Unbridled Pursuit (Novak Springs Book 2) (12 page)

Wes fumbled forward, rolled over on his back, and lay his head against the cool grass. As he stared at the black velvet sky dotted with sparkling dots shining down on him it occurred to him he’d messed up—again.

He’d managed to drink damn near a whole bottle of whiskey.

The worst part of it all was he also found himself kissing Vitoria again. At least he did get some information out of her about her twin sister. If only he’d also managed to get an actual location of the gallery Vivian worked at. Damned alcohol induced state of mind didn’t help in aiding a beneficial and conducive interrogation. What he came out of it with was a story riddled with holes of missing information and a hard on for a woman he shouldn’t want so much.

Staring up at the night sky didn’t help much either.

He needed to get off the ground and go inside the house. Maybe sober up and track Vitoria down again. She’d said something about leaving in the morning. If she was no longer on the ranch it would be much more difficult to grill her. If Vitoria didn’t know Eric and she really had a twin named Vivian—he needed to find her and have a conversation with her. A part of him hoped it was all true.

Because if it was…

The possibilities were endless.

Wes’s growing desire for Vitoria could be explored without the raging guilt building up inside of him.

Wes rolled to his side and pushed himself up into a standing position. He swayed a little bit as he regained his equilibrium. He really should quit drinking so much. It wasn’t a good decision when he had so many different threads of thought trailing through his mind.

Stumbling forward he put one foot in front of the other, slowly gaining headway to the house. The trek taking a little bit longer than usual, he finally arrived at the front steps. Wes lifted his foot on the first step, lost his balance, and fell forward. His head smacked one of the steps, and he could feel something trickle down his forehead.

“What the hell are you doing?”

Wes looked up at his brother. Dallas stood at the stop of the stairs with his arms crossed against his chest. He glared down at Wes and shook his head. Wonderful, just what he needed, his judgmental brother glowering over him as he crawled his way inside.

“Oh—I thought I might lay down here for a little while.” Wes waved his hands over the steps. “It’s so comfy here.”

“Don’t be an ass.” Dallas reached his hand to help him up. “You’re bleeding all over the place. Let’s go inside, so we can get you cleaned up.”

Wes ran his hand across his forehead and could feel a sticky wetness at the edge of his hairline. Great, he’d managed to mangle his head. He hoped it wasn’t something bad because he had no desire to visit an emergency room.

Dallas didn’t seem too concerned. He grabbed his brother’s hand and pulled himself off the steps.

“Yeah, probably a good idea, I’d hate to bleed all over the place.”

“Why the hell are you drinking so damned much?”

“It seemed like a good idea at the time.”

Dallas shook his head, disgust filling his eyes. “Do I need to tell you again drinking doesn’t solve anything?”

“No. It’s going to be a while before I can stomach any kind of alcoholic beverage. I’m not feeling so hot.”

A rumble of queasiness took root in the bottom of his stomach. Wes had to hold back the incredible urge to vomit. If he lost the contents of his belly, Dallas would never let him live it down. It was bad enough he managed to crack his head open on the front steps.

Dallas sighed. “Follow me. I’ll get the first aid kit.”

Wes followed Dallas inside the house. He took a seat on the leather sofa and leaned his head against the cushions behind him. The room spun, and if he opened his eyes, he might fall down again. Vertigo made the room all topsy-turvy and upside down behind his eyes. If he hit his head again, Dallas would have to drag him to the hospital—something he was actively trying to avoid.

“Jeez, what happened to you?”

Wes managed to raise one of his eyelids open to a tiny slit. His little sister stood in front of him, a blurry image of cinnamon hair and concern hovering over him. Perfect, another sibling to give him a lecture—just what the doctor ordered.

“It’s nothing Emma. I had a little slip on the front step.”

“You’re bleeding!” Emma gasped. “How can you sit there and tell me it’s nothing. I’m going to get the first aid kit.”

“No need. I’m already ahead of you.” Dallas strolled into the room carrying a white case with a red emblem on top of it. “You want to help me patch up this moron?”

Emma bit her lip. “I can do it. Go get an ice pack and some water from the kitchen. He’s going to need it.”

“You’re probably right.” Dallas nodded his head in agreement. “Be back in a few minutes.”

Wes heard his brother’s footsteps as they trailed away in the opposite direction. He still kept his eyes closed. Pain pooled at the front of his head. The amount of alcohol he’d consumed helped to numb the pain a little bit, but not enough to erase it altogether. Emma began to dab the top of his head and wiped down his face with a cool cloth.

“How much did you have to drink tonight?”

“Not enough.” Wes considered his words and sighed. “Okay, maybe too much, almost a whole bottle of whiskey.”

