by Piper Stone
He pointed toward the coffeepot, a cup placed in front of it, and I could swear I heard a growl coming from his mouth. He was still trying to assert authority over me.
I walked the opposite way around the counter, keeping a wide berth when I poured a cup of the steaming brew.
He seemed amused, chuckling under his breath; however, I had the distinct feeling that there was no way around answering him.
“Jasper called my father’s firm a few weeks ago and the possible account was turned over to me,” I said quietly before taking a sip. What the hell was it with the chicory coffee in the damn state? That’s all I’d tasted since arriving on the airplane.
“What kind of firm?” His demanding tone remained, his domestic actions in direct contrast.
“I work for a promotion firm out of Nashville. You know, providing bands to various clubs throughout the country. He wanted Raunchy Ride to be placed on the list of viable locations.”
“For decent bands?” Scorpion shook his head before grabbing silverware.
“From what he told me the twelve times he called, Jasper wanted to take the bar to a new level, providing top entertainment.”
“At that shithole?” He brought everything toward the table, carefully placing the items in a particular order.
Shrugging, I wasn’t certain how to answer. “He assured me that his bar and the clientele were perfect for named bands and that he had bigger plans for the bar, including hosting major festivals to attract thousands of tourists to the area. Granted, maybe I should have paid more attention, but I still think there is potential for the bar. Just needs some sprucing up.” Now I was lying to him and I had no idea why.
“Sprucing up? That bar is a piece of shit. There isn’t enough money or time in the world to turn that fucking place around. It should have been burned to the ground a long time ago.”
For some reason, his words incensed me. “That’s crazy. The venue is actually the perfect size, although the stage needs to be larger, but the parking and lighting is adequate, the sound system pretty damn good. If Jasper owns the land around the facility, then it could easily be turned into an outdoor concert venue. But you’d have to have vision.” My last words were said with an accusatory tone, something I feared I would regret.
He snorted, giving me an incredulous look. “What are you trying to prove, Caroline? The musicians in Raunchy Ride are forced to remain behind a steel cage to ensure they aren’t injured by flying debris. The bar is carved with more initials than people living in the godforsaken county. They serve rotgut shit and the manager steals from the cash register if and when he bothers to show up. Let alone the clientele takes the term raunchy to an entirely new level. Given my uncle didn’t leave me with any money in order to fix up the joint, why the hell should I give a shit what happens to the place?”
“Then why are you here?”
“Because I’m the only family member my uncle wanted to take it over. However, I’m not interested in whatever you’re offering, Ms. Walker.”
“You have no idea what I might suggest. I’m pretty damn good at my job. I’ve helped dozens of bars revamp in order to actually make money through their renovations and the acquisition of top-level bands.” As if I was going to put my reputation on the line for a bar like Raunchy Ride. The lie was plausible, although I honestly wasn’t certain I could pull it off for anyone.
He thumped down in a chair, immediately grabbing a fork. “And I don’t give a shit. The simple truth is that Raunchy Ride had seen its last days.”
“What does that mean?” I demanded, my stomach churning from the sight of the eggs.
Only after taking several forkfuls did he answer. “It means that I have no intention of keeping the bar running. As soon as possible, I’m selling the piece of shit so I can get on with my life.”
“That’s not what your uncle would have wanted.”
“Yeah?” he barked, shoving a piece of bacon into his mouth. Even the way he chewed was sexy as hell. “And how the hell would you know about what my uncle wanted? Did he go into significant detail over the phone? Did he provide you with some crazy designs indicating what he planned on doing to spruce up the place or how he planned on turning timberland into something viable for large scale concerts? I doubt it. He was damn good at building excitement but never coming through with a damn thing. He played you, Ms. Walker, just like he did with my family my entire life.”
He was furious, yet I doubted his anger had anything to do with the bar. What deep, dark secrets was the man hiding?
