Lucky Like Us

by Jennifer Ryan

  “What wish did she grant you?”

  “She built me a big log cabin-style house right on the lake at the family ranch. Four bedrooms, a huge Great Room, a big kitchen, and a deck in front overlooking the water. My dream house. I live there when I’m on vacation. Someday I’d like to live there full time. Right now I have work.

  “How’d you know Jack wasn’t me? You’re right, most people can’t tell us apart.”

  “There’s no difference in your appearance, but he wasn’t you. I can’t explain it. I just knew.”

  She couldn’t tell him Jack felt different. She looked at Jack and saw Sam, but he didn’t make her stomach tighten or send a warm shimmer through her body. Whenever Sam came into the room, her whole being responded, and when she’d seen Jack, it was like seeing one of her brothers. She didn’t have a connection to him, other than fondness because he was nice and Sam’s brother.

  “I’m sorry I didn’t come back on Tuesday or Wednesday. Something on the case came up, and I’ve been working with Tyler on it in between my appointments with the mind benders. I thought I’d let you have some time with your family.”

  Actually, his contact, Scott, who he was meeting at the bar the night they were attacked, was found shot to death and locked inside a cargo container at the harbor. He’d been there for quite some time. Maybe even since the night he and Elizabeth had been attacked. Sam figured Scott had made him for a cop and told the Fox. Obviously, the Fox didn’t like having someone set him up with a cop and had decided to do a little housecleaning. Now, without the middleman setting up the hits, the Silver Fox could close up shop or move on to greener pastures, and they’d never get him. No one knew who he was, except for Elizabeth, and that was a loose end Sam intended to make sure the Silver Fox didn’t tie up.

  “Thanks. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate you leaving me with four people who fuss over me and tell me I can’t possibly want to go back home and to work with a maniac out to kill me. Oh, and let’s not forget my stalker. Deputy Director Davies said he wanted me to stay a few more days so you guys could secure my house. No thank you. And then there’s the fact I haven’t slept since you left on Monday. And I feel like shit. I can’t even walk without crutches, or put my damn clothes on.”

  She ran out of steam, her frustration spent. The whole tirade stemmed from fear and exhaustion.

  She was afraid to go to sleep. The Silver Fox had tried to kill her while she slept, Jarred had snuck in while she slept, and the thought of being vulnerable like that again scared her. Who could blame her?

  “You haven’t slept since Monday. You want me to sleep with you when we get to your place?”

  Her parents stepped into the room at that precise moment. Her mother held back a laugh, despite the smile on her face. Her father’s gaze shot daggers at Sam.

  “Maybe we need someone to protect her from you,” the Judge suggested.

  Sam smiled and stood to his full height. “Hello, Rachel, Judge. It’s nice to see you again. Elizabeth says she hasn’t slept well the last few days. I thought perhaps she’d like to take a nap when I get her home,” he covered and tried to keep his face passive. He didn’t want to make her parents think he couldn’t take care of their daughter. He needed them to keep their faith and trust in him.

  “It’s nice to see you too, Sam. Don’t mind the Judge. He’s upset Elizabeth won’t come and stay with us. He forgets she’s a grown woman and knows her own mind. Are you ready to go, Elizabeth?”

  “I was ready days ago. Mom, hand me the crutches.”

  “Didn’t Patrick bring you a sweater or jacket? It’s cold outside and, well, that shirt is rather revealing,” her mother said pointedly.

  Elizabeth looked down at herself and shrugged. She didn’t have anything to put over the thin fabric. Without the bra, you could practically see right through it. Before she lifted her head to tell her mother she had nothing else, Sam draped his flannel shirt over her back and helped her slide her arms into the sleeves. He rolled up the arms because they were too long and buttoned a few buttons in the front to help keep in closed.

  “There you go. All set.”

  Heat from his body and his fresh clean scent lingered in the shirt. She wanted to lie down and hold the soft fabric to her nose and go to sleep smelling him. “Thank you,” she said softly and his blue eyes grew very intense. “Let’s go. I want a real meal, my own bed, and to check on things at my shop. I probably have a mountain of work to do.”

