All words that sounded so great. If only she had a clue as to how to make it happen.
But whatever the outcome, she’d learned a lot in the past few months and she had changed. Eventually, when she healed, she would start over. No more safe guys. No more boring men who didn’t challenge her. She would find someone who could be important to her, not just someone who was convenient. Assuming she ever wanted to risk her heart again. Right now, that didn’t seem possible.
She left her apartment and drove back to the condo. It was nearly dark. The ride up in the elevator seemed to go by too fast. As if time had started to speed up. She wanted to slow everything down, to make the minutes she had left crawl. She wanted to savor every second with Garth.
He was already home. She knew it the minute she put the key in the lock and pushed open the door. Lights were on. Soft music played. Garth stood in the center of the room, looking both pleased and a little uncomfortable. For a second she thought he knew she’d been outside the room when he’d told Lexi he would never love her, but then he held open his arms.
She walked into his embrace and hugged him. As she held on to him, she breathed in the scent of him. She needed to remember as much as she could so that when this was over, she would have the memories forever. Maybe that was a sign of weakness, but she didn’t care. She loved Garth—she didn’t want to forget anything about being with him. She might not get him forever, but at least she had him for now. There was still time.
He stepped back and touched her cheek. “You all right?” he asked.
“Sure. Why?”
He studied her. “I’m not sure. There’s something.”
She forced a smile. “I’m fine. What about you?”
“I just had a meeting with Jed.”
“Did I know about that?”
“No. I’ve been working on a few things.” His dark eyes crinkled slightly. “Some I haven’t mentioned because you wouldn’t approve.”
So typical, she thought fondly. “We discussed you not breaking the law.”
“I’m not, but there’s gray area and you don’t need to know the details.”
Because he would look out for her. Because despite not loving her, he cared about her.
“It’s a long story, but the bottom line is he has seventy-two hours to come up with a lot of money. If he doesn’t, and he won’t, I’ll own it all. The company and Glory’s Gate.”
So fast? But she’d thought they would have more time. Seventy-two hours? And then what? If he was already confronting Jed, then it was nearly over.
“He can’t have been happy,” she murmured, hoping he couldn’t read the shock in her eyes.
“He wasn’t. Things are going to get ugly. Everyone has to be careful, especially you. He came after you before.”
“I’ll be fine.”
“No crazy stunts.”
She managed a genuine smile. “Not my style.”
“I don’t know. You can be pretty wild.” He touched her cheek again. “I’ve spoken with everyone. Skye’s taking Erin to school and back rather than letting her ride the bus. Cruz won’t let Lexi out of his sight. Izzy and Nick will cover each other. It’s seventy-two hours and then we’re done.”
Three days and then it was over. She would return to her life. Go back on duty. Pick up the pieces and try to forget what it had been like to be in Garth’s world. To love him and have him with her, wanting her.
“I hope everything goes well,” she said.
“Me, too. Jed is cornered and he’s going to lash out.”
“What about your mom? Kathy’s protected, right?”
“Yes. There’s a guard watching round the clock, and I’ve spoken to her caretakers. They’re being extra careful. By this time next week, everything will go back to the way it was.”
“Lucky us,” Dana said softly, reminding herself to ignore the impending doom. She would cry later, when she was alone. When Garth had moved on and their relationship was in the past.
GARTH OPENED DANA’S car door, then closed it behind her. As they walked up to Cruz’s house, he took her hand. While he knew in his head that everything was fine, he kept having a nagging sensation that something was wrong. It wasn’t doom exactly—more like a low-grade worry. He was a man who always took care of details. After years of planning, he was finally going to take down Jed. It made sense that he would want everything to go well.
“Do you know what this is about?” he asked as he rang the bell.
“No. Izzy said we were all getting together for dinner and that saying no wasn’t an option.” She grinned. “That’s Izzy. Always a gracious hostess.”
Nick opened the door. “You made it,” he said with a laugh. “Come on in.”
