The haze in her brain began to clear and beneath it was the truth of what had to be done. “We can’t do this again, Nathan. It . . . complicates things.” Talk about sleeping with the enemy. It was already going to be hard enough to see things through with Alastair. Falling in love wi— No. Going to bed with Nathan Tremayne would wreak all kinds of havoc on so many things. Especially her heart. “And I can’t handle complicated right now.” She planted her hands on his chest and pushed away, trying not to think about the intoxicating feel of his heart pounding beneath her palm.
The puppies whined and pawed the side of her legs.
“It doesn’t have to be complicated. Why don’t you”—he lifted his hand to her face, tucked her hair behind her ear, and hit her with one of those damned charming grins of his—“come with me today.”
“To your family’s party?” She didn’t realize her voice could reach that high an octave. Was he insane? She didn’t belong there, with him. With them. “I don’t do families, Nathan.” Especially his family. Not with what she’d done, was doing . . . had to do. Throwing them in Alastair’s path was her only way clear. Wasn’t it? She didn’t want to meet anyone else—like anyone else. Her circle of people was expanding far too fast to keep control of.
“You already know Dad and Sheila and Malcolm. Well, you’ve met them. And besides, I need your help with these two.” He glanced at the puppies who were whining up at them. “Otherwise it won’t be much of a surprise. They’ll hear me coming a mile down the road.”
“No.” She shook her head at the idea of being surrounded by those kids, those beautiful wanted, lovely kids that reminded her of the one she couldn’t be with yet. “Nathan, I can’t.” Because she didn’t want to know if . . . she fit. Not when she’d have to walk away.
“Can’t or won’t?” He challenged. “One day, Laurel. Give me one day when you’re just you. Not the woman after the crown or whatever ulterior motives you might have. Not some insurance investigator with an eye on a check and not the woman who I’m sure can fake her way out of every situation. That’s a compliment, by the way,” he added when her spine stiffened. “You’re adaptable and you know what? You need a break before things start to get really crazy and we dive into this Manville problem. Just be you. For one day.”
He didn’t know, didn’t understand what he was asking. The fallout from the risk he wanted her to take could be devastating to both of them. But here, now, he had her where she couldn’t—didn’t want to—refuse. Maybe she could trust him with the truth. Maybe soon. But not now. Now, all she could do was nod and silently surrender. “Okay. I’ll be me.” If only she knew who that was.
Chapter Thirteen
Laurel clenched her fists to stop from fidgeting as Nathan drove past the balloon- and streamer-laden three-story Victorian on Tumbleweed Drive. She recognized Nathan’s sister Sheila, looking oddly casual in cutoff jeans, flip-flops, and a bright red Marvel T-shirt as she pointed to blank spots and called out to a group of young men walking along the roof of the porch. A ginormous Hello Kitty blinked to life as they moved out of sight and Laurel found herself looking over the back of her seat to catch a glimpse of the progress. Her heart twisted. What she wouldn’t give to throw Joey a party like this. Soon. One day soon.
“Isn’t that the—” she pointed behind them as Nathan made a U-turn and parked behind a silver and black Jag around the corner. He’d barely cut the engine when she spotted Malcolm climbing out of the car.
Nathan pushed open his door and Laurel followed suit, circling around the SUV as Malcolm glanced down at his cell phone. “Just waiting on the all clear from Sheila,” he said. “Lydia’s had a good morning, so they’re setting up the party in the backyard. Hey, Laurel. Good to see you again. Nathan, you survived the night.”
“Barely.” Nathan winked at Laurel as he popped the hatch. “I’m afraid I might have to enter witness protection after we deliver these two.”
Two pairs of big brown eyes stared out from behind the bars of their crates.
“I told you, as long as they get attention, they’ll be fine.” Laurel unlatched the first crate and reached for the pink ribbon Nathan had been struggling with while they’d packed up the car. “Come on, girl.” Laurel tapped the floor of the SUV and after a moment’s hesitation, pup number one walked toward her.
“I brought our own Doctor Dolittle.” Nathan grinned as Laurel looped the ribbon around the dog’s neck. “But I give that bow about five minutes before she tugs it off.”
