Rewind & Go: A Blue-Collar Billionaire Romance (Sander's Valley Book 1) (12 page)

Chapter Fourteen

“What’s wrong, Ronnie?”

She met Iona’s eyes, brown like Gerald’s had been. Actually, her new sister reminded her a lot of the man who’d visited Ronnie’s house over the years. Maybe not so much in her features, but in her mannerisms.

Head held high and back straight, Iona could’ve been a princess. The simple dress she wore accentuated her slender frame. Her makeup was artfully done and nails were painted a pale pink. She easily fit the role of socialite. The bottle of beer in her hand and sports magazine spread over her lap ruined the image, however.

Iona was fun. Ronnie didn’t know how else to explain it. They’d gone clubbing the night before and enjoyed a tour of a museum today. Later they planned to take in a play before hitting a bar where a local blues band played.

Iona was determined to embrace American life while visiting. Ronnie had tried to oblige her, but thoughts of the past and the future kept wandering into her mind. Even her fake smile had been drooping. Her plan to return to Kyle had seemed so much simpler a couple of days ago.

The details kept compounding, both legally and personally. Trying to cancel or reschedule close to a year’s worth of business obligations had irritated people across the globe. On top of that, her own insecurities were choking her. She’d lived alone her entire life, even when she’d shared a home with her mother. What if she made a horrible live-in girlfriend…or wife?

“It’s about a man, isn’t it?” Iona pressed.

Ronnie hesitated. Thoughts of Kyle, their future, and the smooth transition to working remotely were only part of it. The reaction of the art community to the paintings her mother had created of Gerald’s secret family added to her grim mood.

She hated the assumption people were drawing about why Iona and Gerald’s wife were left out of his will—that he hadn’t loved them as much as Ronnie and her mother. The fact that he had only set up a meager allowance for his wife validated the rumor.

Iona had fared better with the trust fund she’d received at eighteen, but not inheriting a dime at his death had also fed the rumor mill. People were speculating on what Iona had done to lose his favor. Some of the ideas Ronnie had heard, ranging from Iona’s lack of artistic ability to her love life, had angered Ronnie. None of the theories circulating should have dimmed a father’s love. If those reasons were true, maybe not getting to know Gerard had been a blessing in disguise.

“Isn’t it always about a man?” Ronnie grinned, trying to lighten the mood.

Iona matched her smile. “Usually. Tell me about yours.”

Ronnie ran her hands over her thighs, smoothing the skirt she wore. Where to start? And which man—Kyle, Gerald, or Frank? All had been on her mind. Only one had any hold over her future, however. “His name’s Kyle. He was my first boyfriend. I left him a decade ago, but we’ve reconnected over the last couple of weeks. We both want to start over, but his life is tied to his family, and they live five hours away.”

Iona stared at her. Minutes passed. Finally, Iona raised a brow. “And?”

“And mine is here.” Ronnie twisted her fingers. “The only way things are going to work between us is if I move there, which I’m not against doing. In fact, I’ve been working on shifting my responsibilities. Plus, I love being in country. It’s beautiful there.”

“But?” Iona prompted.

It pained Ronnie to admit her weakness, that something as silly as her insecurities would keep her up at night, but there was a reason Axels always ended up alone. They sucked at relationships. Every last one of them. “But I’m starting to wonder if I should take things slower, not just pick up and move. Maybe go visit for long weekends or something.”

Iona set the bottle on the table next to her and leaned forward. “Why? Doesn’t Kyle love you? Or want you to move in with him?”

“He does. With his heart and soul. I’d bet my life on it. He’d love to have me in his house, too. It’s just that I wasted ten years. What if he brings it up every time we fight?”

“Do you think he will?”

Ronnie worried her lower lip. “He said he wouldn’t.”

“And do you believe him?”

“Yes.” Ronnie nodded. “But I hate the years we wasted. All for nothing. Do you understand? I left him for the wrong reasons.”

“And now? Aren’t you holding him at arm’s length for the wrong reasons too?”

“I’m not holding him at arm’s length. I’m just afraid of failing him. My family has a bad track record when it comes to love. All the Axels who inherited the family’s fortune ended up alone.”

“You’re talking about the Axel family curse, right? All of your relatives died violently too.”

Apparently, talk of the dreaded curse had even circulated in Russia. Honestly, she shouldn’t be surprised. Gossiping was a common way to pass the time at many dinner parties and social events. She was guilty of it too.

“Not all of them. Only the heirs.” Ronnie slumped in her seat. “I don’t believe in the curse. It’s just a coincidence, but Kyle does. He’s convinced moving to Sander’s Valley, marrying him, and taking his name will break it.”

Iona frowned. “If you love him, aren’t those things you are planning to do anyway?”

“If I do, the Axel name will end with me.” Ronnie looked imploringly at her sister. “The legacy will end.”

Iona raised a brow. “Why? Are you planning to change the name of the gallery or the auction business?”

“No, but everything is legally passed to the eldest Axel, and—”

“And nothing.” Iona shook her head. “It’s just a name. Have your lawyer change the wording of the legal documents to say the eldest direct descendant. That’s what our grandfather did, and that’s how you ended up with everything.”

