Chapter 16
Montgomery
Rage.
I’d experienced far too much of it in the last few years.
Tonight was no different. The call from the chairman of the board had shot me straight into a shitty mood.
Coupled with the recent production errors and I was ready to explode.
I’d tossed my phone onto the coffee table, refusing to accept another call.
I’d even had one from a nosy reporter, trying to get the scoop on whether the winery was for sale.
Prescott was pulling out all the damn stops.
This had to end tonight.
While I’d promised a private evening with Aspen, I wasn’t certain that was going to happen. On top of the shitty last three hours, my call to Sheriff Sanchez had yet to be returned. I wasn’t going to go down without a fight.
Hissing, I was prepared to toss my glass across the room.
I even had my arm raised, prepared to send it flying when a cold shiver skittered down my spine, my instinct kicking in.
Something was off. Where the hell was Aspen?
As I moved toward my phone, I heard the doorbell.
Whoever was on the other side would take the full brunt of my anger.
I flung open the door, jerking back from seeing the three people standing on my doorstep. “What the hell is this, Sheriff?”
Bryce looked grim. He was holding and spinning his hat in his hand, darting his eyes back and forth. Why the hell was he so damn nervous?
“Montgomery. Can we come in?” Bryce asked.
“Sure. What the hell? I’m certain you’ll only add to my shitty day.” I glared at the two men in suits, figuring they were FBI.
I didn’t wait until they were inside to walk away. I gathered one of them would know to close the damn door behind them.
“This is Agent Thomas and Agent Walker,” Bryce introduced as they followed me back into the living room.
I eyed them again, nodding only once. “Would either of you like a drink? Oh, that’s right. You’re likely on duty.” I laughed softly before grabbing my glass, heading toward the bar.
“Mr. Wolfe, Sheriff Sanchez was good enough to give us the information you provided to him. That was very helpful,” Agent Thomas stated with no inflection in his voice.
“Well, good. What the hell have you done about it?”
Bryce shot them both a look before walking closer. “I know you’re still angry and I don’t blame you, but you need to listen.”
I looked at my watch, laughing softly to myself. “You have fifteen minutes. Then I have a date.”
Agent Thomas walked closer. “What I’m about to tell you is confidential at this point. We have been investigating Prescott Westfield and a consortium that he’s working with for several months. We have proof of extortion and blackmail, along with some additional crimes.”
“Great. Arrest the man.” I took a swig of my drink, watching Bryce’s reaction.
“We have every intention of doing that, but we’d also prefer to gather all evidence at the same time, including for arson.” Agent Walker at least had a sincere tone.
“Sounds good to me.” I took another sip, uncertain of what they were getting at.
“We might need your help.” Now Agent Thomas looked uncomfortable.
I walked closer, narrowing my eyes. “How?”
The three men looked back and forth between each other before Bryce answered. “You seem to be able to get under Westfield’s skin. If we can get him on tape admitting what he’s done, then you can imagine what that will do for the case.”
“You want me wired?” I almost laughed, although it wasn’t a bad idea. However, I preferred my method of retaliation instead.
“That’s exactly what we’re hoping you’ll agree to.” Agent Walker tilted his head, waiting for me to answer.
“You really think he had something to do with the arsons?” I knew I was challenging him.
Bryce appeared more uncomfortable than ever.
“What the fuck aren’t you telling me, Bryce?” I demanded.
He cleared his throat. “We have reason to believe the fire investigator has been working with Westfield.”
“That doesn’t surprise me in the least.”
“I had a feeling you’d say that,” he said, sighing.
“Jesus Christ. Is there anyone he hasn’t bought off?” I knew my question was rhetorical.
“We have some issues in Napa,” Bryce stated. “Will you help us?”
I took another swig then nodded. “What the hell? How about tonight? I was going to pay him a visit.”
They looked at each other before Agent Thomas answered. “That’s going to be too soon. We can arrange something for tomorrow.”
I took a deep breath, holding it in for a few seconds. “Okay. But no later than that. I want this shit finished.”
“We all do, Mr. Wolfe.” Agent Walker locked eyes with mine. At least I could tell he was speaking the truth.
“In the meantime, you can’t say a damn thing. Do you understand?” Bryce asked me.
“Yeah, I get it.”
Bryce lifted a single eyebrow. “I hope you do, Montgomery. If we’re successful, this will give you the peace you’ve needed.”
