The Rider's Dangerous Embrace (An Interracial Bad Boy Romance Story) (18 page)

“Thank you for not telling me to let the men handle it, I don’t know if I could bear that right now.”

She took a few more snapshots.

“John’s daughter? I would never say any such thing and walk away with all my teeth still in my mouth. I know that.” He chucked and pulled on his reins, turning the horse. “Come on, sounds like you’ve got a lot of work to do, and I need to get the arena cleaned up on for the kids coming for ‘Five Buck Bucks” tonight. The damn back pens need to be shoveled out. Unless you wanna do it?”

“Shove bullshit? I do that all day long in this job, don’t want any extra, thank you.”

Besides.

She had some investigating to do.

***

“Hi, R&J, I was hoping to make an appointment for my client….Rivers and Fields. They want to discuss some work with you… yes, prospective jobs….No, there is a new executive, and she is really looking at meeting you before authorizing any more work… I understand. How is tomorrow morning for you?…. No, I’m sorry, she has a rodeo in the afternoon. Needs to travel for it, so that would not be possible… uh huh, the earlier the better.”

Mary was a pro at stealth, handling it just like it was a legitimate conversation. Jayda was not, in fact, planning on hiring them for any work whatsoever, but she did want an appointment with them.

“Yes, Nine will do nicely. Thank you very much.”

Click.

Jayda tried not to be obvious about the fact that she was listening on the other side of the door, so she waited a little bit before making a move.

“It’s okay, Jayda. You can come out.” Mary giggled through the door.

“Was I that obvious?”

“Uh, yeah. I could practically feel you breathing down my neck. Do I need to tell you the details?” Mary cocked an eyebrow, and Jayda blushed, a little ashamed.

“Nine a.m. Tomorrow?”

“Yeah, but they seemed super hesitant. I guess new business ran out over old, but still. I would urge caution.” Mary was characteristically somber, which made Jayda nervous. “They don’t seem like any construction company I have ever talked to. You sure they’ve done work with us before?”

Jayda showed her the work order.

“That is your signature, alright, but I didn’t stamp it.”

“You stamp documents?”

“Yup, when I receive them they get stamped with a date, so that I know how they came across your desk. That way there is some trail, because dates are really important. At least that was what your dad used to always say.”

“It is smart. What does the stamp have on it? does it distinguish itself from anyone else?”

“Yup, it has your dad’s initials. JLB. That way we know it comes right through.”

“What about this document?” She pulled out the other one, the one that her father should have signed, and it looked exactly like his hand. But again, no stamp.

“Damn, so these never actually came through our desks?” She knew it was the case, but part of her doubted it. She signed a lot of documents in a day, and after a while they all ran together. Any doubt she had was quickly washed away.

She really wasn’t responsible for anything negative done to the company.

“Can you get ahold of those pay documents, the ones instituting furloughs and lacks of raises? See if any of them are stamped?”

“Sure, it will take a few days, but I can do that.”

“I just want to make sure I didn’t do anything I shouldn’t have.”

“I believe you, I know you haven’t been shortchanging the men.”

“No, I haven’t, but I want some proof. Especially if I am going to take it to the board.”

She remembered what Thomas told her, and he was right. She couldn’t just go in there on blind faith that someone was going to trust her. They didn’t know her, hell, she didn’t know herself, how would anyone actually trust her? Thomas was right, but she wasn’t going to let it get in her way, if proof was what she needed, it was what she was going to get.

“You uh, wanna go with me tomorrow?”

“Why me?”

“Because you know the business. And I can trust you.”

“Yeah, but wouldn’t you want to take Luke?”

“No, he is a rider, and he works for the facility. You are my assistant.”

“I can’t say I am looking forward to it, but okay, maybe just a little bit. Your dad never took me on business meetings with him. Eee! Want me to pick up the coffee?”

“You don’t…”

“No, I insist. I know what you like now, something just a little sweet and a whole lot creamy.”

Yeah, like Luke.

“Uh, sure. Why not?”