“That’s why we move it to the back. Here, Malcolm.” She plopped the puppy in his arms and bid silent farewell to the little life. “I don’t think he can manage both at once.” Teasing Nathan felt like second nature and for a moment she forgot about the crown and Alastair and . . . everything. Today could just be a normal day.
As if Laurel had any concept of normal.
“Sherlock’s going to think I’ve been cheating on him.” Malcolm scratched the dog behind his ears.
“Sherlock?” Laurel asked as she gave the second puppy the identical treatment and passed him off to Nathan.
“A kitten I gave Sheila. Cute little guy. I’ve got pictures on my phone.”
“Yeah, Sherlock is Sheila’s cat.” Nathan rolled his eyes as Laurel grabbed the tote of toys. “We’ll come back for the crates. Are we good to go?”
“I thought I saw you drive by. Oh!” Sheila rounded the corner and stopped short when she saw the three of them gathered around the back of Nathan’s SUV. “Laurel, hi. I didn’t realize you’d be joining us.” She aimed straight for Malcolm and ignored him as she only had eyes for the dog.
“Nathan invited me.” Laurel must have sounded more defensive than she realized as all three of them turned frowns on her. “I hope that’s okay?”
“It’s more than okay.” Sheila blinked away the expression of concern, replacing it with a stunning, welcoming smile. The way her blond hair framed her face, she looked as if she was glowing in the barely noon sun. “You’re welcome anytime. I told Morgan we had a surprise for the kids, but I think she’s onto you.” She nudged Nathan with her shoulder. “They’re all in the backyard and ready when you are.”
“Too late to back out now,” Malcolm grunted. “And let’s unload these guys. They’re getting heavy.”
Laurel followed, her stomach jumping at the prospect of walking into a family celebration. Though truth be told, she was looking forward to seeing the reactions to the new family arrivals.
“These guys are really getting on my nerves,” Sheila muttered as they headed up the walkway to the side gate, throwing an irritated glance toward the car across the street. “You’d think they could take Sunday off.”
Laurel glanced back at the car she’d seen following Jackson yesterday. “Police?”
“They’re still watching Dad?” Nathan growled. “What do they expect him to do? Come out of the house wearing the crown? Did Morgan notice?”
“Not that I know of. Gage did.” Sheila’s mouth twisted. “I know they have a job to do, but really? It’s a family party. Dad’s not going to be making a break for it today of all days. Wait, Laurel, where are you—”
Laurel crossed the street to the gold sedan. The two men inside—one a thirtysomething dark-haired man who looked more guilty than Laurel did after a two-week con, and a forty-plus bulk of a man who lowered his window and watched her approach through small, piercing eyes.
“Hey, guys.” She rested her arm on the roof of the car and leaned in, tilting her head so her hair skimmed the arm of the driver. “My name is Laurel Scott. I work for TransUnited Insurance.”
“We know who you are, Miss Scott.” The younger man leaned across the gearshift and gave her a grin. “I’m Detective Spano and this is my partner Detective Holloway. What can we do for you?”
“How about taking a break? Give them today?”
“We’d love to,” Detective H
olloway said. “Believe me, we’d love to.”
“Who’s ordered the surveillance? Evan Marshall?”
“And the commissioner,” Spano said. “Just a precaution.”
“It’s a family party for a sick little girl, guys. She’s dying.”
Stark’s eyes narrowed and he stared straight ahead as his jaw worked. “Fuckin’ sucks.”
“It does indeed.” Laurel had struck pay dirt. “How about you give me your number and I’ll let you know when Jackson leaves? I know you have a job to do, but they don’t need this. Not today. I promise. I’ll call the D.A. myself and smooth things over if you want.”
“No need to bother Evan.” Holloway shook his head. “Ridiculous detail from the start and I’m tired of holding my tongue about it. They want to fire me for disobeying orders, so be it. Spano, you in or out?”
“In all the way.” But he handed Laurel his card with a wink. She couldn’t help but smile.
“Hey, if you see a cop today named Bouncer, tell her I did you a solid, okay? We’ll call it even?”
“Bouncer? Sure, you’ve got it.” She tapped the hood of the car with her hand. “Thanks. They appreciate it. And I won’t forget it.”
