by Tessa Layne
The secret part of him, the one that ate at him at night for pushing Emma away, the one that called him out for being an idiot, behaving like an ass… That secret part kicked him in the nuts. He was living some weird stunted version of Johnny’s life.
“Sorry to interrupt, but I got a bone to pick with you gents,” Brodie Sinclaire drawled from the barn entrance.
Sterling froze. Brodie’s tall grass threat returned to him in a rush. The last thing he wanted was an altercation with Brodie, even though the secret part of him shouted he deserved a good pounding.
As usual, Travis seemed unfazed. “Talk to me, Brodie.”
“Seems my little sister is in a peck of trouble.” His gaze swept between the two of them. “And the ranch seems to be at the center of the shit show.”
Travis handed Brodie a feed bucket and motioned for him to follow. “That so? She mention anything to you about a violation of a non-disclosure agreement and a viral video? Or the fact I’ve got paparazzi crawling over my property like the plague and now I’m two employees short with three more houses to build before May 1st?”
“My wife tells me Em’s being sued by Kaycee Star and was canned this morning.”
The news hit Sterling with the force of an earthquake. “She lost her job?”
Brodie turned the full force of his ire on him. “Seems like she was on the receiving end of a double whammy this morning.” His eyes narrowed. “Some assfuck put a video of my sister and Alex Jordan showing a little too much skin, if you get my drift, on the internet today, and that shit’s gone viral.”
“I’ll kill ’em,” Sterling muttered under his breath. Sterling fisted a hand. So help him, he’d track Alex down and pound him into the pavement. Major league baseball star be damned. A sex video? Bile reached up into his throat. The thought of Emma doing anything they’d enjoyed together with another man made his skin burn as if he’d been attacked by a nest of fire ants. But what kind of low-life made that shit public? That was the bigger offense.
“Get in line,” Brodie snarled.
“Now hold on.” Travis took Brodie’s bucket and poured it into Bingo’s feed bag. “There’s a video of Emma and Alex too?”
“What do you mean, too?” Brodie was clearly struggling to hold onto his temper. As was Sterling.
Travis sighed heavily. “Did Jamey tell you that Emma’s devices were stolen at the baseball game and she was hacked?”
“She was a touch upset. I didn’t get much out of her beyond the cursing.”
Travis smiled wryly. “Emma has footage of Kaycee here at the ranch. The material is, was, confidential. Until this morning, when it got posted and went viral. Hence the lawsuit, and the sacking.
“Have you talked to Emma?” Sterling asked. Emma must be beside herself. She’d put so much effort into her fundraising efforts for the ranch.
“She won’t talk to anyone. Jamey’s brother’s a lawyer, so he’s offered to help, but these kinds of lawsuits aren’t his specialty.”
Sterling’s mind was whirling. He turned to Travis. “Jason Case will know who to talk to. We have to help Emma.”
Travis gave him a hard stare. “Do we?”
“Of course we do. We can’t let her swing in the wind after all she’s done for the ranch.” And while she was distracted because he’d behaved like an ass. “And we have to convince Kate to call off the dogs. We have to find her.”
Brodie crossed his arms, still glowering. “That would be a step in the right direction.”
For a moment, no one spoke. Sterling got the distinct feeling Travis was sizing him up. Weighing him in the balance and perhaps, finding him wanting. Right then, he vowed to be better. To do better. To ask Travis who he could talk to, and to start living his own story, not Johnny’s.
Travis drew in a deep breath and raised his eyes skyward. “I don’t know where they are, but I know how Cash thinks and I have a hunch I know where to look.” He patted his chest pocket. “Anyone have pen and paper?”
“I’ve got my phone.” Sterling pulled his phone from his jean jacket pocket, and handed it over.
Travis typed for a minute and handed it back. Sterling blinked. “You’re kidding?”
“It’s worth a shot. I think there’s a four p.m. flight from Manhattan.”
“I’ll never make it.”
“Looks like you’ll be driving then.”
