by Piper Stone
“Riker with a girl? Hell must have frozen over,” Cooper added, inching closer. “And a beautiful woman to boot. I’m Cooper McKenzie. Folks call me Coop. That big guy is Mathew Washington and his nickname suits him. Moose. Oh, don’t let this lug of a man fool you. He’s a softie.”
“Awww!” Several of the team said at the same time.
“No, he’s perfectly hard, chiseled in all the right places,” Trinity stated, winking at the smokejumper.
“Whoa! I like this girl. Laney, Jessica. You’ve met your match.”
Riker could see recognition in Trinity’s eyes as Jessica moved closer.
“Jessica Dunn.” Jessica grinned. “I mean Hansen.”
Riker laughed when Stoker smacked her on the ass. “Stoker and Jessica are together. Laney and Garcia over there and Shannon and…” His words died off.
“Jessica Dunn. Fringe. My favorite band in the world. I know you’re country now, but damn, I miss your rock albums.” Trinity held out her hand.
“And I’ve seen your movies. You’re amazing,” Jessica said then laughed. “Now, I’m just an old married, pregnant woman.”
“You’re my honey bunny,” Stoker said with a husky voice as he wrapped his arms around her.
“Let me make all the other introductions. That’s Captain Scully Phillips, the only man who can keep us in line. Tyler Franklin, our spotter. He keeps us going in the right direction. Boone Martin, a much better bull rider. Sawyer Lincoln, old as dirt.” Riker couldn’t help but grin.
“You are so going to get it for that!” Sawyer huffed. “I can outrun you any day.”
“Try me,” Riker teased. “Antonio Giovanni. Don’t fuck with him. Steel Frost, a man without a voice. Zane Gray, but I think you already know him.” He could tell Trinity was taken aback.
Zane shook his head, anger furrowing his face. “By all rights I should beat the shit out of you for stealing my girl.”
Several of the team took a long stride backwards, as if there was going to be a fight.
“Don’t do that,” Steel hissed, moving in front of Zane.
Trinity walked around Steel, holding out her hand. “My welcoming party. How are you, cowboy?”
Keeping the same look on his face for a few seconds, he finally rolled his eyes. “If it were any other man here but Riker, I would beat his ass.”
“Whew!” Boone and Sawyer said together.
Riker gave Zane a nod of respect before tipping his head toward Garcia. “And this happy fellow is Garcia Puevos, the latest jumper to take the plunge.”
“Plunge?” Trinity wrinkled her brow.
“Marriage. An ugly word.” Riker shivered. He eyed Troy and could tell how uncomfortable the man was. At least Garcia didn’t seem to mind the guy’s presence. After everything Laney had gone through, realizing the single father was working for the man she’d been running from for years, the attorney was lucky he hadn’t spent any time in jail.
“Marriage can be okay,” Trinity said absently.
“Good to see someone has grabbed at this guy’s heart. He’s ruthless, dangerous and a troublemaker.” Captain Phillips held out his hand. “Pleasure, Trinity. Now, do you mind if I talk to Riker for a few minutes?”
“I’ll take care of her, boys.” Jessica winked.
“That’s what we’re all afraid of,” Stoker huffed.
“Bad!” Jessica pointed her finger.
Trinity squeezed Riker’s arm, giving the men a nod. “I’ll be fine. I can handle myself. Besides, a lot of good looking cowboys in this bar.”
Riker realized he was tingling. He gave her a possessive expression before she walked away. “What’s up?”
“First of all, Troy Bruester has agreed to help us with our problem.” Captain Phillips beckoned for Troy to join them.
Riker nodded as did the others.
“Thank you all for not kicking me in the teeth.” Troy smiled, giving Laney a nod as she squeezed his arm.
“He’s a good guy with a fabulous little boy,” Laney said, giving every man a hard look. “We’re friends now, so be good to him.”
Troy sighed. “I appreciate everything. Captain Phillips told me about the mineral rights. There are some very specific laws regarding this. This might not be my expertise, but I have a friend from Miami who specialized in this during his early career. He’s going to help me make certain that what is going on is legal.”
