by Carolyn Lee
"So, go back."
"It's not that easy. Someone bought the place. He could be involved." Oh, she really hoped he wasn't. It would be a damned shame to have put that finely toned body in an ugly orange jumpsuit.
"What's your plan then?"
"Go back tomorrow. First thing in the morning."
"How 'bout you wait until Friday night? Just got word another shipment is supposed to hit the shipyard in one of the containers early Friday."
"Why don't we just pick it up there?"
"Then we just get the drugs. Not the people handling them on this end."
"Pretty sure I can't take them down singlehandedly."
"Nope, I don't suppose you can. But I can have back up on the ready to storm the place with your say-so."
Back up sounded good, as long as she got to pick it. A picture of the handsome, blond man flashed through her mind. She hated the idea of damaging his home and land but this was a matter of keeping hundreds of pounds of cocaine off the streets of Hampton Roads. A bust like this could propel her up the ladder of the DEA with lightning fast speed. If he were somehow involved, she would arrest him. No matter how good looking he was.
"All right. I'll go back tomorrow, map out the place, and find somewhere to set up camp on Friday night. I just hope the new owner doesn't mind us tearing the place up."
"I thought you said you think he is part of the racket?"
"No, Henry, I said I hope he's not."
"Poor guy. Sitting on a drug distribution center and he probably doesn't even know it."
"If he is not involved, and I don't really think he is, he is definitely in for a surprise. With any luck, he won't be back this week and we can take care of business without bothering him too much."
"So, he's gone from potential suspect to you not wanting to bother him?"
"Come on, Henry, I just said I have no idea if he is involved but my money is on not. He was just here with his mother."
"His mother? What the hell, Nik, you are supposed to be undercover not introducing yourself around to the locals."
"Relax, Henry. I was hiding out and spying on them, just the way you like me to."
"You're a smart ass, Nikki."
"Who, me?" she replied, sounding innocent but knowing he was right.
"How you've made this far with the DEA I will never know."
"I'm going now, Henry. Goodbye."
"Nikki—"
She ended the call and tossed her phone to the passenger seat. Talking to Henry always made her miss her father. Nikki made a mental note to call him and check on him when she got home.
3
Keegan
"So, Ma says you're gonna join one of those online dating groups." Keegan's twin brother, Kaiden, clapped him on the shoulder. "Good for you!"
"I'm so happy for you!" Kaiden's new bride Katie chimed in. "We have all been so worried about you."
He frowned. "Worried? Why?"
"Relax. Katie didn't mean anything. We just all hate to see you alone."
Keegan groaned. "Ugh, not you too. Maybe I like being alone? Did you any of you ever consider that? Alone gives me time to do the things I want without having to consider anyone else's needs."
"Whoa! Dial it down a notch there, brother. No one's trying to take your freedom away. We just want to see you happy." Kaiden leaned in and pressed a kiss to Katie's lips. "Having someone in your life is pretty amazing, you know. If I hadn't found Katie again, I'd probably be just like you right now."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"You know, angry, frustrated, and lonely."
Keegan threw his hands in the air in surrender. "I am not lonely!"
"Sorry, my brother. I didn't mean to get you all riled up. I was just trying to point out some of the benefits of being with someone. Like getting to kiss them anytime you want." Kaiden kissed his wife, passionately this time.
Keegan turned away. There was no denying the tiny little prick of envy that poked at his heart. His cousin Logan was happily married and about to become a father. Kaiden was as happy as he had ever seen him and even his mother had a little romance going on, although she thought none of them knew about it. Being alone was getting old but he wasn't about to admit that. Not while he was still nursing a broken heart and a bruised ego.
"I'm not joining a dating site. I'm not desperate. Can we go eat now?" They were standing on the sidewalk outside Clara's favorite restaurant. Their mother was about half a block down, talking on her cell phone. Kaiden waved her over.
"Sure. But you really should consider the idea. Katie's friend is getting married next month to a great guy she met online."
Keegan shook his head as he reached for the door to the restaurant. "Give it up, Kaiden. It's not happening."
"What’s not happening?" Clara asked as she joined them on their way inside.
"Keegan isn't going to date online," Katie replied.
"My boy is nothing if not stubborn like his father was." Clara didn't often mention her deceased husband. He had been gone since the twins were young and not at all a part of their lives. Keegan liked knowing there was something about him that came from the James bloodline though.
At their request, the hostess seated them at a corner table, Kaiden and Keegan vying for the seats against the wall. It was worse when Logan was with them. None of the men were comfortable sitting without a clear view of the door. Logan's wife, Angie, was also a cop so that meant they had all sorts of eating issues when the family was out together.
Kaiden nodded toward his brother. "So, how's the new place coming along?"
"Mom and I were out there today. The contractor gave me an estimate and we are getting started in a couple of days."
"It's all so exciting!" Katie said.
"It's a huge project right now," Keegan replied.
"That's what will make it so perfect. It's romantic. You are literally rebuilding history. I can't wait until it is completely done."
Keegan shook his head. "There's nothing romantic about a ramshackle three hundred year old farmhouse on overgrown land."
