Hell on Heels (17 page)

 

After her meeting with Evan, Monica was determined to talk to Ty. Although Tom had put the decision in her hands, she felt a twinge of conscience in moving forward without first talking with Ty. She had a pretty good idea of how much Evan would be willing to offer. Ty's twenty percent share of that would be a powerful consolation. With that kind of money he could start over wherever he liked. He could probably buy himself a small island off the Yucatan Peninsula and spend his days on a private beach drinking margaritas surrounded by sultry señoritas.

That last thought made her throat tighten. Was that the kind of life he really wanted? Never to tie himself down to anyone? Tom had known Ty his entire life and seemed to think differently. Maybe it was just wishful thinking on Tom's part to see the two people he cared for most together. For a short time it had even been wishful thinking on her part. She knew better now.

When Ty didn't answer her call or text, she headed to the hotel. Although she could have dealt with everything by fax and phone from New York, it only seemed right to meet him face-to-face . . . and say good-bye.

Arriving at the hotel, she went straight to Ty's office, trying the door when he didn't answer her knock. Finding it unlocked, she went inside to leave him a note and discovered architectural renderings lying on his desk. Overcome with curiosity, she spread them out.

She was shocked to recognize the inspiration for the sketches as the Plaza de Toros in Seville, the oldest bullring in the world. It was unmistakable. She'd seen it several times during her European travels.

The idea was exciting, innovative, and absolutely brilliant, but it seemed so completely out of character. She never could have imagined Ty coming up with something like this. The pieces were slowly coming together—the sketches, Ty's evasiveness. Was he trying to secure investors? Why hadn't he discussed any of this with her? Then again, when had she ever given him the chance? She hadn't. She'd never once asked him about his ideas for the hotel. She'd never shown the least interest in his plans, or in his dreams, other than shutting them down.

Even if he could get the funding, she wondered if he had the wherewithal to take on such a massive project. Tom's words suddenly echoed in her mind.

She recalled her answer to Tom: that Ty only needed Ty.

She wondered wistfully if things had been different between them, if she might have stayed on, but they'd proven it was impossible to keep their relationship on a professional footing, and anything personal was only doomed to fail—it already had. Although she wished him well, she could never be a part of this. She rolled up the drawings and left his office to try the saloon.

“Ms. Brandt!” Gabby's face lit up at her entrance. “Haven't seen you in a while.”

“I've been really busy,” Monica said, sliding onto a stool.

Gabby smiled slyly. “Funny, that's exactly the same answer Ty gave me.”

“So you've seen him?” Monica asked.

“Yeah. He left a few hours ago with some VIP that his ex brought in.”

“His ex? Ex what?”

“His ex-wife, Delaney. They all went to watch the bull riding.”

Monica started in disbelief. “Ty was
married
?”

“I'm sorry. I thought you knew,” Gabby added with a rueful look. “They didn't last long, and she took him to the cleaners.”

That revelation explained a number of things about Ty. Monica recalled an especially bitter remark about a rattlesnake bite. She suddenly understood that he might have had valid reasons for keeping women at a distance. He'd been hurt, just as she'd been wounded by her family, and they'd both reacted the same way—by putting up stone walls.

“Did you want a drink?” Gabby asked.

Monica dropped her purse onto the bar. “You know, I think I do. How about a Grey Goose martini up with a twist.”

“Are you staying for the party tonight?”

“What party?” Monica asked.

“Ty didn't tell you about it?”

“No, he didn't.” Monica frowned, hurt that he hadn't even mentioned it. “He only said he had some important business to see to today.”

“He's throwing a bash for some of the riders and the VIP Delaney brought in. I hear he's a Houston oil man, but she comes from big money too. Then again, everything's big in Texas, right?” Gabby quipped and proceeded to mix the drink.

“So his ex is a Texan?”

“Yeah. A former beauty queen. She was Miss Yellow Rose or something like that.”

“Why did they split up?” Monica couldn't help asking.

“She claims he cheated on her.”

“Is it true?” Monica asked.

“Ty denies it, but there were some pretty suggestive pictures on Flickr.”

Monica snorted. “Then it's probably a good thing he doesn't
do
relationships.”

“Don't let him fool you,” Gabby said, reading her thoughts. “That player image isn't who he really is. Or at least who he wants to be.”

“Well, he's pretty damned convincing 'cause he sure fooled me.” Monica gave a dry laugh. “When do you expect him back? I need to talk to him.”

Gabby glanced at her watch. “Any time now. He said between ten and eleven. And it's almost ten. That's when the party officially starts.” Gabby slid the drink in front of her. “I'm surprised Ty didn't invite you. But he probably didn't think you'd be interested.”

“Why would he assume that?” Monica asked.

“I don't know.” Gabby shrugged. “Maybe because you're so different from most of the folks that come here.”

Or maybe because she'd never expressed even remote curiosity about his world? Gabby was right. Why would Ty think she'd be interested? She'd done nothing to try to fit in.

A group of people entered the bar, chattering and laughing. She recognized the first cowboy as Kade, the guy who'd hit on her the other night. The second cowboy she assumed was his brother, the bull rider. A couple followed them in, a curvy brunette in skintight jeans and a tall, lean cowboy with his arm draped around her shoulders as he guided them all to a table. He glanced across the bar and their eyes met.

Her throat knotted. It was Ty. And he was with Cassie.

 

Shit.
The last person Ty had expected to see tonight was Monica.

