Chase: Black Bear Outlaws #2 (Mating Fever) (6 page)

I nodded, knowing he was right.

“But if you’re considering walking out on Katrina and the cub, I swear to God, Chase, shit is going to get real.”

It was so rare to see Cole get worked up, I actually laughed. For the first time in days, I let myself feel something more than blind fear. I felt like a fifty pound weight had been lifted right off my chest.

“This isn’t funny.” Anger flashed through his eyes as he glared at me.

“I know. But you are.” I let my smile claim my lips. “Little brother is all grown up and ready to kick my ass. But don’t worry, it isn’t necessary. Of course I’m not going to let either of them go. I just needed some time to adjust.”

“Well, are you done adjusting? Because if you’re not, do yourself a favor and let her know what’s going on and then go get right in the head. She doesn’t deserve the silent treatment.”

He was right.

Again.

Dammit if that didn’t get under my skin. But I was far from being irritated with him. All of my frustration was with myself. For four days, I’d let her believe I blamed her. What the fuck was wrong with me? I turned and held my hand out to Cole.

He stared at it for just a second, then wrapped both his hands around mine and said, “Good luck.”

“Thanks.” I was going to need it.

T
here was nothing like work to keep one’s mind off their troubles, especially when work consisted of getting a business up and running. I wasn’t completely starting from scratch. Sage Fitness was a franchise of my aunt Francie’s successful business. It’s why I’d gone to Georgia in the first place.

Once my marriage had exploded, she’d offered to help me set up a location of my own where ever I wanted. It had been something we’d talked about for years, but my ex hadn’t wanted me working that much. In the end, I’d caved and resented every inch of him for it.

I’d been planning to open a location a few towns over from Francie’s, but after finding Chase, and then later learning I was pregnant, those plans had flown right out the window. There was never any question that I’d need to return to Bayou Basin.

Even if Chase never forgave me, I still needed to be near enough that the little one knew his father, his uncles, and cousins. Family was important, but besides Francie, the Doucets were all my cub would have. My own parents had passed within a couple of months of each other a few years ago, and I was an only child.

Like it or not, the Doucets were my family now. At least I had Claire. Ever since she’d found out I was pregnant, she’d been doting on me as if I were her little sister. She’d dropped off enough mother-to-be books to last me until the kid had one of her own.

My phone chimed, and I heaved a sigh. If that was more bad news from another unreliable contractor who couldn’t deliver, I was going to hurt someone. Badly.

Relief warred with a strange mix of irritation and hope when I read the two words.

I’m sorry.

The message was from Chase.

Should I answer him? Let him stew? What exactly was he sorry for? Being a jackass and he’d now come to his senses? Or was that his final word on the matter? He was sorry he couldn’t handle it and was bolting? That would be tough since he owned a business with his brothers and I wasn’t going anywhere.

Pain pulsed above my right eye, and instead of answering, I shoved the phone into my desk drawer so I wouldn’t have to look at it any longer.

I’m sorry.

What the hell was I supposed to do with that?

“Katrina?” Dasi, my assistant, poked her head in. “There’s someone named Stan here to see you.”

“Stan?” I frowned. I didn’t know a—, “
Stan
,” I said again and scowled as realization dawned. “Is he tall, crooked teeth, and sporting a bad complexion?”

She slipped the rest of the way into my office and closed the door behind her. “Yes. Frankly, he’s creeping me out. He keeps staring at my ass, and at one point, suggested I shake my money maker. Please tell me he isn’t one of the equipment dealers.”

“He’s not.” I stood, trying to keep the nausea at bay. “He’s my ex brother-in-law. Do me a favor?”

She squared her shoulders, all business again. “Sure, anything.”

“Make him wait for a few minutes. Tell him I’m on an important conference call or something, then when I text you, send him back.”

“You got it.” Dasi’s lips twitched into a mischievous smile. “Want me to trip him when he goes?”

I laughed, and the pain above my eye lessened. Without me going into details, she’d understood he wasn’t someone I wanted here. She knew me, too well. “Maybe keep that one in reserve if he causes a scene.”

Her humor vanished. “Is he known for that? Because I’m already two seconds away from calling Black Bear Outlaws just for some muscle around here.”