They walked into the house. Nick gave Dana a quick kiss on the cheek, then pulled Garth into a bear hug.
“It’s good to see you,” Nick told him.
Garth returned the embrace. “You, too,” he said, appreciating that their friendship had been nearly restored. “You’re in a good mood.”
“I know.”
Nick led the way into the kitchen where Cruz and Lexi and Mitch and Skye already waited. Izzy poked around in the refrigerator. She straightened as they approached.
“You made it,” she said happily. “We’re all together. It’s practically a greeting-card moment. I’m just digging out some cheese. Skye informed me appetizers are expected. I was excited that I remembered to get food for dinner, but apparently she has higher standards.”
He and Dana greeted everyone else. While Izzy put out cheese and crackers, the women gathered around to help. Nick and Garth joined Mitch and Cruz.
“It’s been pretty quiet,” Cruz was saying. “I’m surprised. I thought Jed would come after all of us.”
“He’s scrambling for money,” Garth told him. “I’ve heard that he’s going everywhere, but no one is willing to take a risk on him. Everyone knows I’m buying up large blocks of shares. With his own daughters also buying a piece of the pie, people know he’s about to lose control. No one bets on a sinking ship.”
“As long as we stay safe,” Mitch said.
“Tell me about it.” Cruz grimaced. “At least Lexi isn’t interested in taking any risks. As slow as she moves these days, she would be a prime target.”
Garth knew the conversation was important, but he found himself distracted by watching Dana from across the room. She laughed at something Izzy said. The sound carried to him, making him want to pull her close to him. Not to protect her but because being near her made him feel good.
She turned her head and the light caught the different colors of brown in her hair. She was so beautiful. He’d thought she was pretty and sexy as hell, but now, as he stared at the shape of her mouth and the curve of her cheekbones, he saw how stunning she was. Maybe because one was lit by what was inside of her and that took a while to be visible.
His gaze drifted to Lexi and Skye, then to Izzy. His family. How curious. He’d begun this journey with every intention of destruction. Instead he’d found a place to belong. They’d dragged him into their world. Or as Izzy had promised, they’d loved him into being a part of them. The irony was if he hadn’t set out to ruin them all, they never would have found their way to each other.
Izzy and Nick exchanged a look, then Nick walked to the refrigerator and pulled out a bottle of champagne.
“We want to thank you all for coming,” Izzy said. “We would have had you out to the ranch, but it’s a long drive and someone should be using Lexi’s kitchen.”
“Hey,” her older sister said from her seat by the round table. “I cook. Sometimes. I think it’s a personal choice. It’s not like you know your way around anything more complicated than a toaster oven.”
“True,” Izzy said. She pointed at the champagne bottle. “Where are the glasses?”
“I’ll get them,” Cruz said, walking to a cupboard and opening it. “What are we celebrating?”
Izzy looked at Nick, who said, “They’re
your family. You tell them.”
Izzy reached into her jeans front pocket and pulled out a diamond band, then slid it on her left ring finger. “Nick and I got married yesterday.”
The news was followed by silence, then a shriek from Skye and Lexi. Both descended on Izzy, as did Dana. There was a girl hug, while the guys all slapped Nick on the back and shook his hand.
Garth went last. Nick looked at him. “You always said you owed me for pulling you out of that damn jungle. Because of you, I met Izzy. We’re even now.”
Garth nodded, mostly because his throat was a little tight. He must have allergies or be getting a cold, he thought, hugging his friend again. “Bringing you two together was my plan all along,” he joked.
“Right.” Nick grinned. “Who knew?”
Champagne was poured. There was a bottle of sparkling cider for Lexi, who grumbled about missing out on the fun.
“We’re not really big wedding people,” Izzy told them. “We’d talked about waiting, mostly so everyone would be focused on Skye and Mitch’s wedding. But then we were talking and…”
“It’s my fault,” Nick said. “I insisted.”
