Lesson learned, she thought, ignoring the lump in her throat. Apparently he’d meant what he’d said. He wanted her. He’d replace her bad memories with good. And she could count on him to keep his word. All good to know. She just wouldn’t invest her heart in him again. And how frustrating was it that she needed to constantly remind herself of something she already knew?
Because despite her independent streak, she wanted someone who loved her unconditionally. She’d never experienced that in her life. Not even with family. Especially not with family. Which led her to wonder why Tyler, who, despite his father’s betrayal, had a close-knit family who would never abandon him, couldn’t manage to find it in himself to commit.
Well, she wasn’t the one who was going to change him. So time to move on with her own life. For the next few days, she fell back into a routine. She headed into work early, only to find Angie was already at the studio. Ella had a stack of phone calls to make, including following up with the factory for the spring line and confirming recent orders. Not to mention, Angie had left a stack of magazines on the desk for her to go through.
From Ella’s desk, she heard Angie on the phone, her voice loud and clearly agitated. “Well, I don’t care. You need to find a buyer. You assured me before the purchase it wouldn’t be an issue. Just do it!” she said, slamming down the receiver.
Ella cringed and kept her eyes on her desk, which was a good thing, since Angie stormed out of her office a second later, grumbling about incompetent idiots. Without a word, she slammed paperwork on Ella’s desk and headed back into her office. Angie was prone to blowups when things didn’t go her way, so Ella ignored the tantrum, knowing it wasn’t directed at her. She glanced at the documents, fully understanding what she needed to do, and got back to work.
She worked late the next two days, catching up. The following evening after work, she met up with a friend, Jillian Novak, who was an assistant for a shoe designer, also based out of Miami. They often went to trade shows and fashion exhibitions together. Jillian was in a long-term relationship with her boyfriend from high school, and since he was traveling, she’d asked Ella if she wanted to go out for dinner.
By the time she walked into the Japanese restaurant, Ella’s mood had gone from cautiously optimistic about things with Tyler, despite his quick disappearing act, to feeling completely letdown. She didn’t expect to see him constantly, nor did she think he had to be in touch daily, but three days and she’d received one vague text.
Have to head out of town on business for two days and fully booked with meetings and a dinner the day I return. Will get in touch.
Although it wasn’t fair to Tyler considering he’d lived up to everything he’d promised, she had one word for how she felt.
Used.
The text seemed like a nice blowoff. After she’d gone with him to the hospital to see his brother’s new baby and later he’d bent her over the sofa and fucked her brains out. Then he’d all but disappeared.
“Men,” she muttered, sliding into a chair across from her friend.
Jillian, a pretty redhead with blue eyes and long spiral curls, looked at her with concern. “What happened?”
“Let’s just say I really don’t know how to play the game.” Ella gestured to the waiter and ordered a white wine spritzer, needing a little fortification and buzz to take the edge off her emotions.
“Love isn’t a game.” Jillian took a sip of her vodka tonic, her usual drink of choice.
“No, but sex is, and that’s all I signed up for. I just realized it’s hard for me not to feel disappointed when the guy can’t be bothered to call and sends one line of text instead.” She shrugged and glanced at the hardback menu, not really seeing what was listed before her.
“Don’t sweat it. You’ll find the right guy who will appreciate all you have to offer.”
“I’m really not sure I’d recognize him if I did.”
“Can I take your order?” the waiter stepped up to the table and asked.
Ella met Jillian’s gaze. She nodded and rattled off some specialties from the menu.
The man turned to Ella, who settled for the basics, a California roll, Philadelphia roll, and edamame. She wasn’t all that hungry. And she was unsure if she was more upset with Tyler for disappearing or with herself for a) expecting more than he’d promised, and b) for caring.
Because if she didn’t care, she couldn’t be hurt. And she’d promised herself she wouldn’t let Tyler Dare hurt her again.
Chapter Seven
Tyler had a security job out of town, a high-profile client who insisted he be there in person to handle the details. He worked long hours and arrived home in time for his monthly dinner with Serena and her six-year-old daughter, JayJay, named after her father, Jack Junior. They always met at her favorite place, Pizza Palace, where they gave her dough to play with at the table.
He arrived to find the ladies already seated. No sooner had he walked over than JayJay jumped up squealing. “Uncle Tyler!” The words came out more like a shriek at high decibels than a normal tone.
“Hi, babycakes!” He leaned in, and she braced her dough-covered hands on his cheeks and treated him to a sloppy kiss.
“Hi, Serena.” He sat down in the chair next to JayJay, across from Serena.
“Hi.” She picked up a napkin and dipped it in a glass of water, leaned across¸ and wiped his cheek. “Sorry.”
He shook his head. “It’s fine. She’s happy to see me.”
“You’re so good with kids,” Serena said, her brown eyes warm as she glanced at her daughter.
Her words gave him pause. “You think so?”
He had his niece, Rainey, a three-year-old with her mother and father’s independent streak. He spent time with her at every family gathering, remembered to bring a gift¸ usually a unicorn since she was obsessed with the mythical creatures, and he’d even been known to make up a story or two for her amusement.
