The Rogue E-Book

Jennifer Bernard

• Herausgeber: Jennifer Bernard
• Kategorie: Gesellschafts- und Liebesromane
• Serie: The Rockwell Legacy
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2018

Seitenzahl: 388

Beschreibung

A standalone novel in the riveting Rockwell Legacy series …

Griffin Rockwell has returned to Rocky Peak Lodge with a secret. Not even his family knows why he left his beloved sport of motocross at the top of his game. When his brother needs a favor, he can’t say no, even if it involves the pub’s sexy new employee—the one he’s clashed with ever since they met.

Serena Riggs has a secret of her own. She’s searching for her father, last seen in the small Cascades town years ago. Someone wants her to stop—but she’s not one to back down, especially with a sinfully hot temporary “bodyguard” by her side. When another threat surfaces, the only place she feels safe is in Griffin’s arms…and in his bed. 

As the couple falls deeper by the day, danger looms from a direction they never imagined. Can their love survive the most stunning secret of all?

Leseprobe

THE ROGUE

JENNIFER BERNARD

CONTENTS

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Chapter 34

Epilogue

Ice Falls

Chapter 1

Also by Jennifer Bernard

About the Author

1

There ought to be a word for watching one of the hardest moments of your life play over and over on repeat. Oh yeah…there was one, Griffin thought as he slid into a seat next to his father. It had four letters and began with H.

Griffin’s very own personal hell right up there on the big flat screen in the media room at Rocky Peak Lodge.

The good news was that this viewing had an audience of one. The bad news? That audience was “Mad Max” Rockwell.

“Know how many times I’ve watched this?” Max demanded with his trademark scowl.

“I guess the classics never get old.”

“Don’t sass me. I’m in a bad mood.”

Which could describe most days of the week.

“How could that be a classic?” Max complained. “It doesn’t make any sense, no matter how many times I watch.”

Griffin stretched his legs out and tilted his head back. Too bad he didn’t have popcorn for this travesty. “Look, we’re almost at the good part.”

On the big flat screen, the anchor of Motor Sports Tonight appeared. “We all know him as Rogue, because ever since he first blasted onto the pro motocross scene, he’s done things his own way. Griffin Rockwell—always unpredictable, always one of the most entertaining riders to watch, always a magnet for attention—dropped a major bombshell tonight. At the peak of his career, in perfect health, at the age of thirty, he’s…retiring. Yes, that is correct, and we’re having trouble believing it ourselves.”

Griffin’s face, live from another studio, popped up on the screen.

“Griffin Rockwell, I almost feel like I’ve been punked. Is this some kind of elaborate psych-out you’re pulling? You don’t look like you’re ready for the old folks home.”

TV-screen-Griffin smiled. Real life Griffin recognized that smile—it was the fake one he pulled out when he wasn’t amused but had to pretend to be. “You know me, Pete, I like to keep you press people off-balance. But it’s all true. I’ve raced my last race. I’m done. I’m out. And if you think you’re surprised, you should hear what my manager has to say.”

Real-life Griffin grimaced. Make that “ex-manager.” You couldn’t really manage a career that didn’t exist anymore, after all. But after Sally’s initial meltdown, he’d promised to consider it a “break” rather than a final decision. He could always “un-retire.” That kind of thing didn’t happen very often, but he was “Rogue” so no one would be shocked if he did the unexpected.

“You haven’t publicly revealed your reason for retiring,” Pete the Sports Anchor continued. “So if you want to get anything off your chest, go ahead, man. We’re all ears.”

“Well, geez, I would, but I see that little red light flashing and I’m pretty sure that means there’s a commercial break coming.”

“Ignore the red light. This is my show. Go on, let’s have it. What would make you walk away from such a badass career?”

TV-screen Griffin arranged his face into serious lines. Griffin remembered exactly how it felt to be on the spot like that. He’d wanted to tell the real story, but he just couldn’t do it. Despite being a public figure, he craved privacy and hated having anyone know his business. Especially this part of it.

“The truth is, I’m leaving motocross for a very simple reason. To spend more time with my family,” he intoned, like some kind of asshole politician.

“You’re single, no children,” Pete helpfully pointed out.

“Kind of a side-effect of always being on a dirt bike.”

“You’re saying you’re retiring so you can get married?”

“No. No. No.” His rapid-fire panicked series of “no’s” sparked laughter amongst the camera crew. “Nothing like that. I got some, uh, family issues that need tending, and family comes first. That’s just the way it is. The motocross tour will just have to carry on without me.”

At that point he looked to the audio guy to help him get the damn mic off. He was one step from ripping it off himself, but all kinds of rumors would follow from that. Griffin “Rogue” Rockwell storms out of interview … Rockwell stonewalls, refuses to answer retirement question.

“Family issues?” Max was saying, his mane of white hair vibrating with his incredulity. “What issues? The Rockwells don’t have issues. This still isn’t making any goddamn sense.”

