“I’m sorry you were dragged into my personal battle.” True regret was in his eyes, and she found herself believing him.
“That’s not what I’m angry about…” Payton crossed her arms over her chest, needing that bit of distance between them. “I’m furious with you, Luc.”
“Tell me why.”
“Because you thought nothing of just pushing me away weeks ago. Nothing. I know what it was that happened between us, and I know that I’m not the kind of woman you usually—”
***
Was that how she thought he saw her? He knew what she meant, and the pang of shame and remorse hit him hard. He hadn’t wanted her to leave him three weeks ago thinking that. “Payton, I never...” He needed to make her understand. Somehow. “Didn’t mean to treat…I never…”
“Never what? Had a one-night stand and then blew the woman off? Well, that’s exactly what it felt like.” And the hurt that had caused was written all over her beautiful face.
He was a bastard, wasn’t he? In more ways than one. He’d never meant to hurt her. Ever. That was the one thing he’d tried to prevent.
She stood in the middle of his living room, her hair back in that ponytail that he loved playing with so much. She still wore the blue t-shirt she’d worn on stage, and it outlined her chest perfectly. And made her eyes look deeper, brighter. He wanted to touch her again, but the arms crossed over her chest shouted a big keep out! to him. “I thought you’d be better off staying away from me, to be honest.”
“Maybe. I think our current situation makes that abundantly clear. But…it was my choice to make. Not yours. I’m not stupid, and I am more than capable of making my own decisions. Can’t you understand that?”
Was there anything more that he hated than losing control, than having someone else decide for him? So why had he put her in that position? It wasn’t right of him—or fair.
“I won’t let you screw with me. In any way.”
“I’m not going to. Well, not besides the most literal definition.” He took a step toward her, and then another. He put his hands on her waist; she didn’t pull away. “Truth?”
“Truth. I want truth in all of my relationships, romantic, platonic, whatever. I want truth. If I can’t get that, then I’m done. And I’ll walk away without a backward glance.”
“Understood.” His plans would have to change. He knew that. Luc couldn’t just push his will on her, and expect her to go along with it. Even expecting that from the beginning was wrong. “I was trying to protect you.”
“From what? The guy who bombed your house? The one who took the photos? Are they the same guy? Are there others out there after you? Or were you trying to protect me from you?” Direct blue eyes met his again.
She made him want to squirm. “Payton...”
“That’s it, isn’t it? You said it before ‘men like me, women like you’. You really meant it, didn’t you? You think there’s some weird type of divide between us. Because of the money thing? So what? Tell me how.”
“I have everything that money can buy, Payton. I can give you literally any material possession your heart desires. And I would, willingly.”
“But have I ever asked for that? I don’t know why what happened between us three weeks ago happened; it could have been the stress of the evening, and I’m definitely not discounting that.”
Hurt struck him, sharp and unexpected. Was that all it was to her? He’d thought there had been real emotion on her part, and that was why he’d pulled away. He hadn’t wanted her loving him.
Payton loving him.
He hadn’t wanted it then, but now? Now nothing sounded better. “Maybe. It didn’t feel that way to me though.”
“How did it feel? Because other than your ‘goodbye, so long, thanks for the tumble’ that morning I don’t have a clue.” And the hurt of that goodbye he’d given her was still there, in her words, on her face. In the way she held her body.
Luc scooped her up until they were eye level with one another. It was easy to do; she didn’t weigh much at all. “Listen…I never thought of that night in that way. And I never will.”
“Then why—”
“I got scared, damn it. Terrified. A woman like you—”
“What kind of woman do you think I am?”
“A special one. A good one. The kind a damned asshole like me doesn’t deserve.”
“But that’s for me to decide. Not you.”
“Baby…” He wanted to kiss her, wanted it more than he’d ever wanted anything in his life.
But when he looked in her eyes, he knew that was exactly what Payton was not wanting just then. And Luc knew he had to respect that. He contented himself with brushing a kiss against her forehead, then slowly lowering her to her feet. He let her body slide against his, needing the contact for himself, more than anything.
“Please don’t. Just show me the photos. I need to see them, and then we’ll get to work.”
“This late?” The clock read three, and he knew she was exhausted. “We can do this tomorrow, baby. We don’t have to do it tonight.”
“I have plans for tomorrow afternoon. Marianna and Ed are having a barbeque to celebrate her sons’ birthdays. It’s at two.”
“Then we’ll get up early and take a look at the photos, and you can go to your friends’. But I’m going with you. I’m not going to have something happen to you. No matter what I have to do, I will protect you.”
“Just let me see the photos. Give me an idea of what the threat might be. It won’t be the first time I’ve seen threatening letters, Luc. It’s kind of my business, you know?”
She was stubborn, wasn’t she? He just didn’t want her frightened on a night she should have been exuberant. “I’ll get the photos from my office. You curl up on the couch. I’ll be right back.”
She nodded, and settled onto the leather couch. Ren hopped up on the leather beside her—something the dog definitely wasn’t supposed to do—and she ran her fingers through the mottled fur. “Thank you.”
