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Storm pulled the cell phone from his pocket. Coach's picture flashed across the screen. "Hi."
"Hi. Spencer's checking out okay. No troubles with the law. He and his dad have done a bunch of business deals all over the country, investing in apartment projects with commercial components mostly. Looks like he has old family money backing him. His roots trace back to Chicago and New York before that."
"Hmm."
"What do you mean by ‘hmm’? What are you thinking? Did something happen last night?" Coach asked.
"No, not really. He just rubs me wrong. There's something about him...he's smooth, too smooth. He asks a lot of questions. It felt like an inquisition at times. But with all the noise at the club, I couldn't always hear what he and Peyton talked about, but he didn't seem to lack for conversation."
"Well, we'll just keep an eye on him. We've still got the in through Brittiany, right?"
At Storm's hesitation, Coach continued. "You didn't blow it, did you? You need to stay close to Brittiany so you can stay close to Peyton."
"I know, and I didn't mess it up. But your sister isn't stupid; I think she knows something's up. This cover would have been better if you'd taken on the role of dating her friend."
"You know I couldn't. I'm sorry. I know how hard this is for you, but I had to be here with my dad to take care of business. And as for Peyton, I know she's smart, but my dad insists we don't tell her yet."
Storm knew his friend recognized how difficult social interaction was for him right now; Coach had been there himself. Storm also knew how much Coach loved his little sister and it probably killed him that he couldn't be the one home watching over her. A sense of pride crept through Storm, knowing his friend trusted him with such a task—protecting the Crown jewel—Peyton.
"I know."
"Does she have any plans for today?"
"Yeah, she's taking a horse ride with Spencer." Storm's stomach churned at the thought. How in the hell was he going to justify to her that he go along on this date? He considered calling Brittiany to ask if she wanted to ride along, make it a double date, but he really didn't want to use the woman that way.
"You're tagging along, right?"
Storm sighed, knowing Peyton would hate him when all this was said and done. "Yes."
"All right then. I gotta go. My dad's waiting for me."
Storm disconnected the call and texted Brittiany to see if she wanted to take a ride. He didn't expect an immediate response from her since it was only six in the morning, but he hoped for a response by at least eight, even though he had no clue as to what time Peyton and Spencer were taking their ride.
Brittiany's text came a few minutes after eight. A ride sounds fun. Are we going with Peyton and Spencer?
Was she just asking or did she know of their date? Could he be this lucky that she knew the details—the time?
Yes. Storm wrote back.
Great then. I'll see you before ten. B.
Mystery solved. Ten o'clock.
* * * *
Once Storm finished the dreaded paperwork in his and Coach's office in the horse barn, he headed over to Prince Bourbonville's stall to make sure everything was okay with the animal that warranted 24/7 protection. The prize Crown jewel, as Robert Crown often referred to him, was always under watch but with the threats to the family and with the Kentucky Derby right around the corner, the watch now included both video and personal protection. Thank goodness for Bluegrass Security, or he'd have the stress of watching over both Crown jewels—Peyton and Prince Bourbonville. Though there'd be less stress for him if he'd been assigned to the horse rather than Peyton. But truth be told, had he been assigned to the horse, he'd still feel an obligation to watch over Peyton.
He spoke with Prince Bourbonville's trainer, jockey, and security officer for only a moment before heading over to Sassy Girl's stall for his usual morning pep-talk. Sassy didn't say much, a neigh here and there along with a strange noise that sounded like a cat purring. Mostly, she was just a good listener, and she seemed to understand him.
He took to brushing her, and the horse-purring started. Music to his ears.
The sound of Peyton's boots echoed in the barn. More music to his ears. It was just too bad the heavier sound of men's boots pounded along with her. Storm looked at his watch. It read 9:30. Why was Spencer here so early?
Storm stepped out of Sassy's stall. "Morning."
"Morning," Spencer responded.
Peyton looked at him. A soft smile curved her mouth. So, she wasn't still mad at him for his behavior the night before. But she'd likely soon be mad at him again when she found out he would be going on the ride with them.
