Would the old man listen or had things just escalated to the next level? He couldn’t be sure, so precautions would have to be taken. The Titan women weren’t going to like it, but their annoyance would be nothing when compared with what Dana was going to say.
DANA TOOK THE EXIT for Titanville. There were two miles of open road between the crowded freeway and the slower speed limit of the city limits. Normally she enjoyed the quiet, but this afternoon she felt restless.
She couldn’t stop thinking about what Lexi and Izzy had said. That she needed to protect herself against the likes of Garth. While her friends were well-meaning, they could also be idiots when it came to men. She wasn’t at any risk. She could take care of herself.
So what if he was different? She could handle any situation that came up. She was strong and she knew how to stay safe. Years of surviving her father’s beatings had taught her that. She knew better than to care too much when it came to men. Showing a vulnerable side just meant a stronger possibility of getting hurt. There were—
The skin on the back of her neck prickled, interrupting her thoughts. She immediately glanced in her rearview mirror, then out the side windows. Nothing had changed. The black Suburban was still behind her. The F-250 truck that had been in front of her had gone into the other lane, which would have been fine, if it hadn’t suddenly slowed. Something was wrong.
She sped up. Both vehicles paced her. The speed limit was forty-five. She punched it to sixty, then seventy. They stayed with her. Dark, tinted windows meant she couldn’t get a look at either driver.
If she braked suddenly, the Suburban would rear-end her. Not an outcome to be hoped for. She needed another plan.
Without warning, the truck swerved toward her, slamming into the side of her smaller truck. Her whole body crashed against the door. She struggled to keep control, but weight was against her. In a battle of sheer tonnage, the larger truck would win. Slowly she was pushed off the road.
If the embankment had been steep, she would have rolled for sure. As it was, she simply drove off onto the dirt. The two other vehicles sped away.
Dana slowed, then came to a stop. She reached for the notebook she kept in her glove box and wrote down both license plates. The plates or the vehicles were probably stolen, but the information would be a start. She got out of her truck and was pleased that her legs weren’t shaking at all. Her left arm hurt and she’d banged the hell out of her knee, but otherwise she was fine.
After drawing in a few deep breaths to chase away the adrenaline, she circled her truck to survey the damage. The whole passenger side was smashed in. It wasn’t pretty.
Someone had sent her a warning to back off. A very clear warning that would cost a few thousand dollars to fix. Had circumstances been different, she could have been seriously hurt. Someone else might have taken the admonition to heart, but not her. If Jed Titan thought this was enough to scare her away, he didn’t know her at all.
CHAPTER NINE
GARTH MET WITH MITCH, Cruz and Nick shortly before five in the afternoon. They’d picked a quiet bar by the freeway. It was the sort of place that didn’t get much action before nine or ten, which suited them just fine. They only needed an out-of-the-way place to talk.
The other three men were already there when Garth arrived. He’d left his suit jacket in the car, but was still the only guy wearing a tie. They were all successful, but completely different. Under normal circumstances, they were unlikely allies, but Jed and the Titan sisters had brought them together.
Four beers sat on the table. Garth took the one in front of his chair and swallowed.
“Jed came by to see me,” he said.
Mitch’s mouth twisted. “Lucky you.”
“He’s having a bit of a cash flow problem. He put his racing horses up for sale. I bought them.”
Nick looked at him. “He found out?”
Garth shrugged. “He wasn’t happy about it. He threatened to take my plan to buy him out to the shareholders, not that they would mind.”
“You think he will?” Cruz asked.
“Maybe. It won’t change anything. I’m more concerned about the other things he said. He didn’t come out and threaten the women, but it was implied. I would say he didn’t have it in him, but after what happened with Izzy…” He shook his head. “He’s dangerous.”
The other men exchanged glances.
Country music played in the background. A couple of guys were playing pool at the table in the center of the room. A few other customers were talking or already so drunk they could barely stay seated.
“We’ll have to take precautions,” Nick said flatly. “Izzy’s at the ranch most of the time, so there’s some distance between her and Jed.”
Cruz drew in a breath. “I worry about Lexi. She’s living with me, so she’s safe at night, but what about during the day?”
Garth knew Cruz was also concerned about Lexi’s advancing pregnancy. “I know a couple of good bodyguards. They’re discreet. She wouldn’t necessarily have to know they were watching her.”
“And when she finds out?” Cruz asked. “Hell, I’ll take the fight. It would be worth it. Sure. Give me the names.”
“Me, too,” Mitch said. “Skye and Erin are vulnerable when they’re away from the ranch.”
Garth wanted to say even Jed wouldn’t hurt his own granddaughter, but he didn’t know that for sure. Not anymore.
“What about Dana?” Mitch asked. “You think she’s safe?”
Garth didn’t have an answer for that. Dana was more capable of taking care of herself than any of the sisters. She was a cop. But she’d also known Jed all her life—she’d stayed in his house, spent holidays with him. Would she be willing to take him on or would she hesitate? Indecision could be fatal.
“I’ll talk to her,” he said. “If I explain the situation, she’ll take precautions. Maybe move in for a while.”
All three men stared at him.
