Shephard (Mountain Men of Danger Falls #1)

Chapter 14

CHAPTER 14

S hephard

A mistake.

I’d accepted I’d made a huge one prior to packing up my shit, but seeing my two brothers bickering about who was taking which office had brought me to the point of walking out.

“Stop. Just fucking stop,” I told them, controlling the volume more than I thought possible.

Jagger was the one to realize the two of them were acting like children, but he remained unhappy and surly as usual.

Meanwhile, Hunter was having fun goading him.

As usual.

Hunter moved to the edge of the credenza in the office I’d chosen. Not that I cared. I didn’t plan on spending but so much time here. My father had established an executive hallway, which included areas for the restaurant and hotel managers. It was pompous in my opinion, but I continued to remind myself this was just for a year.

“I checked out the financials,” Hunter said.

“You’re not handling the accounting,” Jagger argued.

“Cut the crap. All three of us are responsible for what’s happening. I assume you noticed what I did?”

Hunter nodded. “Not easy to pick out how.”

I’d never had an interest in numbers, math not my best subject all through school. However, it had taken a little digging to realize some numbers were off.

“What?” Jagger demanded.

“It appears someone is embezzling funds,” I said absently.

“Motherfucker. Let me take a look. I’ll figure it out. We’ll have the asshole arrested.” Jagger was still irritated.

“It’ll take you a significant amount of time digging through more than a few sets of financials to try and determine if there’s a pattern. You’re too busy searching for a bed buddy.”

Of course, Jagger was thrown by Hunter’s toss out of information. And his nasty accusation.

“Fuck you. I had some things to contend with back home,” Jagger said and for the first time since our little reunion, he’d dropped his arrogance.

I gave Hunter a look, hoping he’d read my face. The twisted game the three of us played was getting old. “There could be money missing, Jag,” I told him. “Enough that it’s considered grand larceny.”

“Or it could be nothing more than creative accounting,” Hunter added. “But it’s going to take some time to get into it. If it’s intentional, it’s cleverly done.”

Jagger huffed and looked out the huge picture window. “Well, time I have. I’m finally settled into the cabin. I’ll put the financials on a disk and take them home with me.”

“Yeah, do that. The last thing I want is for any of the employees to think we don’t trust them.” I wasn’t cut out to do this, but I also was smart enough to know alienating the workforce wasn’t in anyone’s best interest. “I also need a list of upcoming events. The fucking reception caught all three of us off guard.”

“The staff handled it from what I could tell,” Hunter chided. “Other than the massive cleanup this morning.”

“Yeah, I guess it was a hell of a party.” I turned my thoughts to Denise as I had far too many times that morning. We hadn’t parted on the best of terms, her determination to run her life and her job her way just like mine.

Still, it was as if her intoxicating scent remained embedded in my skin.

“You’re not the fucking boss, Shephard, no matter how much older you are.”

Jagger had a way of jerking me from whatever task I was doing with a nasty innuendo or comment. He’d done that since he was a kid, acting like everything was a damn competition. I was exhausted and not in the mood for his crap.

“Get over yourself, Jagger. You have a chip on your shoulder the size of a boulder.” I jerked up from the desk, finished with our conversation and with the day. It was close to four and I’d been here since six this morning. I’d had no desire to remain at the cabin alone. Not after the night and the experience.

I wanted to laugh given the banter I’d exchanged with Denise the night before. She had a way of keeping me fully aroused. I also realized there was a nightmare that was edging toward the daylight hours.

What troubled me was that what little Denise had told me about the recent murders sounded familiar. Only my brain couldn’t wrap around from where or when. It would bug the crap out of me until I was able to figure it out.

“Look who’s talking.” He was far too confrontational for this to be about who read financials first. I also was no shrink, which he’d been told he needed more than once.

All three of us had. But Jagger suffered from the effects of PTSD more than Hunter and I did. To this day, he hadn’t discussed the horrors he’d been through and I honestly wasn’t certain either one of us wanted to live our own through his stories.

Even if we were allowed to discuss them. I don’t know. Maybe it would ease the tension between us if we did.

“If you can’t do the job, Hunter and I can find someone else. That will be easy.” Maybe my asshole side was being allowed to take control, but Jagger had a way of prickling my anger every time we were in the same room. I didn’t expect him to lunge toward me. I caught the look on his face and the coldness in his eyes seconds before our bodies collided.

