Unbridled Pursuit (Novak Springs Book 2) (10 page)

The sun blinded as much as it illuminated Vitoria’s surroundings. Her bags were packed in preparation to check out of her room. She planned on spending the next few days at Novak Springs with Ginnifer.

If she hadn’t already promised, she’d find a way out of staying there.

After the disaster the previous night, all she wanted was to avoid Wes. How or why they’d ended up in each other’s arms was still a blur. She didn’t regret what happened, and yet she couldn’t help the sick feeling settling deep inside her gut.

The horrified expression on his face after—no, she never wanted to see such a look ever again. It’d decimated her, made her feel like something nasty he needed to scrape of the bottom of his shoe.

Nothing and no one could have prepared Vitoria for the disaster her personal life suddenly consisted of. Which reminded her she needed to do a search on Miguel Santiago. Something about what Wes said about him bothered her. Last night, before she found Wes in her room, she could feel some part of the situation was wrong with her date.

She didn’t know what about it had bothered her.

If he was really a criminal—the biggest bad around Seattle—she needed to steer clear. She looked at her phone and considered the time. Yeah she could put off checking out and heading to Novak Springs for another fifteen minutes at least.

It should be enough time to do a cursory search on Miguel.

Five minutes into her search, her phone began to ring. She picked it up and saw Alison’s name pop up on the caller ID. “Hello, Alison. How is the packing going?”

“Good. Everything in the office is packed up and being sent to the new office. I’ve managed to supervise the packing of my apartment and yours. It’ll be finished later this evening and ready to head your way.” Alison paused to take a breath. “I received your email with your new condo’s address. Will you have possession of it in time to deliver your stuff?”

“I signed the papers an hour ago and have the keys.” Something she only did because she knew it was necessary. When Trish first called her, all she’d wanted to do was curl up in her bed and sob from the ache Wes’s departure left. “Let me know when they are scheduled to arrive, and I will make sure I’m there to let them in.”

“I’ll email you the details after everything is completed. I’ve also arranged a storage facility for my stuff until I find my own apartment.”

“Good, I should have thought to tell you to do that.” She had so much on her mind—and now dealing with the Wes situation was going to turn it to complete mush. Vitoria wouldn’t be much good to anyone if she couldn’t get him out of her head.

“No worries—it’s why I’m here. I booked a flight too, it’s coming in early Monday morning.”

She had something else going on that day. What was it? Oh yeah, Colt. She had a meeting with him. “I’ll be at the office Monday for a meeting with Colt Lewis. Do you want me to pick you up before?”

“No, I can take a cab to the office and meet you there.”

“Good. I’m leaving the hotel in a few minutes and checking out—spending the weekend with Ginnifer at the ranch. I’ll make reservations for us both for Monday. I’m hoping to only be in a hotel for another week or so. I’m anxious to get moved into my new place.”

“Sounds good. Have you told Ginnifer you’re moving to Seattle yet?”

“No, I’m going to tell her when I’m at the ranch.” Part of her regretted her decision. Now that she had sex with Wes—it complicated things. “She’ll be happy I’m going to be close again.”

“Yes, you two are lucky to have each other.” Something in Alison’s voice sounded off, almost whimsical—as if she longed for such a relationship. “I have to go. My work is never done.”

“Are you saying I’m a slave driver?”

“Your words—not mine.” Alison laughed. “Goodbye.”

Vitoria set her phone down and turned her attention back to her computer. She’d typed in Miguel’s name before Alison called. The distraction prevented her from reading the information her search gathered. A couple of articles popped up, and one headline in particular caught her eye. Eric Black, witness in the case against Miguel Santiago was shot and killed.

Eric—could it be the same person Wes always talked about.

The one whose death he blamed on her?

Suddenly it all made sense. If he thought she had something to do with his murder—his rage and hatred made sense. She didn’t know Eric Black though, and just met Miguel Santiago.

Why would he believe she’d had anything to do with it?

Vivian—her twin must know both Eric and Miguel. It would explain a lot about her skittish attitude in the gallery. She didn’t want to be found and even altered her appearance a little bit.

Vitoria had to wonder if perhaps her resemblance to Vivian was the reason Miguel asked her out.

