“I don’t like the sound of that,” Sebastian said carefully. “How long do you think this has been going on? After all, we know Dad made some enemies. Is it possible it stems further back, to when he was still alive?”
Miles shook his head. “This looks a lot more recent than that.”
Sutton growled. “So this is on us. We’ve got to find out who is behind this, but before we can do that we have to do right by the men who were injured. Forget the lawyers and trying to beat them down, it’s our obligation to settle with the least fuss. We need to take responsibility and then make sure nothing like this can ever happen again.”
Sebastian was nodding. “I agree. Mom’s in her office. Let’s tell her our decision. I know Uncle Keith was advising that we fight the claim and imply it was staff negligence that caused the fire, but the deeper we look into all of this, the less I like it. We tell the lawyers we’ll take the hit and admit liability. After all, it happened on our watch.”
Miles watched his brothers talk it out and felt a swell of pride grow in his chest. They were nothing like their father. Trent Wingate would have fought paying out until his last breath. He would never have had the grace to admit any level of failure. Maybe Wingate Enterprises stood a chance of being a better, more ethical employer under his twin brothers’ guidance than it ever had before.
There was a movement at the door to the office they’d been using, and all three men swiveled round.
“I can’t tell you how much it gladdens my heart to see all my boys working together like this,” Ava said as she glided gracefully into the office and perched against the edge of Miles’s desk.
“Well, don’t get too used to it, Mom. I have a business I’m very happy running back in Chicago.”
He smiled to take the sting out of his words, but he couldn’t help but feel the burr of irritation that she continued, in her not-so-subtle way, to try to lure him back into the family fold. It had been the same way every time he’d come home. As if she and his dad had believed he’d come back eventually and that he just needed to get his misguided burst of independence out of his system. Forget that his company was now worth several hundred million dollars and that he had investors and clientele stretching to every corner of the globe as well as a staff of thousands. Not to mention the fact he’d started his business up, all on his own, without their input or advice or financial backing. One day they’d see him as the success he knew himself to be. At least he hoped so.
Right now, he knew he’d had enough of the cloying atmosphere of the Wingate Enterprises head office. He wanted nothing more than to get back to the house, back to Chloe, and to take her on a long walk or horseback ride far from the house and his family obligations.
“Look, I’ve done all I can for the time being. I’ll get one of my IT security geeks to work on a quick fix for now, and have the team work on something for the entire system in the next couple of weeks.”
“And you’ll charge us accordingly,” Sebastian said with a half smile.
“Of course. No free rides,” Miles confirmed, quoting a phrase his father had used far too often while they were growing up.
Sebastian laughed and got up from his chair and clapped Miles on the shoulder. “Come on then, little brother. Let’s head home. Mom, are you finished for the day? Can we give you a ride back?”
“No, Keith is coming to meet me. We have some matters to discuss, but we’ll see you all at the barbecue tonight.”
“You’re still going ahead with the annual Fourth of July celebration tonight?” Miles asked.
“We may be in a state of flux, Miles, but we still have a responsibility to observe tradition. We’ve never canceled before, and we’re not about to start now.”
There was a vein of strength in Ava’s tone that told him that the world could be ending and she would still keep up appearances. He wasn’t sure if he admired her tenacity, or if he thought it more reminiscent of rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic. Either way, he wasn’t sure a showy display of wealth from the family was such a great idea right now.
“Well, before we go, let’s get you up to speed with what we’ve decided,” Sutton said before briefly outlining everything.
To her credit, Ava listened intently without interrupting. When Sutton was done, she nodded.
“Well, if you think that’s best, although it’s not what your father would have done,” she said softly.
“Mom, we’re in charge now. Dad and you have done great work building Wingate Enterprises to where it is today, but Sebastian and I are heading the corporation now. This is our decision and we both stand by it.”
Miles could hear the note of frustration in Sutton’s tone and wondered just how often their mom had voted the guys down on their decisions so far. She was an astute businesswoman and she’d guided their father for years, when he would allow himself to be guided, that was.
“I understand, Sutton. Look, before you take it to the legal team, how about I run it past Keith? Maybe we can talk about this some more tonight.”
A trickle of unease skittered down Miles’s spine. “Mom, I know I don’t have a pony in this race, but for now I think it’s best if we keep this decision between just the four of us until the offer is made to the workers who were hurt.”
Ava looked shocked. “Are you suggesting Keith is less than trustworthy? I’ll have you remember he is a valued and long-standing member of this company and he’s been stalwart at my side since your father died.”
“Even so, the evidence is right there. Someone with pretty high clearances tampered with the safety reports. Until we know who it is, nothing we’ve discussed here today should be shared with anyone. Am I clear?”
Miles held his breath. He’d never used that tone of voice with his mother before, but this was vitally important. No doubt Keith would be furious when he learned that major decisions were being made without his input, but he wasn’t the only senior management or adviser being kept out of the loop. Someone had to be responsible for the damage that had been systematically done to Wingate Enterprises. They couldn’t be careful enough until they had the information they needed to bring that someone to justice.