Izzy snuggled close to him. “He didn’t have to insist. I love him and want to be with him. We’re very happy. We saw a judge yesterday and now it’s official.”
Nick kissed the top of her head.
Garth watched them. Their happiness was visible. He was delighted everything had worked out, not only because Nick was his friend but because he’d come to care for Izzy. She was wild and exactly what Nick needed. At the same time, she would be there for him. They were a good match.
His gaze drifted to Dana, who looked excited by the news. She glanced up and saw him. Their eyes met. He felt the connection run between them. For a second he wanted to go to her and hold her, or at least be near her.
“There’s more,” Izzy said with a shrug. She set down her champagne glass and picked up a second one filled with sparkling cider. “I’m pregnant.” She looked at Lexi. “I didn’t want you getting all the attention.”
Lexi stood and hugged her. “That is just so typical.”
Izzy hugged her back. “You know I’m kidding, right? The baby wasn’t planned.”
“In this family, they rarely are,” Lexi told her.
“Now I want a baby,” Skye said, joining them.
Garth looked at Mitch, who looked both pleased and terrified.
Dana clutched her glass and took a step back. “Just in case it’s contagious,” she murmured.
Cruz laughed. “You’ll get there.”
“Maybe,” she said.
Garth noticed she was careful not to look at him. Why? Because she would never want a child with him? Because she didn’t want children at all? He didn’t know her feelings on the subject, mostly because they’d never talked about it. They’d never talked about anything beyond the moment.
Why was that? Most of the women he knew were anxious to label everything. To discuss their feelings and plan for the future. Why didn’t Dana?
“How far along are you?” Lexi asked, sitting back down.
“About two months.”
“This is so cool. Our kids will be less than a year apart.”
“I know.” Izzy eyed Skye and Dana. “You two had better get busy if you want to keep up.”
“Apparently.” Skye looked meaningfully at Mitch. “Talk about pressure.”
He put his arm around her waist and kissed her. “I’m completely up to anything you want.”
“Good.”
Dana took another step back. “So what about those Cowboys? Aren’t they having a great season?”
“You’re not hearing any ticking sound?” Izzy asked. “No ‘tick tock’ in the background?”
“I don’t hear a thing,” Dana said.
“There’s no need to pressure anyone,” Lexi said briskly. “Izzy, this is about you and Nick. We’re all happy for you. Now knowing you as I do, I’m sure even though you eloped, you’ll want to register for wedding gifts.”
Izzy grinned. “I hadn’t thought of that, but sure.” She grabbed Nick’s arm. “We can get some fancy china.”
Conversation continued to flow. Garth was fairly sure he was the only one who had noticed the subtle conversation shift. Lexi hadn’t wanted to let Izzy pursue the subject of Dana having a baby and he knew why. The obvious assumption would be that they were a couple and he the most likely candidate for the father. But after what he’d told Lexi in her office the other day, she knew that wasn’t going to happen.
He wanted to take her aside and tell her it wasn’t as bad as he’d made it out to be. Dana was special. More than that. He liked being with her. He liked her. And that didn’t happen often enough in his world. But love and babies? It wasn’t a place he’d ever planned to go. He’d always assumed he would have a marriage of convenience. One that was more business deal than romantic match. Lexi’s claim that he was falling for Dana had thrown him. More than that, it had terrified him and he wasn’t a man who easily admitted to fear.
Love. No. He knew what love did. He’d seen what it did to his mother. The only reason she’d stopped loving Jed Titan was because a surgeon had physically cut out that part of her brain. Otherwise, she would still be missing him. Not that she’d ever talked about it or admitted her feelings. When he’d encouraged her to go out and find someone, she’d always said she’d fallen in love once and that was plenty. Her heart could only belong to one man. The same man who hadn’t bothered to help when she’d needed him most.
He wasn’t willing to go there. Wasn’t willing to risk that much. The price of love was too high.
He watched Dana laughing with Izzy. He wanted her and needed her, but love? It was impossible.