Peace. The only way I could have that was when I put a bullet in Prescott’s brain. “We shall see, gentlemen.”
“I’ll lead them out.” Bryce inched closer. “This is almost over, my friend.”
When I didn’t say anything, he lowered his head.
Too many bridges had been burned. I turned away, hearing the door close only a few seconds later.
As I walked toward the window, I realized I was shaking.
I glanced at the night sky, taking several deep breaths.
At least this could mean some level of closure.
I pressed my hand against the window, taking shallow breaths. As images of both Carmine and Aspen floated into my mind, I had to admit that I felt an entirely different level of emotions burning through my system.
One was saying goodbye.
The other was allowing a new beginning. I lifted my glass to both women, toasting them in my mind. They would always hold a special place in my heart.
A few seconds later, I heard my phone ringing, the sound penetrating the quiet space.
Huffing, I knew I couldn’t avoid talking to people forever.
Besides, maybe the naughty vixen was on the other end, trying to explain why she was late.
The thought of the kind of punishment I was going to inflict gave me a hard-on.
Tonight, I would introduce her to the playroom.
I grabbed my phone, not surprised at seeing Jackson’s number. “Brother.”
“Is Aspen with you?”
There was utter panic in his voice.
“No, why?”
“Because the villa she’s staying in is burning down.”
* * *
The gear was barely in park by the time I jumped out of the truck, racing toward the front door and inside. While the lights were still on, I knew it was only a matter of time before the electricity was fried. I shoved the flashlight into my pocket, trying desperately to control my anger.
This wasn’t going to happen.
I would not lose her. No. No!
Jackson grabbed my arm, yanking me backward. “It’s too fucking hot.”
Smoke billowed from several rooms, the lights already flickering.
I glared at him, unable to think clearly.
“Her Jeep is here, for God’s sake. I’m not doing this again, Jackson.
There is no way. I love her too much. Do you understand me?
” The fire was raging, the putrid odor of gasoline easy to smell.
The fucking bastard was going to die. I’d gut him like the pig he was.
Groaning, he shook his head. “She’s not here. I’ve checked every fucking room. Although there’s one damn locked door.”
“She’s here. I can feel it. Aspen!” The only sound was the crackling of something coming from the upstairs. I jerked away from him, bolting into the living room, coughing almost instantly. The smoke was already acrid.
“I’m telling you. She’s not here,” Jackson insisted.
“Then where the hell did she go?” I moved into other rooms, prepared to take the stairs when I stopped short. “The wine cellar. The bastard locked her in the wine cellar.”
Jackson would have no way of knowing about the location beneath the first floor, the special design a creation of mine.
I’d also added it to my house. It included the ability to lock the door from the outside.
Fuck. Fuck! The fire would crawl down the wooden staircase. She’d suffocate before she was burned.
“What?”
“I don’t have the goddamn keys. I need something. Anything. An ax.”
His face contorted, both of us cringing the second we heard the sound of a single boom.
“Jesus fucking Christ,” he hissed. “The fire department is on the way.”
“They’ll be too late. Goddamn it!”
“I have an ax in the truck.”
I took several shallow breaths, pushing him toward the door.
“Get it. The entrance is in the kitchen.” I stumbled into the kitchen as the lights flickered then shut off completely.
Yanking the flashlight into my hand, I was forced to duck as the ceiling caved in close to the wall.
Embers and debris flew everywhere. I grabbed a kitchen towel, holding it over my face as I yanked on the door.
I’d been right. The bastard had locked her in. Come on. Come the fuck on.
Within seconds, Jackson appeared. “Stand back.”
The last thing I wanted was to have this out of my control, but there was no time to waste.
As he swung the ax, a flash of images rushed into my mind.
Aspen’s smile. The way she looked when sunlight shimmered across her skin.
I could hear her voice, the sound of her purrs when I made love to her.
Tears rushed to my eyes, the rage remaining.
Jackson pounded the door time after time, finally able to splinter the thick wood.
“Let me do it.” I tossed him the flashlight as I jerked the ax into my hand, taking swing after swing, my anger and adrenaline keeping me going.
Bam. Bam. Bam!
Another section of ceiling fell over our heads, but I didn’t give a shit. I was going to save her. Nothing would stop me from getting to her. Jackson helped me yank enough of the door away. I rushed inside, taking the steps two at a time. The smoke was already thick. That wasn’t possible.
Pop! Pop! Pop!