AspenTrilogy (Boxed Set)

by Cindy Stark

  She hung up, frustrated. Where the hell was he? What good did it do to give her a phone if he wasn't going to answer? She closed her eyes, willing the rational side of her to emerge. She'd call his office. He'd said not to call in case it could be traced, but she knew better than anyone that it was unlikely the Marshals had been infiltrated.

  An office assistant answered, but was unable to give her information beyond the standard 'he's out of the office', and she didn't know when he'd return.

  A sick haze washed over her. Each second that ticked caused her friend great anguish. It could be hours before Quinn got back to her, and she couldn't wait.

  She dialed Kenzie's cell number and let her finger hover over the call button. It would be nearly impossible to trace her call. First, the pay-as-you-go number was an unknown. Second, she'd only stay on the phone for a minute. Just long enough to let Kenzie know she was okay. The odds were highly in her favor. And really, wasn't it her call to make if she wanted to take that chance?

  There was no point thinking through the consequences of her intended actions any further. She needed to spare Kenzie additional pain. That's what sisters did for each other.

  She pressed call.

  CHAPTER TEN

  "Hello?" Kenzie's voice came across the line, uncertain and weary.

  Ariana couldn't hold back her sob. "It's me, Kenzie." She hadn't heard her friend's voice in so long, and the sound of it nearly undid her.

  "Oh my God."

  Tears streamed from Ariana's eyes. "I had to call. I had to let you know I'm okay." She grabbed the discarded tissue from the top of her dresser and wiped her nose.

  "Where are you?"

  "I can't say."

  "But you're okay?"

  "Yes, I'm good. I'm safe." Another sob escaped her. "Are you okay? I found your mom's obituary online."

  "It's been tough." There was no denying the grief in her friend's voice. "I'm better now that I've heard from you."

  Seconds ticked in her mind like a bomb ready to explode. "I need to go, Kenzie. I'll be back in Chicago for the trial in a few weeks. I can see you then. Please don't tell anyone we talked. No one."

  "Okay. Stay safe little sister."

  "I will. I love you."

  "Love you, too."

  Ariana hung up and then waited for the world to crash in on her.

  After a few moments of breathless anticipation, she convinced herself everything would be fine. She'd spared Kenzie, and that was worth the risk.

  She finished washing the breakfast dishes and dressed before she heard the high-pitched ringtone coming from her bedroom. She raced to answer it, knowing the ringing would not be a good thing.

  She clicked the answer button and immediately Quinn's voice jumped across the line. "Ariana? What's wrong?"

  She tried not to accept too much of the guilt his frantic voice created. She'd done the right thing. "Nothing. I'm fine."

  Several seconds of silence passed. "Then why did you call? This phone is for emergencies."

  "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to make you worry. It was just…I had a moment of panic. I saw Kenzie on the news. She looked awful, Quinn. On the verge of a nervous breakdown."

  "Did you call her, Ariana?"

  She bit her tongue to keep from telling him. If he knew the truth, it would only complicate matters. Quinn would be forced to try to figure out another scenario for her, and she was out of options. "No." She had to be the worst person ever for lying to him. It sickened her that she'd discarded so easily her promise to herself to be honest. But telling the truth would create unnecessary trouble for everyone. "I wanted you to let her know I'm okay."

  He blew out a frustrated breath. "Fine. I'll give her a call. You're going to have to destroy that phone now, I hope you know. Milo will need to replace it."

  "I'm sorry, Quinn. I know I've made things difficult for you. I just couldn't let her suffer."

  "I know. It's okay. Let Milo know what he needs to do and have him send me the number of your new phone. I'm sorry I wasn't available when you called the first time. I'll make sure that doesn't happen again."

  "Thank you, Quinn."

  * * *

  "You can call me a mother-fucker, but don't call me dumb." Manny set down his phone and threw a wadded, hamburger wrapper at Tony. It hit his nephew in the chest and then bounced to the floor of the dank apartment he'd called home for the past four years.

  "You're a slob." Tony lifted his laptop long enough to scratch his balls. It was a shame how much he looked like his mother with dark hair and a big honking nose.

