Colton's Last Stand

“That’s really odd, since the entire Colton family does, and they raised Micheline’s birth son, who grew up as Ace Colton. My fiancée, Bella, has gotten closer to Marlowe throughout all of this, and of course I’m old army buddies with Spencer, and they shared this with me.”

“Then what game is Micheline playing?” she asked.

“That’s for you to find out,” Holden replied. “How are you and Jake getting along?”

Rubbing her now aching temples, Fiona sighed. “For whatever reason, I felt an instant connection to Jake.”

“Micheline instructed you to cozy up to him?”

“Yes. We’re going to dinner tonight, on her.”

Holden laughed, a short bark of sound. “Have fun with that. Remember, stay out of trouble.”

Ending the call, Fiona stashed the phone back in her pocket. Its compact size made it almost undetectable, and she kept it on her at all times. She wouldn’t put it past Micheline and her crew to periodically search her room.

Replaying the information Holden had given her, she kept circling back to Jake. Did he know? Could that possibly be the reason he’d stayed away all these years?

Right then and there, she knew she had to do what Micheline had asked of her - get close to Jake and find out exactly what kind of information he had.

all the way to his car, Jake gave himself a mental tongue lashing. Fiona Smith might be one of the most beautiful women he’d ever met, but she certainly didn’t need rescuing. As an adult, she’d clearly made a conscious choice to join his mother’s “self-help” group. He barely knew her and did not have the right to try and change her mind. However, that didn’t stop him from wanting to.

Hefting his bag over his shoulder, he gave a quiet groan. He’d never been able to resist attempting to right a wrong, especially when said wrong involved children, animals or women. Micheline was a parasite, preying on vulnerable people, using them for her own ends and twisting their minds. He couldn’t stand to see Fiona meet that sort of fate.

Since he didn’t intend on being here long enough to have time to persuade her, he figured he’d sound her out at dinner tonight to ascertain her true thoughts about the AAG. One thing he’d noticed in particular was that many members didn’t even seem to be aware it was a cult. If he could get her to admit that, she might be agreeable to talking to one of his friends who worked to deprogram cult members. It was worth a shot.

Back in his small room, which seemed just as antiseptic and impersonal as that of any chain motel, he walked to the window and pushed aside the curtains.

Instead of a view of cement and parking lots, he saw a lush garden filled with vibrant flowers of every color.

A large metal bench made an inviting place to sit, and he could have sworn he saw a koi pond on the other side of the bench.

For just an instant, he allowed himself to enjoy the restful beauty of it all. And then he remembered who had most likely arranged that lush garden, and why. Micheline would do anything-anything-to get what she wanted. She’d move people around like chess pieces, manipulate their emotions and their surroundings, as long as she thought it would benefit her in some way.

She cared nothing for the wreckage she left in her wake.

Collateral damage, she’d always said, as if the wording made it right. The garden no doubt played some role in her schemes. She never did anything reason.

At thirteen, he’d come to the realization that if she found a way to use him, she would. As a kid, he’d been forced to charm elderly couples into investing with his mom, aware his mother only wanted their money. Back then, she’d marketed herself as a skillful investor, but secretly priding herself on taking every cent of people’s life savings. She also lured in a rotating crop of men in her personal life, all wealthy, training Jake to make them all feel as if she might be a doting mother and a wonderful girlfriend. Of course, once she’d managed to use them, she’d dump them and move on to another, uncaring that her young son might have just been happy to have a father figure around.

At seventeen, having seen far too much of the awful things she did to people, he’d taken off before she could.

Shaking his head, he reminded himself not to focus on the past. Yet, even now, with his mother claiming to be dying, he had difficulty believing anything she said.

In fact, he couldn’t help but suspect she had an ulterior motive for wanting him to be here. She never did anything reason, usually one that benefited her.

He took a hot shower and then stretched out on his bed with the intention of dozing. But images of a doe-eyed woman with a sleepy smile had him tossing and turning. He finally abandoned the idea of a nap and decided to go for a walk instead. Might as well explore the AAG headquarters and grounds.

