I had dealt with the fact Raquel would be free for the forgery. Before I could process that, I needed to understand the part each person played in this. “So, what did they say?”
Travis scrubbed a hand down his face, clearly tired. It had been a long night for everyone. “Dixon has been piecing together land for oil drilling. He owns Milano Incorporated. It’s a shell company. The Hennington brothers are almost broke. They needed this deal to go through. They were going to build oil fields. Apparently, they had people sneak on the land to confirm there was oil. On the piece Raquel had, he’d planned to build a shipping dock.”
“How were they getting the money?”
“Investors. They were running out of time to get it finalized. Your dad actually met with Dixon. And refused to sell his land. Dixon was behind your loan getting called in and the way it was written up. The plan had been for you to lose the land as collateral. It’s a shitstorm, but charges will be brought against the parent bank in Juneau where the decisions came from. I honestly don’t understand that piece of it yet.”
“Was his death an accident?” I could hear the waver in my voice.
“No, Dixon arranged it, according to Chazz. The oil was drained from the machine, which then seized. Based on Chazz’s testimony alone, we have Dixon on murder charges for everyone who died that day. He had records of the deals that he gave, as well.”
But there was no concrete evidence. Yet. My throat grew tighter. Dad was murdered. He had been taken from us before his time was up. I closed my eyes in anguish. “So many lives were lost.”
“Yes, I’m so sorry, Alexa. Dixon also killed the lawyer, Montgomery, who handled the will. He was poisoned with ricin. The medical examiner was paid off to lie about the heart attack. We’ve contacted Juneau PD to arrest the coroner there. Chazz had copies of the last version where your father left everything to you. I would suggest you get your lawyers involved. I imagine you can get it back.”
“I will. What about Teagan?” Hopefully, there was still a chance for Teagan to be saved. But I wasn’t sure what her part was in this. After her words in the hospital, I was sure she knew something.
Travis’s face turned hard, angry. “Raquel blackmailed her with compromising pictures of her and Donnie to force her to deliver the letter to Montgomery. According to Chazz, Dixon used Donnie to get her hooked on heroin after that. From there, he was able to control her. If she listened, she got more drugs. Apparently, she was becoming more of a loose cannon and wasn’t following through. The day you came into town, she was supposed to lure you into a back alley for Dixon to chat with you about the land.”
“Fuck,” Drake muttered.
“Yes, the night Alexa got into the car with her, Teagan was supposed to bring her into the apartment, too.”
So, Teagan had betrayed me first and then tried to protect me in her own way. I wasn’t sure what to think about that. But maybe she still had good within her—enough good to want to be saved. “Do you know where she is?”
“No, Chazz didn’t know, but he assumes she’s dead. Dixon told him she had been silenced.” Travis’s knuckles turned white.
I expelled an anguished breath.
So much loss.
So much pain.
So much suffering.
And all for some puzzle Dixon was piecing together for money. “Has Dixon said anything?”
“No, nothing. He’s not talking. His lawyers are on the way. Chazz did confirm that it was them at your home that night. We’re taking DNA samples from Teagan’s apartment. If we can match anything to Dixon and the drugs it’ll further help the case. Dixon appears to be the mastermind behind it all. Chazz was along for the ride.”
What a mess. “So where does this leave me?”
“Just waiting. We’ll use the will for evidence. With Raquel and Chazz’s testimony and the corroborating evidence, there’s a good chance of a conviction. The prosecutors think they have a pretty good case at this point. Any further evidence they find only makes it stronger.”
Well, that was a relief. “Does anything happen to Chazz or Raquel?”
“Their assets have been seized. That wasn’t part of their deal. So, we’ll see where that leaves us.”
It wasn’t much, but if they ended up with nothing, it was justice in a different form. “Thank you, Travis.”
“I hate that we had to cut deals, but Dixon is definitely the worst out of the three.”
“Better to have the devil himself behind bars than free,” I said.
Travis stood. “True. I’ll keep you posted. We may need to talk to you, so stay in town. If you’re leaving, just let me know so we can reach out.”
“Will do.”
He left, and I sat down, unsure what to think. Life was a funny thing. Not everything was black and white, right and wrong. Sometimes things were gray, and sacrifices had to be made for the greater good. It was a bitter pill to swallow. And I hated how jagged it felt, but I was grateful there was some justice.
“How are you doing?” Drake sat in front of me on the ottoman and watched me closely.
