Turning slowly, he took it all in. The massive house, designed to blend in with the landscape. The barns, the acres of fenced pastures and the mountains in the distance. This place was now part of his life, too. He couldn’t imagine simply returning to his ranch and never seeing the Triple R or the Colton family again.
Or Fiona. The thought of going back to his old life—where he’d been a rancher with no real family—made his gut hurt. These people, each and every one of them, were important to him. Especially Fiona. He could see himself spending the rest of his life with her.
He’d simply have to figure out a way to make this work.
Ace arrived back home shortly after lunch. He sent Jake a text asking if he could meet him in the kitchen. Since Jake had been thinking about rustling up something for lunch, he texted back that he was on his way.
When he reached the kitchen, he found Ace munching on a sandwich. “I had the chef make one for you,” Ace said, sliding the plate toward him, along with a can of diet cola.
“Thanks.” Grateful, Jake pulled up a chair and dug in.
The two men ate in silence. When they’d finished, Jake eyed the man he’d come to think of as his brother. “How was your grandbaby?”
Ace’s eyes sparkled. “Beautiful. Smaller than I imagined, but I’m told that’s how newborns are.”
“I can only imagine,” Jake replied. “Want to do something this afternoon?”
“We’re having a board meeting today,” Ace said, his tone apologetic. “Since you might someday be part of this company, I thought you might want to sit in.”
“Payne invited me earlier, and I’ve been thinking about it. Won’t they mind?” Jake asked. “The rest of the board?”
“Nope. I’ve already cleared it with them. And since I’m no longer CEO, I’ll just be there as an observer anyway.”
Jake shrugged. “Sounds good.” He shifted his weight from one side to the other, trying to stretch and wincing at the sharp stab of pain. “As long as I can sit down. My ribs are really hurting me.”
“There are chairs.” Grinning, Ace checked his watch. “You have just under thirty minutes to get cleaned up and ready to go. Did you bring a suit?”
“A suit?” Jake looked at him as if he’d suggested going in costume. “I only own one suit that I wear to funerals or weddings. It’s hanging in my closet back home at my ranch.”
Ace laughed. “I don’t think we’re the same size, but I’ve probably got a pair of slacks and a dress shirt you can borrow. And I’ll let you choose the tie.”
The slacks were a little loose, but a belt took care of that. The shirt felt a little tight, though it would do. Since Jake and Ace had completely different shoe sizes, Jake had to wear his best set of boots. He chose a dark blue, nondescript tie.
When he made it downstairs, Payne was also waiting, since Ace would be driving him as well. He smiled when he saw Jake. “Glad you decided to come,” he said, leaning on an elaborately carved cane. “Ace wanted me to use a wheelchair, but I’m perfectly capable of walking.”
“As long as you promise to use that cane,” Ace interjected. “The last thing you need right now is a fall.”
Payne shook his head, but he didn’t argue.
This time, they were taking one of Payne’s vehicles, a large, black Mercedes. Ace drove, and Payne took shotgun, leaving Jake to ride in the back. He didn’t mind. He was just glad they were letting him participate.
Ace dropped Payne off at the front entrance before parking in a spot marked Reserved for P. Colton. “I used to have my own spot,” he commented. “I’m really hoping that the reason Payne asked me to come today is because he’s planning to ask the board to give me my job back. Especially since I was cleared of any crime.”
Jake had read up on how Ace had been accused of shooting his own father and gone on the run. “Makes sense,” he agreed. “That must have been hell.”
“It was a nightmare. But the one good thing that came out of it made it all worthwhile. I’d never have met Sierra otherwise.”
They walked inside. Ace nodded to the receptionist before striding to the elevator. He punched the up button, and the doors immediately opened.
“Are you nervous?” Ace asked.
“Not really. I thought I might be, but I’m actually looking forward to seeing how these kinds of things work.”
“They’re never boring, that’s for sure.” The doors opened and they stepped out. “Come on.”
