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“No need to apologize, Ms. Porter. What you proved to me today is that you want this badly enough to do what it takes. Including sending my assistant flowers, which was a nice touch by the way.” She finally smiled. “And I assure you that no one will pressure our company again into forcing out a client. I know what happened a couple of years ago with Mr. Westfield.”
The fact she’d just confirmed the suspicions irritated the hell out of me.
“I am happy to hear you say that, Mrs. Barker. He’s not a very nice man.”
“So I’ve been told, Ms. Porter. I’ve enjoyed spending time with you. Unfortunately, I have a plane to catch so if you’ll excuse me.”
“Absolutely.” I was almost giddy inside. I couldn’t wait to share the news with Montgomery and Jackson. I’d never felt so satisfied in performing my job as I did at this moment. I waited until she’d walked out the door before squealing in glee. One small step closer. As a few customers glanced in my direction, I couldn’t help but laugh as I gathered my things. I was intent on celebrating tonight.
I’d also try to pry out of Montgomery what the hell he was planning on doing. As I walked outside, the late afternoon sun forced me to squint. I’d stop by the villa to take a quick shower and grab a bottle of wine. Maybe champagne. After all, I’d yet to try Wolfe Wineries’ champagne.
The combination of relief as well as happiness remained like a warm glow as I walked toward the Jeep.
Then I felt a presence behind me.
“Good afternoon, Ms. Porter.”
I would recognize the man’s voice from anywhere, including the ridiculous commercials I’d seen. As I turned around, I made certain I wore a big smile. “Prescott. I’ve heard so much about you.”
“I’m certain you have, although you shouldn’t believe everything that Montgomery tells you. He and I are… Let’s just say we have a contemptuous relationship.”
The man crowded my space, attempting to make me nervous. I kept my gaze locked on him, refusing to act as if his presence bothered me. What the hell was he trying to do, scare me? I didn’t scare that easily. “Yes, I understand that as well. I think Montgomery is simply tired of you attempting to force him to sell the winery. That’s never going to happen.”
He took a deep breath, smiling as he scanned the busy street. “Ms. Porter. I realize you haven’t been in our little town very long. I’m going to give you the benefit of the doubt in that you truly don’t know how important I am.”
I couldn’t hold back a laugh. “Important? Don’t you mean threatening? You’re not well liked, Prescott. That’s been easy to tell. Would you like me to give Montgomery a message for you? I’ll try and do it nicely.”
The damn asshole crowded even closer, enough so I could gather a whiff of the bourbon he’d been drinking. The stench disgusted me.
“Be very careful who you piss off, Ms. Porter. It would be terrible if someone as beautiful as you are was harmed in any way.”
“Is that a threat?”
He took another deep whiff, blowing the hot air across my face. Damn, I wanted to punch the jerk in the face.
“That is merely a warning for you. Sadly, this is a dangerous town. I think you found that out a few days ago. You can simply let Montgomery know that by the end of the week, Wolfe Wineries will belong to me.”
I held my breath, giving him a nasty look. His smile was far too telling. I had to get to Montgomery. He walked away as if he didn’t have a care in the world.
As I climbed into my car, I yanked the phone from my purse, dialing Montgomery’s number. When I reached his voicemail, I hissed. “Hey, I have some good news for the winery. I also know that Prescott is planning something. He insists the winery will be his by the end of the week. You need to talk to the sheriff. I’ll be there as soon as I can.” My hand was shaking as I ended the call, my stomach in knots. Now it was time to rush to the villa and change.
I had a feeling it was going to be a very long night.
Yet as I pulled away from the curb, a nagging sensation remained. There would be another fire tonight and this time, someone was going to die.
CHAPTER16
Montgomery
Rage.
I’d experienced far too much of it in the last few years. Tonight was no different. The call from the chairman of the board had shot me straight into a shitty mood. Coupled with the recent production errors and I was ready to explode. I’d tossed my phone onto the coffee table, refusing to accept another call. I’d even had one from a nosy reporter, trying to get the scoop on whether the winery was for sale. Prescott was pulling out all the damn stops.
This had to end tonight.
While I’d promised a private evening with Aspen, I wasn’t certain that was going to happen. On top of the shitty last three hours, my call to Sheriff Sanchez had yet to be returned. I wasn’t going to go down without a fight.
Hissing, I was prepared to toss my glass across the room. I even had my arm raised, prepared to send it flying when a cold shiver skittered down my spine, my instinct kicking in. Something was off. Where the hell was Aspen? As I moved toward my phone, I heard the doorbell. Whoever was on the other side would take the full brunt of my anger.