  "I'll clean it up later along with the rest of this place. Right now, I got a bitch to catch, and I got a hell of a lead. An out of state number just called Kenzie Harmon's cell phone. I'm betting it's our little honey."

  Tony widened his eyes. "You got a trace on her friend's phone? How the hell did you manage that?"

  Pride rushed through his veins, warm and powerful. "What? You don't think I got connections?" He feigned outrage. "This is why the boss picked me. He knew I could get the job done."

  "Then let's go get her." Tony closed his computer and stood.

  "Can't yet. I need her to make one more call, could be to anyone, and I'll have her exact location." Manny slurped a long drink of soda and then belched. "But we can get our asses to Utah, so we'll be in the area for when she calls again."

  "You don't know it's the girl. It could be anyone."

  "Don't question me, dumb shit. It's her, and she's mine."

  Manny wondered if she knew her time had almost expired.

  * * *

  Four days passed and the world continued to revolve, much to Ariana's relief. She'd put the whole Kenzie phone call incident out of her mind. She wasn't going to ask Milo to buy her a new phone. She had two weeks left. Her father's men weren't going to find her there if they hadn't already.

  She didn't want Milo to know she'd talked to Quinn or Kenzie. He'd overreact and worry without cause for her safety. Better that she let things alone. She was safe, and her home life had settled into a comfortable existence with Milo. It seemed they'd found their middle ground, a place where they could enjoy each other's company while keeping enough distance between them to discourage any action caused by their attraction. They'd both vowed to keep things professional which disappointed Ariana, but also made things less strained. It was for the best.

  Saturday night arrived, and she was once again harassed by the nerve-wracking thoughts of meeting Milo's friends. Acting like a new bride while trying to conceal her identity would be a challenge. One she wasn't sure she was up to. But, despite her pleas, Milo insisted they go. Not showing up at the party would only raise more questions. He helped her pick clothes that wouldn't stand out from the crowd, and they'd rehearsed their story several times until they were both comfortable with it.

  Conversation was almost non-existent as she and Milo headed toward Scott's party. She couldn't bring herself to act like she didn't have a care in the world. Milo appeared preoccupied as he drove them straight toward the waning afternoon sun, the bright light harsh in her eyes. A few hills and turns later, he swung into the drive of a dilapidated, old farm house. The years had worn away any paint that might have covered the barn along with most of the whitewash on the house. Remnants of broken glass remained in a few of the windows while tall weeds owned the surrounding property and grew through what was left of the wooden porch.

  "Nice place you've brought me to," she said, hoping the tease would relieve some of their tension.

  "Like it, do you? Now that we're married, I've been thinking we should get a home of our own. Should we make an offer on it?"

  "Oh, definitely." Even though her situation was temporary, she was determined to be grateful for the moments she had.

  Ariana twisted his grandmother's ring that graced her finger and allowed herself a moment to dream. What if this was all real instead of pretend? What if they really loved each other and had run away to Vegas to get married? What if
Nancy was her new mom, and Ariana gave her the grandchildren she longed for? Ariana could teach school part-time and help Milo with his garden, and they could make sweet love every night if they wanted to. It would be heaven compared to the hell she'd grown up with. Her children would never know the palm of their father's hand. They'd have a loving grandmother, and they'd only know a gun as a means to protect, not as a vicious weapon of destruction.

  "Hey." Milo's voice brought her back to the present. "Where did you go? One second, you're laughing, and now…" The truck bumped as they left the smooth drive and followed the dirt road that led along the edge of the old farm toward a tangle of trees on a small hillside.

  She shook her head, clearing out the emotional thoughts, and focused on the sexy man sitting next to her. "Sorry. I got sucked into old memories, but I'm good. Today is a good day."

  "I agree." He reached across the console to give her hand a quick squeeze. "Let's enjoy it."

  He put his hand back on the steering wheel, and she wished he would have left it longer.

