Four weeks later, Skye was throwing punches at a bag strung up in the yard behind the house at Three Fortunes, the sun beating down on her bare shoulders as her sweat-drenched tank top clung to her body.
From the porch, Viper hollered to her. “Take a break. Replenish and refuel before you run yourself into the ground.”
Running herself into the ground was exactly what she’d been trying to do. That was the only way she could keep her doubts at bay, and exhausting herself was the only way she could grab a few hours of sleep at night, especially as today approached.
Today was Haley’s graduation day. The girl had been emailing her invitations and updates on their family life, including pictures of Jared’s house as she and Chelsea moved in and put their personal stamp on things. At Jared’s suggestion, Haley had even been babysitting for Eddie and Macy, Carly Boscoe’s kids, on weekends at a reduced rate, and was planning to make it a part-time summer job. In one excellent move, Jared had found a way for Haley to cultivate her desire to help in her community and solved one of Carly’s problems. That was the kind of man he was, always giving to others, solving their problems.
Skye didn’t want to be a puzzle he had to solve. And yet, a huge piece of her had been missing since they’d walked away from each other.
Jared had said she’d been lying to him, and to herself. She probably had. She’d gotten so good at it over the years. Just another reason why she was no good for him.
She took another swing at the bag she’d hung from a tree limb. Just because the barn wouldn’t be rebuilt until next month didn’t mean she’d let her workout routine suffer.
Viper started down the porch stairs, his limp the only reminder of what he’d suffered, and the healing he had yet to do. But his temperament was back to normal. “Goddamn it, Skye, if I have to rip that bag down myself, I’ll do it.”
She landed one more jab and took off her gloves as she walked over to the curmudgeon. It had been just the two of them living in the house since he was released from the hospital three weeks ago. They’d scattered Tom’s ashes together. A couple of the men had heard about the rebuilding project through the grapevine and returned, camping out in tents as they helped rebuild the bunkhouse and barn.
“What’d you make for lunch, toots?” she asked as she met Viper at the base of the stairs.
He grunted. “You wish. Get your own damn lunch if you have so much energy.” But he handed her a chilled water bottle.
She looked at the cap and pain came flooding back. She hadn’t needed a capped drink since trusting Jared. He’d broken through her walls and she hadn’t rebuilt them. Hadn’t seen the need. She was so perfectly capable of hurting herself that she didn’t fear what others could do to her.
Viper stopped her before she could mount the stairs. “Chat with me a moment.”
Chat? She narrowed her eyes. Viper never wasted a word in his life.
They sat in the shade of the porch, admiring the late-May sunshine. “Sheriff Anderson was here earlier,” he said.
Skye had seen his car come and go. “Yeah?” She stiffened, bracing herself for more bad news. Last she’d heard, the authorities had found the remains of seven bodies in shallow, unmarked graves at the Hunting Grounds. Prior victims, they theorized. People she hadn’t been able to save, although Finn would never hurt anyone again. “Did they find more gravesites?”
“No, no, nothing like that. But he did have an update. Ryan’s out of the hospital.”
“I hope he’s in prison, then.”
Viper’s grimace told her she wouldn’t like the news. “He’s saying Finn was the one blackmailing his father, and that he discovered the evidence to support that after you and Jared paid a poolside visit to him. That he went to the Hunting Grounds that day because he suspected Finn was keeping the women there. He wanted to help you and Jared.”
“And they bought that?”
“It’ll be up to the judge and jury to sort that out, I suppose, but it looks like Finn and Tristan are taking the heat for the Hunting Grounds. Loretta will be testifying against Tristan. Hopefully, she’ll find justice for herself and her father.” Viper shifted to get comfortable. His bones still ached if he sat still for too long.
“She called a couple days ago. She’s doing well at her grandmother’s house in Phoenix.”
“Good to hear. There’s more. Anderson said Tom’s lawyer has been too scared to come out here in person. Guess he heard the rumors about how vicious we are.” Viper grinned, but it quickly faded. “You apparently have some things to settle regarding Tom’s estate.”
“The ranch is yours now.” She’d signed her portion over to Viper, not wanting anything to do with something that had been bought with blood money.
“There’s another property.”
She froze as she realized what he was getting at. “My parents’ place? Tell the lawyer he can sell it.”
Viper shook his head, disappointment written on his face.
“What?” she demanded.
“I didn’t take you for a coward.”
She gaped, then snapped her jaw shut. “I’m not a coward.” But Jared had accused her of the same thing. Running away.
“We raised you better than that, to face your fears head-on. Go handle this yourself. Bury your past, and make your own damn future.”
“But, the ranch. The repairs.”
“I can handle it. Got plenty of help around here.”
Four hours later, she found herself standing in the dirt drive of what had been her childhood home, staring at the trailer as if daring it to come at her. When it didn’t, she marched one foot in front of the other and entered, then turned in a circle. This was the place where Tom had spent his last days. She stalked through the tiny living area, then eyed the bedroom where Finn had held them at gunpoint. Her throat tightened with a sudden wave of grief. She whirled away and ran outside, gasping for breath.