He set a stuffed dog he’d been holding beneath his arm in front of JayJay. “Puppy!” she yelled, causing her mother to whisper about using her indoor voice. Serena had been putting off dog requests from the precocious child, and Tyler thought it was his duty to provide substitutes for the time being.
“Of course I think you’re good with her. You show up every month. It means the world to her. And to me.” Serena pushed her brown hair off her shoulders.
“I love you guys. Besides, if Jack can’t be here, I can.” He glanced at JayJay, who didn’t react to the mention of her father’s name. She was absorbed in play, babbling at her new stuffed toy.
“Don’t worry. She doesn’t remember him,” she said sadly. “Though I do talk about him often. Once she’s older, I want her to know about her dad. Although I think I could live without her ever finding out he ran away from base camp in Iraq and went AWOL and was killed by the enemy.” She shook her head and he placed his hand over hers.
“I haven’t come to terms with it either,” Tyler said. “I just wish—”
“What?”
He took another look at JayJay, who’d turned to pounding the pizza dough. She looked so much like her father a lump rose to his throat.
“I wish I’d realized he was serious. All those times he talked about just walking away.” Tyler ran a shaking hand through his hair. “I mean, we all talked about it. Joked about it, really. What else could we do in that hellhole of IEDs and women and children willing to blow themselves up?” He cut himself off and muttered a curse at his callous words in front of Jack’s widow and child.
This was why he didn’t talk about his time there. He hadn’t been in Iraq long, though the year had felt like forever, and he’d come away damned lucky. No PTSD, just horrific dreams and memories he’d never forget. And he hadn’t experienced as much horror as many of the guys. But the sounds, the screams, the fear that any drive or step could be your last remained with him.
And now he was screwing this up in front of Jack’s family.
“Tyler, no. How could you
have known Jack would just … slip out one night?”
He glanced at the paper-covered table. Crayons from JayJay surrounded him as did scribbles on his side too. “He was my best friend. I should have seen it was more than just words. And maybe I did see and didn’t want to because then I’d have had to do something. Like report him to my superior, and he’d have been so fuck—so angry.” Like he hadn’t told his mother about finding his father and his mistress.
Pain sliced through his chest at both remembrances. So many if onlys…
Serena toyed with a fork in front of her, spinning it between her hands. “I honestly don’t think any decision you made under those conditions could have been the wrong one. Unless you weren’t there for him when he needed you, and I know you were.”
Tyler let out a low, sarcastic laugh. “You’re so sure.”
“I am.” She glared at him for questioning her.
“How? How do you know?” he asked, for reasons beyond Jack and even beyond the choices he’d made after finding his father.
He was asking because, after three days apart, he couldn’t stop thinking about Ella. Wanting to talk to her. To hear her laugh. To have her argue with him. Hell, he’d even take her insisting she could handle herself, as long as she was near.
He wanted desperately to see if he and Ella could try for something more than just sex. Something solid. And to do that, he needed to believe in himself.
Serena braced her elbows on the table and leaned forward. “I know because you’ve been there for me and JayJay since the day you came home. Just like you’re there for your siblings no matter what. And the business you created so you, me, and the guys you served with could have jobs when their tours were up. You’re a good man, Tyler. I just don’t know why you doubt yourself so much.”
She stunned him with her words and her faith. With facts he’d never considered before and which allowed him to think that maybe he was no longer the same person who ran when things got emotionally hard. Maybe running wasn’t really what he’d done, just made youthful choices? Done the best he could at the time?
“Ready to order?” the waiter, who Tyler hadn’t even noticed, asked.
“Pizza!” the precocious six-year-old said, and both Tyler and Serena laughed, breaking the tension.
And after they ordered, and while they ate, they talked about JayJay’s friends, school, and the doggie she wanted that her mother wasn’t at all ready to get. All the while, Serena’s words stayed with him, as did thoughts of Ella and his desire to see her again.
But after three days and her lack of reply after he’d texted her, he had a feeling he’d screwed up somehow. He wasn’t sure exactly how.
Before he could decide whether or not to run his personal issues by Serena, his phone rang with the business ringtone. He held up a hand to excuse himself for a minute. “Hello?”
“This is central station. You asked to be notified if anything came in on 2020 Mercer Street,” the person on the other end said.
Ella’s apartment, which had been his sister’s place. Tyler had put the alarm system in when Avery had had a stalker courtesy of her rock star (then) boyfriend.
“I did. What happened?” Tyler asked.
“The alarm went off, indicating someone tried to break in. No one answered when we called, and the police were dispatched to the scene.”
“Thank you.” Tyler’s entire body tightened with a combination of anger and frustration with himself for ignoring his gut on the island.
He glanced at Serena, rising as he spoke. “I have to go. It’s an emergency.”
“What’s wrong?” she asked.
He kissed her on the head. “I wish I had time. I’ll explain later. Just don’t worry.” He bent down and ruffled JayJay’s hair. “Be good. I’ll see you soon.”
“Bye, Uncle Tyler.”
He grinned. “Bye, babycakes.”