“No, he didn’t provide details over the phone, Scorpion, but he did say he had designs for exactly what he was talking about to show me. He was adamant that the club could be something special.”
“Then my uncle was senile, or he had a gun pointed to his head. As far as these plans? My guess is if they exist, they were scribbled on napkins or toilet paper.”
There was something odd about the way his own words settled into him, as if there was something sinister going on behind the doors of Raunchy Ride. It was also obvious how much he hated his uncle. Why in God’s name would Jasper leave something he definitely loved to a... to an asshole like Cooper McKenzie? For a crazy reason, his anger bugged the shit out of me.
“Have you bothered to look for these plans? Can you get your head out of your ass long enough to maybe see your uncle’s vision?” I demanded.
“That’s none of your business,” he growled before scooping up two forkfuls of eggs, jamming them into his mouth, his nostrils flaring from fury.
I realized I’d cross the line. Maybe I suddenly wanted to see those designs. What if Jasper had been onto something? It could be a gem for the town. While there were plenty of bars, there were no real concert venues for highlighting up and coming country bands. I’d at least done some checking on Missoula. The city was ripe for a venue on a grander scale.
“What the name of this firm you supposedly work for?” he demanded.
Damn. He really thought I had other intentions. “Music City Promotions and Tours. You can look it up if you want to. My father has owned it for two decades.”
“You better believe I will.”
“Maybe I could work with you and try and figure out why he wanted the bar to go mainstream. All it could do is help your bottom line. You might be surprised.” God, the man was riddled with anger as well as distrust.
Scorpion laughed. “I already told you. I don’t care.”
“But you can’t allow your uncle’s bar to be turned into another type of business. He obviously wanted you to have it for some reason.”
Why was I bothering to tout its worth? The bar meant nothing to me.
Or to him.
I hated failing but that’s all I’d seemed to be doing.
He tipped his head before nodding toward the chair. “Watch me. Now, sit down and finish your breakfast, Caroline. Time to get you back to Nashville where you obviously belong.”
I couldn’t believe he was such a cold-hearted bastard. “You know, when Jasper mentioned he had big plans in store for the place, I believed him. Do you know what he said during his last phone call?” I didn’t wait for him to acknowledge nor did I give a shit. “That he wanted to leave a legacy for someone he cared about tremendously. Sadly, he was talking about you. And you do not deserve that honor. Whatever ripped out your heart and soul makes me sad, but not for you; for all the people who are forced to deal with you. But I assure you, Mr. McKenzie, that won’t be me any longer. I’ll be waiting by the truck and for the record: I hate you.”
Chapter Five
Scorpion
Hate.
I could swear the emotion was all that Caroline had been able to provide since our discussion regarding the bar. Maybe she really did hate me. Then again, maybe she had a damn good reason to. Hissing, I gripped the steering wheel with enough force my knuckles were white. All I knew how to do was hurt people.
Designs? Was it even remotely possible that Jasper had hired someone to c
reate plans for a new bar? Shit. That sounded crazy. Jasper had never come through with anything.
According to my father.
He hadn’t given Jasper the benefit of any doubt as far back as I could remember. There had to be a significant reason or incident.
I thought about the land surrounding the property. Two parcels. Twenty acres. That was definitely enough to create something special, especially since the place backed up to the mountains. From what I’d been told, there was even a small crystal clear lake somewhere on the property. I hadn’t asked where because I’d been determined not to give a shit.
Maybe I still didn’t.
Hell, I wasn’t stupid. Doing due diligence to know what the hell I was selling wasn’t a bad idea.
What little paperwork that had been left in a large envelope by the door I hadn’t even bothered to look at. Maybe it contained the designs. I shook my head before glancing over at her.
She’d clammed up, yet she continued to glare at me as if I’d just destroyed her world for a full minute before walking out of the house. I would have never taken her for some promoter. She reeked of movie star, her beauty and intelligence going to waste if she spent her time booking bands for shitholes like Raunchy Ride.
