by Desiree Holt
“All the more reason why you should come stay with us. You pack a bag and I’ll come out and pick you up myself.”
Devon frowned and looked at Logan. “Strange,” she whispered. “Cash, that’s very generous of you, but I have my bodyguard here with me and he’ll make sure I’m taken care of.”
“Now, Devon,” he drawled. “I don’t want to tell you your business, but what do you really know about this man? I mean, your daddy and I were best friends. I know he’d want me looking after you.”
Logan frowned and she mouthed, “Not no but hell no.”
“Cash? Again, that is very lovely and generous of you and Marian, and if I change my mind, I will be sure to let you know. Thanks so much for calling.”
“Oh, sure, sure, sure.” He cleared his throat. “We’re just checking up on you, is all.”
“Thanks for your concern. I need to go now. Bye.”
She replaced the receiver in the cradle gently but Logan saw how rigid her body was. He’d have smashed the damn thing if it were him.
Devon stared at him.
“That is just the strangest thing in the world. Best friends?” She shook her head. “Uh-uh. I’m not so sure about that.”
“Were they close?”
“Sure. And maybe he was closer to my dad than anyone else here, but my father still kept his distance.” She wrinkled her forehead. “And to tell you the truth, the few times I saw them together the last year or so, I got a feeling that relationship was strained.”
“Maybe Cash wanted your father to move some of the corporate money to his bank.”
“Why would he do that? It doesn’t offer near the advantages he got with the national bank.”
“Just sayin’. Hey, you’d better get to that tea before it’s stone cold.”
He saw her visibly relax, even gift him with a tiny smile. “And it’s just what I need.”
As soon as he had her seated with her tea again and the soup heating, he pulled his cell out of his pocket and began punching buttons.
“I’m texting Avery to run a profile on Cash. I don’t like the way he’s behaving. Let’s see if he’s hiding something.”
“I can’t see him involved in my father’s disappearance,” she protested.
“You’d be surprised at who gets involved in what. I don’t want to take any chances.” He finished typing and hit Send.
He had managed to get a bowl of the soup and some toast into her when his cell rang. He looked at the readout. “Avery. What’s up?” he asked, putting the phone to his ear.
“Del didn’t even need another couple of hours,” she told him. “He cracked the code not ten minutes after you left.”
“And?”
“Everything we found confirms what we thought. He’s in deep with the cartel. We even have names and numbers, although the numbers probably aren’t good anymore.”
“Damn.”
“Right. I’m going to e-mail all this information to you. If she can handle it, go through it with her, see if by some unbelievable chance anything rings a bell. Can she handle it?”
“She’s a trouper.” He looked at her sitting at the table, her body vibrating with tension. “She’ll do it. Can you send it to my laptop?”
“No problem. I’ll be sending it in just a few. Unfortunately, there’s not a damn thing on there that gives us a clue to Graham Cole’s current location.”
“Crap.”
“Indeed. Oh, and I got your text about Cash Breeland. What’s that all about?”
“Just crossing all the Ts.” He told her about the phone call. “So send me anything you find.”
“Will do.”
Devon pounced as soon as he hung up. “Tell me.”
He repeated his conversation with Avery.
“I can hardly believe all of this.”
He hated the look on her face, a mixture of hope and dread. “Whatever it is, we’ll handle it together. Okay?” He lifted one of her hands and kissed her knuckles.
“Okay,” she said at last in a weak voice.
He fixed another mug of tea for her and coffee for himself, then went to fetch his laptop from his room. By the time he had it set up on the table, the e-mail had arrived. He opened the attachment and moved next to her so they both could see it.
“It’s nothing different than we suspected,” he said after they’d skimmed through the first few pages.
“You’re right.” She sounded so depressed he wanted to push away the damn computer and haul her into his arms.
“It just confirms everything Avery told us earlier. Looking at the dates of calls and texts, I’d say your father started making his plans the moment he learned for sure who his ‘investor’ was and that there was no way out.”
Devon studied the screen as Logan scrolled through the report.
“I’m not very good with finances or financial charts. I don’t know what half of this stuff means.”
“I’m not much better.” Logan scrolled down to the last page again. “Here’s Avery’s analysis, though, based on the texts. This was all set in motion long before Cole International began to bleed red ink. Vince Pellegrino was put in place at CI and made himself your father’s right-hand man. And see here?” He pointed to a section on the page. “The dates when Bodine and Alford were hired. I’ll bet if we dig into CI’s employment files, we’ll discover they were recommended by our good friend Vince.”
“What are these documents? Is it possible to store documents on a cell?”
“Yes. These are spreadsheets. They look like duplicates but—” He leaned forward and studied them, switching from one to the other. “If I’m not mistaken, this is how the books were cooked to make your father think the company was bleeding red ink. They needed a way to get him on board.”
“But why CI?”
“Because Cole International is a company that operates internationally and provides the opportunity to ship drugs from country to country, and move money to international bank accounts.”
“I feel sick.” Devon leaned forward and dropped her head into her hands. “What a nightmare.”