Her eyes widened with surprise and then narrowed again as they swept over Cassie. He knew that look all too well. “Pardon me a minute,” he excused himself from the group and made his way across the bar. He tipped his hat. “Didn't think I'd see you here, but since you are, would you like to join us?” He nodded to the table.

“No, thanks,” she replied tight-lipped, clearly seething. “You move lightning-fast, don't you, Ty? Me just this morning. And now Cassie? Is that why you were in such a big hurry to leave? One woman a day isn't enough for you?”

“I said why I had to leave.”

“No, you didn't.”

“I told you I had business to take care of. Important business. This ain't what you think, Ms. Brandt, but even if it was, I told you I answer to nobody. I'm not about to tell you how to live your life, and I don't cotton to anyone dictating mine. Now, if you'd like to come and join us, I'll be happy to introduce you around.”

“That won't be necessary. I'm leaving.” She stood. “Good-bye, Ty.”

Something about her tone and demeanor suggested far more than just “good night.”

“
Goodbye?
What do you mean?” he asked.

“It means I'm done, Ty. Done with Las Vegas. Done with this hotel. And especially done with
you
.”

He watched her walk out with his hands clenched at his sides, fighting the urge to go after her. But what would he say? Apologize for something he didn't do?

Once again she'd jumped to conclusions when he'd done nothing wrong. He was sick and tired of her thinking the worst of him, and what was the point of explaining himself when she didn't give a shit about his world anyway? He turned back to the table with a pasted-on smile.

Hours later, after Just Call Me Phil disappeared with Tamara on his arm, and Ty finally managed to peel a tipsy Cassie off his lap and get her into the limo, he returned to the bar to find Delaney waiting for him.

“Wasn't sure you'd be back,” she remarked.

“It's a bad idea to mix business and pleasure,” Ty said bitterly, his thoughts returning to Monica.

“What a surprise,” Delaney remarked dryly. “Admittedly, I didn't credit you with either the scruples or the self-restraint.”

“If you've got something on your mind, just spill it, Delaney. I'm too fucking tired for our normal bullshit.”

“Fair enough,” she agreed. “I won't bust your balls anymore, especially after tonight. It couldn't have gone any better, Ty. You made yourself look like a damned hero to that man.” She raised her glass in salute. “He wants to partner with you. Says he'll even loan you the rest of what you need for the renovations.”

“That's fantastic!” Ty slapped the table.

“Not so fast, Ty. There's one little caveat . . . he wants controlling interest.”

Ty's elation evaporated. “No deal, Delaney. I've put too much into this place to just hand it over.”

“For all intents and purposes, you'd still be the one in charge, Ty. It's really no different than your arrangement with Tom.”

“The hell it isn't! It's completely different! I've known Tom all my life.”

“And I've known Uncle Phil. He won't do you wrong, Ty.”

“I'm not going to answer to someone else. I'd sell out completely first.”

“Then it just may come to that. You aren't going to get another chance like this, Ty. Seems to me you'd better sleep on it before you answer. Uncle Phil's staying the weekend. That gives you forty-eight hours to decide.”

E
van's Gulfstream had just been cleared for takeoff from Henderson Executive Airport when Monica's phone buzzed. Recognizing Ty's number on her caller ID, she scowled at the phone and ignored the call. Whatever he had to say to her was too little, too late. She'd meant every word she'd said. She was finished. The sooner she left this desert wasteland the better. She was leaving Las Vegas for good—with Evan.

Maybe he was a manipulative asshole at times, but at least he was willing to offer her a commitment. She didn't love him, but maybe love wasn't such a good bargain. Her feelings for Ty had only made her miserable. She deserved more from life and certainly wasn't going to find it in Sin City.

She glanced out the window at the mountains, an aching reminder of that sunrise with Ty. A text message interrupted that thought. She was about to delete that too, until she saw Tom's name. The message that followed made her heart leap into her throat.

“Oh my God! Stop the plane, Evan!” she shrieked.

“What the hell is wrong with you?” he snapped. “We can't just turn around.”

“Oh yes we can! It's Tom. I mean it, Evan. Stop the fucking plane. I have to get off. Now!”

 

For the second time, Ty found himself pacing the halls of Desert Springs Medical Center, waiting for Tom's daughter. “Would you like some coffee, Ty?” the unit secretary asked.

He recognized her as the plump redhead from the last time he'd been there, the one he'd never called for dinner. What the hell was her name again? “No thanks, Sugar,” he dismissed the offer.

He'd phoned and texted Monica numerous times in the last hour, but she still hadn't responded. Was she already in New York? Or maybe she was en route with her phone off?

Just when he was about to dial again, she appeared, ashen-faced, in the doorway. His gaze briefly met that of the man standing behind her. He had both hands possessively anchored on her shoulders, sizing Ty up. Ty nodded and returned the favor. He didn't need an introduction to know it was Evan.

“Tom?” Monica whispered hoarsely, her gray eyes wide with fear.

Fuck.
Why did he have to be the one to tell her?

He opened his mouth, but the words just wouldn't come. All he could do was shake his head and open his arms. Monica gasped and then launched herself into them, hitting him hard with a body-racking sob. Ty shut his eyes and clutched her tightly to his chest, barely holding his own choking sobs at bay. They stood there for what felt like eternity, anchored to each other in shared grief while Rosa wailed in the background.

“I'm sorry, Sugar,” Ty murmured into her hair. “He's gone. But I'm right here, and I swear to God I'll take real good care of you.”

Here's a sneak peek at the next novella in the Hotel Rodeo series,

 

 

Available from Lyrical Shine in February 2016!