Several people were already seated at a long, highly polished wooden table. Jake recognized Payne and Selina, Ace’s ex-stepmother, along with Marlowe, Ainsley, and Rafe. Jake was glad he’d met them.
“Ace,” Payne boomed. “I’m glad you’re here. And welcome, Jake. So good to see you.” As if he hadn’t ridden in with them.
All of the others echoed his welcome. Except Selina, who simply eyed him with one brow raised.
Once Ace and Jake had taken seats in a grouping of chairs away from the table, Payne got down to business.
“I called this meeting the minute my doctor released me to get a little work done,” Payne said. “I want Ace reinstated as CEO, if the board will vote to rescind the blood Colton clause. If not, I will dismantle the company.”
Several people shifted in their seats, but no one dissented.
“We’ll take this to a vote. All those in favor, raise your hands and say aye.”
One by one, every single person at that table raised their hands and agreed. Save one. Selina. Mouth tight, eyes flashing, she pushed to her feet.
“Don’t you see what he is doing?” she cried. “Each and every one of you? He’s going to take away your birthrights and give it to that no-good son of his. Even worse, Ace isn’t really even his! He’s not a Colton by blood. I see no reason why he should be allowed to have anything at all to do with this company. Stand up for what is right,” she entreated. “Because this is absolute nonsense.”
No one spoke. In fact, they all sat frozen, appearing uncomfortable, watching Payne for his reaction.
“You’re finished, Selina,” Payne said. “I’m ousting you. From the board, from the company and our lives. I want you to go to your office, pack your things and get out of my building. I’ll have my attorneys draw up papers immediately with your severance package.”
Instead of surprise, fury darkened her eyes. “You won’t dare, Payne Colton. Because you know damn well I’ll reveal your little secret. The one I’ve kept for way too long. It will destroy you.” With a self-confident smirk, she dared him to contradict her.
Payne took a deep breath. Jake saw the barest hint of nerves in the way the old man’s fingers trembled. But he lifted his chin and met Selina’s gaze. “Go ahead. My family has already been to hell and back, and we’re still strong. We’ve survived everything else, and we’ll damn sure survive you and the blackmail you’ve levied against me for years.”
“You’ll be sent away to prison for life,” she warned. “And you’ll never see that precious family of yours. Remember, there’s no statute of limitations on murder.”
Murder? Jake started. Next to him, he heard Ace suck in his breath.
“It was self-defense,” Payne declared, looking around the room. “I swear to you.”
Selina snorted. “He told me he shot and killed a man at the mansion during his marriage to Tessa. Turned out the guy was a well-known enemy of his and he was afraid to report it, so he buried the body himself and told no one.”
“When was this?” Ace asked.
“Thirty-five years ago,” Payne replied. “You first three kids were small. It was right before Tessa got sick and died.”
A long time to carry such an awful secret, Jake thought. This entire thing felt intensely private, and Jake really wished he were somewhere else—anywhere else instead of there.
“I’ll give you twenty-four hours to chang
e your mind,” Selina announced. “If I don’t hear from you before then, I’ll go to the police. And I know exactly where you buried the body, remember? I’m sure the Mustang Valley Police Department will happy to reopen a cold case like this, especially with such a high-profile killer.”
Snatching up her designer alligator-skin briefcase, Selina sailed out the door. She paused at the last moment and turned. “You can all go to hell,” she said. A moment later, she roared off in her Porsche. They all wanted to cheer that she was finally out of their lives, but the gravity of her accusations made that impossible.
Only once she’d left did Payne’s impassive expression crumble. “I’m so screwed,” he said, covering his face with both his hands. “Everything she said was true, except it really was self-defense.”
Ace went to him and clasped his shoulder. “There’s got to be a way to prove that. We’ll do whatever it takes.”
“I’ll help, too.” Jake pushed to his feet and joined Ace. He exchanged a troubled look with the man he’d come to regard as a brother. “Somehow, we’ll figure something out.”
