Hot SEAL, April's Fool

by Becca Jameson

  “I hope you’re going to put some pants on before you go outside.”

  He chuckled. “You don’t think your neighbors want to see my bare ass wandering down the hallway and out into the parking lot?”

  She giggled. “I’m sure they’d love it, but I’m not willing to share.”

  He sobered and stroked her cheek, soaking in every detail of her face. She was joking around but he liked the idea of her feeling possessive.

  April slid off his body, and he watched her fantastic backside as she strolled toward the bathroom. Part of him wanted to continue lying right where he was, comfortable and happier than he’d been in years. But the other part of him wanted his hands on her wet body in the shower.

  Damn, he wanted her to be his. Totally his. Was it possible? Or had he fucked things up beyond repair when he left her?

  He did not deserve her or any of this. He still hadn’t told her why he left the way he did. Eventually, he would have to, but he was extremely concerned she would tell him to get the fuck out and never come back when he did.

  Why on earth had he been so stupid? He shouldn’t have run. He should have confronted her with what he’d heard. Why had he trusted Violet? How stupid could he have been? He’d known she was a bit of a gossip, but he hadn’t suspected she would lie to him. Not just lie but totally ruin the best thing that ever happened to him with her lies.

  He couldn’t begin to process what that woman had accomplished with a few sentences spoken in passing as if she had been imparting idle gossip. Now that he realized April had never said any such thing about not wanting to marry him, Cole wanted to punch a hole in the nearest wall.

  If he ever saw Violet again, there was no telling how he might react. It wouldn’t be pretty, that’s for sure. On the flip side, he could only blame himself for taking her words to heart and leaving April high and dry without confronting her.

  On top of that, even if every word vomited out of Violet’s mouth had been true, Cole shouldn’t have reacted the way he had. He should have given April time and space if that’s what she needed. He’d been hurt and immature, and he’d punished her. And himself.

  “I have to go to the shop,” he told her the next morning as he sat on the edge of her bed and held out a latte.

  She inhaled deeply as she smiled at him. “It’s early.” She shoved herself toward the headboard, pulling the covers with her, not giving him a glimpse of her naked breasts. Finally, she reached for the steaming coffee. “Thank you.”

  “I know, but I need to get a handle on what’s going on with the business. I hope my brother isn’t going to be a dick about it. I want to see the books and assess the value and make sure it’s in the black.”

  “What are you going to do about Chamberlain?” She shuddered.

  He couldn’t blame her. “I’m not sure yet.” It boggled the mind to think that the town mayor was extorting money from his family. And even worse, it might not be illegal. That was the part that rubbed Cole. If his dad really owed Chamberlain legitimate money, there was a good chance Cole’s hands would be tied.

  If, however, the money owed was dirty and illegal, that would change things. At least in Cole’s mind. He wouldn’t put it past the smarmy bastard to have set Cole’s father up to lose the business, but that didn’t mean it was illegal.

  Plus, Cole had another problem if what Rodney said was true. If most of the police force was dirty and possibly in Chamberlain’s pocket, it was going to be difficult to get out of this mess.

  Half of Cole wanted to say fuck it and leave town. Why should he care if his stepmother and half-brother were left high and dry? Amanda had never treated Cole with anything but disdain and Jacob followed her lead like a fucking puppy.

  The problem with that plan was twofold. For one, Cole didn’t have it in him to be that vengeful even if they deserved everything they got. Also, he had little doubt Amanda and Jacob would haunt him every chance they got if he didn’t get them out of this mess. He didn’t want to deal with that shit. He’d rather clean up the problem, sever ties entirely, and leave town without fear of backlash.

  “Do you want me to go with you?” April asked as she took another sip.

  He shook his head. “No. I don’t want you mixed up in this.” He leaned over her and kissed her forehead. “I’ll text you if I think I’ll be gone more than a few hours.” He rose from her bed but kept a hand on her thigh.

  He hated the idea of leaving her apartment as if everything they’d shared in the last two days might not be real if he walked out the door.

