by KB Jacobs
Detective Morris touched Spencer’s suit sleeve, but he shook the detective off with a glare.
I was pretty sure Detective Morris was just trying to make sure Spencer didn’t say anything that could later be used against him or the police department in a lawsuit. He didn’t know that there wasn’t anyone here that vindictive. No, the main issue with this group was caring too much. At heart, they loved Warner and were too worried about him to let anger color everything else.
Spencer took a deep breath and squared his big, broad shoulders before looking at us again. “Warner woke up this morning.”
Melissa let out a tiny squeak of relief.
Spencer gave her a barely-there smile, but pain radiated from his gaze.
I steeled myself for whatever was coming next.
“He still has a long recovery, but he’s awake, so that’s the first step. When he woke up, his first concern was for you all. He’s so sorry and is doing whatever he can to cooperate with the detective. That’s why I’m here. He wanted me to come personally and tell you how sorry he is.” Spencer clenched his jaw. “He plans to plead guilty to whatever charges are brought against him. You should also know he was compiling evidence against the man that you all know as Vincent...I’ll let Detective Morris explain all that. But you just need to know Warner will be going to jail. They’ll continue his physical therapy necessary for his recovery there so you don’t need to worry. He’ll pay for his crimes.”
“What if we don’t press charges?” Melissa asked, her voice small and pitiful. “Hasn’t he paid enough?”
Lake reached across the table and grabbed hold of Melissa’s shaking hand.
The completely shattered expression on Spencer’s face spoke at just how much this had taken out of him. Warner was his brother, and if anyone knew how brutal prison would be for the kid, it was Spencer. “Unfortunately, with the scope of his crimes, you all really don’t have much say in it. All of this will be sorted out with the Colorado Federal Courts and the State Attorney office.”
He stepped back and let Detective Morris step forward. “As Spencer mentioned, Warner told us early this morning where to find a file he’s compiled on the man you all know as Vincent Becker.” He nodded to Alex. “Or Roger Page.” He nodded toward Lake. “Warner had been trying to find enough information to get out from under his threats when he should have gone to the police instead. By examining all that along with what we’ve been able to figure out, the puzzle pieces are starting to come together.”
The detective opened a file. “Vincent’s real name is Trent Rice, and he has connections with a European brewing conglomerate. He’s been slowly buying up small breweries across the US with a concentration on breweries in the Rocky Mountains. We’re still trying to uncover all the details, but from what I can tell, this European company had plans to come here and make Naked Brews and Aspenridge their headquarters.”
He nodded at Lake. “If Trent had managed to get your brewery to sell out at a certain price, he would get to be the president of the US branch of the company. It was high-stakes corporate maneuvers brought low by good-old-boy competition. He wanted to win the bet at whatever the cost, and he thought that if things got bad enough, you’d beg him to take the brewery.”
Lake nodded. “I’d met him a few months ago at a competition. We spent a good forty-five minutes talking about how difficult it is to be a small brewery in today’s market. He was working me, wasn’t he?”
The detective nodded.
“Why date Alex, though?” I asked. “Wouldn’t that risk exposure?” The fact this man betrayed her like that made me want to go down to the jail and beat him to a pulp.
“From what I understand, things were...” He hesitated, looking uncomfortable for the first time. “Things were casual between the two of them. He was able to touch base with her and could gather bits of gossip about what happened within the brewery without her ever guessing. He wasn’t ever around her when she was with friends, and they didn’t go out in public.”
“I was so stupid,” Alex mumbled.
“No,” Walsh corrected. “He’s a pro. Con men know how to work people. His skillfulness at that is not your fault, Alex.” Walsh had been raised by professional con men, so he knew exactly what he talked about.
“So, what happens to this man now?” I asked, hoping beyond hope that Colorado had legalized waterboarding in the last week, because I could get behind that idea.
“Just like with Warner, his prosecution is in the hands of the Colorado State Attorney office, but the charges should be extensive. I doubt he’ll even be granted bail with his overseas connections and the amounts of money behind this scheme. You should never have to worry about this man again.”
The detective closed the file. “Do you have any other questions?” No one said anything, so he nodded. “Any of you are free to call me at any time. My door is open. I’m glad we caught our man, but I’m sorry for the trials you had to go through before that happened.”
Spencer’s shoulders drooped in defeat at those condemning words, but then he followed the other detective out of the room.
The group was quiet after they left.
Melissa said, “I’m sorry. I know I shouldn’t feel like this, but I feel like we let Warner down. How did we not see what was happening with him? Spencer looked devastated. I can’t imagine any of the other Murdocks are doing any better.”
“It goes beyond even that,” Lake said. “Detective Morris let it slip that Spencer’s been put on indefinite leave. And that’s not the end of it. To find evidence, Warner broke into Gavin’s computer system at his security company. Because of the nature of his security business, he has access to confidential informational websites within the government. With the breach caused by Warner, he might lose access to those resources, which could devastate his company.”
“Shit.” Anthony lifted his dreads off his neck. “The few times I’ve seen the family at the hospital, they’ve been wholly focused on getting Warner better. They’ve always been so close, you know? His actions have imploded against the whole family. I can’t imagine the mayor will be unaffected, either. That isn’t good.”