Did he too believe she was her twin?

Fear pooled inside of her.

The article explained he was a huge gang leader. He was suspected of several murders, drug smuggling, and arms dealing. The local FBI was having difficulties pinning anything on him, until Eric came forward. He’d witnessed Miguel murdering a young woman.

Miguel Santiago silenced their witness in the most permanent way possible—by making sure he would never take another breath again.

Vitoria slammed her laptop shut and put it in her computer bag. She needed to get out of the hotel and gain some distance between her and Miguel Santiago. Grabbing her stuff, she exited the room and checked out.

As soon as she was in her vehicle and heading toward Novak Springs she breathed a sigh of relief. Several miles outside of Seattle her phone began to ring again. She hit the Bluetooth button. “Hello.”

“Tori are you on your way?”

Ginnifer…of course she’d be wondering when she’d be arriving at Novak Springs. “I left a little while ago. I should be there in less than an hour.”

“Good. I have a surprise for you when you get here.”

What could her best friend be up to? Vitoria didn’t like surprises much. They’d never really led to anything good in her experience. “You really shouldn’t…” She could hear Ginny laugh through the speakers. The sound didn’t make her feel any better.

“It’s good. I promise.”

“Why don’t I believe you?”

“Because you are skeptical about everything.”

“I’ve good reasons to be. My instincts have never steered me in the wrong direction before.”

And they hadn’t—after spending some real time with Miguel she knew something wasn’t right. She didn’t know how wrong they really were. If Wes hadn’t mentioned his criminal behavior, she’d never have found out.

Of course, she’d already decided to never see him again, but that was beside the point.

“Then they should be telling you how wonderful you are, and I’d never do anything to hurt you.”

Vitoria sighed. “You’re my best friend for a reason. I’m having a couple of weirdish days.”

“Anything you want to talk about?”

“No—at least not on the phone.”

“Does it have to do with Wes?”

Panic filled her at the mention of his name. Did she know what happened? No, Wes wouldn’t have said anything. The way he ran away last night, she assumed he’d want to keep the night a secret. He wouldn’t be running to share it with anyone—especially because he was horrified he even touched her.

His words—it’d been a mistake.

One of epic proportions by the way he raced out the door. Tori was getting rather tired of his misconceptions.

“Why would Wes have anything to do with it?” she asked as nonchalantly as possible.

“He’s been acting weird all morning.”

“Did you try asking him what was bothering him?” Vitoria didn’t want to come out and ask anything.

If Ginny knew she and Wes had been together, well, she’d have come right out and asked. She didn’t know what bothered her soon to be brother-in-law. No, Ginny was in reporter mode and trying to gather information.

“I did. He growled at me and stomped away. Something put that man in a bad mood.”

“Aww, and you automatically thought of me. I’m so happy you think I’m capable of destroying a man’s frame of mind.” Each word trickled with honey as she spoke.

Ginnifer sighed. “I don’t think you are responsible for his actions. At least not directly.”

“I’m not indirectly responsible either.” Which wasn’t entirely true. Wes believed something about her that wasn’t true. Until she could make him see how wrong his beliefs were, she couldn’t help his feelings.

“I know, Tori. Ah—sometimes you frustrate me.” Ginnifer paused and took a breath. “I’m trying to understand what’s going on.”

“You care about him. I understand, but I didn’t cause him to act like a bear. He’s growling all on his own and quite responsible for the way he’s feeling.” Bastard could have stayed with her and experienced some more mind-numbing pleasure. He chose to hop out of bed in horror. For that, he deserved to be miserable for a very long time. She hoped it ate away at him every second of the day for many days to come.

“This might sound bad, but I was hoping you were the reason. It would explain a lot. He’s made no secret about the way he feels about you.”

What Ginnifer didn’t know was how conflicted those feelings actually were. The man had a thing for her he wanted to erase from his mind—all because he believed she had something to do with his friend’s death. The next time she saw him, she’d make him realize Vivian did exist, and she was most likely the real person he should be pissed with. After she made him see how stupid he was, she’d wash her hands of him for good.

His behavior the previous night ruined any chance they might have. Vitoria was no fool. The attraction between them had been palpable. It could have grown into so much more, but he obliterated any chance they might have had of something more permanent.