  “No work today, sweetheart. Today we go to your place. While you sleep, I’ll make sure the place is secure. I’ll take you to work tomorrow for a couple hours if you’re up to it.”

  “But Sam, I have a business to run. I’ve been in here for two weeks. Enough is enough. I can’t put off business any longer.”

  “Don’t worry, Ellie Girl. Daniel took care of everything at the shop. He’s contacted all your suppliers and let them know you’ll pay them when you return. They’ve all agreed to hold your accounts and make their deliveries. They know you’ll make payment when you’re able. The payroll company has paid the workers. Your assistant manager signed, but Daniel verified every check before he paid the employees. Everything is running smoothly, and that’s because you run a good business. Things are fine. Let’s take you home so you can rest.”

  The nurse came in with her wheelchair and Sam asked everyone to step out so he could have a word with her alone before they left.

  “Elizabeth, I want to make something clear before I take you home.” He waited for her nod. “We haven’t captured the man who did this. He’s still out there, and he wants you dead because you can ID him. I’m sorry to put it so bluntly, but I want you to understand you’re in real danger.”

  “Sam, I know. I spoke with Tyler last night. He told me what to expect.”

  “You spoke to Tyler last night?”

  “Yes, he came to see me. That’s why I decided to leave here today. I’m no safer here than I would be there. I want to go home, Sam.”

  She couldn’t tell him Tyler had brought a sketch artist and some photos of the suspects they had. He showed her the photographs of their suspects, and she discarded all of them without hesitation. She worked with the sketch artist to translate her description into a picture. Once they had that, she remembered the company logo on his bracelet. It took some time, but several minutes later she came up with the company name. After she knew that, it wasn’t hard to remember the man’s name and where she’d briefly met him.

  Tyler accessed the company’s website on his laptop and found a picture of him, along with a short biography. Tyler was surprised to see the sketch and picture were very similar. They planned a trap for the guy, and decided it was best not to tell Sam she was the bait. She hated lying to Sam, even by omission, but it was necessary.

  “What else did you and Tyler talk about last night?”

  She’d drifted off into thought, and Sam wondered if she was thinking about Tyler. He didn’t like the fact she’d spent time with him alone. Tyler thought Elizabeth was beautiful, and he liked her personality. He’d been making one comment after another about her the last two days, and now he was visiting her in the hospital behind his back.

  “What’s the matter? He came to talk to me about the case and make it clear I should keep you with me at all times.” She tried to lighten his mood. “I only have one fake fiancé, honey, and that’s you. I’m a one man kind of woman.” She winked. “Actually, I have two fake fiancés, but you’re the only one I want.”

  He couldn’t help himself and smiled. “Thanks. I’m a one woman kind of man, and I don’t like the idea of Tyler sweet-talking you into having him guard you instead of me.”

  “How’d you know that’s why he came?” She tried to hide her smile and looked up at him, acting completely innocent, but he didn’t buy it.

  Sam thought he hid his feelings well, but she had a way of dismantling his walls. His jealousy showed, despite his best effort to keep it under wraps.

 
; “All he’s talked about is you for the last two days. I think he has a crush on you.”

  “Oh yeah? What about you, Sam? Do you have a crush on me?”

  Uncomfortable and unable to meet her eyes, she smirked and made his discomfort worse. He didn’t know how to answer. How did she maneuver him smack in the middle of a minefield?

  Defensive, he glared at her and said, “Let’s go. The two agents who have been guarding your room are going with us, until you and I are settled in at your house. If I tell you to do something, you do it. No questions. If I say duck, you take cover without questioning me. This guy has already shot you once, I don’t want to give him an opportunity to do it again.”

  “Some fake fiancé. You can’t even tell me you like me.” He glared at her even more. “Okay. No questions. Follow whatever order you give me. It’s for my own good, and you’re trying to keep me alive. I got it. I’ll try to be a model protected witness.”