“So Gerald didn’t leave you out…” Ronnie couldn’t finish the statement. She didn’t want to hurt Iona by bringing up the will.

Iona chuckled. “No. Despite what the rumors say, Father loved me. He just never thought to change it. I don’t hold it against him. That’s simply the way he was.”

“I would’ve liked to have gotten to know him better.”

“It’s probably best you didn’t. My mother isn’t handling the affair well and—” Iona’s ringing cell phone cut off her words. She pulled it from her purse and glanced at the display. On a sigh, she answered, “Yes, Mother?”

The color drained from Iona’s face. The magazine slipped from her lap. She flicked her gaze to Ronnie. “Don’t be ridiculous. She deserves—” Iona tightened her grip on the phone until her knuckles turned white. “No, I will not ask Ronnie to do that. Daddy wanted this.
I
want this. If you insist on making idle threats, I’ll move out. Do you understand me?”

Iona’s eyes widened. Without saying another word, she ended the call. She took a deep breath. The anxiety that had tightened her features faded on her slow exhale. “Sorry about that. Now, what was I saying? Oh… What play are we going to see tonight?”

She ignored Iona’s obvious attempt to change the subject and asked, “What does your mother want me to do?”

Iona shook her head. “Don’t worry about it. She’s just upset and feeling betrayed. She didn’t know about Daddy’s longtime affair.”

Ronnie sat forward. “Please tell me. I’d hate to cause any animosity between the two of you. If it’s about money, I—”

“Stop.” Iona set her magazine aside. “My mother says a lot of things she doesn’t mean. It’s nothing. In a few weeks, she’ll turn her displeasure back on her disappointment of a daughter, wishing
I’d
never been born.”

Ronnie’s back went ramrod straight. Protective instincts flared. “What could your mother find disappointing in you?”

Iona shrugged. “It might have something to do with calling off my engagement the night before my wedding.”

“Really?” That hadn’t been what she’d expected. “What happened?”

Iona stood and grabbed Ronnie’s hand. “Enough talk about my crazy life. Come on. I’ve changed my mind. I want to go shopping instead of seeing a play. If you’re going to move to the country, I’ll have nothing to wear when I visit you. I’d certainly hate to stand out.”

Ronnie wanted to insist on the truth, but she wanted a sister more. “Okay, let’s go.”

“Great.” Iona flashed a smile. “I’d love a new wardrobe. Maybe a new life too.”

So did Ronnie. Actually, she wanted the one she’d turned her back on a decade ago. She’d get it too. She was ready to move on.

Chapter Fifteen

Ronnie glanced at the picture of Kyle displayed on her nightstand. He leaned against the railing on his deck, a sexy grin on his face. Sander’s Lake and the mountains in the distance served as a backdrop. It was beautiful, but so was the man—
her
man. She was ready to slap the label of “mine” on him.

She picked up her phone and dialed.

“Hey, doll. I was just getting ready to call you.”

“Were you?”

“Yeah, I have something to talk to you about.”

“Me too. I’ve been thinking about the past”—she pressed Kyle’s photo to her chest—“and the future.”

Silence stretched. Finally, he cleared his throat. “And am I a part of it?”

“I’d like you to be.”

“Good, because I—”

“Kyle?”

“Yeah?”

“What I have to tell you, I’d like to say in person. Is it okay if I come up today instead of this weekend?”

His shaky exhale filled the line. “Yeah. I’ll be waiting.”

“Great. I should be there by three. See you soon.” She ended the call before he could tell her he loved her. She’d feel obligated to return the sentiment, and she didn’t want to simply give him the words.

She wanted to show him.

Desire warmed her body at the images of how she’d go about proving her feelings to him. She shook her head, pushing her lusty thoughts aside, and turned her attention to the pile of stuff she’d deemed necessary to pack. She’d never fit it all in her car. On a sigh, she started organizing it into piles—essential and soon.

Her hands shook. The decision she’d made was the right one. In her heart she knew it was the
only
one she could make. She was moving to Sander’s Valley. A sense of rightness swept through her. The dark cloud she’d been living under had lifted.

And by this time next year, I'll be Mrs. Veronica Sander.

She was going to marry him, even if she had to ask him. Her lawyer was already working on the legalities of ensuring her eldest child would inherit the Axel fortune without having to keep the Axel name. It was best decision she’d ever made.

A thump from downstairs pulled her out of her thoughts. She cocked her head and listened. The sound of something scraping against the marble foyer reached her ears.

Had she remembered to set the alarm? Or lock the door? Hell, had she even shut it? She couldn’t remember. She’d been so excited after leaving her lawyer’s office.

With her bottom lip caught between her teeth, she stepped into the hallway but didn’t hear anything. Maybe she’d imagined the noise? She tiptoed toward the stairway. Still nothing.

Too bad Kyle wasn’t with her. She hated being in the big house alone. Soon she’d never be alone again. The thought settled her nerves. She reached for her phone to call the security company. She found a dirty tissue.

