by Dakota Black
“That’s not what’s happening here,” he insisted, trying to figure out what she’d heard. The show was just that, a show. While he enjoyed sharing what he’d learned over the years, he wasn’t going to provide any intimate details of his real life on the air. “Ladies and gentlemen, this concludes today’s show. Thank you so much for calling in. Until next Sunday.” He fumbled until he managed to click the cut off button. Every nerve on edge, he kept his eyes pinned on her. “Dani.”
She shook her head, a laugh bubbling past her lips. “And still you go on with the show. So very much like you. You were playing me all along. How did you know I listened to the show? Did your buddy tell you since she’s friends with the chick who lured me here in the first place? Were you searching for the perfect woman to use and abuse, just like all men desire to do?”
“What are you talking about?” He swept his eyes back and forth, searching for answers.
Dani laughed, the sound bitter. “I have been played before, but not to this degree. I just don’t get what you thought you’d accomplish. Poor chick coming from another state, looking for love in all the wrong places? You’re pathetic! I fell into your trap. What is wrong with me?”
Mitchell tossed the earphones and walked toward her. “Dani, please listen to me. Nothing is wrong with you. We have an amazing connection. We share the same beliefs.”
“The same beliefs? All lies. Don’t you freaking dare come near me. I heard what you said. Mold. Train. What did you call me, brassy and bold?”
“I wasn’t talking about you.”
“Perfect. You have other women, just like I suspected. You lying sack of shit.” She took two steps backward.
“No. There is no one. What you heard was a fabrication. I provide entertainment and nothing more. I fell into the show by accident. I found solace in helping people.”
“Helping people? Is that what you think you’re doing? You’re feeding them lies, nothing more.”
He shook his head, attempting to keep his nerves in check as he took another step closer. “Yes, what I provide is entertainment, but I know what I’m talking about.”
“Right. I just bet you do.
“What you’ve heard isn’t about my real life and never will be. I swear to God.” Sweat rolled down the back of his neck. Now, what had initially been a one-time offer had interfered with his real life.
“I. Don’t. Believe. You.” Giving him another hard look, she turned away, heading for the door.
The words hit him hard and he could tell by the look in her eyes that she never would again. “Dani, please don’t do this. Please allow me to explain.”
“Save your shit for someone who gives a damn.”
Closing the distance, he stood just behind her. “I do care about you, more than you know and when you’re ready, I’ll tell you the truth about everything, but I’m not lying about the way I feel about you. I only ask that you keep this secret. No one knows about this. You can imagine what my enemies would say, let alone the press. I can’t afford to be exposed right now. I’ll make everything up to you somehow. I promise.” As soon as he said the words, he realized he was without a doubt the biggest jerk in the entire world. If he’d only told her the truth, allowed her into his other world.
Dani twisted her head, looking him up and down. “Don’t worry, Mr. Rush. I’ll keep your secret, but I wouldn’t worry about your business. You’re going to be just fine.”
“What?”
“There’s nothing wrong with your wells, or at least there wasn’t until a chemical compound was mysteriously introduced because the contamination couldn’t happen by the work of Mother Nature. This agent has been used for beneficial research, but when combined with oil, you get sludge. Whoever is out to get you has an innate knowledge of oil production, including another chemical providing a cleaning solution. That’s why the roughnecks haven’t noticed anything. This information should help you decrease your enemy list somewhat. Then again, who knows?”
“Shit, Dani. Thank you. I—”
“One more thing,” she interrupted. “You’ll have my resignation in the morning.”
Wham!
Stunned, he stood where he was, wincing when the front door was slammed. He realized he’d been holding his breath when stars floated in front of his eyes. This was the worst possible situation to be in. His hobby, that had taken on a life of its own including thousands of fans, was going to be his demise just as much as his crumbling business. He placed his hand over his heart and sagged against the table. Running after her was an option, but what good would it really do?
He turned toward the computer and microphone, anger boiling in his system. Whoosh! As the contents of the entire table was tossed to the floor, the laptop smashing into the wall, he threw back his head and howled. His entire life was worth nothing.
However dire his situation, he refused to go down without a fight, including for the woman he was falling in love with. He was going to find out who had betrayed him. The why simply didn’t matter. When he did, he’d annihilate the competition, one way or the other. He grabbed his keys and walked out the front door. Past time to take matters into his own hands.
Mitchell threw on his helmet and guided the Harley out of the garage. He hadn’t been on a ride in over a month due to his workload. This had once been his drug, an intoxicating method of freeing the demons haunting his every waking moment. He’d pushed them aside, believing he was free of the menacing night terrors, monsters lying in wait, hungry to feed on his very soul. He’d all but forgotten who he was, preferring to believe he’d found his way.
Inhaling, he savored the scent of gasoline as he revved the engine. As he lowered the clear shield, he thought about his past and the decision bringing him back into Hell. Regrets? He’d made a promise to himself he’d never have them.
He was wrong.