Seriously, why had he decided to come back to Rocky Peak? With his world crumbling around him, he’d wanted to be home. But so far he hadn’t told his family any more than he’d told Pete the Sports Anchor.

“Dad, look around. This lodge needs help. You’ve got a heart condition. Kai’s getting married. Jake’s⁠—”

“Jake’s what?”

Griffin swung around as his younger brother strolled into the room. Jake rarely came up to the lodge because he was so busy running his pub in town. Something big must be going on to bring him up here.

“I don’t know. You must have something going on in your life that I can help with.”

“As a matter of fact, I do.”

Jake’s unexpected seriousness brought Griffin to immediate attention. For a few years, after Mom had died, Dad had retreated into grief, and Kai had taken off, Griffin had been the main “parent” to his three younger siblings. That habit of instant concern never died. “What’s up?”

“Got a big favor to ask you.”

Griffin didn’t miss a beat. “Yes, I’ll sign a poster for your bar.”

Jake snorted. “I have one of those already. Everyone wants to throw darts at it now.”

“See?” Max demanded. “You used to be Rocky Peak’s biggest star. Now you’re a dartboard.”

Griffin grimaced as he caught Jake’s eye. Jake hadn’t pressed him on his decision to quit. No one had, but he knew they were all curious. “How quickly they turn,” he said lightly, as if it didn’t matter at all.

Which was only partly true. He didn’t mind leaving the spotlight. He’d never particularly liked it. But he hated disappointing people.

“It’s just like when you quit the football team,” Max went on. “Star one minute, goat the next.”

Griffin’s jaw went tight and he didn’t answer that jab. Mention of his high school football team always made him tense, even so many years later. Luckily, Jake stepped in.

“Greatest of all time,” he told Max. “That’s what Goat stands for, and that’s Griffin. Anyone disagrees, I’ll confiscate their darts.”

Gratefully, Griffin unwound himself from his seat and stepped next to Jake. “Now that just earned you a favor. What do you need, bro?”

Jake gestured toward the hallway—apparently he didn’t want Max to hear the favor.

Griffin squeezed his father’s shoulder. “Be right back, Dad.” He picked up the remote and clicked away from the DVD player, to a cable movie channel. “Look, they’re playing Caddyshack. One of your favorites. That’s got to be better than the Griffin Rockwell Retirement Show.”

His father sent him a peevish look. “You came in here to change the channel?”

“No, I came in here—” He broke off, because his moment of determination had passed. He’d come in here to explain to his father why he’d retired, but he wasn’t ready to tell the full story yet. He just wasn’t.

Out in the hallway, Jake threw another curveball at him. “So, I know you just agreed to this favor sight unseen, and I’m digging it. But⁠—”

“Whatever it is, don’t worry about it, I got your back,” Griffin said impatiently. “Don’t I always?”

“Yes, but,” Jake hesitated, “remember my new bartender, Serena? This is about her.”

Of course he remembered Serena. She’d waited on him the night he’d come back to Rocky Peak and they’d gotten off on a very wrong foot. “The hot redhead? The one who can’t stand me? What about her?”

“Aw hell. Forget it. This’ll never work.”

Griffin stared at his brother narrowly. “Is this a setup? Because yeah, you’re right, that’ll never work. She doesn’t like me.”

“No, nothing like that. I need you to be her bodyguard.”

After a long, astonished moment, Griffin tilted his head and let out a laugh so hearty it shook the rafters of the old lodge. “Does she know that?”

“Well…” Jake gave in and laughed too. “I’ll get back to you on that.”

2

Closing time at the Last Chance Pub always made Serena Riggs antsy. Inside the bar, busy slinging drinks and wisecracks, she felt safe. It was the moment when she left, stepping into the crisp air and empty streets of Rocky Peak, that put her nerves on edge.

Sometimes Jake walked her home, but she didn’t want to lean on him too much. She was a big girl and could take care of herself—or at least she had up to this point in her life. So she’d armed herself with a can of bear spray, figuring it must work on people too, and lived on constant alert.

“Serena, I’m glad you’re still here. I have a problem.”

“Solutions are my superpower.” She smiled at her boss, who was truly a doll in man’s clothing. To her certain knowledge, a good twenty-five percent of the female customers at the Last Chance had a secret crush on Jake. Not her—they were tailor-made to be great friends. He’d been a lifesaver since she’d come to this tiny mountain outpost. But that was as far as it would ever go. “How can I save your fine ass today?”

He rolled his eyes at her compliment, which was completely sincere. She was an artist, after all, and knew an impeccable physique when she saw one. “I have to go away for a few days.”

“Ooh, mysterious. Anything romantic going on?”

“No, nothing like that. It’s a…reunion, I guess you could say.”

That sounded mysterious too. But since he obviously didn’t want to say more, she didn’t push it. That’s how she and Jake rolled and why they were able to be such good friends and coworkers. They gave each other space. “Nice. So you want me to run the bar while you’re gone? I can do that. Happy to help.”

“You mean, happy to be in charge?” he said dryly as he picked up a bin of dirty glasses to take to the back.

