Southern Delight (Southern Desires Series Book 3)

by Jeannette Winters

  Don was surprised Mark was sharing information; he normally didn’t. “What’s going on, Mark? Why are you telling me this now?”

  Mark pulled the Jeep into an empty lot and parked so if anyone had followed them they’d be able to see. Once it was clear no one was around, he answered.

  “While we were listening to the recordings on one of the wiretaps, your name was mentioned.”

  Mine? What the hell would they want with me?

  “And what exactly did they say about me?”

  “Only that you are marked as a prime target.”

  “Like for a hit?”

  “Not sure, Don. That was the only time they mentioned you, and it was very vague. I will have some of my team watching you now, but you’ll need to become much more observant than normal.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “Means keep your eyes off the ladies and on your back.”

  Don wasn’t going to argue. He enjoyed women. He enjoyed the precision and detail that went into construction, and nothing was finer or more beautiful than a woman’s body. But since his brief encounter with Bailey Tasca, he’d yet to find another that’d even come close to her. She was not only stunning with her long dark brown hair and emerald-green eyes, but she had a body he’d never grow tired of looking at. Flawless.

  It was only supposed to have been a fun-filled week, and they’d left it at that. Yet somehow he couldn’t seem to get her out of his mind. Clearly, Bailey didn’t have the same problem as she never returned his calls. It’s probably better that way. I don’t do relationships.

  If trouble was heading his way, he was happy Bailey was not in the picture. He wasn’t worried about himself, but someone like her? She’d be defenseless, just like Hannah had been. I would kill anyone who hurt her.

  “Why would they target me?”

  “That’s a good question. No one knows you were at the house when I took out the two guys that day. Have you told anyone about what happened?”

  “No. Not something that comes up in conversation much. I work major construction and photography. Are they after me because we’re friends?”

  Mark shook his head. “Not likely. I’d think they’d go after Hannah and Casey or the rest of my family first. There’s something they want. I just don’t know what it is yet.”

  “I don’t want your guys around here, Mark. They don’t blend in very well on the job site, if you know what I mean.”

  “Don, I can’t be here to protect you.”

  “I wasn’t asking you to. My business requires a certain level of security already.”

  “Since when?” Mark raised a brow.

  “This is not a mom-and-pop construction company. And not all my sites are in the States.”

  He could see Mark’s wheels turning.

  “Where overseas, exactly?”

  “Dubai. I just returned last week. My crew has another two months there before they complete the construction of the new shopping mall. Nothing was out of the ordinary.”

  “Damn, Don. Guess it’s been a while since I’ve been on one of your job sites. Why don’t you give me a list of where your people are, what you’re working on, and I’ll run a check and see if any dots connect on my end?”

  “I appreciate you asking and not just taking what you need.” Don knew it was out of courtesy and respect that Mark didn’t hack into his system and take what he wanted.

  “That option is not off the table, but I’d rather work with you on this.”

  “If it means we can stop those bastards from hurting anyone else, the information is all yours. I’ll let my head of security know to give you full access to anything you need.”

  “Excellent.”

  He knew Mark wasn’t going to give him any more information than he already had. So he figured he’d lighten the subject.

  “How’s Hannah?”

  “Going crazy planning the wedding.” Mark laughed. “I’ve been on missions that were less complicated than this wedding. Did you know flowers have meanings?”

  Don laughed. “Only to women.”

  “Don’t tell Hannah that. I’ve spent more hours looking at pictures and saying yes, dear than I ever thought possible. She spends all day planning with Bailey and still isn’t tired of talking about it when we go to bed.”

  “Sounds like fun.” Don was only partially sarcastic on his remark.

  “We’re having it at the house in Savannah. Family and close friends only, yet you’d think the president was coming the way she’s putting in so much time and effort.”

  “Casey had a small wedding and seems to have done the same thing. Must be a girl thing that they all want the Cinderella story.”

  “Laugh now, Don. Someday this will be you.”

  “No way. I like my freedom.”

  “We all say that until the right one comes along. So what do you say? Want to be the best man at my wedding?”

  “Best man? Damn. Does that mean I get to plan the bachelor party?” Don laughed.

  Mark shook his head. “Don’t end my marriage before it even begins.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean? Just so you know, Hannah loves me. I can do no wrong.”

  Mark laughed this time. “And you just keep living in that delusional world of yours.”

  “Oh, I hear the jealousy in your voice. You’ll be tied down while I run around the world still free to play.”

  “There was a time I would’ve agreed with you, Don, but that has changed, and I hope it will for you too.”

  Don wasn’t a gambling man, but if he had been, he’d have lost a bundle on Mark. There was no way he ever thought he’d get serious with a woman, never mind actually getting married. Since it could happen to Mark, he no longer used the word never when thinking of love for himself. He now used the term unlikely. It was still a long shot. There had only been one woman who he even considered getting to know better, but even that didn’t mean wedding bells. And he knew she would be at the wedding. He was fine with nothing serious happening between them, but he wasn’t going to object to another mind-blowing week with her.

  “Oh shit.”

  “What?” Mark asked seriously.

