Total pages in book: 127
Estimated words: 120186 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 601(@200wpm)___ 481(@250wpm)___ 401(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 120186 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 601(@200wpm)___ 481(@250wpm)___ 401(@300wpm)
“There’s also the matter of a hit-and-run that took place a few miles off your property,” Sawyer says. “You’ll find that report inside, too. You wouldn’t happen to know anything about it, would you? Or about the SUV registered under your name, which wound up needing extensive work done to the hood and windshield around that same time?”
Bull’s-eye. I wish I had thought to have my phone sitting out, ready for me. I would love to have his blank-faced shock on camera. I bet Allie would especially appreciate it. “You’re out of your minds,” he chokes out.
“We’re resourceful,” I reply. “You aren’t the only one at this table with the time and the resources to get shit done.”
“We have copies of every single document in front of you,” Sawyer explains, placing his hands on the table. “It’s up to you what we do with them.”
“Leave Emma and Allie Porter alone from this moment on.” I don’t phrase it as an option, a choice he can either accept or refuse. This is simply the way it has to be. “We’d be more than happy to pretend we never dug up any of this information. You can live out the rest of your days on your ranch, playing cowboy. There will be no reason for us to so much as think of you again.”
Lowering my voice to something close to a growl, I continue, “Make the mistake of contacting them again, sending people after them again, and you can bet the entire world will know about all of this by the time that same day is out. You have my word on it.”
“Take it or leave it,” Levi concludes with a confident smirk.
He looks at us in turn, his gaze landing heavy before finally coming to rest on me. “Fair enough,” he grunts. It must take everything he has to admit defeat.
“Good. This has been a productive meeting.” Getting up from the table, I go to the door and crook a finger to signal two of our guys waiting in the hall. “You’ll be escorted back to the hangar where your jet is waiting. Do the smart thing and get the hell out of Montana now before we change our minds.”
He’s shaking with rage and probably helplessness as he stands, jamming his hat on his head. “You Bishops,” he whispers, venom in every word. “One day, you’ll go too far.”
“It’s a shame for you today’s not that day.”
He glares at me.
I glare back. “Now go before we change our minds.”
He goes, marching out of the room, almost stomping down the hall. The sound fades as he leaves until there’s nothing but the slamming of a door and silence.
“That was fun,” I declare, returning to my seat to finish off my drink. The already smooth scotch goes down smoother when chased by a sense of victory.
“We’ll keep an eye on him for a while,” Calder concludes. “Make sure he stays on the straight and narrow, but I think he will.”
“What else does he have left but his reputation?” Levi points out. “He already lost his son. His legacy’s shit.”
Legacy. The word strikes deep. For so long, I was so sure there was no place for me here. That I wouldn’t be a part of the Bishop legacy.
Now I understand. I don’t have to be one or the other. I can claim my Bishop blood and my Porter heritage if that’s what I want. Life doesn’t have to be played by Roman Bishop’s rules anymore.
“I’m heading out.” I’ve waited long enough already. I’m dying to be with her. It’s going to take time, but one day, I might get over the need to watch over her every move.
“I’ll ride over with you,” Calder suggests. “Saint should still be there, visiting. I can drive back with her.”
I know what this means. He wants to have a conversation. I’ll look like a pussy if I say no. “Sure. Let’s go.”
He doesn’t keep me waiting long. We are barely on our way before he shifts in the passenger seat with a deep sigh. “This partnership. You’re sure this is what you want?”
Am I? I don’t have to think about it for very long. When I imagine making our deal with Emma official, I feel it in my gut. It’s the right thing. There’s no second-guessing. “I’m sure. I know what I want.”
“I just want you to feel like you’re where you belong. Don’t make that face, either,” he growls. I didn’t know I was making a face. I guess it was a surprise—we don’t talk about feelings or what we hope for each other. “You know damn well you’ve caused a lot of trouble for us lately. I would be glad to know that shit is over.”
I take a deep breath and let myself think about his words instead of brushing him off like I would have done not long ago. It’s a brilliant day, with the sky so clear and blue it doesn’t seem real. The sun paints the tops of the pines and the snowcapped peaks in the distance. The kind of day that reminds a man winter doesn’t last forever. There’s always a thaw over the horizon.