Wilde One (37 page)

“If you can still joke after what you’ve been through, you’re tougher than I am. Christ, Ains, I thought I was going to lose you.”

Her lips trembled. “You can’t get rid of me that easily.”

His eyes were shadowed with emotion as he started the engine. “We need to talk. There’s a whole lot I want to say, but not here. Let’s go get your car out of the impound lot and return this one. All our stuff’s in the SUV.”

“I left clothes in the room in Rockpoint. Damonte probably trashed the place, looking for the treasure.”

“Wonderful. I guess that’ll be our second stop. Maybe our third. I’m starving. I can’t remember when I last ate. Noon yesterday, I think.”

A smile slipped out. “My goodness, the ultimate sacrifice. You really do care.”

“More than you know.” He pulled out into traffic. “But I intend to change that. Right after we take care of business, we’ll settle a few things.”

His tone held a serious note that set her nerves jumping. She fought the urge to press for answers, almost afraid to hear them. When he’d held her in his arms all the while they waited for the ambulance to haul Tony Damonte away, she’d been certain he never intended to let her go. Then again, she’d been wrong before about what Griff wanted. Maybe he loved her. Didn’t mean he was ready to make a commitment.

When she burrowed her fingers into the dog’s fur, Rocky let out a yelp.

“Sorry, baby.” She forced herself to relax. Everything would work out for the best. She couldn’t believe anything less.

Hours later they’d retrieved the SUV, eaten a huge breakfast and recovered her clothes, wrinkled but not damaged, from the lodge. Then, by mutual consent, they’d headed south along the coast, back to Cliffside.

“Motel room or campground?” Griff gave her a quick glance before focusing on the winding road as they neared the town.

“Campground, I guess.” Below them, the sea stretched in majestic splendor to the horizon beneath a cloudless sky. “It’s a gorgeous day with no chance of rain, and the tent is the closest thing I have to a home right now. After last night, I’m craving the familiar, not another generic hotel room.”

“We have to fix that.”

“Is it broken?”

A grin curled his lips. “Nothing wrong with camping, but it’s getting a little old. We need to find a place to settle.”

Her pulse picked up speed. “What do you mean, settle?”

Griff opened his mouth then closed it when his cell rang. Pulling it out of his pocket, he answered. “Wilde.”

Frustration at the interruption simmered as Griff listened to the caller without speaking. Ainslee drummed her fingers on the armrest. Just when he’d been about to—

He let out a whoop then swerved into an overlook and rocked to a stop. Gripping Rocky, who’d slid halfway off her lap, she turned and frowned. Griff’s hand clamped down over hers and squeezed.

“Really, that much? My God. Yes, please do. We definitely want to sell it.”

Ainslee’s heart thumped. Holding her breath, she nearly burst while he listened again.

“Interesting. No, for a couple hundred bucks, we’ll probably just keep it. A memento to celebrate” —his gaze met hers, warm and filled with love— “the day my life changed. Thanks. We’ll be in touch.”

He clicked off the phone, dropped it on the center console then turned off the engine. Silence stretched as the cooling motor ticked and pinged.

“Well?”

“That was the appraiser.”

She might have to kill him. “I
gathered
that. What did he say?”

“The jewelry is quite valuable. A search didn’t turn up any missing claims, so we can do whatever we want with it. We’ll never know where Victor and the others found the cache. Maybe hidden in a cave like he mentioned in the Wyoming clue. Quite possibly Nazi soldiers stole it from a family that didn’t survive the war.”

“That’s sad. I wish…I guess it doesn’t matter what I wish. It’s too late now to make things right for the owners if they can’t trace the jewelry.” Turning her hand over, she gripped his fingers. “How much?”

“Six hundred grand. More than twice what the gold was worth.”

Ainslee’s breath wheezed out. Blood drummed in her head. Gasping, she sucked in air. “Wow.” Her voice squeaked.

“Still want to give the others their share?”