“Great, so it is a date. Well, not a date date, but you know what I mean, right boss?”

“Yes, Mary. How about you go ahead, and leave early, okay? You do a lot of work, and you could use an early day. So could I.”

“Really? Well, okay. I hate a date, like a date date, with a guy…” She trailed off rattling the details of her date off while Jayda pretended to listen. She was trying not to think about Luke, but she hadn’t even heard from him all day, not that it was too unusual, but she was really missing him.

And that disturbed her. He was the last thing she needed to be thinking about, there was too much at stake to have her love sick over some guy. Love sick. That was exactly what she was, and she knew it. Love wasn’t something she was ready for, not right now, but it didn’t seem like she had a choice. She was falling for him.

Besides, was he even the kind of guy who actually loved? By all accounts he was a love ‘em and leave ‘em cliche, except he said he was done with that part of his life, and she wanted to believe him.

***

“Ms. Rivers, I assume?” Greeted right away. “I’m Dan Jennings, the J of R &J. Nice to meet you.”

She entered the small office. It was bare. A single set of rooms, like the kind of office you can rent for a day, with standard desk, but no real decor. She could smell the scam a mile away.

“Uh, yes, and this is my assistant, Ms. Mary Solitaire.” She offered her hand, as did Mary.

“Have a seat. You said you were looking for a firm to complete some projects?” He gestured to the small set of folding chairs and she frowned before sitting. She was less than impressed.

“Yes, but first, I need to talk to you about some previous work.”

Right to business, something that her father would have been proud of, if he were there to watch her. She was not going to let these slime balls off the hook that easily.

“Previous work?”

“Yes, please, sit down, and I can show you some of your work.”

“I do not recall previous contracts with your firm.” His voice went up at least two octaves.

“That is funny, because my signature is on your invoices. Here, let me show you.” She pulled out the copies of receipts and slid them over to the man, along with her pictures.

“As you can see, work was marked as
completed
, except it wasn’t. No actual repairs were made until my ranch hands came along and fixed your ‘work’. Now, this is a very big issue. It smells of fraud. So either you can tell me what is going on here, pay me back, or I can call my lawyers.”

“I… I think someone is playing a trick on you, Ms. Rivers.”

“Really, is that not your invoice? And your signature?”

“I can’t say that it is, no.”

“Really nor this one?” She flashed another invoice.

“Not that I am aware of.”

“Odd. You see, in order to work on our facility grounds, we need a copy of your identification and contractor’s license to work within this state.” A third document passed across the table. Jayda smirked as Dan paled and examined the photocopy of his license and signature. “Isn’t this you? Your license and signature?”

“I was not aware you kept those. That was not what I was told.”

“By who?”

“One of your board members. Please, I can’t say more. I was just paid to do the work. They said no one would find out.”

“You are really that naive?” This time it was Mary who spoke up, an unfamiliar sneer in her voice. “You were asked to steal money out of one of the largest, most influential companies in the county. Money that is used to help kids and young people stay out of trouble, and your excuse is you didn’t think you would get caught?”

Jayda could call the police right now and force it out of him. Fraud was illegal, as was embezzlement, but she wanted that board member. She wanted to find out who would go to so much trouble to betray her, betray the memory of her father. Having this team arrested meant nothing, they had no proof that whoever was behind it was involved. Even if they were made to pay, the real threat would be allowed to walk free. Even worse, whoever it was would know Jayda was onto them.

“Look. Pay me what you owe me for these two contracts, and tell me who it is, and I will consider us even. I'd rather not call the police have to get them down here, have you arrested for fraud, and deal with all the negative publicity. But copies of these documents are out my lawyers, and I'm pretty sure that they're foaming at the mouth for the work."

“I don’t have that kind of cash on me, look, I would like to help you, I really would….”

She picked up her phone and started punching in numbers.

“Okay, okay. Look, let me call my guy, I can have the money here in ten minutes, flat.” He was nervous, and she liked that. This was a lot easier than she expected it to be.

