Possessive Protectors [Triple Dare County, South Dakota 1] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Polyromance)
Page 1
Triple Dare County, South Dakota 1
Possessive Protectors
Natalie Newlyn's almost-ex-husband is killed. She becomes a suspect. Natalie's father hires attorney Graydon Callahan. Gray was Nat's first crush. When she meets him, and his investigator, Holt Ramm, she's surprised by her body's reaction.
Gray was born and raised in Triple Dare County and arranges for her to stay at his cabin, near her family, while he and Holt search for the real murderer. When Gray calls Nat and tells her she's going to be indicted, her fear of imprisonment soars.
She's bonded out and returns to Triple Dare. During this time, she sees Gray and Holt often. They want her for their wife. Nat isn't sure she wants to marry again and especially not to two possessive men. She's very independent.
When Gray and Holt discover the real killer, the danger to Nat and their one witness increases. Unexpected danger lurks, and Nat faces an uncertain future.
Genre: Contemporary, Multiple Partners
Length: 47,117 words
POSSESSIVE PROTECTORS
Triple Dare County, South Dakota 1
Paige Cameron
EVERLASTING POLYROMANCE
Siren Publishing, Inc.
www.SirenPublishing.com
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A SIREN PUBLISHING BOOK
IMPRINT: Everlasting Polyromance
POSSESSIVE PROTECTORS
Copyright © 2012 by Paige Cameron
E-book ISBN: 978-1-62241-062-0
First E-book Publication: August 2012
Cover design by Harris Channing
All art and logo copyright © 2012 by Siren Publishing, Inc.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: This literary work may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without express written permission.
All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.
PUBLISHER
Siren Publishing, Inc.
www.SirenPublishing.com
Letter to Readers
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DEDICATION
To my friend, Laura, who makes a wonderful plotting partner. Of course the lunches are also a fun part of the day.
POSSESSIVE PROTECTORS
Triple Dare County, South Dakota 1
PAIGE CAMERON
Copyright © 2012
Chapter One
Natalie Newlyn parked her car in the parking garage of her condominium. She grabbed her school papers to work on over the weekend, and her purse. The elevator took her straight to the fifth floor. When she turned the corner to go to her condo, she saw two men in wrinkled suits waiting.
“Mrs. Newlyn?” the taller, red-headed man asked.
“Yes.”
“I’m Detective Castor, and this is my partner, Detective Anderson. May we come in and talk with you?”
She wrinkled her forehead. Why would two detectives want to see her? “Do you have ID?”
“Sure.” Detective Castor pulled out his picture ID, then Anderson did.
“All right. Although I can’t imagine why you’d want to see me.” She unlocked the door and motioned for them to go in. Her papers and purse went on a table near the door. “Would you like a cup of coffee? It won’t take but a minute.”
“No, thanks. Please sit down,” Detective Anderson said.
Nat gave them a faint smile. “The only law I’ve broken is running a red light about two years ago. You gentlemen seem very serious.”
“Your husband is Tom Newlyn?”
“Yes, for a few more weeks. We’re getting a divorce.”
Both detectives sat back. She could almost hear them say “ah.”
“What is going on?”
“Tom Newlyn was murdered this morning around two a.m. Where were you?”
Nat grabbed her throat and blinked the tears, welling in her eyes, away. “Here, sleeping,” she said around the lump in her throat.
“Was anyone with you?”
A flash of anger bolted through her. “Are you accusing me of something? And for your information, I was alone. I had no phone calls. There’s no way to prove I was here. And I don’t know anything about Tom and what happened to him.”
Detective Anderson pulled out a small writing tablet. “We talked to his parents. They said you were angry about the affairs your husband had during your marriage. His mother said you demanded the divorce.”
“I’m not Tom’s mother, Mrs. George Newlyn, and willing to concede boys must be boys. Infidelity is not something I’d ever accept. Tom was surprised I didn’t forgive and forget.”
“You appear angry talking about his betrayals. Angry enough to kill him?” Castor asked.
Natalie stood. “Leave now. If you want to talk to me again, you may contact my lawyer. I’ll call and leave his name as soon as I have one.”
They both got up and walked toward the door. Just as they were leaving, Detective Castor turned to her. “Don’t get upset. You’re only one of our persons of interest. Albeit, the most prominent one.”