“Yup, I’ve been
persona non grata
in his eyes for some time now.” Bastard. Vitoria couldn’t help the bitterness. “Is he acting any different than normal where I’m concerned?”

“Yes, which is why I’m concerned. He’s so grouchy. Something is eating at him, but he won’t talk about it. When Dallas asked him what was wrong, he shoved him out of the way and glared at him. If Wes hadn’t left on his own, Dallas would’ve helped him out the door.”

“Ah, and of course I had something to do with it. Such a logical assumption.”

“It isn’t, Tori, I only asked because you said you have something odd going on too.”

“You’re right. I’m being bitchy. I’ll tell you everything when I get there. I want to concentrate on driving now.”

“All right, but I expect you to tell me what’s bothering you. I don’t want to deal with another grumpy-grumbler around the ranch.”

Vitoria laughed. “I promise we’ll talk.” She wouldn’t tell her all the details. Talking about what happened between her and Wes—the feelings were still too raw to expose herself to more hurt.

“Bub-bye Tori, at least for now.”

Ginnifer ended the call, leaving Vitoria in silence. It gave her time to think—consider what she’d tell her once she arrived. She needed to give her some kind of explanation for her bad mood. Plus Wes would need to be dealt with at some point.

Truth be told, Vitoria hoped to avoid him and any discussion involving the previous night.

The rest—well it would either come out or it wouldn’t. If he didn’t want to hear the facts, she wouldn’t force them on him. She could ignore him for the rest of her life and be happy to do it.

A mid-size black crossover pulled up the long drive leading to Novak Springs. Wes watched as a caramel-blonde woman hopped out of the driver’s seat. Vitoria’s curvaceous frame for once was not decorated to the hilt in a dress and killer high heels. Instead, she wore faded blue jeans, a loose fitting sheer white blouse layered over a plum camisole, and matching purple flip flops. Her normally well-coifed hair was pulled back into a messy ponytail.

Wes rocked back on his heels, admiring this new version of Vitoria. He liked her in jeans. It gave him a nice view of her plump ass.

Who was he kidding?

He liked looking at her no matter what she wore—or didn’t. If he were to be honest, he especially liked her wearing nothing at all. He scrubbed his hands over his face and silently cursed himself. How could he want her as much as he did—knowing who and what she was?

“Plotting murder?”

Wes spun around at the sound of the voice. Dallas stood less than five feet behind him. His arms folded across his chest, his black Stetson shading his eyes. Wes knew he’d been an ass earlier. He should apologize, but the words stuck in his parched throat. He couldn’t force them out. Very similar to how he couldn’t get the images of Vitoria’s beautiful body out of his head. He kept getting flashes at the most inopportune times.

Wes continued working on the fence he’d been absentmindedly fixing for over two hours. He should have completed it in half that time—distractions kept creeping into his thoughts.

“Yours? Always.”

“Can’t say I’m surprised.”

“By what?” Wes looked up at him startled.

Dallas nodded toward Vitoria as Ginnifer greeted her on the front porch. “That you’re torn up about that tiny speck of a woman.”

“I’m not—”

“Do you remember when I met Gin? You called me out on how I felt about her. It’s time I returned the favor. You want Vitoria, it’s time you accepted it.”

“I may want her—but I don’t need to act on it,” Wes replied, distain evident in his tone.

“What do you have against her? You never did explain it to me.”

“I don’t plan on discussing it now, either.” A piece of wire fence broke free, slicing the tip of his forefinger. Blood began to pool out at the top. “Damn it.”

“Here let me take a look at it.”

“No, I’m fine. Don’t you have something better to do than harass me?”

Dallas stood over him in silent disapproval. He took off his Stetson and swiped his hand over his chestnut-brown hair. “Wes, I’m trying to help you.”

“I don’t need any help.”

“I beg to differ.”

Wes stood up and took a handkerchief out of his pocket. He wrapped it around his mangled finger to help stop the blood flow. It didn’t look too bad, but he’d still need to go inside to clean and bandage it. First, he needed to get his nosy brother off his back.

“If I feel the need to spill out all my inner-most feelings, I know who to look for.” Wes looked his brother in the eye. “Right now I’m not in a sharing mood. Leave me alone.”

