Page 113 of Billionaire Lumberjack's Bargain

Dalton scowls. “We need it, anyway.”

“It isn’t just some big-shot investors like you thought. It’sone. And he’s not justconnected.He’s one of the pariahs at the top of the food chain where the New York mob is concerned.”

“Shit.” Dalton wraps an arm around my waist protectively and glances away, his jaw tightening.

“These are dangerous people, far more than you thought. These aren’t the type of men who take no for an answer. If they want this land”—he follows Dalton’s gaze out toward the barn and beyond—“they’re going to take it any way they have to.”

The ominous warning makes the strange dream come barreling back, and my legs start to give out slightly, but Dalton’s strong arm keeps me steady.

He feathers his lips across my temple and holds them there for a moment, until I can regain my strength by taking his.

Pops pushes off the banister. “I have no doubt they’re dangerous people. The kind who use everything at their disposal, every means.”

The sheriff nods, putting his hat back in place. “Exactly.”

Only months ago, Pops was unsteady on his feet, confused, unable to hold a basic conversation without having to search his foggy mind for memories that should have been at the tips of his fingers.

But the man who puffs out his chest and steps closer to Sheriff Wilson isn’t that version of him.

Strong, broad shoulders form an immovable force between the person who is supposed to protect James Creek and the mountain and us. “And what did they promiseyouto secure your help?”

Sheriff Wilson stiffens, his eyes darting between all three of us. “What do you mean?”

Dalton releases me, then slips his hand into his back pocket and steps forward, holding out the scrap of paper he found yesterday. “Want to explain how this ended up in the clearing halfway down the mountain that whoever was up here at the lake was using as a base of operations?”

Wilson glances down at it, squinting like he’s having trouble reading it. “I can’t tell what it is.”

“Bullshit.” Dalton says the word calmly—toocalmly. The rage building inside him mirrors how he acted yesterday when he realized what that piece of paper meant. “That isyourhandwriting. You’ve always done that strange swirl at the end of yourAs and crossed your sevens. I knew you had written it the moment I laid eyes on it.”

I did, too.

All the paperwork Sheriff Wilson has to fill out when Dave died still sits in a drawer back at the cabin, but I’ve looked it over so many times that I would have recognized the distinct features of his writing anywhere.

Pops glowers at him, crossing his arms over his wide chest. “What was it? Directions up here? Times that we were least likely to be at the lake? A map to get them through the woods without being detected?”

Dalton steps around his grandfather and into Sheriff Wilson’s space, stopping only inches from his chest. “What the fuck did they promise you for your help?”

Whatever it was must have been big for this man to betray the people who rely on him so much. Whotrustedhim to always look out for the interests of the residents of this mountain and the town below it.

Pops shifts to the left, putting himself behind the traitor so he can’t retreat.

Sheriff Wilson’s eyes soften, and his shoulders slump in defeat. “I didn’t want to do it.”

Fuck.

That’s all the confirmation we need.

He glances between Dalton and Pops. “But the kind of money they’re offering, that they’d be bringing in here—”

Dalton grabs the front of his uniform, fisting the crisp deep-blue fabric. “You fucking sell out! You’ve lived in James Creek your whole life. Your whole family has, and you’re willing to let this mountain, this land, be destroyed to put dollar signs in your bank account?” He seethes, his face so close to the bastard that he can probably smell his fury. “Fuck you!”

Pops nods. “My sentiments exactly.”

Wilson tries to stagger back a step, but Dalton’s hold and Pops block him. “You don’t know who you’re dealing with. They were going to come no matter what—”

Dalton regains the space between them, using his size to intimidate the smaller man. “So, you just thought you would take advantage of it?”

“Better me than somebody who doesn’t care and isn’t trying to protect you.” He glances toward me. “All of you.”

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