I chuckled just thinking about my uncle actually believing the bar was good enough to hold anything but riffraff. While I needed to search the file of paperwork the attorney had provided, I was also shocked that the damn place was worth as much as it had been touted. Granted, the land was likely the reason, which actually did little more than raise red flags.
And more questions than I had answers to.
Well, I’d made my decision or maybe it had been made for me. I’d sell the place to the highest bidder, but only after I did my due diligence. Maybe then I’d figure out what the hell I wanted to do with the rest of my life.
Granted, I would be curious about the designs. I almost laughed as I studied the beautiful countryside as I drove. Everything was gorgeous, the mountains already snowcapped and the crisp air so damn refreshing in comparison to what I was used to. Hot. Humid. Nasty.
Maybe I would settle down here, even renovating the ranch, making it a home. Home. I wasn’t entirely certain what that meant any longer. Even though I’d grown up in Missoula, I’d never felt close to the land or ties to the location. It was just another dot on a map. Maybe Jasper had gotten soft in his old age, trying to make amends by giving me the bar.
Everything I remembered had been sold off when I was overseas, my parents just wanting to break ties. Besides, my sister had promised never to set foot in Missoula again.
It was funny how things worked out.
After stealing a look in her direction, I rolled into the parking lot of the bar of Raunchy Ride, growling seeing the number of vehicles that had been left idling from the night before. Maybe all the drunk people had gotten a ride home. Or maybe they’d just hooked up. Just like you did.
Jesus. I’d treated her like what we’d shared had meant nothing to me. I didn’t have the skills or knowhow to walk it back. Besides, she was determined not to have anything to do with me. Hell, I didn’t blame her. Maybe it was for the best.
She sat with her arms crossed, her entire face pinched from anger.
“Why do you have two tires in the back of the truck?” she asked out of the blue, not bothering to look at me. “Yeah, I peeked under the tarp.”
I chuckled, wondering if I should tell her the real reason. “You never know when you’re going to get a flat tire.”
“Because you pissed several people off last night?” This time, she snapped her head in my direction. “My guess is you do that a lot. I notice you’ve brought your gun as well.”
I hadn’t hidden the Beretta, merely sliding it into the waistband of my jeans. I had a feeling it would come in handy. “You saw the bad element in the bar last night. Better safe than sorry.”
“That’s right. You’re a killer. I forgot.”
Jesus, she was more on edge than I was.
My thoughts drifted to the night before. I’d taken her like some savage, ravaging her entire body. Just thinking about the night before, my cock stiffened, biting against the zipper of my jeans. I’d been a freaking asshole, but I’d been unable to keep my hands off her. And she certainly hadn’t complained.
However, she’d been on a personal agenda. That had to be the reason why. Maybe Jasper had actually offered her a share of the profits if she helped him. I wouldn’t put it past the man, nor would I blame him. He also had nobody. My aunt had died years before. There were no kids. And from what the attorney had told me, almost no friends. Sadly, I needed to know whether the girl had used me. That shit I wouldn’t tolerate.
“Did you know who I was before you walked into that bar?” I asked, sounding gruffer than I’d originally planned.
I could feel the heat from her glare even without looking at her. “What does that mean?”
“It means exactly what it sounds like. Was your intent on sweet-talking me into allowing you to use the bar to your advantage? Did Jasper promise you something? Money? Partial ownership?”
Caroline almost jumped into my lap, her body straining hard against the seatbelt. “Are you freaking kidding me?”
“I don’t kid, Caroline. That’s something you should have already learned, sweetheart.”
The tension between us was horrible.
And I’d caused it.
Fuck. Me.
“What I learned quickly is that you’re an asshole. I had no idea you even existed before I walked into that bar.” She snorted, mumbling under her breath but I was able to catch several words including ‘bastard.’
“Then why the heavy come-on? Just tell me the truth. I need to know.”