Another clunk reached her ears. Somebody was in the house, the only explanation. She spun and tripped. Her bottom hit the carpet. She yelped and covered her mouth. Not soon enough. The sound of pounding feet reached her.

She whipped her head to the side. A guy in a ski mask rounded the corner. He lifted something silver. A pop rang out.

Pain exploded in her chest. She sucked in a rough breath. A fist met her face next, and she knew no more.

* * * *

Kyle stood on his front porch, his gaze locked on to the road leading into Sander’s Valley. Mindy weaved in and out between his ankles, purring, her MO whenever he was anxious or mad. At the moment, he was both. His damn gut wouldn’t stop churning. Sweat slickened his palms, but he gave her head a scratch to reassure her he was fine.

He wasn’t. Far from it. Ronnie was three hours late.

Traffic had been his excuse for the first hour. A needy artist demanding her attention had been his explanation for the next. The third hour had passed, and he couldn’t help but wonder if she hadn’t changed her mind.

No. She said she was coming. She wanted to talk to him in person. The question remained—what role did she want him to play in her future? Lover, husband, or friend? Or was this visit about the trip to Russia? Maybe she’d changed her mind about him going with her. It wouldn’t stop him. He was going, even if he had to book his own damn flight, but he didn’t want to lose the progress they’d made.

He cursed and smacked his fist into the wooden porch column. Mindy scurried away and glared at him from under the swing. Dammit, Ronnie hadn’t told him she loved him since the last time they’d been together. Not knowing where he stood with her was driving him crazy.

Soon. She’ll be here soon. I just need to be patient.

He ran a hand through his hair and tried to get himself under control. The sight of Wyn ambling up the driveway didn’t help.

“Turn around and walk back to your place. I’m in no mood for company.”

Wyn shrugged and closed the distance between them. “She didn’t show, huh?”

“Do you think I’d be talking to your sorry ass if she had?”

“I thought you two decided to try and make things work.”

“We did.” Kyle shoved his hand in his pocket and toyed with the ring he still carried. “I even sold the business and was going to ask her if I could move in with her today.”

Wyn’s brows shot up. “You’re leaving Sander’s Valley?”

Kyle pivoted on his heel and strode toward the front door, not bothering to answer. He didn’t know what the hell he was going to do.

“You let her go, and you’re the biggest fuckin’ fool in the county.”

Kyle froze. “I’m not. I’m just being careful with her so I don’t push her away. I don’t want to come off as too demanding.”

Wyn grunted in answer.

Kyle faced him. “What? Does the
expert
on relationships think I’m wrong? You did have one that lasted a whole two and half weeks.”

“You’re right. I’m no expert. I’m just worried that she’s so late. Maybe you should at least call her. Just in case, you know? Maybe something happened to her.”

His chest tightened. The anxiety, of course. He wasn’t nervous about the decision he’d made, or what Ronnie wanted to talk to him about. It was the connection he’d always felt with her. He’d misread his unease. Ronnie needed him.

He yanked out his phone and dialed. Got her voice mail. He tried her house and the gallery. Nothing.

He stood there for a long moment, unsure of what to do next. She’d never given him any other numbers. A cold sweat broke out. His hands shook. Anything could’ve happened to her. She might’ve gotten into an accident, or maybe her car had broken down and she couldn’t call for help. There were a lot of dead zones in the mountains.

The image of her bruised face filled his vision. The last time she’d had car trouble, she’d been willing to accept help from the Carson twins of all people. Kyle had never gotten around to explaining to her why he’d reacted the way he had. Hell, what if they stumbled upon her again? Unlikely, but he couldn’t shake the thought.

Please, let me be wrong.

He slipped inside the house, grabbed his keys, and ran toward his truck.

“Where are you going?” Wyn called out.

Kyle started the car. “Virginia. If Ronnie happens to show up here, call me, but I think she’s in trouble.”

He didn’t wait for a response or for Wyn to tell him he was overreacting. He threw the truck into drive and peeled out. Dust and stones kicked up behind him. He pulled onto the main road and sped toward the highway. Every mile tightened his chest.

At the stoplight heading out of town, he tried Ronnie’s cell one more time. No answer. More curses fell from his lips. Why wasn’t she picking up? He punched in the number for the gallery and was about to hit Send when the phone he held rang. He answered. “Hello?”

“Is this Kyle Sander?”

The sound of the unfamiliar female voice sent his pulse racing. “Yes, who’s this?”

“Iona. I’m—”

“I know who you are. Why are you calling me?”

“Ronnie. She’s in the hospital. In surgery. She’s been shot.”

His heart stopped. “Shot?”

“It’s my fault. I should’ve realized my mother was unstable. She hired somebody to kill Ronnie so she wouldn’t inherit Daddy’s fortune. I thought her threats were empty, and—”

“Iona, stop. Ronnie. Is she going to be all right?”

“I don’t know.”

“Which hospital?”

“St. Mary’s.”

Ronnie had been shot. If she died, she’d take his reason for living with her.