by HELEN HARDT
“Three, but they were all out.”
“Fuck,” Roy said again. “Though flight records would show you hadn’t gone to New York, and if you were performing the day before and after, you couldn’t have gotten to New York any other way. You’re probably safe.”
“We need all information you have,” I said. “Even if you don’t want to talk to the authorities. We understand. Right, Roy?”
Roy didn’t reply.
“Right, Roy?” I said again.
“Yeah. Sure.”
“I owe you everything,” she said to Roy. “I’ll do anything you ask. Anything except talk to the police.”
Roy sighed. “I never asked for anything in return. Saving your life was an accident.”
“Maybe it was,” Zee said, “but you still did it, and I’m forever grateful. I went through a few years of wanting to die, but then I realized that I wouldn’t have fought so hard to live while I was down there if I truly wanted to die.”
I nodded. “I understand completely.”
“So neither one of you are suicidal,” Roy said. “That’s a good thing, but it doesn’t help us out here.”
Zee finally took her sunglasses off and met my gaze. “Wait a minute. Are you saying…”
Her eyes were a gorgeous blue, lighter than Reid’s but still a clear sapphire. The kind of eyes I always wanted.
I attempted a smile. “I’m saying we all understand. We all had motives, and we’re all innocent. That’s all I want to say right now.”
But would my story help her make a decision to help us? I didn’t know, and I certainly wasn’t about to confide in a complete stranger. But maybe she didn’t have to be a stranger.
“Look,” I said. “Can we take you to dinner? My whole family? You can meet all of us and tell your story.”
“No. Not in public.”
“We’re in public now.”
She hastily donned her sunglasses once more. Damn. I had to remind her we were in public. Not my finest moment.
My big brother saved me. “It wouldn’t have to be in public. We can have dinner in one of our private suites or in a private conference room.”
“I’m not sure I could eat,” she said.
“It doesn’t have to be dinner,” I said. “Just a meeting. My brothers are awesome, and my sister-in-law, Lacey, and Roy’s girlfriend, Charlie, are great too. Lacey’s an attorney, so she can help you as well.” I sighed. “Please, Zee. We need to get to the bottom of what our father was doing.”
“I… I’ve told you all I remember. Your father—and I only knew him because I’d seen his picture—and the priest. He was wearing his collar, plus I recognized him from mass.”
“Wait…” Roy wrinkled his forehead. “Are you saying you went to St. Andrew’s?”
Zee nodded. “For years. He gave me my first communion.”
“Did he do anything else to you?”
She shook her head. “Never, which was why I never understood… Why was he there? Why was he with your father?”
“That’s what we need to find out,” I said. “Father Jim may have had the biggest motive of all to kill my father. And you could be the key to all of it.”
44
Matteo
“I want to marry Riley.”
I’d just finished my first Pappy Van Winkle fifteen-year when the words tumbled out of my mouth.
Rock sat next to me at one of the hotel bars. Reid was still working in the conference room, and Lacey and Charlie had gone to the spa for massages.
I expected his mouth to drop open, but it didn’t. In fact, he didn’t seem surprised at all.
“Are you asking for my permission?”
“No. Not really. I guess… Well, maybe I am. I’ve known her for all of a week.”
“About the same amount of time I’d known Lace when I figured out she was the one. So none of this surprises me.”
“I’m just afraid…”
“Of what?”
“Not of anything, really. Just afraid she’ll never want to marry. You know, after what your father did to her.”
“Riley’s a smart girl. She won’t let her past color her future.”
“But didn’t you? You ran off to Montana. Left everything behind.”
He took a drink. “I did. And now I’m back. Confronting the past wasn’t easy, and certainly not painless, but I’m glad I did it. Riley might only weigh a hundred and twenty pounds soaking wet, but she’s a Wolfe, and she’s as strong as I am, if not stronger.”
“She is that.”
“Still, you need to give her some time. If you ask her to get married now, she may run again.”
“She ran to me last time.”
“She ran away last time. Running to you was coincidence.”
I signaled the bartender for another. “You’re right.”
“She loves you, though,” Rock said. “I’ve never seen her look at anyone the way she looks at you.”
“You weren’t around.”
“You got me there. But when I came back after Dad was killed, Riley looked… Not sad, exactly. Not angry. Just…resigned. Like her life was her life and it could never change.” He smiled. “She doesn’t look that way anymore, and if you have anything to do with that, you’ve made a friend for life in me.”
“Where did you live in Montana?”
“A little biker town north of Helena called Grayforke. You know it?”
I nodded. “Yeah. I’ve been there a few times.”
“Do you ride?”
“No, though I always wanted to. I got my license a few years ago, but I haven’t been able to afford the bike I want.”
Rock stood. “No more drinking, then.” He shoved several bills on the bar.
“Oh?”
“Yeah. You and I are going to rent a couple Harleys and ride this afternoon.”
“Red Rock Canyon,” Rock said. “It’s short, but we don’t have a lot of time. Maybe tomorrow we can do the Valley of Fire.”
A ridiculous grin split my face as I put on a helmet and sat on the Harley Davidson Heritage I’d just rented. I planted my cell phone on the GPS stand and plugged in the route Rock gave me.
