by Angel Payne
“You know what? I think that sounds like a great idea. A little mountain air might do me some good.”
“Hurray! Something to look forward to now. Just be careful driving up. Michael would never forgive me if something happened to you on the way, especially if he learned I’d encouraged it.”
She didn’t need to elaborate. By careful, she meant more than watching the road and ignoring texts. I’d have to be extra diligent, looking for any unwanted guests on my bumper or elsewhere.
“Well, then,” I returned, coloring it with mischief, “this conversation will have to stay between us, won’t it?”
I hung up with Diana then finished the few things on my desk needing immediate attention. Since I’d had trouble digging in this morning, there were a few loose ends to tie up. After that, it was time to search for my boss—though, in this situation, that was defined as brother dearest.
I didn’t have to travel far. When Killian had relocated to Stone Global’s western office last year, he’d insisted his office be built out on the middle floor of the bayside building, claiming the water view was better from the lower floor. The dork hadn’t fooled anyone. The marketing and PR department, headed by the redhead who held the key to his heart and his balls, was just one floor below.
I buzzed ahead, asking Kil’s assistant if he was free. Britta confirmed that he was and greeted me warmly as I stepped off the elevator. Kil, who believed in keeping good people, had offered the woman an ungodly sum to move west with him—though the Golden State had yet to rub off on the classic Icelandic beauty.
“Good afternoon, Ms. Asher.”
“Britta, please. Margaux, okay?” Though I couldn’t blame the woman for still being a little skittish around me. When we’d all first met, nearly two years ago, I was a different person. A really scary, bitchy one.
“Of course,” she replied demurely. “Have a seat. Mr. Stone won’t be long.”
Right. I didn’t think so. Sitting was so not an option, considering the level of my impatient energy at the moment.
Instead, I paced around his lobby. Damn. Kil might not have been a Stone by birth, but he sure shared our posh taste. The polished bamboo floors were offset by bold blue sofas, designer marble tables and a two-story slate waterfall embraced by a pair of cobalt fairies custom-sculpted by some artist he’d flown in from New Zealand.
Yeah, I needed to come up here more often and hang out—or even push for a suite like this myself. If I could get my personal life in order, I vowed to concentrate more on work, proving I was worth a setup like this. I used to make everyone at the office quake in fear—but now I was the one quaking. Hard.
I shook my head in disgust. When had I changed? And how? I wasn’t sure I liked the woman—the wimp?—I was becoming. There were days I was totally fine with the transformation, but on days like today, when I caved in to needy girl? Not so much.
“Mary Stone!”
Killian’s bellow came from deep within his office. Britta emerged, barely tamping a smile. I rolled my eyes just for her, making the smirk bloom. Tossing her a wink, I strutted into Kil’s inner sanctum and closed the door, adopting the best death stare I could muster.
He looked up from the stack of work on his desk and snorted. “You going fluffy kitty on me already, little girl?”
No, he didn’t.
Fluffy kitty. It had always been one of Michael’s favorite bedroom looks for me.
Not now.
I hid my wince by plunking down my LV Speedy on the glass conference table then checking my reflection in the glass. “Fuck you, brother.”
He smirked. He’d been luring me into these sparring matches more and more since the day that had ripped my world apart, seeming to know what a good tension release they were for me. He was probably right.
“What brings you to my lair?”
“Lair?” One good eye roll deserved another. “You’re sure full of yourself this afternoon.”
“Sister, when am I not full of myself?”
“Hmmm. True.”
He looked up, not limiting it to a glance this time. With his thick hair tamed for his CEO look, the hunker of his eyebrows was more pronounced. “You okay?”
“Sure,” I answered, perhaps too hastily. “Yeah. Uh-huh.”
“Oh?” He rose and strode around the desk. Damn. There was only one person on earth more intuitive about unspoken signals than me—and it was him. “Well, I’m guessing this isn’t a business call or I would’ve simply gotten an email.” He cocked a hip to one of the plush chairs in front of the desk. “What’s going on?”
