20. Charlotte
CHAPTER TWENTY
Charlotte
“Anything yet?” I asked.
“Not yet,” he murmured. “Patience.”
It was morning, and River was back on his laptop. For the last few hours, he had been focused on his computer screen. River and Cerberus were trying to find out what Jud was up to.
Whatever they were doing, it was taking a long time.
I’d kept myself busy by getting cleaned up and dressed, then making us some breakfast out of the supplies I found in the cabinets. In between finding tasks for myself, I’d been replaying yesterday’s events in my mind.
Not so much the more disturbing elements as the more pleasurable.
It didn’t help that River’s hair was a crazy, sexy mess, and those glasses were perched on his nose. When you combined that with his lack of clothing except for a snug pair of boxer briefs, he looked irresistible. And smelled good. And felt good up against me whenever he pulled me over for a kiss, which he had a habit of doing every time I passed by.
He had been inside me last night. And again when we woke up sometime after midnight, breathless with the need to be close. The crazy thing was how right it had felt each time. River’s hot breath panting in my ear, his weight on top of me.
First thing this morning, I had woken to find River pressed up against my back, both of us naked, our scents mingled and our legs tangled. He’d still been asleep, and I’d savored the moment. Knowing how fleeting this was.
Just let me love you for a little while .
His words from yesterday thrilled me every time I repeated them in my head. Maybe I should’ve said no, but I couldn’t. I just couldn’t.
No man had ever made love to me the way River had.
I wanted him again right now, and it was distracting. I was not the type to let lust take over my senses. Especially when everything else seemed to be crashing down around us.
But that wasn’t fair to either of us, claiming this was just lust. It was a lot more than that. I had no idea what we were doing, no more than I had yesterday, but being intimate with River did mean something to me. Probably more than was wise.
I didn’t want to hurt him. But some part of my heart was on the line, too.
Finally, he sat back in his chair and rubbed his eyes beneath his glasses. “We’ve got nothing.”
“ Nothing ? After hours of whatever it was you were doing?”
“Don’t worry. Let me explain.” River pulled me into his lap. He paused to put his nose to my hair and inhale, as if we’d been separated for hours and not for the few minutes that I’d been up and pacing. “It’s the kind of nothing that tells us a lot,” he continued. “We’ve been checking Jud’s phone records, his known associates. Credit cards, bank accounts. And we’re seeing nothing. After those calls to you the night of the fundraiser, he ditched his phone, and he hasn’t pinged a single cell tower. No transactions. No activity at his home either. He’s dropped off the face of the earth.”
I remembered the sound of Jud’s voice on the message when he was warning me to leave the fundraiser. His fear. “Did Stillwater get to him? Could he be dead?”
“After that mess at the fundraiser, why would they hide that fact? My instincts say he’s on the run. He’s out there somewhere, which means I’ll find him.”
“And there’s your patented overconfidence again.”
“You still doubt me?” His nose rubbed alongside mine. He’d been so affectionate since things had changed between us yesterday. In truth, I couldn’t get enough of it.
“No,” I said softly. “I don’t doubt you. Not anymore.”
Between the two of us, I had more doubts about myself. I was the one who’d dated Jud, and he’d turned out to be a sleazy asshole who’d probably sold his influence to the highest bidder. That entire relationship had been a mistake.
I didn’t want to make a mistake with River now. But at least he was a good man, and we were being upfront with each other.
“How can I help?” I asked. “I didn’t know Jud as well as I might’ve thought, but there must be something I can add.” I wanted those years with Jud to have some kind of meaning.
“Maybe he owned other property that’s not on our radar. Is there a spot he liked to go to get away from civilization?”
“Not everyone owns a secret safe house like you,” I said, gesturing at the cabin around us.
“Anyplace he would feel safe. A favorite state park or campground where he could stay without ID.”
I thought about it. Nothing occurred to me, and I gritted my teeth with frustration. “Jud is not an adventurous, outdoorsy guy. We both worked a lot, and when we took vacation, it was either to his fancy house in Hart County or a five-star beach resort. Hardly off the map. ”
“That surprises me. You used to love camping and backpacking and rafting with your dad.”
“After I moved away from home, I didn’t have much time for that stuff. I had college and then my career. Ross wasn’t the outdoorsy type either, so—” I clamped my mouth shut as soon as I mentioned River’s brother. “I got out of the habit, I guess.”
Whoops. So far today, we’d been avoiding the subject of my other ex.