Dallas didn’t seem to want to let it go. He grabbed Wes’s arm and stopped him from storming off in the other direction. “Does this have to do with Eric?”

Wes stopped, stunned his brother would bring up his best friend. “Leave Eric out of this.”

“So it does have something to do with him.” Dallas nodded. “It’s going to fester inside of you if you don’t talk about it.”

“Because your worthless ex-fiancée dumped you and broke your heart? You don’t have a clue.”

“Yes, Melody hurt me, but that’s not what I mean.”

“Then, by all means, explain it to me.”

“Melody was part of my problem.” Dallas frowned. “I had a lot to deal with on top of it. Her betrayal was the icing on the cake. Everything I planned, wanted, or thought I needed fell apart when our parents died. Suddenly my whole world changed, and I didn’t have anyone I could talk to about it.”

“You could have talked to me,” Wes replied.

“And I did, but only with the things I thought you could handle.”

“I’m not a child, Dallas. You don’t need to coddle me.”

Dallas’s lips curled up in anger. “Seems to me you’ve been behaving that way. A two-year old in the throes of a fine temper tantrum.”

“I’m not—”

“Yes, you are.” Dallas held up his hand to stop Wes from speaking further. “Grow up, Wes. Life isn’t fair. No one promised it would be. Be grateful you’re alive and able to enjoy it as much as possible. Whatever your issue is with Vitoria, let it go. We both know all too well how short life can be.”

Wes understood what Dallas was trying to tell him. He didn’t have to love Vitoria—hell he didn’t even have to like her.

Some things didn’t have to be defined.

Yes, he wanted her more than a thirsty man wanted a drink of water. Perhaps he was looking at the situation in the wrong way. They could enjoy each other. People didn’t have to particularly like each other to have a sexual relationship. Clearly, they didn’t have a problem tearing off each other’s clothes the night before.

It’d been a burning inferno between them, until the embers died down and reality set in.

“I see your point…”

“Good, now tell me what’s eating at you,” Dallas demanded.

“What happened to Eric—it has been bothering me a lot lately.”

“How does this have to do with Vitoria?”

“They were dating before he died. I don’t know the details, but she was always with him. I only talked to her once when he introduced us. He called her Via.” Wes scrubbed his hand over his face as he remembered meeting her and then finding her in the arms of the man responsible for Eric's death. Wes never even got a chance to tell Eric what he saw. It had been a not so happy accident. He'd stayed at a hotel in Seattle. As he left he saw them in the lobby—apparently saying goodbye after spending the night together. "She betrayed him. I saw her with Miguel Santiago. They were—shall we say cozy. I know she's the reason that evil bastard was able to get close enough to kill Eric."

“Are you sure it was her?”

“Of course I am.” Wes stopped as the images flashed before him. Miguel's arms wrapped around her shoulders, leaning in closer, kissing her... “Vitoria is kind of hard to forget—although he used a different last name for her when he introduced us.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, I forgot about it until now. He said her name was Vitoria Martel. Why do you think she had a different name?”

“Maybe because it wasn’t the same Vitoria?”

Wes shook his head. “No, that can’t be it. Something doesn’t add up.”

Vitoria kept mentioning she had a twin. He brushed it aside as nonsense—and an attempt to acquit herself of her wrongs. It was far too fantastical and convenient to be true. Perhaps he’d been wrong. He would do what Vitoria suggested and talk to Ginnifer. They may be best friends, but Ginnifer wouldn’t lie to him.

“Maybe you should talk to her.”

“You don’t think I’ve tried?” Wes threw his hands up in the air, the handkerchief he’d been holding against his bleeding finger tumbled to the ground. He picked it up and stared at it in disgust. “I really need to go clean this before it gets infected.”

“Come on, there is a first aid kit in the barn. I’ll help you clean it up while we finish talking.”

Wes began to follow his brother. “Gee thanks, ’cause I’m incapable of taking care of myself.”

“Not my fault you’re acting like an incompetent child.”

They walked over to the barn and entered the tack room. The far side had a sink. Above it, on a shelf rested the supplies they needed to clean out the wound on Wes’s finger. Dallas opened the kit and pulled out some antiseptic ointment and bandages.

