One Shot [IAD Agency 2] (Siren Publishing Classic)

by Laurie Roma

  “Stop looking so pleased with yourself, asshole,” Tara huffed out under her breath.

  “You sweet talker, you.”

  Tara held back a snort of laughter as she turned away to add some gloss onto her lips. He amused her and was so damn cute when he pulled out the snarky sarcasm. “Laugh it up now, ’cause when we get back after the wedding, I am going to make you pay.”

  “Promises, promises.”

  She rolled her eyes at him as she threw the tube into her purse along with a small pistol.

  “Is that really necessary?” Julian asked.

  “Like breathing,” Tara replied. “Get used to it.”

  “If I must.”

  “I must be rubbing off on you,” Tara commented with a laugh. “Your sarcastic wit is getting better and better.”

  “Honey, you can rub off on me anytime you want,” Julian said with a lascivious grin.

  “Now who’s the sweet talker?”

  Julian chuckled as he approached her. “With all of the excitement last night I never got to give you your Christmas present.”

  Tara turned. “Oh, well, I figured we’d do it later, but…” She hurried over to her duffel bag she was never without and dug around in it to pull out a small, cubed box. She handed it to him with a shy smile. “Merry Christmas, Julian.”

  Julian took the box from her and sat down on the bed. He carefully pulled off the ribbons and unwrapped the gift to reveal a Locman watch box. He opened the lid and saw the coolest-looking Locman Montecristo watch with a black band, titanium shell, and black face with red accents on the hands. They carried it at one of the higher end stores in the hotel and Tara had caught him eyeing this particular piece the other day as they passed by the window. He loved the Italian specialty watch brand and was curiously touched that she had noticed.

  Julian’s startled eyes shot up to Tara’s nervous face. He didn’t know what to say. “Tara, I love it, but it’s so expensive…”

  Tara laughed at the concern etched all over his face. “Sweetie, you may be uber-rich but working for Mac Securities and IAD has not been hard on my savings, trust me. They pay me very well, plus my friend Finn, regardless what a joker he can be, is a whiz at the market. It’s like he has a sixth sense on how to invest and he has made all of us a shit ton of money. I can afford it, so just say, ‘thank you’ and gimme a kiss.”

  “Thank you.” Julian smiled and kissed her. He took off his own watch and pulled the new one out of the case, attaching it to his wrist. To her delight, Julian grinned as he waved it in front of him, checking it from every angle. “I really love it.”

  “I’m glad.” Tara paused and pursed her lips. “There’s this thing…”

  “What?” Julian asked, immediately suspicious at the guilt on her face.

  Not having a clue how to handle it delicately, Tara blew out a breath and went for it. “Okay, so I LoJacked you.”

  He waited a beat, then said, “Excuse me?”

  God, she loved how he said that in his master-of-the-corporate-universe tone.

  “A few months ago when Bella was kidnapped by that crazy psycho Victor Dane…”

  “I remember, you told me about that.”

  “Yeah, well the reason Jason found Bella so fast was because he had LoJacked the band of her engagement ring. I put a tracker into your watch…in case something ever happened to you the tracker will let me come find you. It worked,” she insisted, prepared for him to argue.

  Julian took a second before he burst out laughing. “Baby, that’s so sweet and so…you. I’m not mad. Actually, just the opposite. I’m touched that you take my safety so seriously.”

  He laughed again as her face took on a rosy glow of embarrassment that was quite becoming on her. “Now it’s your turn.” Julian pulled a tiny box out of his pocket and almost laughed again at the sheer terror that crossed her face.

  “Oh shit, that’s what I think it is…isn’t it?”

  “Not exactly the response I was looking for, but yes,” Julian said as he flipped the lid back.

  “Holy fucking shit!”

  Nestled in the box Julian held out to her was the largest square diamond ring she had ever seen, but to top it off, it was a red diamond, one of the rarest in the world. Tara felt her jaw drop. “I can’t wear that!” she sputtered. “It’s the size of your watch!”

  Julian did laugh at her reaction this time. He took the ring out of the box and pried her fist open so he could slide the ring on her finger. “It’s perfect. I saw this and knew it was meant for you. An ordinary diamond wouldn’t be right for you…This is right.”

