ROMANCE: BIKER ROMANCE: Werewolf Rider (MC Shifter Pregnancy Romance) (New Adult Paranormal Romance Short Stories) (124 page)

“You shouldn’t have come here. I told you I would send you the money and I will. I’ve done plenty for you, and you know it. Now go back to where you came from and don’t bother me with this again. It’s being taken care of, I told you that.”

Valerie studied Chase’s face for a minute and sighed, “You still haven’t told him, have you? These things always come out. Don’t you see that the fact that you two ended up in the same college is fate trying to bring you together? You can’t really on his amnesia forever. Now that he’s back in town and has even bought a cabin, he obviously intends to stay. Someone will recognize him,” she warned him. She had heard Colt was back in town. He had come at the insistence of another SEAL on his team, whose place he had visited and he fell in love with the small town. Rex, was like a brother to him, so he took him up on the suggestion he live close by, besides, his Uncle lived here to, but sadly no longer. 

“Just go back home and keep your end of the bargain and I will keep mine. Let me worry about Colt. Besides, he left Horvath when he was a young boy. I doubt anyone will recognize him. And anyway, if all goes as planned, he won’t be in Horvath for much longer,” Chase finally told her before leaving the lounge. Valerie always had a way of showing up during the worst moments. He hoped that she would heed his advice. Things were unraveling fast and he did not want the truth to come out. He was prepared to go to any lengths possible to keep her mouth shut, permanently.

Valerie was just like him; greedy and only cared about her pay day. Because of this, he knew he could control her. She was the only one left who knew his secret. Jenna only knew bits and pieces, and could never figure out the entire story on her own. Be that as it may, he decided to be extra cautious.

He called one of his bodyguards and asked him to make sure Valerie was out of town by midday. He also called his lawyers, to remind them that they needed to sell John’s house sooner rather than later. Chase finally relaxed a little, as he felt in control again. He was worth a fortune, and could have given her the money right there and then. But his greatest fear was feeling like he wasn’t in control, and he wasn’t willing to hand over the amount of money due her from the sale of the house out of shear principle. She was breaking her end of the bargain by just showing up.

***

Colt had a full day of running around and doing errands
ft who knew hertown, for an undetermined amount of time. ad taken control over her senses. that skill. t freind
. The journal and papers he had found in his uncle’s house were tucked safely in the inner pocket of his jacket. He’d be damned if he left them from his side. He had only read the first half of the journal, before he was betrayed by his mind and body with involuntary sleep.

By the time Colt was through with a busy day of medical appointments, working out, and tending to car repair issues, he was finally ready to continue where he left off. He readied himself by keeping busy throughout the day, so that he had some time to let things sink in, and prepare for whatever left there was to know. Now was the time to face it.

Colt walked into his favorite Italian restaurant for an early dinner, and sat nestled in a booth near the window, giving him a perfect view of everything around him, inside and out. He asked the waitress to bring him a Caesar salad and Lasagna. The pretty waitress tried to flirt with him, but she would get nothing in return. Just as he was about to open the journal to investigate further, in walks his neighbor insistent on talking. “I guess the journal can wait a little longer, I’ll read it when I get home,” he accepted.

While visiting, it took several minutes before he noticed someone was playing the piano. Every Thursday evening anyone could go up to play. The classical tune soothed him immensely, and he was impressed by how talented the player was. He tried to get a glimpse of who was creating such a beautiful music, but she had her back to him. He noticed her long, wavy, golden brown hair and snug black dress perfectly outlining her slim, curvy body. He caught a glimpse of her delicate fingers somewhat in awe, how something so graceful looking could be so powerful at the stroke of the keys to the tune. 

Colt finished his dinner, picked up the journal and papers that were safely placed beside him, and said goodbye to his surprise visitors, and next door neighbors, Bob and Helen. He headed towards the door just as the lady rose to leave the piano. Having completed what had turned out to be a dare by a couple friends and heading hastily for their direction, her five foot eight inches, with heals, swiftly and firmly collided into his solid, rock-hard pecs.