"Not yet, maybe, but give it time. I feel good about this." Katie smiled and picked up the glass of water the server placed in front of her. "Yup, I feel real good about it."
"What did the contractor say?" Kaiden asked.
"The house is about to fall over."
Kaiden laughed. "Can he fix it?"
"It might be smarter to drop it to the ground, clear it away, and build a bunker." Clara winked at Keegan as she answered her other son's question.
"No!" Katie set her glass down with a thump. "No way! That house needs to be kept alive. That's history right there. Keegan, have you done any research on the property or previous owners?"
“Actually, I found a pile of documents and news clippings in the attic. This place actually dates back to the late 1600's when a wealthy Englishman bought up two thousand acres. In 1725 the original 2 room home was built. In the 1840's, the original owner’s daughter married a doctor. They moved into the home and built the first addition. Some old census notes indicate slaves, house servants, several children and the owners all lived on the property. If you walk around the land, there’s actually evidence of slave shacks. During the Civil War the doctor was wounded at Fredericksburg and came home after the war. He ran a medical practice from the home as well as engaged in farming. Later, he went on to become a congressman.”
“Wow. You’ve really stumbled onto something there, brother.” Kaiden sounded impressed.
“It’s what really drew me to the house.”
“Well, I think it’s delightful,” Clara said. "And if it doesn't make it through the renovation you can always build a bunker."
Keegan ignored his mother's jab. “Thanks, Ma. I’m really pleased with the property.”
Dinner passed uneventfully. Clara grew surprisingly quiet on the topic of his love life. When his mother got quiet about something that was a huge cause for concern. It meant she was planning something
. Something Keegan was not going to be happy about.
"I'm heading back to Staunton in the morning." Clara hugged him as they stood outside the restaurant. "You sure you don't mind if I stay with Kaiden tonight?"
"Not at all. I'm just going to hit the sack when I get home anyway."
Clara reached up and pressed her palm to his cheek. "I love you, Kee. You know that I just want what's best for you, right?"
"I know you mean well, Ma. I really do. But you can't force someone to fall in love just because you want them to. I've tried, it doesn't work."
Damn it. As soon as the words left his mouth, he knew he shouldn't have said anything.
Clara gave him that look they had always feared as children. "I knew there was something you weren't telling me."
"No, there isn't. I just meant that love has to happen on its own. You should be able to appreciate that."
Her eyes narrowed as she studied him but after a second, she nodded. "Okay. I'm just an old busybody anyway. Don't you pay me no mind."
"Thanks, Ma." He didn't trust his mother. Clara had given up the cause way too easily.
Turning to his brother and Katie, he said, "It was nice having dinner with you."
"We're happy to have you living at the coast now. I think you will like it here."
"I hope so."
"When do you start your new job?" Katie asked.
"Officially in two weeks but I am heading into the office day after tomorrow to get situated."
"After your exciting life on the lam in the FBI, I hope you don't find beach life too boring."
"Come on, Kaiden, your brother's not a criminal. He wasn't on the lam."
"I was just kidding, Ma. Geez, doesn't anyone in this family have a sense of humor anymore?" Kaiden made a dramatic pout.
"Calm down, son." Clara tried to look stern but her eyes sparkled with amusement. "Your brother has had a lot of changes in recent months. He's going to need some time to adjust to you pestering him all the time."
"Good lord, people, I am standing right here! I wasn't running from the law, I quit my job intentionally, and I am happy to be slowing down some. You have no idea."
"We're sorry, dear. We all just want to see you happy." Clara placed a hand on his arm to calm him. Keegan let out a long, slow breath. It was time to get the hell out of there.
"Okay." He kissed him mother on the cheek and turned to his brother and Katie. "It was good to see the two of you tonight."
Kaiden clapped him on the shoulder. "You too, brother. Can't wait to see that plantation of yours."
Katie grabbed him up in a big hug. "Me too! If you need any help with decorating, you just let me know."
"Thank you but I am a long way from decorating. The house is practically falling over at the moment."
"If anyone can get that place in top shape, it's you, my brother. Give me a call when you come to do your paperwork. I'll take you to lunch, start showing you all the hidden secrets Virginia Beach has to offer."
"You got it, man. Night all."
Keegan strode off down the sidewalk, heading to the parking garage. He stopped at the corner and watched his mother walk with Kaiden and Katie. Kaiden and Katie. Even their names were nauseatingly cute together. It bothered him how much he envied his twin. Katie was an amazing nurse, strong minded and sweet as hell. If it weren't too disgusting to think about his brother's woman that way, he would even admit she was pretty damned sexy. He would also never willingly admit that they were all right. He was lonely. He had been nursing his broken heart for long enough. Maybe it was time to start considering his options.
Online dating was not one of them.
4
Nikki
Nikki rolled over and looked at the clock for about the hundredth time that night. It was nearly four and she hadn't slept a single minute. Every time she closed her eyes the image of a blond, blue eyed man filled her mind.
"Ugh! This is ridiculous." She threw back the covers and got out of bed. It was going to be a long day but since she wasn't sleeping, she might as well get a little something done. A run on the beach might help her mind get settled some.