He pulled money out of his pocket, causing Serena to frown. “You pay me well enough to cover a pizza dinner.”
“It’s always my treat. I’m sorry to run out,” he said, then proceeded to do just that, hightailing it over to Ella’s apartment and praying she was okay.
He arrived to find her talking to a police officer in the hall, a young guy who’d obviously been out on patrol when the call had come in about a possible burglary. His partner stood by his side.
Ella had her purse on her arm and wore a pretty sundress and heels. She’d obviously been out, just as he’d been, and gotten the call.
“Are you okay?” Tyler asked, coming up beside her.
“What are you doing here?” she asked, narrowing her gaze.
The officer stepped between them. “Is this a friend of yours?”
Ella hesitated, obviously annoyed with him. If she chose to get stubborn now, she’d cost the cops time because they’d start looking into him as a possible suspect. He waited for her to reply.
Finally she let out a huff of air. “Yes, he’s a family friend who thinks it’s his job to watch out for me.”
It was his turn to narrow his gaze. That kind of description wasn’t going to fly.
The officer seemed to relax and stepped away.
Tyler went on to explain. “My sister used to rent this apartment too, and I put the security system in.” Tyler reached into his pocket and slid a business card out of his wallet, handing it to the silent second officer. “I got the call from the alarm company because, as Ms. Shaw said, she’s like family.” He forced a smile for the other man’s benefit. “Can you tell me what happened?”
The cop glanced at Ella, waiting for her okay to talk in front of him.
She nodded. “You can tell us both.”
“There’s signs of someone trying to break in,” the cop said, pointing to jagged scrapes on the wall beside the doorknob and chipped paint around the deadbolt. “But the alarm must have scared them and they ran. Not many people in these types of buildings have a security system. You’re smart, Ms.…” He waited for her reply, pen in hand so he could write down pertinent information.
“Shaw. Ella Shaw,” she said in a shaky voice.
“Ms. Shaw, is there a reason someone would target your apartment?”
She ran her hands up and down her forearms, making him want to pull her into his arms and ease her stress. Except he knew she wouldn’t be receptive, and he didn’t want to cause trouble in front of the cop by pulling his protective routine. No police officer would appreciate his tactics.
“I don’t know,” Ella said. “I just returned from a business trip in St. Lucia, and I had … issues while I was there.”
“What kind of issues?”
She told him about the mugging and her room being broken into. Tyler withheld the information on the feeling that someone had followed them to the airport because he had no proof, only his gut instinct, which he’d stupidly ignored. He had a top-notch security staff he could use to not only protect her but to investigate as well.
“What did the island police say?” the officer asked.
“Not much considering they were busy with a hurricane and I left the island, but…” She trailed off and Tyler’s nerves tingled in a way he did not like one bit.
“But what?” he asked.
She bit on her nail, not meeting his gaze, further affirming his gut, which told him he wasn’t going to enjoy what she had to say next. “I’ve had this weird feeling like someone’s following me since I’ve been back.”
“What?” The word exploded from him and she flinched.
“Sir, if you don’t calm down, I’ll have to ask you to leave.”
Tyler gnashed his teeth and nodded. “Ella, when were you going to mention that?”
She glanced up at him with those damned wide eyes that got to him every time. “I wasn’t sure. And I didn’t want to make a big deal if I was wrong. It was that first day after we got home. It’s been quiet since then, so I put it out of my head.”
“Miss, did you see anyone you could provide a description of?”
She swallowed hard. “Just a guy with dark hair. He was staring at me through a shop window. I kept busy, and when I looked again, he was gone.”
“Did he look familiar to you?” the other cop asked.
“Was he the guy who mugged you?” Tyler pushed further.
She shrugged. “I didn’t get a good look at the mugger. I know he had dark hair, but so do most men on the island and half the male population of Miami.”
The cop flipped his note pad closed. “If you’d like to come downtown and file a report, we can at least have something official.”
“I’ll bring her down tomorrow,” Tyler said. “She’s shaken up now and it’s late.”
“Will you be okay?” the second uniform asked. “We can drop you somewhere if you’d like.”
“No. She’ll be staying with me,” Tyler said before Ella could reply.
“What? No, I’ll be fine at home.”
“We’ll leave it to you to sort things out. If you need anything or remember any details, call.” He handed her a card.
She took the paper and nodded. “Thank you.”
Tyler waited for the two men to depart before turning to Ella.
“Don’t start,” she said, grabbing the doorknob. The door was already partially open from when she’d let the police inspect the interior. “I’m not in the mood to argue with you, so why don’t you turn around and go home. I’ll just set my alarm and be perfectly fine.” She opened the door and attempted to slam it behind her, but he caught it with his hand, following her inside.
He wasn’t leaving. “You’re pissed. Why don’t you tell me why.”
She spun around to face him. “Because you’re a man.”
He couldn’t suppress a grin. “Is that all?”
“It’s not funny. Look, I realize we agreed to sex only, but a one-line text after everything we did together … well, I don’t think… I’m not …”
Dare to Take (Dare to Love #6) Page 9