Managing to slip through the lobby unnoticed, he headed in search of an exit that went to the back and the garden area he’d viewed from his room. To his annoyance, Micheline’s overly chipper minion caught sight of him and made a beeline for him, her heels tapping a staccato beat on the floor.

“There you are!” Leigh beamed at him as if she felt so delighted to see him. “Where are you going?”

He explained he’d decided to tour the premises, which appeared to distress her.

“Alone?” she asked, her tone appalled. “What happened to Fiona? She was given the task of escorting you anywhere you wanted to go.”

“I told her I wanted to take a nap,” he clarified, not wanting to cause trouble for Fiona. “She has no idea that I’ve even left my room.”

“I see.” Still frowning, Leigh thumbed her walkie-talkie and spoke a few words into it. When she met his gaze again, she’d smoothed out her expression. “Fiona will be here momentarily.”

With an effort, he kept from groaning out loud. “I really didn’t want to disturb her,” he said.

Leigh’s brightly painted lips widened into a smile so false, it made him want to grimace. “For the time that you’re here, Fiona is to devote herself completely to you. Micheline has given her that assignment, and it’s in her best interest to make sure she does what she’s asked to do.”

Was that a threat? The words seemed to indicate it was, though Leigh’s vacuously pleasant expression told him she wouldn’t see it that way.

Fiona rounded the corner, hurrying toward them. The first sight of her caught him like a punch in the stomach.

Dark eyes troubled, she swung her gaze from him to Leigh. “I’m so sorry I wasn’t here to help you,” she began. “I had no idea.”

“Why would you?” he asked, watching her for the slightest indication that she might be afraid. There. That slight tremble in her lush lips. So help him, if Micheline dared enact some sort of punishment on Fiona, he’d have her hide.

Leigh watched Fiona, her eyes narrowed, her expression hawkish. Suddenly, he realized what he had to do.

“I apologize,” he said, softening his tone. “I give you my word I won’t go anywhere without letting you know.”

Fiona locked gazes with him. Finally, she gave a quick nod. “Whew. Glad we got that sorted out.”

“Me, too,” Leigh chirped. She patted Fiona lightly on the back and then marched away, her task clearly completed.

“What was that about?” Jake asked. “Did I get you in some sort of trouble for going off without you?”

“Of course not.” Her small flash of a smile contained no humor. “I imagine your mother is just overly concerned with making sure you have a good time.”

“That has to be it,” he agreed, even though he knew damn good and well it wasn’t. “I saw a beautiful garden area from my room. Would you take me there?”

Though she gave a confident nod, she leaned in close.

“I’m new here, so I’m not exactly sure what you’re talking about. But unless you want me to call Leigh, how about you and I try to find it on our own?”

The warmth of her breath tickled his ear, sending a shiver down his spine. Her scent intoxicated him. Resisting the urge to reach out and touch her hair, he managed to agree. “No Leigh. You and I will just wander around until we find it ourselves.”

“We’ll just go out back. Since your room faces that way, I’m sure we can manage to happen upon it.” She shrugged. “I’ve only been outside a couple of times, but I remember how to get back to that walled-off area. I’m sure that’s where the gardens are.”

It turned out she was right. They followed a peb-bled stone pathway bordered by lush plants and flowers. When they turned one corner of the building, he saw the bench he’d spotted from his window.

“Wow.” Fiona stopped short, one hand to her chest.

“I can’t believe I never knew this was here.”

He took a seat on the bench, gesturing her to sit beside him. Moving gingerly, she did, leaning back and stretching her legs out in front of her. She sighed. “This is nice.”

Chancing a glance sideways at her, he admired the way her dark hair gleamed in the sun. Sensual, he thought of her expression, and then pushed the thought away. Not going there. With her eyes half-closed, she actually appeared relaxed, no longer vibrating with tension.

Because of this, he allowed himself to let go of some of his own stress. He hadn’t wanted to come and he didn’t like being here with the knowledge that his mother somehow was manipulating him, but for this small moment in this peaceful garden, he could release all that.

