“No kidding,” Nathan snarled, for once agreeing with his brother one hundred percent. “We’re also trying to find Connelly. We have reason to believe he could be after her as well.”
“Because of this,” Josh said as he handed Daniel the phone with the picture on it.
Daniel stared at it, then at his brother. “He got close enough to get a fucking picture? When was this?”
“Last night,” Nathan replied and nodded at the phone. “That happened after everyone had left.”
“Why didn’t he just get you then?”
Nathan raised an eyebrow, and Daniel rolled his eyes. “That’s not what I meant.”
“Lenox likes to make his victims suffer. He’ll go after Connelly first, then come after me once I’ve found out about her death. It’s how he did it with Trish. We wanted you here because he may mistake you for me.”
“Perhaps you should go back to New Orleans, Daniel,” Josh said.
Daniel shook his head stubbornly. “Hell no. My brother’s in trouble. I’m not leaving.”
Chapter Eighteen
Connelly barely made it to the top of the stairs before Lenox caught up with her again. God, what good were all these training sessions if she couldn’t fight this guy off? She reached out and grabbed a vase from the small hall table. She turned and swung, hitting him in the side of the head, shattering the thin glass.
Lenox swung out in anger, catching her in the jaw and knocking her sideways against the wall. Downstairs, the front door opened, and Peter called out, “Hey, Connie. Where are you?”
“Peter!” she screamed. “Help!”
Lenox staggered a couple of steps, then ran down the hall toward the back stairs. Connelly’s legs were no longer able to hold her upright, and she sank to the floor. She wasn’t sure if she was grateful that Lenox ran away or now terrified because that meant he would be coming back.
“Connelly!” Peter yelled as he rounded the top step, gun in hand.
He took one look at her, and his mouth dropped open. “What the hell?” He rushed forward, gun still aimed toward the hall. “Honey. Are you okay?”
“Call 911,” was all she could get out before losing consciousness.
* * * *
Another agent stuck his head in the doorway. “Emergency services just got a call from Connelly’s address. She was attacked.”
Nathan jumped to his feet, his stomach in his chest. “Is she all right?”
“She’s alive is all I know. Her assistant frightened off the attacker. She’s on her way to the hospital now. It was bad enough she needed an ambulance.”
“Damn it,” Nathan said as he headed out the door.
“Where are you going?” Daniel asked.
“To the hospital. Either shut up or tag along.” Nathan glanced at the agent. “Which one?”
After getting the name, Nathan, Daniel, and Josh piled into Josh’s SUV. It was probably good Nathan wasn’t driving. He was too worried. When had he come to care so much for her? He’d known her less than two weeks, for crying out loud. But in those two weeks, they’d connected on a stronger level than he’d ever connected with anyone. He just wished he’d seen this coming.
“I’m going to have to connect with him,” Nathan murmured.
“No,” Josh said. “It took too much of a toll on you last time.”
“I have to. We have to stay one step ahead of him. I can’t let anything happen to Connelly.”
“Leave that to me, Nathan. We won’t make the same mistakes we did with Trish. We know what he’s up to now.”
Nathan shook his head. “No, we don’t. Not really. By taking Connelly into custody, we’ll ruin his plan. He’ll come up with another one, and I have to find out what that is.”
Josh shook his head. “Don’t do anything yet. Seriously, Nathan.”
Nathan didn’t answer. Instead, he turned to stare out the window and prayed that Connelly was okay.
* * * *
Connelly awoke slowly and winced at the pain in her face and mouth. Memories of the attack ran through her mind, and she sat up, glancing frantically around. The room was small, stark white with one window overlooking downtown Atlanta. Where was she? The hospital? How did she get here?
She moved her gaze around too quickly or maybe she sat up too fast, but the room began to spin, and she put her hand to her forehead in an attempt to slow the movement.
“Crap,” she grumbled as her head began to pound behind her eyes.
“You sat up too fast, sweetheart. Lean back.”
