A Home for Christmas

by Vaughn, Ann

  He ended the call then paced back to where Jenna sat on the bench. She was trying not to look upset but was failing miserably.

  “My partner picked Wade up at your place. We need to head to my offices and you need to decide what to do about him.”

  “What do you mean?” she asked when he gathered up her shopping bags and helped her to her feet.

  “Meaning, he’s stoned right now and I think he’s a threat to your safety. I think he has a drug problem and he probably needs to go into a rehab facility. Do you have contact information for someone who can make that happen?”

  She nodded. “I can call his agent. Gary and I get along fine. He will listen to me, to a certain extent.”

  “OK, go ahead and call him.”

  She took her phone from him and scrolled through her contacts to Wade’s agent, Gary.

  “Jenna Blackwell!” he said when he answered. “Haven’t heard from you in a while, how are you?”

  “Hi, Gary. I’m good. Listen, Wade is here and –“

  “Wade is in Texas?” Gary asked incredulously. “He’s supposed to be in Phoenix for a publicity event.”

  “He was at my house. I’m not there so he called me, demanding to see Cam. Gary, he was high. It’s the second time in two weeks that he’s turned up here, stoned out of his mind. I have a friend who has had someone pick Wade up and is holding him somewhere safe, but, Gary, I think Wade needs help. He’s been calling me his wife and acting aggressively toward my friend and scaring Cam. He needs to go into rehab.”

  “Are you kidding me?”

  “I wish I was. Can you arrange it? He hasn’t seen Cam in six months and then he shows up here demanding access without any prior notice? That’s not going to fly, Gary.”

  “I hear you. Let me make some calls and I’ll get back to you, OK?”

  “Thanks, Gary.”

  She looked up at Riley when she ended the call. He pulled her to him with an arm around her shoulders and kissed her brow.

  “It’s gonna be OK,” he told her.

  “I’m just glad Cam wasn’t around to witness that. How did your friend take him down so quickly, anyway?”

  Riley laughed. “Do you really have to ask?”

  His humor in her question made her smile. She was, after all, dealing with highly trained black ops guys. But, still, she was curious.

  “I know you guys are trained for stuff like that but still, that was fast.”

  “We’re trained in a variety of quiet takedowns. He could have used any number of methods. Do you really want to know?”

  She shook her head, a smirk on her lips. “Well, not when you put it that way.”

  He smiled. “Wise decision. You gonna be able to handle this?” he asked once they were in her SUV.

  She took a deep breath and released it slowly. “Yeah, sure. I’ve been dealing with Wade’s crap for a while now. Old hat.”

  “He wasn’t always into drugs though, right?”

  “He drank but drugs are a new development.”

  “Will he resist getting help?”

  “I really don’t know. Probably at first, while he’s high. When he comes down, who knows?”

  He lifted her hand to his lips, kissing her fingers.

  “If you’d rather not deal with him, I can,” he offered.

  “Thanks. Let’s just go get this over with.”

  They rode in silence the rest of the way to the Orion Securities offices, housed in a very sleek looking glass office building. The bottom floor consisted of a beauty salon/spa, that for some reason, Jenna found amusing. Just the thought of such a feminine place being located in the same building that these very manly former special ops guys had their offices struck her as humorous. Trust it to the guys to pick a space where they were assured to see beautiful women every time they stepped into the lobby.

  Riley led her to the elevator and pressed the button for the tenth, and top, floor. When the doors closed, Riley took a step closer to her and touched his lips to hers in a brief but passionate kiss, so that when the elevator slowed and the doors opened, Jenna was in a definite Riley-kiss haze. The man who greeted them once they stepped into the office had the haze fading right away. She couldn’t decide if he was handsome or just downright scary. She couldn’t make it past his eyes. She wasn’t sure she’d ever seen eyes quite like his. They didn’t look at you; they pierced you. They were a really, really pale blue. So pale, they were almost translucent. And they were like absolute ice. He had dark hair and olive skin, making those eyes stand out even more. He had a scar that ran across his nose to just under his left eye, making it seem as if perhaps someone had tried to cut his eye out. Involuntarily, Jenna clutched Riley’s hand tighter and moved closer to him.