She nodded and waited. Ten minutes, just like he said, and he had the money, in cash. Thus completed step one of her plan, get back the money she needed for repairs.

“Mary, would you mark these receipts as refunded for poor craftsmanship?”

“Absolutely.”

“Now give me a name, Mr. Jennings, and I think we will be all set.

“As for who tipped me off? Look, I don’t want to give you his name, he is scarier than the cops, but I can tell you this. He has greasy hair, and a snaggletooth. One of those ones that is too big to miss. We made fun of him about it, behind his back.”

Edward Kristobeck.

“Good. I think I have everything I came for. If you will excuse me, I’m going to see myself out. I won’t lie, it wasn’t a pleasure doing business with you, and if you ever try this shit on anyone else in this town, I will be speaking to my lawyers. I know you did more than these two contracts, it would just take some digging to find them. I don’t want to see you or your company again.” She searched through her phone until she found Dustin’s cell number. “Hey, we are leaving the office now. Should be up to the office in fifteen minutes. We will confirm when we have arrived.”

Without another word to the dirtbags, she walked through the doors of their cheap, rented office and out of their lives. Jayda got what she wanted, and now all she needed was to catch the real criminal responsible.

Getting Edward to fess up was going to take time, and a plan. Luckily she had a little bit of time on her hands and a plan already starting to formulate.

Jayda looked at her watch. It was nearing Seven, and she just squeaked into the rodeo. It took a lot of time to try and devise a trap for Mr. Edward Kristobeck, and even then, she wasn’t sure it was going to work. Mary took up the reins, setting the bait; she just had to hope he would take it. She’d find out tomorrow night, at Muriel’s dinner.

Thomas texted her about Alice as soon as she got into the arena, saying that she had asked for her job back. She was so caught up in work that she forgot to grab a copy of the billing to see when any of her guys were riding. She sat down she leaned over towards the man next to her.

“Hi there, no one gave me a billing. Do you happen to have one?”

“Sure.” She recognized that voice.

Mark.

“Fancy seeing you here, not like you pretty much own an entire team, or anything.” He winked at her and handed her the pamphlet.

“You get these good seats every time?” She asked.

“Yeah, courtesy of my father,” He looked over her shoulder at the list of men riding. “He ensured I received special tickets wherever I went, and they still offer them to me, even now.”

“Oh, what happened to your dad?” She asked, trying to be gentle, but her curiosity got the better of her.

“Passed away.”

“I’m sorry, mine too.” She blushed. He already knew that.

“Yeah, it sucks. But, he wasn’t the best dad anyways, still. I miss him.”

“I miss mine too.” She bit her lip and looked back down at the program, willing away the tears. This was not the time. She just needed to get through it, and they would go away. Pressing through her feelings was the only thing she could do. The only thing she knew how to do.

“Looks like he is riding fifth tonight,” Mark said, giving her shoulder a bump with his own. “Shit, dude is on Tornado Force Winds for his second go. That bull is freaking savage. Bet it gets him seeded.”

“He is so damn close, I’ve been hoping he would get some good rides. He deserves this.” She had been watching the ranks, and she knew he was close.

“He is sitting at 48 right now, and this bull is killer. The right moved, and it just might do it.” Mark chuckled as soon as he saw the look of trepidation on her face. “Have a little faith, will you?”

“What about my other guys? Anyone out there I should really be rooting for?”

“Well there are a bunch, but what you really need is some new talent. A lot of your guys are getting up there. Some of them need to retired. May take some force. Your dad was always good at that, at least from what I know.”

“Thought you weren’t interested in the business?”

“Not interested in being in it, but I love watching, you know? I like the business aspect. I could never ride. I had to have a bunch of surgeries as a kid, bad back, pins and shit. Made some friends in the business, though, and I really enjoy it.”

“I see. So, is there any new talent here?”

