Shephard (Mountain Men of Danger Falls #1)

Chapter 25

CHAPTER 25

S hephard

“You’re certain you had no clue what was going on inside your resort, Pops?” I was pacing the office, trying to keep my cool. My father was in denial, which usually occurred when he’d been caught in a lie.

I’d yet to broach the elephant in the room. The phone wasn’t the best method of doing so, but with Boris coming into town, I wanted to have all the ugly secrets out in the open.

I’d checked on Cane and his ‘family’ member, realizing Cane had a colorful past himself, which had included running with the wrong crowd in his teenage years.

Except for his family heritage. Should I find it just another coincidence his family had a Russian background? It was interesting that he’d ignored that part of his life. From what Denise had described about the man she’d seen with him, it was entirely possible he’d been on a search mission for more than just money.

I had plans on finding out.

“Don’t you dare speak to me like that, boy,” my father snarled, his anger flaring while I was trying to keep mine under wraps. If the man could provide even a single clue, then we might be able to get to the bottom of this mess.

I’d checked various operations, trying to make it look as if it was nothing but a typical inspection handled by the new owner. Everyone in the place was skeptical of us taking over. I had a feeling it was because our father had become generous to a fault.

Go figure.

I had some suspicions based on behavior I’d seen but so far, I’d kept it to myself. In the day since the recent threat, I’d done my best to keep it business as usual while beefing up security.

Denise remained at my house, although her job kept her out at all hours. She had a weapon and knew how to use it, but that didn’t make me feel any better. Still, I couldn’t force Boris out into the open.

He would attack when he was ready. I just wanted to be a step ahead of him.

“Ask him if he liked being robbed blind,” Jagger threw out from the other side of the room.

I gave him the finger. He always likes to interject with his thoughts.

“Pops. This is important. We’re not talking about a few bucks here. We’re talking close to a million dollars over a short period of time.” I was exaggerating slightly, although we’d turned all our findings over to the accountant after vetting him completely. We’d have the final number soon enough.

That seemed to catch his attention. I knew that because he didn’t say anything at first. “Look, son. Sometimes you learn late in life just how rough others have it. I know, late in coming and don’t you dare say a word. Your mother helped me realize that being a drill sergeant with my employees wasn’t going to garner me any respect or loyalty.”

“So you fucking swung the other way, allowing your employees to steal from you blindly?” Yes, my fury was getting the better of me.

I was shocked he didn’t start yelling like he used to. “You always threw in my face that one day I’d learn that people needed more than just commands. You were right. Gloat. I don’t give a shit. I did my best with you boys.”

How had the conversation become so degraded? “Let’s just stick to the topic, Pops. Your sons are just fine and don’t need to earn your respect. Do you have any idea who might be behind the theft?”

“I’m going to give you a piece of advice. Remember that some things aren’t always as they seem. If you can afford to look the other way, even once in a while because you feel lucky, then it will do your soul good. And God knows, boy. You’re the one most likely to turn out just like I am.”

A bitter old man with no one around him.

Great.

I’d had a lecture from a beautiful woman. Now this. I was doomed to eternity all alone. Hunter moved in front of me, throwing up his hands. “Fine, Dad. We’ll let you know what we find. But you need to keep in mind that we will not let this go. Once a thief knows he or she can get away with something, they will do it again. Do you understand me?”

“Do what you want, son. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

“Consider me warned. One more question, Dad. Who did you work for when you lived in the east? Where were you when they were killed, dying in that explosion? Were you responsible for helping some fucking politician, letting them know where the family would be?”

I truly hadn’t expected to spout off the question with such anger in my tone, but there it was. Out in the open.

He was deadly quiet, so much so I was placed into a moment of limbo. What did it really matter now, nearly thirty-five years later?

“You don’t understand, son. I did what I could to protect my family. I’m not ashamed and would do so again. No, you couldn’t understand because you simply aren’t capable of caring about anyone. I did and I still do. I’m sorry you’re so bitter.”

He ended the call and it was a gesture that pissed me off more than the conversation did.

“Fuck. Fuck the man. Jesus.” I was more exasperated than I should be. I knew how my father was.

“What the hell was that?” Jagger asked, already laughing from hearing the one-sided conversation.

“He was finally cornering Dad about his previous life. We all knew he had one. A dangerous one. Don’t deny it, Jagger,” Hunter said. “Mafia?”

“Not according to my source. But just as dangerous.” I could tell Jagger was having difficulty coming to terms with the news. “Yes, we all suspected something else was going on. Moving out of the blue? This resort.”

Jagger sighed. “Yeah, we did. What does it mean?”

