Last Call (Book #2 - Heat Wave Series)

by Alannah Lynne

  His face twisted with confusion, and he leaned back in his chair. “Home is where you are.”

  “We’ve moved around so much. Don’t you want to feel rooted someplace? Someplace you can go when things are tough and you need a good hug.”

  He gave it some thought, then shrugged. “I’ll have that wherever you are.” He kicked his feet up on the railing and watched a seagull. “What about Gavin?”

  Her heart fluttered at his name, but she tried not to let Robby see any response. “What about him?”

  “I guess it turns out he’s one of the good guys. Are you two serious?”

  “I don’t know.” She rested her head against the back of the chair and let the sun shine on her face.

  It was early in the relationship to be thinking long term, but that hadn’t kept her from doing so repeatedly over the past several days. Until today, the idea seemed like a ridiculous fantasy. But now, she wondered if he might feel the same way she did. He was willing to go to a lot of effort and make a lot of sacrifices for her and Robby. Maybe the fantasy wasn’t so farfetched, after all.

  “He likes you. You like him.” Robby made it sound so easy.

  She rolled her head to the side and looked at him from the corner of her eye. “If Gavin was in the picture, would you feel better about going away to school?”

  He gave her a sheepish, lopsided grin. “Maybe.”

  “I’ll make you a deal.” She snared him with a mischievous look. “You go to college, and I’ll see what I can do about getting Gavin to stick around for a while.”

  Robby laughed and pushed himself out of his chair. “I’m going to be spending a lot of nights at Chad’s.”

  ***

  Unable to wait any longer, Gavin called Marty while driving back to Myrtle Beach. “Hey, man, I know it’s only been a few hours, but what've you got?”

  “The phone number belongs to Miguel Ortego.”

  The discomfort Gavin had felt since hearing about the red truck increased. “That doesn’t sound like Max’s usual associates.” It did, however, sound like the name of someone who would drive a low-rider truck.

  “I’m still digging, but this guy is bad news. He has a record ten miles long.”

  Gavin’s grip on the steering wheel tightened, as did the steel rod in his spine. He couldn’t ever remember being this uptight, and this conversation sure as hell wasn’t helping. “For what?”

  “B&E, vandalism, harassment, arson.”

  Arson? Ice settled in Gavin’s chest as he thought about the flames painted on the front of the truck. “Why isn’t he in prison?”

  “The police have never been able to make anything stick.”

  “Did you get his license number? Find out what kind of vehicle he drives?”

  “I’m still working on it. And before you ask, no, I haven’t had a chance to look into the other stuff yet.”

  “I know,” Gavin said, watching the lines in the road flash by. “I’m on my way back to Myrtle Beach to see what I can find in Max’s office. I’ll call you with anything that might be helpful.” He was about to disconnect when a thought hit him. “Can you send me a picture of this guy?” That would at least keep them from fumbling around blind, not knowing who to look for.

  “I’ll send you everything I have.”

  “Thanks, man. I owe you.” When Marty laughed, Gavin said, “I’m serious. I know I’ve been an asshole about keeping in touch, but I intend to change that. We need to get together for a beer. Or ten.”

  Through the silence on the line, Gavin could tell he’d shocked Marty. “We’re good. But I’ll take you up on the beer.”

  “Maybe we can meet up at the Blackout. We can catch up and you can meet Sunny.”

  “I’d like that.” Marty wasn’t one for showing much emotion, but the soft inflection in his voice told Gavin his response wasn’t just obligatory.

  Reconnecting with his oldest friend would be one more step toward reconnecting with the person he’d once been, and Gavin was grateful Marty was receptive.

  By the time he reached Myrtle Beach, it was almost one. Cynthia was out doing… whatever Cynthia did on a daily basis. Max was at lunch, and Angelina had left for the day.

  Gavin let himself in through the kitchen door and went straight to Max’s office. Callie was waiting by the french doors.

  “Have you been snooping since Max left?”