The others shook their heads and stood to leave. For the first time since I came back to Aspenridge, there was a pause in the chaos, like someone had given us all permission to take a breath. Everyone moved out of the room, but Alex stayed sealed to her seat. This was my chance.
“Alex—”
She spun around in her chair and jumped up as if she hadn’t realized I was still there. Her eyes searched the empty room before coming back to me. I expected the same cold indifference she’d shown the past several days. But this time, her green eyes were a sea of emotion. Hurt, sleepless nights and...could it be?...longing.
She swallowed and calmed her expression. “Follow me.”
Chapter Forty-Two
Alex
Damian stood and followed me out of the restaurant.
My heart—that stupid, naïve organ—wanted to rejoice, but I’d let it have its way once, and my eyes had been leaking ever since. No more. This time I’d lead with my brain—my much more trustworthy organ.
Keeping my eyes straight ahead, I marched to the old office and let Damian follow me in. Flipping on the light, I shut the door behind me and sucked in a breath. I didn’t do relationships. And yet, I’d blown off three text messages and one phone call from various flings over the past week. Because the idea of kissing another guy, of being with someone else, made me a little sick. Because somehow, Damian had made me fall for him. I needed this discussion for closure, and then maybe, I’d be able to function again.
“Alex, I’m—”
I cut off his words with a shake of my head. This had to be our final goodbye. I thought I’d be able to talk to him, explain, but I was wrong. It hurt too much. Seeing him hurt too much. I’d always been much better with action anyway. Wrapping my hands around the back of his neck, I pulled him to me and kissed him until he kissed me back. Then a
ll bets were off. My hands flew over the buttons of his crisp dress shirt and pulled them open in record time.
His heart rate sped up under my hand on his chest. The unique scent of Damian filled my nose like a buttery musk that made me want to taste every inch of him. My hands rubbed over his shoulder, and my thumbs danced down his abs.
Damian’s hands explored on their own, moving from my waist to grasp my ass, and then he pulled my leg up around his waist. In this position, there was no missing the generous erection throbbing against his jeans, pushing against my own desperate sex.
Damian pulled back, panting. “I’m so sorry I left, and what I said about you...I was angry and jealous, and I’m sorry. I was so wrong to jump to conclusions, to not trust you.”
I kissed the damaged side of his face and cupped his cheeks in my warm hands. “No, I don’t want words. I can’t.”
The sob broke free, although I’d been doing everything I could to hold it in. I couldn’t discuss us, think about us, or I’d collapse under the weight of knowing this was goodbye. “It wasn’t fair of me to throw your hurt in your face,” I continued. “I can’t even begin to imagine how much you’ve been through.”
“No, your words were harsh, but it was the truth.” He brushed the hair back from my face and gazed into my eyes. “I’ve spent the past three years acting like the world was out to get me. I assumed the worst in people. It’s time I stopped hiding.”
I kissed him again, soft and gentle, before pulling back and whispering in his ear, “I told my dad to take a long walk off a short pier.”
“Well, look at us, acting like real grown-ups and everything.”
I laughed, but the sound got stuck in my throat.
“What’s wrong?” he asked, pulling back to examine me.
“I thought I could do this, but I can’t. It’s too much.” Tears ran freely down my cheeks. “I’m glad we got this moment, this closure, and I’m so damn happy that you’re going to do the documentary. I think it may even help you in the long run.” Getting all the memories out might help free him from the nightmares. Then he really would be free to love someone else, because I knew he hated to burden someone else with his night terrors.
He frowned. “Why does this feel like goodbye?”
I gave him a halfhearted smile. “Because it is.”
Pain blossomed in his expression. “No!” His eyes widened as the realization of what I was saying dawned on him. “It can’t be. I love you, Alex.”
My heart broke at those words. I wanted them, but they weren’t meant for me. I shook my head. “No. Love, real love, shouldn’t hurt like this.” I’d trusted him with my heart once before, and it had taken everything I had to do it. He’d taken that love and shattered it, shattered me. I didn’t have anything left to give. I was tapped out.
“Don’t you get it?” He grasped me by my shoulders. “It’s because we loved one another that it hurt so badly. Believe me, I know what you’ve been feeling. It’s been the same for me, but we can do better, Alex. We can be better. Just give me another chance. This thing between us is too powerful to let go.”
“You don’t even live here.” I shook my head. “No, it’s better this way. We can have a clean break and no more heartache, no more pain.”
“That’s where you’re wrong. I do live here. I’ve bought The Palace, my cabin, and I talked to Lake about taking over the sales manager position at the brewery.”
“Wh...what?”
“It’s all worked out, Alex. The only missing part to the puzzle is you, and you’re the heart stone for the whole plan. Without you in the center of my world, none of that other stuff matters. Love isn’t easy, and yes, it does include heartache and pain because we’re both human and make human mistakes. The key is knowing that a simple mistake or even a big one isn’t going to implode everything.
“I love you, Alex, and that means I will always put you first. If I’m hurting you, tell me. If I’m not loving you hard enough, tell me. A wise woman once told me that communication is the key. You’re a PR girl. I think you can handle that part. What do you say? Will you give us a chance?”
