The next morning, Corbin convinced Jolie to go shopping with his mom and Kellie in Gatlinburg while he and Ben dealt with the investigators.
“Corbin, this is Kurt Jackson. He’s the state fire marshal.”
He offered his hand. “It’s good to meet you, Mr. Jackson.”
“You, too. Sorry it couldn’t be under better circumstances. My wife is a big fan of yours.”
“I appreciate that.”
Mr. Jackson gazed at the debris. His men were already sifting through the rubble. “I understand this was your girlfriend’s bookstore?”
“That’s right.”
“Ben tells me the bookstore was struggling financially.”
“Why does that matter?”
Ben cleared his throat. “People sometimes take matters into their own hands when business is bad. To collect the insurance money.”
“You don’t seriously suspect—”
“I don’t,” Ben said softly.
“I’m sure that’s not the case here,” Mr. Jackson said kindly. “But it’s my job to find out. My investigators will need to speak with Miss Daniels. It’s standard procedure.”
“I’ve seen a lot of fires. There’s not a doubt in my mind this was arson,” Ben said.
“And I’m not doubting your expertise. What’s important to the insurance company is who set the fire. I just want to make Miss Daniels aware of the possible speculation. The insurance company will require substantial evidence before paying the claim.”
“Then I guess your men better get busy,” Corbin replied brusquely.
Mr. Jackson nodded and led a few of his men toward the smoky remains.
“He’s just doing his job, Corbin. They’ll figure it out.”
He nodded slowly as they watched the men sift through the debris, take pictures, and interview some witnesses. One of the first firefighters on the scene told them that the stockroom door was open when they arrived, and he’d encountered dark black smoke upon entering. Corbin didn’t know why that mattered, but it seemed important to the investigators.
“In wooden structures like the bookstore,” Ben explained, “the presence of thick, black smoke usually indicates the use of an accelerant, typically gasoline. An open stockroom door would provide ventilation.”
“Which would help the fire spread faster,” Corbin replied.
Ben nodded.
“Jolie never opened those doors, not even for shipments. They were too heavy for her to close on her own, so all deliveries were made up front.”
“That’s good. I’ll tell Kurt.”
After three hours of watching the men sift through the debris, Corbin decided to walk over to the diner to grab some coffee. Thankful to find the place wasn’t too crowded, he sat down at the counter and placed his order. He was just digging in his pocket for some cash when he saw Aaron Hayes step out of the kitchen. Aaron stopped abruptly when he spotted Corbin sitting on a stool, but he recovered quickly and waited until the waitress handed him the coffee before walking over.
“Put your money away,” Aaron said. “It’s on the house.”
“Thanks.”
Corbin handed the waitress the ten-dollar bill. She thanked him before heading out to check on her tables.
“How’s Jolie doing?” Aaron asked.
“She’s okay. Pretty shaken up.”
Aaron pensively glanced out the window. Corbin hadn’t noticed it before, but from this stool inside the diner, he had a perfect view of the back of the bookstore. Or, what used to be the bookstore. Now all you could see was rubble.
“Sure is a shame,” Aaron said. “Mom loved that bookstore.”
Corbin remembered the day Aaron came in to buy books for his mom. It was the same day Ashton came to town. It seemed like a hundred years ago.
“Jolie’s a nice girl. She didn’t deserve this.”
“No, she didn’t.” Corbin said. “The investigators are sifting through the damage now. They suspect arson.”
Suddenly, Aaron became very interested in his phone. It was subtle, but Corbin noticed that Aaron’s hands were shaking as he scrolled through the screen.
“Something wrong?”
Aaron blinked rapidly. “What?”
“You seem . . . nervous.”
Aaron glanced out the window, once again fixing his gaze on where the bookstore used to be.
He knows something.
“You know, Aaron, if someone is going around setting fires, that person needs to be behind bars. I’d hate to see this happen to any other businesses.”
Aaron’s eyes darted from the window and back to Corbin.