“The Tremaynes are good people,” Holloway said. “Whatever mess they’re in, I hope it gets cleared up soon. They’ve got friends on the force.”
“I’ll relay the message.” She took a step back, holding the bag of puppy toys in her hands as they drove off. She turned, watching until they turned out of sight before heading back to where Nathan, Malcolm, and Sheila stood waiting for her. “They won’t be back. Unless something major changes. They said you’re good people.”
“Thank you.” Sheila let out a sigh of relief. “It might not seem like much to you but—”
Laurel shrugged, ducking her head and pushing her hair out of her face. “It’s something I’m good at. Convincing people to do the right thing.” Usually it was the right thing for her. It felt . . . good to do something for someone else and without an ulterior motive. “I think your dad could use a bit of good news.”
Gratitude shone in Nathan’s eyes. “Now I owe you another one.” The puppy in his arms whined and licked his shoulder.
“I’ll find the right time to collect.” Her attempt at levity didn’t get her very far; it only managed to set a new series of pangs chiming in her overstressed belly. Her phone rang and, with a sigh, she reached for it, her stomach dropping to her toes when she recognized the number. “Give me a second, will you? It’s work.” She waved the phone in the air and walked away from them, waiting until they disappeared through the back side gate before she answered. She cleared her throat. “Sir?”
“Taking the day off?” Alastair’s icy voice sent chills down her spine.
Laurel swallowed hard. So much for normal. But now wasn’t the time to cower. “You wanted me to get close the family. That’s what I’m doing.” The silence that followed surprised her, for once in a good way, but she still had to remind herself to breathe. “You’re going to have to trust me to get things done.”
“I would think, this close to the end of our arrangement, you wouldn’t want to give me a reason to turn that surveillance video over to the authorities. Now isn’t the time to test me, Laurel. Or to try to outthink me. I’ve been planning for this day for years. Trust me. There isn’t any eventuality I haven’t planned for.”
“That’s not what I’m doing,” she lied. “Believe me, I’m not any happier about this than you are. I know what I have to do, and to do it I need to play along with the Tremaynes. Nathan has a lead on the crown and I’m going with him to follow it up. Unless you’d prefer I hang out in Lantano Valley and keep an eye on Jackson for you?”
“I have enough eyes on Jackson. I want you exactly where you are, with Nathan Tremayne. But I meant what I said, Laurel. Refrain from enacting any clever tactics against me. I’d hate for Joey to have to live with the unfortunate choices her mother’s made.”
Rage boiled and bubbled low in her belly. “Stop threatening my daughter.”
“You don’t have anyone other than yourself to blame. You put her in the middle of your mess when you tried to steal from me. Remember that the next time you want to assert what little power you might have.
“I know what I have to do.” More and more every day. “Leave Joey alone. Please.”
“Then get to it. I’ll be watching. All of you. Do your job. Or watch everything you love disappear.” He hung up.
Laurel dropped her hand to her side, shivering as the blood drained from her face. All this time she’d suspected she was being watched; that they had eyes on her daughter as well. But knowing was something completely different. Knowing was petrifying.
What was she going to do?
She dialed Poppy’s number, frustration taking hold when it went to voice mail. She left a brief message for him to call her back ASAP. Until she heard his voice, heard Joey’s voice, she wasn’t going to relax.
The low whine of a car’s brakes echoed in the distance and Laurel broke free of her reverie as a grey van parked at the corner. Her brows knitted. Odd to see a service van parking on a Sunday, but she supposed there were always emergencies. In fact, the two men who got out were wearing matching grey jumpsuits, a clipboard in hand as they pulled open the sliding door and disappeared inside.
The sound of excited children’s squeals and oohs and aahs emerged from the backyard, reminding Laurel where she was. Who she was with.
Joey’s life depended on her not trusting anyone. Not even Nathan.
“Time to get on with it.” She squared her shoulders and headed up the walk, clicked open the side gate, and stepped into the welcoming and unsuspecting arms of the Tremayne family.
***
“Oh, Uncle Nathan!” Kelley’s excited squeal reached inside Nathan and squeezed his heart as he caught sight of Laurel joining them. “You brought us puppies!”
“Uncle Malcolm and I brought you puppies,” he corrected as Malcolm tried to extricate himself from his own canine whirlwind. He wasn’t about to take the blame alone.