  “No, I told you I wouldn’t.” She gave him a smarmy smile and batted her eyelashes. “But if you’re here, Mother and Daddy would expect me to be here, too.”

  “Okay,” he said. “You win that point.” His stomach twisted in a knot as he sank into Max’s chair and pulled out the large, bottom desk drawer. He wasn’t concerned about getting caught in Max’s private files, but he was scared shitless about what he’d find. He knew Max had crossed the moral and ethical lines. He just hoped he didn’t find confirmation he’d crossed legal ones, as well.

  The Anticue file was in the very front, and it didn’t take long to figure out why Max had gone batshit crazy over getting construction under way.

  Peering over his shoulder, Callie asked, “What'd you find?”

  “Apparently, your dad didn’t put together a group of investors as he claims. All of the land purchases have been made with Holden funds.” Gavin twisted his head and peered at Callie from the corner of his eye. “By the way, did you know you own the old Anticue fishing pier?”

  She took a step back and curled her lip. “Excuse me?”

  He laughed. “I’ll explain later.” He flipped through the file, looking for copies of board meeting minutes. As he suspected, there weren’t any. “He also hasn’t had the board of directors’ blessing in acquiring any of the Anticue property.”

  “He needs the board’s approval?”

  “Yeah. Even though…” Too late, he realized who he was talking to and what he shouldn’t be saying.

  “Gavin.” Her eyes were imploring, but her voice was strong. “Please tell me everything. I think it’s time I find out the truth about my dad and this business.”

  He tossed the folder onto the desk and swiveled the chair around so he faced her. It wasn’t his place to fill her in, but she did have a right to know, and, God knows, Max would never tell Callie the truth. “As CEO, Max has final decision-making power, but the board likes to be kept in the loop. They want details of all new developments. In all stages.”

  Max had been operating on his own in Anticue, and he’d sunk a fortune of Holden Enterprise funds into the purchase of land and commissioners. If he acquired the property, got the ordinances changed, and built a resort, he’d pull off what no one else had been able to, and he’d be a hero. But if Sunny didn’t sell, Max would have to confess his sins to the board, and the hero would become a zero. At least in the eyes of a very pissed off board of directors.

  Callie rounded the desk and sat in the chair Gavin normally occupied. Resting her forearms on the cherry wood, she leaned forward and whispered, “Is it true that Mother can fire Daddy?”

  Gavin laughed, imagining the scenario in which Callie had learned that information. He’d bet money, in the midst of a heated argument with Max, Cynthia not-so-tactfully reminded him of his place. Gavin nodded slowly and tried to figure out the best way to explain this little landmine.

  “The board can fire Max, and your mother has controlling interest. So yes, technically, Cynthia can fire Max.”

  “You know Holden Enterprises used to belong to Mother’s family.”

  It wasn’t a question, but a statement of fact, and one that caught Gavin off-guard. “Yeah, but I didn’t realize you knew that.” Very few people knew the reason for, and the details surrounding, the company’s name change from Pelletier Resorts to Holden Enterprises.

  “No one told me. I overhead Mother and Daddy arguing one day.” Callie leaned back in the chair, and her eyes misted over. “I was pretty young, and I didn’t understand much of what I heard. As I got older, I started putting the pieces together. I figu
red out that Mother’s grandfather started the company and eventually, her father took over. Her brothers weren’t interested in working, only in spending the family fortune, so Grandfather put Daddy in charge.” She looked at Gavin expectantly, as if waiting for him to confirm she had everything right so far.

  He nodded, so she continued. “Daddy felt like the company should have his name since he was the CEO. The company changed its name the year I was born.” She paused again, awaiting further confirmation. “But even though Daddy is the CEO and the company carries his name, Mother owns the majority of stock. Which means, she ultimately has the control. Is that right?”

  Well, well, well. Gavin had always known Callie was a whole lot smarter than she let on, but even he hadn’t given her enough credit. He rocked back in the chair and smiled. “Pretty much.”

  “So what now?”