“Wait until you see these views,” Rock said. “Nevada isn’t Montana, but parts of it are ridiculously beautiful.”
“You’ve done these routes before?”
“A couple times. Sometimes my buddies and I took a road trip to Vegas, lost all our cash, and spent the rest of the time on hogback riding under the blue sky. Nothing like it.”
“Sounds amazing.”
“You ever ridden a bike like this before?”
“I test drove a couple after I got my license. Loved them all, but my dream ride is an Indian.”
“Let’s see if I can’t change your mind. Indians are great, but nothing beats a Hog.” He strapped his helmet under his chin and then typed into his phone. “Just letting Lace know what we’re up to.”
“Should I text Riley?”
“Might be a good thing.”
I quickly sent Riley a text letting her know I was going riding with Rock. Would she know I meant motorcycle riding? And would that freak her out?
I was all suited up and ready to go, and I really wanted to see how this baby handled. Besides, I was qualified. I quickly added to the text:
Don’t worry. I have a motorcycle license and I’m qualified. Love you.
“Let’s go,” I said to Rock as I cranked my engine.
Man, the sound of those pipes. I gunned them a couple times, and Rock laughed, nodding as he gave me a thumbs up.
We rode west of the Strip to the Red Rock Canyon Conservation Area. From there, we’d follow the thirteen-mile loop.
I almost wanted to pull off my helmet and let my hair flow in the wind, but I knew better. Safety first, especially now that I had someone I loved to keep myself safe for.
Even without the flowing hair, the picturesque sights mesmerized me. The gorgeous orange-red rock formations. The sandstone peaks
of the Keystone Thrust. I envied the hikers we saw on the way. They could stop and appreciate the deviation of colors and textures. The reddish-orange turned greenish in places, brown in others. Different from Montana, this land was true desert, though greenery was abundant as well. But it was the sandy brown of the desert that drew me most, perhaps because it was so different from what I was used to.
Rock led the way, and he slowed down at the most beautiful places. I took advantage and stared as well as I could while still being careful on my bike.
Even more than the gorgeous scenery, though, just riding gave me a shot of endorphins. Only my climaxes with Riley were a better high. Who needed drugs or alcohol? A beautiful woman and a motorcycle.
What more did a man need?
The bike ride was too soon over. When we rode back to the Eagle Rider rental place and took off our helmets, a wave of sadness swept through me.
“What’d you think?” Rock asked.
“I think I’d like to take Riley and strap her on the back, and then take off and never come back.”
“I hear you. And trust me, I thought about it. I told Lace basically the same thing when we were in Montana recently. She came close to being arrested by a rogue deputy, and I told her we could get on the bike and head to Canada. That I’d never look back.”
“But you didn’t.”
“No. I didn’t. That would have left Roy, Reid, and Riley with no inheritance.”
I nodded. “You’re a good man.”
“Maybe,” he said. “And maybe not. In the end, though, it was Lacey’s decision to come back. Not mine.”
“You would have gone?”
“In a heartbeat. You have to understand. I’m in love, just like you are. I wanted to keep Lacey from anything that might hurt her.”
“I get that.”
“I think you do. So tomorrow? Another ride? Valley of Fire?”
“If Riley’s okay with it.”
He laughed then, a huge guffaw. “Man, you are in love.”
45
Riley
I entered Rock and Lacey’s suite and raced into Matt’s arms. “I’ve been worried sick!”
“Why?” he laughed.
“Because I got your text. That’s why. You were out on a motorcycle?”
Rock guffawed. “And you weren’t worried about me?”
“I assumed you knew what you were doing.”
“So did I,” Matt said. “I told you.”
“I know.” I sighed. “I was still worried.”
“I’m all in one piece.” He kissed the top of my head. “I’ll never leave you, Riley. I promise.”
“So what’s the plan for this evening?” Rock asked.
“We’re ordering food in,” Lacey said to him and Matt. “Here in our suite. Everyone’s joining us, including Zinnia.”
“She goes by Zee,” I reminded her.
Zee had hesitantly agreed to join us for dinner, though she claimed she wouldn’t eat. At least she’d be here, though. Reid was on his way, as were Roy and Charlie.
“What’d you find out?” Rock asked.
“She’s the woman we’re looking for. In fact, she remembered Roy. There’s a lot she hasn’t told us yet, like why she waited over five years to confront Dad, how much money he offered her, and why she signed a confidentiality agreement.”
“Your father’s dead, so the confidentiality agreement with him is null and void,” Lacey said. “But there’s still the issue of Father Jim.”
“How in the fuck is it possible to have a nondisclosure agreement with someone who tried to kill you?” Rock said. “That’s fucked up.”
“She was probably desperate,” I said. “She might have signed her life away for money at that point.”
I didn’t know exactly why she’d signed, but we’d ask her tonight, where she was safe. Not in a crowded bar.
I just hoped she’d show.
I had a nagging feeling she wouldn’t.
Roy, Charlie, and Reid soon arrived, and a few minutes later, the food. The caterers set it up in the meeting room in Rock’s suite, and we began with cocktails.