Ten long agonizing hours later, Sterling entered Navy One, one of two high-rise apartments overlooking Navy Pier. Strung out on adrenaline and truck stop coffee, he was ready to collapse, but not until he’s spoken with Cash and Kate. If they were even here. Deep in his gut, he knew they were. It was clever, really. Hiding a country star in a swanky high-rise apartment in the city like Chicago.
The night guard stopped him.
“I’m here to see Cash Aiken.”
The night guard scowled suspiciously. “At ten minutes to three in the morning?”
The last of Sterling’s patience frayed. “I have been driving for the last ten hours. It’s extremely important that I speak to Cash.”
The guard clicked his tongue. “I will need you to wait while I verify that,” he said firmly. No wonder Travis suspected Cash might be here. The security guard was a shark.
“Tell him Sterling is here and I’ve driven all night.”
A few minutes later, the guard returned, shaking his head. “Count yourself lucky. The elevator is around the corner.”
The elevator ride was the longest of his life, and the doors opened to a hall eerily silent. The carpet absorbed his footfalls, but Cash must have been listening for the elevator bell, because as he was about to knock, the door whipped open, and Cash stood there, glaring. “I should break every bone in your body.”
“I know, I know. Can I please come in?”
Cash stepped aside and Sterling stepped into a luxurious condo with floor to ceiling windows overlooking Navy Pier and the black beyond of Lake Michigan.
Sterling whistled low. “Nice digs. This place yours?”
Cash nodded curtly as he stalked to the window. “Bought it when I got out. But it’s been used as a safe house before. Hard for people to spy on you from the water.” He bent and tossed him a blanket. “You’re sleeping on the couch. We’ll talk in the morning.” Cash spun and stalked back to the bedroom without so much as a sound. Sterling kicked off his boots and lay down on the couch, pulling the rough wool blanket up to his shoulders. Exhaustion settled in his bones and his eyelids grew heavy. The blessed relief of sleep hovered just out of reach.
Tonight, maybe, he’d sleep with a lighter heart. The hours in the truck had given him more than enough time to examine every aspect of his life under a microscope. Travis was right. Jason and Macey were right. He needed to live Sterling’s life, not Johnny’s death. He honored Johnny’s memory not by existing the way Johnny had at the end, but by living the way Johnny had when they’d been younger. “I’ll make this right, Em. I swear,” he mumbled as sleep claimed him.
CHAPTER 29
The gentle sounds of guitar strings coupled with brilliant sunlight, woke Sterling a few hours later. Kate sat on a low chair across from the couch, humming and scratching a pencil across paper. She glanced across when he stirred, catching his eye. The lines on her face gave away her weariness. Her exhaustion. She gave him a small smile. “Morning. Coffee?”
He raised a hand. “Don’t trouble yourself. I’ll grab some.”
“Cash is in the kitchen.”
Shaking the cobwebs from his head, he stood, following his nose to the coffee pot. Cash handed him a steaming mug. “So I take it this isn’t a social call?”
“Nope.”
Cash pushed off the counter and stalked out of the kitchen. “Let’s get this over with then.”
Sterling followed him and settled himself back on the couch, taking in the view. No wonder Cash had bought the place. There was a serenity in the view that calmed the rough places in his soul.
Cash stood in the corner, star
ing out the window, back ramrod straight. Tension radiated off him in waves. Sterling shifted his attention back to Kate who looked equally ill at ease. But he hadn’t driven all night long for awkward silences. He’d fix this for Emma, or die trying. “Emma didn’t post your video. She’d never do that. Not in a million years. The ranch means too much to her. Her devices got stolen the day of the baseball game. Whoever nabbed them hacked them.”
Cash spun, giving Sterling a hard look as he whipped out his phone. “Those sons of bitches picked the wrong people to fuck with,” he growled. Cash disappeared into the kitchen and returned a minute later. “I’ve got people working on reverse tracing the IP addresses from the video.
Sterling stared at him. “You can do that?”
Cash’s eyes grew flinty. “And a whole lot more.”
An idea struck him. “Do you know about the other videos?”
“What other videos?” Cash grumbled, shoulders bunching.
