Dune Road (7 page)

“Mr. Bronson?” Detective Lewis pulled Cole’s attention back to the discussion.

“I’m sorry. I’m tired and have a lot on my mind. Where was I? Oh yeah, the accounts.” Cole ran a hand through his hair. “I went through everything from the past year and saw a pattern. Then, I dug further and discovered who was skimming the funds. Hector Lopez interned with our company when he was still in college and was then hired as a full time employee the day he graduated. He’s been with us for the better part of twenty years, and was a trusted, valued worker.”

This wasn’t the first time an employee had been caught embezzling funds, but it wasn’t surprising, considering the size and reach of the family business. When you dealt with large amounts of money, you attracted greed. But it still stung that Hector turned out to be a thief.

“Anyway, Hector disappeared the day before I was going to confront him. Only four people knew what was going on. Me, my father, my father’s secretary—Sara, and Bob. Someone tipped Hector so he knew to run. I have proof that he stole about six million dollars over twenty years, but on the day we contacted the authorities to have Hector arrested, he suddenly absconded. A few days later, my father received a text from Hector threatening to kill me if my father didn’t drop the investigation and all charges. Dad asked me to disappear for a little while, so I did, but I didn’t take the threat seriously. We are dealing with extremely large sums of money and greed does terrible things to a person...I should have realized that.”

He glanced at his father. Deep worry lines creased his father’s brow and dark circles ringed his eyes. The stress on his father’s face was Cole’s fault because he hadn’t taken the situation seriously enough. He was also to blame for Bob being in the hospital, and the reason Ashleigh was put in harm’s way.

Cole shook his head, trying to focus on the interrogation. “The day after I arrived at our cottage estate, Bob and I were running on the beach. It was Bob who discovered Sara, my father’s secretary, was Hector’s informant. There really was no other alternative. It had to have been her, no one else knew. “Then, tonight, I was told that Dennis, Sara’s son, who is one of my security personnel, disappeared. That’s when I realized Hector, Sara, and Dennis were all involved. Sara knew my father has never been good at keeping track of money. She also knew I was the biggest threat. As far as I know, Sara and Dennis haven’t surfaced, but Hector is the man who was shot by my security guard.”

Cole stood. “Look, Detective Lewis, I really need to get to the hospital to see Bob. You have statements from my guards, and I’ve been over this three times already. I’ll make myself available whenever you need me, but I have to go now.”

The detective shook hands with Cole and Cole’s father before handing them his business card. “Do you think the other two individuals pose a threat to you?”

Cole shrugged. “I really have no idea, however at this point I’m taking everything more serious.”

His father joined him at the hospital. Cole had to keep his father close until everyone within the company was investigated. He didn’t think anyone would go after his father, but they had underestimated Hector, and Cole wasn’t about to chance anyone else getting hurt.

Bob was out of surgery and sleeping. Tubes ran into his arms and nose, wires were attached to his chest, and a monitor beeped a steady rhythm beside the bed. The doctor said Bob would make a full recovery. While the doctor’s diagnosis gave Cole some relief, he was still worried.

“I want security assigned to Bob, Dad.”

“No problem. Most of the guys are in the waiting room downstairs anyway. I’ll have them set up a schedule. What about you? We should have Andy watch your back.”

Cole nodded. “Have him meet us at the car. There’s something I have to take care of.”

Chapter Eleven

The ringing of the doorbell woke Ashleigh from a fitful sleep. Thinking Lindsay was bringing Savannah home, Ashleigh quickly flipped the blankets to the side and swung her legs off the edge of the bed before realizing her mother was already up and would let them in. She jumped in the shower, the warm spray pouring over her easing the tension knotting her muscles.

She didn’t want to think of Cole, yet it seemed difficult to keep him out of her thoughts. Ashleigh definitely had feelings for him. Before last night, she even entertained thoughts of having a future with him. To consider a permanent relationship with Cole after he lied to her was pointless. For all she knew he wasn’t interested in pursuing anything serious with her anyway. She didn’t know if she’d ever be able to trust him again. Trust was a huge issue. It would be hard, if not impossible to regain her confidence in him.