It was as if my brother no longer existed. He managed to knock me into the wall, pictures falling off within seconds. The hard thud was forceful, but also a good indication that the walls were thin.

I shoved him away, automatically taking a long stride closer and slamming my fist into his jaw. We’d had fights before, ones where both of us had gotten bloody, but this one had a different feel.

He hated me.

There was no way around it.

Our scuffle was loud enough the door was flung open, a couple of people running in just as I threw a hard jab to Jagger’s jaw. He went down. Hunter jumped in between us, pushing me back.

And now several employees were gawking at our ridiculous behavior.

“Let it go,” Hunter hissed, trying to keep his voice down.

Jagger was smart enough to realize now wasn’t the time or the place for his typical retaliation. He struggled to his feet, turning away from the crowd and running his fingers through his hair.

I took a deep breath and nodded. The deal made with our father wasn’t going to work if we continued acting this way. “There’s nothing to see here, guys,” I said. It was odd to try to disguise my voice, believing my own spewed bullshit that this was nothing but a typical family squabble.

“You’re okay, Mr. Fox?” one of the employees asked although at this point, I couldn’t remember more than a couple of names. “I mean…” His face turned red given he wasn’t certain what to call any of us.

“We’re fine,” Hunter said, his tone now with more of an edge.

I pulled away, furious with myself as much as I was with Jagger. After grabbing my keys, as I pushed my way through the group of employees, I sensed Hunter’s continued anger. I needed some air and space and that wasn’t going to happen with a crowd of people staring at me.

It was best I get the hell away from people. I barreled down the hall, slamming my hand on the button for the elevator. When it didn’t ramble its way up to the sixth floor as fast as I wanted, I headed to the stairs.

Maybe a little exercise would do me some good. One thing I had done was order a boxing bag to be delivered to the cabin. At least I could get out some of my continued frustrations without taking them out on everyone else.

As I raced down the stairs, I tried to stop all thoughts from keeping my brain hostage. Yet I continued to think accepting this farce was a no-win situation.

I threw open the door when I hit the first floor with enough force it slammed against the wall. Fury was something I was used to, but for more than half my life, I’d been able to walk away from it, sulking or fuming in private. Dealing with people just might do me in.

As I rounded the corner heading to the main entrance, I wasn’t paying close enough attention.

The hard hit was enough that my body was jarred, but given the momentum I was using, it sent the person I’d run into flying across the cold marble. The person hit the floor with a solid thud, even sliding a couple of feet.

Gasps came from every direction, a few people rushing forward.

“I got this. I’m fine. Just fine.”

The voice and the anger in her tone I recognized. What were the odds of running into Denise the way I had? Slim to none. Fate was taking out some kind of revenge on me. Or maybe her. Hell, both of us at this point.

I glared down at her as she shook her head. There were hands out for her to grab and hold her up, but she ignored every one of them. She didn’t just have a hard head. She was a hard-ass. It took one to know one.

Apologizing also wasn’t on my list of attributes, but I did worry I’d broken one of her bones. The crowd moved aside as I walked closer. I guess my reputation had already preceded me.

“Do you need help?” I asked, not bothering to offer my hand at this point. I was fairly certain she would bite it off.

“Not from you.”

The same animosity from before had developed an icy edge. I had my doubts it could be chiseled or sandblasted off at this point. I continued peering down at her, but not to gloat or make fun of her, which her expression indicated she was expecting. She’d been limping the night before, the scrapes I’d seen bloody.

“I can do it, I said.” But she continued to have difficulty.

I was finished with her insistence, reaching down and gathering her into my arms. As I gently brought her to her feet, there were a few positive comments from the peanut gallery. Holding her in my arms once again instantly brought back fond memories. There was a look in her eyes reflecting the same and as strange as it seemed to me, the crowd of people around us faded away.

She took a deep breath, her body trembling. Was it from the fall or from our connection?

I had my answer within a few seconds as she shoved me backward. “Just stay away from me,” she barked.

She appeared a little ruffled, her long ponytail slipping enough to allow strands of hair to fall into her face. Huffing, she blew them away, wincing when she twisted.

“You’re hurt,” I told her.