Briefly forgetting his manners, Colt rushed to pick up the journal and papers that had dropped to the ground, instead of acknowledging the golden haired piano player. She was apologizing profusely, reaching to help him retrieve the few remaining papers just as he looked up. He recognized her immediately. It was the upset lady whom he had met at the Marina, sans car keys.

“It’s my fault. Sorry for bumping into you like that,” he told her quietly. He wasn’t going to let her take the blame, even if she did launch like a missile straight into him. He wasn’t complaining either.

She was reaching for the last of the letters handing it to him, brushing his hand in the process which sent shivers throughout her entire body. He was watching her intently, and realized that she was absolutely exquisite, with golden eyes unlike he had ever seen, that revealed a naive sweetness that quickened his heart.

He noted she seemed much more comfortable in a classic, black dress, than overly glittery gown that seemed to wear her, more than she wore it. She had the air of a Tom-boy and playfulness about her. Her hair was long, wavy and enchantingly disheveled. He studied her face once more, just in time to see a subtle change in expression, when passing him the last of the letters. He wasn’t sure she recognized him from the Marina.

He wanted to know her, intrigued. “I don’t think we have been formally introduced. I am Colt Jacobs,” he introduced himself with a playful grin and an air of lightheartedness, recalling his quick work on her vehicle wires.

“I’m Jenna,” she replied nervously, as if anxious to catch his eyes straight on. There was something about him that was disarmingly compelling, she thought, overtaken by his kindness and confidence.

“You play the piano beautifully, Jenna. Sorry for bumping into you like that. Let me buy you a drink so I can make it up to you,” Colt pressed. He was looking at her so intently that she shuddered. The expression on his perfectly chiseled face was so kind and sincere it moved her. He seemed genuinely sorry, but even if he wasn’t she could barely keep her eyes off of him. He scared her, somehow. Finally pulling herself together, she found herself mumbling ‘sure’ weakly and forcing herself to look away.

Colt led her to the corner booth where he had been sitting, and asked her to order whatever she would like. She ordered a diet coke, while her friends made faces at her in another booth, where her strawberry daiquiri was now being dropped off. It became pretty clear she was avoiding looking at him.

Colt broke the ice and asked her how long she lived in Horvath, and where she learned to play the piano. She told him that she had only lived there for a few years and had studied music. She pointed to her grinning friends, and said she had only gone to play the piano under a dare, the daiquiri, her prize. She was in fact a music teacher at the local University. They made small talk for a little while longer before he finally decided he was ready to ask her about his pressing matter. A passing waitress was also asked to bring over a strawberry daiquiri.

“I am looking for an old friend of mine, Chuck Sinclair. He used to live in Horvath a couple of years back. Do you know of anyone by that name?” he inquired gently trying to seem as natural as possible. He watched her expression change to one of confusion, and new she had seen the name Chuck Sinclair atop the papers.

He sat quietly and let an uncomfortable silence linger between them, an excellent interrogation tactic he had learned during his military training. And it worked, as she seemed to have more to say. “I don’t know any other Chuck Sinclair, that is except the one you and I both know,” she added softly, revealing that she did in fact recognize him from the Marina. 

Her statement surprised him, but he hid it well. Chuck that they both knew of? What could she possibly be talking about?

“So you do know someone by the name of Chuck Sinclair?”

“Of course I do,” she stated somewhat surprised, “and I would think
you
would too.
Chase
is
Chuck.
True, there are a lot of Sinclair’s in town, but not Chuck Sinclair. He liked to go by Chase, and had his name legally changed years ago. You didn’t know that?”

Colt was too shocked to say anything. His chest tightened and his hands trembled as he tried to digest what he was hearing. He moved his hands to his lap, so as not to give away his shock at the potentially explosive realization.