She sucked in the hot air and looked up to the sky, seeing the branches of her special tree. She stroked a hand down the bark—and stopped as she spied the plastic baggie nailed to the trunk. Inside was a folded paper with her name in Tom’s handwriting. She leaned back against the tree and sank to the dirt as she read.
Dear Skye,
I saw you stop outside here a few nights ago. You’re probably shocked I still own the property, but it’s special to me. It was where we came together. The deed is yours now. Burn the place to the ground if you want to. Or save it as a reminder of what you came from. What you survived.
Thought you might come back sometime and find this note… probably if I’m gone. Or too cowardly to ever contact you again.
That’s right. Your big, tough uncle is a coward. I never opened myself up to you fully, never let myself love you. That was my biggest mistake, and my biggest regret.
You’re so much better at taking risks. I envy you sometimes. I hope you’ll trust your instincts. They’ve never steered you wrong.
You’re a fighter, Skye. You always have been, especially when fighting for others. Don’t forget to fight for yourself.
Love, Tom
Surprised to find her cheeks wet, she swiped at them and sat, staring up into her tree, her haven. It had once felt like home, until she’d found a better home at the ranch, with Tom. That no longer felt like home. Home felt like… Jared. It wasn’t a place. It was a feeling.
Trust your instincts. Her instincts said it was time to stop running. To run toward something, rather than away. And if she hurried, she could clean up in time for Haley’s post-graduation party.
Jared walked in from the backyard with a plate full of grilled hamburgers and set them on the kitchen counter. Flush from graduation, Haley was bouncing between clusters of people, from her friends to Aunt Jane and Chelsea, and back again. He couldn’t help the smile that split his face as he saw that both of his sisters were healthy and happy. Chelsea still had shadows in her eyes, but the counseling was helping.
&nbs
p; Spying him watching her, Haley bounced his way, beaming from ear to ear. “Thank you, thank you, thank you. This has been the best day.”
“There’s still cake.” Jared winked and handed her a paper plate with a burger. “And you’re welcome. Now eat something. You’re burning up energy like a hummingbird.”
“I have a surprise for you in return.”
His brows lifted. “Really?”
She nodded. “It’s in your bedroom. Just arrived.”
“While I was out back?” He’d only been gone a few minutes.
She pushed him toward the hallway that led to the bedrooms. “Go.”
“Don’t you want to see me open it?”
She laughed. “Not this time.” She shoved him toward the hall again. “I’ll save some food for you.”
Shaking his head at her odd behavior he entered his bedroom and stopped short as he laid eyes on his surprise. Skye.
She stood by the window, her hands clasped in front of her. As if noticing her defensive posture, she dropped her hands to her sides and stepped toward him. She didn’t stop until she was close enough for him to reach for her, but he kept himself in check. Still, he could smell the jasmine in her hair and nearly smiled.
She cleared her throat, looking uncharacteristically nervous. “You said to come find you when I was done running.”
He arched a brow. “And?”
“I’m still running. I’m running home.”
He frowned. “But—”
She lifted a hand to his cheek. “You’re my home.”
He closed the distance and wrapped his arms around her. “I love you.”
At his declaration, she leaned back to look him in the face. “What?”
“I love you.” He held her gaze, willing her to accept his offering, his heart.
“You… I…” She blew out a breath and tried again. “I’m not used to hearing that, or saying it. In my family, actions spoke louder than words.”
He smiled. “Then I’ll have to make sure I spend a lot of time—years—showing you how I feel.” He leaned forward to kiss her again, deeper this time, leaving her trembling.
Before the heat could erupt above a sizzle, he pulled back to look into her eyes. “You don’t have to say the words. Just know that I’m not going anywhere. You aren’t going to lose me, and I’m sure as hell not going to let you go after I’ve finally got a hold of you. In fact, I want you here permanently.”
Permanently? Skye was in a dream. Or falling down that rabbit hole again. Being in Jared’s arms, him telling her he loved her… It was all so surreal.
But she wanted it to be real. Desperately. She only had to have the courage to reach for it and grab on tight. To fight for it.
“You want me to move in?” she asked.
“Hell, yes. I don’t think I can wait any longer. I want you with me now. Here, in this house, with the rest of the Bennigans. Stay.”
The bubble of joy inside her expanded until it filled her whole body with warm light. Could she make this work? She knew next to nothing about being a girlfriend. But she supposed it was something like being a partner, and she’d handled that okay—most of the time.
He traced a thumb over the crease between her eyes. “You’re thinking awfully hard.”
Her eyes met his again. “I’m in shock. I thought maybe I’d show up here, we could date a little, see where it goes.”
“I bet you never went slowly into anything in your whole life,” he said, laughter in his eyes. “You throw your whole being into everything you do. It’s one of the things I appreciate about you.”
She took a deep breath. “I love you.” Saying the words loosened something in her chest, and the past fell away as he grinned and held her close. There was only the future now—a future with Jared. “I think my heart knew it the first time I met you. It just took a while for my head to catch up. I want to love you forever.”
“It’s a deal. Partners forever.” He pulled her mouth to his and sealed their promise to each other.
Uncle Tom had told her to trust her instincts, to fight for what she wanted. Jared had promised her he’d be there for her, always, and he’d never let her down. It was time to let go of the past and move forward.
