Dance or Die (White Oak - Mafia Series Book 3) (12 page)

“But that’s insane! You never filed a harassment suit.”

“No, it was my backup plan if I couldn’t get him to leave with me.”

Tom groaned.

“I’m sorry to involve you in this mess, but you need to know. It will impact a great deal. For one, I don’t think he’ll allow me to do his plans anymore.”

“Damn it!”

“I’m willing to do them, but now that he doesn’t trust me…”

“He won’t tell you a damn thing,” Tom concluded. “Tess, you did nothing wrong. I’ll talk to him once he calms down. Just focus on your job. That’s your top priority.”

“Thank you,” she whispered and hung up. Being hated by the man she loved hurt her far more than her father ever could.

After a miserable night’s sleep, Tess pushed herself out of bed. She really needed her woods now. Unable to wait for her crew to arrive, she decided to leave a note telling them to follow the sound of her chainsaw. Pinning it to the cabin door, she returned downstairs and gathered her gear.

When the phone rang, she considered ignoring it. But what if it were Steel wanting to apologize for his hateful words? She lifted the receiver. “Hello?”

“Tess. Could you let me in? I need to talk to you.” Sheriff Cobbs said.

“Has something happened to Steel?”

“Let me in and we’ll talk.” He sounded angry.

She rushed upstairs and invited him in. “Is Steel okay?”

“Steel is much the same as he was yesterday,” he snapped. “He’s insisting you stole a valuable ring from his hand while he was being beaten by Benito.”

“Why would he say that?”

“Then you don’t possess a ring of his?”

“I do, but he gave it to me.” She reached in her shirt and pulled the chain holding his ring out so the sheriff could see it.” She focused on Sheriff Cobbs as he studied the ring. “When exactly did he give this to you?”

“Four or five days ago. I had begged him to make love to me, but when he discovered I was a virgin, he refused, saying we’d be safer if I remained untouched. I thought he was backing off, but to prove he wasn’t, he pulled this ring from his finger and gave it to me as he asked me to marry him sometime in the future. I threw my arms around him and said I would. He asked me not to show it to anyone. So I wore it on a chain beneath my clothes.”

“Unfortunately, he now claims you stole it. Any chance anyone else overheard any of this?”

“No. It was just the two of us.”

The old sheriff sighed heavily.

“I would never steal from him. I love him! Why would he accuse me of stealing from him?”

“He’s claiming it an heirloom worth half a million.”

Tess pulled the chain over her head and handed it to Sheriff Cobb. “I had no idea it was so valuable. Why would he give me something like that?”

“It might be because he loved you at the time, or he might have been setting you up from the first. I’ve no idea.” He removed the ring from the chain and handed it back to her. “The chain is yours, right?”

She nodded.

“I believe matters went down just as you claimed. However, that’s going to get you thrown into prison for grand larceny.”

Tess opened her mouth to protest, but the gravity of the situation left her mute.

He held up the ring. “So I’m going to return to the barn and find this ring near the post Steel was tied to. Then nobody can be falsely accused of anything. It’s just a lost and found priceless ring.”

“But Steel knows he gave it to me.”

The sheriff grinned. “I’m sure he does. But the only way he could prove you stole it was if I found you wearing it. Which I haven’t. I will find his ring at the barn, so to my perspective, it must have fallen off his finger while he was being battered.” He then eyed Tess. “But you can never talk about this to anyone. You understand?”

Tess nodded. “He really hates me…”

“He’s full of rage and you should stay far away from him. Had he succeeded with this trick, you’d be in prison for twenty years. And God only knows what would become of your forest by the time you got out.”

God! Steel truly hated her.

“Just put this all in your past and move on.”

“Can I hug you?”

“No, you can’t, but only because I was never here.”

He tipped his hat and hurried outside, rather like a reverse Santa who carries away gifts that would ruin her life.

She sat down in her Grams’ chair, shaking at how close she had come to losing everything dear to her over a ring that had been given to her in a moment of love.

Had Steel ever loved her or was this just a clever way of securing control of her forest? She had no doubt that the governor could and would remove her permanently if she had a criminal record.

She gathered her gear and headed out. Today, cutting trees was exactly what she needed to do.

Two weeks later, the necessary trees were removed and the barrier built. Tess decided it was time to call Dan to see if he would still be advising on the security issues or if she needed to hire another security expert. She’d been putting off that question because if he told her to hire another person, she’d have to talk to Steel, and the more she thought about his attempt to ruin her life, the angrier she became. That he could turn on her so hard and fast proved she’d never known the real Steel.

“Dan Brown,” he answered, his voice low and sexy. How come she’d never noticed that before?

“Dan, it’s Tess.”

His voice softened. “Hey, how are you?”

“Staying very busy. That helps. We finished clearing the space for the fence and building the barrier.”

“Wow, that’s fast.”

“Yeah, well, we’ve worked from dawn to dusk every day. My grounds crew is fantastic.”

“I’m glad.”

