The Renegade Returns (Mill Town Millionaires)

by Dani Wade

  Knowing himself, he wasn’t sure he could stop now. And his next crash might leave more damage than his last.

  SIX

  If looks could kill, Luke Blackstone would be deader than a doornail.

  He hadn’t expected resistance to his appearance at the mill, since his brothers had already reestablished the Blackstone family presence. But with one look, Mark Zabinski had made his feelings toward Luke clear.

  “I’m glad you came in, Luke,” Jacob was saying. He turned back toward the employees in the office. “Everyone, I’m sure you know my brother Luke. He’ll be joining us as a partner, so he wanted to take some time to learn more about operations.”

  The secretaries in the office smiled and welcomed him. The daytime shift manager shook his hand. The dagger look from Mark had been quickly suppressed, but a frown still lingered on a face already going soft around the edges. No one else seemed to notice.

  Luckily, Aiden walked through the door just then. As he paused beside Jacob, Luke wanted to laugh. He’d never understood how those two could look so comfortable in their suits, even though Aiden still maintained a messy artistic style to his hair. Just the thought of wearing a suit jacket every day caused Luke’s throat to start closing.

  “Well, ladies, we don’t want to keep you from your lunch,” Jacob said, much to Luke’s relief. He was ready to get the espionage part of his visit over, so he could see Avery.

  He simply couldn’t get her out of his brain. Her soft hair, silky skin and eager kiss. He had every intention of going to the therapy center this afternoon. No appointment. No reason for going…except for not being able to forget the taste of her tongue. Her sweetness flavored her, and had given Luke a contact sugar rush. He could tell himself he simply wanted to invite her out on an adventure, but deep down, he knew he was lying to himself.

  “We do need to head out,” Clara said softly. “I don’t want to get caught in that bad weather coming in this afternoon.”

  “Oh, I think it will be this evening before that hits,” Aiden said. “Y’all will be safely home before that.”

  “Most definitely,” Jacob agreed. “We want everyone to be safe.”

  The significance of those words wasn’t lost on Luke as he gave the ladies a quick goodbye, then followed his brothers out the door. What they were doing here today, and in the days to come, was about the safety of everyone involved with Blackstone Mills—both employees and family.

  Still, Luke tried to keep it light. “Let’s get on with this,” he said, rubbing his hands together. “I’ve got places to be—”

  “Places more important than this?”

  Luke didn’t care much for Mark’s hard tone, so he slowly swiveled his head to stare at the man who had followed them out of the office. “As a matter of fact, yes. I have plans for Avery tonight.” Only she didn’t know it yet.

  The flush that swept over Mark’s jaw and neck was satisfying to Luke, even if it was petty of him.

  “Let’s head over to the manufacturing floor, then back this way,” Jacob suggested.

  “I’ll catch up with you when you get to the accounting office,” Mark said. “I need to check out a computer problem over there.”

  “Good deal,” Jacob said on his way down the hall. “We need to go over the plans for the computer system in that department anyway.”

  Aiden and Jacob were gone in seconds, but Luke couldn’t stop himself from looking back. He glimpsed Mark’s face blazing with an inordinate amount of fury before the other man turned away, leaving Luke to wonder if he had pulled a tiger’s tail with his needling remark.

  He followed his brothers over to the manufacturing part of the plant, easily slipping into his public persona as he greeted acquaintances. He may not truly be joining the company as a full partner, but he cared about these people.

  He’d do whatever was necessary to ensure their safety.

  Dealing with people had always come easy to him. Until his accident, he’d been quite the extrovert. The dark period following his accident had birthed an extreme need for solitude. Slowly exposing himself to people again was going okay, as long as it wasn’t a big crowd.

  Today was working well for both purposes.

  Talking with people in small groups of two or three, casually leaning on his cane and offering his TV-interview smile, allowed him to be accepted, to let down guards and to see what more familiar eyes might miss. After a couple of hours, he hadn’t found anything suspicious. But at least they’d accomplished the first step: making his presence at the mill a natural occurrence.

