Austin

by Stone, Piper

  “Well, it is if a crime occurred.”

  Damn the woman. “Sheriff, I was at that motel, but the reason why is definitely none of your business. Am I concerned that you and your staff are missing the fact crimes did indeed occur, you bet your ass I am. I was there. You weren’t. That allows me to form my own opinion. If you won’t attempt to delve deeper, I certainly am.”

  Sheriff Robertson walked closer, disdain on her face. “I’d be careful if I were you, Senator. If there’s any chance you are correct, and since you don’t have anyone protecting you, I would guess the arsonist won’t take kindly to your inquiries, especially with the victims of the fires.”

  It was obvious that the motel owner, Charlie, had figured out who I was, providing details of my off the cuff meeting.

  Perfect.

  “I assume that you don’t want me to take that as a threat, Sheriff.”

  Sheriff Robertson said nothing for a few seconds. “While you and I have had a misunderstanding over the last year, that doesn’t mean I want anything to happen to you, Francesca. I’m simply trying to do my job. Allow me to do that.”

  After a few seconds, I nodded. “Point taken. Just keep in mind that there was no gaseous odor at the motel fire.”

  “That doesn’t always happen with a leak. But that being said, I’ll dig a little deeper. Fair enough?”

  “Fair enough.”

  The sheriff nodded, offering a slight smile before walking toward the door. “Oh, by the way. I had a disturbing call from Mr. Montgomery.”

  I bristled just hearing his name. “What did the asshole want?”

  “It would seem that perhaps a friend of yours stopped by his office to threaten him. As you might imagine, Mr. Montgomery was incensed, insisting that the person responsible be arrested.”

  Vader.

  Damn it.

  “I have no clue what you’re talking about,” I said as casually as possible.

  “Maybe you don’t, and I wouldn’t give a shit since Mitchell Montgomery is no friend of my office; however, the man he described would seem to be Austin Bridges. Do you know him?”

  I had no answer to give her.

  She shook her head. “None of my business, Senator, but he’s bad news. If I were you, I’d consider making better choices. You know how people are in this town.”

  Yeah, I knew exactly how they were.

  As soon as the door was closed, I slammed my hands on my desk. What the hell did Vader think he was doing? Growling, I yanked my phone from my briefcase. The second the screen lit up from my touch, I was forced to take a deep breath, the threat sending a cold chill directly into my spine.

  You were warned. Now you die.

  Chapter 13

  Vader

  Fuck.

  I should have broken the asshole’s neck. Or at the minimum I should have kicked his ass. That’s the only way to get through to a chauvinistic pig like Mitchell Montgomery. Snarling as I swung into the driveway, I gunned the engine, enjoying the way the dust from the gravel pulsed over the truck.

  Then I was forced to slam on the brakes. The sight of several vehicles in my driveway shocked the shit out of me. All four of the guys stood with their arms folded, shaking their heads from my raucous approach. I had to admit I was glad to see them.

  Scorpion walked closer when I jumped out of the truck, giving me his usual onceover. “Damn, dude. You really wanted to find a place with your work cut out for you.”

  “I like a challenge.”

  “Seems as if you like something else,” Reaper teased.

  I glared at him.

  “Hey. We just looked in the windows. Looks like you had a picnic with some lady friend. You work fast.” Reaper moved away from me, grinning from ear to ear.

  “Leave him alone, boys. He deserves some fun.” Hawk shifted closer, nodding several times. “You’ve done a hell of a lot of work in a few days.”

  “Getting the place livable is important to me.” I squinted as I shifted my attention toward the front of the house, remembering Franny had stolen my shades. Damn if I didn’t hunger for her already. “What the hell are you guys doing here? Just to chide me?”

  “Hell, no,” Mustang snorted. “We thought we’d show you a thing or two about construction.”

  “Not sure I can pay you,” I said, finally able to smile.

  Scorpion scanned the perimeter, swaggering closer. “As long as you got beer then we’re good. If not, we’re outta here.”