“So my next job is to put up the fence, only technically, that was your job. I realize things have changed, but I’m hoping you’ll still advise me on what needs to be done. Danton Security and my two backup fencers have declined to bid. But if I use current employees, Tom says I can proceed. Otherwise, I’ll have to get Steel’s approval for a new plan, and I’m not up to that.”

“Don’t blame you in the least,” he stated. “As it happens, I’m getting released today and have been ordered to take three months off…without pay. So count me in.”

“Are they nuts? You were injured in the line of duty! You almost died!”

“They’re not seeing it that way. But since my package is making a full recovery, it won’t cost me my job, although I’ll probably never see a promotion again.”

“That is so unfair.” She burst into tears as guilt overwhelmed her. “Dan, I’m sorry I didn’t listen to you at once and send Steel packing. Tom said I had the right. I should have done it. Only six years with Grams had given me a false sense of security.”

“This is in no way your fault. And honestly, once Tom learned of those Paleo-Indian mounds, I don’t think you had a say any longer. Steel is still planning to return to his position once the doctors clear him.”

Anger flooded her heart. “He’s not staying here,” she stated. “Make sure he knows that.”

“He had me booted from his room when I told him he was being an ass about the way he treated you. So we aren’t talking, but where he stays is not your problem, although he’ll no doubt start bitching about the lack of a road to get in.”

She sighed heavily. “I can’t do two things at once and Tom prioritized the fence. Is there any chance you’d like to spend your unpaid time working for me…with a good salary?”

“I won’t be able to do much more than point and give orders.”

“That’s all my grounds crew needs. They’re really good. And since you and they are already in the approved budget, we won’t need Steel’s approval.”

“Then I happily accept the job.”

“Okay, but technically, you never lost your job. Otherwise, I’d have to clear this through Steel.”

He groaned. “He’ll probably fire me on sight, but let’s give it a go.”

“Will you be staying at the cabin?”

“If that’s okay with you.”

“More than okay. You can have Steel’s room if you like.”

He chuckled. “That sounds nice. I’m not crazy about barracks living.”

Once she clarified when to expect him, she hung up, feeling a faint bit of happiness. At least, someone involved with her past disaster still liked her.

When she went into the living room, Malcolm was in the kitchen cooking. “Dan’s returning tomorrow and your guys will be working on putting up twenty-foot fencing.”

Instead of groaning, he chuckled. “That’s sounds interesting. Does Dan actually know how to put this fence up, because none of us will?”

“Yes, however, he’s still hurt. So he can’t do more than point and explain.”

Malcolm smiled. “That’s all we need.”

She then returned to her room and called Tom. “We’re ready to put the fence up. Sam’s dropping the fence today and Dan will be here tomorrow to instruct my grounds crew.”

“Dan? Steel said he was gone.”

“I spoke with Dan and he has three months unpaid leave. So he’s kindly offered to continue as our Security Manager, and if you don’t let him continue, then our project is delayed for probably a year and the mounds will only be protected by my tree barrier.”

“Why?”

“Winter. We won’t be able to set the poles in frozen ground.”

Tom sighed. “And if we keep Dan?”

“We should have the fence up and alive before winter.”

“I was hoping for something sooner.”

“Tom, you’ve prioritized the fence, which I agree with. However, that delays the building of a road and electrical towers. If we could have the electrical lines alongside our new maintenance road, on my part it will be faster. However, the electric company wants to cut it directly through the forest.”

“And if I can convince them to run it on our planned maintenance road?” Tom asked.

“Then we can build the road just a few days ahead of their work, meaning they’ll complete just a few days after the road exist.”

“And you can clear a road as fast as it takes them to place poles and wire it?”

She sighed. “If their time to line a mile is correct, yes. I can keep up with them. But I’d still like at least a two-day lead just in case they pad their plan and actually can go faster.”

“I prefer your plan. Let me talk to them and see what can be done.”

“And Dan?”

“We’re keeping him.” He sighed. “Steel isn’t being rational right now. While I trust his judgment on the mounds, everything else is suspect.”

“He does know he won’t be staying in my house, right?” she asked.

“I’m not sure. Is that a firm decision on your part?”

“Yes.”

“Then you have given up on reconciliation?”

“Yes,” she whispered. “The man I thought he was wouldn’t act like this.”

Another heavy sigh blew through the phone. “Can you work with him, or should I be looking for another archeologist?”

“I still think he’s best for the mounds. So I’ll try my hardest to keep matters civil.”

“Tess, technically he’s your boss.”

“I know. Hopefully, he’ll honor the division of duty we previously agreed upon.”

“I’ll make sure he does. But Tess, that will mean I need you full time. If you go off to college, nothing will get done.”

Tears welled in her eyes. “I already took care of that. I told my college I needed to take a year off. They told me if I did, I was out of the program. So a year from now, I’ll just have to reapply. I’m hoping you’ll give me a recommendation with the University of Minnesota. That’s where I really wanted to go from the start, only they wouldn’t take me.”

“Let me make some calls and see if I can do you even better. What you are achieving is amazing, and you damn well deserve credit for it.”

“No argument here. If you can get me into U of Minn and get me credit for my work this year, you’ll be my hero twice over.”