“What if it is? What then?” Sawyer asked, his face pinched.
“If the landowner, which I understand to be Parson’s Group, does have the rights, they can evoke them at any time. Which means, you’ll have to abate the land and building.” Troy kept his tone even.
“Fuck!” Stoker snapped.
“But,” Troy held up his finger. “If there is any indication that an additional sale was made, or the rights were transferred, we’re talking a different story. I need to do some digging.”
“Sounds good to me,” the captain said then sighed. “We don’t need any more shit. Sadly, we can’t pay you much.”
Troy held up his hand. “You don’t understand. I was given back my life. I owe Garcia and Laney everything, including the life of my little boy. I’ll do anything I can to help and I do mean anything.”
The words hung in the air.
Boone cleared his throat. “We appreciate it.”
“Yeah, we really do.” Antonio held out his hand. “I know you went through some shit. Glad to see you’re back on your feet.”
“He’s been good to Laney,” Garcia said quietly then tipped his beer. “To good friends.”
“To good friends.” Troy raised his glass. “Now, I’ll get out of your hair.”
“Stay. We’re going to drink and enjoy.” Garcia gave him a smile.
“I’d like that. I’ll just say hello to Laney, if that’s okay.” Troy half laughed. “How things change.”
Riker realized that life changed in a split second. He darted a look at Trinity and had no idea what he was going to do.
“I have some other news and we have to keep this on the down-low. Seems Sheriff James hasn’t been telling us the entire truth.” The captain kept his voice low.
“That’s no surprise.” Riker sighed as the others crowded around. “What else?”
Captain Phillips shook his head before speaking. “You guys all heard that Chris Camden disappeared a few days ago?”
“Wasn’t he working with the city council?” Cooper asked.
“Yeah, he was. New to the position. Started in January for the budget year. He didn’t take a thing in his house and just left.” Captain Phillips allowed the news to sink in.
“And?” Riker knew there was more.
“And, Molly Jenkins was found dead in her home. Killed herself by hanging.”
“Who is Molly Jenkins?” Garcia asked.
Stoker narrowed his eyes. “I know that name. I swear I know her.”
“Well, she worked on the city council with the mayor. She was also a member of some special committee. I don’t know much about it, but from what I heard, they were working on getting additional funding for veterans. Money for housing, food, that kind of thing. A new start.” The captain took a sip of his beer.
“They were working on the Veteran’s Coalition Act.” Garcia shrugged. “That’s what the mayor called it on the news the other day.”
“Why is it important that we know she killed herself?” Boone asked as he folded his arms.
Captain Phillips shrugged. “Her son was stationed in Afghanistan alongside Chris’ son. Unfortunately, both boys disappeared in action on the same day. Now, if that isn’t enough of a coincidence, both Chris and Molly have ties to the military as well. In Chris’ previous job, he worked directly for the Marines in Washington. Some reports say he had the say so for those who were sent overseas and what missions they were assigned to.”
“Whoa. Then this guy was high up in the Marines. What the hell is he doing taking a position on the city council in Montana of all places?
” Stoker huffed. “That’s odd.”
“What are you thinking?” Riker asked, keeping his voice low.
“I don’t know yet. Something is just off, but now, it makes a hell of a lot of sense why those two investigators were in town. Maybe Antonio’s earlier suggestion has merit. Chris’ disappearance would be on the military’s radar.” Stoker rubbed his jaw. “Yep. Makes a hell of a lot of sense.”
“What does this have to do with the bomb threats?” Sawyer shook his head.
“They both worked directly for the mayor for one thing. And, there’s something you don’t know about the mayor.” Captain Phillips looked directly from Stoker to Cooper.
“Her son was killed in action,” Stoker answered. “That’s one reason this cause is important to her.”
Captain Phillips nodded.
Cooper inhaled. “Oh, shit. I can tell you have something stuck in that craw of yours.”
