“You can’t spend the rest of your life walking on eggshells around the guy. Has he threatened to take Jordan away from you?”
“Not in so many words, but the implication’s always there.”
“If he tries anything, then we’ll get an attorney and fight him.”
Christian’s argument sounded so logical, but there was no way to explain Roland’s ruthless nature.
“If you’re worried about the money … don’t.”
Gratitude welled in her breast, and she could hardly believe this wonderful man was real. Her eyes misted as she touched his face. “I appreciate the gesture … more than you could ever imagine, but I can’t drag you into my crazy life.” She swallowed the emotion, fighting to keep her tears at bay.
He put a hand over hers. “Let me love you, Everly. Give me a chance. I promise I won’t let you down. Will you at least consider it?”
The hope simmering in his eyes cut her to the quick. “Okay, I’ll give it some thought” she said, guilt pelting over her. There was no way she could come here and be with Christian. Roland would never allow it. He would destroy them both and take Jordan from her. And no matter how captivated she was with Christian, she was not willing to put Jordan at risk. What Christian didn’t understand was that things didn’t work out as nicely in the real world as they did in the movies.
Relief settled into Christian’s eyes. “I can live with that … for now.”
CHAPTER 11
“Man, it’s great to hear from you. How long has it been? Four years? I suppose it’s hard to find time for your old friends now that you’re a big-time actor.”
“Yeah,” Christian said, “things have been sort of crazy the last few years.”
There was an awkward pause and then Luke swore under his breath. “Aw, man, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t be bagging on you. You’ve had it pretty rough. Do you ever see Vic or any of the other guys?”
“No, I haven’t.” Luke was referring to the group of guys that Christian and Luke used to hang out with in high school when they played football at Kahuku. For Christian, those days seemed like another lifetime.
“We had some good times, didn’t we?” Luke said.
“Yeah, it was great.” He launched into his topic before Luke could venture too far down memory lane. “Hey, listen, the reason I’m calling is because I have a friend who’s needing information on her former husband. And I know you have the inside scoop at the police department.”
He chuckled. “I don’t know about that, but I’ll certainly help you anyway I can.”
“I really appreciate that.” Christian told him everything he knew about Mitchell Grant. “Does that name ring a bell?”
“No … sorry, dude. I can ask around though. See what I can find out.”
“According to a private investigator named Benny Kai, the guy was using an assumed name.”
Luke let out a low whistle. “Are you talking about the Benny Kai that was killed?”
Christian sat up straighter. “Could be. How did he die?”
“He got mixed up in a case involving an art dealer that was crooked. Some guys came looking for the dude, and Benny got caught in the crossfire.” Luke paused. “This guy, Mitchell Grant … he wasn’t an art dealer, was he?”
“I’m not sure. Why?”
“Because Cooper Stein was an alias the art dealer was using.”
Christian’s pulse bumped up a notch. “Is Cooper Stein still on the island?”
“No, he was killed by the same guys that killed the P.I. My partner Kalia worked the case. Supposedly, this guy, Cooper Stein, hid a truckload of art and antiquities somewhere on the island. The dude even had a Rembrandt that he stole from a museum. The Rembrandt was returned to the museum, but no one has found the stolen art.”
Christian had not thought to ask Everly what Mitchell did for a living. At present, she was in the pool with Jordan. “Hang on a sec. Let me ask my friend what her former husband did for a living.”
He found Everly lounging in a chair while Jordan swam. “Hey, I’m on the phone with my detective friend from the police department, asking about Mitchell. What did he do for a living?”
“He owned an art gallery.”
Christian’s stomach tightened as he nodded.
Everly sat up, concern etching her features. “Is everything okay?”
“I’ll explain in a minute.”
“Luke? You still there?”
“Yep.”
“My friend’s former husband owned an art gallery.”
“Oh, boy. Do you think it’s the same person?”
“I’m not sure.” Christian tried to keep his expression passive, so he wouldn’t alarm Everly. “Can you text me a picture of him?”