"Spencer came early for a tour," Peyton informed him.
Why did the man want a tour? What was he up to?
"He wants to see Prince Bourbonville, see what a potential Triple Crown winner looks like." Peyton's pride-filled smile beamed.
All the Crowns were hopeful of Prince Bourbonville's success.
"Sorry. No can do," Storm immediately responded.
The smile on Peyton's face disappeared in an instant and was replaced by a thin line of lips. He was making points left and right with her.
"Sorry, your dad's orders. Nobody other than family, his trainer, jockey, and the vet gets anywhere near that horse."
Peyton's jaw unknotted. "Well, in case you've forgotten, I'm family."
Storm gestured toward Prince's stall which wasn't that far from where they were standing. "Be my guest." Storm swung his gaze to Spencer. "But he goes no farther than this spot."
Maybe he was a bit abrasive, but he didn't like this jackass standing before him. As for Peyton, what was it she saw in this man that made her trust him when he seemed so blatantly deceptive to Storm? Was it just her compassionate side that allowed her to trust people so freely? Was it her compassion that blinded her to her ex-husband’s true ways—his motives?
Spencer reached out and touched Peyton's arm, drawing her attention. "It's okay. I understand. Your father has a lot of money invested in this horse."
Though Spencer sounded understanding, the way he studied the barn put Storm on high alert. It was like he was casing the joint. He needed to get this man out of the barn, and now.
"I'll help you get the horses ready for your ride."
Peyton's dagger-shooting gaze bore into him. "Fine. I'll saddle Diamond for myself, and you can saddle up Sassy Girl for Spencer."
Wow, right for the throat with that one. How better to get even with him than to put this creep on the horse she knew he loved. What will she do when she finds out he's going on the ride with them?
"Isn't that the horse you always ride, Storm?" Brittiany's energetic voice sounded from down the corridor.
Storm hadn't seen her enter the barn. Spencer's taller frame had blocked his view. But her timing couldn't have been more perfect.
"Yes, it is."
Peyton's gaze had shone shame before it landed on her feet.
"I thought Sassy's demeanor would be good for Spencer since he hadn't ridden for a while," Peyton whispered.
"That makes sense. She's so easy to ride," Brittiany reiterated.
"Can I take Nabisco? I just love your dad's old horse. I didn't trailer Zorro over today because I didn't have time."
Peyton's eyebrows pulled together. "What? You're coming along?"
Brittiany looked quizzically at Peyton. "Yes."
Peyton's questioning gaze landed on Storm. No doubt, he’d pay for this later. Thank goodness Peyton was too much of a lady to make a stink in front of everyone.
"I'll get Nabisco and Conan ready for Brittiany and me while you grab Sassy and Diamond," Storm instructed as he turned and yanked open the gate to Nabisco's stall, leaving no opening for Peyton to protest.
Within minutes they set out on their ride, Peyton leading the group, followed by Spencer, then Brittiany. Storm held up the rear. When they got to the fork in the trail, he hoped Peyton would not take the left fork, the river trail, the trail they took last week. The trail he now considered to be their trail. She glanced over her shoulder, catching his gaze. Left she went. Ouch. No doubt her choice was out of spite. If she stopped at their spot by the river, he'd know just how pissed she was.
At their spot by the river, Peyton dismounted and gestured for everyone to do the same.
Double ouch.
As if on cue, side by side, the four horses lapped up water.
Peyton took Spencer by the hand and led him to the rock she and Storm shared a week earlier. They sat. Triple ouch.
Storm swallowed hard as he watched the interaction between Peyton and Spencer. They acted like he and Brittiany weren't even there. Off in their own little world, they ogled each other and laughed. If that jackass kissed her again in front of him, he didn't know what he'd do. Either punch the guy or...well, he didn't know what but he knew he wasn't going to like it. Didn't even like the thought of it, let alone it actually happening.