  “I should’ve asked who the maid of honor is before agreeing. Tell me it’s not Sissie. I’m afraid of what she’d do to me on the dance floor.”

  Mark burst out laughing. “Damn, what I’d give to see that. But no, you’re safe. It’s Bailey.”

  Don smiled. Now that’s one I won’t mind pressed up against me all night long.

  Mark must have picked up on his thoughts because he shook his disapproving head at him.

  “Don. I need to talk to you about something.”

  “Yeah, I know. She’s Hannah’s best friend, and you don’t want her hooking up with a guy like me.”

  “That too.”

  Don looked at him closely. Mark was the expert at reading people. But when you’ve been friends as long as Mark and I have, there isn’t much you can hide anyway.

  “We don’t bullshit around on important things. Tell me what’s really bugging you.”

  “I need you to do me a favor. A big one.”

  “Anything. What do you need?” Mark rarely asked for anything. The last time he did, it was to save Hannah’s home. That was taken care of. He couldn’t picture what was left to do, but he’d do it.

  “Stay away from Bailey.”

  What the hell? He hadn’t seen her since their time together in Honeywell, Texas. Was she saying differently? Bailey didn’t strike him as the type of woman to make up stories. Mark also wasn’t the type of guy to waste time on something so trivial. So why was he getting such a warning? Was he worried that the threat made on him was going to affect Bailey? Damnit. He should know I’d never let that happen.

  “I’m not with her.”

  “I mean at the wedding and the events leading up to it.”

  What did Bailey say happened between us? I don’t remember forcing her or hurting her. Hell, I thoug
ht we got along great. Obviously, I’m missing something. Mark, you might be my best friend, but no one tells me what to do, not in business and sure as hell not in my personal life.

  “I don’t report to you, so if there is something I should know, then damn it tell me. Otherwise, I’m going to consider this topic done.”

  There was a pause and Don could actually see Mark debating what to say. It was out of character for him. Something wasn’t right with Bailey. If Mark wasn’t going to tell him, he’d go find out himself. What Mark said next only intensified his gut feeling.

  “Bailey is going through a rough time right now. She is coming to the wedding, but she’s doing it for Hannah.”

  Rough time? Not giving me much information here, buddy.

  “Would you care to elaborate on what she’s been going through?”

  “No.”

  Don was shocked by how quickly Mark answered. They were friends, yet for some reason, his loyalty was sitting with Bailey at the moment. What the hell could be going on to have made that flip?

  “Don, I’m asking you to just be freaking polite, not, you know, your normal self.”

  “Sure. I will be polite at the wedding.” But if you think I’m going to wait till then to see her and find out what the hell happened, you’re slipping, Mark. You know I love a challenge.

  “What are you planning, Don?”

  So you’re not as far off your game as I thought. Don didn’t care if he knew or not. Mark could try to stop him, but he would fail. Most men might shake in their boots when Mark barked orders at them, but Don wasn’t one of those people.

  “If you’re not going to share what the hell is going on, I’m going to go and see her and find out myself.”

  “This isn’t a damn joke, Don. She’s in a different state of mind right now, and the last thing she needs is to see you.”

  State of mind? What happened that is tearing her apart? Last thing she needs is to see me? What the hell?

  “What the hell happened? Tell me now, or I’ll head for my jet and find out in person why she doesn’t want to see me so badly. Your choice, but my patience is fading.”

  No one ever spoke to Mark that way and got away with it. But Don really didn’t care at that moment. He didn’t think he was the one who’d hurt her, but if he was, then he needed to see her now and fix it. I’d never hurt her.

  “She has cancer.” Mark’s words were dry and straightforward.

  Don felt a punch in the gut like he’d never felt before. Cancer? Bailey? When they were together, she was so healthy, happy.

  “She’s so young and looked so healthy. If you’re joking ab—”

  “I wish I was.”

  Everything in him wanted to get out of Mark’s Jeep and go be by her side now. Yet she was the one who decided not to take his calls. She never told him what she’d been struggling with. His mother died of cancer when he was young, so although he didn’t understand everything she’d been going through, he knew he’d felt helpless as a child. Helpless to help the one he’d loved most in the world.

  Now Bailey was facing the same thing. At least his mother had his father by her side. Don refused to let Bailey go through this alone. He wasn’t sure what he was going to do, but he knew he’d be there for her. In any way she’ll let me.

  “Bad?”

  “Bad enough. The doctor said they think they got it all. She’ll need to be monitored closely over the next few months to make sure it didn’t spread. You know how these things are. They don’t know for sure.”

  “Yeah, I do.”

  Don recalled too clearly the day his father sat him down and said his mother’s cancer had returned. No matter how hard she’d fought, the battle was lost a year later. He didn’t want to see Bailey or anyone else he knew to go through such an ordeal.

  All Don could do was picture her beautiful green eyes looking up at him and her dark brown hair sprawled against the sheets as they enjoyed each other. Was she sick then? Oh God. Was she in pain and suffering and I was so damn blind to it because all I could think of was how amazing she felt in my arms? Shit. No wonder she wouldn’t take my calls. She probably needed me, and I wasn’t noticing. I’m such an asshole.