“Well, this is a bit more of an invitational, but there are a couple of kids with small time sponsors. They could really use a sponsor, a training facility, housing, the works, you know? And your company brings in the biggest sponsors. The energy drink people, the outdoors gear. That shit can set them up to live on.” He kept talking, and she listened to every word. He really knew the business.

“What did you say your last name was? I want to get you on the payroll. I need a good consultant.”

“I didn’t. Last name’s Jones. Mark Jones. Why hire me? I already have a job.” He smiled.

“I need a talent scout, and it sounds like you are a good one.”

“Damn right, but I work in management. How could you offer me more than my current job?”

“Well then, we could certainly find a dual role for you.” She couldn’t believe she was recruiting an employee right there, but she knew that a guy like him wouldn’t be wasted, plus he was a friend of Luke’s. Which meant that he was trustworthy, right? Jayda sure hoped so.

“I can talk to Thomas, he can run the numbers give you a figure.” In fact, she pulled out her phone and texted him that moment, saying she found good talent scout, his name, and asked him to draw up some salary options.

“Great, I am sure whatever it is, it will be fair. When do I start?” He winked at her and looked out over the crowd, the rodeo was about to start.

“As soon as you want.”

“How about right now? This first rider is a good idea to look at. He is smart, instinctual. He doesn’t get sucked down the well. Seriously, there were times when I thought that he wasn’t going to keep on the back of the bull, and he does. Even when the best riders don’t. J.D. Diamond, I think his name is. Yeah. This kid. He is something.”

“You wanna try and get him in the office?”

“Hell yeah, I do. I’ll go talk to him after his last go.” Mark winked at her.

They chatted through the rest of the riders, talking about their strengths and their weaknesses, and honestly, it was good to have someone about her age she could talk to, who knew the business Someone besides Luke, who was invested in the level that a rider would be. She felt so lonely in this gig for so long, especially when she first relocated. Mark was a bit brash, and a little too blunt, sometimes, but she found those qualities endearing.

She would rather have someone who was honest than a liar who smoothed things over.

By the time Luke was up, she was completely relaxed, joking and talking like they were old friends. But, like always, when she heard his name over the loud speaker her breath caught in her throat.

“This isn’t a big deal for him, first go, and all, nothing compared to his second.” He leaned in. “Been watching him ride since he was a teen, pretty damn good then, but nothing like now. He really is in the prime of his life.”

“You’ve known him that long?” She asked, as she watched Luke in the pen, tightening the bell around his arm. That bull rope was the only thing he had to take advantage from, because the damn bull was a big beast.

“Yeah, actually it was because of your dad that we met. He introduced us.”

“How well did you know my dad?”

He shushed her just as they opened the gate, so that they could both watch Luke in his first go. It wasn’t an easy bull, but any means, but Terror’s Heels was not nearly as competitive as some of the bulls she had seen. This bull was riding right into his hand that is, turning clockwise over and over again in the direction of Luke’s grip.

She was concerned that the bull would make the score too low.

Eight seconds passed without a hitch and he jumped off a clean dismount, but she could tell as soon as he landed he was pissed. The look in his face and the words coming out of his mouth were equally angry as he jumped up over the fencing and got to safety.

“Shit,” she cursed.

“No, it will be alright. At least he will qualify for a second go. Can’t say that for everyone,” Mark assured her as they waited for his score.

80.3
.

Shit.

She chewed on the inside of her cheek, her stomach dropping.

“He can still get a good average. This won’t kill him.” How could he be so sure? She bit her lip and tried to keep her nerves back. Getting seeded would mean a lot, she knew that. It would open up new doors for him, new competitions. He was so close.

The rest of the riders went in a blur. She tried to be interested. She really did, but her mind was focused on Luke. He told her that this was his last chance, a way to get his career moving. She wanted to see that more than anything.

“Come on, there is some down time, you wanna go down and see him, or do you wanna get something to eat? You can’t just sit here. Worrying.” Mark made her feel at ease, like she’d known him her entire life. Like he was a friend, a cousin, and she liked it.