Twenty minutes later, she parked her car in one of the city lots near the fishing pier and made her way to the boardwalk. The sun was just barely making an appearance over the horizon, splashing reds and oranges over the calm ocean waters. A few other runners were out but the tourist area, usually so full of life, was eerily quiet. Feeling for the knife she had tucked in the pocket of her running shorts, Nikki took off down the boardwalk.
The fresh ocean breeze felt good against her skin as she worked up a good sweat. For not having slept all night, she was wide awake and making great time. At the end of the boardwalk she turned and headed back toward the pier. The beach remained empty as the work day crept in. Nikki took advantage of the emptiness and jogged down onto the sand. Stopping first to kick off her running shoes and pull off her socks, she continued on to the wet, packed sand where the tide was slowly coming in. As water swirled in around her feet, Nikki closed her eyes and once again the image of the handsome man she had seen the day before filled her mind.
You so need to get laid.
She really did. Groaning, Nikki turned to jog back to the boardwalk and ran right into a man's arms. Her running shoes flew from her hands as the two of them tumbled to the sand in a tangle of limbs.
"I'm so sorry. I—" Holy crap.
"Are you okay?" Two of the bluest eyes she had ever seen looked up at her, concern darkening their depths.
"Yes. I—I—um—" Of all the people in Virginia Beach, she had to trip and fall into the one man who had kept her awake the entire night. What were the actual chances of that happening?
A wave came up, surrounding them in foamy salt water as Nikki wished it would just carry her out to sea. "I'm really sorry, I didn't realize anyone else was out here."
He laughed. "It's okay. Really. Do you mind if we get up now?"
"Oh. Geez. I'm sorry. You must be all wet. I know I am." Why did I say that? She scrambled to her feet wishing for death to save her from the embarrassment. "I'm really sorry."
The man jumped to his feet brushing sand out of his hair and off of his ocean soaked jeans. He was wearing exactly the same thing she had seen him in out at the old farm.
"I suppose brushing off the sand is an exercise in futility."
"Yeah, uh—about that. I don't usually lose control of my surroundings that way. I couldn't sleep, so I came down here to take a run. I was watching the sunrise." Stop rambling!
The man chuckled and extended his hand. "Name's Keegan James. It is a lovely sunrise and I don't make a habit of complaining when a beautiful woman tackles me to the ground."
She felt the heat in her cheeks as she accepted his outstretched hand. "Nikki Swenson." The contact between them was brief yet electrifying. Nikki yanked her hand out of his as the electricity surged between them.
"So, you couldn't sleep either?" The very sound of his voice made her skin tingle.
"No. I uh— had a lot on my mind." She wanted to scream You! You were on my mind.
"Yeah, me too." He took her elbow and offered support as they trudged across the sand.
"The beach is peaceful this time of day, isn't it?"
"It is. Lately, I've spent a lot of all-nighters walking the boardwalk."
"I've been known to take a late night stroll myself. It sort of puts things into perspective doesn't it?" They had reached the steps up to the boardwalk. Nikki dropped down to sit on the top step and put her running shoes back on.
"It does, at times." Keegan looked out over the water. The sun had risen and was already warming the air. He looked like a man with a lot on his shoulders and no one to talk to. She knew from the previous day his mother probably wasn't the listening type.
Ugh! Why did he have to be involved in her case? Fate was a bit of bitch. I bet she was having a good long laugh right now.
You don't know that he has anything to do with that.<
br />
True. But she also didn’t know for sure that he didn't. She finished tying her shoes and rose to her feet. What she wanted to do was give the guy her number and tell him to meet her for dinner. What she actually did was extend her hand. Keegan accepted, taking it in both of his.
"It was a real pleasure meeting you, Nikki."
"Likewise, Mr. James."
"Keegan, please. Mr. James was my father."
"Okay. Keegan. I've got to get home and get ready for work now. I'm really sorry for knocking you into the sand."
"I'm sure I will recover perfectly once I get out of these wet clothes."
Need some help with that? That's what she wanted to say. Instead she said, "Maybe I will run into you again sometime. Not quite so literally though, next time."
Keegan laughed and the laughter reached his crystal blue eyes. "I don't know. I don't think I'd mind."
Nikki waved and jogged away before she totally forgot that he might be involved in her case and threw him back on the sand to have her way with him.
I really, really need to get laid.
5
Keegan
Keegan watched Nikki as she jogged toward the municipal parking lot. He squashed the unexpected urge to follow her. She was the first woman to make him want to lift his unofficial vow of celibacy since the break-up.
Unofficial—because he and Margot were never really, officially dating and she made sure to remind him of that as she kicked him to the curb. At least not as far as the FBI was concerned anyway. That's why the SAC in his office was shocked when Keegan turned in his resignation and announced his new job with the Border Patrol.
"Are you sure this is what you want?" Special Agent in Charge Bob Sacks had asked him.
"I'm sure," Keegan insisted. But he wasn't. Keegan loved his job in the FBI but he couldn't stand looking at Margot and the giant rock on her left hand every single day. He couldn't even stand the thought of sharing the same agency with her knowing she had been stringing him along for so many months, letting him fall in love with her, while all along she planned to marry some rich desk jockey.