Chapter 15
After the meeting broke up, Jake and Ace collected a visibly shaken Payne and left Colton Oil. The somber mood felt heavy, much different than the one they’d driven out with. As they drove back to the Triple R, Jake watched the two in the front seats, worried. Neither man spoke much, each lost in his own thoughts.
“Mustang Valley sure is a dramatic place,” Jake finally said, hoping to lighten the mood.
Ace shot him a surprised look, but then he smiled. “It has been lately,” he agreed. “So much craziness going on, we could be an episode of one of those television soap operas.”
Once they arrived at the ranch, Jake went up to his new digs and called Fiona. Rather than sit around and brood in the unfamiliar room, he wanted to find out what time she’d be finished with work. Maybe they could go out for dinner or take a walk.
“I’m just wrapping things up now,” she said, sounding delighted to hear from him. “Since it’s too early to eat yet, maybe we can figure out something else to do.”
The husky invitation in her voice made his body stir. “I’m on my way to pick you up,” he said. “I’ll be there in ten.”
As he pulled up in front of the AAG center, he knew for him, the rustic beauty of the huge house would forever be tainted. Micheline might be safely behind bars, but he’d always feel her presence in this location. Always.
The instant Fiona climbed into Jake’s pickup, she somehow knew that something had gone wrong. “Are you all right?” she asked sharply.
He told her all about his visit to Colton Oil, the board meeting and Selina’s threats.
Fiona frowned. “If this is true and he really did kill someone and hide the body on the Triple R, it’s not going to look good, to put it mildly. Self-defense is his only hope.”
“But how would he even prove that?” Jake asked, refusing to allow the utter hopelessness of the situation to creep into his voice. “That was long before the days of modern technology. It would simply be his word against the evidence.”
Fiona didn’t comment. He figured he knew why. Sometimes, if there was nothing good to say, it was better not to speak at all.
“I just learned I had a father,” he said. “I’ve barely even begun to get to know him. If he goes to prison now...” He couldn’t finish the sentence. Since his mother had died so long ago, he’d never get the chance to develop a relationship with her. The Coltons were the family he’d never known he had.
“Are you sure you’re in the mood for company?” she asked. “If you’d rather have some time alone, I get it.”
Incredulous, he shook his head. “I need to be with you. I was hoping we could go for a long walk. Fresh air helps me think. There are a lot of trails out at the Triple R, if you don’t mind going back to the ranch with me.”
“Trails?” she asked. “Do you ride? I’m betting Ace wouldn’t mind loaning us a couple of horses. The Triple R has some amazing riding trails, or so I’ve heard. We could ask one of the ranch hands.”
He liked that idea. If his still-healing ribs could take it. Which, as long as they kept the pace slow, he felt confident they could. Before he could think too hard about it, he pulled over to the shoulder of the road and dialed Ace’s cell. As soon as he relayed his request, Ace agreed.
“We’ve got several horses we use just for taking guests on trail rides,” he said. “I’ll have Jarvis or one of the ranch hands get them saddled up for you two. He can give you some info about where to go. Sierra and I would join you, but we’ve already made other plans. We’ll be going out in about an hour.” He gave instructions as to where they should go and promised to have the horses brought up and ready immediately.
“Thank you so much,” Jake said. “We should be there in about ten minutes or so.”
“Perfect. When you pull in, drive straight to the big white barn. The horses will be tied up inside. When you’re done riding, a couple of the ranch hands will come get them.”
Ace hung up. Jake passed along all he’d said to Fiona while he drove.
“I haven’t been riding since I was a teenager,” Fiona said. “Is it weird that I’m really looking forward to this?”
“Not at all.” He smiled at her, right before they turned onto the road that led to the Triple R. The enormous house sat high on a hill, surrounded by acres of fenced land and well-maintained barns and storage sheds. A beautiful and prosperous ranch, with the mountains as scenic backdrop. Sometimes he wanted to pinch himself.