She nodded at him, “Yeah, I think he could use a visit. Even if it is just a minute. I’ve got the right kind of pass. Might as well use it, right?”

The two of them threaded through the bleachers, moving down and around the VIP crowd, towards the rider’s area, Mark right at her side. At least she knew that if she was accosted again, she would have someone there to help her stand up for herself, not that she needed it, really.

It was just nice to have. She weaved through the maze of fences and buildings until she found the one housing Luke. No matter what venue they were in, they all felt strikingly similar. Like everyone was the same. Today was no different.

“Wonderin’ if I was gonna see you.” His thick, deep baritone pulled her out of her thoughts.

“Why wouldn’t you?” she asked.

“Didn’t know if you were going to show.”

“I always show.”

“Yeah, I should know that by now, but what can you say, old habits. Mine, not yours.” He cleared his throat. “What do you need, Babe?”

“I just wanted to wish you luck. You alright?”

“Trying not to be nervous, can you tell it isn’t working?” This was the first time she’d ever seen him anything other than confident, and it threw her.

“You are like a natural on a bull, Luke. I know you can do this.”

He chuckled at her, then looked over at Mark. “Had a feeling you would be around too. You finally weasel your way into her good graces?”

“You knew it was bound to happen eventually, especially since we are both your number one fan.” Mark winked in Luke’s general direction. “Besides, I’m an official member of the Rivers and Fields team now, she saw my indispensable talent.

“You jackass,” Luke pulled his hat down and spit into the dirt. “You better get back, the second half’ll be startin’ up soon, and I’m guessing you actually wanna see it?”

They both turned to leave, but Luke called out. “Jayda, wait a minute.” His voice was just a little bit vulnerable, and it made her waver.

She stayed, waving off Mark.

Luke walked over and pulled her in for a small kiss.

“Thanks. I know you came for me, most women, in my past, they wouldn’t do that. Means a lot.”

She couldn’t hide the blush that crept up her cheeks. “Next time you kiss me, you promise not to smell like cow shit?”

“That’s bull shit, Jayda, and you know it.” He grinned at her, that same prideful grin she had grown to love.

Damn him.

“You are going to do fine. You have a good bull, and you know exactly what you are doing. Wouldn’t have taken you on if I didn’t believe that.”

“Hell yeah, I am. Thanks for believing in me, Princess. It means a lot.” He grabbed her face with his one un-gloved hand and held her chin for just a moment before letting go.

She turned and walked away, back up to the stands, feeling more than a little love struck.

That man did the damnedest things to her.

***

It wasn’t a rodeo without the overwhelming sights and sounds of the people around her, laughing, cheering, and even heckling whenever the rodeo entertainers came out. Still, she blocked it all, and focused on one thing. Preparing herself to cheer on her guys. To support Luke.

“Luke Daniels on Tornado Force Winds.”

Eight seconds. That was all he needed. Just eight seconds and he would get his score.

The first buzzer rang and the gate opened, the bull jumping out of the chute, bucking right away.

Right into the damn gate.

The collision threw Luke, but he held onto the bell, his arm wrapped around the bull rope tightly, his other still in the air. Tornado Force Winds was angry, and it was showing, the bull was in the fade which meant that his movements completely unpredictable, changing directions, each buck higher than the last.

Five more seconds.

Still Luke was holding strong his free hand in the air as he kept good hold of the bull rope.

Another high buck, right into the fence. This time Luke wasn’t so lucky. Tornado Force Winds was just too damn strong, and it threw Luke, but there was no dismount. Shit.

He was hung up.

Jayda sucked in a breath, digging her nails into her thigh, trying not to jump up and run down there. There was nothing she could do, except watch.

The bull whipped around and rammed his horns into his side, hooking him good, right in the safety vest. Like a flash all the bullfighters were right there, helping him out of the rope, and pulling him down. They worked in completely synchronized action, taunting the bull, getting him into one of the chutes, away from the clearly winded rider. Jayda let out a breath. Luke was on his feet, the bull fighters helping him over the gate.