“Some douchenozzle who I would dearly love to strangle, posted videos of Emma and Alex Jordan in… er… compromising positions.”
Kate gasped, covering her mouth. “Have you seen them?”
“Never,” Sterling spat. “I don’t ever want to see them. But I want to nail the motherfucker who did this.”
Cash gave him a cold smile. “I have people who may be able to help.” He disappeared down the hall.
Sterling cleared his throat. “I have an idea about how to fix everything and I’m hoping you’ll hear me out?”
Kate regarded him steadily through tired eyes, then nodded. His gut clenched. She looked like she’d given up, and he hated seeing that. “First. I have a friend with a friend–”
Cash made a scoffing noise as he returned, this time with the coffee pot. “Did Kate tell you that her agent is suing her for breach of contract even though she fired him last fall?”
Sterling raised his cup, accepting a refill. The prevalence of assholes in the world never ceased to amaze him. “I’m not shitting you, Kate. On my honor. I have a friend who is connected to a shark of a lawyer in Hollywood. Represents movie stars in disputes. If your agent is wrongly suing you–”
“He is.”
“If you feel your agent is wrongly suing you, she will take your case pro bono as a favor to my friend.”
Kaycee made a doubtful noise. “Forgive my suspicion.”
“I understand. You don’t know who to trust. If you like, you can talk to my friend Jason first. He’ll be returning to the ranch as part of the first program just before the concert, and I can assure you, he’s solid.”
She still looked dubious, but nodded her head.
“What else,” Cash growled.
“In return, I would ask that you drop your suit against Emma. Royal Fountain sacked her because of the Alex Jordan videos.”
Kate chewed on her lip.
“Look.” Sterling held up his phone. “Your video went viral. It’s had over four million views since it was posted yesterday. And read the comments. People love it. They want more.” He took a deep breath. “I know Emma asked you to sing at the concert. Is there any chance you’d reconsider?”
Worry pulled at her face.
Sterling held up his hands. “Even just a few songs? As a gift to the donors supporting the ranch. Think of it as a no-pressure opportunity for you to get your feet back under you.” He waved the phone. “You already have proof people will love it.”
“But the security…” her voice trailed off uncertainly as she cast a fear-filled look at Cash.
“I won’t let you out of my sight for a second,” he growled.
“I can work with Travis and Weston to manage the paparazzi.” Winning this little victory suddenly took on much more weight. “Whatever it takes. I know it would mean a lot to the ranch if you would consider joining the concert. And to Emma too,” he added after a pause. “And I’m sure if you give her the chance, Emma would help you with the media. Make a press release, or anything else you want.” He wasn’t even sure Emma would speak to him ever again. But he was convinced if Kate asked for help, she’d give it. She’d never turn her back on anyone.
Sterling’s heart twisted. He’d turned his back on her. Never again. What had Travis said about moment by moment? If he could manage to let his love for Emma be the guiding force of this moment, that would be a step forward. If he could salvage this for her, afford her a tiny victory, maybe it would be a tiny victory for him too. And maybe someday she’d come to forgive him, even if she never spoke to him again.
Kate looked up at Cash, and they exchanged a meaningful glance.
Sterling shifted uncomfortably. Was his presence here an intrusion? Kate looked between the two of them, and rolled back her shoulders, suddenly looking determined. “Can you get me a microphone and a laptop?”
For the first time in a long time, hope flickered in his chest. “Anything.”
“I’ll do it.”
CHAPTER 30
In the end, the hacking cost the ranch a hundred grand. Although Brodie assured her that Cash and Weston were using all their sources to track the culprit, three weeks had passed and still no leads.
But surprisingly, the lawsuit against her and Royal Fountain had been dropped. And she hadn’t even had to talk to Jamey’s brother the lawyer. Then to her absolute shock, Kate had called her and promised to perform at the concert, telling her she’d go public with her appearance and use it to launch an EP with four new songs, giving all the proceeds to the ranch. Proceeds from those sales alone might recoup the lost funding from the donors she’d lost.