  As he let his fingers slide off her thigh, she spoke. “Be careful. I don’t like this at all.”

  “Me neither, but don’t worry about me. I’ve faced bad guys a whole lot worse than Chamberlain.” He winked at her as he backed out of the room, praying he was telling the truth.

  He felt heavy as he left her apartment, and it didn’t improve on the drive to the shop. It also didn’t help that the first person he saw when he arrived was Jacob. His brother was standing in the doorway, feet planted wide, arms crossed, scowling.

  Cole groaned as he approached. Did his brother think he could keep Cole out? For one thing, Cole was twice as big as Jacob. For another thing, he had training, skills, and strength Jacob would only ever read about.

  “Jacob…” he said leerily as he approached. “Told you I was coming this morning.”

  “Yeah, well, Mom and I talked. We don’t think it’s necessary for you to dig around in Dad’s affairs.”

  Cole stopped two feet from Jacob, hands on his hips. “So, let me get this straight. You two do think I should clean up Dad’s mess for you, but you don’t want me to have all the facts.”

  Jacob narrowed his gaze. “It’s your fault we’re in the mess in the first place, asshole. And you have no business seeing the books after being gone ten years.”

  Cole chuckled. “You know it’s a load of crap that I’m responsible for a damn thing. I hadn’t even spoken to Dad in a decade, and I’m sure you’re fully aware that he didn’t want anything to do with me, so don’t feed me some bullshit lies about how sad he was that I left.”

  “You don’t know shit,” Jacob spat out.

  “I know enough. I also know that you not wanting me to see the books means there’s something to hide.”

  “There ain’t nothin’ to hide, Cole. It’s just not your business. It’s mine.”

  “If the books are on the up and up, then you have nothing to worry about.” Cole wasn’t sure how long he intended to stand here arguing with this pipsqueak. Jacob was soft. He was also young. Twenty-two. He’d already married a local girl and they had one kid born and one on the way. Cole had no doubt that Jacob needed this business to succeed, and Cole had no idea if his brother was capable of it.

  Cole seriously doubted that his father had ever turned over much of the business to Jacob, nor did he believe that Jacob had a single clue. “You gonna move out of my way? Or you want me to cause a scene? I don’t care either way. Won’t bother me a bit if you force me to manhandle you to get into the office.”

  Jacob growled at him. “You think just because you’re bigger than me you can boss me around?”

  “Yes.”

  Jacob glanced around. Two of the guys who worked at the shop were standing nearby watching the show. Cole waved at them. He had no beef with the four men who were employees of his father. They were probably nervous as hell about losing their jobs now that his dad was gone. Cole would have been.

  Bart was the oldest member of the crew. He’d been there longer than Cole could remember. Cole figured he was about sixty now, though he didn’t look much different than he had when Cole was a kid. He wiped his hands on a towel as he approached.

  Cole had always liked Bart, but he wasn’t sure what to expect from the man after a decade of loyalty to his father.

  Interestingly enough, Bart nodded at Cole and then shifted his gaze to Jacob. “What’s wrong with you, son? You know your dad kept everything at this shop
on the up and up. Let your brother help out.”

  Cole was a little surprised but relieved. Bart didn’t know anything about the threat as far as Cole knew. But he did know that the entire business would hang precariously in the balance with the owner dead and his twenty-two-year-old son left to run it.

  “It ain’t his place,” Jacob argued.

  “It’s as much his as it is yours. You’d be wise to accept his help so you don’t end up losing the shop.” Bart lifted a brow in a challenge to Jacob.

  Finally, Jacob turned around and stormed into the shop.

  Bart shifted his gaze to Cole and sighed. “I’ve been helping your dad with the books for years, son. I can show you where everything is so you can get caught up.”

  “Thank you, Bart. I appreciate it.”

  Cole followed Bart into the office, relieved to know that he wasn’t going to encounter the same animosity from the employees as he had from Jacob.