JED SAT IN THE FRONT seat of his car, drinking whiskey. The noon sun was bright in the big Texas sky. It was a perfect late-fall day—crisp and clear. Around him the storefronts in Titanville had been dressed for Christmas. Lights and garland circled every window and door. Bells rang and carols played in the town square. It was a little piece of paradise.
Normally he enjoyed strolling through Titanville. Everyone knew him and respected him. He’d worked hard for that respect. There were those who thought he’d had it easy, but they were wrong. Sure, he’d been born a Titan and that was saying something, but he hadn’t simply accepted what God had given him. Jed had taken a good-sized fortune and grown it into something impressive. He’d expanded the company, made a name for himself. He could walk into any restaurant in Dallas and get the best table. Senators and heads of state wanted to be seen with him. He’d lived the kind of life that made most men envious. He’d had it all…until Garth Duncan had decided to take it from him.
Jed took another sip from the bottle. He was a little drunk, but not so drunk that he couldn’t imagine how good it would feel to destroy Garth. To hurt him in ways he hadn’t known were possible. Jed had never hated anyone as much as he hated his own bastard son. Garth was going down. The little shit might think he’d won, but he was wrong. Dead wrong.
Jed screwed the top back on the bottle, then stuck it in the paper bag on the passenger seat. He got out of the car and walked up the street, joining a group of kids walking together. He trailed behind, looking like a parent making sure everyone stayed safe.
They passed the Titanville Pet Palace. The windows had been painted in bright colors. Santa drove a train and all the open cars had pets in them. Puppies and kittens and birds and lizards. There was a man standing next to the door. He was tall and maybe fifty. Ex-cop, Jed thought grimly.
Jed had dressed carefully, in a cowboy hat, sunglasses, a biker jacket and worn boots. He could have been anyone.
He glanced toward the kids still walking, then back at the pet store. He sighed loud enough for the guard to hear. “See my daughter over there?” he asked. “There’s this kitten.” He faked a smile. “She wants it for Christmas and I made the mistake of hinting Santa might bring it.”
The guar
d nodded sympathetically. “My youngest wants a puppy. It’s a slick road.”
“Tell me about it.” Jed glanced back at the kids. “Would you make sure they get across the street okay? I just want to run in to see if they’ll hold on to that kitten for me.”
“Sure. Go on in.”
“Thanks, man.”
Jed ducked into the pet store. Once inside, he nodded at the teenager at the front counter, then made his way to the back.
He’d been in here once, years ago. Had watched Kathy from a distance. She’d never noticed him, or maybe she had and hadn’t wanted to talk to him. Either way, he’d left. Not so this time. He walked up to her and stared into her face.
“Morning,” he said.
She turned and frowned when she saw him.
Her eyes were the same and despite the thirty-plus years, she didn’t look all that different from the last time he’d seen her. She’d been pregnant then, and defiant.
When she’d first told him she was having his baby, he’d assumed she was trying to trick him into marriage. He’d broken things off with her, telling her if she ever came after him for a penny, he would throw her ass in jail.
She hadn’t cried, but her look of sadness had ripped him apart. With tears in her eyes, but her head held high, she’d walked away.
Three months later, he realized he was wrong about everything. That he wanted Kathy, wanted their baby. So he’d proposed.
And she’d refused him.
“I won’t marry you, Jed Titan,” she said, looking him in the eye. “I’ll love you forever, but I’ve seen a dark side to you.”
He’d tried everything. Begging, swearing he would change. He’d even managed to seduce her back into his bed. Nothing had worked. In the end, she hadn’t changed her mind. When the baby had been born, a boy, he’d offered her money. At first she hadn’t wanted to take it, but an early fever had landed her son in the hospital. With minimal insurance and no income because she wasn’t back to work yet, she’d seen the value of his offer. The transfer had been made. It was more than she’d expected, enough for her to live on for the rest of her life, if she was careful.
Hot on Her Heels Page 24