“I’m fine. You need to look where you’re going. Unless you’re trying to kill someone.”

“That’s bullshit.”

“Oh, yeah? Well, given you aren’t who you say you are, anything is possible with you.” The sudden shade she threw was bad enough. Doing it with a loud voice and inside the lobby of the resort was enough to shove the anger back to the forefront.

I crowded her space, eager to chastise her, but finding the right words difficult.

“What’s wrong? Cat got your tongue as usual, big boy? Do you want to punch me just like you did the reporter?” Her eyes reflected her shock at throwing that out. She had an ax to grind with some asshole. Maybe I reminded her of the bastard. However, I wasn’t going to allow her bad behavior to continue.

Without thinking people were watching us, I backed her up until she refused to go any further, even encouraging me to come closer with her venomous eyes.

I did so just to piss her off. Plus, I enjoyed the sport we’d invented. We’d taken heavy bantering to an entirely new level. It kept my blood flowing and my cock stiff.

“Angel. If you want to discuss my background, which you’ve obviously checked out enough to believe I’m some bloodthirsty idiot, then we’re not doing it here.”

“Idiot, yes. Bloodthirsty remains to be seen.”

Now the sexy girl was goading me on purpose. I could tell by the spark in her eyes. “You heard me.”

“Oh, somewhere private?” she pushed.

“Very private. Of course that is if you’re not too frightened of me.”

“Frightened?” she laughed. “Not a chance, buster. If you’re really going to tell me the truth, you’re on.”

“Pick the time and place.”

“Fine. I will.”

“Do it. Right now, sweetheart.”

“My place. Dinner. Seven p.m.”

I grinned, my balls tightening. “You’re on.”

“Fine.”

She took a step backward, giving me a gaze that would drill a man into the ground before spinning on her heels and walking off.

I watched her, unable to take my eyes off her hourglass figure. That’s when I realized what she’d asked and what I’d agreed to.

Great.

Another interesting night.

I continued watching her walk away, attempting to ignore the questions that I was suddenly peppered with. She was more than just a handful, but I had to admit, I was looking forward to dinner.

There was no getting out of handling a few issues, so when I finally made it to my truck, it was almost five-thirty. I’d have time for a shower and change before heading over to her place. Before climbing in, my phone rang.

Very few people knew my number, including the single man I’d trusted completely during my stint working as a mercenary. He never called unless there was a possible issue, which there hadn’t been since a couple of months after I’d left the organization. Plus, we hadn’t left on the best of terms since I’d called him every name in the book. My rage had been off the charts at that point.

Hindsight was an interesting attribute when you accepted it. I’d been burned out, which was why I’d made two serious mistakes. Two. Still, his call given the timing was unnerving. Coincidences were rare.

I’d been smart, adding the kind of security to my phone that would keep random scammers and anyone searching from tracking down my number. It also appeared nowhere.

“Russ. Long time.”

“Yeah, buddy, and I wouldn’t be calling now if I didn’t have some news and a question.” Russ had always been frank and straight to the point, something I appreciated about our limited relationship. In a world where anonymity and silence were the objectives, he’d been my lifeline. I’d only used it a couple of times when I’d found it impossible to get out of a country. He had connections everywhere, as did the people involved in the organization.

Who would remain nameless.

“News.” I scanned the parking lot to ensure no one had followed me. It was an old habit. Plus, I’d had a feeling the past had come back to haunt me.

“Someone has been trying very hard to research your past, managing to get to a few people who at least confirmed your military record.”

We’d purposely set it up that way so that it appeared to some I’d died while in battle. Sure, they could figure out that I was alive if they tried hard enough, but with my information still scrambled, it would take special equipment and connections to track me down.

That didn’t make for purchasing a house or even getting a credit card feasible, but I could pay cash for everything given the size of my bank account.

“That I know.”

“You do?” Russ seemed surprised.

“Yeah, I’m doing a favor for my dad and a feisty park ranger is determined to dig into my past.” I had to determine if I would tell her anything at this point. I knew her personality well enough to know she’d keep digging.

“If it’s her then she has some pretty powerful friends. Just keep that in mind. All the data is tightly locked down, but there’s always a way to learn something. You know how hackers work.”

I seriously doubted she’d gone that far. Yet.