  “I need to copy this paperwork, then see what else I can find in these drawers.”

  Gavin didn’t want to take the folder, because he didn’t want to tip off Max that he’d been here. But he needed proof that the file and plans existed. Using his cellphone, he took pictures of all the documents and sketches in the Anticue folder. There were no official renderings, but Max had a basic sketch drawn, showing how the resort would be positioned and what would be included.

  There wasn’t anything legally incriminating that he needed to turn over to the authorities, and if Gavin decided to go to the board, he had enough proof on his phone to get them interested. A little digging on their part would turn up everything they needed. It wasn’t like Max could unload all that property in a day.

  “Gavin?”

  “Hmmm…?” He absently replied to Callie as he replaced the Anticue file and started shuffling through the rest of the folders in the drawer.

  “I think it’s time I move out on my own.”

  He paused his search and looked up at her. She was standing by the door with her arms wrapped around her stomach, as if holding herself together. Tears filled her eyes and she looked like a heartbroken child.

  He pushed out of the chair and opened his arms. She barreled into him so hard and fast, she nearly knocked him over. “Shhh…” He smoothed her hair and rocked her back and forth. “The past day has been tough, huh?”

  She nodded and sobbed. “Yesterday, I didn’t think I really knew or could trust anyone. Daddy isn’t who I thought he was, and before our talk, I didn’t know what to think about you.” She looked at him through teary eyes and smiled. “I’m still coming to grips with the whole sister thing, but I do think you’re a good person and believe I can trust you.”

  His heart squeezed, and he tightened his arms around her in response. Trust was a funny thing, and he wondered if she would still feel that way if she knew he would turn Max over to the authorities if he followed through on his threats against Sunny. Or, if Gavin found anything in the rest of the file folders incriminating enough to warrant a legal investigation.

  “I’m also beginning to think my mother isn’t as self-absorbed as Daddy’s made her out to be. I haven’t been a very loving daughter toward her over the years. I definitely haven’t given her a chance to prove she was more than what he said.”

  Shock brought him to a stop, so he kick started the rocking again. “You think moving out will give you the space you need to figure all this out.”

  She sniffed and wiped tears off her face. “Exactly.” She twisted her mouth and chewed on the inside of her cheek. “The problem is, I don’t have a job, nor do I have any money.” She released her death grip around his waist and began pacing. “I don’t think they’ll want to pay for an apartment, since I can live here for free.” She shocked him again by adding, “I don’t blame them; that would be crazy.” She sighed and rubbed her arms. “I need to figure out a way to get some money.”

  A thought slammed into his head with the force of a freight train, causing him to burst into laughter. God, the answer had been in front of him the entire time. Before he could speak, Callie tilted her head to the side and said, “Do you know how attractive you are when you laugh like that?”

  He sobered, then frowned. “What?”

  “You’re always handsome. But you’re usually so serious that you walk around with a major frowny face. When you smile, and especially when you laugh, you’re completely transformed. You should do it more often.”

  Gavin wasn’t normally speechless, but Callie had managed to render him that way. For a second, he forgot what he’d been laughing about in the first place. But the thought was too strong and powerful to be forgotten for long, and he smiled with its return. “I think I know of a way for you to get money. Serious money.”

  It would also solve the Anticue problem and give Gavin exactly what he’d personally been looking for.

  “Give me a second to finish going through these files. Then, we need to go someplace we can talk without any chance of Max catching us.”

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Sunny sighed with relief when Gavin strolled into the bar shortly after eight. She had no idea what time to expect him, and even though he checked in with her periodically throughout the day, she still felt better having him there. It wasn’t that she was scared, just… nervous and on edge.

  Gavin dropped onto the stool, rested his forearms on the bar, and knocked her breathless with the biggest smile she’d ever seen. “How are you doing?”

  She leaned over the counter and returned the smile. “Better, now that you’re here. I’m ashamed to admit I’ve been a little freaked out since you sent me those pictures. That guy is scary.”