They sat for a few moments in companionable silence. He liked that she didn’t feel compelled to fill the silence with chatter. Again, he found himself wondering what it was about this woman. One look at her and he’d known immediately that he wanted to get to know her better. She fascinated and intrigued him, made him ache in ways he hadn’t since he’d been a teenager. Of course he’d dated, but he’d never allowed himself to get serious. After all, he didn’t want to take a chance on loving someone like his mom.

Yet here he was, fighting his attraction to this woman who clearly didn’t understand the evil behind the head of AAG’s smiling façade. Fiona seemed too innocent, too trusting.

And the thought that she was under Micheline’s thumb galled him. Clearing his throat, he broke the silence. “Tell me, what appeals to you most about AAG?”

he asked.

Slowly, she opened her eyes and focused on him. “I like the idea of evolving,” she said, the answer seeming to come easily. “Of becoming the best person you can be.”

Micheline’s stock phrase. Be Your Best You. She’d developed it when he’d still been a teenager, living with her. If she’d even once thought her behavior to be the best version of herself, he shuddered to think of what the worst might be.

“Is that what you think Micheline and Leigh are doing?” he asked, keeping his tone mild. “To me it seems like they’re awfully concerned about money.

Even more than truly helping others.”

She blinked. “We all have to find ways to use the tal-ents we’ve been given,” she said, once again parroting his mother. “The AAG has to have an influx of cash to support itself. All Micheline is doing is taking her talent for helping others and soliciting donations to keep us going.” She shrugged. “You honestly can’t blame her.”

He could and he did, but knew better than to say that out loud. Did Fiona honestly believe that crap?

Though he knew he’d probably get nowhere, he’d hate himself if he didn’t at least attempt to help save her.

“Are you aware that many people consider AAG a cult?”

Something-Surprise? Dread?-flashed in her eyes.

“Many people?” she asked, her tone dry. “That’s kind of vague. Who exactly do you mean?”

Unable to help himself, he covered her hand with his.

“What I’m trying to say is that I know someone you could talk to, if you want help trying to make sense of all this. He’s a therapist who specializes in this kind of situation.”

She’d gone absolutely still, her beautiful eyes still fixed on him. “This kind of situation?”

“Cults,” he finally admitted. “He deprograms people who’ve been indoctrinated into a cult.”

Though she looked down, he could have sworn her mouth twitched in the beginning of a smile.

He squeezed her hand once before releasing her.

“You don’t have to decide right now. All I ask is that you think about it. There’ll be no cost to you - I’ll take care of all that. And if you need a place to stay, I’ve got that covered as well.”

When she finally met his gaze again, her face had gone expressionless. “Thanks for your kind offer,” she said. “But none of that is necessary. I’m fine where I am. Right now, at this point in my life, this is where I need to be. I belong here.”

Her words made his heart ache. “Fiona, I know we’ve just met, but I’m attracted to you. The thought of you under Micheline’s thumb is…unpalatable to me. Please, at least say you’ll think about it.”

“I need to get ready for dinner,” she stammered, the heat appearing to simmer in her eyes matching what thrummed in his blood.

He opened his mouth and then closed it. With a curt nod, he pushed to his feet and turned to head inside and up to his room. “Just knock when you’re ready to go.

I’ll be there waiting.”

She didn’t follow.

All the way back to his room, he cursed his impet-uous words. She must think him a complete idiot. He definitely felt like one. He couldn’t help but wonder if Fiona might run to Leigh or Micheline and tell them what he’d offered. That would definitely be…interesting, to say the least.

Back in his room, he checked in with Tom, the hand he’d pegged to run his ranch while he was away. Though he hadn’t expected any trouble, he couldn’t help but feel relief to hear that everything continued to run like clockwork in his absence.

Though he only planned on staying two more days at the most, he went ahead and unpacked his suitcase, hanging his clothes up in the closet. Wherever they ended up going for dinner tonight, Western shirts, blue jeans and boots would have to work, since that’s all he had.He turned on the television to kill time and watched the evening news, glad of the sense of normalcy in a place that felt anything but.

The tap on his door came just as the news program ended. He shut the TV off and opened his door.

Fiona stood there, wearing a form-hugging dress of pale yellow and a pair of killer stiletto shoes. Somehow, she managed to look both virginal and sexy as hell. His body responded immediately.