“Yeah, give me few minutes.”
“Thanks, man. I owe you big time.”
Luke laughed. “Nah, small kine. That’s what friends are for.” He paused. “Hey, can you let me know for sure if this is your guy? I know Kalia would be interested to know. Her best friend almost married Cooper Stein.”
“Sure will. Thanks.” Christian ended the call.
Everly’s face had gone pale. “Does he know anything about Mitchell?”
“I’m not sure. He’s sending me a picture of a guy named Cooper Stein. It may be Mitchell.” He didn’t dare mention that Cooper Stein was dead.
Everly nodded, her features tight.
Five minutes later, Christian’s phone buzzed. Even as he pulled up the photo, his heart dropped. The picture was a spitting image of Jordan. He handed Everly his phone. “Is this him?”
Tears pooled in her eyes. “Yes.” Her hands started to shake. “Mitchell’s not dead. All this time, he’s been living here.” Anger flashed in her eyes as tears rolled down her cheeks. “How could he do that to me? To Jordan?”
He hated to tell her the rest. “I’m afraid there’s more.”
“What?” she barked.
“Mitchell’s dead. He was killed a few months ago.”
Her face crumbled as she let out a cry. Christian gathered her in his arms and held her close as she wept.
As luck would have it, the guy from Introspective Magazine showed up half an hour later to do the interview. In all of the commotion, Christian had completely forgotten he was coming. Christian, Everly, and Jordan were still out by the pool. Everly’s tears had dried, but she was stoic and withdrawn.
Christian was surprised to see a man striding across the yard towards them. He tensed. “Do you recognize that man?”
Everly looked. “No.”
“Do you think it’s one of Roland’s men?”
“I’m not sure … I’ve never seen him before.”
Christian stood as the man approached and extended his hand. “Hello, I’m Bart Smith from Introspective Magazine.”
The reporter’s keen eyes moved over Everly and Jordan. Christian cringed inwardly. The last thing he wanted was to put Everly and Jordan in the spotlight, but their association with him would do just that. Unfortunately, there was nothing he could do at this point but move forward with the interview and hope for the best. He pasted on the friendly smile he wore when dealing with the press.
“Come on inside.” He looked at Everly’s pinched expression, wishing he could comfort her. Of all the lousy times for a reporter to show up. “This interview won’t take more than thirty minutes, tops, and then I’ll be back out.”
Everly hugged her knees to her chest and nodded.
The reporter’s face fell. “Thirty minutes? I’m supposed to do a full interview about your home and lifestyle. It’s not possible to limit it to thirty minutes.”
Christian eyed the man. “Unfortunately, due to circumstances beyond my control, thirty minutes is all we’ve got. I suggest we make the most of it,” he snapped.
Bart sighed heavily and pushed his glasses up higher on his nose. “So be it.”
Christian gripped the steering wheel and cast a sidelong glance at Everly. “Are you sure you’re up for t
his?”
Everly nodded, her lips forming a tight line. Ever since she’d found out about Mitchell, a curious numbness had settled over her. She was still trying to come to terms with the fact that he’d deserted her and Jordan. He’d never even once come back to see his own son. What kind of man did that? She was starting to wonder if she’d really known Mitchell at all. And on top of that, he was murdered ... only a few months ago. She wasn’t sure what she was feeling, because she thought she’d closed that chapter of her life many years ago. And here she was again … back at square one. She could tell Christian was worried about her. He’d been a great help with Jordan, entertaining him so she could have some time alone to sort things out.
Once Christian’s friend at the police department realized Mitchell and Cooper were indeed the same person, he connected them with the woman Mitchell had almost married. And she agreed to meet with Everly at her home at Turtle Bay Resort. She, Christian, and Jordan were headed there now.