“Why?”

“I don’t want to talk about it.”

He been acting like a complete ass lately. Drinking and smashing his hard head against the front porch—well it was the
coupe de grace
in a series of bad decisions. Wes couldn’t keep on this path of destruction. If he did, he’d end up destroying his life. He desperately wanted to find justice for Eric, but not at the detriment of his own well-being.

Eric wouldn’t want him to continue on such a destructive path anyway.

If he were to be honest with himself, he wanted to believe in Vitoria’s innocence. He’d start with finding if she’d been telling him the truth. First though he’d need to sober up and start to think clearly.

“Maybe you should. Drinking is never the answer—though it seems to be when you start. Unfortunately I do know from experience.”

Wes opened his eyes and stared at his sister. Sarcasm filled his voice as he spoke. “Thanks, Dr. Emma. I couldn’t have come to such a conclusion all on my own.”

Emma laughed. “Don’t mention it.”

She fumbled through the first-aid kit, pulled out some antiseptic, and flipped the lid open. A cotton ball in one hand and the bottle in the other, Emma tipped it and drenched it with the cleansing liquid. Wes cringed as she dabbed the wound on his head. Tiny pinpricks of pain stabbed through his head, temporarily blinding him.

“Ouch, damn it.”

Emma pursed her lips and cajoled him in a voice someone might use when talking to a small child. “Aw, poor little baby, did it sting a wittle bit?”

Wes glared at her. “You don’t need to get so much enjoyment out of my discomfort.”

Dallas entered the room carrying a glass of water and an ice pack wrapped in a red and white checkered kitchen towel. “If we don’t laugh at you, who will?”

Emma smiled perversely as she dabbed the cut again. “We’re only doing our job as your siblings to keep you as humble as possible.”

Wes glared at them with scorn in his eyes. At least he could count on them to make him feel like the ass he was acting like. He loved them both, but sometimes he wanted to smack them silly. “Thanks bunches. Whatever would I do without you two?”

“Fall to pieces for sure,” Dallas said. “Here take these, they’ll help with the headache I’m sure you’re going to develop.”

Wes grabbed the two white pills out of Dallas’s hands and took a quick swig of water to swallow them. He leaned his head back against the couch again and closed his eyes. The beginning of a headache formed at the base of his skull, thrumming an intense, staccato beat.

“You need to sit up so I can put some of these butterfly bandages on your cut,” Emma demanded.

Wes sighed and did as she asked. He sat forward and remained as still as possible as his sister placed several of the tiny split adhesives on his open wound. All he really wanted to do was go lay down on his bed and fall asleep. He could deal with the other things on his mind in the morning. Wait—he remembered why he was urgently trying to get back to the house. Vitoria told him she planned on leaving in the morning. He wanted to talk to her before she left, find out what gallery Vivian worked at.

“Are you done?” Wes asked impatiently.

“Yes. Keep still, you’re only going to make it take longer if you continue to fidget.”

“Fine,” Wes grumbled.

“Why are you all in here?” Ginnifer entered the living room and stared at all three of them hovering in the middle of the living room. Wes turned to look at her only to have Emma smack his head and make him turn his face toward her.

“Wes had a tiny accident walking up the front steps,” Dallas explained.

“I can see that,” Ginnifer agreed. “I wondered where you disappeared to. I thought you were going to check on the horses.”

“I still have to. When I walked outside, I found him sprawled across the steps. I had to help him inside.”

“I guess he owes the horses, then. Otherwise he might have been there all night,” Ginnifer said.

“Indeed. I’m going to go check on them now.” Dallas strolled over to Ginnifer and gave her a quick kiss. “I’ll join you in our room later.”

Dallas departed the room, essentially leaving him with two females to lecture him. Wes couldn’t wait to escape their disapproving stares.

“If you’re done, I’m going to go to bed.” Wes scooted forward and attempt to stand up.

“Are you sure you can make it?” Emma asked with concern in her voice.

“I’m fine.” Wes gritted his teeth. “I need to lay down and get some rest.”

“I can help you…”

“Emma, I don’t need you to help me.” Wes growled as he got to his feet. “I’m not an invalid.”

“Wes, don’t be an ass. Apologize to your sister. She’s only trying to help you.”

Wes turned toward Ginnifer and scrunched his eyes in anger, ignoring the pain shooting behind them at the gesture. “I don’t need you to lecture me.”

Ginnifer sighed. “Do what you want. I’m starting to see what Tori means when she calls you a dickwad all the time. By all means, continue to be a jerk.”

His soon-to-be sister-in-law turned her back to him and began to leave the room. She was right—he shouldn’t be taking his discomfort out on them.

