you calling me to tell me you have my money? Because let me tell you, if it’s not, hang up now.”
“Dakota...” He heard her voice caught on what might be a sob.
“Megan? What is it? What’s wrong?” He hated hearing that catch in her voice.
“I need somewhere to go. There’s a man...he told me he’s going to kill me if I don’t find Aiden for him.”
“Call the police.”
“I can’t. He told me not to and he’d know if I did. I believe him, Dakota. He’s so scary. He said Aiden owes him fifty thousand dollars for money he loaned him for gambling debts and he said if Aiden can’t pay him back, then Aiden’s family will. I’m his only family, you know that.”
“Who is this man? Do you know his name?”
“Vincent Caporale,” Megan sobbed.
“Son of a bitch,” Dakota roared.
“You know him?”
“I know of him. He’s not someone you want to fool with—mob related. What the hell was Aiden thinking?” When she didn’t answer, he swore again. “We have to get you out of there and get you somewhere safe.”
“I’m so scared,” she whispered into his ear.
“I know you are. Stay in your apartment and don’t open the door for anyone. Don’t let anyone think you’re there. Do you understand?”
“Yes.”
“I’ll talk to Nathan and see if he can get you somewhere. He can talk with Mont about it, if he needs to call in the FBI.”
“All right. Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me yet. I haven’t done anything,” Dakota said.
“No, but you didn’t hang up on me.” Then she hung up.
Walking over to the barn wall, Dakota drew his fist back and punched the wall, then swore when he took his glove off to see his knuckles bleeding. He shook his hand to alleviate the pain. Damn Aiden! Megan had done her best with him, but he continued to do whatever he wanted, and damn the consequences. He never cared who he hurt along the way, especially his sister. If Caporale were to get a hold of Aiden, he was dead. If not, then Megan was dead in his place.
Dakota rubbed the spot over his heart. He couldn’t even think of her in that way. He had to protect her. He called Nathan and asked him to come to the house.
An hour later, Dakota and Nathan sat at the kitchen table drinking coffee. Nathan sighed after hearing what was happening.
“I can’t tell you how long the FBI’s wanted this bastard.”
“I knew some attorneys who tried their best to get him. Nothing ever stuck. He always had a damned foolproof alibi,” Dakota told them.
“I may be a small town sheriff, but I know all about him,” Nathan said.
“So, what can we do?” Dakota stared at his brother.
“I think we need to bring her here.”
“Here?” Dakota said in a shocked voice, surprised that his brother would suggest anything of the sort.
“We can keep an eye on her here. Both of us.”
“What makes you think Caporale won’t find her? If he’s as smart as I’ve heard he is, he’ll look into her background and discover that she and I used to be a couple. It won’t take him long to check out the ranch to see if she is here.”
Nathan sighed. “I know, but I also know you’d be worried to death about her anywhere else.”
Dakota shook his head. “The FBI can put her somewhere safe.”
“And you can’t tell me that Caporale won’t find her there either. I think she’s safer here. We can have the men keep an eye out—”
“We can’t put the men in danger, Nathan. The FBI can hide her.”
“Dakota, you will worry yourself sick about her if she is anywhere but here,” Nathan repeated.
Dakota ran his hand around the back of his neck. “Damn, you’re right. I know I would. Especially, since it’s Caporale after her if Aiden isn’t found.”
“I think we need to be prepared for Aiden not being found. I’m sure Caporale has people looking for him, but Aiden is long gone. Hell, he could have left the country by now.”
“The son of a bitch. I knew he was trouble the first time I met him,” Dakota muttered.
“You should know what trouble looks like.” Nathan grinned.
Dakota chuckled. “Yes, but I turned my ass around because I had a big brother who kicked that ass. Megan always let Aiden do what he wanted and he took advantage of it.”
“I’ll go to Denver and get her myself. Caporale may know what you look like. He doesn’t know me. Call her tonight and tell her I’ll be there tomorrow.”
Dakota nodded his agreement. What choice did he have? He had to make sure she was safe.
The afternoon passed quickly and he wondered what Megan was going through. She had to be terrified. What if Caporale got impatient and did something to her before the week was up? Dakota swore. Nathan was right. The ranch was the best place for Megan to be.
Later in the evening, Dakota picked up his cell phone and called Megan.
“Hello?”