  “He’s in the back,” the man said, his voice soft.

  “Jenna, this is Mike Casiano. Mike, Jenna Blackwell.”

  Jenna couldn’t contain the small gasp that escaped at hearing this man’s name. This was Riley’s best friend and former team leader. The man who’d allowed himself to be captured so his men could retrieve the body of their fallen teammate. He’d been tortured for twelve hours, she remembered. In light of that realization, she re-evaluated her knee-jerk reaction to him.

  “I’m pleased to meet you, Mike,” she said, surprising him by giving him a quick embrace. “Thank you for bringing Riley home safe and for all you have done for your men,” she said softly into his ear.

  “Siete benvenuti,” he murmured, then seemed to catch himself and whispered, “you’re welcome.”

  She kissed his cheek then stepped back, meeting Riley’s stunned, questioning gaze.

  “It’s between me and Mike,” she said simply, winking at Mike. “Where is Wade?”

  “He’s back here,” Riley said, motioning toward the double doors leading to the back hallway.

  “I’ll be in my office,” Mike told them as Riley led Jenna through the doors.

  Riley nodded to Mike and then shut the doors behind them. He gave Jenna an odd look that had her stopping in her tracks.

  “What?” she asked warily.

  Riley pulled her into his arms and kissed her until she was breathless and clinging to him, lifting her so that she wrapped her legs around his waist.

  “You. Are. Amazing,” he said, accenting each word with a kiss.

  She smiled, toying with the hair at the nape of his neck.

  “Why, thank you. But what did I do to earn this gratitude?”

  “Mike alarmed you at first but then you hugged him. He doesn’t like to be touched but he returned your embrace.”

  “He’s a very intimidating looking guy,” she said. “But then, when I knew who he was and I remembered all you told me about what he did and what he went through, I had to hug him.”

  “And that’s why I say you are amazing, babe. Thank you for being kind to him.”

  She narrowed her eyes at him as he put her back on her feet. “Do not make me cry right now, Riley Stanton.”

  Her phone rang before he could reply and she saw it was Gary.

  “Hi, Gary.”

  “I’ve got him set up to go into a facility there in Dallas. Give me the address where he is and I’ll have someone come pick him up.”

  “Thank you. I really appreciate it.”

  “I’ve been trying to call him and he isn’t answering. Are you with him?”

  “I’m about to go in to see him.”

  “Call me back and let me talk to him, OK? I’ll try to smooth the way.”

  “I will. Thanks again.”

  She told Riley that the rehab facility was set up and that they would be coming to pick Wade up soon. He led her into a small dark room with a window so she could see Wade slumped in a chair in what looked like a police interrogation room. He looked bored and belligerent and so far from the Wade she had married years ago, it really saddened her. His hair was all over the place, standing on end from his hands constantly raking through it. His eyes were bloodshot and he just looked haggard. />
  “I’m so glad Cam wasn’t around to see him like this,” she said.

  “You don’t have to talk to him. I can –“

  She shook her head. “No, it’s OK. Let me go in with him.”

  “OK, but I’ll be right here watching in case he gets out of hand.”

  She nodded then, taking a deep breath, walked into the room with her ex.

  Chapter Eleven

  Wade looked up when she walked in, glaring at her. She closed the door and then just leaned back against it for a moment, staring at him. To his credit, he sat quietly, regarding her as well. She thought maybe he was coming down off his high. His demeanor was much calmer. There was a mug of coffee cradled between his hands on the table; hopefully that had helped bring him down.

  “Wade,” she began but he held a hand up to stop her.

  “I’m sorry, Jenna,” he breathed.

  With that, she felt a bit of the tension leave her shoulders. She still didn’t move from the door. Wade had never intentionally hurt her before, but she wasn’t taking any chances, even with Riley just in the other room.

