Hijacked (A Retribution Novel) (21 page)

Chapter One

A vivid blood-orange sun hovered close to the horizon as Corey Kendall approached the front door leading into Aspen’s Town Hall. Evening shadows played on the sidewalks while lavender lilacs near the front of the building emitted a sweet perfume.

He stopped and held open the door, waiting for his parents to catch up. Before tonight’s city council meeting, he’d take an oath and become the newest representative of his small town, taking his father’s spot on the council after health reasons had forced his dad to resign early. Corey had been thrilled when the town had chosen him as a replacement.

As he waited, the sight of a woman with silky blond hair and long legs peeking from beneath a fitted black skirt caught his attention as she exited from the passenger side of a rusted blue pickup. Classic beauty against a piece-of-shit truck. Not unheard of in their part of the country.

The woman turned and leaned back into her vehicle, giving Corey a nice view of her ass. As an upstanding member of the community, he knew he shouldn’t stare, but he did anyway. He was single. She appeared to be attractive. It made perfect sense in his world.

“Come on, son.” Corey’s dad took hold of the door, indicating he and Corey’s mother should step inside. “We need to get you sworn in before the meeting starts.”

Generations of Corey’s family had lived in Aspen, dating back to the late 1800s. Many had served their community in one capacity or another. Now it was his turn to leave a positive mark on the town as well. One that citizens could benefit from for generations.

A small group had gathered in the council’s wood-paneled antechamber, including town dignitaries and family members. Corey made his way to the front of the room amidst warm smiles and congratulations, stopping when he stood before the town clerk. Mallory O’Brien’s eyes lit with interest as she lifted a black, leather-bound bible and held it out in front of him.

“I’ll add my congratulations, Councilman Kendall.” She smiled then, her long, dark hair complementing the sapphire in her eyes.

“Thank you, Mallory.” She’d already celebrated his appointment with him when he’d taken her to dinner in Pinecone Valley the previous week. Polished and refined, she would fit in perfectly with his life’s goals. He hadn’t discovered that special spark between them yet, but they hadn’t known each other long.

“Repeat after me.” She blinked her long-lashed eyes at him a few times, taking on a serious expression. “I, Corey Jaxon Kendall, do solemnly swear to support the Constitution of the United States, the Constitution and Laws of the State of Utah, and the Laws and Ordinances of the City of Aspen, Utah, and that I will, to the best of my ability, faithfully perform the duties of Councilmember in the City of Aspen, Utah, during my continuance therein, so help me God.”

Confidence underscored by the need to do a good job thudded inside his chest as he repeated the oath. Everyone in his long line of ancestors would be smiling today, including his parents. His dad had been so proud when the town had supported Corey’s appointment, and Corey wouldn’t let him down.

Larry Downs, the town’s other councilmember was the first to congratulate him following the short ceremony. “Welcome aboard. Good to know we have another solid member of the community to protect our interests.”

Corey returned his firm handshake, honored to be supported by a man he’d admired for many years. Time had threaded the older man’s red hair with white, but his blue eyes still sparkled with intelligence and wit.

“That’s right,” Mayor Dwight Gardiner said as he, too, shook Corey’s hand. The mayor shared the same potbelly as Larry and Corey’s father, though Dwight hadn’t been lucky enough to hang onto much of his hair as he’d aged. “We can’t let just anybody in the inner circle, you know. We need to ascertain whether or not a person will uphold our values, protect the better interests of Aspen. I think we’ve made the right choice.”

Corey gave them a nod of reassurance. He wanted to remind the man that the citizens of Aspen had chosen him, not the mayor, but he let it slide. Today was a day for celebration, and he didn’t want to start out on the wrong foot. Not to mention, both men had hovered in the background of his childhood, and he’d enjoyed family outings with them and their families. He respected and admired them tremendously. “I’ll do my best not to let you down.”

“Of course you will,” Dwight said with a wink. “Otherwise, we’d have picked someone else.”

Again, an uneasy feeling slid over him, but Larry erased it with a friendly slap on the back. “Let’s move this party into the council chambers. We have business to attend.”

A group of over twenty Aspen citizens had already taken their seats in the small meeting room by the time they arrived. Corey followed his fellow council members inside and took a seat at the long table in front. Someone had placed a placard with his name in front of his seat, along with a crystal glass and a nearby pitcher of water.

He tried not to let the notion of power go to his head, but he couldn’t deny he appreciated the prestige. Still, he’d silently vowed to always use his influence for the good of Aspen, and he meant to honor that.

His father sat in the front row alongside his mother, pleased smiles gracing their faces. For the most part, he’d been a good son. He’d studied hard in school and had made good choices. He was proud of the respectable life he’d created. In addition to his newest duties, he’d hung up a shingle a year ago offering architectural services and had done fairly well for a new business.

As Dwight welcomed everyone to the meeting, Corey scanned the rest of the faces, searching for the blonde he’d spotted earlier.

He found her in the back row sitting alongside old man Searle, and his heart faltered in surprise.

It couldn’t be.

But it was. After all this time. The one person who’d thrown a wrench in his perfectly planned life. The one who’d tempted him to step outside the box. The one whose kiss he’d never forgotten.

Afton Searle.

Corey stared until her gaze collided with his and held for impossibly long seconds. His heart thundered in his chest with excitement. He hoped she would be happy to see him but understood if she wasn’t. Perhaps she still hated him like she had six years ago.

Then she smiled, and the world righted itself.

He could breathe again.

She looked different. No longer a skittish young colt but a confident woman who held his gaze instead of sneaking shy glances at him.

