“What happened?”
“It’s not a big deal. He met someone else and moved on. And before you ask, yes, I’m fine with it.”
“Come with me.” Julia turned her toward their father’s study, closing the door behind them. “Don’t tell me you’re fine because I can see from your face you’re not. He never called?”
Selena took a shuddering breath, clasping her hands in front of her. “No word from him at all. A week with no calls or texts. Nothing. It didn’t take a genius to realize what was happening, so I packed the few things he left at my house and dropped them off. He was entertaining his new lady.”
“Tell me you did not walk in to find them together.”
“No, nothing like that. I saw her when one of his employees took the box from me. I never did see Linc.” Selena lowered herself into a nearby chair.
Julia took a seat next to her, grabbing her hand. “So you didn’t talk to him, ask what was going on?”
“Well, no.”
“Has he called since you dropped off the box?”
Shaking her head, Selena pulled the phone from her purse and turned it on. “I shut it off.” Waiting while it powered up, she leaned back in the overstuffed chair. “At this point, his excuses don’t interest me.” Her eyes narrowed when she saw two voice messages, both from Linc.
“Did he call?” Julia prodded.
“Yes.” Selena slipped the phone back into her purse, not having the desire to listen to them now.
“You’re not going to listen to what he has to say? What if you made a mistake and the woman isn’t who you think?”
“And what if she is? I just don’t want to deal with it right now. Later, but not now.” Standing, Selena took purposeful strides out of the room, leaving Julia to stare at her retreating back.
******
Linc guided the twenty-foot fishing boat into an area known as a favorite for Lake Bountiful’s trout population. Looking behind him, he smiled. Secured in his life vest, Caid held onto one of the metal railings, his hair blowing in the slight breeze, a huge smile on his face.
“Dad, when can we fish?” Caid let go of the railing, moving closer to Linc.
He couldn’t suppress the joy he felt at Caid’s use of the word dad. Never would he have thought one word could trigger so much emotion.
“A few more minutes and we’ll be at my favorite spot on the lake.” Linc’s free arm snaked around his son’s waist, holding him steady as he made a slow turn. “Can you wait that long?”
Caid nodded, his gaze following the direction of the boat, his small form vibrating with excitement. Linc slowed the engine and reached behind him, grabbing a short rod and reel rigged for a child. Tying on a hook and adding bait, he checked it over once more.
“Now?” Caid bounced on the balls of his feet, glancing from the rod to his father.
“Do you know how to cast?”
He shook his head, his face scrunching. “Uh-uh.”
“It’s okay. I’ll do it, then you can catch the fish.” Linc stepped to the other side of the boat, cast the line out, then reeled it in a little before handing it to Caid. “There you go.”
Caid flashed him a brilliant smile. The punch to his gut was the same sensation he felt when Selena did the same. Shoving his hands in his pockets, he watched Caid, his mind thinking about Selena. Three hours had passed since he left his second voicemail, but he already felt a sickening dread flow through his body. She’d always answered his messages within minutes. He wondered where she’d be on a late Sunday afternoon, then grimaced, remembering the invitation to her father’s for dinner. As if on cue, his phone vibrated. He grabbed it, looking at the screen to see a text from Adam.
Adam: What the hell’s going on with you and Selena?
Linc: I screwed up. Is she at her father’s?
Adam: Yeah, she’s here. Can you make it?
Linc: Can’t today. I’ll explain when I see you.
Adam: Don’t explain to me. Explain to Selena. Whatever’s going on isn’t working for her. Gotta go.
Linc shoved the phone back into his pocket, considering his options. Caid started school tomorrow. He’d get him settled in class, swing by Selena’s house, then her office. Somehow, he’d get her to listen to him. Hopefully, she’d understand about his past, as well as Caid. He cared too much to let her disappear from his life.
Within a few short days, his son had become his first priority. He vowed to work hard at being a father worthy of Caid’s trust. Yet as hard as he tried, he also couldn’t envision a future without Selena. He needed them both.