“Exactly.” She grinned at him. “You’re actually the only boss I’ve ever gotten along with. I’m an alpha dog, in case you hadn’t noticed.”

“Yeah, I picked up on that from the way you boss around my customers.”

She gave a little ironic curtsy. “You’re welcome. Don’t you worry about a thing, I got it covered.”

“I know you do. But it’s not that, it’s something else.”

After picking up a load of empty bottles, she followed him into the kitchen. “Now I’m curious. What then?”

He put down the tray of glasses, which clinked against each other. “I don’t want to have to worry about you while I’m gone.”

“Oh.” She dumped the bottles into the bin of recyclables. “Really, you’d worry? That’s sweet, Jake. But not necessary.”

He fixed stern gray-green eyes on her. “Nice try, but that’s not going to cut it. We made a deal. ”

She shifted uncomfortably from one foot to the other. Both of them ached equally from the long night of waiting tables. Jake was the only person in Rocky Peak who knew her reason for coming here. Since he was a bartender and had access to all the local gossip, she’d decided to trust him. She’d sat at this very bar one night and explained to him that she was following the long-cold trail of her missing father. It had brought her here, to this little mountainous dot on the map. And then the trail had disappeared.

Completely.

She’d begged Jake to hire her so she could keep her ears open for more information. What better place than the local watering hole to pick up gossip? He’d offered her a temporary job as a waitress and backup bartender. She’d asked a few questions, focusing on the locals who’d lived in Rocky Peak for a long time. Then someone had left a nasty note on her windshield.

“Shut up and go home,” the note had said. “Or you will pay.”

Two days later another note had appeared in her coat pocket. “Get out of Rocky Peak while you can,” it read, along with a rough drawing of a woman with a noose around her neck.

When she’d shown them to Jake, he’d freaked out and told her the only way she could stay on was if she promised to let him play guard dog. Since then, she’d gotten one more nastygram—someone had left a similar drawing on a napkin at the bar, with the words, “Go away, bitch.”

She could handle nasty notes, as long as it didn’t escalate, so she hadn’t shown that one to Jake.

“All quiet on the western front lately. I think you can go away for a few days without worrying.”

Jake began popping glasses into the dishwasher. It was almost amusing to see such a fit guy filling a dishwasher with those big manly hands. Jake was so damn attractive, it was almost too bad they didn’t have any special sparks between them. “Yeah, sorry, that’s not possible. It’s the responsible boss in me. Never goes away.”

“Okay, then what do you want me to do? Aside from getting a gun, which I’m still not comfortable with. Someone with my temper should not be handling firearms.”

“No, not that. I completely agree.”

She made a face at him. Truth was, she had been tempted to get a weapon. She still might, if she felt it was necessary. Occasionally she eyed the hunting knives displayed in one of the storefronts she passed on her way home. A nice solid knife strapped to her hip—that idea appealed to her aesthetic sense more than a gun. “Then what? A bodyguard?”

His handsome face lit up. “Exactly. You’re a genius!”

“No. No I’m not. It was a silly, dumb⁠—”

“It’s perfect. My brother Griffin could use a distraction. This is for him, really. My dad is driving him crazy up at the lodge.”

Serena waved her hands, as if she could erase those words from the air. “Whoa, whoa, whoa. I was joking about the bodyguard. Absolutely one hundred percent not necessary. Especially him.”

Jake straightened up and scowled at her. All his easygoing charm drained away. “Especially Griffin? What’s wrong with Griffin?”

Oops. Her usual tact and diplomacy showing its non-existent face. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to denigrate your brother in any way. But he’s, you know … well, he has a reputation.”

Everyone in Rocky Peak talked about Griffin Rockwell as if he were some kind of god—especially the girls.

“Are you going to believe rumors or his own brother? Griffin is solid gold through and through. He’s tough as hell. He can drive anything on wheels. He’s got nerves of fucking steel. His mental concentration is incredible.”

“I’m sorry, Jake. I didn’t mean to offend you. I’m sure Griffin is all of those things. But he’s also a…well, kind of a player. You have to admit that.”

“I admit that women find him attractive. But he’s not a player. He’s too busy to be a player. Do you know how much work it takes to achieve the things he has? He’s been in the top ten for the past five years. That’s phenomenal.”

“Top ten in that weird dirt bike race thing, where they get all muddy and…” She broke off at the thunderous look on Jake’s face. “What I mean is, that’s amazing. I’m sure he’s incredible. But what kind of bodyguard experience does he have? And why would he want to be some kind of half-assed bodyguard anyway? What top ten playboy motocross racer would be?

“I trust Griffin,” Jake said simply. “With anything and anyone.”

Quite an endorsement. “You didn’t tell him about⁠—”

“No. I’m leaving that up to you. But you can trust him.”

Maybe other people could, but Serena had no intention of doing so. Trust didn’t come easily to her. In fact, she would probably have no trouble driving Griffin away. Driving men away was one of her specialties.