Attraction coiled inside him like a sleek rattlesnake. He’d tasted her once, and her essence forever lingered in his blood. She wasn’t a woman his parents would choose, but that wouldn’t stop him from seeking her out now. He needed to know if her hold over him was real or a remnant of an overactive eighteen-year-old imagination.

Her grandfather leaned close to speak to her, and she turned her attention to him.

Johnny Searle looked every bit the outlaw in his old-fashioned suit, wearing a turquoise and silver bolero instead of a tie. He’d drawn his thinning hair into a ponytail, and Corey wouldn’t be surprised if he packed a weapon beneath his suit coat.

Corey watched as Afton studied her grandfather’s face, listening to him before whispering something in his ear. He’d never personally spoken to Johnny Searle, but his father had condemned the man on more than one occasion for his immoral ways. What those were remained a mystery to him. Sure, Johnny had obviously lived a hard life, but many people in town liked him. Obviously, Afton did if her expression was any indication.

Her smile could save the devil’s soul. She’d been graced with a natural beauty he’d never been able to ignore. If their families hadn’t come from such different backgrounds, he wouldn’t have been so hesitant to approach her back then.

But the fates had thrown them together for one amazing night. He savored sweet memories of them tangled, naked on the grass beneath a star-filled summer sky. They’d made love and talked until almost sunrise, until his conscience had blasted him with guilt. If only he could keep that one snapshot of time and forget the rest.

They’d both just graduated from high school. He’d been dating straight-A, straight-laced Emily Clinton at the time. She’d been out of town, and he’d reached the point, like he supposed all teenagers did, when he couldn’t stand his parents’ smothering ways, and he’d tapped into his rebellious streak.

Afton had been soft and willing, tasting of strawberries and her grandfather’s whiskey. Unfortunately, a stiff shot of regret had followed. He’d never forgotten their time together, but the guilt of betraying Emily, not to mention his cold treatment of Afton the next morning were times he’d rather leave buried.

Dwight banged his gavel, jerking Corey’s attention to the present.

“Now that we’ve taken care of housekeeping business, let’s get down to the next item on our agenda. Johnny Searle, you have the floor for five minutes.”

*        *        *

Afton’s stomach clenched as the mayor called her grandfather’s name. She hadn’t been able to keep her gaze from Councilmember Kendall, and now they’d have to stand and present their case before the man who’d taken her virginity. Not that her grandfather was aware of her connection to the politician, but, on top of the stress of their current situation, Corey’s presence made everything awkward.

Grandpa stood, looking every inch the stubborn, determined man he was. Seventy years on earth had taken its toll, casting his dark hair with gray and leaving weathered lines on his face. A proud man, he was the hardest worker and most resourceful person she knew. Afton had been closer to him than she ever had her parents. He’d given her everything he could, and she would return the favor by helping him achieve his lifelong dream of opening his own whiskey distillery.

As soon as they could get the damned council to approve their permit.

She stood next to him, prepared to give whatever support he needed.

“Sit down,” he whispered. “I can handle this.”

She met his gaze head on. “I’m coming. Don’t try to stop me.”

He cursed under his breath as he walked to the podium. She smiled and followed. No one could deny she’d inherited his tenacity.

He faced the council. “My name is Johnny Searle.” A life full of rough living left his voice scratchy and deep. “I applied for a permit a couple months ago to open a whiskey distillery here in Aspen where I’ve lived most of my life. You denied me, Mr. Mayor, and I’m here to appeal.”

Mayor Gardiner straightened his tie, taking a moment to puff out his chest before he spoke. “Request denied.”

Whispering voices died as undeniable tension jumped to attention throughout the courtroom.

Her grandfather leaned close to the microphone. “On what grounds? You haven’t heard my appeal yet.” His Kentucky-born accent became more pronounced, like it usually did when someone angered him.

A condescending smile pushed out the mayor’s fat cheeks. “Aspen is a family-friendly town, Mr. Searle. We denied your request because our citizens would like to keep it that way.”

Her grandpa stiffened and cleared his throat. Afton placed a calming hand on his elbow. He released a slow breath, and she hoped he remembered their earlier conversation about retaining his tact.

“What I’m requesting is for a respectable, law-abiding business, Dwight. How does that hurt
our
town?”

Afton noted with surprise that her grandfather had addressed the mayor by his first name. She’d been unaware they’d had a personal connection.

The mayor glanced at his fellow council members, gave them a shared look and then nodded. “I’m sorry, but alcohol and
good
families don’t mix. I believe we’ve come up against this problem in the past, and, in my opinion, pursuing it doesn’t bode well for you.” He lifted his brows as though delivering a threat.

“Is that so?” Her grandpa held his body straight and strong as he took on the council. “You let Sparrow’s stay in business, and they serve alcohol. Plenty of Aspen residents enjoy that establishment, and as far as I can tell, apart from the occasional brawl, no one gets hurt. Some might argue that a place or a way to let off steam, whether it be in town or in the confines of their own homes, is a good thing.”

“Not everyone in town agrees Sparrow’s should be in business, either,” Dwight answered with a little too much force, proving he wasn’t immune to her grandfather’s aggressive manner. A showdown between the two, however, wouldn’t end well for any of them.

Grandpa inhaled, his face turning red. “Yeah, well, not everyone in town agrees you should make all our decisions, either, you self-righteous son of a—”

Afton covered the microphone, cutting off the rest of his sentence. She narrowed her gaze at her grandpa’s challenging one and slipped between him and the podium. “What my grandfather would like to ask the council is how does he go forward with the appeals process? He has extensive data on how his business will benefit the community by providing jobs and adding to the tax revenue.” Thank God, she’d done her research beforehand. “What he has proposed is a small business venture. The processing facility will be on the outskirts of town, nowhere near schools or churches. We believe it will not negatively impact anyone in Aspen in any way.”