  “I think I can afford those terms. Get to work.”

  Hawk remained behind as the others moved toward the various tools. “Good to see you smiling.”

  “Yeah, well, that doesn’t come easily.”

  “Meaning?”

  “Meaning I had to confront an asshole this morning.”

  Mustang overheard me, laughing as he shook his head. “You were always sparring for a fight. Championing a little lady?”

  “That’s exactly what I was doing.” I continued to wish I’d punched the asshole.

  “What the hell did you do?” Hawk asked, giving me a chastising look.

  “Seems Franny’s ex was abusive. He’s still threatening her. I just made certain he knew that was never going to happen again.”

  “Wait a minute. Please tell me you didn’t beat the shit out of Mitchell Montgomery.” Hawk’s expression moved to incredulous.

  “I just warned him. Nothing more.”

  “Whoa. Mitchell Montgomery? He’s a flaming asshole. Isn’t he married to a senator or something?” Reaper asked.

  “Was. He was.” Sighing, I jerked off my tee shirt, moving toward the miter saw.

  Mustang huffed. “That’s the girl you’re seeing? Holy cow, buddy. You work fast. I heard she’s a real bitch.”

  As soon as I took a long stride in his direction, I realized I was acting like some bully in a schoolyard. “Yeah, she’s a tough lady, but pretty special if you ask me. And none of your concern.”

  There was that look again shared between them, but the quiet made me roll my eyes.

  “She’s hot. Okay?” I added.

  “Our boy is in love. Damn, it’s about time.” Scorpion didn’t waste any time stepping away from me.

  “It ain’t nothing,” I muttered.

  “Said the spider to the fly.”

  I lifted my middle finger in Mustang’s direction, my thoughts shifting back to the night before. “Time for instructions.” I laid out the plan for the house then unlocked the front door. “Bathroom’s working. Can’t say much else is.”

  “Don’t worry. We’ll have this place up and running in no time.” Mustang seemed so damn sure of himself.

  “You heard about the other fire?” Hawk asked a few seconds later, keeping his voice low.

  “Yeah, I heard. Franny’s convinced an arsonist is responsible.”

  He narrowed his eyes, turning his head in my direction. “Really? You heard what the sheriff said.”

  “Gas leak. I know.”

  “But you refuse to believe it.”

  “Something is off. I feel it in my gut.”

  Hawk inhaled, holding his breath for a few seconds. “Look, I have a buddy at the sheriff’s department. I’ll see what he knows, but I still advise you not to go off halfcocked.”

  “Not my style.” I couldn’t help but laugh.

  He patted me on the back. “Yeah, right. I’ll make that phone call. Then let’s get busy. You have a home to move into. Not that I don’t want you at the house, but…”

  I gave him a playful punch in the stomach. Yeah, it was definitely good to be home.

  A couple of hours passed quickly, the time spent exactly what I needed, the progress something I couldn’t have done in several days by myself.

  After tossing the other guys a beer, I stood back, surveying everything that had been done.

  “You can start installing drywall tomorrow.” Scorpion flanked my side, rolling the cold bottle across his forehead.

  “I plan on it.”
/>   “A couple of horses.”

  I thought about my conversation with Franny. “At least two.”

  “You’re not to blame for Snake’s death, Vader. You couldn’t have stopped him unless you knocked him out cold.”

  “Then that’s what I should have done.” I started to turn away but when he gripped my arm, I grimaced. “Just let it go, Scorp.”

  “Have you seen Apollo yet?”

  I’d forgotten about the dog who’d wandered onto the base and Snake had attached to immediately, the bond unlike anything I’d ever seen. “No. How’s he doing?”

  “Pretty damn well. He was brought to the states a couple months ago. I think that’s what helped Mustang to heal. You need to find something or someone to do the same. If this senator is helping you exorcise your demons, then don’t let her get away. That’s all the advice I’m going to give you.”