It wasn’t a bad idea. Other than the fact it would force a confrontation with Chase I wasn’t sure I was ready for. After that text, I truly didn’t know where we stood. And I could handle Stan. I had for the last five years. I’d bet dollars to doughnuts he was here about money. I shook my head. “I don’t think that’s necessary. He’s a douche, but not a violent one.”

She glanced over her shoulder at the door. “Okay, but I’m pulling one of the guys off the job for the next few minutes, just in case.”

“Sounds like a plan. Ask Cody. He’s got the muscle and the smarts to handle any altercation.” I’d already hired two personal trainers who were helping with the opening. Today they were testing the equipment to make sure the supplier had everything set up correctly.

“I’m on it.” Dasi hurried out, and I wondered if she was worried he’d already fleeced the place.

If she’d left anything valuable on her desk, he could have. I ground my teeth and wondered if I could stomach patting him down before he left. The contents of my stomach threatened to make a reappearance. Nope. Out of the question. If he had taken anything, I’d replace it myself before I’d touch Stan the Chia Pet man. It was the special name I used for him when he was particularly irritating. Men who could only grow patches of facial hair, really should learn to use a razor.

I sat down at my desk, shoved the budget I’d been working on into a drawer, grabbed the phone, and texted Dasi. Then I glanced at the message one more time.

I’m sorry
.

Well, so was I. So. Was. I. But at least I’d talked to him in person.

Dasi knocked once and then opened the door. “Right this way, mister...?”

“Just call me Stan,” my sleaze bucket ex-relative said. He looked worse than ever. Standing at just over six-feet tall, he was rail thin. So thin his face was hollow and his eyes were sunken. Christ, was he sick?

“Thanks, Dasi,” I said as I stood and crossed my arms over my chest.

“Do you need anything?” she asked me.

Stan said, “I could use a beer and a slice of that pie you keep between your thighs.”

“Stan, don’t harass my employee or you’ll be out of here in two seconds flat,” I said in a cold tone. Sick or not, he wasn’t getting away with that bullshit. “I’m fine for now, Dasi. Thank you.”

She cast Stan a disgusted glance. “Holler if you need anything at all; tea, water, disinfectant.”

Stan leered at her, practically drooling. “I love the feisty ones.”

“Christ,” I muttered.

Dasi ignored him as she left, once again closing the door behind her.

“I see you haven’t changed,” I said to Stan.

He sat in one of my office chairs, draping his arm over the back, and glanced around. “And I see you think you’re moving up in the world.”

“Better than where you’re headed,” I shot back. “Last I heard you were on probation. From the looks of you, I think it’s unlikely you’ll pass the drug test.”

“I’m not worried.” He stared at me, his dead blue eyes creeping me out.

“Good for you,” I said, not bothering to hide my sarcasm. “Why don’t you just tell me why you’re here?”

He didn’t say anything at first. Then he gave me his shit-eating grin. “You’re not one for much foreplay are you? Good for Ty when he just wanted to get off I suppose. Makes everything easier.”

I bit my tongue. I’d learned long ago that engaging him only prolonged the agony.

He leaned forward and patted the desk. “Since he’s going to be tied up for a few more years, no thanks to you, maybe you want me to clean out those rusty pipes of yours. What do you say? You want some of Stan’s lovin’?”

Bile rose up in the back of my throat. The thought of him touching me, or any woman, was horrifying. “Does that line ever work?” I asked out of sheer curiosity.

“It did last night,” he said so smugly, I was certain it was the truth.

A woman would have to be either passed out or three sheets to the wind before she’d let this discussing bastard into her bed. “Does she remember it?”

He shrugged. “Who cares?”

Jesus crow.

“So I take it that’s a no, then?” he asked, eyeing my boobs. “You wearing a pushup bra? Because otherwise, I think maybe little Katrina had some work done.”

I sighed. No way was I telling him about the cub. The less he knew about me the better. “What do you want, Stan?”

He scratched his Chia Pet chin and glanced around my office, his lips turning up into an evil smile. “This is a really nice setup you’ve got here.”

“I know.”

The smile vanished as he narrowed his dead eyes at me. “Makes me wonder why you didn’t kick down for Ty’s legal fees.”