As he gunned the engine, accelerating quickly, he hunkered over the handlebars, maneuvering the bike as if melded into the hunk of steel. He zoomed out of his driveway and onto the street, taking the corner as if riding on rails. He continued to accelerate until he was going well over seventy. Wind whipped past as he continued to ride, his heart racing as he headed for the only location able to provide peace.
Memories from the past rolled into the back of his mind, flashing images of damning moments, a lifetime of dread and foreboding. He’d left everything behind, seeking a different future, one he could control. When the call came, the wretched argument the same as always, he’d pushed back refusing to fall prey to his father’s games. The choice had been simple. The implications destructive.
Now, he was destined to pay for his choice, much like his precious Sarah had. Tears formed in his eyes as he pressed down on the gas, zipping past several slower vehicles, zigzagging back and forth, daring fate to take its ugly course. He no longer cared whether he was dead or alive. Nothing mattered.
His adrenaline kicking in, he swung into a turn and almost careened into an approaching van, avoiding the accident by mere inches. His emotions and perhaps his entire life was out of control. As tears streamed down both sides of his face, he allowed her sweet face to interrupt the sea of garbage and could swear he heard her laughter, lilting and full of life. She’d been joyous, protected early on from the sins of his father.
Then everything had changed and dragged her into the darkness. She’d fought, but the sweet girl had no strength to empower the woman inside or to battle the brute of a man his father had turned out to be. Slowing, he eased to the side of the road to catch his breath. Yanking off his helmet, he wiped his eyes and glared at the afternoon sun. He’d made his choice. Now, he’d have to live with the ramifications.
Half laughing, he brushed his hands through his hair before donning the helmet once again. He studied the sign, remembering the day they’d brought her here as if the ugliness had occurred only yesterday instead of years ago. Nodding in reverence, he eased down the gravel road, parking under a large oak tree.
When he clim
bed off the bike, he stood still, studying the vast landscaping. There was nothing but a sea of green marred by concrete blocks, colorful flowers and a few trees. He was ashamed he hadn’t been for so long, but Sarah wasn’t here, not in this horrific place. She was in his soul, his heart and forever in his mind.
His legs heavy, he walked down the cobblestone path knowing exactly where he was going. Mitchell stood gazing down at her gravesite, his mind reeling with thoughts and wishes from so long ago. “Hello, my sweet sister. I’ve missed you.” As he crouched down, he traced her name with the tip of his index finger, feeling close to her.
“I’m sorry I haven’t been here. Things have been crazy at work. I’m certain you’re very glad you didn’t get mixed up in the nightmare.” He studied the small group of flowers, recently placed in the small holder. Someone had been visiting her gravesite, keeping her memory alive. Anger furrowed just beneath the surface, but this time directed at himself. He should have been the one to provide fresh flowers every week, daisies, her favorites. Instead, he’d found excuse after excuse not to come.
“I’m so sorry. I wished I could have done more to help save your life. I would have gone to the ends of the earth had I known.” Dropping his head, he wept, allowing the tears to fall to the ground. She never liked to see him cry, always chastising him for his sadness. If she only knew.
“I’ve failed you and for that I can never forgive myself.” Closing his eyes, he pushed aside the ugly memories preferring the sacred ones he kept locked away, precious times shared when their father was out of town on business. He’d give every dollar he’d acquired through blood money to have her back.
As he sat down, crossing his legs, the same sense of peace washed over him, as if she was touching his face and telling him everything was going to be okay. Nothing was going to be all right ever again.
“I thought I’d find you here.”
Mitchell snapped out of his cocoon and twisted his head, angry given the intrusion. “Zach. What are you doing here?” He softened and gave a half smile.
“I went to your house, you left the garage door open. When I noticed the Harley was gone, I knew where you’d gone. You’re a creature of habit, my friend.” Zach tilted his head, glancing around the cemetery. “Sarah would have liked the location. Trees. Flowers.”
Exhaling, he rose to his feet. “Sarah enjoyed what was really important in life, something she tried to teach me since we were children, however, I’m glad she’s not here to see the demise of the company.”
“She never wanted to be a part of Rush Enterprises. Your father only used her as a pawn when you left town, refusing to have anything to do with the family business,” Zach insisted. “You forget. I remained here, bearing witness to your father’s insanity.”
“Maybe so, but the weight he placed on her, the burden of learning to run the company was too much for her.”
“She was much stronger than you think. She believed in you, cared about what you wanted so she tried. She did everything in her power to make things work. She might have succeeded if your father wasn’t such a fucking jerk.”
Mitchell eyed his friend, growing restless. “Maybe so, but I never would have left had I known what the asshole was going to do.”
“You need to forgive yourself once and for all, Mitchell. Sarah wouldn’t want you living your life a shadow of a man.”
Snorting, he folded his arms. “I have no life.”
“Come on. Stop with the feeling sorry for yourself. You can get through this with the company. Besides, I have news.”
“Not necessarily the company I’m worried about.”
Zach lifted a single eyebrow. “Trouble in paradise with the lovely engineer?”
“Let’s just say she found out about the radio show.”
