He pulls the truck to a stop in front of the house and cuts the engine, climbing out without a word. Fresh mountain air sweeps in through the open door, making my skin prickle even though it’s not cold. He opens my door and helps me out just as the sound of barking breaks the silence. Judge beelines for us from the barn, one of Knox’s workers stepping out to see what’s going on but only gives a single wave and gets back to work, leaving the dog to come to us.
I stand back and watch, expecting Judge to greet Knox first, but the Wolfhound passes him and stops at my legs, a long whine sounding from him.
“I’m okay,” I soothe the animal, stroking between his ears as he bumps his nose against my legs.
“That dog is a traitor,” Knox grumbles with a laugh.
I chuckle as Judge finally goes to greet Knox, jumping up at him to lick his face before Knox reaches into the cab to grab the meds.
“Come on, darlin’,” He takes my hand. “You need to rest.”
It takes me a week and three days to get through the contract we have with Rossi and have my lawyer draw up papers to take it all from him. News of Anton’s death has reached him if the email I received two days ago was anything to go by. It was all lies, of course, about how relieved he was to learn of my survival and that we should see each other to solidify our business relationship.
I agreed, made an arrangement to see him today in fact.
“You in any pain?” Knox asks as he helps me into the truck so we can do just that.
“No,” I tell him, letting him buckle me in.
“You lying?”
“No,” I laugh, “I promise.”
“You haven’t taken your meds today.” His eyes narrow, “Don’t lie to me.”
“I’m not,” I vow. “Really, I’m okay, but I have them just in case.”
He searches my face but then dips his chin and closes my door, heading around the hood.
The drive to Rossi headquarters will only take an hour, but I give myself the time to appreciate everything around me. The rolling hills and forests, the great mountains that seem to go on and on, reaching for the clouds. And to think this could have all been gone in a matter of years if Rossi had kept going. Knox would have had to sell eventually, and the remaining ranches around here would have had to do the same. It would have been bulldozed for factories and warehouses, slaughterhouses and offices so Rossi could dominate and take over the entire market. That’s what my father founded, and it’s what I will end.
We pull up to the building that looks severely out of place in front of the mountains, the steel grey building an eyesore that sticks out and ruins the landscape. According to Knox, one of Wyoming’s oldest ranches used to be here, but it was destroyed to make way for this place.
Knox helps me from the truck and takes the envelope from me just as several more blacked out cars pull in beside us.
My back up.
My men.
Not that I think I’ll need it to deal with a man like Rossi. He’s a snake, but he is a coward. He fights with money and not with fists.
Cool air from the air conditioner greets us as we walk through the automatic doors, the blonde behind the receptionist desk standing to greet us. Her face pales when she sees the group I have at my back.
“Elena De Luca,” I tell her, “For Rossi.”
“I–I know who you are.” Her voice trembles.
“Good.” I don’t wait for her to tell me he’s ready and head for the bank of elevators to take me to the second floor where his office sits right at the back. The only room in here with a mountain view and natural light. No one stops us; they don’t breathe a word, and when I find the door I need, with a giant gold plaque attached to it with his name on it, I don’t knock.
After all, this isn’t his business. He’s just the face.
He startles from behind his desk, dark eyes growing wide as I stand with Knox at my side.
“Rossi,” I purr, “Long time, no see.”
“Miss De Luca,” He sputters. “You’re early.”
“Am I?” I check the watch on my wrist. “Well, this won’t take long.”