  The office itself was a bit of a mess, but when Bart sat down at the desk and pulled out several binders, Cole breathed a sigh of relief. He took a seat across from Bart and accepted the first book as Bart turned it around to face him. “Like I said, you won’t find discrepancies here.”

  “Good.” Cole scanned through several pages, easily noting how much the shop was bringing in each month and the expenses.

  “Your dad loved you, you know.”

  Bart’s soft words made Cole jerk his gaze up. He said nothing.

  Bart nodded. “He did. I know he did a terrible job of showing you when you were growing up, but he was proud of you. In recent years, he spoke of you often. He paid attention to your service in the Navy and bragged about it. I suspect part of the reason your brother is so bitter is because of your accomplishments.”

  The breath caught in Cole’s lungs. His dad was proud of him? When? He couldn’t remember a kind word or even a glance since before his mom died.

  Bart ran a hand down his face. “I knew your dad for many years. He was a different man when your mom was alive. I think he was lost when she died and turned to Amanda, hoping to replace your mom.” Bart glanced at the closed office door and leaned forward, lowering his voice. “Never liked that woman. She thinks she’s too good for her britches. Never lifts a finger to help out. Spends money like it grows on trees. And your brother… Well, let’s just say we’re all concerned. He doesn’t know enough to run this business, Cole. Not by half. He’s been lazy and hasn’t even tried. The rest of the guys and I think Jacob will run this into the ground. We’re worried. We all need our jobs. Hell, I was hoping my son would follow in my footsteps as a lifetime employee here. Even his kid shows interest.” Bart shook his head in dismay.

  Cole swallowed. Bart’s words shocked him. When he finally found his voice, he asked, “How much do you know about my dad’s debt?”

  Bart sighed. “I figured he was in trouble. He started betting a few years ago. I’ve seen men coming and going lately. Big men who look like they work for the mob. Figured he owed them money. He never spoke about it though.”

  Cole set his elbows on the desk. “A lot of money, Bart. I think they took advantage of Dad to get him into deeper debt so they could force him to turn over the shop to pay it off.”

  “Fuck. Does this have anything to do with the new development?”

  “Yes.”

  Bart growled. “No wonder.”

  “So, while I agree with you about your concerns about Jacob running the place, I loathe the idea of being bullied into selling it so it can be torn down and become a strip mall.”

  “Can’t argue with you there. What you plannin’ to do?”

  “No idea yet, but I’m not going to let the shop close.”

  Bart’s smile grew. “You movin’ back?”

  Cole shook his head. “No. I can’t do that. I’m married to the Navy.”

  “I saw you with that young lady you used to date in high school, April McKay, yesterday. You two looked chummy.”

  Cole chuckled. “Yeah. Not sure how I let that one go. I must have been dumber than a rock back then. Between you and me, I’m hoping I can win her back.”

  Bart smiled again. “I hope so. She’s a sweet girl. Always did like her.” He sobered. “So, if you aren’t planning to stay, and we both know Jacob isn’t capable of running the shop, what are you plannin’ to do to keep it running?”

  “I’ll come up with a plan. It’s the best shop in town. Always has been. People would be disappointed if it closed.”

  “That’s the truth. Your dad ran a tight ship. Everyone knew he was fair, and trusted him to get their vehicles in tiptop shape as fast as possible. Be a shame for the community if it closed. Be detrimental to those of us who work here too.”

  Cole nodded, thinking of a plan. “Tell me about the other guys working here nowadays.”

  Bart beamed. “Like I mentioned, one of them is my son David. He works on all the foreign cars. You remember him?”

  Cole smiled. “I do. He’s a few years older than me, but I remember him working here part-time when I was in high school. He went to college, right?”

  “He did. But he moved back to town afterward and decided he liked getting his hands dirty more than sitting in an office.” Bart chuckled.

  “Nothing wrong with that.”

  “David has a boy of his own too. Patrick is ten. Seems like he’s following in his father’s and grandfather’s footsteps. He hangs around here as much as his mother will let him.”

  Cole continued to smile. “I love that.”

