Page 39 of Deceit & Desire

There was a beat of silence, and then Stanley’s voice softened. “Zoe, I’ll be sorry to lose you. You’ve been one of my best. But I understand. Family is everything. If you’re able, would you be willing to work those two weeks remotely?”

I nodded, even though he couldn’t see me. “I can do that. I’ll be handling things from the ranch.”

“Thank you, Zoe. Take care of yourself—and your father.”

“Thanks, Stan. I appreciate you and everything you’ve done for me through the years, truly. You take care, too, and don’t let anybody besides Greg move into my position. I’ve put him through hell, and he’s earned it in blood, sweat, and tears working with me through the years.”

Stanley chuckled. “That boy has certainly earned his stripes, and you’ve trained him well. I wouldn’t dream of giving anyone else the position you’re vacating. Working under you was his trial by fire and he’s done well. Bye, Zoe.”

I took a steadying breath, and then jotted down a note for him in my scrawling script before calling my financial advisor, Bob.

“Bob, it’s Zoe. I need to pull out all my assets—including my retirement.”

“Zoe, are you absolutely sure?” Bob’s voice had that cautionary tone I knew all too well.

“This is my family’s legacy,” I replied, the words solid, unwavering. I tapped the pen on the pad. “I’m sure. I need to do whatever it takes to save the ranch.”

He sighed. “Understood. I’ll start the process.”

Once we hung up, I rose, stretching my legs, and scrolled down to the last number on my list: Jamison Stone, a fellow board member on the board for community development back in Miami. The line barely rang before Jamison picked up.

“Zoe! Great to hear from you.”

I paced back and forth in front of the French doors, looking out at the porch that overlooked the barn and corrals. “Hi, Jamison. I need to resign from the board. I’m staying here in Montana to care for my father.”

There was a sympathetic pause before he said, “I’m sorry to hear that, Zoe. You were a real asset to the board.”

“Thank you, Jamison. Say hi to that girl of yours for me.”

“I will. She’s going to miss you. We both will.”

“Believe me, I’m going to miss y’all, too. You’ve been incredibly kind, and I won’t forget it. If you’re ever out this way and you need anything from me, don’t hesitate to ask.”

“The same goes for you, Zoe. I hope we see each other again.”

“Thanks again, Jami. Bye.”

We said our goodbyes, and I finally set the phone down, letting the silence settle around me. I took a moment to glance around Dad’s office, letting my fingers trace the worn edge of his desk, the branding irons hanging along one wall, the mountain lion’s head staring down from above the stone fireplace. Sinking into the chair again, I pulled the stack of financial reports toward me.

I began scanning the numbers, shifting in my seat as the lines and columns blurred as I read them over and over, trying to convince myself I wasn’t seeing little red flags hidden in the ledgers. But I was. My father was meticulous—he’d never miss something like this unless he was a lot sicker than I’d realized. The more I went through, the tighter my chest became.

Someone was stealing from my father’s ranch.

Chapter15

Sacrifice a Rook

PLAYLIST: “YOU SHOULD SEE ME IN A CROWN” BY BILLIE EILISH

ZOE

Hands shaking,I snatched my cell phone off Dad’s desk and dialed Roman. The phone rang just once before he picked up.

“What’s wrong, baby?”

“How did you know something was wrong?”

“You don’t usually call while I’m working unless something’s up, honey. What is it?”

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