“One thing’s missing from here.” He gestured toward the screen. “Moreno puts Vince in place to manipulate the books. Crisis arises. Vince says get an investor. SMX is the investor. But someone had to make the marriage between SMX and CI. That’s not part of Vince’s job. Did he still do his banking in Tampa?”
“I guess. He liked working with big international banks. Damn.” She rubbed her forehead. “I’m no help whatsoever.”
“I’m pretty sure a bank like that would not be working as a money launderer for Cruz Moreno.”
“You’re right. So what happens now?”
“Avery takes it from here. My guess is she’ll sit on this until we have a definitive answer about your father, one way or another.”
“If everything Avery’s found is true, and he really is in bed with the cartel, I can see why he’d do this. But Logan?” Tears rolled down her face.
The day was finally taking its toll on her.
“Hold on a sec. I have just what you need.” He hurried into the den where he’d spotted a fully stocked bar and grabbed a bottle of Jack Daniel’s. Back in the kitchen he poured two fingers into her mug of tea and nudged it toward her hand. “Drink up. You need it.”
She sipped, tentatively at first, then took a healthy swallow. In a moment color began to return to her face and her eyes weren’t quite so glazed over.
“This is better than putting milk in my tea.” Her mouth turned up in a ghost of a smile. “I’ll keep it in mind.”
As he sat and watched her, dredging up bravery to battle shock, he was overcome with a desire to just load her into his truck, drive south, maybe to the Keys, and hide her away until all this nastiness was over. Of course, as independent as she was, she’d probably fight him tooth a
nd nail, but damn! It hurt his heart to see her going through all this.
As she lifted the mug to take another sip, the alarm in the house sounded. Her eyes widened and she gripped the mug even harder. Logan checked the laptop on the counter and saw a car moving slowly up the driveway. Now what? He waited as a man climbed slowly out of the car and walked up to the front door. Logan had no idea who he was.
“Anyone you know?” he asked Devon, showing her the camera shot on the laptop.
“Not me.”
“Stay in the kitchen,” Logan ordered. “Strangers make me nervous right now.”
He pulled his gun from the small of his back but held it down at his side as he headed for the doorway. Then he pressed the intercom button.
“Who’s there?” he asked. “Identify yourself.”
“Jesse Rogers, crime reporter for the Tampa paper.” He held up his wallet to show his credentials.
“What can we do for you, Mr. Rogers?” No way was he letting a stranger in the house, not with a killer on the loose.
“I wondered if I could have a few minutes of Miss Cole’s time. I want to do a personal interest story on her father.”
“Sorry. We’ve had all the personal interest we need for the moment. Thanks anyway.”
Logan kept his eye on the screen in the security panel. It also received a feed from the cameras.
“The newspapers are going to write the story anyway,” Rogers protested. “The television reporters will be here before you can blink. Doesn’t she want to get out ahead of all this? Tell her side?”
“Her side of what?” Logan had to restrain himself from opening the door and ripping this guy’s head off. “Good-bye, Rogers.”
The reporter’s face reddened. “I’ll get my story; you can’t stop me. And I’ll get it before the other—”
“Before what?” Logan snapped. “Is there another reporter from your paper here? You looking to scoop him and make your bones? Go on. When there’s something to tell, we’ll let you know.”
He watched as the reporter stormed off to his car, then drove off with tires squealing. Then he walked back into the kitchen.
“Are you sure I’m safe here?” Devon asked.
“We’re in a fortress, babe. Best security system around.” He grinned. “Including me. No one gets to you.”
“Thank you.” She blew out a breath. “I think I’d like to lie down for a while.”
“Sounds like a good idea. Today hasn’t been a lot of fun.”
“No kidding.” She carried her mug and soup bowl to the sink, then walked over to where he stood. “It would be great if you could lie down with me for a while and just hold me.”
He cupped her chin and studied her face, saw how drawn she looked, the troubled look in her eyes. He placed a light kiss on her lips. “I think that can be arranged.”
Her smile warmed his entire body. For that smile alone he’d slay dragons.
He walked into her bedroom with her. Watched while she tugged back the covers and slipped out of everything but her T-shirt. Then he put his gun on the nightstand where it would be in easy reach, kicked off his shoes, and lay down beside her.
“You’re not getting undressed?” she asked.
“In a while. I want to hear what Avery has to say after she gets to the hospital. Then I’ll check the entire security system again before crawling into bed with you.”
“Okay.” Her eyes were already closing, emotional fatigue laying heavy on her.
He slid his arm around her and pulled her against him, feeling her curves even through the covers. He knew he’d never be able to shut his own eyes, nor did he plan to. But if Devon could get just a little bit of sleep, she could recharge her batteries. After today she definitely needed it.
He lay there with her for a long time, just watching her sleep, the occasional flutter of her lashes and the rise and fall of her beautiful breasts. One thought was front and center in his mind.
I will not let any harm come to her, no matter what.
Chapter 14
Devon came awake slowly. She had no idea what time it was, although she could see between the blinds that it was dark outside. Logan was still with her, his body warm and comforting. She could feel the muscular length of him, and the hard thickness of his cock pressing against her buttocks. One arm was curled over her, his hand cupping her breast.
