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Austin Wilde
Senior Lead & General Manager
Wilde Mining Enterprises
Jessica felt her temperature rise from the tone of Mr. Wilde’s letter. Such arrogance. Who the hell did he think he was? She should’ve been used to this kind of treatment, but she wasn’t. Her youth and gender typically did cause a bit of a shocked reaction from mining personnel whenever she showed up. Still, she’d earned her job at MSHA by working long hours and making a difference. Her boss, the Deputy Director, seemed pleased with her performance, and had given her this assignment to get her out of headquarters in Virginia and into the field. If successful here, she might get to stay in the field and could move up her G.S pay grade significantly. If unsuccessful, she’d be back at her desk at headquarters, shuffling paperwork once again.
Well, Jackson would have to forgive her. She had to get to the mine ASAP. I’ll leave a message for him that we can meet up later. “Kyle, do you know a guy named Jackson? He’s Maude’s nephew.”
“Sure do. I know all the Wilde brothers.”
“What?” Jessica’s blood turned icy cold, and her heart sunk to her toes. “J–Jackson’s last name is really Wilde?”
“Yup. Here he comes now, Miss Greene.” Kyle pointed behind her.
She turned just in time to see Jackson coming through the hotel’s front door, holding a sack and grinning.
“You asshole!” Fury raced through her like lightning.
His smile evaporated. “Hold on, Jessie.”
“My name is Jessica!” Her mind was aflame, verging on insanity.
“Okay.” The look of guilt on his face told her all she needed to know. She’d been played.
“I’m such an easy mark. You happy with yourself, cowboy?”
“Let me explain. It’s not what you think.”
“Not what I think? Really? Are you, or are you not, a member of the Wilde family?”
He placed the sack on the counter and held up his hands like a criminal surrounded by the law.
“Don’t you come one step closer to me.” Jessica felt his treachery in every fiber of her being. How could I’ve been so brainless?
Jackson turned to Kyle. “Give us a minute, buddy.”
“No, Kyle. Stay.” Jessica felt the acid in her throat. Angry tears of betrayal stung her eyes. She fought them back. Jackson will not see me cry, damn it. “I need a witness.”
“What the hell’s going on?” Kyle placed his hands on the counter and glared at Jackson.
“None of your fucking business, that’s what. Get lost.”
“Not until Miss Greene says so.”
“Thank you, Kyle. At least some men in Wilde can be trusted.”
“Him?” Jackson pointed at Kyle. “Not on your life.”
“I think I’ll be the judge of that. If you’ve got something to say to me, say it.” She folded her arms over her chest. “I’m in a hurry to go to your family’s mine. Oh, but you know that already.”
“Let’s talk on the way, Jessie.”
“Stop calling me that. You’re crazy if you think I’m getting in a vehicle wit
h you.”
“Okay. Just listen. Yes, I knew who you were the moment I saw you. We were only supposed to keep tabs on you. But when I saw you, something amazing happened. Nothing like that has ever happened to me before. It’s not about the mine. It’s about you and me. I think we made a connection last night and definitely this morning. If you’re truthful with yourself, you know it, too.”