Chapter Twelve
“Ephraim, there isn’t anything else I can give you. I know you don’t want to hear it, but TSR is clean. Their clients are extremely loyal.”
He could hear the frustration in the voice of the Simondson employee he’d sent to Peregrine Bay with orders to forward information on TSR client issues, breaches, and failures. So far, all Ephraim had received was a few deflected cyber-attacks and a botched hostage rescue operation that went against the recommendation of TSR. Nothing he could use to color the opinion of the city council.
“Then you’ll need to create something,” he growled.
“You want me to fabricate incidences where none exist? That’s insane, Ephraim. They check and double check all client communication. I’m not good enough to hide that type of sabotage.”
Sabotage, Ephraim pondered. He hadn’t considered creating chaos within the company, certain they’d be able to uncover business improprieties or mismanagement. Perhaps his thinking had been too narrow. System shutdowns, cyber-attacks targeted at TSR, could be a better method to undermine their pristine record than sorting through benign hacking instances with little impact.
“Sabotage is an excellent idea and can be accomplished within hours—”
“No, it can’t. You have no idea what you’re asking or what goes into the type of actions you’re considering. I’m not the person to do it.”
“I didn’t send you to Peregrine Bay to tell me what you can’t do. You owe me.”
His employee sighed. The hope of being able to build a life in Peregrine Bay had disintegrated into a war of wills with a man who held aspirations beyond reason. He’d built a successful business, which grew by over twenty percent each year. Still, it wasn’t enough for him.
“You do not want to stoop to the actions you’re requesting. Back away and let TSR have the arts center project. One lost contract is nothing compared to the backlash a botched sabotage attempt could cause.”
“Then don’t botch it,” Ephraim hissed. “Do I need to itemize all the ways I’ve helped you over the years, the money I’ve thrown at your education, or the messes you’ve avoided because of me?”
“No, you don’t.”
“Then get to work on this. I need a significant event to occur before the committee makes its decision. Am I clear?”
“Yes, Ephraim, you are.”
Slamming down the phone, Ephraim leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. He never should’ve married a woman who dragged a kid along with her. No matter the money he provided over the years, the situation never changed—until he’d washed his hands of his wife’s child. Recent circumstances required him to get more involved, but he’d exacted a price this time. No more free rides. Ephraim wanted something in return, and he’d get it.
******
Rolling to her side, Selena glanced at the clock, then jumped out of bed. Eight o’clock. She’d meant to be in the office by seven Monday morning, get an early start, fill her day with work, and start forgetting about Linc.
Taking a quick shower, she towel dried her hair, hearing a pounding on her front door. Slipping into sweats and a cotton camisole, she plodded through the living room, pulling open the door, then freezing at who stood outside.
“Thanks for finally answering.” Linc didn’t bother to hide the sarcasm. His scowl faltered when he got a good look at her, his mouth going dry. Damp hair, skin glistening from her shower, and t
ight top over lightweight pants which hugged her hips. “May I come in?” His voice dropped an octave.
“Yes. I mean, no.”
“Well, which is it, Selena? Are you going to let me in so we can talk about what’s going on, or are you going to make me shadow you until I break your defenses?”
She ran fingers through her hair, then crossed her arms, her chin jutting out. “I don’t even know why you’re here. Most men wouldn’t be knocking on another woman’s door when they have a girlfriend waiting for them at home.”
Linc’s jaw dropped. Of all the mistakes he’d made, hiding a girlfriend at his house wasn’t one of them. “Girlfriend? What the hell are you talking about?”
Sending him a withering glare, she moved to close the door. “Forget it.” Before it slammed shut, Linc inserted his booted foot and held out a firm arm.
“No, I won’t forget it. You accused me of hiding a girlfriend at my place, which is a bunch of…which isn’t true. The only girlfriend I have is you. Obviously, I somehow messed that up.”