Connelly lowered her hand and stared in surprise at Nathan as he raised the bed, then helped her to lean against the pillows. “What are you doing here? How did I get here?”
Nathan’s lips twitched. “To answer your second question, your assistant called 911. Apparently, you put up a pretty good fight.”
“Is Peter okay?”
“He’s fine.”
At the memory of the fight and all the hits she’d taken, she reached up to touch her face and then winced. She must look a mess. She started to remove the gauze taped under her nose, but Nathan grabbed her hand and shook his head. “Leave it. Your nose wasn’t broken, but it’s going to be swollen for a day or two.”
He smiled just a bit and touched her lip gently with the pad of his thumb. She cringed and backed away but grabbed his hand with hers to keep him by her side. It really didn’t matter why he was there. Just the fact that he was made her feel safe.
“We were looking for you when the 911 call came in,” he replied.
She frowned at what he said. “Why were you looking for me?”
“My old FBI partner showed up at the guesthouse not long after you left,” Nathan explained. He brought her hand to his lips and kissed the backs of her fingers, sending warm tingles up her arm. “He told me Lenox had escaped, and due to a picture we found just outside the door, we were worried he would go after you.”
“What picture?” she asked.
He showed her the picture on the phone of her and him having sex on the patio. She blushed and pushed the phone facedown to hide it. “That picture,” she whispered, then frowned. “Whose phone is that?”
“It’s a prepaid. There’s nothing on it but this.”
“So he was there…watching us.”
Nathan nodded. A cold chill spread through Connelly. Lenox had been that close? Spying on them?
“He said something about getting even with you,” Connelly said.
“Apparently he plans to do that through you. It looks as though you and I are going to be together for a while. We’re both in protective custody until he’s caught.”
She reached out and brushed back a strand of hair that had fallen across his eyes. He looked tired and not just a not-had-enough-sleep tired but bone tired. Worry lines creased the corners of his eyes and mouth, making her want to hug him to her and ease that worry.
What was wrong with her? Here she sat in the hospital, beaten to a pulp, and all she could think about was comforting him.
He turned his head and kissed her palm. “I was so worried about you,” he said softly.
“I’m okay. A little bloody and a whole lot sore, but at least I’m alive. Where’s Peter?”
“I sent him away for a few days. I didn’t want Lenox going after him because he couldn’t get to you. He said he could do what he needed to from anywhere, so I bought him a plane ticket to Fiji. He just said to make sure you call him when you come to, but I doubt he’s landed yet, so don’t run off to call just yet.”
Connelly grinned. “Lucky dog.”
Nathan leaned his arm across her thighs and rested his palm against the mattress. “Do you like Fiji?”
“I don’t know. I’ve never been there but always wanted to go.”
He brushed his finger along her jaw, making her insides quiver. “Maybe once all this is over, you’ll get to.”
Was that a promise she saw in his gaze? Would she get to go with him? She was in deep trouble here. She had no business falling for this
guy. None whatsoever. She tried to put some distance between them. He opened his mouth to say something, but two men walked into her room. One she recognized as Daniel, the other as Josh Barnes, the FBI agent she’d spoken with after her last encounter with Lenox.
“Good to see you survived this one as well,” Josh said with a smile. “How are you feeling, Ms. James?”
“Connelly, and I’ve felt better,” she replied.
“You look fabulous,” Daniel said as he walked over and placed a gentle kiss on her undamaged cheek.
“Liar,” she said, but smiled up at him anyway. How could she not?
“Did Nathan tell you about your new living arrangements for the time being?” Daniel asked as he stood behind Nathan and put his hands on Nathan’s shoulders.
Nathan grinned and stared at the bedsheets but didn’t say anything.
“No,” Connelly replied. “He said we would be in protective custody, but that was it.”
“We’re going to be staying at our dad’s penthouse apartment in downtown Atlanta. It has an incredible roof deck that’s amazing for summer parties.”
“Something tells me we’re not going to be throwing any parties there,” Connelly said.
“Maybe small ones for just the four of us,” Nathan said, then winked. “After all, we have to do something to get your mind off things.”