“At this point? Likely nothing. Just something that fills in the gaps in our lives.” What my father had said bothered me. But as usual, he was right. I’d allowed all these years to go by without feeling much of anything until now.

We all stood in silence, each one looking at the other. For what reason, I wasn’t certain, but it was odd that at this moment, we were closer than we’d been in our lives. Maybe some good would come out of learning to work together.

Hunter cleared his throat. “So, this person who’s embezzling. Someone who needs money?”

“Pops was cryptic, tossing out clues like we’re supposed to solve the puzzle. When we do, our souls will be saved. But yes, that’s what I think.” I rubbed my jaw as I shoved my phone into my jacket. What the hell was he trying to get at? That he knew all along someone was stealing from him, but the person needed the money? Why not ask for a loan? A bonus?

Hunter snorted and threw on his jacket. “We need to continue being seen inside this resort. I hope you did a damn tour of the facilities, Shep. If we are everywhere all the time, the idiot stealing from us might think twice or become stupid in their actions. Let’s finish this discussion in one of our six bars. At least we’ll be seen.”

“Before we do, I need to ask… For your assistance.” I could tell both my brothers were shocked.

“You asking us for help? The world is about to end,” Jagger retorted.

“Stop the shit now, Jag. We need to get past the animosity.” Hunter was turning out to be the wisest of all of us. “This had something to do with the threat. Right? Jagger told me.”

I took a deep breath, driving down the irritation. “Yes. Someone from my past has decided it’s time to play ball. Are the two of you willing to take on your formal roles to catch a bad guy one last time?”

“You mean other than the embezzler?” Hunter grinned.

“Oh, this man makes the thief appear like someone stealing a candy bar. It’s dangerous. I don’t mind telling you that.”

Jagger rubbed his jaw, never blinking as he studied me. “Why not? I could use a little target practice.”

“Yeah, me too.” Hunter was more than eager.

“Then I’ll tell you what I’m thinking after I have a conversation with a guy who needs a little pushing into speaking the truth.”

“Why don’t I come with you?” For Jagger to ask meant he was extending an olive branch.

“What the hell? I could use a wingman,” I told him.

For the first time since I’d arrived in town, Jagger smiled like he had when we were kids. Maybe the infuriating, bratty woman was teaching me about letting go.

And enjoying life.

“The three musketeers,” Hunter said under his breath.

“I wouldn’t go that far,” I said, laughing. But it felt good to have them on my side.

He headed for the door, stopping long enough to glance from one of us to the other. “Are you guys coming? We do own a fabulous resort now. We might as well get some benefit from it.”

“He’s right. Let’s do this downstairs. I could use a drink after listening to that shit,” Jagger said.

“Fine. Did you find anything in your search for our bad employee, Hunter?” I threw open the door, still angry. My father always managed to make me angrier than anyone I’d ever met. Damn him.

“There is no direct link to anyone I can find,” Hunter said casually as we headed down from our offices to one of the bars. “However, I’m eager to hear your ideas of how to draw them out.”

“It might just include someone who can help us. But I have faith that you will.”

Jagger choked on purpose. “The beautiful and talented park ranger. Now I see what’s happening to you, buddy. I like the new you.”

“Don’t get used to it.”

As soon as we were in the elevator, I leaned my head against the back wall. I was tired, but this time for all the right reasons. Letting go with Denise had allowed me to fall asleep. It was such an anomaly I’d had a difficult time waking up fully.

“Well, you’re in a damn good mood,” Jagger shot out at me. “Did you get laid last night?”

“Very funny.” I had my eyes closed and I could honestly fall asleep standing right where I was.

“Why, shit. I think he did. Was that the first time in like a hundred years?” Hunter was pleased with himself.

The ping of the elevator didn’t stop Jagger from continuing to dig. “It’s that cop. Right?”

I laughed and took long strides off the elevator. “You know she’s not a cop. You already said it. She’s a park ranger.”

“But they have similar duties. Right?” Hunter was pushing, which was something he’d done since he was a kid.

Only I wasn’t in the mood to play his little mind games. We were here to work. And to dig through the monotonous paperwork in attempting to locate the person responsible for stealing our hard-earned funds. Now I really wanted to laugh. We hadn’t provided anything in way of compensation to the cause.

“To a point. Yes. But they are more involved in search and rescue.” I was finished with this hunt and find routine. My brothers were both good at it. But they were making me smile. That wouldn’t have occurred just a week prior.

“She’s something special?” Hunter asked, giving me a little wink.

Why lie? “You have no idea.”

“When do we get to meet her?” Jagger asked. I always believed the man had something up his sleeve.