“So are we cool?” Jake continued. “Because I don’t want to have to worry while I’m gone. Don’t forget our deal.”

She smiled sweetly at him. “We’re cool. You don’t have to worry. And truly, I’m so grateful that you care.”

She rested the box of dirty bottles on the edge of the recycling container. Dumping them all at once was so satisfying. She loved the crash and shatter of all that glass.

“And you’ll be nice to Griffin,” Jake added. “That’s a requirement. He’s going through a rough time.”

Being nice was definitely not part of their deal. “I’m always nice,” she said demurely.

The tumbling of glass onto glass nearly drowned out his hoot of laughter.

* * *

Later, she locked the front door of her rented cabin, then set the extra deadbolt that she’d added, then pulled the dresser in front of the door.

Okay, so maybe she wasn’t quite as worry-free as she liked to pretend. Those notes had unnerved her. Rocky Peak was such a quiet, tucked away little town. Who here would be so nasty?

With the front door adequately blocked, she sank into her couch. She propped her feet on a pillow to give the poor things some relief. Snagging her laptop from the little end table, which was carved from local wood like everything else in this cozy cabin, she settled in to check for any news.

Ever since she was thirteen, and her father had left for a business trip and never returned, she’d felt as if half of herself had disappeared with him. How could a grown man simply disappear without any explanation from anyone? It didn’t feel real or right—and since then, nothing else had, either.

Everyone assumed Frank Riggs had abandoned her, but she knew that couldn’t be true. He loved her, he used to tell her so over and over, especially when she’d cry at the end of the weekend when she had to go back to her mom. “You’re the star of my whole world,” he used to say. “The brightest star in my sky.”

Who would walk away from their brightest star?

He was the only person who loved her unconditionally, and after he disappeared she’d gone a little crazy. Got into trouble at school, got kicked out of her mom’s house, managed to claw her way into art school. Maybe because of the mystery around her father, she’d become fascinated with witness sketches. She’d begun her career as a police sketch artist, and still volunteered with her local police when they needed help. But witness sketches had morphed into portrait painting, which paid better.

And all that time, in the back of her mind, she’d dreamed about some day going in search of her father.

She scanned through her emails. A possible portrait commission from a senator back in San Francisco. She tapped out an answer to her agent.

Tell him ‘yes’ as long as he can wait until I get back. And no, I don’t know yet when I’m coming back. It’s called a sabbatical for a reason.

Nothing from the police department in Seattle, where her father’s last credit card purchase had been made. Nothing from the coroner’s office, either, or the DA, or the local sheriff’s department, or anyone else she’d been pestering for information.

She switched away from her email and opened Netflix. She knew perfectly well what everyone thought. Frank Riggs had vanished because he wanted to. She was wasting her time. Making a fool of herself.

Think about something else. Like Griffin Rockwell. Her new bodyguard-type person.

She’d met Griffin only once, when he’d first returned to Rocky Peak. But she’d seen him on TV, even watched him race. Jake had held a watch party for his last big race. She’d caught a glimpse of his face after he’d taken his helmet off, but still wasn’t quite prepared for the impact of the man in the flesh.

Griffin Rockwell was hot. Smoking hot. As an artist, she probably should have a more nuanced image of him, but it really came down to “hot.” She appreciated the visual masterpiece of his build, the perfect blend of lean and muscular, the powerful grace with which he moved. Then there was his brooding face, the dark eyes with a hint of green, his sheer and utter magnetism.

He had a touch of the strong-and-silent going on. A little reserve, but that might be because of whatever “rough time” he was going through. An edge, but that might be from the intense competitiveness of a pro athlete. Some arrogance, based on the way he’d tossed a fifty dollar bill on the bar to cover his glass of water.

More than a bit of tempting.

The way she felt about Jake, that they were great friends with no chance of sparks? That definitely didn’t apply to Griffin.

Which was why this “bodyguard” plan sounded like the kind of trouble she really didn’t need.

3

“Couple things you should know about Serena.”

Griffin frowned over at Jake as he walked on his brother’s left, down the main road that wound through Rocky Peak. His brother sounded nervous.

“Serena is…well, she’s a great person. But she’s a handful sometimes. She might try to ditch you. As her bodyguard, that is.”

Jake was interrupted by a man honking from a passing truck. He gave them both a friendly wave, then focused a hard stare on Griffin. “Still taking that break, Rogue?”

Griffin flashed a thumbs up as the man drove on. Jesus, this town was hardcore.

“Do you even know who that is?” asked Jake, sounding bemused.

“No.”

“That’s the new owner of the hardware store. He’s also the mayor. You’ll probably see him a lot now that you’re helping with the renovations.”

“Okay. Good to know the mayor’s such a huge former fan.”

“Everyone is a huge former fan. Get used to it.”

Griffin winced. Jake squeezed his shoulder in comfort. “They’ll get over it eventually. Unless … maybe it is really just a break?”

It wasn’t just a break. Of that, he was one hundred percent certain.