River acted like I hadn’t brought it up. “I’ll show you the dossier we’ve got on Hale so far. Give it a look, and let me know if there’s anything missing or if any other insights come to you.”
“Okay. I can do that.”
River reached around me, tapped at his keyboard, and a window opened.
While I read through the research on Jud, River nibbled at the tender skin beneath my jaw. His fingers ran up and down my thighs.
“I’ll be more insightful if you let me focus,” I said.
“That’s likely.”
“Then why are you trying to distract me?”
“It seems now that I’m allowed to touch you the way I want, I can’t stop.”
But we will have to stop , I thought. Probably soon .
Yet my eyes closed, and the rest of me melted into the hypnotic dance of River’s lips on my skin. The warm, wet brushes of his tongue. Those possessive fingers. As if he wanted to remind me who I was with right now, even though I was supposed to be thinking about my obnoxious ex.
My behind nestled into his crotch, a fact that was getting harder and harder to ignore. Literally.
“You’re impossible,” I muttered.
“I know. ”
A new window appeared on the screen with a message for River. I pointed it out to him, and River pulled me tighter against him as he read over my shoulder. “It’s from Trace.”
It was a short block of text, indecipherable to me. “Is it encoded?”
“We have a shorthand we sometimes use.” River lightly tapped my hip, and I slid onto the chair next to him instead. “He has info to share. Wants to video chat.”
“I thought we couldn’t risk anyone knowing where we are. Including the Protectors.”
“He won’t be able to tell, nor would he do anything to jeopardize your safety. Trace and I have had ups and downs, but he’s my closest friend.”
“Then I’m looking forward to meeting him.” I smiled, thinking of what River had told me about Trace. It had sounded like they shared an intense bond.
I’d heard all the Protectors’ names multiple times now, but I’d had yet to speak to any of them. So I was curious to get another glimpse into River’s current life, the life he’d built in Colorado without even telling me he was here.
I’d been bitter about that before. But I understood better why he’d stayed away. I just wanted to know more about the man River had become. While I still had him with me.
He grabbed a T-shirt to put on, then did more computer stuff until a video feed appeared on his screen.
Trace was a rugged-looking guy. He wore a black tee beneath a denim jacket and had a scruffy beard. His hair almost touched his shoulders. I could tell the moment we appeared on his computer, because the man exhaled with relief.
“Riv. Shit. It’s good to see you.”
“You too.” River nodded toward me. “Trace, meet Charlotte McKinley.”
“You can call me Charlie. It’s a pleasure to meet you. ”
“That answers my first question, Ms. Lieutenant Governor. I was going to ask how you’re holding up, but if you’re happy to see my ugly mug, you can’t be too bad off.”
River draped his arm over the back of my chair. “We’re holding up. Charlie’s cool under pressure, as always. I’m downright cheerful, considering I’m wanted for murder and kidnapping.”
I cringed at the reminder. But Trace laughed, clearly not too worried about it either.
“Trace, how are things in Hartley?” I asked. “People don’t really believe River kidnapped me, do they?”
“Well, it’s mixed. The FBI showed up in town looking for both of you last night. They rolled in heavy and have been questioning everyone who knows River. But an Agent Somerton requested a private meeting with Owen. Claimed to be a friend of yours, Charlie, and that she doesn’t believe the accusations against River. Said she wanted to help. Owen passed that info on to me. But I had my doubts that we could trust her.”
“She is a friend of mine. Brynn was protecting me before River took over. I sent her a message after the attack that I was safe, but maybe she kept that a secret from her FBI bosses.”
“Which is exactly why we can’t assume she’s clean,” River cut in.
I narrowed my eyes at him. “I’m sorry, what ? You think Brynn is working for Stillwater? Since when ?”
His fingers stroked my back. “I’m not saying that. Just that we need to be careful. Agent Somerton’s bosses must know she’s friends with you. They’ll be watching her, and Stillwater could have her under surveillance. It’s too risky to bring her in.”
“That’s my assessment as well,” Trace said. “But do you agree, Charlie? ”
Both men looked at me.
I crossed my arms. “I guess I agree.” I wanted to reach out to Brynn, but I knew River was right. It had been risky enough to contact her after the attack. And now, River was in danger too. Not just me.
“So we keep Agent Somerton at arm’s length.” River drummed his fingers on the tabletop. “My focus isn’t on the FBI anyway. I’m trying to find out why Jud Hale knew about the attack on Charlie before it happened.”