“Are you ready?” she asked, clearly unaware of the effect she had on him.

“I am.” If he could walk. “You look…amazing.”

Instead of smiling, she grimaced. “Thanks. Leigh picked this dress out and brought it to me, along with the shoes. Micheline bought it. Your mother told her that yellow is your favorite color.”

He gaped at her for a moment, and then everything clicked into place. “Did Micheline ask you to get close to me?” he asked.

She blinked. “Yes,” she finally answered, surprising him with her honesty. “For whatever reason, she thinks you and I would be a good match.”

This both infuriated him and intrigued him, even without knowing his mother’s reasoning. “Then you know what? You and I ought to give her a good show.”

“Excuse me?” Clearly startled, Fiona eyed him.

“What do you mean?” A slow, sultry grin spread across her face as his words sank in. “Are you saying we should…pretend?”

Careful to keep it casual, he shrugged. “If you’re up for it, sure. I’m not planning to be here that long anyway, so…”

Slowly, she nodded. “Okay. I think that’s a great idea.” Again, she flashed that smile, lighting up her dark eyes. “It’s easier since you’re so hot.”

“Hot?” It took a moment for him to understand.

“You think I’m hot?” The thought was so unbelievable it made him laugh. He realized she’d already begun playing her role. He held up a hand before she could respond. “No need to explain. I get it. And for the record, I find you hot, too.” She didn’t need to know he truly meant it.

They exchanged grins. Again, that pull. Leaning toward her, he found himself fighting the urge to kiss her.

Later, he thought. When necessary to help with their acting. Fiona didn’t need to know how much he’d enjoy it. If only he didn’t get the sense she was hiding something.

Chapter 3

Fiona loved the idea of playing along with Jake to fool his mother and Leigh. And who knew, Micheline might be so pleased with her apparent success with Jake that she’d accidentally reveal something that might help the FBI build their case against her.

And, since Fiona always tried to be honest with herself, the notion of getting all up close and personal with the sexy cowboy made her entire body hum.

Even if Jake did happen to believe she needed a deprogrammer’s help to get her out of the cult. He’d simply have to continue to think that. She had no choice in the matter, at least until she had enough evidence to secure an arrest.

As they strolled arm in arm through the now-crowded lobby, she felt as if she floated in her pretty dress and heels. With her chosen career, she rarely if ever got to dress like this. And the appreciation she’d seen glowing in Jake’s blue eyes made her feel feminine and beautiful. In her line of work, if she wanted to be taken seriously - and she did - she’d learned to underplay her feminine side. She couldn’t even remember the last time she’d dressed like this.

“They haven’t yet rung the dinner bell,” Fiona mused.

“You should see these people move when they do. They all jostle for a good place in line. It’s amazing and sometimes slightly scary to watch.”

Jake nodded. “What kind of food do they serve here?”

“It depends.” She shrugged. “I think they mostly try to keep it healthy.” She grinned. “Though everyone seems happiest when they have pizza night.”

When they reached his truck, she stopped and studied it, letting him see her appreciation. “Latest model Ford F-250,” she mused. “With a lift kit, custom wheels and a bed cover. Not at all what I expected.”

He unlocked the doors. “I’m almost afraid to ask, but what did you expect?”

“A farm truck.” She got inside, running her hand over the soft black leather. “You know, big and kind of beat-up. Not a beautiful new truck like this.”

“You sound as if you know a lot about trucks,” he said, pushing the start button.

“All vehicles, actually.” She smiled slightly. “I’m a bit of a car nut. I’ve been that way ever since I was a preteen. My dad worked for a dealership in Phoenix, and he sometimes let me go to work with him.”

Jake nodded. “Does your family still live there?”

“Yep.” Sticking to the truth, without elaborating.

Less chance of slipping up, or giving herself away.

He waited a heartbeat and then nodded. “Where to?”

“Do you like sushi?” She braced herself for him to decline. Even before she’d gone inside AAG, she never could find anyone willing to eat sushi with her.

“Sometimes.” He shrugged. “Only if it’s really great.

Is there a good sushi place around here?”

Nearly humming with anticipation, she nodded.

