Secret Billionaire's Stubborn Cowgirl (The Secret Billionaires, #1)

by Leslie North

  Eyes narrowing, Martino smiled. “There might be a way—if we join force.”

  Zach sat down again and sipped his whiskey. “Go on. I’m listening.”

  Chapter Eleven

  Zach left the casino to make his way back to Charlie’s. He found a light on in the kitchen. He also found Sunny had somehow made his way into sleeping on the couch. Sunny gave him a tail wag, a yawn and went back to sleep. In the kitchen, Charlie sat at the table, eating a slice of apple pie. She gestured towards the plate. “Is it all set?”

  “Tomorrow’s the day.” He sat down, cut himself a slice of pie and took a bite, holding the pie in his fingers. Crust flaked onto the table. “Where’s Lucy?”

  “Went to bed, but she’s probably pacing her room. She’s not as tough as she acts.”

  Zach nodded. “Yeah. I get that.”

  Charlie put down her fork and fixed a hard stare on Zach. “Don’t you be something else she has to cover up and get over. If this doesn’t’—”

  “It’s going to work out.”

  Charlie tipped her head to the side. “Just how do you know?”

  “It’s my...my business to know people, know how they’ll react.”

  “So—not so much of a cowboy?” She shook her head. “Damn if you’re not as stubborn as Lucy.”

  “I’ll take that as a compliment.”

  Getting up, she waved at the pie. “Clean up after yourself, Zach. I don’t much like a man who leaves a mess behind.”

  Zach finished his pie and sat at the table. He had a funny feeling that she knew exactly who he was. She could have looked him up on the Internet, and probably had. She was also very protective of those she loved and Lucy Ennis was at the top of that list. He put his hands through his hair. So what did he do after tomorrow? He pushed out a breath and decided he’d have to figure that out after tomorrow.

  The day dawned with clouds scudding in under a sharp wind. Zach rose early to feed Sunny. He pulled on his jeans, a plaid shirt and his boots, feeling more like a fraud than anything. Well, that would end after today. He didn’t stick around for coffee, but headed out to meet up with Martino. He left Sunny at Charlie’s house and took the ATV out to Charlie’s barn.

  Martino’s black Lincoln was already pulled up in front of the barn. Zach gave a nod to Martino’s driver, a skinny kid. “Thought you were coming alone.”

  Martino smoothed his suit lapels. “I don’t drive. Kid’s my cousin’s youngest. Have to do something with him.” He glanced at the kid and waved for him to get back in the car. “Damn kid knows video games and not much else, but what can you do. Everything set?”

  Zach nodded. “You have the paperwork?”

  Pulling the paper from his pocket, Martino showed it to Zach. When Zach tried to take it, Martino pulled it away. “This is my part. So how about you making good on your part?”

  With a smile, Zach nodded again. “Sure thing. Partner.” He got on the ATV and headed back to the house. Charlie was waiting for him. He still hadn’t seen Lucy, but he couldn’t wait. “Ready?”

  Charlie pulled in a breath. She climbed onto the back of the ATV. “Ride ‘em, cowboy.”

  “More like rope ‘em,” Zach said. He took off fast and tore back to the barn.

  Martino was still there, arms folded, glancing around as if he couldn’t wait to be someplace else, his mouth a tight line.

  Jumping off the ATV, Charlie glanced around. “Zach, I thought you said Lucy was here? That she’d hurt herself?”

  Martino stepped forward. “More like that Lucy will be hurt—but you can prevent that.”

  Charlie looked from Zach to Martino. Zach held his breath. Charlie’s eyes narrowed and it looked like she was ready to just give it all up and go for Martino’s throat. Instead, she let her shoulders sag. “What do you mean?”

  Martino took out the paper he had showed to Zach. “This is a cancelation of all debts owed by Lucy Ennis to myself.” Charlie reached for it, but Martino jerked it away. “You get it if you sign your property over to me.”

  “To us,” Zach said, stepping forward.

  Martino’s lip curled. “Yes, well, details, details.”

  “I don’t have any paperwork to—”

  “I have everything here.” Martino snapped his fingers. His driver got out, bringing a briefcase with him. He gave the briefcase to Martino, and he opened it on the hook of the Lincoln. “You just sign here.”