This was his own damn fault. He had his chance and blew it. His mind worked to justify his actions from a week ago. He defaulted to the fact she was better off without him anyhow. A broken man would do her no good. She deserved better. But still, not this guy.
The blood froze in his veins when Peyton's plump, red lips met Spencer's. Her closed eyes fluttered open, and she looked beyond the man she was kissing—at him, as her lips met Spencer's again. Storm's lungs drained. What was the sense in breathing anyhow if he couldn't have her?
The warmth of Brittiany's fingertips penetrated his shoulder. "If she's going to look at you that way while doing what she's doing, let's give her something to look at."
"What?"
Brittiany smiled softly and leaned closer to him. "Let's cut to the chase. You're eyeing her up like she's your favorite dessert, and she's kissing him while watching you. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out what's going on here."
"Meaning?"
"I'm not sure what happened between you two before today, but I'm guessing it was a little something. And though I'd love to know, I won't pry now. It'll come out eventually. Use me to make her jealous. That's what you intended by our date yesterday and today anyhow, right?"
Was this woman for real? What was in it for her to offer to be used like this? Storm hated games, and he hated lying. The woman stared at him, and the illusory look radiating from her eyes let him know she was up to something, but what? At that moment, the same uneasiness he felt about Spencer surfaced with Brittiany.
"You're partially correct, but there's more to it that I can't explain now. And I'm really not into using people, so I'd rather not get into this any further."
Brittiany leaned closer to him and placed her soft palm against his cheek. "Storm, I get that, and it's very admirable of you, but think of it this way. Think of it as me not helping you but helping my dear friend out of this hole she's buried her heart in for fear of getting hurt again. Peyton is sweet and loving, I know you know that, but she's deathly afraid of putting herself out there again. I don’t know your story, but I feel you've got a good heart and good intentions."
All this from a woman he hardly knew. He was left speechless. Was he mistaken in his assessment of Brittiany? His gut was usually right. Regarding Peyton, he wanted her so bad but feared bringing her into his unresolved problems—life.
"Is she looking at us?"
Storm pulled his gaze from Brittiany's and caught a glimpse of Peyton's stare as her lips still lingered on Spencer's.
"Yes."
"The heart wants what the heart wants, Storm. What are you going to do about it?"
The words were hardly out of Brittiany's mouth when Storm's lips met hers. They went through the motions. First, a light peck, then a little lingering before Brittiany pulled back.
"Eyes on mine, handsome. Don't let her catch you looking at her. If she does, she'll know you're only kissing me to make her jealous. Keep focused on me; it will light her up even more. Trust me."
Their lips met again, and Storm closed his eyes to avoid the temptation to look at Peyton. Why was it so hard to keep them closed?
Peyton cleared her throat, knocking Storm out of his lip-lock. The hurt look in her eyes stabbed at his heart. He hoped he hadn’t made a mistake by going along with Brittiany's plan. His lips parted to confess when Brittiany's blocked his words.
"Are you ready to go?" Peyton asked.
Brittiany pulled away from him and turned to her friend. "Sure.” Her response was flippant as if she hadn't noticed the annoyance in Peyton's tone.
All but Peyton mounted their horses. She seemed to be waiting for her horse to get her fill of water. Diamond hadn't stopped drinking water from the stream since they'd arrived. In fact, she slurped like her life depended on it. Odd.
Peyton ran her hand along Diamond's neck. "Come on girl; it's time to go."
* * * *
Peyton motioned for Storm to lead the way. She wanted to keep an eye on him and Brittiany. How could he and her friend do this to her? Well, okay, just him. Brittiany didn't have a clue how she felt about Storm. After further thought, she concluded that she had to let Storm off the hook as well, seeing as how she was technically on a date with Spencer. But why were Storm and Brittiany along on this date anyway? What was he up to? Something was going on, and as soon as she and Storm were alone, she’d outright ask him. Her texts to her brother had gone unanswered this morning, so she wasn't going to get answers from him. Coach always answered her texts right away, and, because he was married to his phone, she knew he saw them; there was no way he didn't. They were all hiding something from her.
