Page 84 of Jagger

Past history. Our father had provided a trumped-up story about working from the ground up with a company where the other executives had turned rogue, engaging in criminal activity. He’d taken his share of the proceeds and skipped town to avoid possible prosecution, pretending he was someone else while raising three boys in Montana. Then he’d up and sold the place prior to bankruptcy, somehow managing to purchase the resort and spending millions of dollars in renovations.

The three of us had decided to let it go, not grilling him any longer since he had only months to live. But I knew in my gutwhatever bad deeds he’d done would come back to haunt the family one day.

However complacent we’d become, I was surprised at Shephard’s declaration of peace. “I’ll keep that in mind.” I sat back, surveying the crowd and enjoying a few sips of my drink. I noticed the sheriff was talking to a few men in the crowd. My hackles remained raised. He was going to cause trouble. I felt it in my bones.

“Not that this newfound brotherly love isn’t good for our mental stability, but why the hell did you want to meet us?” Hunter pushed after clearing his throat on purpose.

“You got a hot date?” I asked him. “Another tourist fascinated by your engaging eyes?”

“Very funny, but as a matter of fact, yes.” He grinned and I shook my head.

“Your dick is going to fall off if you aren’t careful,” I told him.

“I didn’t say I fuck all of them.”

“Louder so the entire bar can hear you. Jesus, brother.”

Hunter snorted. “At least I get some. Maybe things are changing for you though, huh?”

I glared at him.

“The two of you make enjoying a cold beer a moment of torture. Now, I have other plans as well so cut the chitchat. Denise is meeting me here for a couple drinks, maybe dinner. Unless you want her knowing your business and bugging you about getting together for a holiday thing, spill it.”

What I wanted to avoid was her taunting me about being best man and any questions she had about Bella. Since she was an ex-detective, she never stopped asking questions.

Seeing the many ways my brother had changed over the last few months had initially pissed me off. Now I knew why. Shephard had found true happiness and I’d been jealous.

I laughed halfheartedly. “Then I won’t keep either one of you. As much as I hate to say this, I need your help.”

Shephard placed his hand against his heart. “From us? We should be honored.”

“Fuck you,” I grumbled.

Shephard laughed. “Stop being so much like some grizzly bear stuck in a trap. Does this have anything to do with your houseguest?”

“How is Bella adapting anyway” Hunter asked, but I knew the man was fishing.

“She’s fine. She’s taken over the place. Even ripped down the goddamn curtains I hate.” At least I could smile. “Yesterday she came home with flowers for the kitchen table and made freaking chocolate chip cookies, for God’s sake.”

“And so it begins,” Shephard mused. “Just wait until you’re seriously involved. Don’t forget to pick up your socks and underwear. What’s up?”

The man was way too happy.

“I need this kept quiet and I also mean from Denise. Okay? Bella needs help and we’re the only one who can provide it to her.”

Shephard took a deep breath and leaned over the table. “You found out why she dropped in on our little town. Did you grill her on her last name too?”

“Yeah, on both. She’s running from her soon to be ex-husband. He was abusive to her. I’ve seen the bruises. He also threatened her career, cheated on her, and is trying to take her daughter from her.” Bella had told me more of the sordid details, including finding her best friend in their bed with the man.

“Ouch. Real nice guy,” Hunter hissed.

“Yeah, he took a video of them engaging in some pretty kinky stuff and is threatening to release it like it’s from a porn movie.”

Shephard coughed, spitting out part of his beer. “What the hell? Who does that shit?”

Hunter gasped. “And why? He was the one who fucked up.”

“She thinks there’s some contractual reason Joel asked her marry him,” I told them.

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