  Charlie glanced from Zach to Martino. “This is wrong.”

  “Sign—and your Lucy is debt free.”

  Folding her arms, Charlie started to say something, but the pounding of galloping hoofs had everyone turning. Lucy rode up in a cloud of dust. She pulled the horse to a plunging stop. Martino backed up and Zach moved closer to him—just in case. Swinging off her horse, Lucy glared at Zach and then at Martino, and finally at Charlie. “What’s going on?”

  Charlie stepped forward. “Lucy, I—I just want to clear your debts.”

  Lucy turned on her. “I told you, I’d handle that.”

  Shaking her head, Charlie held out a hand. “All I have to do is sell this place. That’s all.”

  Eyes narrowed, Lucy turned on Zach. “This is your doing. She never thought of anything except leaving me this place until you came along.”

  Zach shook his head. “Yeah, well, too bad you weren’t nicer to me.”

  Reaching up, Lucy pulled out Charlie’s gun from the saddle bags. Her horse shied away. She held up the gun, pointing it at Zach and Martino. “Oh, I was being nice. Now I’m done with that. I’m going to get rid of all my troubles.”

  Zach saw Martino reaching for his gun. He waited until Martino had his hand on it and was pulling it out. Turning, he bumped Martino. The gun went flying. Lucy pulled the trigger. Zach spun, slapping a hand to his shoulder. Red oozed from his fingers. He gave a groan and fell.

  From the ground, Zach saw Charlie scoop up Martino’s gun. She stepped back and seemed to be struggling to lift it. Turning, she shifted the gun from Martino to Lucy.

  Lucy turned on Charlie. “This is my place. Mine!”

  Another shot echoed. Lucy slumped to the ground, red soaking her shirt and stomach. Charlie stared at the scene, eyes wide and hands shaking, the gun clutched in her hands.

  Clawing up to his feet, Zach turned to Martino. “You’ve got to get out of here.”

  Martino frowned and blinked. He gave a disgusted snort. “Damn amateurs. Head shot. Go for a head shot.”

  Zach slapped a hand on Martino’s shoulder. “Don’t you get it? She used your gun! You need to be elsewhere—now. As in a long, long way from here, and stay away until I can get this cleared up.”

  Frowning, Martino shook his head. “I’ll get—”

  “What have I done?” Charlie moaned. She lifted the gun again and pointed it at Martino. “This is your fault.”

  Hands up, Martino backed away. “No, lady. It’s this guy. He’s the guy you want.”

  Charlie shook her head. “No. It’s you. If Lucy hadn’t been trying to pay you...” She choked on a sob.

  Martino pulled out the note. “Look, you can have it. It’s no good to me. Debt’s all paid. Arnie, get the car started.” Martino threw down the note and eased around to the other side of the Lincoln. Charlie shut her eyes and squeezed off another shot. Martino ducked into the car, and Arnie skidded off in a cloud of dust.

  Sinking to the ground, Zach dabbed at the blood on his chest. “My favorite shirt,” he said and let out a sigh.

  From the dirt, Lucy asked, “Is he gone?”

  Zach grabbed the note that cleared Lucy of all debt. “For now, yeah. But I expect the state cops will be stopping him soon enough, given that tip they got.”

  Lucy sat up. “What tip? That wasn’t part of the plan.”

  Chapter Twelve

  Charlie pulled the roast from the oven. In the living room, Zach could hear the news playing. Lucy had refused to move from in front of it until she’d heard every detail. Twice.

&
nbsp; “Local business man Theodore Martino was arrested today after a raid of the Twin Arrows Casino revealed a cache of illegal arms and ten pounds of cocaine. Sources say an anonymous tip most likely came from an ex-employee, but so far no one has claimed credit for exposing the illegal activities going on behind the scene at the casino. The casino owners have already fired Mr. Martino, but he continues to protest he had no prior knowledge of how such things could be going on in the business he manages. However, authorities confirmed they have been monitoring Mr. Martino for some time with suspicions of tax fraud and other irregularities. In other news—”

  The newscaster’s voice shut off. Charlie rolled her eyes. “About damn time that man gets what he’s got coming. Dinner’s ready,” she called out. “Zach will you get those rolls and the butter?”