Peyton watched as Brittiany rode her horse up alongside Storm. He leaned toward her and kissed her. Not once but twice before Brittiany fell back into line. Jealousy zipped through her veins. She considered doing the same with Spencer, but it would do no good since neither Storm nor Brittiany would see. Plus, she didn't feel like kissing Spencer again, not unless she knew Storm would see.
Storm hadn't even reached the barn when Lyle, one of the seasoned ranch hands stepped into the sunlight. The transparent look on his face indicated something was wrong. Peyton passed Spencer and Brittiany.
"We've got an issue. Maybe intentional, maybe not, I don't know, but it seems suspicious."
Storm tilted his head toward Spencer and Brittiany and held up his hand at Lyle. The man silenced.
Storm leaped off his horse. Peyton was on his heels but not quick enough to hear what Lyle whispered to him.
"What's going on?" Peyton asked.
Storm and Lyle shared a glance.
By now Brittiany and Spencer were among the circle.
"Nothing. Everything is fine," Storm replied.
"Don't hand me that line of bullshit. What's going on?" Knowing Storm was too loyal to her father and brother to tell her what was going on, she zoned in on Lyle. "Lyle?" Peyton asked.
Lyle looked at Storm.
"I'm over here. What’s going on?"
Storm shook his head, and Lyle kept his mouth shut.
Peyton made a move toward Storm. She wasn't sure what she was going to do when she reached him.
"Can you please just wait a minute?" Storm's begging gaze silenced her.
Storm looked at Brittiany and Spencer. "I'm sorry, but I'm going to have to ask you to leave. We have an issue we need to resolve."
"Are Coach and Robert okay?" Brittiany's voice squeaked out.
"Yes, they're fine. Everybody's fine," Storm reassured her.
Brittiany stepped open-armed to Peyton, and they hugged. "Call me if you need anything," Then Brittiany gave Storm a quick hug.
"Same here, Peyton. Let me know if you need anything." Spencer's voice sounded sincere. He kissed her on the cheek before he turned and left.
Dr. Cullen, the large animal veterinarian, stepped out of the barn, nodded at Lyle, and then grabbed hold of Diamond's reins. Peyton's heart plummeted to her feet. "What's wrong? Why is he taking Diamond?"
Both men just looked at her.
"Fine! You can all just keep your little secret—whatever it is you're hiding from me!"
Peyton spun to follow the doctor. Storm snatched up her wrist. "Wait. The doctor needs to look at her and run some tests."
"So now you're telling me I can't be with my horse?" She tried to tug her wrist from his grip.
His fingers tightened around her. "No, I'm telling you that you can't be out of my sight, and right now Lyle and I need to talk, away from all other ears."
The seriousness in both his tone and gaze caused her to stop tugging. "It's that..." she swallowed hard, "...bad?"
He released her wrist.
Peyton followed Storm and Lyle into the office he and Coach shared.
Storm sat on the edge of his desk and crossed his arms over his broad chest. His eyes stayed on Lyle who stood a few feet in front of him. "Tell us what happened."
Peyton stood next to Storm's desk.
"We were running the usual tests on Prince Bourbonville's feed and water when one of the other ranch hands came up and suggested we take a look at..." Lyle paused and bounced his gaze between her and Storm.
Storm nodded.
"That we take a look at Diamond's water tank in her stall. She hadn't been drinking it the past several days, yet she drank from the outside tank. But not her own. At first, he didn't think much of it, but when a couple of days turned to four, and someone else mentioned it, he brought it to my attention."
"So, you tested the water today?"
"Hers and all the tanks in the other stalls." Lyle fixed his gaze on Peyton. "Diamond's was the only one that tested fatally high with fluoride. It was far above acceptable levels.”
Fatally high. Tears flooded her eyes. "But she didn't drink it, you said. She must have sensed it."
