Page 27 of Cameron

“Can I get a rain check,” he said.

Her mother smiled at him. “Sure. Just don’t wait too long. I would really like to get to know you.”

He smiled at the older woman and then he hurried away.

As soon as he reached his room, he plugged in his dead phone and immediately it started beeping. He had five messages from Tucker saying call him now.

Dialing the number, he sank down on the bed and feared what he would soon learn.

CHAPTER 10

Things were chaotic, to say the least. The wedding was tomorrow, and tonight was the rehearsal dinner. After she showered, she went into the lobby to pull up some paperwork and then she was going to search for Edward. He had to be here somewhere.

Hearing someone clear their throat, she glanced up to see a man standing in the doorway.

“Can I help you?” she asked, wondering if he was a guest for the wedding who had not checked in yet. They had no more rooms and she had no idea where she could put him or even where to tell him to go spend the night.

“I’m looking for Edward Anderson,” he said.

“Good luck. I’m searching for him too,” she said. “I’m his sister. Is there something I can do to help you?”

The man smiled. “Maybe so.”

He walked up close to the counter and when he moved, she saw a pistol stuck in his pants. “I’ve been sent to collect.”

The man wore a black ski jacket, his dark hair was slicked back, his eyes dark and cold, and inside her head was screaming warning. There was just something about the man she disliked. Maybe it was the smile that didn’t reach his eyes.

“Collect what?” she asked, a scurry of fear trickling down her spine.

“He owes us a lot of money and the boss sent me to collect,” he said and glanced around at the house. “I don’t think this will cover what he owes us.”

Stunned, she stared at him shock radiating through her. Was he with the mob?

“Are you talking about the house? How much money does he owe you?”

Beneath the counter, she felt like her knees were about to buckle.

“Let’s just say that it involves six figures,” he said, grinning that wicked smile. “You could come to work for us?”

The man must’ve enjoyed delivering bad news because he laughed and she knew he was enjoying seeing her shocked expression.

“Get out,” she said. “Get out before I set off the alarm.”

Thank goodness, her mother had insisted that they install a security alarm beneath the counter.

His hand reached and touched the gun at his waist. “Go right ahead. I’m prepared are you?”

No, she wasn’t. And she didn’t want anyone to get hurt. Especially not today. How would their guests react? How would Francesca deal with a security problem?

“Tell Edward we expect payment and that I’ll be back tomorrow to collect,” he said.

“Don’t come back here,” she said. “You and my brother can settle your business anywhere but here. Next time, I’ll be prepared.”

The man grinned and nodded. “I’m not going to make any promises. You tell Edward if he doesn’t want us here at his home tomorrow, he needs to get in touch with the boss now.”

The man whirled away and walked out the door.

With her knees knocking, Samantha stumbled to the nearest chair. What the hell was Edward into and why were seedy characters coming all the way out to the ranch, right after a blizzard to speak to him? To threaten them.

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