by Lexy Timms
And it was all her father’s fault. The thief had waited until David was through with school and set him up to take over the company, and then left him holding the bag. He’d betrayed his own son just like he’d betrayed everyone one he ever encountered. Like Dani. Like Dani’s mother.
He hadn’t met Luke. She stopped with that thought. She checked her watch. She had a precious opportunity to get out of her room for a brief time; Benny was taking this sham of a marriage to heart and was not only going through with the whole thing, but he was doing it in style. Like it was the real thing. She and Luke were to go to the hotel where the ballroom had been rented for the ceremony and the reception. They were supposed to sample foods for the menu, and discuss things civilly with the caterer, as though nothing strange was going on. As if they were any loving couple planning their wedding. Uncle Benny had insisted that things look normal on the outside. It was all part of the trap.
As though every loving couple met with the caterer dragging along an entourage that included an aging mobster, and a dozen goons straight out of The Godfather.
She stomped her foot one more time for good measure and headed to the shower. There was a petty thought that she should go with hairy legs, not having showered for several days, but appearing like that in front of Luke seemed horrifying.
Even after their shared ordeal, she wanted to impress him. So... shower, shave, careful selection of just the right clothing. Maybe a short dress? Really short, as in make-Luke-uncomfortable short.
She shook her head at her own vanity. The truth was that, regardless of the fact that he was angry with her, despite the fact that she didn’t trust him, and past the issue of being held prisoner, she felt what she felt. She might not like him. She might not even trust him. But the heart feels what it feels, and she was going to primp and preen because she was a woman in love.
Driving him crazy was just a bonus.
CHAPTER TWO
Dani was ‘escorted’ downstairs to the office. She noted, to her disappointment, that there was no visible damage to the ceiling below her bedroom, and Uncle Benny wasn’t lying on the floor with a concussion caused by loose plaster. The only highlight to the view, pacing the floor, was Luke McConnell.
For a moment, the sight of him sent a thrill through her. Tall, slender, with that thick head of hair a girl just itched to lose her fingers in, along with a chest and arms that spoke of serious time at the gym. With a firmness to his grasp that let you know you were being held, dammit.
Freakin’ A, those were amazing arms.
To her practiced eye, he moved like a man who could take care of himself. She couldn’t be attracted to one who didn’t.
His expression when he saw her threw cold water on her sudden ardor. She felt herself stiffen, and held her head high.
“What the hell now?” were his first words to her.
Happy to see you, too. “We have a meeting,” she said coldly, “at the hotel. We’re meeting with the wedding planners. And deciding the meal.”
The guards closed the door behind her and she was left alone with him.
“Your idea, princess?”
Dani’s eyes widened, and adrenaline charged through her. How dare he. How freakin’ dare he. “None of this is my idea! I’ve been locked up in my room for days. No one’s been asking me for my ideas, opinions, or—”
“You’ve been held hostage in your room?” he asked in surprise. “Why? You’re family. Why should you be held against your will? You’re going to side with them.”
“Them?” Dani clenched her fists, trying unsuccessfully to keep her voice down. “What ‘them’ are you referring to? Do you mean my brother? My father, my uncle? MY FAMILY? Which one?” She stomped her foot. “And why wouldn’t I stand with my own family over someone I JUST MET?”
“SOMEONE YOU’RE GOING TO MARRY!”
“THAT WASN’T MY IDEA EITHER!” She held up her hands for peace and swallowed. “Okay, maybe it was. But I did what I had to do to keep you alive.”
“Or your brother would have killed me? Or was that your uncle? Or your father? Someone in your family.”
He clearly wasn’t going to let that go. “My father hasn’t met you. Although, I’m sure if he did, he’d want to kill you, too. That seems to be a rather common response where you’re concerned.”
“Only in your family. And your father has met me. I worked for him.”