“Wait, Ginnifer. You’re right. I shouldn’t be barking at you guys like a moron. You didn’t do this to me. I made the decision to get drunk all on my own.” He signed and rubbed his head. “I’m sorry, Emma. Thank you for patching me up.”

“You’re forgiven.” Emma hugged him and took a step back. “Are you sure you don’t want to talk about what is bothering you?”

“No, I’m fine.”

“I’m not mind reader, but I’m willing to bet Tori has something to do with your attitude. I don’t know why you two are always fighting, but at least you don’t have to worry about her being around the ranch much anymore.”

“Yeah, she mentioned going back to Seattle in the morning. She couldn’t get away from me fast enough. I probably owe her an apology too.” Wes paused and looked at Ginnifer. “Does she really have a twin sister?”

Ginnifer nodded her head. “Yeah, Vivian. They’re not close, but apparently she now lives in Seattle and works at an art gallery.”

Wes knew that—Vitoria mentioned it earlier. She hadn’t been lying. He did need to apologize for not believing her. Something he would do when he saw her again.

“She doesn’t have to leave the ranch on my account.”

Ginnifer shook her head. “She isn’t. She has business in Seattle. Her new office needs to be set up, and all her belongings from New York are going to be delivered to her new condo in a couple of days.”

Vitoria was moving to Seattle? Why hadn’t she mentioned it to him? Damn, he was a fool. Why would she? The way they were always fighting, she wouldn’t volunteer that kind of information.

“I didn’t realize she was moving out here.” Emma said, surprise in her voice.

“Neither did I.” Ginnifer beamed. “She wanted to surprise me. She signed the papers for her condo before she came out to the ranch and officially gave me a spare key. I’m so excited to have my best friend close to me again. It’s been difficult living on the other side of the country from her.”

A spare key? An idea formed in Wes’s mind. He needed to get a hold of Ginnifer’s key so he could make a copy of it. He had a feeling it would come in handy soon. “I’m glad she’s going to be here for you. If you two will excuse me, I’m going to go to bed.”

Wes nodded at them and left the room. He had some plans to make, but first he needed to get some healing sleep. Vitoria could leave uninterrupted in the morning because Wes would see her soon enough on her own turf. After he visited with her sister, they would talk and see if this thing between them was worth exploring.

The table and chairs were neatly placed on the throw rug in her new office. Her waiting room now displayed a very comfortable and attractive sofa. The deliverymen from the furniture store dropped off the items she ordered a couple of days ago. Surprisingly, her twin had managed to not deliver the paintings from the gallery. Vitoria didn’t know what prompted the delay, but she didn’t have time to track Vivian down and ask. Colt Lewis would be in her office soon for their scheduled meeting.

“Not bad boss, I like the office you picked.”

Vitoria looked up to see Alison stroll inside her office, copper-gold curly hair tamed into a tight French braid, a few strands spilling over the front of her face. Her steel-grey eyes surveyed her surroundings with cool efficiency.

“What are you doing here? I thought you weren’t coming in for a few more hours?”

“I changed my flight. Figured why wait?” Alison set her suitcase against a nearby wall and sat in one of the chairs at the table. “Since I can’t check into the hotel yet as we already discussed. I admit I wanted to check out the office and see if there is anything you need me to do.”

“Colt is going to be here soon. I need to go over some paperwork with him before we go to court next week. We have the results to the paternity test and we need to officially dismiss the case.” Vitoria sighed. “I don’t know why the judge hasn’t done so already. It’s making me a bit leery, and I have to wonder what Missy and her team of lawyers is up to. I’ve had a lot on my mind, and I haven’t been able to go through the file you put together before I left.”

“What could they possibly do? The test proved Colt wasn’t the father of Missy’s baby. Seems to me it is an open and shut case at this point,” Alison stated.

Vitoria nodded her head in agreement. “It is or it should be. I’ve prepared for every possibility, but something feels off about the whole thing.”

“Well, law isn’t my strong suit, however if there is anything I can do let me know.” Alison tapped her finger on the table. “In the meantime, is there anything PR wise you need me to handle?”

“No, I’m not going to officially open the office until next week. When are the movers going to deliver all of the office items?”

“Tomorrow by noon. I plan on being here to direct them. Once it is all delivered, I’m going to begin organizing everything.”

“Good. Also make a phone call to set up a landline for the office. See if they can get in here by the end of the week. I meant to do it a couple days ago, but got distracted while I was at Novak Springs.”

“Really?” Alison smirked. “Did this distraction go by the name Wes Novak?”