“Is that what this is all about? Is Ty appealing the conviction? Because I’ve got to say, I don’t think he has a chance in hell. He was caught red-handed with the drugs and there’s even video evidence of his dealing. More money isn’t—”

“No, he’s not appealing. But that doesn’t mean you didn’t screw him. And I’m here to collect.”

“You can go now.” I pointed to the door. “Neither you nor your abusive brother is getting anything from me ever again.”

Still draped over my chair, he picked at a bloody cuticle. “Abusive? What happened, Katrina? Did the big bad bear finally knock some sense into you?”

I picked up the phone and hit speed dial.

“Kitty?” Chase said after the first ring.

I stared at the phone, confused. “Chase?”

“Did you get my text?”

“I...yes, but...” Shit. I’d meant to call Dasi, to have her send Cody in to escort this dipshit out of here.

“But what?” His tone softened, and it was clear he wanted to talk.

Okay, I could work with that. “Um, do you think you could spare a few minutes? I could use your...expertise on something.”

“Sure. Is everything all right? You sound a little distracted.”

“Yeah, fine. See you soon?” I clutched the phone harder as I watched Chia chin pick his nose. Gross.

“Are you at work?”

“Yep. I’ll be here all day.”

“That’s what you think,” Stan muttered and flicked his booger across the room.

Holy God. I was going to have to burn the place down.

“Give me about twenty minutes. I just have to finish up a bid,” Chase said.

“Okay. Thanks.” I ended the call, stuffed the phone in my pocket, and pointed to the door. “You need to leave. Now.”

He placed both feet on the floor and leaned forward. All traces of his smartass bullshit were gone. “Not until you hand over Ty’s share of your bank account.”

“His share?” My voice rose so high it was amazing dogs didn’t come running. “Are you kidding me? We had nothing. Ty spent it all on strippers, casinos, and drugs. Every time I thought we were getting ahead, he’d blow it all during a long bender weekend. His share,” I scoffed. “That’s a good one.”

Stan’s eye twitched. “I’m not talking about your joint bank accounts. I’m talking about the insurance money, the money from your family trust. The money you’re no doubt using to open this place.” He waved a hand around the room. “This shit don’t come free.”

Everything inside me shut down. That’s what this was about. Of course it was. How many fights had Ty and I had about the trust money? My parents’ will was ironclad. They’d had one hell of an attorney make sure I was never in a position to lose what they’d left me. “We used the insurance money for the house. He get’s half of that when it sells.”

Ty had already signed the divorce settlement. My lawyer had taken care of all the paperwork while I’d been in Georgia. There was no chance of him getting his hands on anything else.

“The house? That termite-infested rathole isn’t worth shit. You and that fancy lawyer of yours tried to screw my brother and I’m here to even the score. One of two things is going to happen: you either wire me the money or work it off. It’s your choice.”

“You’re insane,” I said and took a step back. “Have you completely lost your mind?”

“No. Not completely. But parts of it might have scattered into the ether after that last batch of meth Ty cooked.”

Meth?
Holy hell. I didn’t know why I was surprised by that. Stan certainly looked like a meth head, minus the facial sores. His teeth certainly were bad enough.

“Ever since you sent Ty to prison it’s been hell finding someone to cook for me. They are all either too stupid or too addicted. One blew himself up and another overdosed. Do you have any idea how hard it is to stay in business when you don’t have a decent product to sell?”

At least that explained his complexion. “I didn’t send Ty anywhere. I don’t know why you’re blaming me. I had no idea he was dealing or, Christ, cooking meth. I’d have left ages ago if I’d known that.”

“He was caught because he was speeding, you stupid bitch. He was racing off toward this shit town to bring you back home when he was clocked doing ninety. When the asshole cop tried to do an illegal search, Ty took a swing at him and then took off. After the chase, he ended up in a ditch with a broken arm. Now he has a ten year sentence because of you. And it’s up to me to keep the family business going while he’s away. As for you, you’re going to pay for your sins by investing.”

Sweat coated his skin and he was breathing hard as his eyes darted around the room.

It was definitely time for backup. I retrieved my phone from my pocket, but while I was searching for the right number, Stan lunged over the desk, knocking the phone free as he slammed me into the wall. My head hit with a thunk, and blackness closed in around me.