  For everyone except Mark, at least. Luke could still feel his resistance when they met up again near the accounting department. He knew things were about to get interesting when Jacob waved them on while he and Aiden talked over a problem with an employee.

  The small accounting office was quiet. A lot of the employees had left early to prepare for bad weather. Being overly cautious, schools had let out early. Plus this tour had taken a bit longer than Luke had planned. He hoped to rush them through this last department so he could get over to Avery’s before the thunderstorms started.

  Mark made himself look busy fiddling with papers on one of the desks. Luke ignored the other man’s aimless movements, his mind wandering to thoughts of what he would say to Avery.

  Finally tired of the manager and all the noise he was making, Luke turned to face him. “What’re you doing?”

  “What do you mean?”

  Mark’s stiff shoulders and tight mouth gave Luke confirmation that Mark was gathering his courage for…something. Luke didn’t have the patience to wait. “Why don’t you just spit it out?”

  His gaze slid away from Luke’s, but Mark’s chin jutted out in challenge. “I simply want to understand. I mean, why would you bother with Avery when before long you’ll be heading back to fame and fortune? After all, it’s not like she’s your usual arm candy, is she?”

  Luke didn’t answer. He needed to get his temper under control first. Mark’s words had a derogatory tone. Luke wasn’t sure if it was directed toward Avery or himself. Neither would be appropriate.

  His silence didn’t impact Mark, who seemed to gain courage the more he talked. “It’s okay. Somebody will be here to pick up the pieces after you walk away.”

  Again, Luke let the jab go, but he couldn’t keep quiet. The more information he had, the more he could warn Avery. Well, that probably wouldn’t go over well, but he’d figure out something. “You mean you?” He cocked his head to the side as if he were truly interested.

  Mark just shrugged, grinning.

  That lit Luke’s fire. He was known to say stupid stuff before checking himself, and anger weakened his already tenuous control. He didn’t often lash out, but when he did—ugly stuff. “If I understand gossip correctly, you and Avery have been dating for almost a year. Or rather, had been dating. If you had closed the deal before I got here, picking up the pieces wouldn’t be an issue—but then again, I guess coming in second might be an experience you need.”

  Luke knew his arrogant grin topped Mark’s smirk any day. Not that Avery had ever mentioned being upset over not seeing Mark romantically, if their dates had even been that. Besides, Luke would probably be the last person she’d talk with about Mark, but Mark didn’t need to know.

  “Tell Jacob I had to leave,” Mark snapped.

  Luke didn’t manage to wait for Mark’s office door to slam before he murmured, “If I feel like it, a-hole…which I won’t.”

  Luke stared at the tight seal of the door for long moments, his frustration urging him to burst through and remind that jerk whose family was in charge here. But he didn’t let himself move. Getting all up in Mark’s grill would make him look jealous.

  Just like Mark’s overt comments had done for him.

  Luke had nothing to prove. But that
didn’t stop him from wanting to.

  * * *

  “Mr. Hutchens, I want you to pay close attention to how you’re feeling. Call me immediately if those muscles seize up again, instead of waiting until you can barely make it here. Got it?”

  Avery gave the old man a stern stare, wishing she could just follow him home and watch him 24/7 to make sure he was okay. Or as okay as he could be with terminal pancreatic cancer.

  “Are you bossing me around, missy?” His stare was a challenge all its own.

  But Avery wasn’t backing down. “You betcha.”

  “Well…all right.” The fact that he retreated so quickly concerned her. Mr. Hutchens had been her patient for a while, and he liked to play the crotchety old dude when she gave him orders. But always playfully. He’d rather hurt himself before he hurt her.

  If he wasn’t playing the game today, he definitely wasn’t feeling well. Of course, having your back muscles contract and not let go didn’t feel so good, no matter what your other health issues were.