Love wasn’t a weakness, it was a strength. The greatest strength of all.
Sleight of Hand (Book 2 Excerpt)
A special sneak peek at the next Redemption Club book, available January 2016…
Chapter One
The hairs on Emily’s arms stood at attention, the first sign that trouble had just walked through the door. She placed a beer in front of a customer as her gaze traveled across Legacy Lounge, searching for the source of her apprehension.
She rounded the long bar and walked among the clusters of comfy chairs and intimate cocktail tables that formed a semi-circle around the stage, where a band was setting up for the Saturday evening entertainment.
Fingers curled around her hip and she whirled on the owner of the wandering hands.
“Hey, baby,” he said, looking up at her with a lopsided, obviously inebriated grin. His hand slid around to cup her ass.
She gently removed his appendage from her rear and placed it back on his beer bottle. “Keep your hands on what you purchased.”
His gaze swept over her. “How much?”
“More than you could afford.”
The two friends at his side guffawed and slapped him on the back, defusing the tension and giving her a chance to slip away.
The feeling of being watched stuck with her, but it wasn’t coming from the amorous drunk. The cause of her unease was something bigger. Dangerous.
She reached the wall opposite the stage. Here, tall booths afforded privacy. A woman flagged her down, while simultaneously laughing at something her date whispered in her ear. His eyes, however, were on the woman’s other assets. Her clinging red dress gaped at her bosom, just short of indecent exposure, revealing a black lace bra. There was a cunning edge to her gaze that put Emily on alert as she stopped at their table.
“Another drink for me and my friend,” the lady in red said.
Emily spied her cocktail waitress taking orders at the other end of the lounge, and then eyed their empty wineglasses. “The same?”
“How about it, sugar?” The man’s eyes had taken on a glaze of lust and alcohol that would doubly impair his judgment. “More of the same, or should we go for something different?”
“How about champagne?” the woman purred.
“Whatever you want.” The man’s wedding band caught the light as he reached out to toy with the ends of the woman’s long brown hair. His fingers casually brushed the sides of her breasts. Her ringless hand slid farther up his thigh, squeezing lightly and distracting him as her other hand shifted to the man’s pocket. She had a light touch and had made a wise selection. He was an easy mark, and wouldn’t make a fuss if the woman took advantage of him, lifting his wallet. Filing charges would require admitting that, though a married man, he’d been here with an escort. He’d risk everything.
It’s none of my business what they want to do in a dark corner. But it was her bar—at least, she was the manager. Someday she’d have her own place. Still, she took pride in keeping her patrons happy. If the woman started causing trouble, Emily would get rid of her. In the meantime, maybe the man would come to his senses.
She turned to fill their order.
“And don’t try to fool us with the cheap stuff,” the woman called after her.
The barb to Emily’s pride was the final straw. She swung back to their table. “May I speak with you a moment?” she asked the woman.
The woman didn’t spare her a look. “I’m a little busy.”
“Trying to make a living—the illegal way.”
That got the woman’s attention, and her hand stilled on her mark’s crotch, but her other hand slid into her purse—with his wallet, no doubt. “I don’t know what you’re talking
about.”
“I’m quite sure you do.” Emily leaned over the table, getting in the woman’s face but keeping her voice low so as to not disturb the other patrons. “Get out of here and don’t ever come back.”
“Hey!” The man seemed to finally realize his fun was about to end, with no clue that Emily was helping him dodge a bullet.
“If you’re still here in—” Emily glanced at the clock behind the bar, “—thirty seconds, I’m calling Security. The next call I make will be the police.”
The lady in red looked at Emily with a boatload of irritation and a modicum of respect, and disengaged herself from the man.
“What the hell?” The man’s glare turned to confusion as his escort slid out of the booth, pulling the strap of her purse over her shoulder.
Emily stopped her with a hand on her arm. “I’d better not see you in Legacy Lounge again.”
Without a word, the woman sashayed through the archway that led from the lounge into the enormous, glass-domed rotunda that formed the hub of the sprawling Legacy Hotel and Casino complex. The man rose as if he’d go after her, but stopped when Emily tossed his wallet on the table.
“I believe this is yours,” she said. While distracting the woman with a hand on one arm, Emily’s other hand had been busy retrieving the wallet from her purse. Distraction was the key.
The man gaped, scooped up his wallet and mumbled a thank you before taking off.
Emily smiled with satisfaction. As manager and head bartender at Legacy Lounge, troubleshooting of this variety came with the territory. Especially when the bar was an offshoot of a hotel and casino, where people’s inhibitions were already loosened, inspiring them to take all kinds of chances. Then again, this was Las Vegas, and risking everything was not only encouraged, but expected.
The perfect environment for a conman—or conwoman—to thrive.
But dispensing with the lady in red and returning to her post behind the bar didn’t dispel the feeling of trouble waiting in the wings, watching. The prickles of sensation ricocheted along her skin as if a lightning storm was about to hit. Her gaze resumed its perusal…and landed on a cowboy hat that lay at the far end of the bar.
Stacking the Deck (Redemption Club Book 1) Page 29