“My God. You... fucking asshole.” Her voice rattled from her rage. “I went to the bar to check it out. I was eager to talk to Jasper and I wanted to surprise him. He wasn’t certain I was coming. I’d told him eleven times that Raunchy Ride was too far away from our stomping grounds. He was so damn disappointed. You should have heard him on the phone. So, I came to see him, the damn bartender refusing to tell me anything except Jasper wasn’t there. I decided to stay and see how the night went. Was I stupid to drink on an empty stomach, especially after a pretty shitty couple of months? You bet. I’m sickened by my behavior and I assure you, it will never happen again. As far as you’re concerned, you just happened to be there and from what I remembered, you came onto me, not the other way around, buster.”
Her speech was heartfelt, yet a part of me wanted to push it aside, just like I did with everything.
And everyone.
“Didn’t appear that way.”
The second wave of silence was even frostier. I ached inside to recant every fucking thing I’d said to her, but I couldn’t. Damn it. I was an asshole and she deserved a hell of a lot better than a broken, dangerous man.
“I think you need to let me out of this truck right now,” she demanded before I’d pulled the truck to a complete stop. She didn’t hesitate either, throwing open the door and hopping out, hitting the ground with a hard thud.
“Jesus fucking Christ.” I jerked the truck to a stop, throwing it into park and jumping out. By the time I made it to the other side, she’d struggled to her feet, although she’d scraped her hands as well as her knees. “You’re hurt.”
“I’m fine.” She tried to jerk out of my arms, hissing as she glared at me.
“Let’s go inside the bar. There has to be some kind of first aid kit.”
She laughed. “You must be nuts if you think I’m going anywhere with you. Ever. Let go of me.”
“Caroline, look—”
“I said. Let. Go.”
With a husky growl, I released my hold, my heart racing as I watched her take giant strides away from me. The myriad emotions crossing her face were painful to watch. “Are you going to be okay to drive?”
“Not that you give a damn, Scorpion. Your name does fit you. My guess is the
only thing you’re good at is killing people. You suck at everything else. Goodbye. I’ll just close the report on Raunchy Ride. I hope you find what you’re looking for, although I’m certain whatever it is, you’re going to be left entirely alone.”
She turned on her heel and stormed away.
I waited until she’d gotten into her car, the engine barely running before she revved it and slammed on the accelerator.
“Way to go, asshole,” I said as she floored it out of the parking lot. Her words were some of the most truthful that had ever been said.
She was likely right.
What I knew at that instant was that there hadn’t been another woman in my entire life who’d yanked on every chain, trying to usurp my authority. She was mouthy, opinionated, and without a doubt needed a firm hand on a regular basis.
And I knew exactly what I wanted to do. No, what I would do, no matter if I had to hunt her down.
I was going to make her mine.
A snarl curled on my lip, my cock twitching. The little filly had met her match.
After parking the truck, I remained where I was for a few minutes before reaching for my phone, dialing the attorney. “Douglas Graham, please.” Of course, I would be forced to talk to his voice mail. “Douglas, Cooper McKenzie. While I do want to see the list of purchasers you mentioned, I’m going to take a few days to determine if I really want to sell. I’ll make an appointment next week.”
If the man didn’t like it, who gave a shit?
I grabbed the keys and headed toward the entrance, shoving the phone in my back pocket. It took me almost four minutes before I found the correct key, the click of the lock forming a lump in my throat. The stench hit me immediately, the odor enough I had a gagging reflex. Stale beer, cigarettes, booze, and blood. What a freaking combination.
I searched for a full two minutes before I was able to find the main light switch, which did nothing but accentuate my utter hatred for the place. I glared at the floor, prepared to walk on broken glass. To my surprise, the bar had been cleaned, prepared for another night of raucous activity. I walked inside, scanning the perimeter. Even the broken furniture was gone, the tables and chairs neatly positioned. Someone actually gave a damn about the place. If I had to guess, I’d say the bartender. What the hell was his name? Brant.