“I hate that Raquel and Chazz are getting off. But without the deals, they all might go free. It’s hard and complicated. And I walked away from my mother tonight. I was ready, but it still hurts—knowing how she feels about me. It’s just… I don’t know… it’s a lot to sort through. And it’s going to take time, I think.” It was honestly like being in a boat, drifting at sea, without a sail or motor.
Drake waited for me to continue. “I’m glad it’s done with. I’m glad I have closure. And I’m glad I’m free to live my life.”
“Me, too, baby. Me, too. And we’ll get through this together.”
“Together.”
Chapter Forty-Three
Drake
Chaos ensued for the rest of the week. Raquel, Chazz, and Irene weren’t allowed to leave the area for the time being. The transfer of the B&B had finalized. Dixon was behind bars in Anchorage. In the midst of it all, Hollis had flown his lawyer up to look at the will. With Chazz’s testimony, we could prove there had been knowledge of the revised will, and the lawyers were certain Lex would get the missing piece of her dad’s land back.
Raquel and Irene had been involved with pieces of Dixon’s plan, but from what we could surmise, they weren’t apprised of the entire thing. Chazz did whatever his brother told him to do as long as the money kept rolling in. The bank president in Juneau also happened to be one of Dixon’s investors who had been behind Lex’s loan. Charges were being filed against him.
Things were righting themselves. Well, righting themselves as much as possible. A loss of life could never be righted. Innocent people had paid the ultimate price because of greed. Crete had taken it hard because his dad had been a bystander in the logging incident Lex’s dad died in. Among many others. The town was bleeding, but we would heal ourselves and keep moving forward.
Lex had tried to go to work, but everyone—including the news crew—had shown up at the clinic. She and Hollis had decided to shut it down for the time being to everyone but emergencies. I was worried about her. More than worried. Toward the end of the week, the news people left for Anchorage for the beginnings of a trial there.
Maybe things would get back to normal. On Monday, the clinic would reopen. Right now, Lex needed her work to focus on.
I squeezed Lex’s hand as we drove, and she squeezed it back. As the days progressed, I got more of my girl back. She was working through all the shit and, in the end, would be stronger.
I pulled into the driveway and shut off the truck. “Dad’s cabin? What a great idea. I think this was just what I needed.” She leaned over and gave me a kiss. “I love you.”
“Love you, too.”
Phew. That could have gone one of two ways. I hopped out of the truck and took her hand as the nerves starting to take over. “Let’s go for a walk.”
“Okay.”
Damn it. She knew something was off with me. Slow deep breaths. I led the way to
the back of the cabin toward the woods.
Lex was completely relaxed beside me. “I remember taking walks here with Dad. We would spend hours exploring, and he would tell me stories.”
Slowing my pace, I allowed myself to get lost in the moment. “I remember you telling me. He told me the same thing the last time we were up here together.”
“Really?” She nudged my shoulder and teased. “I remember you saying you discussed something else then, too.”
Hell yeah, that’s a good sign. I feigned ignorance. “What are you talking about?”
She rolled her eyes and giggled. We kept walking and let the sounds of nature comfort us. Inside I was a nervous wreck, but I was trying to hide it. Earlier, I’d called Mom and Dad to see if they could help me out. Mom was only too eager to get things set up for me.
We came upon the clearing, and Alexa stopped. “What is this?”
In the clearing, a stone fire pit had a low fire burning. To the right, a red and white picnic blanket was spread on the ground with warmer blankets stacked neatly on the end. A wicker basket filled with food sat in the middle. Mom and Dad hadn’t left until I let them know we were minutes away. On the blanket were treats Mom had whipped up for us.
When I didn’t answer, Lex turned toward me. “Thank you. I needed this more than you know.”
She cocked her head, waiting for me to continue. I took a deep breath, took the ring out of my pocket, and knelt on one knee. “This was the place I asked your Dad for his blessing to marry you. And this is where I hope you’ll say yes to spending your life with me.”
She started to speak, but I squeezed her hand. I needed to get this all out. “Alexa Marie Owens, I have loved you since the moment I helped you change your tire on the side of the road. You changed my life forever. There’s no one else who could ever compare to you. You own my heart, my entire being. I’m intoxicated by you. There would be no greater honor than if you were to become my wife.”
“Yes! Yes! Yes!” She threw her arms around me. “Yes, I want this more than anything.”
“Thank goodness.”
I slipped the ring on her finger and spun her around.
This was love.
This was life.
This was everything.
* * *
I pulled Lex tighter to me as we lay together in the large sleeping bag near the fire. It would be getting dark soon, and we would need to leave.