I didn’t know what to say. “You’re saying all the right things, Damian, but I’m afraid to hope. I don’t think I could survive losing you again.”
He gave me a soft grin. “Welcome to my world. But you know what I’ve learned...all those risks—both big and small—are easier with you by my side. You make me stronger, more resilient. Let me do the same for you.”
God, I wanted this. And now I knew Damian would protect my heart. But what about his?
“I don’t know how to do this, this relationship thing. In fact I’m pretty sure I’m going to suck at it.” I dragged in a quick breath, because the next words were hard to say and might send him running for the hills. “There’s still a chance I could hurt you, and I can’t make any promises about the future. I just...I don’t have a lot of role models for healthy, committed relationships.”
“I’m pretty sure you’ve got two best friends who are well on their way to changing that.” Damian pulled me by the waist until my body was flush with his. “You showed me that there was a whole world of people out there, and I was missing out. Now let me show you that I’m the only man in the world you need.”
I nodded, because what in the hell could I say in response to that? Nothing.
So I kissed him instead. While our friends stood outside, still reeling from the lies and sabotage that nearly took us down, I kissed him.
When we finally pulled back, I cupped his scarred cheek. “I love you so much. Tell me this isn’t a dream.”
“If it is, we’re both having it. I, for one, never want to wake up. I love you, too, Alex.” He threaded his fingers through mine. “Everyone else is probably out there with an ear to the door, wondering what we’re doing in a storage closet. We should probably go fill them in and flaunt our love in front of them.”
“Now I know I’m dreaming. Did you just volunteer to go and socialize?”
He shrugged. “What can I say? I’m a changed man. It must be the power of love.”
“Wow, that’s some pretty powerful stuff.” Powerful enough to tame the angry beast, lure a young woman into a place she’d sworn she’d never go, and delivered the promise of a happily ever after.
I couldn’t wait to see what happened next, and for the first time ever, I looked forward to that revelation with hope, not trepidation and fear.
Chapter Forty-Three
Alex
I laced my fingers through Damian’s and tugged him out of the closet and into the tasting pub. The girls were MIA, though I had a feeling they weren’t far away. The after-work crowd would be here in a bit, but we had time for one drink. After all the bombshells from the detectives and my decision to let myself be in love, I could use one. We sat on the leather barstools, and Eric paused his prep work to take our orders.
“I’ll have a Bitter Beauty,” I said.
Damian set his hand on my thigh and gave it a quick squeeze. “Better make it two.”
“So what do you think of all of this craziness? Are you ready to sell beer for the nuttiest brew house this side of the Rockies?” I grabbed his hand and wove our fingers together. They fit there like his hand had been carved by the big man upstairs for the sole purpose of holding mine.
A girl could get used to it, which I guessed was the general idea.
“It’s a lot to take in, and I’ve got some big shoes to fill.” Damian lifted our tangled hands and kissed the back of mine. “But if I’ve learned anything about you girls and this brewery, we can handle it. And the good news is the worst of it is over. I predict sunny skies here on out.”
“Look at you, being all optimistic.” I nudged him with my shoulder.
Damian’s lips turned to a slow smile, but his eyes darkened with desire as he leaned as close to me as possible without falling off his stool. “What can I say? Love does crazy things to a guy.”
He dipped his head and press
ed his warm, soft lips to mine. I spun and wrapped a hand around the back of his neck. Nothing was as good as kissing Damian.
“Ahem.” Eric cleared his throat from the other side of the bar.
Damian tried to jump away from me, but I held on tight and nipped at his bottom lip before pulling away.
Eric slid two beers across the bar. “Enjoy.”
I lifted my glass and held it out. “We should have a toast.”
“Okay.” Damian picked up his glass. “To what?”
“To us. To giving life and love a chance.”
Damian kissed my cheek and lifted his glass. “I’ll drink to that.”
“Alexandra Nichols, are you day drinking without me?” Lake slid onto the bar stool next to me. Walsh moved right behind her with his arms wrapped around her shoulders. Her wedding ring sparkled in the overhead lights, but it paled in comparison to the wattage of her smile. She wiggled her eyebrows at me but had the grace not to say, “I told you so.”
“Don’t be ridiculous.” I took a small sip of beer. “You just need a drink.”
Lake nodded her head at Eric. “Can I get a Smooth Moves?”
Anthony leaned against the bar on the other side of Damian and lifted Melissa up on the bar top. “Two Blurred Vision, good sir.”
“No way,” Melissa squeaked out.
Anthony scrunched his face in confusion. “Why not?”
Melissa dropped her head, but she was as bad at whispering as she was at lying. “I thought we were going to...you know...when we got home.”
“Right.” Anthony straightened up and glanced at the rest of us, not even bothering to look embarrassed. “Let’s change those to Thick N’ Creamy.”
Eric turned to grab the beers and discussion broke down into dinner plans, which turned into weekend plans and even plans for the upcoming summer season. I sat back, sipping my beer and stealing occasional kisses from Damian. Everyone I loved was right here in one place, happy and healthy.