She had to stop herself from slamming the door behind them. Her body trembled with fear, and sadness for Tom. She’d never wanted anything to happen to him. Of course his mother had never liked her. It didn’t completely surprise her that Mrs. Newlyn insinuated Natalie might have killed Tom.
What to do next? She sat in the chair by the phone. It wasn’t a hard decision. Her fathers, Angus MacCloud and Tim MacCloud, had been her staunch
supporters ever since she’d been born. Her mother had divorced her father when Nat was ten. Her mother had chosen Angus as her husband. She didn’t want the threesome marriages familiar in that area of the country. In Triple Dare County, South Dakota, two men had been sharing one wife since the county was first populated. Angus and Tim were cousins and close friends. They’d always planned on sharing a wife, but when Nat’s mother didn’t agree, Tim stepped back. By the time her parents divorced Nat was already Daddy’s girl. Later when her father and Tim chose a new wife, Nat had been accepted into their family. Lifting up the receiver, she dialed her father’s number.
Her older brother, Boyd, who had stayed with his father when their mother left, answered the phone. “Hi, Nat. How’s it going?”
“Not good. Is Dad around?”
“I think I hear his voice in the kitchen. I’ll get him. Is there anything I can do?”
“Maybe later. I need to talk with Dad first.” Sounds coming through her phone told her Boyd was getting close to the kitchen. She heard her father’s booming voice teasing his second wife, May.
“Hello, Natalie. Boyd said something’s wrong.”
“Oh, Dad.” Hearing his concerned voice brought the tears she’d been holding back. “Tom’s been murdered. The detectives said I’m a person of interest. I need a lawyer.”
“Whoa, wait. When was Tom murdered?”
“In the middle of the night. I was here sleeping. There’s no way to verify I didn’t go out. When they said I was their main person of interest, I told them to leave. I said I’d call with my lawyer’s name, but I don’t have one.”
“Good girl. Don’t talk to anyone until we have an attorney to represent you. I know an excellent one right there in Minneapolis. Remember Graydon Callahan? He reportedly has a large practice in criminal defense.”
Her heart dropped. Dad would think of Gray. She’d known of him. His face and name were in the papers both on the society page and on the front page for the cases he took. She’d had a crush on him when she met him during the summer she was fifteen. But by the time she’d returned at sixteen, he’d found another girlfriend. Determined to forget him, she planned her vacations with her father during times he wouldn’t be around.
“Are you there, Nat?”
“Yes, Dad. You’re sure we can’t find someone as good that’s not in the papers so much? I’d like to keep this low-key.”
“Honey, Tom was from a prominent, well-to-do family. He’s been murdered. No matter who you have, it won’t be low-key. And I’ve heard Gray is the best. I’ll call him and have him contact you.”
“All right. Thanks.”
“Once Gray says it’s all right, I want you to come to Triple Dare County. At least until this blows over.”
“I want that, too.”
“Good. Wait for Gray’s call.”
The phone went dead. Nat put the receiver down but clung to it as her only lifeline in this mixed-up world she’d been thrown into.
* * * *
Graydon Callahan stood in front of his bedroom mirror to fix his tie. He was well aware the papers called him movie-star handsome. He’d rather be known for his skill as an attorney and not as the most eligible bachelor. But he had to acknowledge his looks hadn’t hurt him in his climb to the top.
From the age of twelve he’d known what he wanted to do. But his success had far outreached his expectations.
He pulled on his tux jacket. He’d love to have an excuse to cancel the date with Angelina. As usual, after a few months he grew tired of the same woman on his arm and the many fancy activities his dates wanted to attend.
To be honest, he missed the ranch, riding the range, coming in bone tired but feeling good about his day’s work. He’d defended too many people lately who were plain criminals. Everyone deserved a defense. He just wasn’t sure he could continue being their lawyer.
Gray glanced at his watch. He’d better hurry or he’d be late picking Angelina up. He started across his large living room when the phone rang.
“This is Graydon Callahan.”
“Gray, this is Angus MacCloud. It’s been too long since we’ve seen you here in Triple Dare County.”
“I’ve been busy. My dads and mom are all right, aren’t they?”
“Perfect. I saw Chuck today. He’s looking ten years younger since he lost that twenty pounds.”
“Good. I’m in a hurry. Could I call you tomorrow about whatever you wanted?”
“No. This can’t wait. Do you remember my daughter, Natalie?”