She hesitated then nodded. “I do.”

“Even though a hundred grand is chump change to Parnell?”

“Tony Damonte put him in the hospital. I’d say he earned his share—despite his millions.”

“Good point. About the painting—” He frowned. “Is that your phone ringing? It sounds muffled.”

“Oh, good grief, it’s still under the driver’s seat where I dropped it when Marietta’s brother grabbed me.”

Bending, Griff fished it out and handed it to her.

“I don’t recognize the number.” With a shrug, she answered, “Hello.”

“Ainslee?”

“Yes.”

“This is Parnell Jones. I heard about what happened with that shit, Damonte. Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. Nothing but a few bruises. What about you? Griff and I were worried.”

“Looks like I’m going to live.” His deep voice was filled with irony. “At least that’s what the doctors are saying. I’m out of the hospital and will head home tomorrow.”

Ainslee met Griff’s questioning gaze and mouthed the word,
Parnell
.

His brows shot up. “Serious?”

She nodded. “Uh, we were going to contact you. Turns out the jewelry we found in the treasure box is worth a lot of money. We want each of the contestants to have a share. Seems only fair.”

He was silent for a moment. “That’s generous.”

“It’s the right thing to do. Our ancestors all paid for what was in that box.”

“It’s still generous.”

“I did kind of wonder…” She cleared her throat. “Why’d you even bother with the hunt? No offense, but I don’t imagine you need the cash.”

His chuckle rolled like low thunder. “I’m competitive. I like a challenge, and I thought it would be a nice tribute to my grandfather to use the proceeds from the treasure to start a scholarship fund for underprivileged kids. The Thomas Washington Memorial Scholarship. Has a nice ring to it, don’t you think?”

“Yeah, it does. Now I feel like I should give you all the money.”

“What?”

Griff’s squawk of protest made her smile.

“No need. I’ll match whatever you give me, and I have a few buddies on the team I can probably talk into donating to the cause. It’s all good.” Parnell paused for a moment. “Have you told Morris yet?”

“No, I don’t have his number.” Ainslee frowned. “How did you get mine?”

“You left it with the hospital info desk a couple of days ago. I can give you Ogden’s number if you want. I talked to him this morning, after they arrested Damonte.”

“I’d appreciate that.” When he rattled it off a moment later, she punched it into her phone. “I wonder what he’ll do with the money. I spoke to him briefly at the police station before I knew who was responsible for the attack on you, and he seemed pretty angry we’d recovered the treasure.”

“The dude won’t win any Mr. Congeniality prizes, for sure. He’s a bit abrasive, but he was really disappointed. He wanted to cash in the prize to fund an adoption. I guess he and his wife have been waiting for quite a while to adopt a baby, and it’s expensive. He’ll appreciate what you’re offering him.”

“Now I really want to do the right thing. Thanks for letting me know.”

“Sure. Hey, don’t forget to call about those front row seats once the season starts. I’ll look forward to seeing you again.”

Ainslee grinned. “I’m pretty sure Griff will be all over that. We’ll be in touch.” After she disconnected, she turned in her seat. “Parnell wants to use his share to set up a scholarship fund in his grandfather’s name. Ogden Morris needs the money so he and his wife can adopt a baby.”

“That’s great. Victor’s treasure is going to a good cause. Kids.”

Her brow knit. “Marietta didn’t do anything to us.”

“Her brother sure as hell did!” Griff reared back. “You’re not thinking—”

“She’d just blow any money we gave her, but what about establishing some kind of trust fund for her future children. Like you mentioned, use the treasure for kids. Speed was part of that group. His family should be represented somehow, despite the fact that his grandson is a total psycho.”

His gaze softened. Reaching out, he stroked her bruised cheek. “You have a kind heart.”

“If Victor really did kill those men because of that jewelry,
all
their descendants should be compensated in some way.”

Griff let out a breath. “I think he did it because of the painting, not the necklace. The note in the chest indicated that was the object he truly valued. Ironic, don’t you think?”