She stepped out of the shower and wrapped a large towel around her, then stood before the mirror and stared at her reflection. The dark circles beneath her eyes were evidence of her exhaustion. She ran her fingers through her wet hair and slipped a flowered sundress over her head. Not bothering with make-up, she forced a smile to hide her distress and headed downstairs to get a hug from her daughter.

When Ashleigh walked into the kitchen, the smile faded from her lips. Cole and an older man were sitting at the table with her mother, eating pancakes. She shot her mother a glare, hoping to convey the word
traitor
in her stare, but her mother’s eyes were dancing with amusement. Ashleigh leaned against the counter and crossed her arms over her chest.

What was Cole doing here? He still wore the clothes he’d had on last night, though they were now wrinkled, and his normally clean shaven face was shadowed with growth. For a brief moment she had the urge to wrap her arms around him and reassure him that everything would be all right. She fought that urge.

“What are you doing here?” She finally found her voice to speak.

“I was explaining to your mother what happened last night, and apologizing for placing you in harm’s way. I would never intentionally put you in any kind of danger. I’m so sorry, Ashleigh.” Cole stood and slowly approached her. He placed his hand on the small of her back, the warmth of his hand burning a hole through the fabric of her dress, her skin, and through her body to the very core. He guided her to the table and pulled out a chair.

“Dad, this is Ashleigh.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Ashleigh. Though I’m sorry it couldn’t have been under more pleasant circumstances.” Mr. Bronson took her hand in both of his, a warm, kind gesture that made her feel safe. She could see immediately where Cole got his charm.

“Thank you. It’s nice to meet you, as well.”

“Would you like to join me for a cup of coffee on the deck, John?”

John? Since when did her mother start calling men by their first name? Especially Cole’s father? Ashleigh knew this was her mother’s sly way of leaving Ashleigh alone with Cole…to talk.

Her mother glanced over her shoulder and winked at Ashleigh before accompanying John outside.

As soon as the door closed behind her mother, Cole immediately launched into an explanation of his family business, who Bob and Andy were, the embezzlement, and the threat on his life. Ashleigh’s resolve suddenly weakened. She could see the regret in his eyes for having placed her in danger. She also knew he was blaming himself for his bodyguard’s injuries.

“I’m so sorry, Ashleigh, can you ever forgive me?”

She shrugged and stared at the tea cup on the table. Cole hadn’t done anything wrong. He was actually the victim in the entire mess. It wasn’t his fault someone tried to kill him. Technically he didn’t lie to her, just opted to not explain who he was. “I still don’t understand why you didn’t enlighten me as to who you are.”

His gaze dropped down to look at the same teacup. “I don’t know. I’m sorry. When I brought you back to the house last night, I told you I needed to talk to you. I wanted to tell you everything.” He shoved his fingers roughly through his hair, frustration evident in the gesture. “I have no excuse, Ashleigh, but I’ll make you a promise. If you give me another chance, I won’t screw it up this time. You
can
trust me, Ashleigh.”

He looked at her, obviously waiting for an answer, but not pushing for one. His hair was sticking up in tufts around his head and exhaustion etched his features. She sighed, pushed her chair back, and met Cole, who was already walking toward her. He pulled her into his arms the moment she reached him.

“I can’t make any promises, Cole, but I do want to take a chance with you. I have strong feelings for you—feelings I don’t really know what to make of. But…”

He lifted her chin, forcing her eyes to his, and then lowered his lips, gently covering her mouth, pulling her closer.

****

Cole deepened the kiss, missing the heat her first kiss had sent flowing through his body. He wanted the warmth of her embrace to chase away the chill he had since receiving Bob’s phone call to run for safety the night before. Cole had never known such stark terror upon realizing he had inadvertently put Ashleigh in danger. The fear and guilt almost paralyzed him.

His ringing phone broke their kiss. He answered, but not before placing another kiss upon Ashleigh’s pouting lips. “Hello.”

“Mr. Bronson?”

He recognized Dennis’ thick, New York accent immediately.

Fury boiled in Cole’s gut. “What do you want?”