“Sure. But I haven’t seen her in years.”
“She’s in a bit of trouble.” Angus told him about the murder and the detectives’ visit. “They talk like she’s their main suspect.”
“Look, I’m going to a dinner dance tonight. It’s being given by the ladies who collect money for police that get hurt or killed on the job. Most everyone involved with the police, in any way, will be in attendance. Do you have the detectives’ names?”
“No. I forgot to ask Nat.”
“Give me her number.”
After writing the numbers down, Gray assured Angus he’d get back with him in the morning. He quickly dialed his date and explained he’d be a few minutes late. Then he dialed Natalie.
“Hello.”
“Natalie, this is Gray Callahan. I just talked with your father. Tell me the names of the detectives who visited you today.”
“Detectives Castor and Anderson.”
“You told them you’d be getting an attorney?”
“Yes.”
“Your father has asked me to represent you. Is that all right with you?”
“Dad said you’re the best. That’s what I need.”
“Then come to my office at ten tomorrow morning. We need to talk.”
“I’ll be there.”
Gray put down the phone. Her soft, sultry voice had sent heat right across the line. The last time he’d seen her, she’d been a gangly fifteen-year-old with brown hair that glowed with red in the sunshine, and eyes that sparkled golden brown like good whiskey. He was startled he remembered her so well.
Shrugging his thoughts aside, he went down the elevator to his car and headed to pick up his date. They’d be fashionably late. Or so the socialites called it.
The dinner was almost finished by the time they arrived. Gray found their places, and the waiter brought them fresh plates. Their table was full of lawyers he worked with, both defense and prosecutors. He kept his ears open for gossip. There were bound to be comments when one of the most prominent families had a son murdered.
It was sheer luck that just as he had finished eating the two detectives he most wanted to see stepped up to the table. They concurred, in whispers, with the head prosecutor, O’Brien.
When they walked off, O’Brien glanced around at the group. “I’m sure you’ve heard Tom Newlyn was murdered last night. Seems the parents are putting pressure on us to find the person or persons right away.”
“Do you have any suspects?” one of the defense attorneys asked.
“A few. Those detectives are on the case. They’re good. It shouldn’t take long to identify the culprit. Seems our main suspect has gotten a lawyer.”
“Who?”
“I can’t say. But she better have one by tomorrow.”
“She?” One of the prosecuting attorneys raised an eyebrow.
“It’s always the wife or the husband, right?” one of the defense attorneys joked.
“It is when you take the easy way out and don’t investigate everyone.” Gray’s firm voice silenced the group. They looked his way.
O’Brien steepled his fingers and studied Gray. “You have something you want to tell us?”
“I’m notifying you that I’ll be the attorney representing Natalie Newlyn. If you have any concrete evidence, send it to me tomorrow.”
“Ah, interesting,” O’Brien said.
Gray didn’t like the smell of this. They were rushing to conclusions. They must consider
their evidence good.
He forced himself to stay at the party and pretend he was enjoying the evening, when what he really wanted was to go home and start working on this case. His batteries were recharged.
At Angelina’s door she let him know she was unhappy. “This new case is going to take all your time. You get so involved you really don’t have time for a woman in your life. I’m going my own way. I want a man I can rely on to be there when I want him.”
“Sorry. I…”
“Don’t apologize. You’re married to the law. A woman can’t compete with the lady of justice.”
Gray hated to admit how relieved he was that she’d broken off the relationship. He hurried home, changed into jeans, and sat before his computer. Before tomorrow he wanted to know all there was on the Internet about Mr. and Mrs. Tom Newlyn.
* * * *
Nat couldn’t sleep. She worked at her computer all evening. There were many articles about Gray, and lots of pictures of him with beautiful women. He was more handsome than he’d been in his teens. His body had filled out, and he’d grown another inch or two. His dark-blond hair glowed in the cameras’ lights. She couldn’t see his eye color, but if she recalled correctly, they were hazel, and usually more green than brown.
She had to rein in her emotions. It wouldn’t do to fall for her attorney. For one thing, she’d had enough of men who never settled on one woman.
But if she closed her eyes, she saw him and her that last summer. Her first kiss from his warm, firm lips. When he’d touched her breasts, she’d felt hot and wet below. Thank goodness they’d pulled back and never gone all the way. Otherwise, it would be embarrassing when they renewed their acquaintance.