TWENTY-FOUR
Not one hour after he’d drove away, Aiden returned to the resort soaked with mud and numerous scratches and learned of the interrogation while it was still happening. Incensed, he would have barged right in to ask Art some questions of his own, except that he also learned that Mr. Stanworth had arrived and already begun taking photos and asking questions.
Unfortunately, one of the first photos the man had taken involved the crocodiles. Aiden was worried that the only story that would be printed about his resort would be one warning the guests away from danger. The man was currently in the hall heading for his office door when he came up behind him.
Turning around, he snapped a photo of the grimy resort owner and shook his head. “Mr. Whitney, I’d love to hear your explanation for all of this.”
“Clearly, someone must have left the lock to the pool undone, since there’s no way a crocodile would have been able to climb a six foot tall fence to get in on its own,” Aiden pointed out. “The real trouble is, I don’t know why one crocodile would have come down here among the humans, let alone two. They don’t usually come down from the preserve lands at all.”
“Rumor has it that somebody put them in there,” Stanworth told him. “And further rumor suggests the man is a reporter as well. I’m told by some of the guests that the man is being interrogated right now. Do you know what any of this is about?”
“Actually, I have a good idea,” Aiden told him. “The man in question is, I believe, in love with my wife. As you know, the two of us are divorcing, but she came down here and invited him along with other friends of hers. What is unclear is whether he is the only friend of hers causing trouble around here, or if they’ve all been taking turns. More importantly, I haven’t had the opportunity to find out how much of this nonsense was at her instigation. They’re only just questioning Art, but I will want to question them all. I just haven’t gotten the chance to tell them so. And Brynn? Well, I’m going to want to talk with her myself.”
“Yes, that’s understandable.”
“Can we cut to the chase, Stanworth?” Aiden asked then. “I believe Brynn has brought Art out here to discredit the resort and has been having her friends sabotage things around here so he can document it. I don’t have any proof at the moment, but I’ve brought you out here in hopes of getting a sterling review to counteract their meddling. And as soon as I can prove my theory they’ll all be banned from this property and never allowed to return. So, what do you say? Can you bear with me for just a while?”
“Mr. Whitney, I think what this man is doing, whether at your wife’s bidding or not, is simply deplorable,” he replied. “Not only will I give you your review, I’m going to do everything I can to discredit his. If he’s admitted to tampering and vandalism already, you’re well within your rights to have him thrown in jail, which in itself may prevent him writing his story up at all.”
“Until he gets out again, anyway,” Aiden pointed out. “Would you like to join me in the furthering of the interrogations? I know you are pretty handy with cameras and recording devices.”
“With pleasure,” he replied.
When they stepped into the office, they found Kellen, Cat, his two security guys, Detective Max, and also Brynn all gathered there. Art and Brynn appeared to be arguing, with her insisting that he should stop trying to cover for her because it would just get him into more trouble, and Art continuing to insist she was lying to protect him. It didn’t take a rocket scientist to discern Art must be the lover hidden among her friends.
“I believe there’s a solution to this,” he said as he stepped in. “We can leave Brynn out of the legal matters entirely if she takes the generous divorce settlement my lawyers have been offering. As for Art, we do need to punish him, or he’ll think he can get away with doing something like this to anyone in the future. So I say, throw the book at him. I doubt he’ll get too long in there if this is his first offense.”
“Aiden? When did you come in?” she gasped, turning beet red.
“Just now,” he said, casting her a triumphant grin. “What do you say? Yes or no? Because I have no problems with also throwing you in jail.”
“So it’s really over?” she sighed, and a single tear slid down her cheek.
“It’s been over for years, woman,” he pointed out. “This is just the final nail in the coffin. What is your decision?”
“I’ll take the deal—if you pay my lawyers’ fees as well.”
“Done, and done,” he agreed, reaching out to shake her hand. “I can’t believe you went this far with this thing.”
“I’m really sorry, I suppose I did get carried away,” she shrugged. “It’s just that every other time I’ve done something stupid, you have always forgiven me. I thought for sure you’d do it again. And Cat? I’m sorry for how I’ve been treating you as well. None of this was ever your doing. I’m going to just pack up my things and cut the two weeks short.”
“Just like that, after all your whining?” Art scoffed. “And what happens if I tell them you put me up to this when I go into court?”
“Is that really how you feel?” she asked softly. “I suppose it’s nothing more than I deserve. But it’s like Aiden says, you won’t be in very long. And by the time you get out, I won’t be married any longer. We can start over. Art. No more games, and no more lies. I’ve decided it’s time for me to turn over a whole new leaf.”
“Thank goodness,” said Aiden with a relieved sigh. “Cat? May I please speak with you privately? I believe we still have a few issues of our own to resolve.”
“Sure,” she agreed, latching onto his arm as she followed him outside.
Aiden didn’t waste a whole lot of time with unnecessary words as a general rule, and he wasn’t about to start now. They headed down the steps and across the grounds, passing by the pool which was now being enjoyed by the guests just as if nothing had happened earlier to prevent them. They continued onward to the employee housing units, and in through her front door.
By now, the silence that stretched between them was beginning to grate on his nerves, and he couldn’t close the door that hid them from the outside world fast enough. But they still didn’t say a single word.
Instead, Aiden slammed her against the wall and pressed his body to hers, wondering if he’d ever be able to get enough. She sobbed into his mouth, and the tears she’d been holding back began to flow freely down her cheeks. Aiden moved back and kissed every single droplet away.
“I miss you so much, Cat,” he told her. “Please, please tell me you’ll come home with me tonight. No, come home with me right now.”
“No, I’m sorry, but that’s not going to happen,” she replied, making him let go of her with a worried frown.
:”But why not?” he asked with a disappointed frown. “It’s been five days, sweetheart. I don’t think I could stand to wait a moment more.”
“That’s exactly why not,” she explained in a husky whisper. “Five whole days without the comfort of your arms. If we don’t soon make up and make out, I think I’m going to burst. I know I’ve been a total pain about all of this, Aiden. It’s just that when it comes to a relationship, I always feel like I deserve to come first.”
“And you do, sweetheart,” he reassured her as he lifted her into his arms and carried her over to her bed. “Always and forever.”
“Does that mean what I think it means?” she asked as her head fell into the pillows.
“It does,” he said, smiling. “Just as soon as I’m a free man, I want to make it legal. And this time, I know in my heart that the union’s going to last. No need for lawyers, and no damned prenuptial.”
“What, are you insane?” Cat gasped. “If my business professor heard you speaking such blasphemy she’d probably order up a psyche evaluation before you could even blink.”
“What can I say?” he chuckled as he fitted his body over hers. “You really bring out my wild side, baby.”
“Well, Aiden, those are very pretty words, but I don’t think it’s words I’m craving right now.”
“I suppose you’d prefer actions, wouldn’t you?” he chuckled.
“I would,” she said wholeheartedly.
“Good,” he grinned. “Then allow me to show you.”