Diamonds and Spurs [The Callens 9] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) (17 page)

He shook his head. “I’m not buying it. If Sharon is involved, she’d want my head, not Vince’s.”

“I don’t want Vince to the be the target either, but knowing who he was after would help.” She placed her hands on his shoulders. “Someone say something about a ride?”

* * * *

Cam was in his home office working, and Mandy was reading a book on hiking Trinity had lent her when the front door opened and Vince rushed in.

She jumped up. “You’re home!”

Vince held open his arms, and she gladly stepped into his embrace. How she could enjoy both men, she didn’t know, but ever since she learned about their desire to share, she saw no reason not to be with them.

“Is that Vince?” Cam called from his upstairs office.

“Yeah, man.” Vince headed over to the fridge and pulled out two beers. He faced her. “You want something?”

“A Coke.”

He was probably waiting until Cam came down before he announced what he’d found out.

Cam entered the kitchen, took the offered beer, and motioned they sit in the living room. “Tell us.”

He unscrewed the beer cap and guzzled a large portion. “Ah. That hits the spot.” He placed the bottle on the coffee table. “A lot of things, actually. As I mentioned in my call, I stopped by the FBI office. After a few pass-me-arounds, I found the right guy. Mitch Henley works in the white-collar crime division. In particular, he deals with Ponzi schemes. I gave him the e-mails.” Vince looked at her. “While it might appear your ex-husband is guilty, the e-mails in and of themselves won’t prove much, but Henley promised to speak with the other investors.”

She leaned back and relaxed. “Thanks. It wasn’t right what Craig was doing. Someone had to pay in the end, and it wasn’t looking like it was going to be Craig. I hope the emails help.”

Vince picked up his bottle and drank more. “I caught up with your friend Candace.”

Mandy smiled. “How is she?”

“She misses you, but the girl was a font of information. Ever since you told her she might lose her job, she began asking questions.”

Her stomach tumbled. “I hope Craig never finds out.”

“I told her to be careful.”

“Did you mention what happened to me? Or where I’m living?”

He tilted a horizontal hand back and forth. “I didn’t mention where I lived or what you were doing other than you were happy. Candace likes to dig. I finally told her about your two unforeseen accidents, but that you were okay.”

“Good. I don’t want Candy to worry.”

Cam leaned forward. “Pick up on any scuttlebutt about Mandy while in town?”

He waved his bottle. “In fact I did—at an investor’s party at the spa last night, no less. So happens your friend Candy needed a date and I obliged.”

Candy was a very attractive woman. Hopefully, her friend didn’t put the moves on Vince. “Did she behave?” She swore his cheeks pinkened.

“Not at first. As soon as I told her we’d been intimate, she backed off.”

That so sounded like Candy. “Were you able to get the scoop on Craig?”

“Not much. The attendees still believed in your ex-husband, who by the way was quite charming.”

“Charming as a snake. Did he mention why he was without a date?” Though she wouldn’t put it past him to have one.

“Craig merely said you were ill and recuperating at your parents’ home.”

She leaned back against the seat. “That jerk. People are going to find out sooner or later we’re divorced.”

Vince smiled. “As a matter of fact, I overheard a woman tell her husband that she’d heard Craig and you were no longer together.”

“I don’t like it,” Cam said. “Maybe these attempts are by your ex to force you go back to Denver so he can save face.”

“That’ll never happen. I love it here.”

Cam smiled. “I’m glad to hear it, angel.”

Vince told them how he’d personally called a few irate investors. “It was clear to me your ex was guilty. They’d been getting dividends on a regular basis until recently. When a few of the payments never showed, they called Craig. He made up some excuse about the bank messing up. They waited, but no money has arrived. My guess is that new investors are getting harder and harder to find.” He leaned back. “Now it’s up to the FBI to do their job.”

She sipped her drink. “What’s your gut feeling about the gunshot and the tent fire? Could Craig be responsible for what has happened?”

“I wish I knew.”

That sucked. “In the meantime, what do you propose I do? It’s not fair to me, to Sam, or to the other guides for me to sit on my duff.”

Vince moved over to the sofa and sat next to her. “Cam and I would love for you to stay here and just relax. You won’t want for anything.”

She raised his fist and kissed it. “I appreciate the offer, but that’s not me. I want to work. I love helping people. If it’s not in the woods, then it’s teaching, though to be honest, other than the fire incident, I loved taking the women to the mountains.”

“I get it. Don’t worry. We’ll find the culprit.”

She prayed she’d live long enough to see it.

* * * *

Vince sympathized with Mandy. If he had to stay cooped up all day, he’d go crazy, too. After a lot of discussion with all parties involved, Sam suggested Mandy stay at the ranch during the day, do chores around the barn and help with ordering, but not go on any excursions. If word got out that one of the leaders’ life was at stake, Sam’s business might suffer.

Sam suggested when a group was ready to go on their wilderness adventure, Mandy could give the talk about what to expect. She’d demonstrate how to use a stove and explain how to poop in the woods. That would be safe and give her some needed experience.

Vince had tried to work from home so he’d be there when she returned from the ranch, but at times, his clients needed to see him—like now.

He left the house and drove over to the Circle Bar to let her know not to come home until he called. Spotting her car behind the bunkhouse, he checked inside in case Mandy was chatting with one of the girls, but she wasn’t there.

On his way out, he spotted Crystal. She’d know where Mandy was.

“She’s in the barn. Is everything okay?”

Sam kept Crystal in the loop. “Yeah.” He told her he had a meeting that might go past dinner.