“I—well, I need to take a few days off, if that’s okay with you—and Claire, of course. I’m between big clients and she’s handling the Muller project. The cosmetics launch is solid for now—we’re just waiting for final LEED approval on the plant, as well as creatives from graphics. Drake and Fletcher are scheduled for a research trip to Vegas to scout venues for the launch party, but Talia’s got both of them in her back pocket…literally.” I threw in the last part as a weighted aside but didn’t miss Killian’s chuckle. So the chemistry between those three hadn’t gone unnoticed by him, either—a subject for later exploration.
After the chuckle, Killian’s expression sobered. He crossed his arms then hiked one dark eyebrow, his way of commanding me to continue.
“Fine,” I huffed, sinking into the other chair. “I need to go to Julian.”
He scrutinized me for another moment. When I was on the verge of spitting out something regarding lab rats yearning to eat out the eyes of their scientists, he murmured, “Do you want to talk about it?”
“Not really. I’ve talked all I can. I think it’s time to do something about it.”
He lowered his head and pinched his nose. “How many times will you go chasing after him, Mare? Have you asked yourself that? And do you remember the last time you let a guy do this to you?”
I swiveled a glare. “Below the belt, Kil.”
He held up both hands. “Duly noted. Sorry. But, Christ, does this guy have you in a vampire trance?” He peered hard again. “He must be something pretty amazing to have you chasing up and down a damn mountain after him. Twice.”
I smiled softly. “That’s the perfect word. He is amazing. He makes me feel amazing…at least he did.”
“Did? Operative word here, perhaps?”
“I can’t just give up, not yet. This isn’t one for my normal cut-and-run. I believe, in my heart…he’s the one worth fighting for.” I swallowed hard before adding, “Despite everything.”
He drew in a long breath, his eyes black as two pokers—that stabbed into my brain. “You mean despite his asshole uncle, the gambling debt, the nouveau-mafia thugs and the gold mine of water his farm is sitting on?”
I almost laughed. “Claire told you, eh?”
“Some,” he conceded.
“Some?” I grabbed the chair’s arms, whirling fully toward him—and the inscrutability so thick he proved the Enigma of Magnificent Mile was still alive and well on the west coast. “What the hell does that—?”
“Just doing my homework, sister.”
“Homework.” I tilted my head. “You know that I speak control freak, don’t you? That I’m just hurling that into the Kil’s Micromanagement file?”
He pushed out his bottom lip. “If you say so.”
“Uggghhh.” I let my head fall back in exasperation.
“But while we’re on the subject…has anyone strange been around? Following you? Calling and hanging up? Any of that shit? Stepping up security isn’t a tough thing to arrange.”
“Pretty sure Michael’s already handled it.”
He scowled. “Then what’s his fucking issue?”
“Haven’t been in that loop lately.” I went at my pinkie ring in angry twists. “He didn’t give me a chance to even talk about it, just made the decision for both of us and took off. That’s why I’m going back up the mountain. Yes, again. I have to try and talk some sense into him.”
I squeezed back before declaring, “If he doesn’t, I can’t make him see it any other way.” A hard breath rattled through me. “It’ll break my heart…probably turn me into a zombie for a while. But I’ve learned from my past, believe it or not. Some scars are deeper than others, but eventually wounds heal.”
At that, I stood with new resolution. Killian did, too. Instantly, he wrapped me in a warm, tight hug. Gratitude joined my determination. We’d come so far. I couldn’t imagine my life without him and Claire. I smiled without restraint, thinking how lucky I was now, surrounded by people who really cared about me.
Maybe wimp-woman wasn’t such a bad thing to be.
“Uh-oh,” Kil drawled. “What is that devious mind cooking up now?”
“Not a thing.” I chuckled. “Just thinking…about how my life was supposed to have been so different from this.”
“Regrets?”
“Not one,” I countered. “At least not yet.” A louder snicker erupted. “Thank God Claire has the best timing in the world.”
