Page 29 of Stone
“Yeah, but old flames can be rekindled. You’re both adults. I don’t see the problem.”
“That’s because it’s none of your goddamn business!” Groaning, I looked away. “I didn’t mean that. I’m sorry.”
“Yeah,” Maddox huffed. “I think you did.”
“It’s complicated. Okay?”
I tossed a look at Kage. Of the three of us, I never would have thought he’d find himself head over heels in love with a woman. Yet I had to face the fact I’d never fallen out of love with Daniella. But it just couldn’t matter.
“Besides, the past can never be relived. Or at least it shouldn’t be. Besides, I don’t know what the fuck I’m talking about.”
“You don’t know that unless you try,” Kage said, trying to smooth things out.
Maddox lifted his bottle as if saluting me. “You were never good with the ladies. That’s for certain.”
“Very funny.”
“That’s because he was still inluv,” Kage said, using his infamous radio DJ voice.
I sat back, trying to get my mind off the fact I’d seen the most gorgeous woman in the world naked by concentrating on the fact I’d heard nothing from Gray or anyone else regarding the ransom. Not that it was my place. I got that. I was just the goddamn hired gun and all. But still. It would be nice to know Matis was in custody.
Maddox’s face turned serious. “I take it your people sent a clean-up crew?”
“Yeah. They weren’t too happy about the fact the warehouse was torched.” Not my goddamn problem. They hadn’t been the ones to put their lives on the line like we had.
“Did something seem weird about the whole thing to you?” Kage leaned forward, sucking down the rest of his beer.
“Meaning what?” Everything had seemed odd. The numbers of soldiers, the fact they blew up the building. Even the excessive ransom. Matis had to know no one in their right mind would pay such an exorbitant price tag, family or no family.
“Meaning it was personal.”
Shrugging, I eased my head against the back of the chair. “I don’t know, but at this point, we’re out and she’s safe. That’s all that matters.” That was only partially true. I intended on discovering what the hell was really going on.
“How much did you get paid for this? I should say we.”
I laughed at Maddox’s question. “Enough that you can get yourself a few new horses for that stud ranch of yours.” I’d taken the money from Bradford. This time, it didn’t bother me at all. Not that I planned on keeping any of it. Blood money. But he deserved to pay up for his treachery.
The money meant shit to me. I had enough cash in the bank I could do anything I wanted or go anywhere in the world. None of that mattered. I’d already initiated wiring the money into their accounts, only leaving enough to cover the travel expenses. Taking money to save her life felt like a second betrayal.
“Dude ranch. Get it right.”
All three of us laughed, although mine was out of sarcasm. Yet it felt damn good to be sitting with a beer in our hands talking like old friends. “Yeah, yeah. You’re lucky.”
“What are you talking about?” Kage snorted. “You live in a fucking gorgeous house in Hawaii. Surfing every day. Boating. Fishing. I bet you even go scuba diving.”
“Sometimes.”
“I think maybe you need to take your old flame to your new digs,” Maddox suggested.
“Nah. Orders are to take her to daddy in DC.”
“Since when do you follow orders, especially when Bradford Vale is involved?”
I turned my head toward Kage, shrugging once again. “I don’t want to hurt her.”
“Then don’t. There’s nothing wrong with getting to know each other again.”
“I don’t know, Kage. Dani is her own woman now. She had a good life in Paris, which is all she ever wanted. Who am I to interfere?” I meant the words although it kicked my butt to say them.