“Maybe you can tell that to your real boss. If you ever see him again. Seems like he’s not too keen on keeping you alive either! As a matter of fact, I seem to be the only one who gives a shit about you at the moment. Maybe you want to think about that.”
“Not that you’re doing such a great job of it!” Luke fired back. “I’ve still got bruises from David’s bully boys.”
“You’ve had bruises before,” Dani scoffed. “Big deal. They heal, they fade. You’re alive and that’s thanks to me.”
“I’m a freakin’ prisoner thanks to you! What the hell was I thinking getting close to you? I’ve lost my job, and for that matter am probably a wanted man by now, and that’s because of you, too!”
“Is that all you can say? Really? You selfish prick! After all this time being locked up and all you can do is scream about you? You’re not the only one being held prisoner here!”
“Well, I didn’t know!” He rounded on her, his voice still loud. “And by the way, that’s a damn nice dress!”
“THANK YOU!”
“You’re welcome!” He ducked his head a little, one hand shoving the hair back from his forehead. He needed a haircut, she noted. “Red is a good color for you, and you have damn nice legs.”
Dani unclenched her fists, though speaking was still difficult for some reason. “Thank you. I work my ass off.”
They stared at each other a long moment.
Luke cleared his throat. “Uh... Now what?”
“Now we wait. No one told you what’s going on?”
“I have no fu—I don’t know anything. They kind of stopped talking to me,” Luke said, staring at the floor. “I took a swing at one of the guards. Apparently, that’s not polite in this house. They stopped talking to me after that. Haven’t fed me for a couple days either.”
“They didn’t feed you?” Dani’s hand shot to her mouth. Her stomach clenched. They would be that mean? “I thought you weren’t coming to dinner because you didn’t want to see me. That you were pissed off.”
“Not my choice. I’m just damn grateful there’s a bathroom in my room.”
“Every bedroom has a private bath in this house.” She made a face. She should have asked about Luke. Instead of pounding the floor, she should have made sure he was okay. “You know, lifestyles of the über-privileged...”
Luke sighed, and then nodded. “I assume there are several sewage jokes one could use to explain this family needing so many commodes?”
“I’m a member of this family, Mr. Mc—Milligan,” Dani said, only remembering at the last minute to use his cover name, as she realized everyone was probably listening in on them. “Take care what you say about us.” She sank down onto the couch, making a point to cross her legs. His eyes followed the movement. For a moment she thought he might choke.
Despite the situation, she found herself nearly smiling. Nearly. She hid it just in time.
“Excuse me for being a bit bitter, I just haven’t really had the opportunity to experience the good side of this particular family. Or, for that matter, have yet to find a good side. Though, admittedly, my exposure has been somewhat limited.” He licked his lips. “Thank you for saving my ass. Sort of.”
“I did what I had to do,” Dani said, shifting her legs again just to watch his face. He was starting to look rather flushed.
For that matter, she was starting to feel rather flushed.
“I’ll remember that in the future, Ms. Rinehart,” Luke said with a staccato delivery. Every word was clipped and crisp as though he had to bite them off and throw them at her like some sort of gren
ade. “I will keep in mind that your loyalties are very clear.”
He was no longer looking at her legs, or even looking at her at all. He rested a hip against the desk, and played with something in his pocket. She stared at the empty pen holder on the desk and wondered if perhaps he were going to play MacGyver with the nib of a fountain pen.
She wouldn’t put it past him.
“If my loyalties were as clear as you think Mr. Milligan,” she stressed the name to remind him that she knew his real name and why he was using an alias, “you would find yourself in greatly less comfortable surroundings.”
Luke crossed his arms over his chest. Great, thick arms over a barrel chest. He said nothing more, but stared at her hard.
Dani turned and walked casually to the desk, propping one hip on the corner of it, sharing his space, forcing him to look at her. She stretched one leg out and bent the other knee. His gaze slipped to her legs and then shot back up again to her face.
She suppressed a smile. Gotcha.