  Her throat closed and she didn’t know what to say. Tara didn’t even want to think about what it was worth. She let him place the ring on her finger and it slid on perfectly.

  “Oh, Julian, it’s really lovely, but I can’t wear this when I’m working,” she said even as she admired it.

  “We’ll get something subtle for the bands but I figured you can wear this when you aren’t out on a mission. It would please me if you would wear it…for me.”

  Tara gave in. Leaning into him she pressed her lips to his. “I’ll wear it for you. Thank you, I love it.”

  “There is one more gift…”

  “Oh sweet Jesus, isn’t this boulder enough?” Tara groaned.

  “Well, your other gift isn’t exactly for just you. Yesterday morning I started plans to build a Palace Hotel here in Chicago.”

  “I…what?”

  “I figured if you were willing to move to Las Vegas to be with me, then the least I could do was build a hotel here so I would have something to do when we come back to visit, since I have a feeling we will be doing so often. We can figure out a way to split our time if that’s what it takes to make you happy. I do have to travel to our other hotel locations occasionally and would like for you to come with—”

  Tara cut him off as she yanked his head down to her in a scorching kiss. Their tongues tangled together, heating and stirring the need inside them, but Tara forced herself to pull back. “We can’t have crazy monkey sex right now. Bella would kill me if we were late to the wedding. But hot damn are you getting all kinds of kinky fuckery when we’re done.”

  With a promise like that, how could he refuse?

  Chapter Seventeen

  Tara and Julian made their way up the steps of the church, glad that the stone steps had been cleared of snow and salted down for the arriving guests. Thankfully the bitter cold had retreated enough that it was tolerable.

  Inside the doors of the church, Tara let Julian help her remove her coat. He moved over to the coat racks to hang them up. Tara turned to see Sal standing in the hallway with his hands braced on his waist, wearing a fierce frown.

  “Damn it, Sal, you’re going to make the kids cry with that look,” Tara hissed at him.

  “What?”

  “You have your battle face on,” Tara said. “What’s with you?”

  “Why the hell is Liz letting him paw her? Look at that, Steele’s tongue is practically on the floor like a fucking Neanderthal.”

  Tara snorted at that. “You’re one to talk.”

  “No wonder, she’s practically naked,” Sal continued, completely ignoring her. “Bella should have picked a dress that actually covers something. Speaking of, isn’t she supposed to be helping Bella get ready or something?” Tara looked at him like he had grown another head before a slow smile spread across her face.

  “Oh man, you’ve got it bad.”

  “What? What the hell are you talking about?”

  “Ha! Jealousy my friend, it’s called jealousy.”

  “Bullshit.”

  “Come on, she’s just saying hello to Lucian. And fuck you very much, asshole, since I happen to be wearing the same dress you claim doesn’t cover anything and you haven’t even noticed. Oh, and nice to see you, too, jackass.”

  Sal tore his gaze away from Liz and Lucian Steele. His eyes roamed down to take in all of Tara and a wicked smile replaced his frown. �
��Damn girl, you sure do clean up nice.”

  “Aw, thanks, sugar. You’re just saying that ’cause my boobs are up in your face.” Tara struck a pose and Sal laughed.

  “Just where I like ’em.” Sal’s grin turned into a leer. “Well, well, what have we here?” He poked a finger at her neck and had Tara scowling back at him as she slapped his hand away.

  “Hands off.”

  “It looks like someone had more than hands on with you last night.”

  “I have no problem hurting you, you know. Just ask Adrian.”

  Sal grimaced and forced himself not to cup his balls. “Yeah…okay. Let me just say that, despite your penchants for violence against your loved ones, I really am going to miss you.”

  Tara sighed. She had gotten that a lot last night, too. It was as if everyone knew that she was leaving before she did. She wasn’t exactly nervous anymore.

  At this point she was more resigned to the whole situation of moving. What did make her nervous was the big, fat square diamond she was wearing on her ring finger. Every time she looked down at it, she felt a wave of panic surge through her.

