Nan didn’t answer, but it didn’t matter—she could see both were the truth. When she did speak, she said only, “This is all absurd. I don’t know what you think you’re doing, but you can’t prove any of this.”
Ashley straightened up at that, and Gavin moved. He took a group of pages out of the folder he held and silently slid them across the table. They came to rest neatly in front of the woman, and Ashley wondered with an inward smile if he’d had to practice that or if he was just naturally that good. She knew what it was, a copy of the offshore account records showing the Amalfi deposits to Dr. Andler. And then he took out another, thicker sheaf, these stapled together, and did the same. They edged the others to one side as they hit, and she decided he was just that good.
Gavin still didn’t speak, and when she glanced at him, he merely nodded. This was her show, unless and until she’d had enough and wanted out, then he would take over. But she hadn’t had nearly enough yet.
“That,” she said with no small amount of enjoyment, “is Joseph Andler’s full confession. That he was paid by you to help gaslight my father, and then me. That he helped you perpetrate the fraud that he was unstable and suicidal. And that later he did the same thing again, to me. Nothing to say now, Mother?”
She resumed her position with hands on the table, leaning in even closer now. And her voice was harsh as it came out through nearly clenched teeth. But this had been building for twenty years under the surface, and it erupted now. “But I haven’t gotten to the very bottom of your nasty, evil soul yet, have I? You tried to drive my father to what I nearly did. You tried to drive him to suicide. But when that didn’t work, when he was too strong for you to break, you made the ultimate decision.”
“I never wanted you to die.”
“If you’re expecting gratitude, forget it. Because remember what I said before? I mean it. I remembered. You were afraid I would, from the moment I told you about the nightmare. And then you saw me watching those videos of Dad, so you guessed it would surface soon. That’s what started all this. You didn’t realize until then I’d seen you, did you? You didn’t know I’d seen you with that gun, going into the den to kill my father.”
Her mother shot to her feet. Brady took one step forward. “Please,” he said. “Please do something truly stupid. I really want to see you destroyed in a court of law, when your brilliant, gutsy daughter takes you apart publicly. And Gavin de Marco makes sure it’s front-page news.”
Through the glow in her heart caused by his words, Ashley saw the moment when the woman who should have been the one to protect her and instead had been the one to try and destroy her, broke. She sank back down into the chair. It was as if whatever propped up her twisted psyche had collapsed. And suddenly it was enough. She had seen the nasty truth in her mother’s now flat, expressionless, almost inhuman eyes.
There was nothing left to do except move on.
* * *
Brady stood at the kitchen island as Hayley poured coffee, watching Ash as she, Quinn and de Marco sat in the great room of the lodge discussing what came next. Her mother—although she didn’t deserve the term—was in custody facing a multitude of charges, none of which were murder. Yet. But Brady had the feeling if there was any way it was possible, Foxworth would pull that off, too. They wouldn’t give up until they found a way.
“Quinn is still hunting down a mole who nearly got us killed on the mission where he and I met,” Hayley said, apropos of nothing. Except his thoughts, and he gave her a startled look.
“Was I that obvious?”
“No. I just know both of you want her to pay for her worst crime, Ashley especially. And I wanted you to know we don’t quit.”
“I’m glad.”
It was a moment before Hayley said quietly, “She’s going to need some time.”
“I know.”
“She needs to know she can stand on her own.”
“She went through six months of pure hell and came out fighting. She’ll be all right.”
“Yes, she will. But…”
Brady turned to look at her as she hesitated. “Are you telling me to leave her alone? That…what happened between us isn’t, wasn’t, real?”
“Oh, I know it’s real. I’ve been there myself. Besides, Cutter says so.”
Brady glanced over to where the dog was sprawled on his bed, looking utterly relaxed for the first time since this had started. Obviously the dog considered his work done.
“I swear, you’ve got me believing he’s what you say he is.”
“He is. And the only thing I’m saying is give her time to level off. She’s been in the pit, and now she’s flying high. It will take her time to find her own normal.”
“I can’t let her go through this alone.”
“Of course not. But keep in mind you’re also a major witness in this.”
“Oh.” He had to admit he’d forgotten that aspect.
“Gavin will run interference on that, but it might be wise to keep the true nature of your relationship under wraps until her mother is locked up.”
How they were going to manage that, he didn’t know, but he only said, “You sound certain she will be.”
