Page 29 of Cowboy

They smiled as they approached Ela, her canvas resting on the easel as she painted one of the fountains on the property.

“Ela, that’s beautiful,” said Cowboy. “I’ve always loved this fountain.”

“Me too,” she grinned at the couple. “Marc and I did a lot of kissing at this fountain when we first got together. I was so grateful for him and Uncle Zeke. I don’t know what I would have done had they made me go back to my parents’ home.”

“We’re glad you’re here,” said Cowboy. She nodded and waved as they continued down the path. “I may have to leave for a few days to track down some leads. I know you will, but please stay here with everyone. We don’t know what Dimitri’s game is just yet, and I’d like to find out.”

“I promise. I’ll stay right here,” she said, kissing him. “Besides, Charlie has given me a stack of books to read. I have plenty to do.” She patted his ass, laughing as she walked toward the cafeteria. Cowboy swallowed, realizing he was going to be very busy for the next few months. Hopefully, years.

“Hot damn.”

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

“We know where the bodyguard is,” said Ethan as they walked toward the Osprey. “He’s living in one of the suites of The Athena, Liconitis’s premier Vegas hotel. He’s been there for about six years.”

“I want to have a conversation with him,” said Cowboy with a fierce expression.

“I think we all do,” said Mo. “Moose? No killing unless we say so.”

“Why does everyone assume the big guy will be the first to want to kill?” he frowned. They all stopped, staring at him. “Okay. Fine. No killing. I’m hungry, though.”

“I’ve got you a snack, baby.” The men all turned, expecting to see Mama Irene. Instead, they saw someone different. Not new. Just different.

“Aunt Claudette,” grinned Cowboy, kissing her cheek. Jake was standing behind her with a big bag.

“Hi, baby. I’ve got some sandwiches for you, homemade chips, some fresh made potato salad, my famous pecan brownies, and Jake has a cooler with some sparkling water in it.”

“Uh, Claudette, you do realize we’re not going on a picnic, right?” smirked Mo.

“I know, I know. But you can’t save the world on an empty stomach.” She handed them their food, kissing their cheeks as she did, and then walked hand-in-hand with Jake back toward the big house.

“That seemed eerily familiar,” frowned Cowboy.

It was a short plane ride to Vegas, but somehow Moose managed to eat half of the sandwiches by the time they’d arrived. He had mustard stains on his shirt and cookie still at the corner of his mouth. Mo handed him a wet napkin, shaking his head.

Taking the rental to the hotel, they called up to the room for Christopher Sephones. He’d been in the Greek Army before going to work for Liconitis. On the thirty-third floor, they rang the bell. When the man opened the door, they were surprised to see him dressed comfortably, but his face appeared tired and weary.

“Mr. Sephones? I’m Benjamin LeBlanc.”

“Come in,” he said. “Please have a seat. You had questions about Autumn Zellers.”

“Yes.”

“I’m sorry,” he said, shaking his head.

“For?”

“She died. Didn’t you know? She was flying the plane that nearly killed Constantine. We got him out, and when we went back to get her, she was gone. We assume animals got to her.”

“No, Mr. Sephones, she didn’t die. Her grandmother sent me out to find her, and I did. She’s safe and healthy.”

The man began to shake, sobbing as he sat down, crying in his hands. The men all looked at one another, then looking around the suite, realized how very neat it was. It looked as though no one lived there.

“I-I thought I’d killed her by leaving her there,” he said, shaking his head. “Mr. Liconitis was my priority. He was my employer. I was able to get a hiker to help me get him out, and we fashioned a litter to pull him to safety. I had to get him to L.A. to the hospital, but he didn’t want to go. He wanted to see Annette. By the time I was able to get back to the plane, Autumn was gone.”

“She could have died out there,” said Cowboy, trying to control his temper.

“I know. Don’t you think I know that! That kid was wonderful to Annette and Constantine. She was like a kid sister to me. But I had to think of Annette.” Cowboy understood what he was saying. He didn’t agree with it, but he had a personal connection to Autumn.

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