  Tara patted Sal on the back as Julian, Slade, and Mikayla walked up to join them. “You’re late. Bella is asking for you,” Mikayla said with a frown.

  Tara turned to give Julian a questioning glance. He leaned down to kiss her lightly. Her eyes rolled as the rest of the group said, “Aww.”

  “Idiots,” Tara muttered as she pulled back.

  “Go ahead, I’ll be fine,” Julian assured her.

  “We’ll make sure he doesn’t run away while you’re gone,” Sal snickered.

  “You’re all heart, Sal.” Tara heard a satisfying grunt as her elbow connected with Sal’s solar plexus as she passed by him.

  Tara followed Mikayla back into the dressing room of the church. Jenna, Bella’s former teaching assistant and now current pastry chef at Bella Gio’s, held the door open for them. Jenna’s long, beautiful mahogany tresses were arranged artfully on top of her head and her voluptuous body filled out the bridesmaid’s dress like nobody’s business. Jenna’s dress was a soft, pale green just like Mikayla’s was and both women looked beautiful. Tara knew that Jenna had self-confidence issues regarding her weight, but right now she looked like one of those classic pin-up models with a perfect hourglass figure that put the rest of them to shame.

  Liz came forward, her dress the same pale purple as Tara’s, and handed her and Mikayla each a glass of champagne. “Are we allowed to drink in here? It’s a church.”

  Liz shrugged. “They drink wine in church, don’t they?”

  True. That was good enough for her. Tara took a sip, then turned toward a sound and saw Bella sitting on the far side of the room holding a paper bag over her mouth. She moved quickly across the room, kneeling down next to her friend. “Jesus, Bella, you okay? Did Mac do something to piss you off? Want me to go kick his ass for you?”

  Bella waved her words away with a weak laugh as she put the bag down. “Jason is wonderful. This isn’t panic or pissiness…This is residual fucking morning sickness.”

  “Cara, really, must you have potty mouth in your wedding dress?” Mrs. Moretti scolded.

  “I must…I really must,” Bella replied on a sigh, then let out a gasp. “What is that?”

  “A hickey,” Mikayla offered, straight-faced. “Looks like he latched on pretty good, too.”

  “Wow, Julian is a brave man,” Liz breathed, making Jenna giggle.

  Tara slapped a hand up over the mark in defense, then yelped as Bella jerked her closer. “Hey, if you’re gonna puke on me, I am not walking down that aisle with you!” Tara protested as Bella’s grip tightened on her hand, holding her in place.

  “Jumpin’ Jesus, Tee, what the fuck is that?” Bella exclaimed as she held up the hand that now carried Julian’s engagement ring.

  “Bella!”

  “Sorry, momma, but look!”

  Tara flinched as Bella held up her hand for the rest of the women to see. “Oh, that.”

  “Oh, that? That’s all you can say?” Bella gaped.

  “I could say a whole boatload about a ring like that!” Liz exclaimed as she yanked Tara’s hand out of Bella’s. Tears sparkled in her pale green eyes. “It’s real. You’re really getting married. Oh, Tara, I’m so happy for you!”

  “Oh god, don’t start that,” Tara pleaded as Liz threw her arms around her and hugged her tight.

  Mikayla, Jenna, and Mrs. Moretti hurried forward to admire the ring as well. “It’s so beautiful,” Jenna sighed. “Is that a ruby?”

  “No, that’s a red diamond, isn’t it?” Mikayla asked as she examined it. “Yes, fancy, not treated…It’s perfect. Julian did a good job. It suits you. A regular diamond wouldn’t have.”

  “That’s what he said.”

  Mikayla smiled. “Your man knows you well.”

  “He must have pretty deep pockets, too,” Bella’s mother said good-naturedly. “Not that it would matter to you. It’s not what he has in his bank account that’s important. It’s what you have inside here”—she patted a hand against Tara’s heart—“that matters. Is this man in your heart, cara?”

  On the spot, Tara shifted on her feet. Damn, Mrs. Moretti always had a way of getting her to admit things she normally didn’t. “I believe he is.”

  “Then this is good,” Mrs. Moretti said before kissing Tara on both cheeks.

