“You walked through fire for me.”
Grinning, I shrugged on purpose. “Anything for my girl.”
“I guess I’ll keep that in mind. So you really love me, huh?”
“Maybe. Do you love me?”
“Maybe.”
Our lips were so close I could almost taste her. We clung to each other, our breathing labored.
A face suddenly appeared beside us. “For the love of fuck, kiss her already. If you don’t, I will.”
Hearing Dante’s voice in my ear, I managed to punch him in the chest just before wrapping my arm around her.
And taking his advice.
* * *
Kenzie
Arson cases were rare, but extortion was something I knew all about. However, the man hired to torch the different buildings had made a mistake he didn’t know would be discovered.
While linseed oil burned hot, if not done correctly residue was left. That’s how the fire inspector in both Dallas and Missoula had come to the same conclusion. While I certainly hadn’t been privy to the investigation, what I had heard was that the two had conferred, bringing charges on the day of the fire at the barn. Through some investigation I’d done with the help of peopleAxe knew, I’d discovered the same owners of various properties they’d pegged for replacement.
Whether they owned the properties or not.
The reason the barn had been burned was because I’d pushed a falsehood with the city council and that had put the fear of God into the real criminal.
“She is amazing.” As soon as Axe pulled Sasha to a stop, he slipped off the horse, holding out his hand so I’d ease off her back as well.
We’d finally found time to take a little ride. It was a beautiful July day and with the rodeo right around the corner, we’d likely have no time after today to be alone.
Except for the blistering nights full of passion.
“Yes, she is.” I took his hand and he led us to a favorite spot on my father’s ranch, an area where there was a perfect stream near a huge group of oak trees.
We both sat down and I leaned against him.
“How’s the investigation?” he asked.
“Well, from what I heard, the friend you talked to truly helped break the case wide open. He discovered the two council members had purchased the old mill together.”
“Isn’t Jack Parker one of the investors with the stadium?”
“Yeah, he is, or I should say he was. He was prepped to push my parents into bankruptcy, sweeping in at an auction and purchasing the ranch, the stadium. All of it. Along with Mitch Sheffield and Oliver Carter, the three had plans on becoming rich. He betrayed my father’s friendship.”
“How did you know Mitch was involved? Didn’t you say was the one who warned you?”
I laughed and studied the little brook, realizing how much I loved being right here. With Axe. The man I loved. “That’s when I had a suspicion he was involved. He was too eager to warn me. Call it intuition. With your friend’s help, he was able to find the very detailed plans of an entire mini-city centered around the stadium. But Dad refused to sell. When he came up with the rodeo idea, that’s when things got out of hand.”
I was thrilled that my father wasn’t involved. We’d had some heart-to-heart talks in the last couple of weeks.
“You did see the news on their arrests this morning. Didn’t you?”
Shifting, I couldn’t help myself, placing my hand on Axe’s chest. He’d been my rock, my personal hero, and dear God, I was in love with the man. “No need to. My phone blew up. The shakeup in town will take some time to get through.”
“And the other investors?”