“Anyway,” Jake continued, “if former fans make you uncomfortable, you’ll love hanging around Serena. She could give a crap about motocross—or any sport, really.”

He gestured up ahead at the tiny cabin where the schoolteacher used to live. “She’s renting that place.”

“Uh oh. Does she know the legend?”

“Nope. And don’t tell her, because then she’ll probably burn the place down.”

“I see what you mean about the ‘handful.’”

“Yep. Don’t get me wrong, she’s one-of-a-kind. Love her dearly.”

“Not…” Griffin didn’t know how to ask the question delicately enough. “You’re not dating her?”

Jake nearly choked on a laugh as the turned onto the narrow driveway that led to the cabin. They had to squeeze past a little Camry. “Hell, no. First of all, she works for me. Second, it’s not like that and never has been.”

“Why not?” In his view, Serena was a knockout. Not only was she stunning, with that dark red hair and curvy body, but she dished out plenty of sass along with the drinks. He admired that.

“I don’t know, dude. It just isn’t. Don’t get me wrong, she’s attractive. Anyone can see that. But...no.” He shook his head firmly. “And that’s another thing. Since you’re basically filling in for me, you should stay hands-off too.”

“You don’t need to worry about that.” The woman didn’t like him, how many times did he need to tell Jake that?

They reached the front entrance of the little cabin. Jake knocked on the door, while Griffin scoped out the front yard with its unruly alder bushes and concrete birdbath with a naked cupid. “You’re sure I can’t tell her about the legend?”

“Only if you want to make your life even more difficult.”

The door swung open and there was Serena, blinking at them as if she’d just woken up. Her hair was a wild rat’s nest of tangled red and her black-rimmed glasses were halfway down her nose. She wore a black ribbed tank top with the words “#BringIt” in white block letters and loose pajama type pants. A light scattering of freckles scattered across her skin like flakes of cinnamon.

“Jake. Hi. Hey there, Griffin. Sorry, my alarm didn’t go off. Or maybe it did and I threw it in the laundry hamper, I’m not sure.”

Griffin laughed, a quick snort that drew a look from Jake. That was funny. Didn’t Jake think it was funny?

“That’s okay. I know we’re on the early side. Griffin has to get back up to the lodge. He has a wall to demolish.”

“Then let’s make this quick. Want some coffee?” she asked, standing back to let them inside.

“I’m good. Griff?” Jake asked.

“No thanks.” He figured it was best to keep this meeting short. “Jake just wanted to formally introduce us so you know you’re in good hands while he’s gone.”

She bristled as she stepped over to the tiny kitchen. “Good hands? I don’t need to be in anyone’s hands.”

Griffin shot his brother a look. Wasn’t that the whole point of this?

“He means that my job is going to be in good hands,” said Jake quickly. “Remember, like we agreed?”

Serena opened a cabinet and reached in, revealing the smooth curve of her waist as her tank top rode above her pants. She brought out coffee filters and a bag of beans. She poured some beans into a grinder, then pressed the button.

With emphasis.

“I’m glad we’re having this conversation,” she said when the coffee was ground. “So we can set some parameters. What have you told him, Jake?”

With the coffee maker dripping, she rested her rear against the kitchen counter and crossed her arms across her chest.

“Nothing. I told you, that’s up to you,” Jake said.

Behind her glasses, Serena’s eyes glinted with appreciation. What color were they? He couldn’t really tell behind those square black frames.

“The short version is that there’s someone I managed to piss off—which isn’t unusual, except this time it was completely unintentional and I have no idea who it is.”

Griffin laughed. Both of them gave him curious looks. He found her funny—so sue him.

“He or she left some threatening notes, which I’m happy to show you. But since then, nothing else has happened. Personally, I think it’s over, but Jake disagrees and he’s my boss so I have to listen.”

With an affectionate smile in Jake’s direction, she poured herself a cup of the freshly brewed coffee. Griffin’s mouth watered. The rich fragrance made him wish he hadn’t said no.

“To sum up,” Serena concluded, “Jake is a champ, but that doesn’t mean my problems have to be a whole family affair.”

“Have you met the Rockwells?” Griffin said dryly. “We tend to stick together. It comes from growing up in hurricane territory.”

“Hurricanes in the mountains?”

“He’s taking about Mad Max,” Jake explained. “Our father.”

She’d heard all about “Mad Max” in her short time here. Including the fact that he now had a heart condition and was supposed to be avoiding stress.

“Well, that’s all great, but you don’t need to feel obligated to do anything more than check in now and then. I’ll give you my number and I’ll take yours and Jake can relax and enjoy his mysterious little getaway.”

Griffin cocked his head at his brother. “Yeah, where are you going, Jakey?” He’d never really said, other than referring vaguely to some kind of reunion. “Why so cagey?”

“Can’t a guy have any kind of private life around here?” Jake grumbled. “Bunch of frickin’ gossips. You should hear the guys at the firehouse. It’s like they’ve never heard of a vacation before.”