“I don’t know anything for sure.”
“Understood.”
Aaron looked over his shoulder before leaning close.
“Did you know that Gavin Massey made bail two days ago?”
Corbin’s eyes narrowed. “I didn’t think bail was an option.”
“Apparently his lawyer found some judge that made it an option.”
Rage flooded Corbin’s veins.
“No, I didn’t know that.”
“Neither did I,” Aaron whispered. “Not until I saw Gavin running out the back door of Jolie’s bookstore last night.”
Corbin grinned.
Jackpot.
Aaron gave his statement to the sheriff and the investigators and apologized for not coming forward immediately. Corbin understood his hesitation. Aaron had a business of his own to protect, and he was risking Gavin’s wrath by talking now.
“I’ll put some of my men at the diner. Around the clock,” Keith said.
“I appreciate that.”
The evidence collected by the team already pointed to arson, and Aaron’s statement provided them with a suspect. Corbin should’ve felt relieved, but he didn’t. Gavin was already out of jail for attacking Jolie. What if his lawyer convinced the judge that he wasn’t responsible for the arson, no matter what the evidence might prove?
That question still plagued Corbin hours later, long after the investigators were gone. He was wandering through the rubble, kicking at the charred remains, when his brother walked up to him. The rage in Ben’s eyes caught Corbin by surprise, but it was oddly comforting at the same time, certain that the fury on his brother’s face matched his own.
Ben placed a supportive hand on his shoulder.
“So, we’re kicking some ass, right?”
The question was music to his ears.
Corbin took one last, long look at the debris, and then he nodded.
“Yes, we are.”
Gavin Massey might be rich, but that was only because Isaac Massey, his grandfather, had struck oil back in the 80s. Before that, the Masseys owned a dairy farm, not realizing they were sitting on a goldmine. Isaac sold the mineral rights and vowed to never milk another cow for the rest of his life, and he didn’t.
Neither did his children. Or their children.
Isaac loved Riverview and donated a ton of money to the town, but since he passed away, his sons—and grandsons—weren’t as generous with their wealth. Now, the Masseys preferred to help the town by bulldozing their homes and businesses to the ground.
Or burning them.
Corbin clenched his fists around the steering wheel as he stared at Gavin’s mansion and iron gate.
“You didn’t think we could drive right up to the front door, did you?” Ben asked. “This place is always locked up tighter than Fort Knox.”
“No, but I figured it was a good place to start.”
“He’s probably not here, anyway. Let’s try Paul’s.”
“Who’s that?”
“Gavin’s cousin. He’s a good guy. Maybe he can help us.”
Ben gave him the address, and Corbin headed that way.
“You know we can’t kill him, right?” Ben said. “Don’t get me wrong. I am more than ready to kick some ass, but we can’t kill him. I’ve got a wife and kids and a baby on the way. You’ve got Jo—”
“I know. I have no intention of committing murder tonight.”
Ben nodded. “Good. Paul’s right up here. Blue house.”
Corbin pulled into the driveway and turned off the ignition. The brothers had barely climbed out of the truck when the front door opened. A tall, lanky man wearing a flannel shirt and baseball cap walked out on the porch.
“I could’ve saved you a trip. Gavin’s not here.”
“Any idea where he might be?” Ben asked.
“Haven’t seen him since he made bail.”
“We just want to talk to him,” Corbin said.
Paul chuckled darkly. “Right. Somebody messed with my girl, the last thing I’d want to do is talk.”
“So you understand.”
“I do.” Paul nodded. “Look, Ben, we go way back, but you know I can’t help you. I just can’t. I’m sorry about that. All I can do is promise you that he’s not here.”
Corbin sighed. No matter what . . . blood is thicker. Always.
The brothers thanked him before climbing back into the truck.
“Where to now?” Corbin asked.
Just as he pulled out of the driveway, his cell phone rang.