He saw the expression on her face change from defiance to confusion, her shoulders slumping.
“You get five minutes before I have to change for work.” She opened the door enough to allow him to enter. “Don’t waste the time.”
Linc almost laughed at her bravado. Even with her fierce façade, he could see the redness in her eyes and the puffiness around them, both signs of little or no sleep. He may not have known her long, and she had never said the words, but he’d bet his life she’d fallen in love with him.
Moving close to touch her, she stepped aside, taking quick strides around the kitchen island and to the coffee pot. Pouring a cup for him and one for her, she carried them to the living room, holding one out.
“Okay, your time starts now.”
He took the cup, taking a sip, refusing to sit until she did. With a raised brow, Selena sighed, lowering herself onto one end of the sofa. Linc took a seat next to her, scooting over until only inches separated them.
“Before I explain why I was out of touch, plead mea culpa, and beg your forgiveness, I want to know what you mean by my girlfriend.”
She turned to face him. “You know, a female you’re close to, one who stays at your house, a woman you entertain. The lady with whom you’re currently sleeping.” Her voice rose a notch with each phrase, red coloring her cheeks.
“And you’re implying that woman isn’t you?” He studied her face, trying to understand what she was telling him.
“Stop it, Linc. I saw her at your house. Long black hair, slim, attractive. Does that ring a bell?”
It took him a minute before his face shifted from confusion to amusement. “Jealous?”
Jumping up, she stomped a few feet away, then turned with her hands on her hips. “You think this is funny?”
Standing, Linc held his hands out in front of him, palms out. “No, darlin’, I don’t think it’s funny at all.”
“Then you admit she exists?” Her voice faltered, the color draining from her face.
“C’mere, Selena.”
“No. Not until I understand why you couldn’t tell me about her. Why I had to stumble onto your secret.”
Scrubbing a hand down his face, he let his arms fall to his sides. “You stumbled onto a secret all right, but the nanny is just one part of it.”
Her eyes widened and breath hitched. “Nanny?”
He took slow steps toward her, allowing her to push him away if she wanted. When she didn’t, he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close.
“I have a lot to tell you and none of it involves a girlfriend, unless we mean you.” He kissed her temple, then swept her into his arms. Taking a seat on a nearby chair, he settled her on his lap, a sense of relief washing over him when she wrapped her arms around his neck.
“That’s better. Now, let me tell you about my week.”
******
“Married? But you said you’d never been in love.” She pulled away to look at him. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
He closed his eyes, remembering Adam’s advice. “The relationship wasn’t love, Selena, but lust. I’m not proud of the fact, but it’s the truth. I was married for a few short months. We were together a total of three weeks before my team got orders to ship out. By the time I returned home, the annulment had been finalized.” He swiped an errant strand of hair from her face. “Honestly, I never thought about her after that, barely remembered I’d ever been married. It had become a non-event for me.”
She mulled this over, trying to decide what to make of the fact he’d been less than honest. “I don’t understand why you didn’t just tell me. Why would you hide it?”
“As I recall, you asked if I’d ever been in love. I answered honestly. You’re right, though. I should’ve told you, and would have, except it just didn’t seem important. Few people even know about the brief relationship and no one ever talks about it.” He brushed a kiss across her forehead, feeling fortunate she didn’t pull away.
“All right. I can somewhat understand, but what does that have to do with the fact you disappeared from my life?”
“Believe me, I didn’t mean to disappear.” Linc kissed her lips, then slid her off his lap and stood, pacing to the window. The wind had picked up, causing even the tallest pines to sway. Taking a deep breath, he turned toward her. “Last week, I learned something had come from my brief marriage.”
Sitting with her legs crossed, hands clasped in her lap, she shook her head. “What?”
“I have a son, Selena.” He let the words sink in, seeing her eyes go wide, her lips part.
“My God…” A hand came up to cover her mouth as she absorbed the news.