She watched him when he brought the files back, and the wariness in her eyes stabbed at him. Reminded him of exactly what his stupid fear had done.
They focused on the papers in front of them, and he didn’t push it. Pushing wasn’t what she needed from him then, and he knew that. So he gave her what she wanted, and when she excused herself to find the guestroom, he didn’t try too hard to change her mind.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Had he ever been to something as simple as a barbeque in someone’s backyard?
He didn’t think so. His mother certainly hadn’t been into all that small town hokum and Manny hadn’t been close enough to anyone to have get-togethers around a picnic table. The man who’d taken him in hadn’t trusted others enough to allow himself to be that vulnerable.
And that was exactly how Luc felt when Payton led the way through the main house to the backyard just twelve hours after the Battle of the Bands concluded.
He studied the layout of the place, trying to figure out just exactly what he was supposed to do in this situation.
The director of PAVAD had a large home—about a third the size of Luc’s—and a good-sized backyard. The property was surrounded by ten foot high stone walls. He could see the subtly placed barbed wire fence running atop it.
The vulnerability he felt at the moment wasn’t from a physical threat, but an emotional one.
Payton squeezed his arm. “You don’t have to be nervous. Most of them don’t bite. Well, I’ve heard Mick Brockman might. One or two of the others. But you’re just as big and scary as Mick. You should be ok.”
He slipped an arm around her waist unconsciously. He could just turn her around, take her back to his car, and find a secluded spot along the highway. He’d send his driver and bodyguard on a short walk, and he could show her how to steam up the windows of a limo properly.
That would be far more enjoyable than what he was facing. “I’m not afraid, Payton.”
“You sure about
that? You look afraid.” Her eyes were worried, her manner comforting. “We can go, if you’re really not comfortable right here.”
“I am no coward, Payton. And these people are your friends, a part of your life. Since I plan to be the biggest part of your life as soon as I possibly can…I can do this. Now, kiss me for strength.”
“Then try to get that terrified look off your face. Before you spark someone’s interest.”
He couldn’t help himself—or maybe he did it to distract himself, how was he supposed to know?—he leaned down and kissed her. Right there on the sidewalk, with all of her people surrounding them.
He could feel her surprise. But she didn’t fight his kiss.
Of course, she didn’t kiss him back, either.
When he pulled back Payton’s cheeks were red and her lips swollen quite nicely. Her glasses were crooked and he fixed them, slowly. He grinned at her. “You’ll give in before this week is out. I can guarantee it.”
“Shut up; let’s just get in there.”
“Uh huh. Run for it, why don’t you?”
***
Luc enjoyed himself, more than he thought he would. The people Payton worked with were nice and welcoming—to him and Chase and Terrance, who’d been invited inside by Payton and Cody—and after a while he found himself in discussions on a wide variety of topics. He enjoyed watching his sister interact with her friends. She was full of humor, helpful to her hosts, and great with the children.
But she still seemed alone to him in so many ways.
He found himself gravitating toward her whenever he wasn’t with Payton. But his main focus was definitely on the woman he was taking home with him.
She’d surprised him by shutting the door in his face when he’d tried to sneak into her guestroom that morning. Just to tease her, and because he’d been half afraid she’d escaped while he slept. Foolish, but he’d needed to see her. She’d thrown a pillow at his head. He’d laughed, enjoying her quiet spirit. She was wonderful, perfect for him in so many ways.
He had great plans for the upcoming days.
His cell rang just as they were singing Happy Birthday to whichever of the million kids running around was the star of the day.
He stepped inside to answer.
“Can’t keep them both safe. Time to make a decision, Lucas…keep out of things that don’t concern you or one of your bitches will disappear forever…”
The call ended before Luc could react. He stared at his phone as anger boiled within him. He’d not have threats to Payton. Or anyone else he cared about.
His phone beeped, signaling a text.
Luc accepted automatically.
A series of photos downloaded to his phone.
Paige.
Paige walking down the street, Paige coming out of the hospital where Alessandra Brockman had been, Paige at the ballpark with Payton. Paige at the Battle of the Bands. Payton, dancing with Luc at Smokey’s bar. His phone kept beeping as more and more images of Payton and Paige, both together and separately, downloaded.
The final message was chilling. You can’t protect them both. Make your choice…either stay out of our business, or you’ll receive a bill of sale for one of the women you love…but which one will go? Your sister or your lover…Remember, we’ll be watching…
Someone cleared his throat and Luc jerked. He dropped the phone. Mick Brockman picked it up.
Chapter Thirty-Three
The guy was spooked, wasn’t he? Mick hadn’t meant to walk in on a private phone call, but Lucas was blocking the path to the restroom. And Mick had needed to step inside for a break. All those kids running around screaming, women chatting everywhere, and couples everywhere he turned.
It got to be a bit too much for him to handle.
That damned irritant Daviess had been right beside him during the cake cutting, and the crowd had practically forced him into her back. His hand had wrapped around her before he’d thought about it.