  As I looked in his direction, I could see the same level of pain I’d seen in my eyes dozens of times in the mirror. “I don’t plan on it.”

  “Vader. Your phone is ringing,” Reaper called.

  One person knew the number. I jogged toward my truck, yanking it before Reaper had a chance to get his grimy hands on it.

  He laughed as he walked away.

  “Franny.” I knew all four of the guys were listening intently.

  “What the hell did you think you were doing?” she asked, absolute venom laced in her tone.

  “What do you mean?”

  “You confronted Mitchell?”

  I leaned against the side of the truck before answering. “The asshole hurt you. He deserved to understand what kind of man he would be dealing with if he even considered doing it again.”

  “That was over a year ago. I told you that I’m over the situation and the man. Do you have any idea what kind of influence he has in this town?”

  “Do you know how little I give a shit?”

  She issued a growl that actually made me smile. “You are the most hardheaded, infuriating man I’ve ever met, and you have no idea how awesome I think you are. But you are absolutely nuts.”

  “Yep. There is no doubt, but my guess is that he’ll never bother you again.”

  “You don’t know him that well. Shit,” she huffed.

  “What’s wrong?” Immediately my hackles were raised.

  “I don’t know. It’s my car. All the power is going out.”

  “Sounds like the alternator. Where are you?”

  “On the way to see you.”

  My cock throbbed just thinking about seeing her again. “Where?”

  “Two miles away from Castle Rock Road on Canyon Boulevard.”

  “Stay right where you are. I’ll find it.”

  Ten minutes later, I rolled down the road she mentioned and seeing her standing against the passenger door, her long curls flowing in the breeze was enough to force a whistle from my lips. There wasn’t another woman who could wear a pair of high heels like she could. As I neared, slowing down, she held out her arm, acting as if she was thumbing a ride.

  I rolled down the window, leaning out, shaking my head at the sight of her wearing my sunglasses. “Can I help you with something?”

  “Might need a ride.”

  “Hmmm… It’s gonna cost you.”

  After a few seconds, she unbuttoned the top of her blouse, giving me a playful smile. “While I’m not certain you can handle me, it might be worth the ride.”

  Laughing, I was forced to pull the truck several lengths away, a deep ravine positioned just behind her car. As I headed in her direction, she continued to give me a mischievous look.

  “Fancy meeting you here, cowboy.”

  “I thought you were pissed at me,” I countered.

  “I am but you do get bonus points for being chivalrous.”

  “Wow. I’ve never been called that before.” I gazed at her car, surprised given how new it was that something was wrong. “Have you had any trouble before?”

  “Nope. I’m one of those people who gets her vehicles serviced regularly.”

  “All right. Get inside and pop the hood. Let me take a look before I get you to try the engine again.”

  “Sure thing, cowboy.”

  I moved around to the front, laughing softly, lifting the hood after I heard a slight popping sound. As I peered down, a ray of sunshine flashed in my eyes. “Yo, little brat. Can I have my shades back?”

  “It’s gonna cost you.”

  “Put it on my tab.”

  I eased around, shaking my head when she tossed them in my direction, missing me by almost a foot, the sunglasses landing on the pavement and bouncing a few inches under the vehicle. “You’re a terrible shot.”

  “That’s not what you said when I punched you.”

  Crouching down, I reached under, unable to grab them. Forced to lie on my belly, I snagged them instantly.

  Then a chill raced through every muscle and cell. I was able to clearly see a timer, the red digits counting down the seconds.

  “Get out of the car! Franny, get the fuck out!” I shifted from under the car, jumping to a standing position. Yanking open the door, I jerked her into my arms, racing away from the car, lunging both of us to the ground and covering her with my body.

  Three.

  Two.

  One.

  Boom!

  “I’m fine. You don’t need to babysit me. You’re the one who’s hurt.”

  I ran the washcloth over the scratches on her face, enraged that she’d been hurt in any way.

