Page 39 of His Ski Resort Overrun for Christmas

He looked up at Ayla.

“Jace.” She clapped her hands together and exclaimed, “You’re my hero!”

Jace should’ve laughed at the cheesy words, but he loved them. He loved her. He scrambled off of Bryan, holding the gun loosely in his hand. He was going to thank whoever had come, make sure Bryan got arrested, then kiss Ayla and figure out their future together.

“Jace,” she whispered. The worshipful look on her face morphed into horror as she looked over his shoulder.

Jace spun as footsteps approached. Two silhouettes were coming toward them, backlit by the headlights of their vehicle, each pointing a large rifle at them. He wanted to tell Ayla it was Sheriff Reed or maybe one of the Deltas, but it didn’t look right. The sheriff would have his lights on.

The men strode into the brighter lights of the lodge’s parking lot. They were no friends of his, and they hadn’t lowered their semi-automatic weapons. Both men looked like they knew their way around a fight, and they were clearly comfortable with the weapons in their hands.

Jace tightened his grip on Bryan’s pistol and eased in front of Ayla.

“Who are you?” the dark-haired guy asked as they stopped about ten feet away.

The bald guy said nothing, but he was familiar. It was the guy Jace had seen at the resort and out at dinner last night. Had he been following them?

“Jace Jardine. Who are you?”

The guy smirked. “I don’t think you want my name. How are you associated with Bryan?”

“I’m not. He was trying to rob us.”

“Sounds about right. He’s a real loser. I’ll take the scum and you two can stay where I can see you.”

Ayla pressed close to his back. Did that mean he’d leave them alone? Jace would call Sheriff Reed and pass on the information about these two and their vehicle description and license plate, but he wouldn’t lose sleep over them taking Bryan.

Jace shuffled Ayla away from Bryan as the men strode over. Bryan stirred as they approached. The bald guy shifted his gun to his left hand and yanked Bryan to his feet.

“Miles,” Bryan whimpered, staring at the dark-haired guy. “Please. You said I have until tomorrow.” He pointed at Jace. “This guy has money. A lot of money. I’ll get it for you.”

The dark-haired guy quirked an eyebrow at Jace. The muscles in his neck and shoulders tightened, and he heard Ayla’s breathing quicken.

“This guy has the gold bricks?” Miles asked.

“No.” Bryan’s voice shook. “There aren’t any gold bricks.”

Miles rolled his eyes. “Big surprise. Brad’s been following you and your beautiful employee because I’ve never trusted you. He says the gorgeous blonde and her boy toy are innocent, and you, Bryan, are an idiot who thinks he can get out of paying me.”

That sounded about right. Would this Miles threaten Ayla for Bryan’s stupidity or keep his focus on Bryan? He could only pray Bryan would pay for his own crimes.

“No, no, no,” Bryan protested. “I’m going to pay. He has the money. I just have to get it from him. Then I can pay you.”

“Is it your money?” Miles asked.

“Um …”

“No,” Ayla protested. “He’s trying to steal from Jace like the spineless wimp he is. Jace is innocent and has done nothing wrong. Please … don’t involve him in this.”

“How dare you turn on me?” Bryan yelled at Ayla. “I’ve given you everything.”

“I’ve worked my tail off to make your insurance business successful and you’ve squandered it. That is nobody’s fault but your own.”

Bryan started whining and berating Ayla with foul words nobody should associate with Ayla’s innocence.

Jace growled low in his throat. “Shut your mouth or I will shut it for you,” he commanded.

Bryan stopped talking, his eyes wide.

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