The backyard was close to overflowing thanks to the extensive Juliano clan, Morgan’s co–foster parents Nico and Angela Fiorelli, along with the rest of the Tremaynes and dozens of family and friends who had played an integral role in the building of the Pediatric Cancer Treatment Center. All the people Lydia and Morgan loved most. Once Morgan deemed someone family, that was it. If Nathan had his way, by the end of the day, that would include Laurel. He needed to convince her she could trust him, trust them. It was the only way he could see clearly if and when she discovered the truth about Nemesis.
“I thought you said this was a no-business day.” Laurel brushed a hand over his shoulder and rose up to whisper in his ear, an action that caught him by surprise and made him smile. “I can hear you thinking. Stop it. Tomorrow we’ll pick things up but for now there’s a little girl over there waiting for her puppy.”
Nathan nodded, unable to speak because all he could see was Lydia in her wheelchair, her head braced against the padded headrest, her normally lively eyes just this side of awake. Her thin arms and legs looked more emaciated than they had since the last time he’d seen her only a few days ago. He couldn’t bring himself to meet Morgan’s eyes as his sister squatted beside Lydia, stroking her fine, limp curls as she murmured in her ear.
“How’s my best girl doing?” Nathan asked as he stooped next to his sister and loosened his hold on the puppy. He was ready to catch her should she pounce or dive, but a calm descended over the animal as it placed its front two paws on the padded arm of the wheelchair and bumped its nose against Lydia’s limp hand, sniffing loudly. “I’m sorry it took me so long to get her to you, Lydia.” Nathan felt his throat tighten as Lydia turned her head and looked down, her eyes widening as her mouth formed a silent O. “But I had to make sure I found just the right one
for you. What do you think? Do you want to keep her?”
Lydia jerked her head and awkwardly patted the puppy’s head. The fur ball took that as her cue and scrambled into Lydia’s lap, circled a couple of times, and sat, the bright pink bow glistening in the sun.
“M-mine?” Lydia asked, blinking between the puppy and Nathan. “Unca Natean? She mine?”
The stilted sound of her voice broke Nathan in two. The thought of never hearing Lydia’s beautiful voice again, of not hearing her laugh, curled the anger inside of him so tight he feared he might snap. He tried to speak, but the words got stuck in his throat. He looked to his sister, who managed a shaky smile and covered his hand with hers. He gripped Morgan’s fingers and felt her tremble as they fought their way through the reality of Lydia’s life coming to an end.
Lydia’s eyes brightened as the puppy lapped at her hand and up her bare arm, the blush red of her Minnie Mouse shirt almost blinding Nathan. Or maybe it was the tears he couldn’t quite hold back. “Morgan,” he finally managed, needing his sister’s guidance, but Laurel reached out and touched his arm, shook her head ever so slightly as if to tell him there was nothing to be afraid of.
“Hello, Lydia.” Nathan blinked at the sound of Laurel’s voice beside him. She’d leaned down directly in front of Lydia and reached for her hand, placing the little girl’s fingers into the soft fur of the puppy’s coat. “My name is Laurel. I think this little lady needs a name, don’t you?” Laurel said to Lydia who, to Nathan’s relief, gave a quick incline of her chin. “Your Uncle Nathan told me you’ve wanted a puppy for a very long time. You want to know a secret?” she whispered, and shifted closer as Lydia blinked. “I have, too. Since before I was your age. I bet you’ve been thinking of names for a while.”
If Laurel noticed the hush that fell over the backyard she didn’t acknowledge it. An odd pressure built inside of him. Pride? Relief? Gratitude maybe. And all three mingled into one uneasy ball of uncertainty he couldn’t have thrown away even if he’d wanted to. Beneath the facade, the pretense, and even the deception, Laurel was . . . special. He didn’t need any more proof than to see her uninhibited approach of Lydia. She might think she didn’t traverse the unfamiliar landscape of family well, but all evidence was to the contrary. Nathan shifted his arm so he could cover Laurel’s, and while he felt her tense at the initial contact, she relaxed under his touch and reached her free hand out to help Lydia stroke her hand over the puppy’s fur.
Trouble with Nathan Page 18