“Yeah.” Shoving his hands in his pockets, he turned back toward the window, watching the wind create patterns as it swirled around the branches, lifting heavy limbs, then letting them fall. “His name is Caiden and he’s six.” Linc could feel a smile tug at the corners of his mouth as he spun back toward her. “Caid’s a part of my life now. I won’t turn my back on him.” His expression held a hint of defiance, a challenge for her to disagree.
Selena pushed up, walking to him with outstretched arms. Wrapping them around his waist, she nuzzled his neck, taking in the familiar scent that was completely Linc.
“Why would you even think of not being there for him?” she whispered.
Linc could feel his body relax as he pulled her closer, resting his chin on the top of her head. “Valerie never told me about him. When she died a few years ago, her parents became Caiden’s legal guardians. His grandmother has Alzheimer’s, and his grandfather’s been diagnosed with terminal cancer. If it hadn’t been for circumstances, I may have gone to my grave never knowing.” The familiar feel of fury began to burn, then died out as Selena held him tighter. Her touch calmed him, brought him back to a place where he felt at peace.
She glanced up, her eyes moist. “You are going to make the most amazing father.”
“You think so?”
“I know so, Lincoln Caldwell. Any little boy, or girl, would be very fortunate to call you… What does he call you?”
“Dad, or sometimes Daddy.” Linc almost choked on the emotions that slammed into him. Clearing his throat, he looked at her. “And what would you call me, Selena?”
She grinned against his chest. “My boyfriend?”
“Good girl.” He dropped his arms, taking a step back. “Caid’s in school until three o’clock. Would you like to come over to my place after work and have dinner with us?”
A smile broke out across her face, the same one that always punched him in his belly.
“I’d like that very much.”
“That’s good,” he breathed out. Letting a finger trail down her cheek, he leaned in, taking her mouth with his. It had been almost a full week since he’d felt her soft body against him. He didn’t know the protocol for sleeping with his woman while his son slept in a room next door, but he’d bet it wasn’t a good idea. At least not ye
t. “When do you have to be at work?”
Her mind fogged, feeling his lips doing funny things as they trailed a path down her neck, then toward the swell of her breasts. At the moment, she couldn’t think of a single reason she had to be at the office anytime soon.
“I’ll take your silence as permission to stay and pick up where we left off last week.” Bending, he lifted her into his arms, then walked to her bedroom, kicking the door shut. He didn’t plan to let her go until the school bell rang.
******
“Hey, C. Haven’t heard from you in forever. Where you been keeping yourself.” Phone to his ear, Rave sat back in his chair, giving his eyes a rest from their constant vigilance on the computer screen.
“Around. Right now, I’m in a hick town near Lake Bountiful in Idaho, trying to do a job for my stepfather.”
“Yeah? And what would that be?”
“That’s why I called you, Rave. The old man is hanging all the old crap over my head. This time, he’s ordering me to make something happen with one of his competitors. It’s completely out of my league.”
“I’m guessing it has to do with busting into a system, or…” His voice trailed off as he thought through the possibilities.
“Any type of disruption that’ll damage their reputation. The issue is time.”
“Let me guess, C. He wants it done yesterday.”
“Of course he does. That’s how the man rolls.”
“Why do you still let him push you around? You’ve been on your own long enough to cut ties with the man, unless there are things you’ve never mentioned.”
“It’s my mother. He still controls the purse strings, so she’ll be the one to suffer if I don’t do what he asks. Every time I get myself straight, he yanks on the leash, screwing up all my plans. Look, I’ll understand if you don’t want to help out. There’s a risk on this one.”
“What’s the risk?” Rave asked, his interest piqued.
“The target is Templar Security & Rescue.”
“TSR?” He let out a couple choice expletives, then took a breath. “Is the old man nuts? They have some of the best equipment and brain power in the business. Word on the street is they’re expensive, but their record is pristine. Client’s line up to work with them.”
Our Kind of Love Page 11