Christian grabbed her hand and squeezed it. She was so grateful for him and his kindness. He was fast becoming a large part of her life, and she didn’t want to think about leaving him. But what other choice did she have? She’d not gotten a single call or text from Roland since the day before Christmas Eve, when she’d hung up on him. Instinct told her that was a bad thing. She kept bracing herself for the firestorm that was sure to come. Was Briggs still lurking about the island, keeping tabs on her? A shiver ran down her spine as she looked at the blue expanse of ocean and the foamy white waves. Oahu was breathtakingly beautiful, but she’d barely had a moment to enjoy her surroundings. Soon she would be back home, and this place … and Christian … would be a memory. Without warning, tears emerged.
As they turned into Turtle Bay, Christian noticed she was wiping her eyes. “Are you okay?”
She nodded. He assumed she was upset about Mitchell … and she was, but the tears were for him. Her feelings for Christian were running deeper than she could’ve imagined.
“This is it,” Christian said when they pulled in front of a particular condo.
Everly turned to Jordan in the backseat. “I need you to be a big boy for Mommy, okay? Can you do that for me?”
“Okey dokey,” he chimed.
Everly held her breath as Christian punched the doorbell. He gave her a nod of encouragement and slid an arm around her.
The door opened to reveal a pretty redhead with hair as curly as Everly’s. A warm smile on her face. “Hi, I’m Maurie.”
“I’m Everly.” Jordan was standing directly in front of her. She squeezed his shoulders. “This is my son, Jordan.”
“Hi, Jordan.”
Maurie’s smile faltered a notch when she saw Jordan. It was to be expected, considering Jordan was the spitting image of Mitchell.
“Hello,” Jordan said in a grownup voice.
“Hello. Please come in.” Maurie stepped back and let them enter. She motioned to the sofa and chairs. “Have a seat.”
Everly and Christian sat on the sofa. Jordan was just climbing into Everly’s lap when a small dog trotted in. Jordan jumped up and down, his eyes lighting up. The dog made a bee-line for him, and he dropped to his knees and began petting it.
Maurie laughed. “It looks like Rebel’s made a new friend.” She looked at Jordan. “She really likes you.”
“I like her too,” Jordan said.
It wasn’t until Christian placed a hand over hers that Everly realized she’d been wringing her hands. He gave her a nod of encouragement, causing emotion to well in her breast. She swallowed it back down, trying to gain a measure of control. Coming here was harder than she imagined. She took a deep breath. “Thanks for letting me come and—”
A guy came in from the back. He smiled as he stepped up to them. “Hi, I’m Liam, Maurie’s husband,” he said, extending a hand to Everly first.
“It’s nice to meet you,” Everly said mechanically.
When Liam went to shake hands with Christian, his jaw dropped. “You’re Christian Ross.”
Christian chuckled. “Guilty as charged.”
Liam pumped Christian’s hand up and down. “Well, isn’t this just the bee’s knees! I love your movies.”
Maurie laughed. “I can attest to that. I can’t count the number of times Liam has made me sit through Freefall.” She held up a hand to Christian. “No offense, but after the hundredth time, it starts to lose its luster.”
Christian shook his head. “None taken.”
Liam swiped his hair from his eyes and perched on the arm of the chair in which Maurie was sitting. He draped an arm around her. “Now, that’s hitting a little below the belt, love. We don’t just watch Freefall. We also watch Lethal Target and Crossfire.”
“Uh, huh. See what I mean,” Maurie chirped.
“Ask her how many times she’s made me watch The Tourist,” Liam said.
Maurie rolled her eyes. “Not nearly as many times as we’ve watched the Jase Scott movies. I can promise you that.”
Liam’s eyes twinkled as he grinned. “Women. Can’t live with them. Can’t live without them.”
Maurie lightly elbowed him, but judging by her grin, it was obvious that she was more amused by Liam’s antics than annoyed. Everly decided then and there that she liked the two of them … a lot. Despite their teasing, she got the feeling they were super close. She was a little envious that Maurie had been able to put her life together so quickly after Mitchell or Cooper’s betrayal and then death. If only she were as resilient.
Liam looked at Jordan. “And who might this young chap be?”
“I’m Jordan,” he said matter-of-factly.