  The deep rutted road tossed them about in the front of the vehicle, leaving a dust trail behind. Milo shouldered the sides of the biggest ruts to steady their travel, but it didn't help much. She bounced and grinned as they crossed a small dry river bed. This world was a far cry from her father's house in Chicago. She knew it was an exaggeration, but it seemed this place had claimed everything wonderful and good, while her father's world had been coated with death and darkness. There was no doubt which she preferred.

  As they crested the hill, they reached a line of trees. Milo maneuvered his truck along the narrow path that cut through the aspens and pines. "Not many know this road is here. We cleared it back when we were teenagers."

  "So you could sneak out here and party?"

  He grinned. "More or less."

  The sight waiting on the opposite side of the trees captured her heart. A pristine mountain pond took center stage with the sentry of pines and aspens as its captive audience. The late-summer sun cast a golden glow over the whole production, giving it a surreal quality. "I can't believe how beautiful it is here. I mean, I've seen similar settings in movies, but they pale in comparison to actually experiencing a place like this first hand."

  Milo chuckled as he parked his vehicle a good hundred feet from two other nearly identical big trucks. The only difference she could see between them was one was as black as an inky river, and the other gleamed red like a stop light. A silver SUV and a smaller pickup rested a short distance away.

  Not far from the vehicles, several people had set up a day-camp of sorts. Their little group was completely isolated, and all of the members currently stared with interested gazes, making her more than a little nervous. She was sure Scott had spread the rumor by now, and of course, they'd be curious about the woman who'd married their friend on a whim in Vegas.

  Really, what kind of sane people did that?

  Milo opened his door and climbed down, walking around to get her door for her. "I hope you don't mind helping me carry some stuff."

  "Of course not."

  At some point, he'd filled the back of his truck with the necessary party items and covered them with a tarp. He pulled out two camp chairs and slung one over each of her arms. "This okay?"

  She nodded, capturing his smile.

  Next came two old quilts which he pushed toward her chest. She wrapped her arms around them. "I'm not overloading you, am I?"

  "Do I look like a wimp?"

  He paused to give her a once over. "Wimp isn't exactly the word that comes to mind." He held her gaze for a half second longer before turning away. She wasn't sure what had resuscitated his flirting, but knowing they weren't at odds while his friends were around was a comfort to her.

  He slid out an ice chest, sitting it on the ground while he closed the tailgate. He held up his keys, jingling them in front of her. "Keys are going in the pocket." He slipped them into his jeans.

  "Okay," she said with a questioning laugh.

  "It's important to note. There has been an occasion or two where they've gone missing."

  "Would this occasion be another time when you were out here drinking?"

  "Quite possibly. But just know, that's all the information you'll get out of me concerning this subject. All you need to know is that the keys are in my pocket, and no one will be driving drunk."

  She tried to contain the happiness that resulted from their friendly bantering. As they neared camp, the warm energy rushing through her chilled, the tension in her nerves tightening like the line on her fishing pole when she'd snagged her first fish.

  Coolers and camp chairs surrounded the large, roaring fire pit. Someone had carted in a small table which now held a variety of chips, hot dog buns and marshmallows.

  But the crackling fire and food held no interest for the occupants of the camp. All eyes were on her. She recognized Luke and Scott and was supremely grateful they both had smiles on their faces. The rest wore pleasant, almost amused expressions, except one girl with long mahogany hair who'd pressed her lips into an unfriendly line.

  Milo dropped his cooler and relieved Ariana of her items before taking her hand, tugging her forward. "Everyone, I'd like you to meet Anna." He wrapped a protective arm around her, making her feel a little better. "Honey, I'd like you to meet Lily, Luke's new wife."

  A beautiful, blond woman in cutoff jeans and a black tank top stepped forward along with Luke. She hugged Milo, and then surprisingly extended the same greeting to Ariana. "So happy to meet the woman who finally captured Milo's heart. I have to say, I'm impressed. He's kind of like a tiger. Cute, but always on the prowl."

  "Hey," Milo and Luke both said at the same time.

  "Don't call him cute." Lily's husband tugged his wife's long hair, earning him a narrow-eyed warning.