  Bart pushed to standing. “Anyway, I gotta get back out there. Oh, the other two guys are Slim and Wells. In their late twenties. This is their best chance at a good job in this town. There isn’t a lot of opportunity. The guys, Slim and Wells, they’re loyal employees who know cars better than ’most anyone.”

  “Thank you, Bart. Give me a few days to come up with a plan. I hate to see the place close, and I hate even more for anyone to lose their job.”

  Bart grinned. “You’re a good man, Cole.”

  Cole had barely lowered his gaze back to the books in front of him when a knock on the doorframe behind him made him turn around again. He was shocked to find Violet strolling in.

  “Hey there, Cole,” she said in her usual syrupy voice. She was holding a basket and she sauntered all the way to his side and set it down, her hand coming to his shoulder, her hip against his biceps. “Figured I might find you here. I made you some muffins. I’m so sorry about your dad.”

  Cole was stunned by the audacity of her to come to his dad’s shop this morning, obviously seeking him out. It occurred to him a moment later that she probably had no idea her dad was extorting money from Cole. What she did know was that she was a lying piece of work. He wanted to throttle her. He’d never hit a woman before, but there was always a first.

  No way was he going to let on that he knew what she’d done though. Not this morning. Not when he hadn’t even told April yet. So, he seethed inside as she stood too close to him.

  What he hated most was that she was touching him, so he shoved off the other side of the chair and stood, breaking the contact. “You didn’t have to do that, Violet.”

  She tipped her face to the side and smiled sweetly as if she were a bucket of innocence. “I know, but I wanted to. Haven’t seen you in ages. How long are you planning to stay?”

  “Until the end of the week. Just long enough to get my dad’s affairs in line.” His skin crawled being in the same space as her. “I have a lot to do here though. I don’t have time to chat.” He pointed at the desk.

  She pouted. “Colllle. Surely you have a few minutes for an old friend.” She tucked a lock of black hair behind her ear. It was darker than in high school, making him think she probably dyed it now.

  He fought the shudder that she elicited.

  “Are you staying at the hotel outside of town? You could stay with me if you need a place. That can really add up after a few days.”

  Oh, good. She’d given
him the perfect opportunity to nip this in the bud. “I’m staying with April.”

  “Oh.” She looked surprised. “I didn’t realize the two of you were still in contact. I mean, I saw her at the funeral and all, but…”

  Cole stared at her. It was none of her business whether or not he was in contact with April before yesterday.

  Violet leaned forward, still pouting. “I don’t think that girl has fared well over the years. From what I’ve heard, she struggles to sell homes. I don’t think it’s the right fit for her. She’s like the town spinster. I always wondered if she regretted not marrying you.”

  Cole’s blood boiled. He wanted to grab Violet by the neck and flatten her against the wall. He met her gaze head on. “You lied to me.”

  She gasped. “About what?”

  “About April not wanting to marry me. You lied and caused a world of hurt. You should get out of here before I lose my composure.”

  Instead of heeding his advice, Violet blinked all innocently and shrugged. “Maybe I misheard her that day. I can’t remember exactly what happened. It was a long time ago.”

  “Ten years,” he reminded her. “You stole ten years of my life and hers.”

  Violet put her hands on her hips, defiance in her expression. “That’s not my fault. Besides, you must not have mattered too much. She cozied up to your friend Rodney soon enough.”

  Cole stood and took a step toward her.

  Violet backed up. “I’m just sayin’. She didn’t exactly go after you, did she?”

  “Violet,” Cole warned pointing toward the door.

  She batted her damn eyes again, a grin forming on her lips. “Looks like you two are getting close again. If I were you, I wouldn’t tell her about that day. She’ll hate you for it. Not me.”

  Cole jerked his arm out straight, finger extended toward the doorway. “Out. Now.”

  She humphed. “Okay, but you’re mad at the wrong person. I’m around if you need anything this week. My door is always open. I stuck my card in with the muffins so you’d have my number.” She spun around and bounced toward the door, wiggling her fingers over her shoulder as she said goodbye.