He joined in my laughter. One fateful night, very long ago, I’d tried breaking them up by openly seducing Killian—long before learning he was my brother and weeks before Claire’s dad married Andrea, making us all related in one bizarre way or another.
“Indeed,” he concurred. “I thank God for my fairy queen every single night, before closing my eyes to dreams of her. She is by far the best gift I’ve ever been given.”
I gave in to a groan. “Before you make me want to vomit, I’m going to shove off.”
He smirked. “Uh-uh. No hurling before chasing after bastard boyfriends.”
I whacked his shoulder. “For that, I may just keep mum about the memo you’re about to get from HR.”
His groan was a uniquely satisfying sound. “Hell, sister. Not again.”
“Hey! It’s been a bad couple of weeks.” I gave him a wink and a grin before grabbing my Speedy and heading back out. He gave chase, whipping the door back open behind me.
“Margaux!”
I answered without turning back. “What?”
“How many this time?”
“Four. I think. Maybe five?”
“Fu—” He stopped short. Britta must’ve stared his profanity into submission. “Dial down to HR,” he growled instead. “Tell them we need a new receptionist for Miss Asher.”
“Of course, Mr. Stone.”
I stepped into the elevator, beaming out a sweet-as-Godiva smile. “You’re a doll, Britta. You”—I pointed a graceful finger at Kil—“are not a doll. But I love you, anyway, asshole.”
Ding. Whoosh. The elevator doors closed behind me.
* * * *
By the time I returned to the condo and got everything packed, two more hours had passed, giving Alfred time to show up with the keys to a loaner car from Killian. It was his control freak suggestion, but I’d readily agreed, thinking it best that Andre didn’t take me to Julian. Beside the fact that I didn’t know how long I’d be staying, I couldn’t ignore the real possibility that Declan, or anyone he’d hired to follow me, would be looking for the 750i. Lucky for me, that also meant the chance for a joy ride in my favorite of Kil’s older cars—a Maserati Coupe. Though it was ten years old, it was in cherry condition with barely any miles on the engine. Yesssss.
It had been awhile since I’d driven myself anywhere. I relished the freedom of being behind the wheel. This machine was, after all, the baby sister of the one and only Ferrari, and I was in the mood to really romp it up the mountainside.
There wasn’t a lot of traffic on the road once I cleared the city. Turning the radio off and listening to the engine purr allowed my mind to drift—but also to focus.
I expected Michael to be furious when he saw me. Any other reaction would actually be surprising—but as I told Di, I wasn’t afraid of his anger. Above all things, it was never directed at me, but because of me. That should’ve been weirder than it was. It even made me smile. I reflected on his gallant ways, always ready to slay the dragons that posed a threat to me. On top of that, he had a wit that went on forever and a sex drive that persisted—well, farther than that.
Thinking of him without interruption made my nerves electric, my breasts all girly-tingly and my sex a damp puddle. Yeah. Michael Adam Pearson really could be a girl’s dream guy—present time frame the one huge exception, of course.
The next focus of my navel gaze wasn’t so pleasant—but why the hell not? I hadn’t ruminated about Andrea in a long time. And love her or hate her, the woman had taught me to go after what I wanted in life. See something you want, darling? Then march up and take it. Nobody gets the silver platter the easy way. In essence, that was exactly my goal now—only I wouldn’t qualify Michael as a thing I wanted. He was a piece of me. A need. My glue.
Would Andrea be proud, anyway? Probably not. I’d given up on seeking that rare validation, wherever it was hidden. Now, with her criminal intentions coming to the forefront of all her lifelong manipulations, her approval was no longer something I even wanted.
By the time I pulled into Pearson’s Apple Farm, the sun had nearly set and all was sleepy and quiet. A few chickens and a pair of squirrels scampered aside as I drove slowly down the dirt road to the house. The front porch light was on, illuminating Diana on the wide swing, rocking gently back and forth. A ceramic carafe of my favorite spiced cider waited on the side table, along with two mugs. My mouth was already watering, since I could smell it from a hundred yards away. Thank God I’d called after clearing the turnoff so she knew I wasn’t far.