“You drive. I’ll answer.” Ben glanced at the screen. “Oh, shit.”
“What?”
“It’s the sheriff.”
Corbin groaned and continued driving toward town.
“Afternoon, Keith.”
It only took a second before Ben was handing Corbin the cell.
“He wants to talk to you.”
Corbin grabbed the phone but kept his eyes on the two-lane road.
“Keith.”
“Where are you, Corbin?”
“Just driving around.”
“So I’ve heard.”
Shit.
“Corbin, I’m gonna need you to turn yourself in. I received a call that you boys are disturbing the peace.”
“What the hell? We’re not disturb—”
“And now you’re arguing with the sheriff, which means I’m gonna have to lock you up.”
“You can’t be serious.”
“You can either turn yourself in, or I can come get you. What will it be?”
“Damn it, Keith. Fine. I’m on my way.”
Corbin threw the phone on the dashboard and broke the speed limit as he drove toward the jail.
“This is complete and utter bullshit.”
“Don’t make me put the cuffs on you. Give me your phone.”
With a frustrated groan, Corbin tossed his cell on Keith’s desk.
“I’ll call Dad,” Ben said. “He’ll be thrilled to know that, for the second time this month, one of his kids needs bail money.”
Corbin rolled his eyes.
Disturbing the peace, seriously?
“Keith, all we were doing was—”
“I know what you were doing. Come with me,” Keith said, leading Corbin down a hallway. “I’m afraid we’re a little overcrowded. You’ll have to share a cell for the time being.”
Overcrowded?
As they walked, Corbin didn’t hear a sound. Not another inmate was in sight.
And he counted three empty cells.
When they reached the fourth and final cell, Keith grabbed his keys and unlocked the door. With a heavy sigh, Corbin slowly marched in.
“Hey, you!” Keith yelled at the inmate on the bottom bunk. “Brought you a cellmate. I know how cold and lonely jail can be.”
The prisoner snorted and rolled over, and suddenly, Corbin found himself staring into the face of Gavin Massey.
“So . . .” Keith said. “My deputies are all out patrolling. I’m the only one here. You guys try to keep it down, okay?”
Corbin smirked.
Keith Daniels wasn’t the sheriff tonight.
He was a brother.
Gavin’s eyes were filled with panic as he slowly lifted himself off the bunk.
“Keith, don’t leave me in here!”
“Sorry, Gavin. Overcrowding. We’ve had such a crime spree lately. Forced entry. Assault. Arson.” Keith stepped out and locked the door behind him. “Don’t get too comfortable, Corbin. I’m sure your dad will be here as soon as he can.”
Keith walked back down the hallway.
“You can’t do this!” Gavin screamed. “I hope you’re enjoying your reign as an elected official because when the truth comes out—”
“Yeah,” Corbin said darkly as he walked around the cell, never taking his eyes off Gavin. “That’s the funny thing about the truth. It always manages to come out, doesn’t it? Like, I know the truth about that night at Jolie’s. I know how you used her house key to walk right in and scare the shit out of her. I know how you put your hands on her. How you wrapped one around her neck and pushed her up against a wall.”
Gavin’s eyes widened with fear as Corbin crept toward him. His voice was low and menacing as he leaned close.
“And I know how you burned her bookstore to the ground.”
The blood drained from Gavin’s face.
“How . . . who—”
Corbin grabbed him by the throat and threw him against the concrete wall. Kicking and sputtering, Gavin tried to break free, but Corbin—fueled with rage and fury—held on as tight as he could.
“It’s a small town. And the truth always comes out.”
Corbin’s hand was like a vice around Gavin’s throat. He couldn’t hide his satisfied smile when the man’s face turned crimson.
“The arson . . . I probably could’ve forgiven that. You actually did her a favor. Her heart wasn’t in it anymore, and the insurance will cover the loss. Now she’s free to go out on tour with me, so honestly, it’s a blessing. In fact, I should probably thank you. The road won’t be nearly as lonely now.”