He burst into laughter. “Did you really think you could keep that a secret for long? Every woman I talk to or am friends with listens to that show. Hell, I’ve even caught it a couple times. Can’t say I agree with everything you say but, you’re famous, dude.”
“Stupid of me to think I could hide the inevitable. Dani doesn’t understand. I doubt the Board of Directors will either.”
“I know you have a meeting with them in the morning.”
“How do you know that?” Mitchell asked, his hackles raised.
“Camden called me. He said you weren’t prepared.”
“We shall see. He believes the Board is going to ask me to step down.”
“And will you?” Zach asked quietly.
Mitchell debated the answer. “You of all people know the difficult decision I had to make when my father wanted the two companies to merge. He knew I was a damn good challenge for him. He realized that my skills were superior both in dealing with employees and influencing market shares.”
“But the choice was one you had to make.”
“So, it would seem. Why are you here? What news is so important that you had to find me?”
“You were right. There were three deaths in the last eighteen months at the Steele site, all of which were labeled accidents, but there were questions that appear to have gone unanswered.”
“Meaning?”
Zach shrugged. “You were right. In talking with the Cherokee elder, the tribe believes that their deaths were indeed a result of asking questions about unsafe practices. They even tried to get the police involved, but you know the old boy’s network. Everybody looked the other way. I have a feeling, payoffs were offered as well. Nothing I can prove, just my gut.”
“You mean they were murdered.”
“It would seem.”
“And old man Steele shoved this under the rug. No wonder I received a threatening call.”
“What?” Zach took a step forward. “When did this happen?”
“Yesterday. I think Dani got too close, asked too many of the right questions.” He eyed his friend, allowing the information to sink in.
“Mitchell, that could mean her life is in danger. You’re high profile and there’s no way to hide your murder, but Dani is expendable.”
He debated the concept. “I think whoever is behind this is after me at this point. They have no idea she took a second reading on the wells.”
“She did what?”
Mitchell noticed the odd flash in his friend’s eyes. He’d allowed the information to slip to a man he thought he could trust. What if he was wrong? “Nothing has come of them yet. The official report clearly states we have an issue. I think she’s stretching in an attempt to find another answer.”
“Interesting though. If she has an independent sample tested and the results contradict the first two, there will need to be a full investigation.”
“I’m well aware of that. I believe the honest answer to all of this is that I didn’t act on adequate due diligence prior to the sale. My judgment was clouded.” He studied Zach’s expression, looking for any outward change. Trust was vital and he had no way of knowing how far reaching the ruse had gone. However, he was certain someone or some entity was out to take over the company. Now, he had proof. “Did the elder say anything else?”
“Just that the site is cursed.”
He let out a long breath and nodded. “Well, my friend. You were right. I have some work to do before tomorrow. Did you find out anything on Nash Waters?”
“Other than he has a prison record from several years ago.” A smile curled on the corner of his lip.
“Wow, also well hidden, but not necessary a deal breaker. Many of the men hired have some sort of record for barroom brawls.” The man could be working for Steele, but his guess would be whoever was pulling the new puppet strings.
“Attempted murder.” Zach tilted his head.
Mitchell inhaled. The news was fascinating indeed. Nash was the perfect candidate for extortion as well as murder. Had Camden known? “Something to keep in the back of my mind.”
“Well, whatever you’re going to do, you need to act quickly. I have a bad feeling about tomorrow.”
&
nbsp; “You and me both.”
“There’s one more thing,” Zach said as he squinted toward the sun. “There was a call made to the press. Seems no one was willing to tell me who, but you were set up.”
The game was shifting into high gear and this was, without a doubt, a game. As much as he hated even thinking in this manner, he realized there was only one person he could trust implicitly at this moment. There was one way of getting to the bottom of what was really going on. Unfortunately, time was of the essence. This was going to take every ounce of maneuvering and convincing to find the truth.
He only prayed it wasn’t too late.
“What are you doing here?” Dani demanded when she opened the door. She hadn’t anticipated seeing Mitchell until she had prepared her resignation. When his intoxicating scent wafted across her nose, she held her breath. She refused to allow her feelings to interfere with her decision.
“I know you don’t want to see me but I need your help. You’re the only one I trust. May I come in?” He looked over his shoulder, glancing up and down the street.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea. We’ll talk tomorrow.” Her hand shaking, she attempted to close the door. Trust. She certainly couldn’t trust him.
“Dani. Please.” Placing the palm of his hand on the wood, he pushed and inserted his foot past the threshold.
“Mitchell.”
He shook his head. “I can explain about the show, but right now, I must be able to trust you with regard to Rush. This is important and we’re running out of time.”
Hearing the angst in his voice, seeing the way his eyes held a look of jaded determination, she inhaled, debating. Whatever was going on, she did want to get to the bottom of it. There was no doubt. “Fine. You can come in but you’re not staying.”
When she closed the door and walked away, he remained where he was. “I need you to pack.”
“Excuse me?”
“We’re going back to El Paso, but no one and I do mean no one can know about this.”