As soon as I put the car into park I jumped out, happy and excited—welcoming the vision over the last time I’d seen her. Those memories would haunt me for the rest of my life, but to see her now, standing and smiling and opening her arms to embrace me…tears. Of course, damn it. The stinging heat filled my eyes and spilled onto my cheeks and I didn’t try to hide or wipe them. Happy tears deserved to be shed for what this woman had been through.
“Margaux!”
I laughed. “You, my lady, are a sight for my very sore eyes. No. Stay there, I’m coming!” I hurried up the porch steps so she wouldn’t walk any farther than she needed to.
“Damn it. Don’t you start now, too.” She put up a brave front but it was easy to see the ginger care in her movements.
“Shut it,” I rebounded. “You don’t have to be the hero for me. Don’t push yourself, especially if you-know-who is around. He’ll yell at me for that, as well.”
We both giggled while sitting down. Di winced as she settled back into the swing. She’d strategically placed two cushions to make the wooden bench more comfortable.
“Would you be more comfortable inside, Di? It’s already getting a bit cold.” Massive understatement. I zipped up my leather jacket and did my best to downplay a shiver.
She waved me off. “Gosh, no. This fresh air feels fantastic. The doctor said I should get up and move around. I really want to sit out here, if you don’t mind. Just for a bit longer.”
“Then that’s what we’ll do. Your wish is my command. I don’t say that to many people, so you should take advantage of it.” I tilted my head thoughtfully. “In fact, I don’t think I’ve ever said it to anyone.”
Di laughed, brimming a smile to my lips. I poured us each some cider then closed my eyes, damn near orgasmic, as I took a sip.
“The best,” I murmured.
She bit her lip like a delighted little girl. “I also brewed up a batch of sun tea. We can have a glass later tonight, after we go in. I’ll even put some bourbon into yours. I don’t dare indulge, considering the drug cocktail I’m already on.”
“No way,” I countered. “I can’t imagine anything making your iced tea better. You have to divulge your secrets. Second to lattes, I’m addicted to iced tea, and I just can’t nail down
your lemon/sugar combo.”
“I’d be happy to show you how I mix it up. Not tough.”
“Good!” I folded my hands around the warmth of my mug. “So what did you do today? Did you have therapy?”
She shook her head. “Had a reprieve. Those boys at Alpine PT are the meanest bastards in town.”
I patted her knee. “They just want you to recover, like we all do.”
“I know, I know. I hear it every day. And I get it…I do. Every day I’m stronger is another day of beating back Declan.” Defiant gold glints appeared in her eyes. “The second I can move better Michael and Carlo are promised to take me down to the shooting range, too. I’m going to get real skillful with that handgun.”
“That’s a perfect idea.”
She angled a nod toward me. “You should do the same, honey.”
“Damn straight.” I sighed in resignation “I’ve really been meaning to, but then I get busy doing something else and forget. I know, I know—not a great excuse.”
“Couldn’t agree more.” She took a purposeful drag on her cider, glancing in approval as I pulled out my cell and made an event on my calendar for the following Monday. Look into firearms training.
After stowing the phone again, I pushed out a deep breath. “And as for the giant elephant on the porch with us?”
Di snorted. “He isn’t back from work yet. Some nights he won’t return until seven or eight, depending on when he leaves the office. He usually calls at the turnoff, just like you did.”
Another smile broke over my lips. “Who do you think taught me that trick?”
“Figured as much. And that goofy grin you have right now? I had one just like it, thinking the same thing when you called.” She grabbed one of my hands. “He’s a good man, Margaux. He loves you…and he misses you something bad right now, too. I see it tearing him apart.”
“You—you do?” Hope glimmered a little brighter in the center of my chest.
“Of course. I know, with all of his heart, he thinks he’s doing the right thing.”