It was as petty and childish as stomping the floor, but surprisingly satisfying in its own way. When you have no control over your life, you take what you can get. Like now, when she could smell the faint scent of soap and the underlying masculine smell that was purely him. She could feel his body heat all along her left side... if she just moved a little they would be touching—
The door opened and Uncle Benny came through, all smiles, the perfect uncle as though none of them were threatened prisoners.
“All right, kids,” he chortled, rubbing his hands together in a way that was altogether too gleeful for one of America’s Most Wanted. “Let’s be off then; I have the room, the caterer, and the cake maker meeting us. We’ll discuss the bridal gown later.” He pointed to Dani, who was trying to keep up. It was like the older man was unware that this entire production was a sham. A sham of his own creation, no less.
“Is David coming?” she asked, wondering just what her erstwhile brother was up to in all of this.
“No.” Benny smiled bigger. “No, David is going to stay here with my men. I wouldn’t want him wandering off. Or either of you for that matter.”
Huh. So he was a prisoner now, too. It made her wonder what he’d been up to. She nodded, acknowledging the implied threat.
Luke simply glared. She could positively feel the anger emanating from him.
“Bring the car around, gentlemen; we’ve a wedding to plan!” Benny shouted, and walked out of the office. Two men stepped in and pulled their guns. They indicated that Dani and Luke were to follow him.
The betrothed exchanged glances.
Reluctantly, they complied.
Just a fun little outing to plan the most important day of their lives—like something straight out of the romance novels.
They couldn’t be happier.
CHAPTER THREE
The hotel was not what he’d expected. At all.
Luke let a quick sound of surprise escape, glancing sharply at Benny and the Jets (as he’d come to calling the bully boys in his mind). He doubted they’d heard. So far, he’d been able to school his features, but then he’d been held captive and undercover too long, so keeping a straight face became as natural as breathing.
The hotel had gone all out. This was what wealth did. Enormous wealth. The caterer and cake maker and designers galore stood proudly behind enormous tables, each with a display vaguely reminiscent of his eighth- grade science fair. Only instead of trifold cardboard showing the effect of caffeine on plant growth, or how to transmit sounds underwater, there were pictures and samples and displays showing great accomplishments of the past. One table held tiered trays, each holding a handful of tiny, beautiful cakes. Wedding cakes in miniature, he realized in horror, wondering at the sheer amount of work that went into decorating something the size of a cupcake just to give them a chance to sample the flavors offered.
Silly him, he’d thought the question would have stopped at vanilla or chocolate.
If I have to eat one of each one of those, I’m going to be sick.
On the other hand, he wouldn’t likely complain too much if they decided to hold him without food again.
Dani had drifted toward a table of linens. Cascades of napkins in every color of the rainbow competed for attention with place settings. She picked up a scarlet napkin with embroidered white doves, her mouth forming a soft ‘o’ of surprise that softened her features and reminded him that she was, in fact, a very beautiful woman. He found himself watching her as she touched wineglasses, picking up and setting down a napkin folded into a swan. Funny how he’d never pegged her as someone who would care about such things. Maybe he should have known. Maybe all women loved weddings on some level, and daydreamed about being princesses.
Yeah, and you’re just some sexist male putting the opposite sex into a little box because you’re more comfortable thinking of them that way. What you don’t seem to want to realize, you doofus, is that Dani might be the one who wants to be a princess on her wedding day, and you’re not the prince for her. And in fact, dick- head, you’re ruining what’s supposed to be something very special. She doesn’t want to marry you. She only said that to save your life.
Even as he thought it she raised her head, and something shuttered within her eyes. She dropped the napkin and turned away, but not before he glimpsed the sadness she fought so hard to conceal.
He started toward her, only to be blocked by a waiter carrying a tray of tall champagne flutes. Champagne. Just shop for wedding supplies. He waved him away and tried to walk around him, only the waiter walked with him, getting underfoot.
“Ahem.”