Jenna continued talking, barely noticing his reaction. That was just like her, once she started talking she was an open book with nothing to hide. Finally, she circled back to the topic at hand, “Why are you asking me about Chuck, though? I’m confused. Is this some kind of test?” she wondered, baffled.  

Colt, suddenly feeling anxious, dizzy, and claustrophobic, excused himself awkwardly, sincerely apologizing for his haste. She found it odd, but managed a smile as he got up to leave. She stood up and returned to her friends, confused about what just took place. She found herself sad the terribly handsome mystery man had to leave so soon. She had hoped to learn more about him, due to the stories she had heard about his heroism as a SEAL from Chase. 

Jenna watched Colt’s figure quickly leave the restaurant, after paying the remaining tab on the way out. She had seen the discomfort on his face and knew that whatever was going on, it was serious. Jenna decided to call Chase, as he may be in a position to know something. She knew he would be busy having drinks with his buddies, his cell going straight to voicemail, and left him a message, telling him of meeting Colt but saying nothing further. 

Chase called her back almost immediately and demanded that she come and see him right away. It was the fastest response she had ever gotten from him. Be that as it may, she got into her car and drove towards his hotel. But if she knew just how livid he was, she would have stayed away, forever.

***

Colt got into his Jeep and drove straight to his cabin. He couldn’t believe what Jenna had told him. He needed to dig through the journals again, to ensure the end result was what it appeared. Turns out, it was what it appeared. Chase was his brother. His
twin
brother at that! A part of him didn’t want to believe it but in his heart of hearts, it knew it to be true.

He thought back to College, when he had first met Chase. Chase had hated Colt from the very moment he laid eyes on him despite Colt giving him no reason to do so. It was as if he knew something about Colt that made him treat him with disdain. Classmates had occasionally commented how much Colt and Chase looked alike.

Colt also remembered how he and Chase had decided to put their differences aside, work together and become friends. It had been Chase’s idea. At the time, red flags had gone off in his mind as there was something about Chase’s proposition that seemed calculated rather than sincere. But he had ignored his instincts. After all, he was only a young man who had barely found his way.

Now he saw everything clearly. Chase’s objective had always been to keep him close, so that he could keep an eye on him and interfere with misguided information, if need be. He recalled that every time he mentioned the death of his parents to Chase, and trying to recall his memories his ‘best friend’ would always, and aggressively, persuade him to move on and let the dead get their rest and focus on building new memories. All this time Chase’s main objective was to prevent him from knowing the truth. But why? How had he known they were brothers? That was what he desperately needed to find out.

There was no doubt in Colt’s mind that Chase knew that he was his twin brother all along. But why did he keep it from him all these years while secretly masquerading to be his friend. He was determined to confront Chase and seek answers. But for now, he had to come up with a plan. He remained in his office and poured through the journal and letters.

Colt wondered about the drawer being locked, and the ‘inside joke’ that there was something special about the office, Uncle John had always said to Colt, as if there was something underlying the comment. He realized now it was a clue, and the journal and letters were there for him to find. He figured out he was probably the only person who knew there was a key taped behind the picture on the wall, Colt just never knew what the key was for. He always said he wanted Colt to have the picture one day. It was of black stallions, and Colt was deeply passionate about riding.

He cried for the first time in years, reading his parents and Uncle’s letters, their private thoughts made him feel closer to them in a way he had never ever felt. He learned that his parents were madly in love and they adored their two boys, Colt and Chuck, dearly. In the journal, he found baby pictures of himself and Chase, which made him choke up all over again.

Colt kept reading, hungry for more information. He read to the end of the journal which talked about acres of the farm land, and what?! Gold mining prospects! This was just before they died, he thought. That explained it. The money, the lifestyle, it all started to add up, he knew Chuck was a cunning business man, but he never could figure out how even in all his success, his dollars amounted to a ‘B’ for billion, rather than ‘just’ Millions.