The bitch had better give him her passwords for her personal accounts right away, or he would start with shooting her in the leg. Once he got what he wanted, then he’d kill her, just not with his gun if he could help it.

He’d been worried she would leave now that the county had brought out equipment that made the arroyo passable again at his property and Jayson’s. But it was working out just fine. He could do anything he wanted to her since the wash was passable and he could leave.

Monty looked up the fork in the trail that went higher into the mountains. He had other plans for getting rid of her. She’d never be able to tell anyone what he’d done.

His handgun pressed against his spine as he waited at the trailhead for Celine. He’d tucked it into his belt. He’d never shot anyone or anything before. But, this was all about MERF, and nothing else mattered.

Nothing.

He’d kill his own nephew if the spoiled shit got in his way.

Celine had decided she couldn’t make it until today, and he’d wanted to go to McBride’s ranch and drag her ass away from the place. He’d had to force himself to bide his time while putting more of his plans into effect.

Unfortunately, he’d had to bid that six hundred grand without the funds in his account. This was a cash deal, and he needed to be prepared. He prayed the other bidder would drop out rather than bid again. In the meantime, Monty would have to do all he could to pull the rest of the cash together.

He looked up at the sky. Growing dark again. The sun had been shining not fifteen minutes ago. He hated this place with a passion that made his stomach churn.

The sound of a branch snapping made him whip his head in the direction of the trail coming from McBride’s ranch. Hopefully Celine hadn’t brought him with her.

She rounded an outcropping of trees. The first thing he noticed was that she looked…radiant, different than he’d noticed during the entire time he’d known her. She wore a smile, like she was happy. Had he ever seen her happy in the past? Genuinely happy? Not that he could recall.

What could have changed her on a dime like that? Hell, it hadn’t been that long since he’d seen her last. How could a woman like her suddenly change…?

A thought occurred to him out of the blue. No. It was jumping to conclusions, but still he wondered—had she been fucking McBride?

That was a leap—a giant one—but what else could have flipped her switch like that?

She waved and picked up her step. When she reached him, he had to look up thanks to her height. Another reason he hated her.

He tried for a natural smile, and hoped it didn’t look forced. “You look good, Celine. After what you went through, I’d say you look fantastic.”

“Thanks, Monty.” Yeah, she glowed.

Bitch.

“Come on to the house.” He inclined his head in that direction. “I’ve got some things to show you.”

She fell into step beside him. He kept his gaze straight ahead, not wanting to look up to meet her eyes, not wanting to see the sappy look on her face. And he certainly didn’t want her to see her death in his expression.

“What’s going on with my business accounts?” she asked as they walked.

He shrugged as his spine crawled. “I’ll show you once we get to my house and we can get onto the computer.”

“Fill me in, Monty.” Frustration laced her words. Gone was the happy note to her voice. “My accounts have been bleeding for months now. Expenses here and there. So many of them.”

His skin chilled as he glanced at her. “All documented and necessary expenses. You know that. You’ve seen the records.”

She frowned, shaking her head slightly. “That’s true, I have seen the documentation.” She met his gaze. “I am trying to wrap my mind around how many expenses I’ve had in the last six months.”

“Getting hit by ransomware was a biggie, not to mention purchasing the protection you need from it happening again.” Panic crawled up Monty’s throat but he forced it back down. It wasn’t like she could do anything about it now. Not long and he wouldn’t have to worry about her at all. “You’ll see everything when we get to the house and I can show you the records.”

Her frown deepened. “Okay,” was all she said.

It took less than fifteen minutes to reach his place and it was with relief that they walked from the forest onto his property.

He swept his gaze over what had been his for the last year. He was about to lose the ranch due to the bank foreclosing on him—he hadn’t been paying his mortgage because he didn’t intend to be here past this month. He’d be in Belize, soaking up the clear air, the sun, and all the comforts his newly acquired wealth would give him. MERF would take care of him for the rest of his life.

They took the path down the trail that went to the back of the corral.

“Where is all your livestock?” Celine’s voice knocked him out of his thoughts. Didn’t you mention you have cattle and horses? I heard something about a prize bull.”

Monty waved off her question, with a casual, “Horses in the barn, cattle off roaming somewhere.”

“Oh.” She sounded puzzled. “I don’t hear anything.”

True, his place was eerily quiet now that he’d sold off everything and didn’t have any ranch hands around to do the work.

“It’s like that sometimes.” He guided her toward the backdoor so she wouldn’t see the house mostly empty of furniture.

They walked in and she stuffed her hands into her back pockets as she looked around the Spartan kitchen. Here he didn’t have much more than a coffee maker, toaster, countertop convection oven, and can opener. A lot of people kept their kitchens free of clutter, so he doubted she’d be suspicious.

Celine followed him through the kitchen, down the hall, and to his office. This room looked the most lived in because he needed furniture here, where he did all his work. When she walked in, she let her gaze drift around the room. She froze when she looked at her laptop and her designer tote on his desk.

He pulled his gun out of the back of his belt.

She whirled on him, fury in her expression. “What are you doing with—” Her gaze dropped to his hand.

His hand shook slightly, but he aimed his gun at her heart.