“Are you all right, Nutmeg?”
“I can’t sleep. I’m so scared, Kota.”
His heart hit his stomach when she used the nickname she’d given him. He cleared his throat before he told her the plan.
“Nathan will be there tomorrow to pick you up and bring you to the ranch. We’ll keep you safe here. The ranch hands will keep an eye out. This town is small enough that if a stranger shows up, we’ll know. You can stay here until Aiden is found.”
“I’m so sorry,” she whispered, her voice thick with emotion.
“For what?”
“Everything. Borrowing money from you. Not listening to you about Aiden.” He heard her sniffle. “Leaving you.”
“All of it is in the past. We have to move on.” She was killing him. “Try to get some sleep. Just be ready tomorrow when Nathan gets there. Take as little as you can with you. You can always get clothes here if you need to.”
“All right. I trust Nathan...and you.”
“Good. I’m not sure what time he’ll be there so just be ready to go first thing.”
“I’ll pack now. Good night, Dakota.” She hung up.
Back to Dakota. She probably hadn’t even realized she’d used the nickname.
Dakota entered his bedroom and set his phone on the bedside table. After undressing, he headed for the shower. How was he going to survive having her in the house with him?
Chapter Four
Dakota stood beside his truck and watched as the jet landed. Snow flurries swirled around him but he didn’t mind the cold. He only wanted to see Megan step off the jet. He sighed with relief when he saw her standing in the doorway as the stairs were let down. She slowly made her way down them and he strode toward her.
“Did you have a good flight?” he asked.
“Yes. But you didn’t have to charter a jet for me.”
“We didn’t. The jet belongs to Nathan and me. Come on...let’s get you to the ranch.” He took her elbow in his hand and led her to his truck. Nathan followed then moved to get into his truck.
“You have a jet?”
“Looks that way.” Dakota opened the door for her, helped her into the passenger seat, tucked her bag into the back, and then strode around to the driver’s side. He took a deep breath and climbed in then glanced over to her.
“You’ll be cooking for the men on the ranch.”
“Cooking for the men? Why would I do that?”
“For one reason, you owe me and for another reason, if you’re in the bunkhouse, the men will have a chance to check on you all day. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner. They eat in different shifts.”
“What makes you think I can cook?”
“Have you forgotten you used to cook for me, Megan?”
“No. I guess I thought maybe you had.”
Dakota grunted. “Not likely. You used to serve me in bed—food too.”
Megan gasped. “A little uncalled for, Dakota.”
“If you say so. Look, if you don’t want to go to the ranch, I can have the jet take you back to Denver, and the FBI can get you to a safe house. Entirely up to you.”
“I didn’t say I didn’t want to go to the ranch. I just won’t put up with your sexual innuendos.”
“You used to love my sexual...innuendos.”
When she sputtered a laugh, he glanced over to her and winked. She burst out laughing. Dakota chuckled and drove them to the ranch.
“When is it going to warm up?” Megan said.
“It’s November and you’re in Wyoming.” He pulled into the drive and parked by the back door. He stepped out and started to walk around the truck, but she’d already gotten out.
“I hate not having enough clothes.”
“I’ll take you into town tomorrow to get more.” He took the suitcase from her.
“Uh, I don’t have any money to buy clothes,” she said quietly.
“I’ll get them for you,” Dakota said as he stared at her. God! She was so beautiful. Would he ever stop loving her?
He narrowed his eyes and then spun on his heel to march up the steps and enter the house, leaving her to follow or stay out in the cold. Just as he had the day, she came here asking for money.
****
Megan stared at the door then took a deep breath and followed him inside the house. The warmth felt good as she shivered. She watched as he disappeared into the mudroom and then came back out. He raised a black eyebrow at her as she continued to stand there.
Feeling the heat pour into her cheeks, she took her coat off, walked into the mudroom, and hung it up. Stopping beside his shearling coat, her hand caressed it a moment then she returned to the kitchen. He stood with his back against the counter and stared at her. He was still the sexiest man she’d ever seen in all her life.
“How do you like being the district attorney here?” she asked as she pulled a chair out and sat down at the table.
“I like it.”
Megan sighed. “I know you don’t like having me here, Dakota, but you’re the one who brought me here. You can at least be civil.”
Dakota Bad Boys of Dry River, WY Book 5 Page 5