  “Now, come in again tomorrow—”

  “I can’t afford that and you know it.”

  The bell over the door sounded as she glared at him. “You will come and you’re not going to pay for it, either, so get over that pride of yours. I want to keep you upright and mobile. That’s the goal.” For as long as I can.

  He gave a sage nod before glancing over her shoulder at the newcomer. “Well, I’ll be. Lucas Renegade Blackstone. I haven’t seen you since you went and got all famous.” He grinned. “At least, not in person.”

  Avery breathed deep, almost able to feel Luke’s gaze on her back. Unable to think of a delay, she reluctantly turned around to face him. Heat burned her cheeks as she remembered his kiss from the night before…and her response.

  “Avery here working on you, too?” Mr. Hutchens asked.

  “Sure is,” Luke said, flashing a grin in her direction.

  But not today. She’d have remembered if she had an appointment for him on today’s schedule, especially since they’d canceled the rest of the afternoon appointments for impending bad weather. So why was he here?

  “She treating you right?” Luke asked, oblivious to her inner panic.

  Mr. Hutchens stood a little taller, though Avery could tell by his quick breath that it hurt to do so. “Always,” the older man said. “And how’re the legs? I saw the footage on television. That wasn’t a pretty wreck.”

  The practice footage had played on newscasts in their county for weeks following the accident, then again after Luke had been released from the hospital. Since he was a homegrown celebrity, everyone around Black Hills had devoured the slightest tidbits about his accident and recovery.

  Avery studied Luke from under her lashes as the men talked sports. He leaned casually against his cane, as if it were an accessory instead of a necessity. While charming, he wasn’t laying it on thick. His responses to whatever Mr. Hutchens said were genuinely warm. She’d seen that same sincerity on his face during television interviews. He was honestly interested in other people, which made him so much more darn appealing.

  As if he needed any help with that.

  “Would you do me a favor, Mr. Hutchens? As soon as my slave driver here clears me to get back behind the wheel, how about we go for a nice, fast drive?”

  “Wow. I’ve never ridden in a really fast car. Reliable ones, yes, but never fast.” And the twinkle in the older man’s eyes told them just how exciting that would be for him.

  “Well, I have a beaut. She drives smooth and steady—unless there’s an operator error.” Luke winked at the older man. “Don’t worry. I’ll be careful.”

  “I’m pretty sure you won’t.”

  Avery laughed. Leave it to Mr. Hutchens to peg Luke so accurately.

  “You laugh, young lady,” Mr. Hutchens said, “but the truth is, when a chance comes once in a lifetime, you take it. And don’t rely on the brakes or you’ll regret it.”

  “Very sound advice,” Luke agreed. He tilted his head in Avery’s direction. “See? I’m right.”

  Ah, the polite male equivalent of I told you so.

  “Mr. Hutchens,” he said. “I’ll be in touch.”

  “I see my daughter pulling up in the parking lot,” Mr. Hutchens said. “And it’s almost time for my medicine. I will see you tomorrow, missy.”

  “Yes, sir,” she said, indulging in a quick hug.

  “And you,” he said, pinning Luke with a look, “you take good care of her, you hear?”

  “Oh, I will, sir.”

  Was she reading an innuendo in Luke’s reply that wasn’t there? A flush swept up her neck and across her cheeks.

  Maybe not, because Mr. Hutchens winked. “I can see she’s in good hands. Good afternoon, son. Missy.”

  “Let me walk you out, Mr. Hutchens,” Cindy said.

  “Are you leaving now, too, girlie?”

  “I’m hoping to get home before it pours,” she said. “You sure you’ll be okay, Avery?” she asked with a quick glance at Luke.

  Avery appreciated the support, since her shaky insides were making her wish that her sassy receptionist would stick around for once. “Yeah,” she said instead. “I’ll get everything closed up.” She ushered them to the door, eager to get any conversation over and done with. “Y’all be safe.”