Hayley nodded. “Oh, I am. We’ve got the evidence, and Gavin will lay it out so completely that all the prosecutor has to do is show up. Not to mention just the sight of his face in a courtroom still has a very powerful effect for whichever side he’s on. And in this, he’s on Ashley’s.”
Brady smiled at that, although underneath he was wondering how he would get through this if he had to take a step back from her. But as he watched her, as he saw the clever, quick, beautiful woman who had blossomed since that moment she’d realized the truth, he realized he had to look at the long game here. And for him, that meant the rest of their lives together.
And for that, he could—and would—do whatever it took.
CHAPTER 36
Ashley looked out over the incredible vista and drew in a breath of air that carried the crisp scent of new snow and not even a hint of the spring that would arrive officially in just over a month. The Foxworths, including Cutter—who, oddly, seemed just an ordinary dog now, taking a last roll in the snow before leaping into the back of their vehicle soaking wet—had left Monday, heading home after their unexpectedly extended anniversary trip. They, and Gavin, had stayed until it was clear her mother, now clearly broken, would not be fighting the charges, although they promised they would be back and at her side at the hearing that would be coming, or if she needed them. As had Gavin when he’d left yesterday.
More importantly, she knew the man at her side now would be there, and that was all she really needed. She had been worried for a while, when he seemed to have pulled back, but there had been so much to do in the aftermath, she’d had little time to think about anything else. And then she had realized that was exactly why Brady had backed off—to give her room to come to grips with the complete wreckage of what had been her life. Yet he had still been there, every step of the way, radiating such utter confidence that she could do whatever was necessary that she couldn’t help but believe it. It had been a long ten days, but she had plowed through all the grim detail work, made the decisions necessary and at last, today, had called a halt.
It was, after all, Valentine’s Day. And so she asked him to bring her here, to where her life had hit its lowest point…and turned around so miraculously.
“You know the biggest irony in all this? That night, when you found me here, I thought about what I was doing, how it would hurt my mother to go through another suicide,” she said as she leaned against him where they sat on the stone seat. She felt him go very still, as if even thinking about it made him tense. “But that wasn’t what stopped me long enough for you to grab me.”
“What did?” His voice was low and a little rough.
“I didn’t want to do what you said—ruin this place
for you. You’d done nothing but be kind to me, and I simply couldn’t do that to you.”
He went still. “You didn’t—and don’t—owe me anything, Ash.”
“And that you say that and mean it is why I knew, even then, that there was a reason to hang on.”
His arm tightened around her. For a moment he didn’t speak, as if he couldn’t. And when he finally did, his voice was light, teasing. “And here I thought it was because you fell in love with me on the spot.”
“That, too,” she said, only she said it with utter seriousness.
“I’m sorry you had to go through this.”
She sighed sadly. “Once I’d had my say, once I saw in her face it was all true, I wanted to walk away. I took no pleasure in seeing her crushed when the formal charges were filed.”
“Even though she tried to destroy your life and you yourself?”
“I thought I would enjoy it more.”
Again his arm tightened. “You needed it, Ash. But that doesn’t mean you wanted it. You’re not anything, not an iota like her. And you proved that. And how strong you really are. I am so damn proud of you.”
She looked up at him then, his words filling her with a joy she’d never felt in her life. “Thank you. That means more to me than anything she ever did or said. Or anyone else, for that matter.”
It was a long silent moment before he asked, “Have you decided what you want to do with her house? You know it’ll be yours in the end, as damages, if nothing else.”
She grimaced. “Is burn it to the ground on the option list?”
Again he gave her that one-armed hug. “I can make that happen if you really want it.”
She sighed. “No. That would be a waste. But I will not live there.”
“Maybe you could put it to another use.”
She leaned back to look at him more directly. “Like what?”
“I don’t know.” He shrugged. “Maybe a halfway house for people really going through what she made you think you were.”
Her eyes widened. And then, with a dawning smile, she held his gaze and said, “I love you, Brady Crenshaw.”
He blinked, as if he didn’t realize what had made her say it. But that was Brady—he just went about the business of helping people and thought it was nothing special. “I love you, too,” he said after a moment.
They sat there until the wind kicked up and with it the chill. They got back in his car—his personal vehicle he’d picked up at some point, a smaller SUV—and he started the engine and turned on the heat. But before putting it in gear, he turned in the driver’s seat to look at her.
“If you’re not going to live in that house,” he began.