“Why don’t you join us on the deck?”

The heat that had been pouring through him only moments ago was replaced by ice water. He pulled the detective’s business card from his pocket and passed it to Ashleigh. “Call the police, and then go to another room and hide. Stay there, until I come for you.”

As if sensing his urgency and placing her trust in him again, Ashleigh nodded and left the room.

Cole searched the counter, spotting the knife block. His first instinct was to pull a small knife from the block, but he thought better of the idea. If Dennis felt threatened, he might react and hurt someone. Cole opened the door and released his breath seeing Ashleigh’s mother safe at the back of the yard. Thankfully, Dennis cared enough to not involve another innocent person. Unfortunately, Dennis sat at the patio table, the gun in his hand pointed directly at Cole’s father.

“What are you doing, Dennis?”

“I don’t want to go to jail, Cole. You can understand that, can’t you? And I can’t let my mother go to jail. She really didn’t want to get involved. It was Hector. He was the one stealing your money, but then he got greedy. He wasn’t happy with skimming a little here and there. He wanted more, so he targeted my mother. He threatened her and me. She was scared. She only helped him a couple of times, gave him a few passwords. When you found out about Hector, he went after my mother, assuming she was the one who told you. He held a gun to her and said he was going to kill her to protect himself. I arrived just in time. Hector demanded I tell him where you were hiding out or he’d shoot my mother.” Sweat poured from Dennis’ face and his hand holding the gun shook. “I had no choice but to tell him. We exchanged gun fire and he ran off.”

“Look, Dennis, just put the gun down. Hurting my father isn’t the answer. The police have all the information. If your mother was being threatened by Hector, we’ll work it out.”

Cole held his hands out in front of him as he stepped closer to Dennis. Though Cole was highly skilled in martial arts, and could probably take the gun away from the younger man, he’d prefer to end the conflict peacefully.

“How do I know you won’t have my mother thrown in jail?”

“When I was at the hospital earlier, the police advised me that Hector just came out of surgery. He was wounded badly in last night’s shoot-out, but he’ll survive. He
will
pay for what he’s done. We’ll get the truth about his threats on your mother. We won’t hold her responsible.”

Dennis chewed his lip, as if considering his options, which weren’t plentiful. Cole wanted to feel sympathetic. After all, Dennis was protecting his mother.

Cole would give Dennis one last chance to surrender before he’d give in to his instinct and lunge across the table to push his father to safety. “You can only hit one of us and if you shoot my father, I’m going for you. Then there will be no negotiating, and you and your mother will pay.”

“I don’t want to hurt you or your father. You’ve both been great to me and my mother over the years.” Dennis placed the gun on the table and hesitantly removed his hand. “I was worried about my mother.”

Sirens grew louder as they neared the house and Cole knew Ashleigh did as he requested.

His father stood and grabbed the gun from the table. He nodded toward the back door. “I’ve got it under control here. You take care of your girl.”

Cole turned to the door. Ashleigh hid behind the curtain, a bat in her hand. He ran to the door, opened it, and gathered Ashleigh in his arms.

“Is it over?” The tremor in her voice broke his heart.

“It’s over.” He pressed a kiss to her temple.

Epilogue

“Your mom and my dad seem to be getting along really well.” Cole raised an eyebrow.

Ashleigh glanced over her shoulder to the cottage deck where their parents sat, bent forward across the the small patio table in an effort to talk quietly.

“Yes, they do.” She smiled.

Cole couldn’t take his eyes off Ashleigh. She was beautiful in the flickering light cast by the bonfire. He squirmed closer to her, careful not to disturb the sleeping child in his arms. Ashleigh leaned in to allow him the kiss he craved, her eyes holding the promise of an amazing future. As Savannah curled in a ball on his lap, his heart exploded. He knew his life was finally complete. His cottage on Dune Road not only led him to the woman of his dreams, but went from a summer get-away to the permanent home for his new family. He would be forever grateful for the day Ashleigh, and Savannah, had come into his life.

A word about the author...

Dani-Lyn Alexander lives on the south shore of eastern Long Island with her husband, three kids and three dogs.