“If someone from the university calls you later on today, be nice.”

She almost said she was always nice and then remembered her disastrous beginning with Steel when he was such a jerk. That should have been a warning, only she failed to see it. He only tried to be nice once he realized his job depended upon it.

“I will,” she promised and hung up.

She returned and joined Jack and Sonny at the counter, waiting to be fed.

“Tomorrow, Dan’s coming back,” she said.

“Why?” Jack asked.

“Because we need his security expertise.”

Jack snorted. “Hell of a lot of good he did you and Steel.”

“Stop it right there. You will treat him with respect, or you’ll find someplace else to live.”

Jack held up his hand. “Sorry, I spoke my mind, but I’ll keep it to myself.” He met her eyes. “I like living here. I like you. I’ve even grown accustomed to Malcolm. I just never got Dan. He never did anything but watch people work.”

“Well, that’s not going to change. He’s on sick leave, so he’ll be watching and advising, but not helping. However, if Malcolm has no problem with that, there is no reason you should.”

“And Steel?”

“Hasn’t he contacted you?”

Jack’s brow furrowed. “No.”

She rolled her eyes. “Well, it sounds like he’ll be returning in a few weeks. However, he won’t be staying here. You and Sonny are still welcome, but Steel may want you to move out.”

“Why?”

“Because he’s an…” she was about to say ‘ass’ but realized it could get back to Steel and would not be aligned with her promise to be polite and professional. “Because he’s still angry at me.”

“For what?”

“My plan B for saving his life. I never did it, but he’s still mad that I would even conceive it.”

“But Malcolm says you saved his life twice.”

She shrugged. “In his mind, it doesn’t make up for the never used Plan B.”

Jack rubbed her arm. “I’m sorry. Is that why you’ve been so serious and somber since you got back?”

She shrugged and stepped away from his touch. “A word of advice?”

He nodded.

“Don’t give any indication that you like me. If it gets back to Steel, he’ll probably fire you. He’s in a take-no-prisoner mood.”

Jack stepped away from her. “Got it. Okay if I relay this info to Sonny?”

“Please do.”

Once Jack disappeared, she sat down at the counter. “Malcolm, I’m figuring Jack and Sonny are going to leave soon. I’ve got sufficient bunks to fit out Grams’ room. That would make sixteen beds. Any chance the boys would like to come inside when it turns cold?”

He chuckled. “They’ve been asking me about the empty cabin upstairs. Only I’ve been putting them off because it couldn’t hold more than six.”

“Then maybe four of them can help me clean out Grams’ room and set up the eight beds?”

He turned and faced her. “You ready to do that? Move out your grams’ stuff?”

“She’d want me to.”

“Well, then whenever you’re ready.”

“How about now?”

“How about once we have dinner? I only cooked enough for us.” He sighed. “Feeding is going to be a problem. Those boys eat a ton and none of it’s healthy. I’ll need to put them on shifts of… does the stove upstairs work?”

“It does.”

“Then how about they turn the living room into a dining area? You’re short on eating space down here, and I don’t want them eating on your couches and chairs. They tend to spill.”

Tess wasn’t a neat freak, but she didn’t want to sit on food. And she no longer needed the living room up there to look like a decoy living room. All her male relatives were either dead, arrested, or left the state. “That sounds like a good idea.”

He turned and placed a delicious looking slab of salmon on her plate. “Then eat and afterward, we’ll give the men the good news. However, I want to lay down some ground rules for them.”

“Like what?”

“No roughhousing or fighting. They have to pick up after themselves, and no farting in the house.” He grimaced. “Sorry, but they are like little boys at times.”

She laughed. “I’m letting you give this lecture, but I’ll stand at your side, so they know they are my rules as well. What’s the punishment if they break the rules?”

“They have to camp outside.”

She grimaced. “We could make them take down their bed and move into the cabin for a month,” she suggested. “I’d rather not stay up all night worried they are freezing to death.”

“And they have to use the outdoor john,” he added.

“That would be enough to make me obey the rules.”

“What rules?” Jack asked.

“We are going to invite the grounds crew to live here, but we’re giving them rules,” Tess explained.

“All of them?” Sonny asked.

Tess nodded.

Sonny looked to Jack and Jack then looked to Tess. “We just got off the phone with Steel. He didn’t seem happy that we planned to continue living here, so we’ve decided to live in La Motte just as soon as the road gets fixed. When do you plan to invite the guys?”

“As soon as I finish my dinner,” Tess replied.

“Any chance you can hold off for a couple of weeks?”

“Not since I now know they don’t love camping as much as Malcolm led me to believe. They are being invited in tonight, although the building of a dining table upstairs may take a bit longer.”

Jack and Sonny frowned and left the room.

Malcolm studied her as he sat down to eat his salmon. “You sure you want to do this?”

“Absolutely. Jack and Sonny are Steel’s workers. He’d be pissed if they continued to live here.”

“Okay if I assign who is in which room?”

“Sure.”

“Good. That way I can assign the non-snorers to my room.”