  Franny stood in the middle of her kitchen, still shaking from the explosion. She looked lost, unable to focus, both cheeks reddened from burns or the impact of our fall.

  “Just some shrapnel. The EMT checked me out. Remember?” I huffed, ignoring the pain in my shoulder.

  “Such a big badass. Aren’t you?”

  I tossed the rag into the kitchen sink, trying to figure out how to comfort her. All I could see in my mind was the twisted heap of metal, her car completely destroyed. The explosion and subsequent flames had seared several of the surrounding trees, the force tossing pieces of metal twenty yards away.

  She started to pace the floor, unable to look me in the eyes.

  I watched her for a few seconds as I leaned against the kitchen counter. Whoever had set the bomb had likely used a cell phone as a detonation device. I’d managed to catch enough of a look to know that whoever was responsible had some experience with setting bombs. By the amount of destruction, I surmised that the use of C4 was possible, although difficult to acquire unless the person had either military or underground connections.

  That meant whoever had set the bomb wanted the senator dead, not just hurt.

  “I’m sorry,” she whispered. “That was shitty of me. It’s just that you’ve obviously been through something like this dozens of times.”

  “Try hundreds. That doesn’t make the situation any easier, especially when it happened to someone I care about.”

  An exasperated sound slipped past her lips as she lifted her head, offering a slight smile. “You could have been killed.”

  I walked closer, taking her into my arms. “The bomb wasn’t intended for me, Franny. You need to remember that.”

  “Who could have wanted me dead?”

  “You said you have a lot of enemies.”

  “Yes, I do, but I didn’t think any of them had the balls to try something like that.” She pushed against me, breaking the connection, a strange look crossing her face.

  “Did you get another threat?”

  Franny closed her eyes briefly. “Just before I left the office. Another text.”

  “Then why the hell didn’t you call the sheriff?”

  “She was just in my office, but I don’t think she could have done anything.”

  “What did it say?”

  She wrung her hands before reaching for her wine, almost knocking over the glass.

  “Whoa. Try and breathe,” I told her as I handed her the drink, positionin
g both her hands around the glass.

  “You were warned. Now you die.”

  Anger remained at the surface, my mind reeling. The explosion and subsequent fire had been too hot to examine the wreckage, but I’d been able to take a cursory look, finding and snagging a single component blown yards away before the firefighters had showed up. What the hell it was going to prove, I had no idea, but my gut told me the perpetrator wouldn’t stop until he’d finished his task.

  “You’re going to listen to me, Francesca. You will pack a bag and you’re coming with me.”

  “I can’t leave. This is my home and I have work and…” She sighed, unable to finish her sentence. “I’m not going to allow that freak to destroy me.”

  “This isn’t about allowing the bastard to do anything. It’s about protecting your life. I’ll toss some shit into a paper sack if I have to and hogtie your hands if that’s necessary. And I assure you that I won’t be choosy about the clothes I select. What I will do is keep you alive.”

  Her lower lip quivering, she took a sip of wine, struggling to place it on the counter. “That’s not fair, Vader. I can’t stop living my life because of this.”

  I grabbed both her arms, pulling her closer. “Don’t you understand what just happened? If I hadn’t gotten damn lucky and looked under your car, you would be dead right now. Perhaps both of us. Some deity up there must be looking out for you, the bomb somehow interfering with the mechanics of your Mercedes. That’s the only reason you’re alive. I’m taking you somewhere where you’ll be safe.”

  While I could tell I’d terrified her, I had to get through to her.

  Her breathing ragged, she blinked several times, fighting her emotions. “And where the hell is that?”

  “Hawk’s place. Between his ranch hands who stay on the property and the number of weapons we have between us, I assure you that the asshole won’t dare set foot on the place.”

  She finally nodded. “Do you think the sheriff will take this seriously?”

  “That’s her job and if she doesn’t, then I’ll go directly to the mayor. Now, get your things together. Have I made myself clear?”