“I agree,” Sebastian said in support.
Sutton murmured the same.
“Well,” Ava said, her eyes bright with indignation. “I suppose I should consider myself fortunate that you’ve thought to include me in your findings.”
“Mom, don’t be like that,” Miles said.
“Don’t be like what? Don’t be hurt that a man we’ve trusted and included as family for longer than each of you has been alive is to be cut out of this? I don’t like it one bit, but I will concede to your directive. For now.”
“Thank you,” Miles rose from his chair and took his mom’s hands in his before leaning forward to kiss her on the cheek. “I’m sorry. I know Keith has been your rock since Dad died, but I know what I’m doing.”
He didn’t want to add that it was always the people you least expected who could do the most harm.
Nine
Despite their rocky start, Chloe had enjoyed her day with Beth. Miles’s older sister was very passionate about what she did, and her enthusiasm pulled Chloe along in her wake as they visited the Texas Cattleman’s Club here in Royal and then met with Beth’s fiancé, Cam, for lunch at the club. Initially Chloe had felt uncomfortable—as if she was intruding on the newly engaged couple’s time together, but Cam had hastened to assure her she was welcome and had shown a great deal of interest in her teaching when he’d heard what she did.
Back at the house, Chloe had decided to make the most of the pristine swimming pool. Her wrist was feeling much better today, and she’d been busy doing laps when she felt a frisson of awareness that told her she was being watched. She glided to the edge of the pool and looked up.
“Oh,” she said. “You’re back.”
A c
url of sheer joy unfurled from deep inside as she looked up at Miles. He was dressed for business in a light gray suit and a crisp white shirt that was open at the neck. A pulse of need rippled through her. She couldn’t wait to take it off him. But then she noticed the lines of strain on his face and the tiredness in his eyes.
“Nothing wrong with your powers of observation,” he teased, and with the light humor she saw some of the tension on his features begin to ease.
“Did you want to swim with me?” she invited.
“Actually, I came to find you to see if you’d like to go for a ride before tonight’s barbecue.”
“Do we have time? If it’s going to be as formal as last night, I’ll need plenty of time to get ready. I really wouldn’t want to offend your mom.”
“It’ll be casual and out here on the patio and lawns. We have time.”
“Then I’d love to go for a ride with you. I’m assuming you mean on a horse?”
That earned her a belly laugh, and the last of the strain fell away from his face. “Yes, on a horse, although I’m open to suggestions.”
“Let’s get away from here first and see what comes up.”
He didn’t miss the double entendre. “I’ll make sure I pack a blanket.”
He held out a hand to assist her in getting out of the pool and she dried herself quickly before wrapping the towel around her and hurrying upstairs to get changed. She didn’t bother drying her hair, instead twisting it into a loose knot secured with a clip at her nape. Miles wasn’t far behind her. He shed his suit and shirt and threw on a pair of jeans and T-shirt together with a pair of boots. Chloe searched her case for her own jeans and a light sweater. She hadn’t brought boots so she pulled on a pair of socks and trainers that had seen better days.
“Will these be okay?” she asked, gesturing to her feet.
“Sure, unless you’d like me to see if Beth or Harley has a pair of riding boots lying around that’d fit you. There are always spares at the stables.”
“No, it’ll just mean it takes longer before we’re out on our own. I’ll manage,” she said, slipping her hand in his. “Let’s go.”
At the stables she was mounted on a gentle-natured gelding, while Miles, predictably, rode a more spirited animal. Chloe leaned forward and patted her horse’s neck. “I hope he’s as gentle as you say. It’s been years since I’ve ridden. I’m probably going to be hellishly sore tomorrow.”
“We can take it easy,” Miles said, urging his mount forward. “I just need to clear my head a little.”
“Do you want to ride on ahead at your own pace?” Chloe suggested. “I’m happy to toddle on behind with my new best friend, here.”
“No, I want to be with you. You remind me that life shouldn’t be all about work.”
Chloe fell silent as they walked the horses away from the stables and down the hill toward a small lake on the property. Miles had sounded serious. Very serious. It was a reminder to her that her reasons for being with him were not entirely altruistic, and it left her feeling more confused than ever. When she was with Miles, she wanted to be truly with him, heart and soul. It was easy to forget about the sins of his father and her long held dreams of revenge when they were together.
He only had to be within ten feet of her for her entire body to crave him. And when he spoke she found herself genuinely wanting to listen to what he said. Whether he recited a grocery list or the Declaration of Independence, it would make no difference to her. The timbre of his voice was as alluring to her as his physical attributes. And, of course, those were outstanding. He seemed to know exactly what she needed. She’d never had a lover like him before.
Of course, it wasn’t just his physical presence or bedroom prowess that drew her like metal filings to a magnet. He was genuinely good, from what she could tell. In his case, the apple had fallen far, far from the tree. The way he’d treated her from the moment they’d met was a case in point. She had no doubt that he’d feel utterly betrayed if he knew of her ulterior motive in meeting him and inserting herself into his family gathering.
