Chapter 29 #2
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 people Axe 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?”
“Dad told me they’re standing behind him, ready to give him more time if necessary. But I have a feeling the rodeo is going to be huge.”
“You do, huh?”
“Yeah, I do. The tickets are all sold out.”
His eyes opened wide. “I’m glad to hear it. Incidentally, I corralled the smokejumpers to pose for pictures.”
“Including the local hero?”
Groaning, he rolled his eyes. “Yeah, I’ll be there with bells on.”
“Just a cowboy hat and a tight pair of jeans will do. But no flirting.”
When I rolled my finger around his lips, he pulled it into his mouth, sucking with a wild look in his eyes. All I could do was sigh. He was friends with Wade again. My father adored him, especially considering he’d saved my life.
And he loved me.
What more could a girl ask for?
When he popped my finger free, he narrowed his eyes. “You could have gotten yourself killed. You know that.”
“But I didn’t. I had to push to see who was involved.”
“Uh-huh.”
“Hey, I heard through the grapevine that the first thing on the new council’s agenda after another special election will be funding the firefighters.”
“Good news. Along with the Forestry Service promising new smokejumper recruits, maybe we’ll finally be able to fully fund and equip our departments. I have you to thank for a lot of that.”
“Yes, you do,” I cooed.
“However, that doesn’t make up for you almost getting yourself killed.” He gave me one of his stern looks.
“But I didn’t.”
“That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be punished.”
“Oh, please. I’m a big girl. I handled myself very well.”
“Nope. You’re not getting away with it.”
When he yanked me over his lap, I was laughing at first. Until he pulled my skirt up over my hips, yanking down my thong. “What are you doing?”
“Teaching you to obey rules. My rules.”
I hadn’t been certain what to expect when returning to Missoula. What I hadn’t anticipated was falling in love all over again. Axe was everything a girl could want.
Even if he was a little rough around the edges.
As he brought his hand down, moving rapidly from side to side, I squirmed in his hold. As expected, his cock was rock hard, throbbing against my naked stomach. My mouth watered even as pain washed through me.
I struggled for fun, fighting to free myself even though all I was doing was driving him crazy. He refused to stop, the brutal smacks matching the sharp sounds.
Hot and wet, I fell into a lull seconds later. I’d never thought I’d hunger for a man who took full control over me. But this was Axe, the Axe Man Beckett.
Rodeo star.
Smokejumper.
My personal hero.
And I couldn’t wait to see what the future held.