“Soon. Since you’re right and she’s going to help us play detective.”

“I like where this is going.” Hunter was way too excited.

We strode through the hotel lobby and Hunter seemed to know exactly which bar he wanted to go to. “I suggest for now we just stick to the topic.”

“I think it’s good she’d going to help. Maybe she knows something about the people working here or can find out. Employee records and all,” Jagger said with amusement in his tone.

“She is very talented at her job. You know,” I mused as I thought about what I was going to suggest. “I think I’ll ask my favorite park ranger to help us in dealing with her associate. She deserves to have a little payback fun.”

“The man is getting wild. Watch out.” Hunter could tease with the best of them.

Jagger rolled his eyes. “Well, I’ll get to meet her anyway. I’m curious. Why was the conversation with Pops so cryptic? He doesn’t want anyone arrested for a crime?”

“I don’t think so. He alluded to someone who was down on their luck. That’s where we look.”

“Well, that shouldn’t be too tough to figure out,” Hunter said and headed down a corridor. I knew the bar he was going to. It was quieter and would allow for some privacy.

“Maybe not, but we need to be careful with this. Upsetting the applecart any more than has been done already won’t help us during the middle of tourist season.” The bar wasn’t busy at only four in the afternoon, but as soon as we walked in, there wasn’t a person inside who didn’t turn in our direction. We were still considered an anomaly in town, outsiders who the locals wouldn’t take to or trust for quite some time.

“He’s going to become a businessman yet,” Jagger chided.

I gave him the finger.

Hunter obviously had a favorite table, leading us there without hesitation. I took my time sitting down, observing the bartender, who I’d seen had been with the company for years. Most of the employees had, which made the search that much more unpalatable. Someone in need. Who the shit did my father think he was kidding?

I wasn’t into charity. This was a business. I might be military trained, but just giving up a portion of a company because someone was down on their luck wasn’t something I would ever be interested in.

“Careful?” Jagger repeated. “We need to bring the hammer down. We can’t run a business this way. Down on their luck or not.”

“You need to have and show more compassion.” Hunter had suddenly become the voice of reason? I almost laughed. He’d been the carefree one, the kid with no understanding of how the world worked. Now this.

Kid.

He was no longer a kid even if he was several years younger. None of us were.

“We check to see how many of our employees are having a tough time then meet with all of them.” Jagger’s comment was nearly interrupted by a pretty waitress stopping by our table. “Or that pretty woman of yours does.”

What I found interesting was that she already had three dark amber drinks on her tray, each glass with two ice cubes. Perhaps the three of us were far too much alike. Same profession. Same drink. Same love of muscle cars and motorcycles.

I’d seen Jagger riding on a Harley this morning and I’d almost gone over to check it out. I shook my head and sat back. Maybe I’d been doing nothing more than fighting with myself over the years.

“Will there be anything else, gentlemen?” she asked, clearly already setting her eye on Hunter. He was the most handsome of all of us. He also had the least number of visible scars.

Although I knew he was hiding the horrors he’d gone through with humor and continuing his playboy-like tendencies. Jagger was similar. Only his rage was increasing.

Like mine.

We were carbon copies of self-destruction. Yeah, it was time for significant changes. That’s why we’d been brought here by Pops or by fate. Great. Now I was becoming philosophical.

“I see both my brothers work fast.” Jagger was grumpier than usual.

“Meaning what?” Hunter laughed.

“You never enter a city without picking up a chick or two. Employees are off limits.” Jagger glared at him.

“I’m not fucking anyone, bro. In case you haven’t noticed, I’ve been working sixteen-hour days since we got here. I can’t say the same for either one of you.”

Jagger puffed up. “Don’t fuck with me. You’re not my keeper.”

“Stop the crap. Both of you. We don’t need to be at each other’s throats.” I couldn’t believe I’d made the statement. I wasn’t a peacemaker no matter what my mother had tried to instill in me all those years ago.

“You’re the oldest. They look up to you. Make peace, not war.”

I’d laughed at her words then and I was laughing at them now.

I was shocked both shut up after my exclamation.

They also watched as I took a power swig of my drink and checked my watch.

“I have a toast,” Hunter stated. He’d already lifted his glass. “Don’t fuck with me on this.”

I had to laugh. Today had turned out entirely different than I’d thought it would. I followed the gesture, smirking at Jagger.

“What’s the toast?” Jag asked.

“Here’s to new beginnings. May we find happiness and love in this little town of Danger Falls.”

Hunter was the optimist of all three of us. Love.

Since when did bad men get a chance on loving someone?