She was beginning to doubt her own motives, too. It was one thing to grow up in a household infused with her mom’s desperate unhappiness, which was fueled by anger and a desire to seek recriminations, but quite another to come face-to-face with the perpetrators of those emotions and find they were, in fact, for the most part anyway, decent people. The jury was still out on Ava, Chloe thought to herself. But the woman hadn’t been rude or unkind. Instead she’d been deeply protective of her family, not wanting their current dirty laundry to be aired amongst anyone she didn’t know she could trust.
Would Chloe have been any different under the same circumstances? She doubted it.
“Are you planning to ride to the border?”
Chloe drew her horse to a halt and looked around, realizing that Miles had dismounted some way back. She laughed and turned her mount and trotted back toward him.
“Sorry, I was away with the fairies.”
“Should I be worried you could forget me so easily?”
Miles came over to stand beside her horse and helped her dismount. As she slid from the saddle, her body grazed against his and bursts of heat ignited at each point they touched. She turned and found herself wrapped in his arms.
“No, not worried. I can’t remember the last time I felt this relaxed, and that’s all because of you. Thank you.”
She spoke from the heart and she could see her simple words had struck him, too. He leaned forward and kissed her. At first a simple touch of lips, as if he wanted no more than that for now, but then it was as if he couldn’t hold back and his hold on her tightened, crushing her to him as his kiss became more demanding, the pressure of his mouth on hers firmer than before. Chloe welcomed his hot, hungry possession and returned his kiss with equal fervor.
She raised her hands to his shoulders, and beneath her touch she could feel the tension in his body ease and relax a little. Well, most of his body anyway. There was no doubting his arousal, and she felt an answering need beat steadily within her as his tongue dipped and delved into her mouth. Eventually, Miles pulled back and loosened his hold on her.
“I so needed that,” he said before letting her go completely.
“Bad day?”
“Helluva day, to be honest.”
“Then I’m glad I could help in some way,” she murmured.
“Oh, you have no idea how much.”
Chloe looked up at him under half-closed lids. “You want to show me?”
“Let me secure the horses and grab the blanket.”
He was back at her side in seconds and, taking her hand, he led her to a secluded nook where they would not be immediately visible to anyone. Over his shoulder, Miles had a leather saddlebag, and from it he pulled a blanket and two long-stemmed glasses together with a bottle of champagne.
“We’re celebrating?”
“Hell yes, we’re celebrating,” Miles said with a smile as he tossed her the blanket to spread out on the ground.
“Care to tell me what, in particular?”
“Is the fact that we’ve managed to get some quiet time to ourselves not enough for you?”
“Sure, I’ll drink to that.” Chloe laughed and smoothed the blanket out on their patch of privacy at the edge of the lake.
“And, I’d like to show my appreciation to you, too.”
She arched a brow. “Your appreciation? For what?”
“For not running straight back to Chicago when I had to abandon you today.” He poured two glasses of the sparkling golden liquid and handed her one. “You’re quite a woman and I am very glad I met you.”
Chloe’s mouth and throat dried, and she found it hard to speak. He was being so lovely. In fact, he was being everything she always told herself she ever wanted in a man. And she was deceiving him. Or was she? She hadn’t actually taken
any steps to disclose their family secrets, yet. Not that she truly knew anything in any detail, but she had the feeling that it wouldn’t take much digging to find the kind of dirt she needed to steer the media in the right direction with respect to the DEA involvement with the family’s business. It wouldn’t take much to overturn the necessary stones that would do the most harm. And then her mother would be vindicated, wouldn’t she?
No.
She couldn’t do it.
She couldn’t cheat on the trust this man had placed in her. She couldn’t destroy the family he loved. She couldn’t destroy him. And it would surely decimate their growing relationship if she followed through on her plans. She didn’t want to do that. She’d felt as if she had been alone for the last twenty years or more. Oh sure, she’d been with her mom, but her mom had depended on her so much and had been so wrapped in grief that Chloe had learned from a young age to shelve her own needs and wants and desires. Now it was her turn. Her time. Hers and Miles’s.
She clinked her champagne glass to his and took a long sip, letting the fizz travel over her tongue and down her throat. Imbibing the liquid as though it was her new truth. The seal on her new direction. This thing with Miles, it may not go anywhere, but she owed it to herself to find out, didn’t she?
“This is such a beautiful spot,” she said, looking out over the water.
“I find it is much improved with the current company.”
She smiled coyly. “You really do say the nicest things. It makes me feel special.”
“Good,” he answered simply.
They sat for a short while, sipping their champagne and watching the birds land on the water, leaving a gentle wake in their stead. With her free hand, Chloe traced small circles on the back of Miles’s neck. His skin was warm beneath her touch and she felt connected to him in a way she hadn’t experienced with another man before. When their glasses were empty, she took his from him and set them both down in the grass away from their blanket.
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