  She slid off the bed and stepped forward to take a seat in the wheelchair so they could leave, but Sam grabbed her and pulled her to him. He held her tight against his chest and looked down into her surprised face. One arm banded around her, he traced his fingertips over her cheek and down along her jaw to her neck. His fingers rested against her warm skin, her pulse skittered against the pad of his thumb.

  “God, you’re beautiful.”

  Eyes locked on hers, he leaned down and kissed her. Slow and easy, when she opened her mouth to him, his control slipped, and he demanded more. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she buried her fingers in his short hair, closed her eyes, and let go. He held her by her hips, so he wouldn’t hurt her back or stomach. He wanted to pull her hips to his, but they had to leave, and he didn’t have time to make love to her like he wanted and his body demanded.

  Frustrated, he pulled back just enough to see her face. “Does that tell you how much I like you? Fake fiancé or not, I want you. Stay away from Tyler. He can get his own girl. You’re mine.” He brushed his lips against hers and stepped back. It took everything he had to let her go when he wanted to keep her close.

  She limped to the wheelchair and eased herself into it, her face flushed, her eyes and head dazed after their kiss. He’d rattled her, and it felt good to know she was just as affected as him.

  After handing her the crutches she needed at home, Sam pushed her toward the door. “Remember what I said. Do what I tell you. No questions.”

  “Okay,” she said, a little dumbfounded after the kiss, giving his ego another boost. “Let’s go. I want to go to sleep knowing no one is sneaking up on me. Not that being there will change that,” she sighed.

  He stepped up beside her and put his hands on his hips and looked down at her. “I won’t let anyone hurt you again.” He gave her his best mischievous grin. “Besides, the only person you have to worry about sneaking up on you while you’re sleeping is me.”

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  * * *

  THE QUIET, NEARLY deserted streets in this part of town made it easy to get close to her home. Or at least what she called home. He should buy several blocks of the dilapidated warehouses, level them, and build high-priced condos. He’d make a fortune. He always did in every venture, but the prospect didn’t hold any appeal. Not when his future hinged on Elizabeth and making sure she never testified against him. He needed her silence and one way or another; he’d have it.

  Due home from the hospital soon based on his sources, he circled her block in the innocuous white sedan he’d rented under a false name. He slowed at the approach to the alley behind her home. In the distance near the trash bins, he spotted a man stumble out her back door when a cat rushed through his feet.

  “Stupid fucking cat,” the guy yelled, oblivious to everything around him.

  The cat crouched, hissing and growling. One paw swatted out at the man’s leg, claws catching on denim before ripping clear. The guy slammed his boot down on the cat. His screech echoed between the buildings, and the cat tore off to hide under the dumpster. The man pulled out a knife and worked in deliberate scratching motions, carving something into the door. In unrestrained fury, he worked at the task. “Take that, bitch.”

  “That guy is a nut.” Someone else had it out for her. If he got in his way, he’d eliminate him too. The Fox drove on, shaking his head, and let go of the idea of getting close to her today. Always at his best when presented with a challenge. Elizabeth intrigued him, but a second player in their game raised the stakes.

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  * * *

  SAM TURNED HER over to the aide outside her room and they rode the elevator down to the lobby. Before they left the hospital, he stopped everyone and bent down next to her.

  “Can you walk out to the car with your crutches?”

  “Yes.” A brand new midnight-blue Suburban sat parked out front. “Nice car. Is it yours, or the FBI’s?”

  “It’s yours.”

  “What? No.”

  “Yes, it is, Ellie Girl. Your mother and I got it for you. Yours was severely damaged and we thought you might want a new one after what happened.”

  Tears welled in her eyes, and she tried to blink them away. “Thank you. It’s wonderful. What about my other car?”

  “We had it towed away. Not to worry. We took care of everything.”