Griffin exchanged a look with Serena, who was clearly just as entertained by Jake’s reaction as he was.

That felt good, sharing a normal human moment of amusement with her.

Which made him realize something. He could hear Serena perfectly well. Every word. Something in the way she spoke, clearly, enunciating everything, in a voice that landed right in the tonal spectrum that still worked for him.

He shot her a big grin, so relieved by that revelation that he wanted to hug her.

In a bodyguard kind of way, of course.

She blinked slightly, then shook it off. “Well, so, I think it’s all settled then, right?” She held her hand out to Griffin. “Phone,” she explained, a little impatiently. “I’ll add my number.”

He punched in his passcode and handed over his phone, suddenly embarrassed by his screensaver, which was a shot from a GoPro of mud flinging into his face during a training run.

But she seemed to like it. She stared at it for a long moment, as if analyzing its composition and color balance.

“Nice,” she finally said. “You take this?”

“I wouldn’t say that I ‘took’ it. It’s a still from a GoPro video. But I wore the camera.”

“Very dynamic.” She added her number to his contacts and handed the phone back. “Is that what it’s like on a motocross…um…field?”

“Course. And yeah, except you’re moving nonstop. Always strategizing. By the end you’re physically and mentally spent.”

“I saw one of his races once, and afterwards I went looking for him,” said Jake. “Found him flat on his back on the floor of his trailer with a washcloth over his face. He was meditating.”

“Recharging. Part of my training regimen. You have to release all that tension from a race or it’ll come back to bite you.”

She was listening with a fascinated expression. “I honestly had no idea it was so challenging. It looks so simple, just going around and around. Doesn’t it get boring? Is that why you retired?”

Griffin bristled. “It’s never boring.”

“Some say it’s the most difficult sport in the world,” said Jake. Good old Jake, standing up for his older brother.

“Oh, maybe that’s why you retired?” Serena sipped her coffee. “Because it’s so difficult.”

“No.” Why the fuck would she say that? Before he could react any further, he caught the glint in her eye.

She was trying to goad him into something.

Well, he could play her game. “The more difficult something is, the more I like it. So it wasn’t that.”

He heard a muffled snort from Jake’s direction.

Serena cradled her mug against her chest. Well, against the tempting swell of her breasts, to be precise. Which he was desperately trying to ignore. “If you’re implying that I’m difficult, you’re absolutely right. I’m sure Jake probably mentioned that.”

Another snort from Jake.

Serena turned on him.

“Speaking of difficult, Jake, I heard you say something about ‘making life more difficult’ as I was opening the door. What was that all about?”

Jake shot Griffin a ‘help me’ glance.

Since Griffin always had his brother’s back, he answered for him. “It’s an old Rocky Peak legend, takes too long to tell right now, but I promise to fill you in the next time I see you.”

“Is that supposed to be some kind of bribe to make sure I call you?”

“Nah. I know you’ll call. You owe it to Jake.” He winked at her, that roguish gesture that used to be his trademark on the circuit.

She narrowed her eyes at him, and finally he could make out their color. They were a deep umber brown, rich and promising as velvet drapes in a bordello.

Back on the street, he and Jake walked toward the Last Chance. “I could use a beer,” he told his brother.

“You don’t drink.”

“I know. That doesn’t mean I couldn’t use one.”

“If you’re thinking about backing out⁠—”

Griffin cut him off. “I’m not.” Absolutely not. He intended to enjoy this job to the max.

4

Griffin left Jake at the Last Chance, where he had a little apartment above the bar, with a spectacular view of mountain peaks. Then again, everywhere you looked in Rocky Peak there was beauty. He could appreciate it on one level, but at the same time, he spent much of his time here braced for a bad memory. They lurked behind every corner—like the spot where he used to catch the bus to the regional consolidated high school. Or the guardrail that marked the spot where his mother had driven off the road when he was fifteen.

He took that road now, speeding through the curves that wound up toward Rocky Peak Lodge at a good fifteen miles over the limit. Not only did he have complete faith in his driving skills, but no officer around here would give him a ticket for speeding. They’d be more likely to ask for his autograph.

Well, maybe not anymore. Maybe now they’d write him a ticket for overly speedy retiring.

The lodge appeared like a floating castle at the end of the road, a sprawling chalet-style structure with wings added in a haphazard manner over the years. Besides the main building, there were guesthouses with peaked roofs, a barn-like building that housed firefighting equipment and a ladder truck, and a garage for the lodge’s many four-wheelers and other rigs.

Home sweet home. Make that—home bittersweet home. Like most of his siblings, he’d left right out of high school. The drive to get out and make his name, to start burning up race courses had thundered through his system like a ten alarm siren.

Max, who’d wanted him to play football, ignored motocross until Griffin had started winning the big races. Then he’d become the golden son, the one his father boasted about to the lodge guests.

Now he was ranting about Griffin quitting motocross. Sure was hard to make the man happy.