“Mmmm.” She wiggled back against him. “You feel good.”
“So do you.” He squeezed her breast to emphasize it.
“How long was I out?”
“About two hours.” He brushed her hair back from her face. “You needed it.”
“I guess I did. No more phone calls or visitors at the house?”
“None. Sheri’s had one of her officers doing regular drive-bys so that’s probably kept everyone away.”
She turned over to look at him, studying his face. Trying to read him. “Can I ask you a question?
“Sure.” He stroked his thumb over her cheekbone. “Ask away.”
“With the way my life has turned upside down in a few days?” She spoke slowly, weighing her words. “I’m not sure what’s real anymore and what’s in my mind.”
“I can understand that. Go ahead. What’s your question?”
He continued to rub his thumb over her cheek and along her jawline. She loved that soft touch of his. For a tough guy he could be surprisingly gentle. And he treated her as if she were the most precious thing in the world. She’d never had sex with a man who was so completely focused on her. God, he was something else. Those long, muscular legs and the toned body. The soft hair sprinkled on his chest. Hands that knew exactly how and where to touch her. She wanted him to bury himself in her and stay that way until all the goblins were gone.
Did he feel any of that? She knew he hadn’t been emotionally involved with anyone since Amanda, and she was afraid when he stopped to think about it, he might feel disloyal to her memory. She wasn’t sure how she’d even handle that. She hoped like hell her question wouldn’t trigger that.
“Is this real, Logan? What’s happening to us?” She rubbed her thumb along his jawline, loving the rough feel of his late-day scruff. “I don’t want you to do this just because…well, you know.”
“No, I don’t know.” He frowned. “What are you talking about?”
“Everything’s happened so fast. One day we don’t know each other, and the next…”
“And the next it’s like we’ve known each other forever.” His voice was a soft caress when he spoke.
“Yes.” She searched his eyes for answers.
He stroked her back, his hand warm on her body. “Sometimes danger escalates a situation. It’s a time when all your emotions are running closer to the surface. For me, it’s strong enough to make me break my own rules, and I’m not a bit sorry.”
“I’m not a needy person, Logan. It’s important that you know that. I guess I’m a little scared because this happened so fast and it’s so good.”
Emotions swirled in his eyes. “You can be scared about a lot of things but not this. Did this happen fast? Damn straight. And is it totally inappropriate for this situation? Absolutely. Do we just walk away from it because of that? Not if I have anything to say about it.”
“Me, either.” Her lips curved in a hint of a smile. “This is crazy. Insane. All those things. But, Logan, to me it feels right. I just know it. Here.” She pressed her hand to her heart.
“I know it too, babe.”
He pressed his mouth to hers in a sensuous kiss. He thrust his tongue into her mouth and his taste was delicious. She wanted the contact to go on forever. Her hands moved over him, soft but strong, stroking his back, sliding across the late-day stubble on his jaw, following the muscular line of his arms.
Then he rolled off the bed and quickly shed his clothes. When he grabbed a co
ndom from his wallet, he looked at it and cursed.
Devon wrinkled her forehead. “What’s the matter?”
He gave her a lopsided grin. “I’m always prepared, except I wasn’t prepared to meet an amazing woman, fall for her, and have incredible sex. I’m definitely going to need more condoms.”
She gave a small laugh. “Do you think we should stop?”
“Hell to the no. But I’ll need an emergency run to the drugstore. This is the last of my emergency stash.”
Then he was back, naked and hot, under the covers with her.
“I’m so greedy for you,” he said in a low, rumbling voice. “I want to taste every part of you, inhale your incredible essence, and touch every part of your body. Damn it, Devon, you make me toss away all restraint.”
“Good,” she whispered. “Very good. This is what I really want, what I really need from you. Please don’t stop.”
“But first we need to get rid of this.”
He tugged her T-shirt up and over her head, then tossed it to the floor. Then he started with her mouth, tracing its outline with the tip of his tongue before slipping it softly over the surface. He nipped, just tiny bites, tugging her lips gently with his teeth.
But Devon had her own ideas of how she wanted this to go. Threading her fingers in his hair, she held his head as she thrust her tongue into his mouth again and slid it on the slick surface. His own tongue was hot and sweet, and when she sucked on it, he answered in kind.
He broke the kiss, moving his mouth from hers, and trailed tiny kisses along her jaw. Logan stopped to nip her earlobe and gently suck the skin beneath her ear before moving his mouth down the slender column of her neck. At the place where her neck and shoulder met he bit again, not hard, just enough to make her groan with pleasure.
She arched up to him, her fingers pressing hard against his head as she tried to drag it down to her breasts. But it seemed he wasn’t in any hurry.
“Today was a pisser,” he said, his lips against her skin. “We both need this, so be prepared, I’m going to take my time.”
He slipped his mouth along the line of her collarbone to the hollow at the base of her throat, pressing the tip of his tongue against the frantic beat of her pulse there.