  She and Luke stood side by side as they exited the door and walked slowly to Mr. Hutchens’s daughter’s car. The wind from the coming storm whipped at their clothes.

  “What’s the matter with him?” Luke finally asked in a low tone.

  Avery matched it, though there wasn’t anyone left to hear. “It’s not a secret. Pancreatic cancer. Not too much longer now.”

  “Any insurance?”

  “Yes, but therapy benefits can run out pretty quickly.” Something that frustrated Avery to no end. Not because she needed money, but because it kept her patients from seeing her as often as they needed to.

  Luke glanced across at her. “Why wouldn’t you let him pay?”

  “Because then he’d use not having enough money as an excuse to not show up.” She shrugged. “I’m not really helping with the cancer anyway. Just trying to keep him as mobile as possible for as long as we can. Manage the pain a little. He’s got a great attitude despite a terrible prognosis.”

  “That’s wonderful, Avery…what you’re doing.”

  She dismissed the compliment, because tooting her own horn wasn’t ladylike. “Somebody needs to take care of them.” And she’d been doing it all her life, right? That was her place. And her joy.

  “I see.”

  She couldn’t tell if he was agreeing with her statement or what, so she simply nodded. But his next words caught her attention.

  “So who takes care of you?”

  Her gaze shot to his, clashing with those amber eyes while the implications hit her hard. Who did take care of her? Who ever had? No one since she was a kid. At least, not that she could remember.

  Uncomfortable exploring the question any deeper, she walked back toward the checkout counter. “I know you didn’t have an appointment this afternoon. What do you need, Luke?”

  “I’m here,” he said with a charming grin, “because I thought it would be more fun to create mischief than be tortured.”

  She should have teased back, slipped into casual mode. But a flood of remembered sensations from the night before held her immobile.

  Luke tried again. “I think it’s time for another adventure.”

  Oh, Lord help her. “I don’t think an adventure is a good idea.”

  Considering how much she wanted a repeat of yesterday’s kiss—definitely not.

  Would she even survive another? Between the fun and the fear of hurting him from last night, she wasn’t sure her heart could take it.
>
  Could it? “Definitely not a good idea.”

  Luke took her concern in stride. “It rarely is but that’s what makes it fun. The danger.”

  Oh, it was dangerous all right. This was getting out of hand.

  A taste, remember? Oh, yeah. She’d almost forgotten that little pep talk to herself—and she desperately wanted a taste like she’d had last night. But was she willing to put herself out there, to risk making herself vulnerable again to Lucas Blackstone, of all people? She tried to clear the tightness from her throat. “What did you have in mind?”

  Luke didn’t blink. “How about the drive-in? They always have something fun to see.” He wiggled his eyebrows and grinned. “Something spooky, for good cuddling. And it won’t be open too many more weekends before closing for the winter.”

  Before she could respond, the lights blinked out. Avery froze. Then the emergency lights clicked on, lending an eerie green glow to the room. Only then did Avery notice that the world outside had darkened to midnight and rain had started coming down in heavy drops.

  “I don’t think Cindy beat the rain home,” she murmured.

  “Nope,” Luke said. “And neither will we.”

  Instantly alert, Avery walked to the window and searched the slope of the parking lot through the increasing sheets of rain. “Where’s Nolen?”

  Luke shifted beside her, his arm brushing hers. Such an innocent touch for such a sensual response deep inside.

  “He didn’t bring me. Aiden dropped me off and was gonna send Nolen back for me later.”

  Despite the gloom, she turned an incredulous eye in his direction. “Have you not listened to the weather today?”

  She saw a flash of his white teeth. “Guess I didn’t think this through very well. But in my defense, having your brother wait while you ask a woman out is a bit awkward, if I could even convince him not to get out of the car.”

  Avery didn’t have siblings, but she knew from observing others that a man’s brothers were his first source of friendly ridicule. Aiden would never have stayed in the car. “Well, you won’t be going anywhere anytime soon.”