  “I want to see her.” Want was more of a need at that point. What he was going to say or do when he saw her wasn’t clear. Telling her everything was going to be okay and he was there for her wasn’t an option. They were words often said to people in her situation. That didn’t make them true. No one could guarantee her outcome. Money can’t buy a cure, but it sure as hell can buy her the best care around.

  “You still haven’t said why.”

  “I want to make sure she is being cared for by the best. Who’s her doctor? What hospital is she going to?”

  Mark looked at him questioningly. “Surgery and treatments took place in Rhode Island, but she is back home with Hannah and me in Savannah.”

  Good. She’s not alone.

  “She’ll be there at least until after the wedding. Bailey’s worried she’s getting in the way, but the truth is, I like having someone there with Hannah while I’m gone.”

  Don didn’t like the idea of those two women that far away from everyone if anything went wrong. Mark just told him the guys are targeting him. What if they decided to extend the list and add Hannah or even Bailey’s name? Mark said they needed to cast a big net to catch these guys, but that meant he was leaving more frequently.

  “You have room for one more?”

  “You’re joking, right?”

  Do I sound like I’m joking? “I could use some time off. And the last time you had me out there, it was no vacation.”

  “Don, you did not listen when I told you that house is hell right now. The women have lost their minds, and every conversation is about the wedding. That’s the last place a man wants to walk into willingly.”

  Don almost laughed. He’d seen his friend go through some tough shit over the years, but all it took was Hannah Entwistle to take the big Mark Collins down to his knees. I’ve never seen the man so flappable. I actually find it amusing.

  “Sounds like you need some backup to even out the odds. I have a new project I’m working on and will head to Savannah from there.”

  It wasn’t his first government contract, but this was the most top-secret one he’d ever handled. I’m entering into your world, Mark. Now I’m working on something I can’t tell even you about. Don’s enthusiasm for this contract lost its luster with everything Mark had just thrown at him. Yet he needed to stay focused. This project was highly confidential, and it had to stay that way. Even now, he should be in his office preparing the files for transmission. Each stage of the construction needed to be documented properly. And that means no distractions. Right now, I’m full of them. Damnit.

  His thoughts shifted to Bailey and what he was going to tell her when he saw her. Saying he’d be by her side the entire time wasn’t an option. If he hadn’t known he wasn’t the commitment type before, the news Mark just delivered about him being a target sure clarified that. No way was he going to bring his problems into her life. Her problems are greater than mine and if I’m right about Bailey, she’ll worry more about me than herself. Because someone who keeps cancer a secret is thinking of others first. Right now, no one is more important than her. No one.

  His own thoughts shocked him, but he knew why he felt this way. Losing a mother so young had stayed with him. It wasn’t a feeling for Bailey as much as it was reviving the emotions from the past.

  “She’s doing better, but still weak. This isn’t the time for you to—”

  “I’m not asking, Mark. I’m telling you I want to see her,” Don said sharply.

  Mark raised a brow before saying plainly, “She doesn’t want to see you.”

  “Did she say that?” Don wouldn’t be surprised if she did. When she ignored his calls, it pretty much said that same thing. But now he understood why. What they shared was hot and fun and what she was going through now was anything but that.


  “She didn’t have to. But I know she didn’t want me to tell you about what’s been going on.”

  And yet you did. So why act like you’re surprised I’m going? You knew I would.

  “Don, what do you want with her?”

  “What kind of question is that?”

  “You know damn well what I mean. She’s vulnerable right now. Why do you want to see her? Are you in love with her and want to be by her side for whatever she has to go through if this comes back? Because that’s what she needs right now. Not someone coming to stress her out.”

  Love? No. I just . . . all I want to do is see her. Nothing more.

  Mark was right. Going to see her when she didn’t want to see him was going to give a false impression. That’s not what she needed, not in her current state. Actually not ever. She deserves someone who’ll commit to her. And God, that is not me.

  “When exactly is this wedding taking place?” Just because it wasn’t smart for him to see her didn’t mean he didn’t want to.

  “Less than three weeks if I don’t get deployed before then.”

  Mark laughed. “You know I’ll be happy to take your place if you do.”

  “I am going to assume you mean overseas, because you sure as hell don’t mean at the altar.”

  Damn. When you say it like that, both sound like hell to me. “I think I’ll retract my offer. In the meantime, I have a bachelor party to plan.”

  “Nothing stupid, Don. Remember, I have to live with Hannah for the rest of my life. I’d prefer it to be peaceful.”

  “You’re really taking all the fun out of being a best man.”

  “That’s my goal in life, to make you miserable,” Mark teased.

  Even when you tease Mark, you barely crack a smile. I’m going to have to work really damn hard to help you change that. No matter what shit is going down, this is going to be your wedding, and we’re going to party hard. “Well, you asked me to stand up for you, and now you will just have to deal with the consequences. My apologies to Hannah beforehand. Is your team attending? I think they’d really enjoy what I’ll have planned for you.” Don knew they wouldn’t be there, but he wasn’t going to miss an opportunity to bust on Mark.