"That's what I'm hoping. But I fear she drank some before she realized it was bad. That's why the doctor is looking at her now and going to run some tests to see if, or how bad, she's been poisoned."
Poisoned. Peyton looked at Storm. "That's probably why she gulped from the stream today as if her life depended on it. She was probably so thirsty and maybe even dehydrated. Who would do this? How did this happen?"
Both Storm and Lyle's gazes landed on the floor.
Since all the horses' water tanks were filled from the same water source and none of the others were affected it was evident this was an intentional action meant for her. The behavior of the large, strong men in front of her staring at the floor, solidified her assumption.
She swallowed down her anger and worked for a controlled voice. "I know there's more. What is it?"
As scared as she was she needed to know the truth—come out from her overprotective family's shelter of it. Fear and anger jockeyed for position. She was thirty years old, and her dad and brothers still treated her like she was a little girl. Disappointment made its way into the mix. Disappointment in herself that her family thought she was unable to handle adult situations—problems. Who could blame them? Her failure at marriage and allowing herself to be taken advantage of by her ex-husband surely gave her dad and brothers reason to believe she couldn't. In any case, none of this family business was Storm or Lyle's fault.
Storm's concerned, dark gaze met hers. "There is, but..."
"My father and brother have sworn you to secrecy," she finished for him. "And your allegiance to them outweighs everything, including me who appears to be the one directly affected," she snapped as she planted her shaky hands on hips for stability. So much for staying calm.
Storm shot off the desk. "I'm sorry."
"Are you?"
"Yes."
Storm's cell phone buzzed and he pulled it from his pocket. "It's a text from Coach."
When he was done reading the message, he returned his gaze to her. Relief filtered through it.
"Your brother's going to call in a few minutes."
"Does he know that happened to Diamond?"
"Yeah, I called him as soon as we figured out about the fluoride poisoning," Lyle said.
"Is he going to tell me what's going on?"
Storm nodded. "I believe so."
"But you still can't, knowing he's going to? I have to wait."
Storm just looked at her.
She plunged herself into one of the side chairs and crossed her arms over her chest. She kept her displeased glare on Storm even though she knew it would do no good. He would never betray her brother by telling her what was going on. On the one hand, his loyalty, trustworthiness, and integrity attracted her even more to him; but on the other hand, they were the same qualities pissing her off because they were getting in the way of her knowing what in the hell was going on.
While they waited for Coach's call, Storm sent Lyle to see if the veterinarian had anything to report yet regarding Diamond.
Excruciating silence filled the office.
Five minutes of staring at Storm had not loosened his jaw. Maybe six would work.
"I'm sorry, Pey—”
"Save it. If you're not going to tell me what everyone seems to know but me, I'm not interested in anything you have to say."
As soon as her words were met by the guilt in his gaze, she regretted cutting him off. This wasn’t his fault, and she knew it, but she felt the need to express her anger, and he happened to be the only person around.
Storm stood and paced the room. She knew from living under the same roof as him for the past year he paced when his anxiety level was high. Great. She'd just pushed someone with PTSD—him—over the edge again. Her chest squeezed her aching heart. She was hurting the man she was falling for—and falling hard. If she kept up this behavior, she'd never garner his love. Yes, that's what she wanted—his love. The memory of his refusal of her made her want to cry, but she fought back those tears. Someone like him would surely want a strong, independent woman, not a weak, broken puppy. The way her family treated her, it was no wonder why Storm treated her with kid gloves as well.
Storm snatched up his ringing phone from the desk. "Hi...yeah, she's fine. She's right here with me...I'm waiting on word about Diamond...I'll put you on speaker."
Storm set his phone on the desk, and they both stared at it.
"Hey, sis. How you doing?"
"I'd be doing a lot better if you would tell me what in the hell is going on here."
"Dad and I are getting to that."
"Get to it. I'm sick of not knowing, and I'm sick of being treated like a weak little girl. God dang it, this directly involves me. Someone tried to kill my horse." There, she finally said it to her overprotective dad and brother. Their hesitation let her know she caught their attention.