“There is. Turn left on Fifth Street.”

When they reached Purple Sushi, she barely restrained herself from bouncing up and down in her seat like an excited child. “It’s been so long since I got to have sushi,” she said, not bothering to hide her glee.

“Thank you so much for agreeing to come here.”

Eyes gleaming with amusement, he watched her.

“I’m guessing AAG doesn’t ever serve it.”

Just like that, she sobered. “No, they don’t.” She supposed she should thank him for reminding her of the reality of her life right now. She couldn’t let her love for a good tuna roll make her forget the entire reason she was here in Mustang Valley.

“Don’t.” He lightly touched her shoulder.

“Don’t what?”

“Dim your joy just because I mentioned AAG,” he said.

Since she couldn’t tell him that wasn’t all of it, she simply nodded and got out of the truck.

Once they were shown to a booth near the back, a waitress came and gave them menus and took their drink orders. Fiona stuck to water while Jake ordered a beer.

“It’s been so long since I had sushi, I’ll let you order for both of us,” Jake said, pushing his menu away.

She narrowed her eyes. “Have you ever even had sushi?” she asked.

His sheepish grin was answer enough. “I’m game to try it,” he said. “Since you’re such a big fan, it can’t be all that bad.”

This made her laugh. “You know what,” she mused.

“I like you.”

“I like you, too.” He studied her for a moment. “I just can’t help but wonder what my mother’s motivation is for wanting us to get together. She never does anything unless it’s going to benefit her in some way.”

Here was where she should rush to Micheline’s defense, as any good little disciple would. But right now, Fiona didn’t have the heart. She just wanted to enjoy her meal and the company. She’d go back to her role once they’d returned to the AAG center.

Right now, she just wanted to enjoy a couple of good sushi rolls and the company of the handsome cowboy sitting across from her.

Instead of responding to Jake’s statement, she smiled at the waitress, which brought her over to see if they’d decided. Fiona ordered an assortment for them, wanting to give Jake a chance to sample several of her favorites.

Through it all, Jake sipped his beer and watched her, his expression contemplative.

Once the waitress had gone, Fiona eyed Jake. She wanted to see if she could find out how much he knew.

“Since we’re getting to know each other, what’s the deal with you and your mother? Is it true you haven’t seen her for years?”

“Yep. All true.” He eyed her. “I’m sure you probably won’t agree with me, but Micheline is not a good person.”

Now they were getting somewhere. “Why do you say that?” she asked mildly, clasping her hands on the table in front of her.

Instead of answering, he leaned across the table, his intense stare locking on her. “My turn,” he said. “What made you decide to join AAG?”

“They found me roaming the streets,” she said simply. “They offered me a place to stay and a hot meal.

They were kind to me when no one else was. I owe them for that.”

He took another sip of his beer, clearly considering what he should say next. She could tell he badly wanted to talk to her about leaving the cult, getting some help. While she found this admirable - hell, it was something she would do herself were the situations reversed - she couldn’t tell him the truth and risk blowing her cover.

Luckily, their food arrived. Happily, she eyed everything, enjoying the colorful artistry of the two elaborate sushi towers. Jake eyed them, too, his expression a mixture of curiosity and confusion. “Do we eat those?” he asked. “It seems a shame to mess up the artwork.”

This made her laugh. “It kind of does, doesn’t it?

Just wait until you taste it.”

They passed the serving platters around, taking samples of each. She waited for Jake to try one, wanting to see his reaction when he had his first bite. In her experience, people either loved or detested sushi. She had to see in which camp Jake would fall.

He chose a crab roll. “Good choice,” she said, nodding in approval as he popped it into his mouth.

Chewing slowly, he appeared to be savoring the taste.

He swallowed and inclined his head. “That was pretty good, actually.”

“Only pretty good?” she challenged. “Try the California roll. Most people like that one.”

“Why aren’t you eating?” he asked instead.

“I wanted to see your reaction.” Shrugging, she began to help herself to her own plate. “Fresh,” she managed, speaking around mouthfuls. “So, so delicious.”

Together, they finished off all the food she’d ordered.

To her delight, as he sampled various rolls, Jake ate with gusto.