Stoker laughed. “I don’t understand why this Chris Camden fellow left a powerful and influential position to work here.”
“You know, Stoker. He loves a good mystery,” Garcia teased.
“I still don’t understand why this matters to us.” Antonio said.
“What unit?” Riker asked.
Captain Phillips exhaled before pulling a file off the table. “You’re not going to like this. This one.”
As the men crowded around, Riker didn’t have to look to understand. Stoker and Cooper had been a part of the same unit, the one that had been crippled, causing Cooper to lose his leg. The very one in which Stoker had been captured. The mission had been dangerous, clandestine and involved a hell of a lot of Marines. Too many lives had been lost.
“Ah, fuck!” Stoker said quietly.
Trinity felt more comfortable talking with Jessica than she had any other woman, besides Ana, in years. “And you just fell in love with Missoula?”
“Not right away. I wasn’t happy being here, but as soon as I met Stoker and the rest of the guys, life just seemed to fall into place,” Jessica said then patted her stomach. “Besides, Stoker is a tough man to push aside.”
“Everyone is so nice. Not like what I’m used to.”
“Oh, trust me. I do know what you mean. Even going to visit my record producer makes me cringe every time,” Jessica huffed. “You can find everything you never knew you needed right here in this magical place. You just have to allow your eyes to open.”
“Rather profound.” She looked for Riker, her heart still racing given what he’d told her. She knew there was more to the story. Of course, there was.
“Riker is a good man. He won’t let anyone in except for Landen, but I know what he’s made of. He’s tough and caring, but has no idea how to free his mind.” Jessica followed her gaze. “I don’t know everything that happened to him in Baltimore, but the little I do know, his entire world was turned upside down. If you care about him, remember that his psyche is fragile. Well, we could say that about every man.” She laughed, as if trying to lighten up the conversation.
She heard the words and knew what the woman was telling her. If she wasn’t serious about the man, don’t start a relationship. She groaned and hid behind her glass. “I don’t know what the hell I’m doing. Running. I’ve been running my entire life. I can’t do it anymore.”
“Then don’t. Sounds simple, but I know what I’m talking about. I spent so much time running from my past that I lost a good portion of my life. Don’t let that happen. Lean on Riker if you need to. He’s a strong man in his own way.”
“He’s an amazing man.” When Jessica squeezed her hand, she thought about the damn series of messages. Jack wasn’t going to let this go.
“Ah, you do like him.”
Blushing, she pressed the back of her hand across her heated cheek. “I do. Crazy as it sounds, he’s perfect for me.”
“Then go for what you want. Never let anyone, anything or any past deed stop you. There’s always a way and you’ll have friends here.”
Trinity smiled and knew Jessica was being serious. “I have a lot to think about. I know.”
“You’ll figure it all out. I can tell how much you care about Riker. Just remember that when times go to shit.” She rolled her eyes. “Pot calling the kettle black here.”
“But you have a great life.”
“We all do,” Laney said as she slipped into the seat. “I’m lucky to be alive. These guys saved my life. Literally.”
“They’ve saved almost everyone in town,” Jessica added.
“Aren’t you worried they’ll be killed?” Trinity asked then noticed the look the two women shared.
“What they do is very dangerous, and I worry every time Stoker goes out, but this is what he loves. Taking that away from him would kill a part of him. I can’t do that. I know that what he’s doing is needed and some deity will keep him safe. The beast won’t get him.” Jessica sighed.
“The beast?”
Laney nodded. “They believe fire is a beast, eating and growing. The ones who have looked the beast in the eye are forever changed.”
“Riker has seen the beast. That much I know. Sadly, the moment ruptured his life.”
Trinity looked at Jessica and could see such love in her eyes. She fiddled with her drink, realizing that somehow love had indeed crept in, sweeping through her when she wasn’t thinking about anything but the man who had managed to change her life. “I don’t know if I could do that. Wait and worry.”
“You can. If you can believe in love, you can. Speaking of which, Garcia and I are thinking about a September wedding. You will be a part, won’t you?” Laney grinned at Jessica.