All the years he’d missed... But then again, he wouldn’t wish his actual childhood on anyone, especially not Ace.
“I wonder if my mother liked to ride,” he said. “It feels awful not to know anything about her, other than the photo album Payne shared with me.”
“Maybe you should ask Ace to share some of the photos she took,” she suggested. “Didn’t Payne mention she was some sort of amateur photographer? If so, I bet there are a ton of pictures. You might see a lot of her in the way she framed her images.”
Her insight made him love her even more. Swallowing past the sudden lump in his throat, he nodded. “Good idea. I’ll ask him later tonight or tomorrow.”
When they drove around to the barn and parked, Jake saw that Ace had been true to his word. Two ranch employees waited with two horses, already saddled.
But just as Jake and Fiona got out of the truck, the sound of several vehicles driving too fast on the gravel road had them turn to look back in the direction from which they’d come.
Several Mustang Valley patrol vehicles pulled up in front of the house. Jake cursed. “Selina must have gone to the police.” He took off running, then remembered Fiona couldn’t keep up due to her knee injury. Instead, he motioned for her to get back in the passenger seat, and they drove back.
They reached the house just as Ace opened the door. Clearly dressed for his night out, he wore a dark blue suit and tie. He glanced back at Jake and Fiona before focusing on the police. “Can I help you, Officers?”
“We have a search warrant.” The man in front ceremoniously handed it over, waiting while Ace read it.
“You want to search the house?” Ace asked, clearly taken by surprise.
“No.” The detective, an older, graying man, scratched his head. “Sorry, but we’re just going to do some digging on your property.”
Digging. Jake met Ace’s gaze and swallowed. Fiona took his arm and held on tight.
“Have at it,” Ace finally said. Sierra came up behind him, her expression troubled. Behind her, Ainsley frowned. Ace filled them in. Then they all stood watching while the police officers got in their cars and drove over to a small, unused pasture near the edge of the property.
“Exactly where Selina told them to dig,” Ace said. “Payne showed me the spot earlier.”
“Hush,�
�� Ainsley chided sharply. “I’m putting on my attorney hat now. No more discussion of any of that, do you hear me?”
They all nodded, even Jake. The more time he spent around these people, the more welcome they made him feel. Like part of the family. His family.
Though everyone wore the same worried expression, they all clearly didn’t want to look away. Side by side, they kept watching. Standing on the sidewalk, near the circular drive, with a clear view of all the activity taking place below them.
Only Payne was absent. He’d taken to his bed shortly after the confrontation with Selina, worried that he was too newly recovered to deal with so much stress.
“This is too much,” Ainsley finally muttered. “Let’s go back inside. They’ll come and tell us if they find anything.”
Not if, Jake thought. But when.
“Come on.” Ace punched his arm, a light, brotherly type of gesture. “When Ainsley speaks, the rest of us listen.”
Which earned him a glare from his attorney sister.
They trooped back into the kitchen, got cups of coffee and took seats around the large table.
The knock on the door came exactly thirty-seven minutes later.
“I’ll get it,” Ainsley said. No one argued.
A moment later, she returned, her face ashen. “They found a body. They’re going to arrest Dad.”
Of course everyone insisted on standing in solidarity when the police read Payne his rights. Though the older man kept muttering that it had been self-defense, he didn’t argue. Instead, he held out his hands for the cuffs, his expression resolute.
“We’re going to beat this,” Ace reassured him.
But how? Jake wondered silently. Right now, all they had was Payne’s claim, no proof. And his actions after killing the man pointed more toward someone guilty.
Once the police had driven off with Payne, Ainsley had immediately gotten on the phone, rustling up help from Santiago, who specialized in criminal defense. “He’ll meet them at the jail,” she announced once she’d ended the call. “Meanwhile, we’ve got to get busy finding some sort of proof to back up Dad’s claim of self-defense.” She eyed Fiona. “Is any of this your area of expertise?”
Colton's Last Stand Page 22