“So where is this woman?” Reid asked.
“She’s late,” Roy said, “but she was late this afternoon as well. Give her a little latitude. She’s been through a lot.”
“So have we all,” Reid retorted. “What the fuck?”
“Stop being an asshole, Reid,” I said. “She’s doing her best.”
“Maybe we can throw the authorities toward her instead of us. Talk about motive.”
Rock rose and pulled Reid up from his chair. “I can’t believe you just said that. You want to throw one of his victims under the bus?”
“We’re all his victims, Rock, in case you forgot.” Reid deftly disengaged himself from Rock’s hold.
“Fuck you, Reid.” This from Roy. “You got the shit kicked out of you. So what? You lived to tell the tale. This woman was hunted, for God’s sake, in some kind of twisted game Dad and Father Jim played.”
“Is that any worse than what he did to our sister?”
I stood then. “It’s way worse, Reid. I’m alive.”
“So is she.”
“But others aren’t. How many women did Dad kill?”
“Wouldn’t there be news stories about missing women?” Charlie asked.
Lacey shook her head. “Derek Wolfe probably owned the news. He got stories buried and made sure anyone who cried about it was well compensated to shut up.”
“Motherfucker,” Matt said under his breath.
“You got something to add, Matt?” Rock said.
“No. Sorry.”
“You’re one of us now,” Rock said. “Feel free to speak.”
“I just don’t get it,” Matt continued. “How the hell does someone get so sick?”
“Beats the shit out of me.” Rock shook his head. “How late is she now?”
I checked my phone. “A half hour.”
Roy sighed. “We should never have let her out of our sight.”
“She should be easy enough to find.” I smiled. “Anyone want to go to a show tonight?”
“I already thought of that,” Roy said. “The show’s dark tonight.”
“Crap.” I plunked back down in my chair. “Roark probably has her address. We could go see her.”
“We could, but let’s not.” Rock took his seat as well. “She needs some time. We’ve got tails on her. We’ll know if she tries to run. Let’s give her space, let her think about what she wants to do. If she’s the kind of person I’d like to think she is, she’ll do the right thing.”
“As much as I hate to say it,” Reid said, “I actually agree with Rock. By the way, bro, don’t threaten me again.”
“Then don’t be such an ass.”
That got a chuckle out of Reid. “I’m sorry. I feel terrible about what this woman has been through at our father’s dirty hands. But damn it, I’ve worked too hard at this company to end up going down for that bastard’s murder.”
“None of us want that,” Roy reminded him.
“I know. I get that, but I’m the one who worked by his side, learned this business and brought in innovations that even he didn’t come up with. And now…” He shook his head. “I guess I’m still not over him choosing Rock over me.” He held up his hand. “Don’t say it. I know that’s nothing compared to what Riley and this Zinnia went through at his hands. I’m not being selfish. Or maybe I am. Who the fuck knows?”
“You have every reason to be upset,” Rock said. “This isn’t what any of us wanted. Just leave the asshole gene at the door. Got it?”
Reid nodded. “As long as you do the same.”
“Touché, brother. Touché.”
“Let’s eat,” Roy said. “I don’t think she’s coming.”
I sighed. Though I wasn’t surprised, I’d held onto a flicker of hope that Zee would show up.
She didn’t, though, and I knew, better than anyone, that she’d try to run.
> I just hoped we’d be able to catch her.
46
Matteo
I didn’t know this Zinnia, but my insides ached for her, almost as much as they ached for my Riley.
My Riley. I’d already asked her brother for her hand without telling her my intentions.
I had to tell her something else first.
Charlie had ordered a lavish Indian buffet, but it all tasted like dirt to me. Riley picked at her meal as well.
“You okay?” I asked.
“Yeah. I just…”
“I know. She’ll be okay, and so will you.”
“I’m not worried about me.” She smiled. “I have you now.”
“You have me forever, but I’m no substitute for therapy.”
“Oh, I know that. I’ll get what I need. But what I really need and want right now is for this to be over. I want my father’s case closed.”
“We all do, Sis,” Rock added.
“We seem to have the evening free,” Lacey said. “Any of you have plans?”
“Not a one,” Roy said. “We could catch a show or something.”
“Count me out,” Riley said. “Matt and I already have plans.”
I lifted my eyebrows. “We do?”
“Sure, we do. What do most couples do in Vegas?”
“I don’t know. Play blackjack? See a boobie show?” I laughed.
She smacked my arm, not lightly. “Don’t be a moron. Couples get married! That’s what I want to do!”
I nearly fell out of my chair. Had Riley Wolfe just proposed to me? In front of her whole family?
All other eyes in the room were wide…and staring straight at me.
I met Rock’s gaze. I couldn’t read it. He was as surprised as I was. Hadn’t he told me to go slowly with his sister? To give her time?
Now what?
Should I give her time? That would mean turning down her proposal, which might hurt her. I didn’t want to hurt her.
And damn, I didn’t want to turn her down either.
I’d marry this woman anywhere and anytime.
Since she’d chosen Las Vegas, why not go all in?