“Then don’t allow that to happen.” Even my family had no clue whatsoever about my past, although I’d known since the beginning both Jagger and Hunter had placed themselves in similar positions. The trolls had come out of the woodwork when each one of us had retired, looking for fresh bodies to do their dangerous biddings.

The promises had been numerous, only a few of which had been accurate. But we were still alike in our love of danger.

And blood.

What I would do for safety and sanity was check her out the best I could. Whatever information I could find might keep her from delving any further into my life. “I appreciate the warning. I’ll handle it from here. What is the question?” I jumped into the truck, starting the engine.

“How about returning to work for us for a single gig?”

I wanted to laugh and almost did. “You are kidding me. I was all but kicked out the door.”

“Yeah, that was… unfortunate,” Russ huffed.

Unfortunate? I’d been called on the carpet and put on a plane headed for the States in less than twenty-four hours. The organization had made certain they disassociated from me. “Bullshit.”

“Look, I was told to ask. You were without a doubt the most qualified agent we ever had.”

“Uh-huh.”

As I pulled out of the parking space, I took a deep breath. Even asking a single question would make him think I was interested and I wasn’t. “Tell them you asked and I promptly said no fucking way.” The last gig had almost gotten me killed.

And it had pushed me into a serious depression.

“We have a situation that had your name written all over it. You’re made for this shit.”

“Not any longer, Russ. I have a full civilian life now and that’s the way I like it.”

“It’s on our own soil. The mission shouldn’t take long.”

“Hear me clearly. I don’t care.” But a part of me did and he knew it. I craved the adrenaline rush and always had.

“An old buddy of yours escaped from a Russian prison. There is some talk he’s cleaning house.”

Well, fuck. Boris the Butcher, as he’d been called.

His escape meant the dangerous bastard was seeking to fulfill the revenge he threatened at his trial. I hadn’t been there, but I’d gotten a play by play. I was certain I was on that list. However, he would never get into this country and he had more enemies than I did.

“He won’t stay alive long enough for it to matter.”

Russ snorted. “You’re forgetting who you’re talking about. You were the only man to hunt him down. The only man to catch him after dozens of agents tried from several countries. You could do it again.”

“Russ. No. It’s not going to happen no matter how much flattery you toss at me.” The mission had been brutal, more so than almost any other. I’d almost lost my life twice. I’d also almost not gotten out of Moscow.

He laughed. “You know I had to try.”

“Yeah, you did. Now, I have two questions. You owe me that.”

“Shoot.”

“Any disappearing Marines?”

He scoffed. “All the time. Why?”

“Any with criminal ties or their deaths unexplained?”

His hesitation wasn’t well hidden for as trained as he was. “I’d have to check. I take it somewhere close to where you are?”

“Somewhere close.”

“Where are you, anyway?”

“Nowhere you want to be. Just say a few hundred miles from the Atlantic Ocean.”

“O-kay. I’ll need to get back to you,” Russ said under his breath.

“Second question. Any recent updated use of paralyzing drugs to render a victim incapable of moving while methods of torture are being used?”

“You’re asking questions that seem open ended. Yeah, there’s a new drug out of Russia of all godforsaken places. It’s pretty scary stuff. Only a small amount is needed.”

Russia.

Another coincidence that bothered the hell out of me.

“Thanks for the info. That’s all I need.” I also wasn’t telling anyone from my past anything about my current life.

“You got it, buddy. You know how to get ahold of me if you change your mind and want to come back. One piece of advice. If you’re going to live a civilian life, do it. Don’t go halfway back into the fold. It could be dangerous.”

“Yeah, I hear you.” I was wanted back, but the entire situation bothered me. If I was killed while locating the Butcher, then no one was the wiser and there was less of a chance for me to talk.

Not in this lifetime.

I glared into the rearview mirror, lifting my head and staring at my beard. Old man, huh? That’s what she’d called me. Okay, so my beard did have some gray in it, but… I rubbed my hand through the long strands. My beard was beginning to feel like stiff wire. Maybe I had been hiding behind the facade for far too long.

Eh. Who gave a shit?

As I turned onto the main road, it was impossible not to think about the single mission where a target hadn’t been killed but sent to prison. That had been by design. After allowing myself to see the man’s scarred face in my mind, I slammed my hand on the steering wheel.

That life was finished and it was going to stay that way.