  “What’s going on with you?” she asked quietly. “The last six months, you’ve flat out ignored Cam. He’s mature for his age but he is still a kid who wants his father’s approval. He wanted you at that final race so bad and you just blew him off. How could you do that?”

  He pinched the bridge of his nose. “I’ve had some shit going on that I had to take care of.”

  “That was more important than your son?”

  “It was time-sensitive. There wasn’t anything I could do.”

  She nodded. “I see. You know, one day, Wade, you’re going to want to try to be back in your son’s life, and he’s going to say, Gee, Dad, I’d really like to, but I’m really busy. These years go by so fast and you’re just letting him slip through your fingers. Do you know how hard it is for him to be your son? To go to the track and have the shadow of Wade Blackwell looming over him? But in spite of that, he is really good. His instincts are yours times ten. And he so desperately wants your approval. But it’s been over a year since the last time you saw him race. I understand your schedule limits you. He gets that, too. But times like this last race when you were open…he needed you to be there.”

  “God, enough, already!” Wade spat out. “You think I don’t already feel like shit about that?”

  “No, Wade, I don’t think you do. I think you feel guilty right now in this minute because I am making you, but other than right now, I don’t think you’ve even given it one single thought.”

  “Yes, I have.”

  “Then why didn’t you pick up the phone and call him?” she shot back. “And what is today all about? Why did you show up at my house, stoned, demanding your weekend with him? Do you really think I would have turned him over to you while you’re in that state?”

  “I’m his father. You got no choice.”

  “The hell I don’t. I have full custody, Wade, don’t you ever forget that. And after this stunt, I don’t think any judge would have a problem reducing your rights even farther. How would that play out for your little publicity campaigns? And don’t think that those commercials aren’t like a knife in your son’s heart every time he sees them. You out there riding with a group of kids.”

  “They’re actors,” he grumbled.

  “Do you really think that matters? You know that kid who won your contest last year, the one you spent a day riding with?”

  “Yeah.”

  “He holds that over Cam’s head every time they meet up in a race. Do you remember when the last time you took your own son riding?”

  Wade picked up his coffee mug and slung it across the room, shattering it against the wall.

  “I said enough!!!!” he roared, surging to his feet.

  Jenna merely stepped aside when Riley came through the door, standing in front of her like a shield.

  “It’s all right, Riley. I was just leaving. I called Gary, Wade. He’s arranged for you to enter a rehab facility here in Dallas.”

  “I want to see Cam.”

  “Not until you’re done with rehab.”

  “That’s bullshit, Jenna! You can’t keep me from my son!”

  “Yes, I can. Go get yourself clean and sober. When you’re done, and you’ve proved to me that you’ve changed, then I’ll let you see him. Not a minute before.”

  She turned on her heel then and left him standing there glaring at her. Riley stayed, giving her a few moments to herself, and giving him a moment with Wade.

  “What?”

  “You have a really good son. Any man would be proud of him. Clearly, it’s all due to his mother. Take her advice. Go get sober. Then come back and be a father to your son.”

  With that parting shot, he left the room, finding Jenna back up in the lobby, talking with Mike and two other men he assumed were from the rehab facility. Jenna asked a few questions about how long they would keep him, if she should bring Cam to visit him there, then turned to Riley.

  “I don’t want to be here when they bring him out.”

  “All right. Let’s go. You got this?” he asked Mike.

  “Absolutely. See you later.”

  “Thank you, Mike,” Jenna told him, then wrapped her arm around Riley’s waist as he led her to the elevator.

  When they were safely in the elevator, Jenna turned into his arms and clung to him. Riley hadn’t seen that she was upset, but now he felt her trembling and it made him want to head back up to the offices and beat the daylights out of her ex. He reached over and hit the stop button on the elevator and then just held her tight, kissing the top of her head and her brow.

  “I’ve been wanting to unload on him like that for a long time,” she said softly.