“You want Dana living with you?” Nick asked, sounding stunned.
“It would keep her safe.”
“Dana? Seriously?” Cruz shrugged. “Whatever floats your boat.”
“Hey, back off,” Garth said, a warning tone to his voice.
Cruz raised both his hands. “Sorry, man. She’s great. Not my type, but great.”
Mitch looked at him with a combination of curiosity and pity. “You’re going to ask her to move in with you so you can protect her?”
Why did everyone keep saying Dana wasn’t his type? What did they know about his type? He shook off the question and turned to Mitch.
“She’s smart. She’ll agree.”
Mitch grinned. “Sorry I’m going to miss the explosion. Dana’s not big on being told what to do and she’s always had a problem with men trying to run her life.” He glanced around the table. “I went to high school with her. She’s pretty damned intimidating.”
Garth wanted to get more details. How well had Mitch known Dana in high school? Did they have a history?
“I can handle her,” Garth said. “Don’t worry about it.”
Conversation shifted to their next move. Cruz was working with some of his ATF friends. Mitch had been talking to the FBI.
“That’s going to take too long,” Garth grumbled. “I’m still going after him financially. That’s faster. Once he’s backed into a corner, he’ll do something stupid. Then we’ll get him.”
“You have to be careful,” Mitch warned. “I’ve known Jed all my life. Back him into a corner and there’s no telling how he’ll react. He could hurt someone.”
“Which is why we want the women protected,” Nick said. “I’m with Garth. Taking everything he’s worked for is quick and legal. We’re in control.”
Garth appreciated Nick’s support. Not just because he believed in his plan but because it could be a sign that Nick was willing to if not forgive, then at least give Garth another opportunity to make up for what he’d done.
The men discussed various options for a few more minutes, th
en Cruz and Mitch left. Nick stayed behind.
“What else did Jed say?” Nick asked.
“He threatened me. I’ve got the conversation recorded.”
Nick nodded. “He’s dangerous, mostly because he’s too arrogant to believe he can be caught or he can lose. That’ll make him unpredictable.”
“Agreed. We’ll plan for what we can and take the rest as it comes.”
Nick finished his beer and set the bottle on the table. “Izzy thinks you’re coming along just fine. A few more weeks and you’ll be domesticated. That true?”
“Izzy’s determined.”
“Must be a family trait.”
“Maybe.” Garth still had trouble thinking of the Titan sisters as family. He knew he was related to them, but that was different. There was more distance when one spoke of “relations” than family.
“I’m sorry,” Garth told him. “About everything.”
Nick’s gaze was steady. “I believe you. Izzy is convinced this is all going to work out. Is she right?”
“Maybe. I’m not sure of what it means to have them in my life.”
“They’re going to help you figure that out.”
Garth chuckled. “Whether I want them to or not.”
Nick grinned. “You gotta love ’em.” He picked up his empty beer bottle. “Want another one?”
“Sure.”
DANA ARRIVED AT GARTH’S place at ten Saturday morning. She’d already taken her truck in for an estimate and had winced at the high price of the repairs. Not that she had a choice. Her insurance would cover most of it, but there was still the deductible, not to mention the pain and suffering of her truck. Damn Jed and whoever was working for him.
She parked her rental—a nondescript pale gold sedan—and hoped Garth would offer to take his car. She didn’t plan to tell him what had happened. Not yet, anyway. Maybe it had been a one-time thing. Maybe Jed was stupid enough to think she would be too scared to continue investigating him.
As she walked toward his condo building, she fought down some fairly serious guilt. In the spirit of everyone working together, they deserved to know what had happened. But she believed that everyone, including Garth, would overreact. The last thing she wanted was her friends worrying about her. She was a big girl—she could take care of herself.
The elevator rose swiftly to the top floor. She crossed to his door and braced herself for the impact of seeing him. Chemistry, she thought as she knocked. Nothing but great sex and chemistry. Garth was little more than a new ice cream flavor. After a few more tastes, she would get tired of him. At least that was the plan.
“Right on time,” he said as he opened the door.
All the bracing in the world didn’t stop her stomach from doing a little hula at the sight of him in jeans and a Texas A&M sweatshirt. The worn boots were a nice masculine touch that made her feel all gooey inside.
“I believe in being prompt,” she said, pushing past him, then wishing she hadn’t as they touched. She took a deep breath. “So what’s the plan?”
“First we talk.”
“Because you’re turning into a girl?”
“Nice,” he said, leading the way into the living room. “Very nice. Jed paid me a visit yesterday. He’s miffed because I bought his racehorse farm.”
She stood in the center of the room and raised her eyebrows. “I’m thinking ‘miffed’ doesn’t completely describe his mood.”
“Probably not. He threatened me—all of us, really. Last night I met with the guys. We’re worried about everyone staying safe.”
She assumed “the guys” meant Cruz, Mitch and Nick and that “everyone” meant the women.
“Did you come up with a plan?” she asked.
“That’s what I want to talk about.”
She patted her purse, which was more small backpack than fashion statement. “I’m armed, so you don’t have to worry about me.”
“I’m not the only one who’s worried, Dana. This is serious. I want you to move in with me. Temporarily. Until Jed is under control.”