As he zoomed into the gravel front lot of the lodge, he spotted his older brother in an intense convo with the contractor. Kai was gesturing at the east wing of the lodge, which was the most rundown. It looked like a heated conversation, which didn’t surprise Griffin one bit. Kai was the fiery one in the family. Isabelle could give him a run for his money, but she wasn’t home yet so Kai took that honor.

Griffin strolled over to join the conversation, which was about the long-needed renovations of the lodge. The place had been founded almost a hundred years ago by old Burt Rockwell, their great-grandfather. Some sections had gotten barely any attention since then. The Rockwell family itself could never afford all the repairs that were needed, but Nicole Davidson, Kai’s fiancee, had found a silent investor to pitch in.

“People come here for the view,” Kai was saying. “If we need triple pane windows, that’s what we do. If we need to add more structural support, that’s what we do. But that old rabbit warren style has got to go. Back me up here, Griff.”

Griffin nodded. “Except in the ski room. I wouldn’t change anything there. It’s classic.”

“Fine. We leave the ski room as is, with some better air circulation. It still smells like wet wool from thirty years ago.”

The contractor, a black man in his early forties, was taking notes on an iPad and snapping pictures as they talked. “We can put in an air exchange system, but there’s a good chance that smell won’t go away completely. It’s not a bad smell, kind of fits the lodge. You could bottle it up and sell it if you wanted.”

“Eau de sweaty ski gear?” Kai, who always radiated a kind of fiery vibrant energy, grinned. “I like it.”

The contractor closed his iPad. “I have to go pick up my son, but I have enough to start with.” He stuck out his hand to shake Griffin’s. “John Derrick, pleased to meet you. Saw your last race, you killed it.”

“Thanks, man.” They shook hands. Griffin gave him his most genuine smile, since he hadn’t said a word about his retirement and he appreciated that. “And thanks for taking on this old hulk. Takes a brave man.”

“Nah, I love it. This lodge is the reason I moved here. I worked here right out of high school. Bussed tables at the restaurant, fell in love with a waitress, and here I am.”

Griffin cocked his head at the man. “I thought you looked familiar.”

“You were just a kid. Probably ten or so.”

“Yeah, but I remember you. We played cards, didn’t we?”

John tilted his head back with a laugh. “We did. You won ten bucks off me in five-card stud. Yep. You had that competitive fire even back then.”

“He beat me at everything after the age of twelve, even though I was two years older,” said Kai. “Good thing I have a healthy ego.”

Griffin’s smile slipped. He’d always loved competing with his older brother. But then Kai had left and things had never been the same between them since. That automatic trust was gone. For instance, he still hadn’t told Kai the truth about his sudden retirement.

He shifted the focus back to the contractor. “You said you had a son?”

“Yeah, Marley. He’s in high school now. When he hears that I saw you, he’s going to go nuts. Huge fan. He even snagged your jersey number on the team.”

Griffin went cold. “My what?”

“Your jersey number, 16. On the Eagles, the high school football team. Don’t tell me you don’t remember.”

Oh, Griffin remembered all right. He remembered too well.

“Marley’s the starting quarterback this year.” John’s voice shone with pride in his son.

“Good for him.” He hesitated, not sure how to ask what he wanted to know. “How does he like playing for Coach Ambrose?”

“Ambrose retired two years ago. Artie Nelson is head coach now. And…” John shrugged as he slipped his iPad into his messenger bag. “He doesn’t say much about Coach Nelson, but I guess results speak for themselves. The team’s off to a four to zero start.”

Numbly, Griffin shook hands with John again, and he strode off toward his job truck.

“You okay?” Kai asked after the contractor had disappeared down the front drive toward the looming forest.

“Yeah. Sure.”

No. Not at all. Coach Nelson was head coach? How had Coach Ambrose let that happen?

After he’d quit the team, he’d told Ambrose—well, not everything. But enough.

“You gotta give me a good reason, Griffin. You love football, you love the team, you’re playing great. What gives?”

“I just…I can’t really explain it.” Because Nelson had threatened him if he said a word. “I like playing for you, but⁠—”

Coach Ambrose’s gaze had sharpened. “But not for someone else? One of the assistant coaches?”

Griffin nodded—even that felt dangerous. “I don’t trust him,” he said in a low voice. “He’s not trustworthy.”

“Who? Why? You need to give me a little more than that, Griff.”

“Just watch Coach Nelson, that’s all.”

And he’d bolted out of the coach’s office and never gone back. Never played football again.

“Fuck,” he said out loud. Coach Nelson was now the head coach? In charge of so many kids? That couldn’t stand. He couldn’t let it stand.

“Sorry, something John Derrick told me kind of threw me for a loop.”

Kai cocked his head, obviously waiting for more, but Griffin shifted the subject.

“Aren’t we late for one of the famous Rockwell family meetings?”

“Yeah. Come on.”

They hurried to the solarium, where everyone else was already assembled. The solarium had been Amanda Rockwell’s favorite spot, and they all still gathered there when they needed to discuss something serious.