Connelly narrowed her eyes, wondering just what the naughty Dom had in mind.
Chapter Nineteen
The elevator doors opened onto a massive penthouse apartment with a view of Atlanta that was to die for. Connelly stepped out and stared in awe at the row of floor to ceiling windows that overlooked the southern city. She could see for miles.
“Wow,” she said a bit breathlessly.
Daniel grinned. “Dad really knows how to make a statement, doesn’t he?”
“Yeah. Show-off,” Nathan said drily.
Josh and Daniel both chuckled as Connelly moved around the large, bright room, fingering the mahogany furniture and soft, overstuffed couch that faced a massive television. Behind her was the kitchen and eating area that looked like something out of old-world Italy.
“How many bedrooms does this place have?” she asked.
“Three,” Daniel replied. “Josh and I can each have one of the bedrooms on the far side of the apartment. You and Nathan can have the master.”
She turned to stare at Daniel in surprise at the fact he’d just assumed she’d be sharing a room with his brother.
“Or Nathan can bunk with me,” Daniel added.
“Uh, Nathan will be staying with Connelly,” Nathan said from the kitchen.
“Wait a minute,” Connelly said as she eyed Nathan in anger.
Nathan twisted the cap off a beer and tossed the cap into the trash. “Yes?” he asked casually as he lifted the bottle to his lips.
For a brief second, Connelly was distracted by the way his lips circled the tip of the bottle and the way his Adam’s apple bobbed as he drank.
She shook her head to clear her wayward thoughts. “I just love how you make decisions for both of us,” she said sarcastically.
“Dom,” he replied.
She rolled her eyes at his reply. “And what about clothes? And my computer? I could use the time that I’m going to be cooped up here to get some work done.”
“Peter took care of all that. Your laptop is on the table here in the kitchen, and your clothes are in the master,” Daniel replied.
“He even gave Daniel a list of your favorite foods so we would have stuff for you to eat here,” Josh said as he too walked into the kitchen and pulled a beer from the fridge.
Josh was a very nice-looking man. Close to forty in age with black hair and stunning blue eyes, the tall, broad-shouldered agent had probably broken more than one heart in his past. What was being closed off in an apartment with three gorgeous guys going to be like? Would she even get any work done at all?
“Are you a Dom as well, Josh?” she asked.
“Who do you think taught Nathan everything he knows?” Josh replied, his lips lifting into a teasing grin.
Nathan pursed his lips and shook his head, making Connelly giggle. “Nathan says otherwise.”
“Of course he does,” Josh replied. “He wants everyone to believe he was a Dom at birth.”
“Are you kidding?” Daniel said drily. “Nathan was a Dom at birth. He was certainly bossy enough.”
“I was never bossy,” Nathan said before taking another sip of beer. “I just knew better than you.”
Connelly bit her lip to keep from laughing. This might actually turn out to be quite an interesting few days.
DANIEL SNORTED. “I need to go make some phone calls. Everybody make yourself at home.”
He walked into one of the bedrooms at the far side and shut the door. It wasn’t as big as the master, but it did have its own bathroom, which was a plus. He plopped onto the bed and leaned against the cushioned headboard so he could stare out the window that overlooked the skyline.
It had turned out to be a gorgeous day with just a hint of white puffy clouds moving across the sky. Due to the low humidity, he could see for miles. It was days like this he loved being this high up.
He dug his phone out of his pocket and clicked on his father’s name. As it rang, Daniel tried to decide what to tell him. He was supposed to be back in New Orleans already, but Daniel didn’t want to leave his brother. Would his father understand? Or should Daniel come up with a lie?
“Hello? Daniel? Why the hell aren’t you back yet?”
Daniel sighed and glanced toward the ceiling. This conversation was already starting off well. “I’m still in Atlanta. There’s a problem.”
“What the hell are you doing in Atlanta? I thought you were going to Dallas.”
“I did go to Dallas, then swung by Atlanta. I came here to see Nathan.”
Silence.