  “I can imagine.”

  “I hate seeing what he’s done to himself; what he’s become. He wasn’t always like that. He used to be really good with Cam.”

  “I’d imagine he was. Cam rides really well. Someone had to have taught him.” Jenna pulled back then and looked up at Riley, a cross look on her face. “What?”

  “I used to ride,” she told him. “When he was little, I rode with him more than Wade did.”

  Riley laughed, reaching out to restart the car. “Get out! You used to ride?”

  “I loved riding. I still have a bike but with me being the only source of income for us, I can’t afford to get hurt.”

  “You are full of surprises, Jenna Blackwell.”

  “Honey, you have no idea,” she said with a wink when the doors opened.

  ***

  Upstairs, Wade was not happy about having to go with the two escorts to the posh rehab facility Gary booked for him. He knew he needed help, but going into rehab for an undetermined amount of time would put him in serious jeopardy. He owed money to some not-so-very understanding sorts. If he couldn’t get out to arrange payment, things could get dicey.

  He looked up when the one who identified himself as Mike Casiano came into the room. Wade felt a frisson of fear run through him from the other man’s presence. Casiano didn’t speak for several moments, just stood staring a hole through him to the point that Wade began to shift uncomfortably.

  “Do you plan on taking your time in rehab seriously?” Casiano asked him, his voice soft and menacing.

  “None of your business.”

  Casiano crossed closer to him, pacing the room like a caged animal. “Now, you see, what you do affects your ex and what affects her, affects my friend and business partner. Therefore, what you do affects me as well. I need Riley focused and he can’t be that if he’s worried about his girl. Are you a threat to her?”

  “I’d never hurt Jenna!” Wade snapped.

  Those weird eyes of Casiano’s narrowed. Wade swallowed hard under their scrutiny. He didn’t like that man one bit.

  “You’d never hurt her physically, but what you’re doing is hurting her, make no mistake about that. You hurt her son, you hurt her. I suggest you use your time in rehab
wisely. And in the mean time, I’d like for you to tell me about these discrepancies I’m seeing in your financial records,” Casiano said, pulling some folded papers from the breast pocket of his jacket and placing them on the table in front of Wade.

  “That is none of your business!” Wade snapped again.

  “I don’t think you understood me the first time, Mr. Blackwell. What affects Jenna, affects me. Now, care to explain this or shall I employ some of my more persuasive methods?”

  Wade tried to get up but Casiano had a hand on his throat before he could fully stand. He could feel the strength in the larger man; strength that he knew at that moment was barely held in check and realized he’d be smart to keep his mouth shut from here on out.

  ***

  Jenna was surprised when they didn’t go back to her house. When she asked Riley where they were headed, he merely smiled and winked at her and told her to enjoy the ride. For a moment, she just sat staring at his profile. Riley was an extremely attractive guy and when he flashed his dimples and his eyes lit up, he took her breath away.

  So, she settled back into her seat and pulled up a text to Cam.

  Hey, bud, how’s it going? Having fun?

  After a few minutes, his reply came through. We are at Great Wolf Lodge. It is AWESOME!!! Tell Riley thanks for getting us the reservations.

  Jenna nearly fell out of her seat. She jerked her head over to look at Riley, then replied to Cam first.

  How do you know Riley got you the reservations?

  His reply shocked her. He texted me and asked Rebecca to call him and he told her he would pay for us all to go. This place is awesome.

  Tears filled Jenna’s eyes as she typed a quick response to Cam and then covered her mouth with her hand to keep a sob from escaping. Riley noticed, however and immediately pulled over to the side of the road.

  “Hey, what’s wrong?” he asked, reaching over to wipe a tear from her cheek.

  “You sent Cam and his friend Ty to Great Wolf Lodge,” she said, her voice thick with tears.

  He cocked his head slightly, a smile touching his lips. “Cam mentioned that he always wanted to go there. He’d gotten my number off your phone and texted me so I would have his.”