“I know. I’ll have to find someplace else.” She looked out the window, back toward the lookout. “But I don’t want to leave the mountains. I won’t let her take that away from me.”
He said, sounding a bit hesitant, “I know a place up the road from Alex’s.” Her breath caught. His words came back to her instantly…my place up the road. Was he saying what she thought he was? “It’s not as grand, but it’s solid and comfortable. With a big fireplace like you loved there. Kitchen probably needs a few newer amenities, but—”
“Does it have the most important one?” she interrupted.
He blinked. Asked with a slight frown, “What’s that?”
“You.”
His expression cleared. And his slow smile was as brilliant as any sunrise she’d ever seen or ever would see in the future. “Yes.”
She smiled back at him, letting everything she was feeling show. “I’d better pack, then.”
And then he was leaning over and kissing her, fiercely, possessively, and she reveled in it, kissing him back just as fiercely.
“So,” she said when he finally put the car in gear, “is there room for a dog at your place?”
He flashed a grin at her then. “Our place. And yeah, I’d say there is.”
“Good,” Ashley said.
Although she seriously doubted there was another dog in the world like Cutter Foxworth.
* * * * *
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ISBN-13: 9781488064333
Operation Mountain Recovery
Copyright © 2020 by Janice Davis Smith
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, companies, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
This edition published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.
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“What can I do? There has to be something.”
Mark reached through the narrow gap and touched Charlotte’s fingers, the closest they could come to holding hands with his still handcuffed. “This.” He sighed. “This helps. Knowing I’m not alone.”
“You’re not alone,” Charlotte whispered.
“That’s the best part of a SEAL team. Someone has your back.”
“I’ll help you any way I can.”
“You’ve made that clear. At this point, I think it’s best if we let things play out.”
“How much can you take?”
“The SEAL training drummed all the quit out of me years ago.”
“I’m serious.”
“So am I. I know you’re scared. I’m sorry. We just have to stay tough. This is a performance. An attempt to prove he can best a Navy SEAL, that’s all.”
“Well, it’s not even B-movie material.”
He sputtered a small laugh. “Let him have his fifteen minutes of fame. I can take whatever he dishes out.”
“How?”
“Mind over matter. When I get an opening, I’ll jump on it no matter how bad I look right now.”
“We’ll jump on it,” she said.
* * *
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Dear Reader,
Mark Riley has been making waves almost since birth. The older twin, he was known for being outrageous and outspoken. He even went so far as to buck the Riley family tradition of serving in the US Army by joining the Navy and becoming a SEAL.
Reputation and military rivalries aside, Mark’s notorious curiosity ignites when he sees an old family friend, Charlotte Hanover, in a new light as a woman and a rising star in the art wo
rld.
But the man who has been tormenting the Riley family interrupts Mark’s attempts to reconnect with Charlotte, and Mark must rely on all of his skills and training to protect her.
This wild adventure was a joy to write. I loved discovering the balance between Charlotte and Mark as they worked to escape an unimaginable crisis. I hope you come to love these two characters and the rest of the Riley family as much as I do.
Live the adventure!
Regan
Escape with the Navy SEAL
Regan Black
Regan Black, a USA TODAY bestselling author, writes award-winning action-packed novels featuring kick-butt heroines and the sexy heroes who fall in love with them. Raised in the Midwest and California, she and her family, along with their adopted greyhound, two arrogant cats and a quirky finch, reside in the South Carolina Lowcountry, where the rich blend of legend, romance and history fuels her imagination.
Books by Regan Black
Harlequin Romantic Suspense
The Riley Code
A Soldier’s Honor
His Soldier Under Siege
Escape with the Navy SEAL
The Coltons of Mustang Valley
Colton Cowboy Jeopardy
The Coltons of Red Ridge
Colton P.I. Protector
The Coltons of Roaring Springs
Colton Family Showdown
Escape Club Heroes
Safe in His Sight
A Stranger She Can Trust
Protecting Her Secret Son
Braving the Heat
The Coltons of Shadow Creek
Killer Colton Christmas
“Special Agent Cowboy”
Visit the Author Profile page at Harlequin.com for more titles.
For Melanie and her mother, Patty, two amazing women who exemplify everything beautiful about what family means. I am thankful every day for your friendship, laughter, wisdom and guidance. The world is a better place because you’ve shared your joy of art through the color, perspective, light and shadow that creates the unique canvas of a life well lived and well loved.
Harlequin Romantic Suspense December 2020 Box Set Page 71
