Chapter Thirty-Two
Troy’s whole body tensed as he stood in the doorway of Stacey’s house watching the two fire marshals walk to their car. “I’d like to give those assholes a taste of my fist.”
“Don’t. They’re just doing their jobs,” Stacey said. “But I sure didn’t like what Oliver was implying about you being somehow involved in the fire.”
“You know that’s ridiculous, right?” Troy asked with a frown. She was just starting to trust him. Their fragile relationship didn’t need this complication.
“Yes. I do.” She rubbed the crease on her brow.
He took her face in his hands. “You defended me. I can’t think of the last time anyone did that for me.”
She pressed her hands over his, stood on her tiptoes, and kissed him. “Of course I defended my fiancé. I’ll always have your back.” Then her face crumbled. “Oh, God. what am I going to do? I can’t believe I’ve lost everything.”
“Not true. You still have me.” He gave her a hug, wondering if she’d ever accept his support. She kept saying she was alone, even at the meet in front of his parents.
“Thanks.” She hugged him back, then sucked in several more puffs from her inhaler. She walked to the study and turned on her dad’s home computer. “I have to prove Bill is behind this, or they’ll try to pin this on you.”
“Unfortunately true.” Troy leaned against the doorjamb watching her work, determined to prove his innocence. It touched his heart in a way that nothing else had.
While she waited for it to boot up, she turned to him. “Did you really fire a rocket launcher into that rival clubhouse?”
He grinned. He didn’t want to blot his already blotted copybook even more. “Stacey, the things you think I’m capable of.”
“Were any men killed in that attack?”
“No. They were all somewhere else, at a meet.” He’d sworn to himself he’d never kill again when he returned home, and he’d stuck to it.
“Thank goodness. I’m hoping that wasn’t a coincidence,” she said, looking relieved.
“I’m sure whoever did it made sure of that.”
She rolled her eyes. “Anyway. We have work to do.” When the monitor came on, she leaned in and typed in the password. She quickly got into the business accounts and breathed an enormous sigh of relief. “Thank God. Everything is backed up here from the office computer. All the files, and the audit I made of the missing stock with their order numbers. Dad was a stickler about his record keeping, just like I am.”
She pressed print and went over to check the printer had enough paper.
“Give me that fire marshal’s card,” Troy said. It was time to prove to her that she wasn’t alone. That the club’s protection didn’t mean ownership, but support, caring, and help when you damn well needed it.
“Why?” She held it tightly in her hand.
“And the addresses of both of your employees.” He closed the distance between them.
Her eyes opened wide. “You can’t hurt them, Troy.” She was clearly alarmed,
“Who said anything about hurting them?” He had to prove to her that he could handle situations without violence. It was time to build her trust.
“And no rocket launchers, either.”
He gave her a sardonic look. “I promise.”
“Fine.” She printed out their employee files and identity photos, and handed them to him along with the two fire marshals’ cards. “I mean it, Troy. Don’t do anything illegal, or even questionable.”
“I won’t. But records or not, you are going to have a hell of a time getting the police to charge Bill. Not while one of the fire marshals is determined to pin this on me.”
“I’ll be damned if I’ll let him. I’m going to email Wren a copy of my files right away, and make a copy for the police, too.”
Troy’s dark eyes warmed when he looked at her. “You’re fierce when you get going.”
“Don’t you forget it, mister,” she said, typing the email. “That is all the proof anyone needs to see. Oliver is wrong about you.”
“Maybe. But if the insurance company gets involved and refuses to pay, you could be tied up in court for years.” He pocketed the two cards and folded the printed files while she sent the email. “I’m going out for a while.”
“Where? I want you to take me to the warehouse. I need to see the extent of the damage. Besides, I don’t want to be alone.”
“Have some breakfast and take a little nap. I’ll be back in a flash and will take you.” He leaned down and kissed her. “I’ve got some quick business with the brothers. Meanwhile, I’m going to send Pa around to watch over you. Lock the door until he gets here.”
“What?” She tried not to shudder. “No. No need to call him.”
“I know he takes some getting used to, but Pa’s going to be your father-in-law, babe. He’ll be on your side.”
Troy pulled her to her feet and hugged her. “You had an intruder last night and a fire today. I’m not taking chances. No way am I leaving you alone here.” Troy hit speed dial on his cell and spoke to his father.
“I don’t see why you can’t stay,” she grumbled.
He ended the call. “Oh, and when Pa’s here, get Animal on the phone and tell him he can come home.”
“Oh, Troy. Thank God. Yes, I’ll do that.” How could she have forgotten?
He put on his cut, leaned down, and kissed her again. “Pa’s on his way. I’ll be back in a few hours.”
“Hours! What will I talk to Pa about?” she wailed.
“Give him a beer and sit him in front of the television. He’ll be fine.” Troy strode into the hallway and picked up his keys. “I told you before I’d make things right. It’s time. Bye, baby.”
“Troy? Don’t do anything dangerous. I’m serious. I don’t want you in jail.”
He laughed. “Believe me, I’m not going to be the one in the cell.”