  He took hold of her hand and rubbed his thumb across her wrist. “I didn’t mean to scare you. I just wanted you to know what he looked like, in case he showed up.”

  “I understand, and I’m glad you did. Although, I’d probably shit my pants if he did.”

  Gavin laughed and squeezed her hand. “I promise not to let anything happen to you.”

  His confidence didn’t relax her completely, but having him with her certainly helped. “What'd you find out?”

  His eyes twinkled and his grin broadened. “Can I have a beer first?” He glanced to the end of the bar, then warily at her. “You didn’t do anything to Ed, did you?”

  She slid the beer to him and shook her head. “He hasn’t come in yet. Robby really wanted to rip his barstool cover off and burn it, but I told him he had to wait. I suck at acting, but I’ll do the best I can to pretend nothing’s wrong.”

  Gavin winked and sipped on his beer. “I’ll keep you distracted.”

  “Why? So you won’t have to answer my question?”

  He paused with the beer bottle halfway to his mouth, then set it back down. “No, so you don’t think about Ed. I’m working on not being so evasive anymore.”

  “And yet, you still haven’t told me what you found out.”

  He scooted forward on the stool and lowered his voice. “Max has acted on his own in purchasing the Anticue property. He’s been using Holden funds, but he hasn’t gotten the board’s blessing on any of it. I think he’s starting to panic.”

  “I don’t understand. If he owns the company, what’s the problem?”

  “It’s complicated. He’s the CEO and the company carries his name, but he doesn’t own it outright. He reports to a board of directors, and he can be fired.”

  Sunny felt her eyes widen in surprise. “No shi—”

  Her eyes snapped to the opening door and her body tensed, cutting off her train of thought. So much for being more relaxed with Gavin around. When she saw Ed standing in the doorway with Joe behind him, her nervousness was instantly replaced by burning anger. For the first time, she understood the phrase make your blood boil.

  Seeing Ed’s name on Holden’s payroll had left her feeling totally betrayed. Not just for herself, but for the entire town, for everyone who’d voted him into office and trusted him to act in their best interest.

  “How’s my girlie doing tonight?” Ed asked as he headed for his se
at.

  Gavin’s fingertips touched her chin and turned her head to face him. ”You’re snarling.”

  “That’s because I’m pretty sure I could chew off an arm or a leg right now.”

  Gavin laughed, then shocked her by leaning over and planting a good, long, wet kiss on her, right in front of everyone. He proceeded to kiss the anger right out of her, which was probably his intent.

  When he pulled back, she swayed a bit and said, “Maybe I should snarl more often.”

  “Naw,” he said, shaking his head before he took a sip of his beer. “I like you smiling better.” He leaned forward and cocked his head so the back of it was toward Ed and Joe and they couldn’t see his mouth moving. “I can’t tell you anything right now, not here. Especially not with Ed here. But as of two hours ago, you have nothing to worry about.”

  “What?” She didn’t think Gavin would tease her about something this important, but she still searched his face for a sign he was joking. “Are you sure?”

  Gavin smiled and nodded. “I’m absolutely positive.”

  Overwhelming joy and relief ripped through her, and she squealed. Gavin’s wide eyes made her realize she was drawing attention to them, so she threw her hand over her mouth to squelch her reaction and leaned forward until they were almost touching. “Max has agreed to call the whole resort off? Or he’s given up on buying my bar?”

  Mischievous evil… That was the only way to describe Gavin’s lopsided grin and glimmering eyes. “He hasn’t agreed to anything. In fact,”—he checked his watch—“he’s probably getting checkmated right about now.”

  Excitement pounded through her and she bounced on her toes—until she noticed Ed and Joe watching her, waiting for her to greet them with their beers. She stifled her excitement by taking a deep breath, then grabbed the bottles from the chiller.

  The overwhelming anger and resentment toward Ed faded in direct proportion to her lessening worry over losing the bar. In fact, she might be able to pull this everything-is-normal routine off, after all.