  "Yeah. I'm not a tiger. I was nice to you when you first came to town, remember?"

  Lily winked at Milo. "Didn't say you weren't nice. Just said you're always on the prowl. Don't deny it."

  He glanced at Ariana as though he'd been caught cheating. "I don't prowl."

  "Not anymore." She squeezed his hand and smiled into his eyes, playing the part of a newlywed, but she knew once she left town, he'd be back to his old hunting ways.

  "Anyway, congratulations. I'll call you in a few days, Anna. You'll need someone to show you the ropes in town."

  "She's got me," Milo said, pulling her close to him again.

  "A woman, Milo. She's going to need girlfriends. Someone to talk to when you piss her off."

  "I'm not going to piss her off."

  Both she and Lily raised their brows at him.

  "You women are vicious when you get together." Milo laughed and shook his head.

  "You'll have to call me on Milo's phone until I can get a new one. Lost it in Vegas." Ariana didn't know how else to explain her lack of a cell phone.

  "Must have been a wild night." Lily laughed. "Lose a phone, gain a husband. I can't wait to hear all about it." She slid her hand into Luke's. "Right now, we're hogging your time. We'd better let the others have a chance to meet you."

  As Luke and Lily walked away, another cute couple, both with midnight dark hair approached. The tall, lanky cowboy walked as though he'd spent most of his life on a horse, and his cute little wife carried a very round belly. Milo introduced them as Jerry and Kim.

  "Looks like congratulations are in order for you, too," Ariana offered after they'd all shook hands.

  Kim rested a hand on the top curve of her stomach. "Four weeks left. It feels like an eternity."

  She could totally relate to the dragging time. "But then you'll have a beautiful baby. Do you know if it's a boy or girl?" An unexpected jealousy burrowed, leaving a void inside her. It was obvious the couple shared a deep love for each other, and soon, they'd be welcoming a precious soul into the world. She ached to feel that kind of love, that kind of belonging.

  "It's a girl." Kim smiled. "I guess you and Milo will want to start a fa
mily before too long, too. I know he's always wanted kids."

  Milo's gaze jumped to Ariana. She swallowed a sharp tug of regret. For a cruel second, she wanted to be the one who would give him that family. But she couldn't be. The choices her father had made, the choices she'd made would never allow that. "I'm sure we won't wait long. I've always wanted a family, too." Milo, of course, would think she was playing her part.

  "Glad you guys could make it." Scott interrupted their conversation, and Ariana was relieved. A few more minutes down that vein, and she might not have been able to keep her feelings buried.

  Milo and Scott shook hands, and Ariana received her second hug from Scott.

  "You keep hugging my wife, and I'm going to start wondering about your intentions, dude." Milo punched him in the arm.

  Scott laughed. "Yeah, right, man. Hey, I want you to meet Jen." He motioned to a voluptuous woman still sitting in a camp chair.

  "Always a boob man," Milo whispered to Scott. Ariana elbowed him.

  Jen was cute with her dark-haired pixie cut, and Ariana was certain none of the men minded her low-cut pink t-shirt that showcased her ample breasts. Her green eyes fired every time Scott teased her. After her, an auburn-haired man with intense brown eyes introduced himself as a life-long friend of Milo's.

  "I guess Sierra's not talking to me?" Milo asked Tyler.

  "Nope. She's pretty pissed."

  Ariana slid her gaze toward the redhead with large brown eyes. She, too, watched them, and when her gaze connected with Ariana's, she turned away. Sierra left her seat by the fire and walked to a blue cooler where she retrieved a bottle of beer. She twisted off the cap and chucked it toward the burning logs.

  Milo winced. "I should go say something to her." He glanced at Ariana. "You okay for a minute?"

  "Of course." Sierra was obviously one of Milo's girls who now suffered because of the story he had concocted to protect Ariana. The thought weighed heavily on her. If the romance between her and Milo was real, then that would be one thing, but Sierra's pain and suffering were for nothing. For all Ariana knew, Sierra and Milo would reconnect after she was out of the picture.