Luke knew that sound. His head shot up. What they said was true. Wait staff are always invisible. How the hell he’d missed it he’d never know. Distraction probably. But the waiter was Frank Wellington. He was also a cop. One of Randy’s men, and someone Luke knew quite well.
I’m losing my touch.
“A drink, sir. To celebrate the occasion,” Frank said, and handed a glass to Luke. He then moved on to ask the others if they cared for anything. Benny just frowned and ignored him, Dani took one out of politeness. He avoided the goon squad, Luke noticed, earning him more than one glare. Not that the guys should be drinking while on duty. Apparently, it’s always nice to be asked.
The caterer apparently won the who’s-first toss and they spent an hour debating the merits of finger food and chicken verses salmon. Chicken, it appeared, was rather pedestrian, whereas the salmon was much more...
Luke had suggested the word ‘overpriced’ but was shut down by several sour stares. It seemed that neither Dani nor her uncle appreciated his bitter sense of humor, the only opinion they shared. Tiny courses appeared and disappeared. What Luke hadn’t expected was that meeting with the caterer meant eating several samples, not full dinners.
Miniature versions of chicken marsala and salmon fettucine appeared and disappeared. Luke started to eat heartily, remembering all too well his recent lack of meals, and was scolded soundly by Dani and Benny both. You were supposed to try a bite, a forkful, followed by long discussion regarding flavors and pricing. Luke watched with great regret as the chicken marsala was removed. He’d barely gotten a taste.
Through the ordeal, Frank was there, refilling Luke’s water, making sure it was never less than half full. He was encouraged constantly to drink, to cleanse his palate. Tiny saucers of potatoes appeared. Potatoes au gratin. Mashed potatoes. Potato pancakes. It was like being at a child’s tea party. Luke got better at scooping larger bites before the plate was taken away, and almost snarled when they grabbed at the potatoes au gratin when the ever-present hand reached out to take them. He was allowed to finish that one.
Dani rolled her eyes in exasperation. Benny just laughed.
Frank came at him with more water. His guarded expression was one of urgency, and though it seemed ridiculous that he should be clandestinely contacted, putting himself and Frank at risk for the sake of proper hydration, he dutifully downed e
ach proffered cup, wondering if there was a message in the bottom of the glass he just wasn’t seeing. Or had they etched it on the ice cubes?
The net effect was less rescue and more discomfort. Soon, Luke’s bladder began to insist that he take a moment. Unwilling to miss anything, he attempted to refuse the next round of water, but Frank was persistent.
The next course brought out was various soups. Looking at the teacups filled with a dozen different broths, Luke experienced a feeling he hadn’t had since he was a child. Quite simply, one more sip and he would not be held responsible for his actions.
“You two are supposed to be madly in love,” Benny said, rising and coming to stand behind him. His arms encircled them both. Whether it was a warning of some kind to them, or for the benefit of the staff, Luke had no idea. Probably both. Especially given how hard Benny squeezed his shoulder. But then he’d somehow managed to land his hand right on one of the worst bruises he’d gained from David’s masterful touch the other day.
Of course, Benny very likely knew that.
“Most brides and grooms are somewhat pleased to be making wedding plans; we wouldn’t want anything to ruin the big day, would we?” The words were quiet and deadly, and spoken right in Luke’s ear.
“No,” Luke said. His smile was one part false for the sake of appearance and two parts grimace for the growing need in his bladder.
“No,” Dani said around a huge long-suffering sigh. It was as though all the derision for all males and their inability to grow up was placed in that sound. “No, we can’t have that, can we, love?” she asked Luke, and reached out to take his hand.
She had a very strong grip, Luke noted, and his smile began to fade slightly as she increased it. She must have learned the fine art of making every casual touch count. The sweet gesture soon became a vise from which he could not escape. He tried to squeeze back, but she already had his hand bent just enough that he couldn’t get the leverage to reciprocate.