“I’m not incompetent.” Wes turned on the sink and scrubbed the dirt and grime off his hands. “I’m more than capable of taking care of myself.”

Dallas raised his eyebrow. “I notice you didn’t dispute you’re acting childish.”

“Takes one to know one.” Wes smirked.

“I’ll have you know since I met Gin, I’ve let all that go.”

Dallas was really a different man since he admitted he loved Ginnifer Zeiss. He smiled more and looked downright happy every day. If Wes didn’t love his brother, he’d want to smack the cheer off his face on a regular basis—just for the principle of it. If he had to be so damned miserable, everyone else should be too.

“What happened to you?”

Dallas and Wes looked up to see their baby sister walk into the tack room. Her cinnamon hair pulled back into a French braid, she tilted her head and studied them both. Wes held out his bleeding finger for Dallas to place the healing ointment on it.

“I sort of cut my finger on one of the fence posts,” Wes admitted.

“Really? What distracted you so much you wanted to chop your finger off?”

“Nothing.”

“I saw Tori arrived earlier.”

Damn it, what was with his nosy siblings? “Failing to see your point, squirt.”

Dallas picked up a bandage and wrapped it around Wes’s injured finger. He remained strangely silent while Emma talked. Before Emma barged into the room, he’d been full of his own well-meaning advice.

“Are you going to act like an ass while she is here?” his baby sister asked.

“Is she going to be a bitch?’

Emma sighed, frustration filling her blue eyes. “She only gets mean when you do. You reap what you sow Wes.”

“I’m not making any promises.”

“Is she the reason you sliced open your finger?” Emma raised her eyebrow questioning his ability to multitask.

“Of course not.”

Dallas finished bandaging his finger, wrapped a piece of tape to hold it in place. “You’ll live.” He tossed the wrappers in the trash, turned, and nodded toward Emma. “I’ll let you two finish your discussion.”

Wes watched in disgust as his brother vacated the room. So much for brotherly support. He was leaving him to the wolves. Okay, maybe that was a tad harsh. Emma meant well—but she didn’t get it. Did he hound her about her eternal loathing of Colt? No, he let it be and supported her. The least she could do was return the favor.

“He seems to be in a hurry to leave. Did you piss him off too?” Emma asked.

“Yeah, but not now. We cleared things up. Did you want something in particular?”

“Nope. I’m gonna go riding and saw you two huddled in here. Came by to say hello and see what you were doing.”

“I’m thinking about moving out into the middle of nowhere and becoming a hermit.”

Emma laughed. “Oh come on. We’re not that bad.”

“Eye of the beholder—you should see things from my perspective.”

“Maybe if we understood what it is about Tori you hate so much, we wouldn’t be so difficult with you.”

“I’m going to tell you what I told Dallas—leave it be.” He closed his eyes, his head beginning to pound unmercifully against his skull. “I’m not ready or willing to talk about it.”

“Fine, but if you need to, you know where to find me.” Emma placed a hand on his shoulder to get his attention.

He opened his eyes and stared into hers.

“You’ve been here every step of the way with the mess between me and Colt. I understand not wanting to talk about something. I promise I won’t judge.”

Of course she wouldn’t. His sister loved him unconditionally. Wes could be totally in the wrong, and she’d still support him. Just like he stood by her side when she decided to never get back together with Colt again. Even if Missy’s baby turned out to not be his, Emma believed he’d been unfaithful and could never trust him again.

Wes understood the feeling. He didn’t trust Vitoria. Of course not trusting her didn’t prevent him from wanting her. He wondered if Emma went through the same tumultuous feelings. Not that he’d ask her that—ever. Some things you didn’t discuss with your little sister.

“I’m fine.”

She nodded. “If you say so. My offer still stands.”

“Go ride your horse. I have chores to finish.”

She laughed. “Don’t try to cut off any more fingers.”

He couldn’t promise he wouldn’t. If he got distracted again anything was possible, he certainly didn’t want to bleed all over the ranch over a piece of blonde fluff. Wes sighed and went back out to the fence to fix it—once and for all determined to push thoughts of Vitoria Miene out of his head.