Daviess was so thin his hand had covered most of her stomach. A shift of an inch higher or lower and his fingers would have been in some seriously unsafe territory. He’d stepped away from her quick.
He glanced at Lucas’s phone out of habit. It was a damned pricey phone.
A photo of Daviess was displayed across the screen.
Strange. He thought Lucas was with Dr. Asher or Cody. “You two friends?”
Lucas stared at him, a considering look on his face. The guy looked between Mick and the phone a few times. Everything in the guy’s manner said something was wrong.
What was going on here? “Lucas? Anything you want to share?” He could push it, but he had no legal ground to stand on. And he knew it.
Still…he’d looked into this guy after his sister was shot. Just out of curiosity. What he’d learned had concerned him—seven investigations had been launched in the past ten years regarding Lucas’s companies.
There had to be fire from that smoke somewhere. But what?
Chapter Thirty-Four
Luc considered his options for a long moment. He’d always intended to go to the authorities once he had enough information—or enough reason.
Wouldn’t threats to the two women he cared about most be enough of a kick in the ass? And he semi-trusted the man in front of him.
At least he’d never found anything alarming in the background he had on Brockman. His people had been very thorough when they’d investigated the people Paige interacted with on a regular basis. The Brockman family in its entirety had files in his office.
And Brockman was in a good position to protect Paige, wasn’t he?
That was what mattered, what had always mattered. He couldn’t keep them both safe. And Payton was already in his keeping. But maybe it was time he involved the authorities?
Luc had never played well with others, or shared. Especially information. It was probably best to just get it out there. “I need your help. And I’m calling in the favors. You said once that you’d owe me for your sister.”
“Yeah, I did. Can’t deny it. And won’t.”
“I never intended to call in that debt. But circumstances have changed.”
“What do you need? I won’t be a part of anything illegal.”
“Nothing I have ever done has been illegal in the country I’ve done it in.” A distinction he’d made certain of.
“What countries we talking about?”
“I helped your sister once, now I’m asking for the same in return. Help me protect mine.”
“I thought the papers said you were an only child?”
“I have a sister. You know her, and you owe me.” Luc showed Brockman the final message. Then flipped back to the previous image of Paige.
“Shit.” Brockman glowered again as he stared at Luc. “Now I see it. She doesn’t have a fucking clue, does she?”
“No. And I have no intention of telling her.”
“Why not? She deserves to know.”
“And that’s exactly why I won’t tell her. What do you think it would do to her to find out that the reason she was in foster care in the first place was because I took her to them when she was three? She went through the hell because of me. She won’t be able to forgive that.”
Chapter Thirty-Five
What had Paige gone through? Why hadn’t he known she’d been in foster care? Mick hated not knowing something so vital about someone who was basically a part of his sister—and brother’s—family. Because, damn it, that made her a small part of his family. “What was the alternative? Why did you take her?”
He could picture Paige as a three year old. She would have been small, thin. Big eyed and so vulnerable.
“All of the information about who is gunning for her now is in my files at home. I’ve kept meticulous records. And I’ve asked for your help because I can’t protect both of them.”
“Why them? What are you involved in that would threaten the three of them?” Brockman asked. “I suggest you stop with the mysterious bullshit and level
with me.”
He stared at Lucas and the bastard stared right back. “Someone has targeted me. And the only two people who matter. And until I stop them, I can’t trust any of my people.”
“What are you involved in?”
“It’s there in the files. Everything I’ve done. I’ve tried to find the men responsible for the fire at my home. But I haven’t been able to.”
“You think they’re the same ones threatening Paige?”
“And Payton.”
“Someone is responsible for the disappearances of forty-six girls between the ages of ten and fifteen from the St. Louis area and other places in this state. I’ve managed to purchase or retrieve thirty-six before he caught on that I was behind it.”
“Why haven’t I heard about this?” It would be a prime case for PAVAD, wouldn’t it? “You sure it’s him?”
“Because the girls don’t matter to anyone other than their parents. These are street kids. Fodder for these perverts. Easy money. Grab one and the others assume the girls went home or moved on.” Mick didn’t miss the anger in the other man’s words. “Paige and Carrie…they were lucky. They got off the streets before I found Paige again. These girls weren’t so lucky.”
Mick felt sick to his stomach at what the other man was saying. Paige… “How long were they out there, do you know?”
The other man’s words were harsh when he answered. “Years. Too many damned years. Paige was eleven when she escaped her foster home. Carrie, fifteen.”
“And you’ve known about this?”
“I tracked Paige down, yes. When she was sixteen, I went looking; I had enough money at that point to get her out of the system and with me. It took me two years to find out what had happened to her, and track her down.”
“So lucky.” He knew what could have happened to her. He’d seen cases just like it. No wonder she was so close to his sister, his parents. Mick remembered some of the things he’d said to her when one of her cases had involved a runaway. He owed her an apology, didn’t he? “Why have you done this?”
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