"I've never thought of you as a weak little girl, even when you were young. You're tough as nails, and you've got three older brothers who'll attest to that. Hell, I'm sitting next to one now who's afraid when he tells you what's going on, what little we know at this point, you'll run off, kick ass, and take names later." Her dad's voice held such conviction she knew he spoke the truth. But then why all the secrecy?
"Peyton." The softness in Coach's voice was unusual. She knew what he was about to tell her wasn't going to be good.
"I'm listening."
"The person who poisoned your horse isn't really after your horse. They're sending a message to us that despite all the security surrounding us, the cameras, the 24/7 personal security for Prince Bourbonville, they can still get to us—to you."
"I don't understand the secrecy this year. We've been through threats before leading up to the Kentucky Derby, back when Lord Chancellor raced. It's almost a norm for the owners of the horses to undergo such. I'm not saying it's right, but it happens."
"I'm not sure you fully understood me. Yes, we're getting the usual threats and have the usual worries regarding the race, but..." Coach's audible swallow sounded through the phone, "...the threats are more personal this year...more specific, and the nature of them makes it seem as though the Derby is not the cause."
The air drained from her lungs. "Me," she whispered.
Storm inched closer to her. The empathy in his gaze moved her. He'd only been trying to watch over her the past week or two; that's why he kept tagging along on her rides and dates.
"Yeah. We think Tyler might be behind them."
Tyler. The sound of her ex-husband's name was like a blow to her gut. Her lungs drained again. Her brain went fuzzy and her vision blurred. Storm's large, warm hand wrapped around her arm.
Peyton worked to suck some air back into her lungs.
She'd thought she rid herself and family of her money-grubbing ex-husband three years ago. What in the hell did he want now? She knew the answer to that—money.
Peyton gasped, and a small amount of air squeaked back into her stinging lungs. She pulled in another breath. Better. "You're not sure it's Tyler?" she asked, nearly choking on the man's name.
"Not one hundred percent but our research up here is leading us in that direction."
"It appears the business deals he's been working to get out of debt from the bust in the economy a few years back have gone bust themselves. The people he's dealing with now are even more crooked and dangerous than the ones from back then. He's lost a substantial amount of money for them, and guys like this won't rest until they get their money back along with a pound of flesh," her dad informed her. "I'm so sorry, honey. I can't believe I didn’t see through him sooner...before you married him...this is all my fault for being so stupid."
The pain in her dad's voice broke her heart. This wasn't his fault. She was the idiot for falling for Tyler and bringing him into their family. Thank God, they'd figured him out before he was able to suck too much cash out of her dad. But now he was back and threatening for a payoff.
"This isn't your fault, Dad. The guy is a con artist."
Peyton looked at Storm. His jaw was knotted so tight she wouldn't be surprised to hear his teeth crack. One of his hands was still wrapped around her arm, and the other was fisted at his side. She now understood his recent actions and stress. Her father and brother entrusted him to keep her safe, and she fought him the entire way. If only she had known, she wouldn't have given him so much grief or argued with him.
A knock sounded on the office door. Lyle peeked in, and upon Storm's approval, entered.
"Coach and Robert are on the phone," Storm informed Lyle.
"It appears Diamond will be fine. There is fluoride in her system. Doc said because she's such a healthy horse and good eater, whatever contaminated water she did drink worked its way through her system without any issues."
Relief washed through Peyton. Good news for Diamond.
"Great. Hey, Dad and I have to go. We'll check in later. Peyton..."
Her brother's hesitation caused her to fill in the air. "Yes?"
"I love you."
Coach's sincere words hit her hard. She loved her brother and knew he loved her, but her rough, tough Army brother had never said those words to her before. "I love you, too."
Coach disconnected the call.
Somewhere in her fog, Storm dismissed Lyle from the office.
Coach's words let her know just exactly how serious this matter was. Her body trembled. Storm's arms wrapped around her.