Vitoria opened her mouth and then closed it. How could Alison have a clue about what was going on between her and Wes? “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“I’m your assistant. You can’t hide anything from me. I’ve heard you talk to Ginnifer about him. There’s an odd tone in your voice—and it isn’t the hate you want us all to believe it is.”

She couldn’t be that obvious. Ginnifer didn’t mention anything, and she knew Vitoria better than anyone. “Don’t be ridiculous. Of course I don’t hate him, but it isn’t what you’re suggesting either.”

Alison stared at Vitoria, her steel-grey eyes unblinking for several seconds. A knowing smile on her face, she chuckled before saying, “If you say so.”

“Don’t patronize me. There is nothing going on between me and Wes.”

She wasn’t lying, not really. The one night they spent together—if it could even be considered a whole one—didn’t amount to any kind of relationship between them. No, their little
tête-à-tête
ended before it could even begin.

Vitoria knew she was describing in it the mildest of terms. They didn’t have a discussion—hell, they argued more than anything. They had a one-night stand that left a bad taste in her mouth. She wasn’t going to sit around foolishly wishing that one night was something it would never be.

Wes’s feeling of dislike for her made it impossible. Vitoria was many things, but an idiot would never be one of them. She knew when to give in and let go. Wanting or needing Wes was not only unwise, but also a waste of her time.

“Am I interrupting something?” Colt Lewis strolled into the office, his long mahogany hair floating around his shoulders in luxurious waves. “I didn’t notice anyone in the front and decided to see if I could locate you on my own. I hope that’s okay.”

“Not at all, please come in.” Vitoria gestured toward the chairs at the table. “Take a seat.”

Alison stood up and held out her hand to him. “Hello, I’m Alison Duvall. Vitoria’s assistant, I’m sure we will be working together often in the future.”

“It’s nice to meet you. I’m Colt Lewis.”

“Oh, I know who you are.” Alison winked at him, her grey eyes twinkling with mischief. “Kind of hard not to, considering what my job is. If you’ll excuse me, I have some things to take care of. I’ll be lounging on the decadent sofa Tori purchased to grace the main room.”

Vitoria rolled her eyes at Alison’s blatant flirting. “I’m sure we’ll be fine. When I’m done with my meeting with Colt, I’ll take you to your hotel.”

“Sounds good, boss,” Alison replied as she exited Vitoria’s office.

“She seems interesting,” Colt murmured as he watched her leave the office. “Pretty, too.”

Vitoria watched him as he seemed transfixed by her assistant. Was Colt ready to move on and forget about Emma? He certainly could do a lot worse than her assistant. Alison was very bright and loyal. Damn, she made her sound like a freaking puppy. She could come up with a better way to describe Alison, but those two traits were what Vitoria liked best about her. Regardless, she didn’t want to push either one of them at each other. If they decided to date, or anything else, it would be entirely up to them.

“Alison is one of kind.” Vitoria once again gestured toward a chair. “If you’ll have a seat, we can begin going over everything.”

Colt looked over at the chairs and shook his head.

Vitoria couldn’t help wondering what was going through his head. She didn’t want to pry, but couldn’t stop herself from saying. “She’s single, in case you’re wondering.”

Colt pulled out a chair and sat down. He looked up at her a look of surprise on his face “What?”

“Alison…you seem interested.”

“Oh, I see. I guess I am, but not in the way you’re thinking. I like her, but I don’t want to date anyone. I love Emma, and I’m still hoping I can get her back.”

Vitoria sighed. She couldn’t fault him for wanting the woman he loved back in his life. “I know how you feel about her, but what are you going to do if she keeps pushing you away?”

“If you love someone, you fight for them. Otherwise, what is the point?”

An empty feeling settled into the pit of her stomach. What would that be like? To have someone fight for you—love you beyond imagination. “I wouldn’t know. The only person I’ve always been able to count on is Ginnifer. No one else has ever professed to love me.”

“So you keep everyone at a distance, never truly letting anyone know you.”

Vitoria could see his point. How could someone grow to love her if she didn’t make an attempt to let them in her life? She didn’t know how to open herself up to the possibility. Maybe someday she would find someone worth taking the risk for. An image of Wes came to mind, and she shook it out of her head as quickly as it appeared. He wouldn’t ever give her a chance to be more than a notch on his bedpost.

“Yeah, a defense mechanism for sure.” She smiled at him. “It is quite difficult for me to give anyone a chance of being a part of my life. In my experience, men only want one thing from me. I don’t let too many even get that far.”

“Yet you are not averse to flirting with them to achieve your own goals.”

“It works and why mess with a proven quantity?” Vitoria shrugged. “Besides I enjoy socializing, and it’s par for the course. Flirting comes naturally to me.”