Trace nodded. “Right, we got your updates on Hale. That’s the other thing I wanted to talk to you about. We’ve had some developments there. Apparently, Hale has disappeared.”
“Already knew that.”
Trace’s eyebrow ticked up. “Did you know who brought it to Owen’s attention at the sheriff’s office? District Attorney Grissom.”
“ Grissom ?”
“He’s a friend of Jud’s,” I said. “I met him a time or two when I was down in Hart County.” I hadn’t liked the guy much, but he’d been a typical politician. Lots of flattery and efforts to impress me, and Grissom had been less subtle about it than Jud.
River turned to me. “Grissom is the other Hartley official we’ve suspected of being Stillwater’s mole. Do you remember when I mentioned the murder investigation that Hale tried to interfere with? Grissom and Hale all but threatened Owen to make him turn over sensitive information. Owen refused. They’ve been on our radar ever since.”
“Well,” Trace went on, “Grissom walked into Owen’s office this morning wanting to file a missing person report. Grissom heard the accusations about River kidnapping you, Charlie, and he thought there could be a connection to Jud Hale’s disappearance. ”
“Just because Jud and I dated previously? Or did Grissom have more of a reason than that?”
Trace held up his hands. “Owen said Grissom didn’t share anything specific. The DA was mostly blowing hot air, as usual. But Owen sent a deputy to check Hale’s home, and it looks like he packed up in a hurry. No signs of struggle. His cars were still in his garage, so maybe someone picked him up.”
“He has a four wheeler for off-roading,” I said. “He uses it to plow his property in the winter. Was it at the house?”
“Owen didn’t mention it. I can ask to confirm.”
River stood up, bracing his hands on the table. “Our theory is that Hale is running from something. Possibly Stillwater. If he took his ATV, he’s probably staying off main highways. His hiding spot couldn’t be that far from home. That narrows our radius significantly.”
“I’ll keep you updated on what I hear in Hartley,” Trace said. “But if you need the Protectors for backup, it could be dicey. The Feds are watching us, and they’re not being subtle about it. They must have figured out you and I go way back, because they had a car parked down the street from my house this morning. Scarlett marched right out there and told the agent to stay away from the kids. Mama bear in action.”
“Good,” I said. “I can’t wait to meet her.”
Trace grinned, which transformed him from intimidating to glowing. “When all this blows over, you’re more than welcome, Charlie. We’d love to meet someone from Riv’s life growing up. You’re clearly important to him.”
“Thanks. He’s important to me too.”
River sat again, and his hand brushed down my shoulder.
I had no idea if or when I’d be in Hartley. If we would simply become friends after this was all over, and I could stop by for a friendly, non-awkward visit. I hoped I could. I didn’t want River to vanish from my life again .
“I’m sorry my problems are causing a disruption for your family.”
“I wouldn’t have it any other way, and neither would Scarlett. Or any of us. Except Riv did miss my sister’s party where Aiden proposed. River had to take off for Denver to get to you. The mission just couldn’t wait.”
“No offense to your sister, but I’m glad he did. Even if it took me a while to come around. River told me about the Protectors and what you do. I was skeptical at first. But I’m becoming a believer.”
I felt River watching me again, but I didn’t look his way. Probably because Trace would see everything written out on my face. The man seemed perceptive like that.
In the afternoon, I sat down in front of River’s laptop again and studied his research on Jud.
Instead of vying for my attention, River changed into a pair of shorts and sneakers, stripped off his shirt, and jogged laps around the cabin. I heard him go by every time he passed the open door.
Then he started doing push-ups, sit-ups, and some kind of jumping lunges outside, which tested my resolve. His lean torso was all sweaty, glistening with sweat in the sun.
The way his lats bulged when he did push-ups was obscene .
I had to close the door or I wasn’t going to get anything done. That man was a menace to my attention span.
But finally, I got absorbed in my task. A lot of the details here, I already knew. I had dated Jud for years, after all. He’d shown me pieces of his life.
But beneath the surface, it was clear how little I’d known about my ex-boyfriend .
He had far more debt than I had ever realized. While he owned extensive property in Hart County and also in Denver real estate, he’d leveraged everything to the max. The fancy watches and clothes I’d noticed him wearing had cost a very pretty penny. Same with the new cars.
I got a great deal . That had been his constant refrain. Yeah, right.
Reading his financials, I saw the change in his bank accounts in the last couple of years. Small but steady increases. Not enough to alert the government, but still inexplicable.
They had to be payoffs from Stillwater, probably funneled through an offshore bank and gradually deposited in Jud’s checking account.