  A knock sounded at the door. Jenna opened it a crack and peered out at Tony Moretti, one of Bella’s brothers.

  “Testosterone in the house…but I come bearing gifts.”

  “Well, then, you may enter,” Liz said.

  Tony sauntered in and went straight to Bella’s side. “Here. Mac made me bring you this.” He shoved a can of ginger ale and some crackers at her.

  Bella sighed happily. “The man never misses a trick.” She broke off a piece of cracker and popped it into her mouth, chewed, then chased it down with a sip of the ginger ale. “He always knows just what I need.”

  “More like he has the room bugged,” Tara whispered, making Jenna and Mikayla laugh.

  Feeling better, Bella stood up and moved to stand in front of the mirror, smoothing down her dress.

  Bella was a vision in her dress. Tara’s eyes met her friend’s in the mirror and she was pleased at the happiness she saw on Bella’s face. “You look beautiful, Bella. Mac’s jaw is gonna hit the floor when you walk out there.”

  “That was the plan. It’ll be your turn next.”

  “Oh god, I was being so nice to you and then you had to go and ruin the moment,” Tara groaned.

  Bella laughed as she turned to grip Tara’s hand in hers. “Come on, let’s go get me married.”

  * * * *

  The wedding was beautiful.

  The church was filled to the rafters with flowers in purple, green, and white hues and the pews were filled with all of Jason MacBain and Bella Moretti’s family and friends. There weren’t many people there, but those who were wished the bride and groom nothing but the best. Off to the side of the altar stood Angelina Cossi, Gio’s younger sister and world-renowned singer. The wedding began and Angelina started to sing. Her hauntingly beautiful voice filled the church with a sound so pure it was if an angel had decided to grace them all with her presence.

  Once the wedding party reached the front, Tara turned to watch Bella and her father walk down the aisle. She was in awe of the intense look of love on Mac’s face as he stared at the woman framed in the doorway, wearing a gown fit for a princess. Mac had always been a hard man, emotionless and extremely self-contained. All of that had changed when Bella had entered his life.

  Maybe love really did heal wounds…

  The crowd chuckled as Mac left his place at the front of the church and with long strides met Bella and her father halfway down the aisle. Mac cast Bella’s father a sheepish grin as he realized what he had done, having had eyes only for Bella since she walked into the room.

  “It seems like we’ve k
ept my new son-in-law waiting long enough,” Bella’s father announced loud enough for all to hear. Much to the amusement of the guests, Bella’s father kissed his daughter on the cheek then handed over her hand to Jason with a dramatic flourish and allowed the couple to precede him back to where the priest was waiting.

  Tara scanned the crowd, seeking out the man who had changed her own life. Tara found him staring back at her from his seat, not watching or caring about the spectacle happening in the aisle. She felt her heart thump in her chest when she realized that he was staring back at her with the same expression of profound love she had just witnessed between Mac and Bella. It was there, written plain across his face for the entire world to see. Julian held nothing back from her. He hadn’t since she met him.

  He looked at her like she was his entire world.

  Tara forced herself to turn back to watch her friends get married but couldn’t seem to concentrate on what was going on around her. Marriage was a pledge, a promise to do their best and to be there for one another no matter what happened. Her view of marriage had been tainted growing up. Her own parents’ clusterfuck of a marriage had cost her mother everything, even her life.

  But was that really what she was worried about?

  Tara lived her life by a strict set of principles. Faith was given, trust was earned. She hadn’t had faith in a lot of things and trusted even less. But what was it that Julian had said? He said that he would earn her trust. Julian had given her his faith and given her the time she needed to allow him to prove himself to her.

  And he had.

  It was in that moment that Tara realized what had been holding her back from returning his love as completely as he had shown her he loved her.

  It was her…She hadn’t felt worthy of that love.

  From all the shit she had been through, and all the people that had betrayed and let her down, she had built up a wall around her heart that, even though he had cracked, it was up to her to break down.

  Did she dare give herself completely to him? Give him the power to break her if he betrayed her? But…he wouldn’t. Tara knew that Julian would wait for her to learn to love him the way he deserved. He wasn’t the type of man that gave up on something once he claimed it as his own.