  Zach moved to obey but he stopped when he saw Lucy standing in the kitchen doorway. They’d all cleaned off the fake blood, but Zach wasn’t sure his shirt would ever be the same. It had come out pink from the laundry. He watched Lucy now, wary and uneasy. She hadn’t said much to him, just kept muttering about interfering men who stepped in and took over a girl’s life. He wasn’t sure what that meant, but it didn’t sound like anything good.

  Now Lucy stared at him, fire still warming her green eyes and not in a good way.

  Zach lifted the basket of rolls. “Hungry? It’s been a big day.”

  She braced a hand against the door frame. “Are you going to explain how you framed Martino?”

  He let out a breath. He’d been putting this off for as long as he could. “Sure you don’t want to eat first.”

  She took a step toward him. “Takes money to take down a guy like Martino.”

  “How do you know he wasn’t really selling drugs—or running guns?”

  She waved a hand. “Oh, he might have been doing all that—and more. Thing is, I know how smart he is. How careful. Leaving guns and coke around like that—sure doesn’t sound like a careful man to me.”

  Charlie put a bowl of mashed potatoes on the table. Steam rose from them and the butter melted into a pool of yellow. Zach sure wanted to sit down and eat. Instead he was going to have to explain himself. He settled the rolls on the table. “Okay, I made a few calls. I know some people who know people.”

  “What kind of people?” She narrowed her eyes. “Are we talking mob?”

  “Hell, no. More like security experts—they’re the ones who not only know how to lock things up right, but how to leave holes that law enforcement can exploit. That’s all I did—just made sure the right people would find the right evidence.”

  Lucy rolled her eyes. “And if you could do all that, why the big act today?”

  “Because I wanted insurance—Martino signed off on your dad’s debt and he thinks you’re dead, or as good as. He’s out of your life forever.”

  “And you’re in it?” She threw her arms wide and her voice went up. “Is that the deal I’m making now?”

  Glancing from Zach to Lucy, Charlie started out of the kitchen. “I think I’ll leave you two to this.”

  Lucy waved her to stay put. “No, this concerns you, too.” She fixed her stare on Zach. “You’re not just some cowboy out here looking for work, are you?”

  Zach shook his head. “Can we just say this is the life I’d like to have?”

  “No, let’s hear more about the life you do have. Your real one.”

  He sat down in a chair. “My brother and I run an ad firm back east.”

  Lucy lifted her eyebrows high. “East?”

  “Well...New York. Collins, Collins and Abernathy.”

  Charlie’s eyes brightened and she asked, “Hey, isn’t that the firm that does all those Super Bowl ads? The ones with the cute horses and puppies?”

  Zach nodded. “We do a lot of ad work—and PR. High end marketing.”

  “How high?” Lucy asked.

  Zach rubbed his upper lip. “Well, we billed out about two hundred last year.”

  Face pale, Lucy said, “Somehow I don’t think you mean dollars. Is that thousands?”

  “More like billions.” Lucy sat down in a chair so fast that Zach wondered if her knees had given out. “My brother and I, we’re the main shareholders, but we’re salary just like the rest of our staff.”

  “And rich,” Charlie muttered.

  Zach threw a glance at her. He couldn’t tell what she was thinking any more than he could see on Lucy’s face what might be going on behind those sharp green eyes. He knew what usually happened. People found out he had money and they started acting differently around him and toward him. He let out a breath. “This is my get away. We encourage everyone in the company to take a three-month sabbatical and go do something else.”

  “And you came here.” Lucy nodded. “We’re your vacation. You come out here to rub shoulders with us normal folks before you go back to the big city.” The words came out with an edge.

  Zach rubbed a thumb against the worn wood of the kitchen table. “You’re making it sound like I’m some jerk, here to take advantage of you.”

  Lucy shook her head. She stood. “No...not a jerk. Just a guy who thinks he can buy anything—and everything. Well, I guess you’ve got a great story to take back with you. I guess you’ll be heading out to take up your real life now you’ve had your fun with the locals.”

  Climbing to his feet, Zach spread his hands. “Now you can see why I didn’t tell you. Because of this!”

