“I don’t know what she’s claiming, but there’s a warrant for her arrest. Take it up with the authorities.”
“I’m taking it up with you.” The man shifted the rifle and pointed the muzzle at Heath’s desk. “There’s proof the accounts in her name were set up by you. Come morning, that proof will be on the D.A.’s desk.”
“No way.” His hands shook as he picked up the papers. A quick glance and he knew he was screwed. A ball of nausea settled in his gut. He imagined going to prison, the drugs and desperation lending him enough bravado to make a frantic dash for the door. Forgetting about the wolves, he cried out in pain as they lunged at him, one going for his arm, the other his ankle. Sharp teeth drew blood and pain before the stranger issued a sharp command.
“Cease!”
Heath stumbled back behind the desk, the metallic smell of blood filling his nostrils as he gazed with disbelief at the oozing scratches. “Shit,” he mumbled in a daze. “I...I need to get to the hospital. Rabie shots, I’ll need...”
“For God’s sake they don’t have rabies,” the man lashed out in exasperation. “Isn’t that right, lads?”
“Lads? What are they, your fucking pets?” Both animals growled, lowering their heads between their shoulders as if they meant to pounce. Throwing out his hands, Heath cried out, “Call them off!”
“As soon as you pick up the phone and confess to your father. Make it convincing enough Aislyn won’t face any more charges.” The click of the rifle’s hammer being pulled back resonated above the vibrating growls still emanating from the canines.
“This is coercion; it won’t hold up,” he said in a last-ditch attempt to save himself.
The man’s sardonic laugh grated on Heath’s frayed nerves. “What are you going to tell them once we’re gone?”
“I have these scratches.”
“And?”
The man shrugged and Heath realized the truth. Who would believe him? He couldn’t identify the intruder and no one would believe wolves had attacked him in his home. He couldn’t afford to bring cops to his door, not with his weed garden and lab out back or to get caught with the drugs running through his bloodstream again. He could push his gullible father only so far.
“Fine, I’ll call.” And I’ll skip town tonight.
****
Gavin could barely contain his rage or his satisfaction as the pissant all but collapsed in defeat into his chair. He didn’t say anything else as he listened to Farnsworth’s insincere weepy confession, his father’s shocked voice coming through loud and clear. Before he hung up, Gavin stood and turned his back on the weasel, walking to the door. Without turning around when Farnsworth ended the call, he issued one last warning. “Don’t think about running away, Farnsworth. Because I will find you.”
Gavin and his brothers disappeared into the trees, winding their way back to the truck through the thick foliage. Cody and Drake would drive back to the ranch tonight and send their private plane to pick him up in the morning, after he visited the D.A.’s office and made sure the charges against Aislyn were dropped. Only then could he return to her and embrace their new life together.
Chapter Seven
The buzz of Aislyn’s phone forced her to pause in pacing the front porch as she kept an eye on the road watching for Gavin’s return. A quick text from him last night stating all went well and not to wait up, he wouldn’t return until later this morning was the only word she’d gotten on last night’s trip to confront Heath. He’d made it sound as if she had nothing left to worry about, which in turn, caused her to fret all night over what they’d done in either of their forms to achieve such a good outcome. The long, sleepless night left her agitated and now, seeing Darren’s name pop up on her phone, her stress level jumped another notch.
Picking it up off the railing, she answered with a cautious, “Hello.”
“Aislyn, it’s Darren.”
It wasn’t easy, but she steeled herself against the tremble of remorse and sadness in his voice. “What can I do for you, Mr. Farnsworth?”
“I deserve that, I know.” His sigh came through the line, the whisper of regret stirring her pity. He’d given her leave to call him Darren six months after she’d started there. “I didn’t know if you’d heard, but Heath’s been charged with the embezzlement I accused you of doing. He set the whole thing up. I’m so sorry I let you down. Please come back so I can make it up to you.”
Aislyn heard a rider approaching and spotted Cody astride his tan stallion, Bolt. Turning her attention back to her former boss, she sucked up the strength to forgive and forget. Even if there were no way she could bring herself to return to work for him, holding a grudge would serve no purpose and only prolong the remorse they both were feeling.
“Some prison time might help Heath straighten up if you don’t bail him out,” she said, hoping Darren had finally seen the truth about his son. “I appreciate the call, but I think we both know my coming back to work for you isn’t going to happen. Take care, Mr. Farnsworth.”
Tears pricked the back of her eyes but she blinked them away as Cody rode up and dismounted. As tall and broad as Gavin, the McCullough middle brother was just as panty-melting as his oldest brother. While she could appreciate the view, his ice-blue eyes’ warm approval didn’t produce the frisson of heated awareness like one sharp look from Gavin’s emerald gaze did. He was easy to talk