“That’s fantastic. I’m so happy for your guys. Of course, I will. This baby wants to come out now, so I might look good in a dress.” Jessica squealed. “Pretty soon, we’ll have them all married off.” Winking, she nodded to Trinity.
“Oh, no. Marriage isn’t my thing!” Trinity held up her hands. “I’m not the marrying kind.”
“Said the spider to the fly,” Laney said in a sing-song voice.
Trinity sensed Riker was paying attention to her, watching the way she was talking with the other women. This seemed so normal, so every day and she loved every minute of it. As the girls continued to talk, she excused herself from the table. She had a nauseous feeling in the pit of her stomach, a sickening notion that her world was going to come crashing down. Would Riker understand her truth?
She stood in the bathroom, glaring at her reflection. Exhaustion and worry had given her new creases around her eyes. Wouldn’t the studio executives be thrilled? Why was she even going back? Why did she care to follow up on a career she hated? Could she stay here, in such a beautiful location? Could she learn to live a simple life?
If she sold everything, she could break even and have enough to start a new life. That would be incredible. She sagged against the sink and jerked out her lipstick. So what if a few people knew who she was? They certainly didn’t seem like the kind of people who gave a shit. She applied the lipstick and rushed into the stall, vomiting what little she had in her stomach. Chance. The message he’d left had been sweet and loving, almost begging her to come back.
The man was nothing like Riker. He was a taker while Riker had no idea how to give, but he managed to provide everything she needed. Dropping the lipstick into her purse, she stood tall, striking a pose similar to so many she’d done over the last few years. No, this wasn’t her. She was a jeans kind of girl. Wasn’t that a hoot?
She walked outside, noticing Riker was talking with Shannon. She moved closer, but kept her distance. They were obviously close, perhaps having dated before.
Riker nodded as she neared, as if beckoning her to come closer.
The dominating words he’d issued, the way he’d stated in no uncertain terms that he would own her was exhilarating. She walked closer and smiled given the way the dress swished back and forth across her bruised ass. The man knew how to give a spanking.
“Just talk to him. He c
ares about you.” Riker kept his voice low.
“I know he does and I love him. I adore Landen, but he’s pigheaded, much like you I might add,” Shannon stated as she shook her head.
Riker huffed. “He’s staying at my place for one night only. Go see him or call him. What’s that going to hurt? I know the two of you and you’re nothing without each other.”
“Well, thank you very much,” Shannon chastised, her smile fading. “I will talk to him. The truth is, I can’t live without him. He’s managed to become a part of me.”
“My work here is done.” Riker grinned and took Trinity’s hand.
Trinity nuzzled next to him, determined to relax for the rest of the evening, when a news bulletin caught her eye. Her name was plastered on a huge red banner smack in the middle of the screen. She knew this was coming. She knew there was no place to run and no method of hiding that would keep her safe, but this. “No. Please, dear God. No.”
Shannon caught her look then glanced up at the television, unable to stop the bartender before he turned up the sound.
“In breaking news, there are serious accusations placed against Trinity Hargrove, the award-winning actress of such films as Dark Accusations and Contemporary Passage. According to reports, Ms. Hargrove was involved with a vicious crime eight years ago involving a professor, David Miller. From what we’ve been able to learn, the professor was accused and served time for the senseless killing of his wife in a love triangle involving the actress. While Ms. Hargrove was never charged, there are some that believe she is the cause of Susie Miller’s death. We’ll keep you informed as additional information occurs.”
All time seemed to stand still, the entire world around her in a vacuum. Unable to focus, to see or hear anything, Trinity backed away, certain everyone in the room was staring at her, accusing her, pointing fingers. Her heart racing, she could no longer breathe, her throat closing. Everything she knew, everything she loved was destroyed. Gone. She clawed at her face, her throat as the memories rushed into the forefront, taking what was left of her sanity.
Blinking, she could see the look of horror on Riker’s face, could swear he was screaming at her, calling her names, wretched but truthful names. There was nothing she could do. Nothing.