“Why? Did the appraiser tell you what the painting’s worth?” Her voice quavered. “I don’t suppose it really is a Monet?”

“Afraid not. Maybe someone saved it because their beloved grandma painted it. We’ll never know.” He snorted. “Victor murdered his buddies over a piece of art worth no more than a few hundred bucks.”

“Obviously it meant a great deal more to him. I think it’s beautiful.”

“I told the appraiser we’d keep it. A memento of…” He let out a breath. “Let’s take a walk. There’s a path along the cliff, and we’re in no rush to get anywhere.”

Heart thumping, she nodded and got out of the car. Rocky jumped down, then led the way along a narrow trail high above the sea. Sunlight sparkled on frothing waves as they crashed against the shore with a thunderous clap. When Griff took her hand and squeezed it as they strolled along the cliff’s edge, warmth filled her. Love for the man at her side and hope twined together until she nearly burst with anticipation.

Ainslee forced down a wealth of feelings and spoke in an even tone. “Beautiful. I love this area.”

“Not as beautiful as you.” He stopped walking and faced her, wrapping his arms loosely around her waist. “I was an idiot.”

She gazed up at him and smiled. “Am I supposed to argue with that?”

His answering grin stole her breath.

“No. I thought I wanted a casual relationship. A woman who didn’t really need me. One who had her own priorities as long as I wasn’t one of them.”

She nodded. “I’d have to agree.”

One brow shot up. “Huh?”

“You
are
an idiot.”

His laughter drifted on the breeze. “You’re right. I realized that when you were in trouble, and I was in freaking Utah. I couldn’t do anything to help you, and it was making me crazy.” He tugged her tight against his chest then cupped her face in his hands. “I wanted to be the man you could always rely on. I
needed
to be your everything.”

She squeezed a single word through a throat tight with emotion. “Why?”

“God, Ainslee, because I love you. I don’t want to lose you. Ever. I want you beside me every day, not just now and then for a good time.”

Stretching on her toes, she kissed him. “I love you, too. I was so afraid you’d never want what I do. That if I didn’t walk away, you’d eventually break my heart.”

His lips caressed hers, a light touch that deepened before he rested his cheek against her hair. “If you left me now, you’d break mine. I want to find a place that’s
ours
, here or wherever you choose. When I’m at sea on a salvage job, I’d give anything to have you with me. I know whatever career path you follow could interfere…”

She pulled away and met his gaze. “I’ve been thinking about tutoring, both local kids and maybe through an online program. I don’t know that I want to jump back into the public school system right now. I’m sure we can come up with a compromise that’ll work for us both.”

His eyes glowed with so much love her heart ached.

“From now on, jobs closer to shore will be a priority for me.” He waved an arm toward the huge rocks out in the ocean. “This one won’t be a problem. We’ll dock the
Wilde Chick
every night.”

She took a deep breath. “You’re sure this is what you want? In a few months—or a year or two—you aren’t going to start feeling tied down?”

“I’ve never been so sure about anything. I’m ready to put the past behind me and focus on the future. Remember what I said about the painting?”

“That it’s a memento.” She met his gaze. “Of what, exactly?”

“The best day of my life. The day I met you.”

Tears flooded her eyes. “I love you, Griff.”

“I love you, too. Now and forever.”

He wrapped an arm around her as they turned to face the broad expanse of ocean stretching endlessly before them.

“We’ve come a long way.” She laughed. “From sea to shining sea.”

“Who would have dreamed what lay ahead for us when we opened those letters? Victor might have been a complete bastard, but he brought us together. For that, I have to thank him.” Lifting her in his arms, Griff spun her in a circle. “It’s been one wild adventure.”

“Yes, it has.” She tipped her head back and let out a sigh of pure joy. “And the best part is, it’s only just begun.”

Don’t miss book one in the Who’s Watching Who series!

No matter where she goes, he knows her every move…