Move in with him? Was he serious? She opened her mouth to yell her displeasure, then saw by the look on his face that he was expecting that.
“What do you think you can do that I can’t do myself?” she asked instead. “I’m the trained professional in the room.”
“Safety in numbers.”
“Or a really convenient booty call.”
He actually looked amused. “I don’t have to trick you into my bed.”
Maybe not, but she would like to pretend he did.
“This is a whole egotistical male thing, isn’t it?” she snapped. “You’re going to go all macho and protect the poor helpless women. Worry about Lexi and Skye and Izzy, but I’m fine. I can more than take care of myself.”
“No one questions that,” he said reasonably. “But you should consider there are other people involved. Lexi’s pregnant. Do you think it’s good for her to worry about you? What about Skye? Isn’t she already dealing with enough?”
“Guilt won’t work on me,” she told him.
“It’s not guilt. It’s the truth. We all want to know you’re okay.”
“Even you?” she asked before she could stop herself, then wished desperately she could call back the words. Why did she set herself up? Why? Was it a brain injury she couldn’t remember? Being just plain stupid?
“Even me.”
“Oh.”
She didn’t know what to do with the information so she ignored it. A part of her thought maybe it wouldn’t be such a bad idea to stay with Garth for a while. At least she would have backup. But agreeing felt a little too much like giving up. She’d fought hard to be strong and independent. But at the first sign of trouble, was she going to go running for a big man to solve the problem?
“No,” she said. “I can’t move in here.”
Garth looked more resigned than surprised. “I won’t fight you on it, but I want you to promise me that if anything happens, you’ll pack your bags and stay here until Jed is in jail.”
Would Jed come after her again or had that one stunt been enough? Only time would tell.
“As of right now, if Jed in any way attacks me, I’ll come live here with you. You have my word.”
“Good. Want to go visit Kathy with me? I usually stop by and see her on Saturdays.”
“Sure.”
He moved toward her and put his hands on her waist, then lightly kissed her. “What are the odds of you letting me drive?”
She thought of the rental car parked on the street. “Better than you’d expect.”
“Going soft on me?”
Keeping secrets, she thought, but instead said, “Making you feel like you’re in charge.”
“Meaning I’m not?”
She laughed. “Oh, please.”
GARTH PARKED BY THE Starbucks in Titanville. When they’d picked up their order, they walked toward the pet store.
“When did you buy the business for Kathy?” Dana asked.
“About ten years ago. She didn’t like staying home all the time and there weren’t a lot of places that would hire her. She tried volunteering, but she had trouble there, too. She’d always loved animals, even when I was a kid, so this seemed like a good fit.”
She sipped her latte, wondering how many other sons would have taken the trouble. “Were you even in high school when she had her surgery?”
“Barely. One of the social workers at the hospital went out of her way to help. She got the word out about the surgery and our bills. The town held a few fund-raisers. A bank set up an account where people could donate. For a while, no one was sure she would even survive the surgery. Once she was conscious, I figured out pretty fast that most of her had been lost.”
Talk about terrifying, she thought. All that responsibility, all at once. How had he done it?
“Did you have help?” she asked. “Other family?”
“No family. A few neighbors came in to do what they could. Jed had a
lready thrown me out once. I wasn’t going back to him.”
“He wouldn’t have bothered,” she said, aching for the teenager forced to grow up too fast.
“We were lucky in some ways,” he said. “Her recovery was easy—she needed a little physical therapy, but nothing too intense. It was her brain that had been damaged. My first plan was to quit school and get a job. My school counselor talked me into staying in school. She pointed out I would make a lot more money in the long-term, if I went to college.”
How had he known how to survive? Just the basics, like buying groceries, paying bills, cooking? Not to mention caring for a suddenly mentally disabled parent.
“What about social services?” she asked. “They didn’t try to take you away from her?”
“No. I don’t think anyone was willing to report what had happened. They all felt bad. She got disability payments,” he continued. “That covered the bills, but not her care. She couldn’t stay by herself. I worked after school for a while, but that meant more time I needed to pay someone to be with her, so I got a night job as a janitor. I worked while she slept.”
She swore under her breath. “When did you sleep?”
“When I got older. I could only pay for someone to be around so many hours a day. We had great neighbors. They would look in on her. College was harder, because I was gone during the week. I could drive home on weekends to check on her and I did, but those years were tough.” He hesitated. “She went into a group home for a while. My last two years of college. She seemed to like it, so that was something.”
He didn’t sound convinced.
“Garth, you can’t blame yourself for that. You’d done more than most people. You took care of her when you were still supposed to be a kid. You were totally alone. You can’t beat yourself up for that.”
“I don’t. I blame Jed.”
“He deserves it.”
She’d known for a while why Garth wanted to destroy Jed, but listening to his story made the reasons more real and immediate. The money to save Kathy Duncan would have meant nothing to Jed. It was pocket change. He’d once cared about her enough to sleep with her and later set up a trust fund that should have taken care of her for the rest of her life. If tragedy hadn’t struck. Now all their lives were different, because of one thoughtless act.
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