“Listen, Dad. It may be a while before I get back.”
“Why? I need you here to help with the transitions. I’m going to have to stop working soon and—”
“I know, Dad. But Nathan’s in trouble.”
“What do you mean Nathan’s in trouble?”
“The serial killer that murdered his fiancée is out of prison and after Nathan.”
His father remained silent for a few seconds, apparently processing what Daniel had told him. “And why do you need to stay?”
“For one, I’m Nathan’s identical twin, and the FBI thought the killer might mistake me for him. Also, I want to be here.”
“You’re not a cop, Daniel.”
“No, but I do know how to shoot a gun.”
“Where are you staying?” his father asked.
“The penthouse. There’s an FBI agent with us and only one access into the apartment that we control. No one can get in here.”
“Good plan,” his father said.
“Let’s hope,” Daniel replied.
Another few seconds of silence, but Daniel had a feeling the conversation wasn’t over, so he waited. He didn’t have to wait long.
“How’s Nathan holding up?”
Daniel smiled slightly. He’d hoped the knowledge that Nathan was in danger would get his father to drop that wall he’d built between him and his son.
“He’s okay. His current girlfriend was beaten up by the killer, though. She would’ve been killed if her assistant hadn’t shown up and scared the guy off. She’s here with us as well. Nathan believes the killer wanted to use her death to hurt him.”
“Nathan would know, I suppose,” his father said.
Daniel heard the bite of disdain in his father’s tone and rolled his eyes. “You know, you really need to get over Nathan’s abilities. He may make you uncomfortable, but he’s your damn son.”
Daniel hung up the phone and tossed it onto the bed. His father and Nathan were both stubborn jackasses.
* * * *
Connelly mostly picked at her food. Her face still hurt, and although she felt safe her
e, she still worried. Where was he? Was he at one of the many sky rises she could see from here, watching them through the glass? She’d looked for shades or something, but the windows in the main part of the house had nothing to cover them. They were wide-open to anyone who could be high enough to see in, and that made her feel uncomfortably exposed.
At least the bedroom had shades.
Nathan came up behind her and set his hands on her shoulders, giving them a soft squeeze. “I’ve run you a bubble bath, pet. Why don’t you go relax awhile? The guys and I will take care of the kitchen.”
“A bath would feel wonderful.”
“Then go. You need to rest.”
He kissed the top of her head, making the butterflies in her stomach go mad. “Thank you,” she whispered.
“I’ll check on you in a few minutes.”
Connelly stood and walked slowly to the bathroom. She did feel stiff and sore. The doctor said she would feel much better tomorrow. She hoped he was right. She walked into the master bath and smiled at the scene before her. Nathan had really outdone himself.
The lights were dimmed, allowing the person sitting in the massive tub to enjoy the city view outside the window. The ledge around the tub was covered in glowing scented candles, filling the room with a wonderful flowery smell. A bottle of wine and a single glass sat on the edge. Bubbles threatened to spill over the top and onto the floor where Nathan had placed a couple of thick towels so she wouldn’t slip when she got out.
She walked over and ran her hand through the water. Wow, that was warm. This was going to feel amazing. She quickly shed her clothes and climbed in. The heat felt wonderful against her skin. She leaned back with a sigh and let the water relax her tired muscles.
Now all she needed was a classical violinist to play music, and she’d be in heaven. She reached for the bottle by her side and poured the white wine into the glass. It tasted fruity and sweet, and she downed it much more quickly than she probably should have. Between the heat of the water and her empty stomach, she could already feel the effects of the wine work their way through her limbs. She poured a second glass and sat back to enjoy the view.
The door to the bathroom opened, and Nathan strolled in, looking incredibly handsome in his blue dress shirt and dark navy slacks. The top two buttons were open, teasing her with a glimpse of his chest. She lowered her gaze, past his trim waist and the hips his slacks hugged so delectably. She knew what lay behind those slacks, and her body warmed just thinking about it and how well he could use it.
Crime & Punishment 2: Master Delacroix Page 15