Liam chuckled. “Indeed you are.”
“Hello,” Jordan said, his eyes going back to Rebel.
Maurie nudged Liam. “Maybe you should take Jordan and Rebel outside to throw the ball. That way, Everly and I can have our little chat.”
He sprang into action. “Good idea.”
Jordan stood, his eyes dancing with excitement. He clapped his hands. “Come on, Rebel.”
Christian squeezed Everly’s knee. “I think I’ll join them.” He gave her a tentative look. “If you’re okay with that.”
“Of course. Thank you.”
After the men left, Maurie scooted in her seat, getting comfortable. “I thought it would be better for us to discuss this privately, without little listening ears.”
Everly was grateful Maurie was so intuitive. She didn’t know how much of the conversation Jordan would comprehend at his age, but it was better to be safe than sorry. “Thank you.” Everly scooted to the edge of her seat. “And I really do appreciate your willingness to talk to me.”
“You’re very welcome. Let me begin by saying I’m sorry for your heartache.”
The compassion in Maurie’s eyes evoked tears. Everly blinked them away as she nodded. “Thanks,” she gulped. “How much of my story did you hear?”
“Not much, I’m afraid. Just the highlights. I know you were married to Cooper and that he faked his death.”
“Yes, that’s the gist of it. He was going by the name Mitchell Grant at that time. We’d only been married a few years, but things were rocky. You see, I’d accidentally gotten pregnant with Jordan, and Mitchell resented it.”
Maurie’s lips puckered in disapproval. “That’s too bad.”
“He went on a diving trip to Lake Tahoe and never came home. I, like everyone else, assumed he was dead. We even had a funeral for him.” Anger surged through Everly as she clenched her fist, digging her fingernails into the palm of her hand. “And then a few months ago, a friend of mine saw Mitchell at a restaurant when she was here on vacation.”
“Yes, I remember. We were eating lunch at Bubba Gump Shrimp when she approached our table. Cooper pretended not to know her, of course. Claimed she’d mistaken him for someone else.”
“A short while later, I received a call from a private investigator named Benny Kai. He told me that he suspected Mitchell was alive and using an assumed na
me. He asked me to send a photo, which I did. But I never heard from him again. I’ve since learned that he was killed.”
Maurie shifted in her seat. “Yeah, I’m afraid that came about because Liam suspected that Cooper wasn’t what he was claiming to be. He hired Benny.” She paused, regret tingeing her features. “But he never imagined it would lead to Benny’s death.”
“So the men that killed Benny were looking for Mitchell … um … Cooper?”
“Yes, the men were art thieves. Cooper hired them to steal paintings from a museum in Boston. The deal went wrong, and Cooper shot the ringleader’s brother. So he came looking for Cooper.” Maurie hesitated, and there was a slight tremor in her voice when she continued. “The men who killed Cooper would’ve killed me and Liam … had Liam not saved me. He took a bullet for me and was shot in the shoulder.”
“Wow! I didn’t know. I’m sorry. I’m glad you’re both okay.”
“Thank you.”
So, you and Liam knew each other while you were engaged to Mitchell?”
“Liam and I have been best friends and business partners for years, but only just got married four months ago.” She placed her hands reverently over her belly, her face glowing. “And I just found out a few days ago that we’re going to have a baby.”
“Congratulations. It’s obvious from the way Liam looks at you that he adores you. You’re very lucky.”
Maurie nodded. “Yes, I am. Very blessed.” Her eyes met Everly’s. “And from what I saw earlier, I’d say that you and Christian are also very blessed.”
Everly began blinking rapidly. “We only just met a few days ago. We barely even know each other.”
“That doesn’t matter. When you find the right one, you know.”
“Well, that’s just it, I thought I knew that Mitchell was the right one.” Her eyes flashed with resentment. “And we see how that turned out. At this point, I don’t trust my own judgment when it comes to men.” Tears pooled in her eyes.
Love on the Rebound (Hawaii Billionaire Romance) Page 10