Emma sat listlessly scrolling job postings on LinkedIn. The lodge was quiet at the moment, but with guests arriving in a few hours for the poker tournament and concert the following day, Brodie and Jamey had asked her to move back to her room at the Big House. It wasn’t that she didn’t love the Big House. She adored Blake and Maddie and little Henry. Even her half-brother Simon, who lived at the ranch nearly full-time now. They were great. But they functioned like a family. She swallowed down the painful lump that lodged itself deep in her throat.
For a brief moment, she’d allowed herself to dream. To believe that a family like theirs might be in her future. But the fantasy had dissipated with a poof. She clicked on a job posting in New York City. She was qualified, and the salary was good. She had infinite connections in NYC, most of them from her time at Barnard, and removed from her celebrity as Kansas City’s newest porn star.
Alex had been a champ, hiring an assistant specifically to troll the internet for new video postings and then immediately sending out take-down notices. But the effort was more like whack-a-mole. Eventually the chatter would die down. But until then, she had no choice but to avoid all of the spring fundraisers and galas she’d attended in the past.
She closed the tab with a sigh and snapped the laptop shut. Who was she kidding? She loved visiting her friends in New York, loved visiting, but she didn’t want to live there. It was too far away from her family. She’d miss Henry’s first time on a pony by himself. Or when Blake started him in pee-wee soccer. Or sheep wrangling at the county fair.
Jamey breezed in from the kitchen, a determined expression on her face, holding a bottle of liquor. Behind her followed Lydia Grace and Emmaline carrying glasses, Luci Cruz carrying a plate of her famous tamales, and her sister-in-law Hope. Jamey set the bottle down in front of her with a thunk. “Time for you to stop mooning around the lodge like a lovesick puppy.”
Emma’s spine snapped straight. “I’m not a lovesick puppy.”
Jamey’s answering look said otherwise. “So you’ll admit to mooning then?”
Emma answered with a ghost of a smile. “Maybe a little.”
Jamey unscrewed the cap and began pouring. “Twelve-year Redbreast. Magic of the Leprechauns. Also known as the crisis bottle.” She passed the glasses of amber liquid to each of the women.
“We might not be able to help Sterling pull his head out of his ass, but I bet the men will take care of
that.”
“But how do you? I don’t understand.”
Lydia scoffed. “Puhleeze, Emma. Anyone who saw the two of you even look at each other could tell something was up.”
“But we’re here today to talk about you. About your future. With or without Cowboy McDouchebag.”
“He’s not a douchebag,” Emma snapped.
“No?” Jamey’s eyes grew fierce. “Well, he’s going to have to work hard to get back into my good graces.”
“Mine too,” Hope added.
Emma raised a hand. “Whoa, whoa guys. Sterling has baggage, and until he works through that, he’s not good for anyone, least of all himself. I’m a big girl. I jumped in where maybe I shouldn’t have. But don’t be mean to him when you see him tomorrow. Please? Don’t make this any harder than it already is.”
Emmaline cleared her throat. “Can we get back to the more important discussion? How to help Em?”
“Right,” Jamey said, lifting her glass. “Cheers to you Em. You’ve helped all of us improve our businesses this spring.”
Emmaline nodded vigorously. “It never even occurred to me that people would want to come to me for my dress designs.” She looked at the other women. “Outside of Prairie, I mean. I have a waiting list for wedding dresses for this summer.”
Emma’s face flushed. “Really? That’s wonderful news.”
“That wouldn’t have happened without you, Emma. So, thanks.”
“Have you ever thought about starting your own agency?” asked Hope. “I mean, look at all of us. We’re all women, and all small business owners. We could use someone like you in our corner. Especially with your connections outside of Prairie.”
Lydia piped up. “I think we could all help each other. Emma and I both have connections in New York.”
“As do I, and in Paris and Chicago,” added Jamey. “If you helped us with marketing and publicity, together our connections could help so many others. I mean, have you tasted a tamale as good as this?” She gestured to the plate Luci had brought in.
Something sparked to life deep inside Emma. “When I first became an Athena Scholar, I knew I wanted to run my own business someday. I just didn’t know what. I don’t have the talent you women do. I’m not an artist.”