But something must have gone wrong. Jud had retired from the state legislature late last year, not long after our breakup. He’d returned to Hart County. Had Stillwater been angry that he’d left his political seat? But months had gone by since then. Jud had only disappeared a few days ago. Right before the attack on my fundraiser.
Why?
If Jud was on the run, where would he go?
He’d taken his ATV. But he would avoid his own properties and those of his friends. Those locations would’ve been too obvious. Easy for Stillwater’s people to check.
But that left hundreds of square miles.
There was a lot of wild landscape in Colorado. So many places a person could disappear. Yet Jud wasn’t the type to go without basic luxuries. He wore that cowboy hat and ropers, and he could add a charming rustic drawl to his speech, but I couldn’t imagine him holed up in a remote cabin like River’s.
I pulled up a Colorado map and let my eye rove over it.
Where are you?
I thought of Silver Mountain within view of River’s cabin. My parents’ home on its far slope. Jud and I had only visited there once. He’d spent the whole time buttering up my mom and dad. Even hanging out in my mom’s little art studio and buying up a bunch of her pieces. Which of course had?—
Wait.
That’s it.
I threw open the door and ran outside. “River!”
He was mid sit-up, arms bent and hands beneath his head. He jumped to standing, looking alarmed. “You okay?”
“I’ve got it. I think I know where he would go. My parents’ place.”
“Your parents would let him stay there?”
I shook my head. “They’re in Grand Junction with Megan for a while. She has a newborn. Jud still keeps in touch with my family. Follows them on social media.”
“That’s not creepy at all.”
I waved that away. We’d established my ex was a creep. “He probably knew my parents would be out of town.”
River smoothed a hand over his face, wiping his sweat. “Slow down. Let’s think this through. If your parents are gone for months, they’ll have friends checking on the house. And I guarantee the FBI and any number of state troopers have looked for us there, too. If Jud was at the house, he’d have run at the first sign of the authorities. As far as hideouts go, your parents’ place is a terrible one at the moment.”
“But not my mom’s art studio. My dad built it for her about fifteen years ago, after his business had a really great year. The studio is small, but it’s cushy. It’s also in a clearing out of sight of the main house. My mom’s personal luxury getaway. And a perfect spot for Jud to hide. He would probably remember where my parents hide their spare keys.”
River sighed. “I see your point. Okay. We have a working theory. Now to find out for sure. The other Protectors are stuck in Hartley right now, but I could ask Hodge to make the trip and see if Jud is there. Once we’ve confirmed?—”
“No, not Hodge.” I pointed at the mountain peak in the distance. “Silver Mountain is right there . Practically in your backyard.”
“Twenty-five miles away isn’t in my backyard.”
“Don’t be pedantic with me. It’s a reasonable drive to the base, then just a matter of backpacking up and around the mountain. Make camp overnight, then hike in the rest of the way. Boom, you’re there.”
River swaggered closer and put his hands on my hips, his trademark smirk playing on his lips. “Charlie-baby, that mountain might as well be two hundred miles away. I’m not leaving you here alone. Period.”
“Don’t call me Charlie-baby. Also, who said anything about you leaving me? I’m coming with you.”
“You think I’m allowing you into an unpredictable situation like that?”
I tapped my chin. “What was it I used to say back when we were kids? Oh, yeah. You’re not the boss of me.”
“You were more than happy for me to give you orders last night.” He leaned in, brushing his lips across my cheek. He’d almost gotten his sweat on me, not that I minded so much. His heady masculine scent made desire pump through my veins.
But that would have to wait until later. After I’d gotten my way.
“I’m not kidding. If Jud truly worked for a company that serves drug dealers and child traffickers? If he knew about Stillwater’s attack on me before it happened? I will be a part of taking him down.”
River’s smirk wiped away, and he regarded me seriously. “If anyone spots us, it’s big trouble.”
“I know that. The police think you’re public enemy number one. I don’t want to make you take unnecessary risks, but?—”
“Hey,” he interrupted. “I’m not worried about myself. I’m concerned about what’ll happen if we’re separated.” He smirked. “I’ll be extremely pissed if anyone tries to take you away from me.”
“Then we won’t let that happen.”
“I thought I was the overconfident one.”
“We’ve come this far. Jud knows what’s really going on. He could be the key to fighting back against Stillwater, and that’s the only way we can clear your name and end this.”
“All right, Lieutenant Governor. I guess we’re going backpacking.”