“Oh, I wholeheartedly agree.” Colt grinned. “I know from experience how adept you are.”

Vitoria remembered when she met him. Colt Lewis was one of the most beautiful men she’d ever come across. He approached her to represent him, and she decided to give him a shot—provided he passed her test. She flirted, propositioned, and been turned down flat.

Vitoria offered him a contract on the spot after he explained he was in love with Emma. She knew then he was someone she could fully put her support behind. Vitoria was successful and very choosy about who she decided to sign a contract with. She’d worked too hard to have someone besmirch it all.

“I have my own way of testing people. It’s part of my charm.” She pulled out a file and placed it in front of him. “Now we need to get down to business.”

“What is this?”

“It is all the information I have on Missy and her child. Inside are the test results clearly stating you are not the father.” Vitoria tapped the manila folder. “I want you to look over it and familiarize yourself with every detail. I don’t want you to be surprised by anything discussed next week in court. My primary function is to remain as your head public relations firm, but because I also have a license to practice law in several states, it makes it easier for us to handle these issues when they pop up. If you have any questions don’t be afraid to ask.”

“I thought you said it was a formality.”

“It is—I don’t see any reason why the case won’t be dismissed.” Vitoria sighed. “I have a weird feeling, and it never hurts to be over prepared.”

“You get these feelings often?” Colt asked.

“Kind of. Honestly it might not have anything to do with your case. But something is coming.” Vitoria could never pinpoint the cause of her tiny premonitions. When they came though, she always became aware of everything around her so nothing could derail her from her desired course. “I don’t want you to worry. I’m going to do everything in my power to ensure this case is dismissed.”

“I trust you know what you’re doing.”

“Good. Take this file home with you. Everything in it is a copy Alison made for your personal records.”

Colt flipped open the file. A picture of Missy was on the top page. She had obsidian hair in a cute pixie-style hair cut—recognition set in as Vitoria’s eyes flew to look over the photograph.

No wonder the woman in the French bistro had looked so familiar.

Vitoria only scanned the file Alison prepared on Missy, the picture not something fully ingrained in her mind. At least one mystery was solved. She knew exactly where to locate the woman if needed.

She only hoped it wouldn’t come to that. There shouldn’t be any reason not to have the case dismissed. If they were lucky, the judge would do it without them actually going before the court.

“I ran into her—Missy. It’s kind of crazy because I didn’t recognize her. My mind hasn’t been where it should be lately.”

Colt raised an eyebrow, questions reflecting from his eyes. “Where’d you see her?”

“Ginnifer and I were having lunch at this little French bistro not too far away from the bridal shop. I kept thinking she looked familiar, but couldn’t figure out why. Ginny actually thought she looked like Dallas’s ex-fiancée,” Vitoria explained.

“I didn’t realize Dallas had an ex-fiancée, but Missy does have an older sister. I’ve never met her, but she kept mentioning Mel. At first, I thought she had a brother the way she kept threatening to sic her on me. It wasn’t until much later I found out Mel was actually a woman.”

Vitoria tapped her chin. “Hmm, that’s interesting.”

“Why?”

“Dallas’s ex-fiancée’s name is Melody. It makes me wonder if there is more to this than we know.”

“Maybe. I don’t really know. I’m not sure we ever will.” Colt picked up the file and stared at it for several seconds. “The important thing is we are about to end all the trouble playing havoc with my life. I can’t believe it’s almost over—the cause for my relationship with Emma falling apart can be summed up by this file. Some scraps of paper explaining I never fathered a child, as I kept saying all along.”

Colt was right. Soon this would end for him, but a thread of an idea formed in her mind from the information he’d given her. When she found the time, she planned on looking into it. A feeling, small and firm filled her gut.

She knew Melody was somehow behind this whole scheme. She’d put her sister up to destroying Colt and Emma’s relationship. The why could be anything or it may have been the reason she needed to attempt to worm her way into Dallas’s life again.

It might take her a while, but she would get to the bottom of it. Colt and Emma deserved the truth. For now, Vitoria would keep her suspicions to herself. It wouldn’t do any good to share what she believed without any actual proof. Emma probably wouldn’t believe her, and it might get Colt’s hopes up. He’d be devastated if she couldn’t find the proof he needed.

“I know it’s been hard on you.” Vitoria placed her hand on top of his, attempting to reassure him. “It’s ending though, and I have faith you will find a way to get Emma to see the truth. She might be fighting it, but she still loves you. Give her time, and then remind her why she fell in love with you to begin with.”

“Maybe.” Colt looked her in the eye. “I couldn’t help overhearing Alison mention Wes. Is he still giving you a hard time?”