“I’ll keep an eye out for any strangers. She can stay as long as she likes.” Crystal patted the rifle attached to her saddlebags.

Vince tipped his hat. “Thanks.”

He headed to the barn. As soon as he saw Mandy, he leaned against a pole and watched her as she stroked the brush across the horse’s back. She looked so delicious. Mandy was right. She belonged here. The care she gave the animal made his cock ache.

He eased his way to the stall, trying not to catch her attention, but she looked up before he reached her.

“Vince! What are you doing here?”

He told her about his late meeting. “I know you’re in good hands, but would you mind staying here a little longer than necessary? Never know who might stop by if you came home.”

“Sure.”

“Before I go, how about giving me a hug?”

She stepped out of the stall and set down the brush. “This does not give you permission to have sex with me.”

He laughed. “I’d like nothing more, but I’ll restrict sex in the barn to our barn. No telling when Crystal will lead a group of ten women in here.”

She wrapped her arms around his neck, and everything about her felt right. Even Cam had agreed she was the one for them. He kissed her once and leaned back. He grabbed her hand and placed it on his hard cock. “I can’t stay much longer or I’ll have to drag you into that stall and have my way with you.”

“Like you could. Wind Song is very protective of me.”

“I’m sure she is.” He tapped her nose. “I’ll call as soon as I’m home to let you know it’s safe to return.”

“What about Cam?”

“It’s jury selection time for him. No telling when he’ll be done. Could be an all-nighter.”

She ran a finger down his shirt. “Then hurry. We’ll have the place to ourselves.”

“You’re tempting me to call and cancel.”

She laughed and stepped back. “Go.”

As much as he hated leaving such a tasty morsel, he needed to meet with Father Crenshaw. Vince hadn’t expected to hear from him for another month. Poor man sounded like he had a bad head cold. Vince would have suggested they meet at a later date, but he understood the church loan would help a lot of people.

“We’ll get together tonight. I promise.” He winked and left.

By the time he reached his car, his cock was painfully pressing against his jeans. Cam and he had agreed to give her a few days’ rest in between sessions. They didn’t want her to think they only wanted her for sex—which they didn’t.

You love her
.

Yes, he did, but pushing too hard under these circumstances might scare her away. He arrived at the church near downtown in less than fifteen minutes. He drove to the back parking lot, as it was closer to the side entrance. When he tugged on the church door, it was locked. That was strange. Perhaps their signals had crossed and the priest was in the rectory.

He crossed the churchyard and knocked. “Father?”

If they did qualify for the loan, the church could build a much-needed extension. The paperwork was extensive and Vince was impressed Father Crenshaw had collected the data so quickly.

“Hold your horses.” The locked clicked, and Father Crenshaw pulled open the door. “Vince Callen. What a surprise.”

Oh, shit
.

* * * *

Mandy’s cell rang not more than fifteen minutes after Vince left. She doubted it was him, but she checked anyway. She extracted her phone from her pocket. The caller ID said
Private Caller
. “Hello?”

“Mandy Duncan?”

“Yes.” She didn’t recognize the panicked voice.

“This is Officer Charles with the Intrigue police.”

Her mind splintered. Was this about the man who shot her? “Yes?”

“There has been an accident on Millers Way. I’m afraid Vince Callen’s car was run off the road.”

Her heart stopped for a second, and her breath lodged in her throat. “Oh, my God. Is he okay?”

“He’s cut up pretty bad, ma’am. He’s been drifting in and out of consciousness. The paramedics are with him now, but he’s been asking for you. Can you come?”

“I’ll be right there.”

She disconnected and ran to the bunkhouse for her keys.
Millers Way
. She had to think where that was. She opened the door and spotted her keys on what used to be her bed. She grabbed them and sprinted to the car. She jammed the key in the ignition and turned in on.

Shit
. She forgot her purse with her driver’s license. Leaving the door open, she jumped out. Halfway to the door, her car exploded.

The force of the blast threw Mandy several feet. Her head smashed on the ground and her vision turned black.

“Mandy! Wake up.”

Something jarred her. Her mind failed to fully engage. Then it hit her. Vince was hurt. She had to reach him and forced opened her eyes.

“Hey, angel.”

Cam wasn’t supposed to be here. She tried to push up but couldn’t move.

Trinity’s face loomed over hers. “Don’t move.”

Her friend’s warm hands were pressed hard on her cheeks and neck. She was kneeling behind her.

“What happened?” Everything was a blur.

“You hit your head. The paramedics are on their way to check you out.”

She wrinkled her nose at something that smelled bad but couldn’t identify the stench. Her eyes found Vince. Both he and Cam were on their knees, one on each side of her. Nothing made sense.

“Vince, you were in an accident.”

He held her hip with one hand and clasped her fingers with the other. “I’m right here.”

“I got a call.”

“Shh. Just rest. We’ll talk later.”

Sirens sounded, and now she recognized the bad odor as that of burning rubber. “What caught fire?”

Both men shared a look. Cam leaned closer. “I’m afraid your car blew up.”

My car blew up?

Her pulse soared.

“Make way. We’ve got her.” Two new men, both dressed in uniforms, hovered over her.

After they put a stupidly big neck collar on her, they had her sit up and proceeded to touch every part of her body, from head to toe, asking her way too many questions. If she hadn’t recently studied their step-by-step approach, she might have insisted they stop. She was fine.

The paramedic finished clearing her spine and pronounced her good to go. She had blacked out for a few minutes, so she agreed to all of the precautions for someone with a possible concussion. Her head ached, but not too bad.

“My knees and palms sting.”