  “Thank you. I don’t know what else to say.” She had worried about going home and seeing the car all smashed up and remembering what happened. At least she wouldn’t have to deal with it.

  Sam took both her hands and helped her out of the wheelchair and placed the crutches under her arms to support her. Her fingers tingled after he’d touched her and her heart fluttered with awareness, but she tucked it away for later. Sam’s guard mode rubbed off on her. She scanned the faces in the hospital entrance, her nerves kicked in and the fear came back. Sam noticed the subtle shift in her mood and stepped in front of her, looking at every person around them. He angled his head to glance at her behind him and she gave him a half-hearted smile. Because she wanted to, she ran a hand over his shoulder to reassure him—and herself—that everything was fine.

  “Let’s go.”

  “I’ll walk out first, you stay right behind me,” he ordered. “Both agents will remain right beside you. Go straight to the car and get in the back seat. John will sit beside you, and Mark will follow us in the other car.”

  “Okay.”

  She convinced her parents she was in good hands. They said their goodbyes and left first. Sam made her wait until they cleared the cars waiting out front, then they made their way outside. He timed the exit perfectly. Only one other couple waited out front with their newborn as Grandma placed multiple flower vases in the back of their SUV. The new father placed the infant car seat in back and helped his wife into the car. Not even the family escaped Sam’s intense scrutiny. He watched everything at once. His diligence in protecting her went a long way to tamping down her building fear.

  Everything went according to plan, and they got into the car together. Sam had to help her into the high seat while John stood guard beside them. On the drive home, her anxiety heightened. When they turned onto her street, sick with worry, her stomach churned. Sam pulled up in front of her house and turned off the car. The other agent, Mark, went inside first and made sure everything was as it should be and no one else was inside. He poked his head out her front door and gave Sam an all-clear wave.

  “I’ll get out first. Get out after John. Go straight into the house. Ready?”

  Fingers clamped together, her palms wet and held tightly in her lap, she stared out the window seeing Sam lying in the street, the car bearing down on them. She hated thinking about it, seeing the replay in her mind. Her throat closed when she imagined the man’s grip around her throat. Fear made her heart thunder in her chest.

  “Elizabeth.”

  She gasped, her vision cleared, and Sam turned toward her in the front seat. “What? Yeah. Get out of the car behind John and go straight in. I got it. John, plea
se take the crutches out first. That way I won’t fall on my face.”

  “No problem. Stay behind me. Sam will walk behind you.”

  “I got it. Let’s just go.”

  Her heart continued to pound, and she could barely take a breath. She seriously considered she might have an anxiety attack over getting out of the car and going into her own house. She stared out the window once more, down the street to where the dark SUV had been parked. No such car today, everything appeared as it should.

  Sam got out before she followed John out the door and headed inside. She stepped into her living area and immediately backed up again and ran right into Sam. He put his hands on her arms to steady her.

  “Ouch!”

  He instantly let go of her injured arm. “Oh, God, sweetheart, I’m sorry. What’s wrong? Why are you backing up?”

  “Something’s wrong?”

  “What’s wrong?” He scanned the room looking for any threat or sign something was out of place. “Mark checked the place. No one is here. You’re safe.”

  “I’m telling you, something is wrong. I can feel it.” She tried to back up more, but Sam was a wall behind her. His breath blew through her hair. Because the other two agents stared at them, he didn’t put his hands on her, but stayed close. The heat of his body comforted her, but didn’t erase the strange feeling stealing her good sense and making her panic.

  “Is something out of place? Patrick has been staying here. He left this morning because you’re coming home. I know the flowers are half dead, but he wanted you to see how much everyone cares about you.”

  “It’s not that.”

  Her kitchen was at the far back of the huge open space, a Decadence cake box sat on the counter. Everything appeared the same, but something was still . . . off. She couldn’t put her finger on it. Her heart raced and the hairs on the back of her neck stood on end. All three men watched her. She was acting ridiculous, but the creepy feeling coursed through her. Maybe after all that had happened, she was looking for something to be wrong.