Turning over to face me, Lex looked satiated from our lovemaking. “What are you thinking?”
“That finally all of our dreams are coming true.”
It had taken what felt like a lifetime to get to this moment. But in the end, I would do it all again if it meant we’d be right in this spot.
Lex looked at her ring. “It’s so sparkly. I love it. Thank you. I love you.”
She gave me a gentle kiss.
“I love you, too.”
She sighed contentedly. “When do you want to tell your family?”
“As soon as possible.”
She giggled. I was serious.
“Tomorrow, your mom is having everyone over for dinner. Why don’t we make the announcement then?”
“I like that idea.”
Her fingers delicately traced some design on my chest. “I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you.”
“Neither can I.”
I wasn’t sure how fast we could have a wedding, but I wanted this to be whatever Lex wanted. She gave me another kiss and smiled. “I can see your wheels spinning.”
“About?”
“How fast we’re going to get married.”
Man, she knew me well. I waited for her to say something more, and from her teasing smile, it was clear she was going to make me work for it. “And?”
“I want to get married as soon as possible. I want to start our life together as husband and wife.”
I rolled on top of her. “I like the way you think.”
“Good, Mr. Foster, because you’re stuck with me.”
“There’s no one I’d rather be stuck with, future Mrs. Foster.”
Epilogue
Wrecked For You
Hayden
I sat in my car and stared at the house in front of me. Lightning flashed, making the white house stand out in the dark night. Should I be here? Yes, I should. After Drake and Alexa announced their engagement to the family the previous night, I saw my brother in a whole new light. He was in pure fucking bliss, and I envied him with every ounce of my being.
I want what he has.
The blonde-haired beauty I’d met that summer was on my mind nearly every second of every day. Kory Reynolds. I shook my head, trying to clear it. The last time we made love, something had happened… we connected in a way I hadn’t understood.
Then she left.
Her explanation—a three-word text.
Heading home. Goodbye.
Then her number had been disconnected. It was a miracle I was able to find her address. And here I was, outside her place. In my gut, I knew I had to see her tonight. It was unexplainable. But I’d left on the first available flight to get here as soon as possible. I needed to figure out what happened. Something as perfect as what we had couldn’t be ignored.
There had been a connection between us unlike anything I’d ever experienced. It was life-changing. And I was ready to see where this took us.
Dive in head first.
I opened the car door and walked up to the door in the heavy rain. It took only one second for me to be soaked through to my skin. I knocked three times and waited. The door opened, and there she stood. My word, she was beautiful. It was hard not to pull her to me and kiss the life out of her.
“Hayden, what are you doing here?” Kory’s expression went from shocked to blank.
That wasn’t the reaction I’d been looking for.
I blurted out the first thing that came to mind. “Why did you leave?”
She looked around outside and then pulled me in the house. Throwing her arms around me, she held onto me like her life depended on it. This was more the reaction I’d hoped for, and I wound my arms around her, bringing her closer to me. This felt right. So fucking right.
With a sniffle, Kory said, “You came for me. You actually came.”
“I’m sorry it took so long. The way you left did a number on my head.”
She pulled back, tears in her eyes. “You have to go back and forget you ever met me. You can’t be here.”
What the hell? That didn’t sit right with me. What’s going on? There was only one thing I could think of that would keep us apart. “Are you married?”
Shock passed over her face. “No. No. Of course not. I would never cheat. It’s not that at all. It’s… complicated.” Taking a step back, she wrapped her arms around herself. “Forget you ever met me. Forget what we were. Please.”
What the fuck is going on? There was one thing for certain… forgetting Kory wasn’t going to happen.
Wrecked for You will be Coming Fall of 2018
Check out www.authorkristinmayer.com for updates.
Other Books by Kristin Mayer
Available Now
The Trust Series
Trust Me
Love Me
Promise Me
Full-length novels in the TRUST series are also available in audio from Tantor Media.
The Effect Series
Ripple Effect
Domino Effect
The Twisted Fate Series
White Lies
Black Truth
Timeless Love Series
Untouched Perfection
Flawless Perfection
Tempting Perfection
An Exposed Heart Novel
Intoxicated by You
Stand Alone Novels
Innocence
Bane
Whispered Promises
Finding Forever (co-written with Kelly Elliott)
Coming Soon
Wrecked for You – An Expose
d Heart Novel
Changed by You – An Exposed Heart Novel
Intoxicated By You_An Exposed Hearts Novel Page 23