  “What—you thought I’d be thrilled to have...to...” Lucy broke off the words. “Dammit, I don’t need some guy coming in here and thinking he can buy me. What, you thought you’d just play the hero for me? Fix all my problems and then I’d be falling all over you?”

  Zach could feel his face flushing hot. He crossed his arms. “Well, I sure as hell didn’t do this to get into your pants. No need for that the way you threw yourself at me!”

  Sucking in a breath, Lucy stepped back. He saw her fists clenched and wondered if she’d punch him—she wasn’t the type to go for a face slap. Hell, no, she’d probably break his nose.

  Chin coming up, she pressed her lips tight. “I’m going to go visit my mom. Should have done that earlier today. Do me a favor—don’t be here when I get back.” Turning, she stared for the front door.

  Calling out after her, Zach yelled, “A thanks would have been nice for saving your butt!”

  “Thanks. Now don’t let the door hit your ass on your way out!”

  The front door slammed.

  Zach pushed out a breath and glanced at Charlie. “Looks like I’m not welcome here anymore.”

  Shaking her head, Charlie came over to him. “Well, I’ve sure never seen two more bullheaded people than you two.”

  He turned to stare at her. “Don’t you start taking a strip out of my hide.”

  Charlie grinned. “Sit and eat. And then you can tell me, since you’re so good with plans, how you’re going to make things right with Lucy.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  Lucy strode down the hallway to her mother’s room. The place smelled of disinfectant and flowers—and old people. The staff did what they could to brighten up the place. Yellow walls, cheerful posters, bright streamers hung up anytime anyone had a birthday. Lucy still found the place depressing, and guilt nipped at her for having to put her mother in such a place as this.

  But now, if wasn’t giving all her money to Martino, maybe she could do better. She couldn’t bring her mom home, not with all the nursing and medications her mom needed, but she might be able to afford a better place. It stung, too, to think of what Zach could afford—the rich guy. Was she an idiot for pushing him away? But she knew too well now—thanks to Martino—what kind of strings could come attached to a man. There’s been a time—a really short one—when she’d thought Martino might help her instead of saddling her with her daddy’s debts.

  She let out a breath of air. She had to admit, it felt good to think of him in jail and off her neck. Even if he got out on bail, he’d be thinking
she was dead. Or at least that he couldn’t get any more money from her. He wouldn’t come looking for her—or her mom. Not ever. He had his own headaches now.

  She slipped into her mother’s room.

  The rooms all had two hospital beds each, but right now her mom didn’t have a roommate. A TV opposite the bed was playing some movie with the sound off. Her mother sat in a chair beside the bed, staring out the window at the parking lot lights and bushes.

  “Momma? It’s me, Lucy.” She knelt by her mom’s side.

  Her mother had been beautiful once and she still had the high cheekbones and faint lines of beauty. But her skin had gone sallow and dark circles smudged her eyes. Lucy came once a month to trim her hair—she’d always worn it shoulder length—and touch up the color so it still gleamed black as a raven’s wing.

  Frowning, her mom stared at her.

  “My baby girl?”

  Lucy nodded and took her mom’s hand. The skin seemed dry and stretched tight over her thin bones. “How you doing, momma? They treating you okay.”

  Her mother smiled. “I’m going out for pizza tomorrow. My daughter’s touring in a rock band, you know.”

  Getting up, Lucy pulled another chair closer. She knew her mom wasn’t going anywhere—just like she wasn’t with a rock band either.

  “Were you watching a show?”

  Her mother’s face brightened. She started talking about musical shows—the ones she loved. Lucy had no idea if she’d seen any of these recently—time was different for her mom. Instead, she got up, brushed her mom’s hair. When her mom’s eyelids began to droop, she helped her mom to her bed.

  “Can I bring you anything next time? Maybe some carnations—you used to love the real spicy white ones.”

  “Do I like roses? That’d be nice.” She frowned for a moment and touched Lucy’s face. “You know, I can’t remember all the things I once wanted to do. I know there were things—a lot of things. But I let the time slip away from me. I’ve got to tell my daughter that. It’s too easy to hang onto all the bad things and you get so busy holding onto them you don’t ever get to anything else. Now where did I put my list? I know I’ve got it somewhere.”