Gavin’s breathing was coming out in rough gasps. He’d probably need an ambulance.
Good.
“So yeah, I should probably thank you. But . . . I just can’t. Because you did the one thing I can’t forgive. You touched my girl. You left bruises on her body. If my brother hadn’t arrived, you would’ve done worse. You are so, so lucky you didn’t do worse. It’s the only reason you’re still alive. So, I’m not going to kill you tonight, Gavin Massey. However . . .”
Corbin punched him in the face, causing Gavin’s legs to buckle. He fell to the floor, cursing and gasping for air while Corbin kicked him once in the ribs. Gavin screamed and clutched his stomach in agony, his mournful wails echoing off the concrete walls.
“Everything okay back here?”
Corbin kicked him one last time before turning toward Keith.
“Everything’s just fine, Sheriff.”
“I’m glad to hear that,” Keith said, gazing with a satisfied smirk at the beaten man on the ground. “Good news, Mr. James. You made bail.”
Corbin didn’t even look back as he walked out of the jail cell. Keith locked the door and led him down the hallway.
“Here,” Keith said, handing Corbin his phone. “You’d better answer it.”
He glanced down at the screen. Jolie.
Ten missed calls. Ten voice mails.
“I . . . think I’ll wait.”
“Probably best.”
“How pissed is she?”
“Mildly.”
“Just mildly?”
Keith grinned and pointed to his desk, where Ben was talking rapidly on his phone. Corbin’s continued to vibrate persistently in his hand.
“I’m dealing with my woman,” Ben said with a smirk. “Time to deal with yours.”
Corbin sighed heavily and placed the phone against his ear.
“Hi, baby.”
“Don’t you hi baby me! What did you do? Did you kill him? Because if you did, you’ll go to prison. You understand that, right? Prison! No house. No porch. No wedding. No babies. No songwriting. You. Will. Go. To. Prison. And there won’t be a damn thing my brother can do to help you because he’ll be in the cell right beside you!”
“Jolie, I—”
“One afternoon! We leave town for one afternoon and the men in my life go all frontier justice. Did you think about me? Did you think about the consequen—”
“Jolie, I didn’t kill him.”
“You did something!”
“I just beat him up a little. He deserved worse.”
“It doesn’t matter. You should have let the police handle it. Oh wait! They did. My brilliant brother arrested him and you, and then put the two of you in a cell together.”
Corbin tiredly rubbed his face. “Sweetheart, I love you, but if you expect me to apologize I’m afraid you’re going to be disappointed.”
Jolie exhaled a noisy sigh. “Just . . . go home, okay?”
“Mine or yours?”
“Mine.”
He grinned.
“Yes, ma’am.”
Corbin and Ben ended their calls at the same time.
Keith chuckled. “Sure am glad I’m single.”
The brothers smiled. Yes, their women were pissed. But they’d forgive them.
“Keith, I . . . don’t know what to say,” Corbin said.
The men shook hands.
“Don’t say anything,” Keith said. “Just take care of my sister for the rest of her life.”
Corbin smiled. “I can do that.”
The house was strangely quiet when Corbin walked in.
“Sweetheart?”
“Back here,” Jolie called from the bedroom.
Corbin walked into her room and froze in his tracks when he found her on the bed, wearing the sexiest and laciest gown he’d ever seen.
“I know you like to see me in white,” she said softly.
With a grin, he walked into the room.
“I like seeing you in anything . . . or nothing. Am I to assume this means you’re not mad at me anymore?”
Jolie laid back against the pillow. “Oh, I’m furious.”
Corbin slowly shed his clothes and joined her in bed.
“You don’t look furious. You look gorgeous,” he said, gently trailing his fingers along the lace. “Is this new?”
“A gift from your sister-in-law. She called it reunion lingerie. We didn’t get the chance to use it in St. Louis.”
“We’ll use it now,” he said.
Jolie moaned softly when his lips found hers.