Kai went immediately to his fiancee, Nicole, and wrapped an arm around her shoulder. With her happy, open smile, she leaned her head against his chest. They looked so natural together, as if they’d been a couple all their lives. Amazing how they could fall in love so quickly, despite so many obstacles.

But that was Kai—when he did something, he did it passionately, and falling in love was no different. Griffin couldn’t quite imagine something like that happening to him. When it came to women, he was both wary and easy-come-easy-go.

Max sat in his big leather armchair, his gnarled cane propped against it. Even seated, he was a giant of a man, with a thick head of wavy white hair and a bushy beard that moved when he talked. As a kid, Griffin had been more than a little terrified by him. Whereas Kai had fought with Dad, Griffin had fled, mostly into the woods where he perfected all his mountain bike and skateboarding skills.

Gracie, their youngest sister, sat crosslegged on the window seat, gazing toward the forest through a set of binoculars. At twenty-three, she was the only Rockwell kid who had never left home, and none of them quite knew why.

Kai clapped his hands to get everyone’s attention. “We have some decisions to make about the lodge. Jake’s out of town, but he gave his proxy vote to Griffin. Izzy gave hers to Jake, so that means Griffin is worth three people right now. Of course, he used to be worth even more back in his pro days, so there’s that.”

Griffin rolled his eyes. The Rockwells had a saying, something about laughing so you can get through all the crap. They all lived by it, and that often added up to a lot of teasing and a morbid sense of humor.

But right now, he wasn’t really in the mood. His head was still stuck on the news about Coach Nelson.

“Glad you brought that up.” Max thumped his cane on the floor to get everyone’s attention. “This retirement crap. Let’s get that out of the way first.”

“Out of the way of what?” Griffin leaned his shoulders against the doorframe, poised for escape. “It’s not in the way. It just is.”

“Why?” Max demanded. “You’re at the top of the heap. What’d you end the season at, number four?“

“It’s a good note to leave on. I’m thirty. It’s a reasonable age to hang it up. Motocross is a young person’s sport.”

Gracie aimed her binoculars his direction. “You still look young to me.”

Griffin twisted his face into a monster expression that made her lower the binoculars with a yelp.

“I can’t race forever. I’d rather choose my moment, and I choose this one.”

“But why?” Max nearly shouted.

“Because—” He broke off. He had no idea how to say the real reason. Because for medically unknown reasons I went deaf in one ear and can’t hear a fucking thing from my left side and it’s freaking me the fuck out? Fuck no.“Because I am.”

“Well, the timing makes sense to me,” said Nicole, her pretty heart-shaped face breaking into a smile. “Actually, whatever time you choose is the right time.” She elbowed Kai in the ribs, making him jump.

“Yes. What she said. Exactly,” muttered his older brother. He looked as if he was biting his tongue to keep from saying anything more.

Max jammed a cigar into his mouth—probably for the same reason.

“Good. Glad we’re all on board. Good meeting, Rockwell family.” He gave in to the impulse to escape and rolled past the door frame, out the door.

“Where are you going?” Gracie called after him. “You’re worth three people, we can’t make any decisions without you.”

“Quitting again?” Max shouted.

He pretended he didn’t hear and kept going. Usually he had to pretend that he could hear. With his family, he was fine. Their voices were familiar and it was a small group. It was bigger crowds that could be a nightmare.

Lately, everything felt like a nightmare.

Too restless to stay inside, he took his phone out to the bench that overlooked the road he’d just driven up. It was a good spot for cell service, and away from family.

His sponsor—the energy drink Blast Off—had called during the meeting with John Derrick. He listened to the message, which was a whole new level of nightmare.

Blast Off had a big event coming up in a couple of weeks and by contract he had to attend, despite his retirement.

He cringed just thinking about it. Parties were the worst. Noise bouncing everywhere, voices colliding, disappearing. The fact that he didn’t drink made it even more excruciating.

He called his rep to confirm that he would be attending the party in Santa Barbara.

Then he looked up the web page for the Eagles Regional football team.

Yup, there it was. Head Coach Artie Nelson. Photo and all. Big, jowly, misleadingly hearty smile. The sight made Griffin sick to his stomach. He scrolled through the names of the players and spotted Marley Derrick.

Shit. What should he do about this? Had Nelson changed since Griffin’s time? Why had he gotten promoted to head coach?

He stuffed his phone back in his pocket and stretched out his legs, hands clasped behind his head. For most people, it would be slightly nuts to be sitting outside this time of year—October, with the temperature right around freezing. He could see his breath, and his hands were red with cold. He had to start remembering things like gloves and hats if he was really going to stay here this winter.

Big “if.” He wanted to help out with the lodge renovations. He wanted to be around his brothers, and Gracie. But he didn’t want to talk about his retirement, or what came next.

Because right now, he didn’t know shit. About anything.

Well, there was one thing. Jake had asked him to watch out for Serena and he intended to do that, whether or not she called him. He’d start by hanging out at the bar tonight. He’d spend the evening drinking club soda and leaving big tips that would annoy her.