Athena Force: Books 1-6

by Justine Davis, Amy J. Fetzer, Katherine Garbera, Meredith Fletcher, Catherine Mann

  The earth shifted slightly beneath Kayla but she held herself steady, kept her touch light. “Tell me what happened.” It was all she could do to keep the shock out of her voice.

  “Carl Bradford and I had an affair.” She closed her eyes and visibly fought to control her emotions. “I didn’t mean for it to happen. But I felt so alone. Changing careers, in charge of this whole, new school…I needed someone. He was a handsome man.” Her eyes opened, sought Kayla’s. “He knew all the right things to say and do to make me feel like a woman.”

  Kayla nodded, genuinely understanding. Though she’d been much younger than Christine and her motives had clearly been different, she did understand. Hadn’t she sought solace in the arms of the man who’d fathered her child?

  “Bradford never harassed Betsy. That was the story I told the board to save face. I caught them together one night.” She shook her head, her features going hard. “I’d been so stupid. We argued. I told him he could never come back.”

  So Betsy Stone had been involved with Bradford. Yet she’d gone along with Christine’s story, saying he’d made a sexual move on her and she’d reported it to the principal to ensure he was sent away.

  “I was jealous,” Christine admitted. “At that moment the only interest I had on my mind was my own.”

  Kayla squeezed her arm reassuringly. “You made a mistake. We all do.” She, of all people, knew.

  Christine was shaking her head again. “You don’t understand. Before I found them together, I had caught him going through the files. He said he was pulling together some information on the brightest students to use in a statistical paper about private schools.” She pressed her hands to her face, looking nothing like the tough former Army officer and strict taskmaster Kayla knew her to be. “I should have known better. I should have told someone.” She lifted her tear-filled gaze to Kayla’s. “What if I let this happen to Rainy? What if that’s what Bradford was looking for? An egg-mining candidate? Dear God!”

  Kayla turned this new angle over in her mind. As much as Kayla didn’t want Christine to shoulder this burden alone, she suspected that Christine was right on at least one score. Bradford had been looking for something. Was he connected to Dr. Reagan? Like Reagan, Bradford had once run his own private practice in Phoenix, but it had closed years ago. And no one knew where Bradford had gone. But she damn sure intended to nail down Betsy Stone. She was the only link they had to Reagan and Bradford, whether she admitted knowing about any unethical dealings or not.

  “Christine.” Kayla drew back, held the woman firmly by the shoulders. “I have to talk to Betsy. She may very well know what Bradford was doing and who he was working with.”

  Christine nodded. “I understand.” She let go a shaky breath. “The way I see it, we’re going to have to trap her into a meeting.” Christine’s watery gaze leveled on Kayla’s. “I’ll help you. I’ll do anything you need me to do.”

  Christine told Kayla what she could about Betsy Stone’s schedule. Betsy might not know anything that would help, but one way or another Kayla intended to find out.

  When she would have left, Christine stopped her. “Kayla, I know you must have gotten Jazz’s invitation by now.”

  Kayla turned back to her, unprepared to discuss the matter just now. “I did.”

  Christine’s hands knotted together in front of her. “Whatever my past sins,” she urged, “please don’t hold them against this school. Jazz deserves this opportunity the same way you did. You know what attendance at this school could mean for her future.”

  Kayla managed a smile. “We’re going to talk about it.”

  As Kayla left the Athena campus she wouldn’t allow herself to consider that Jazz’s invitation might be a prod for her to leave this investigation alone. No way. This school was too important to too many powerful people. They would never invite a student for any reason other than a legitimate one. Athena Academy wanted Jazz. There was no second-guessing that conclusion.

  The only question that remained was if Kayla was ready for her daughter to take that kind of step.

  Kayla called Shirley to let her know she’d decided to stop at home for a sandwich before heading back to the office. The morning had been long and emotionally draining. Kayla wanted to recharge before dealing with the afternoon.

  But that wasn’t going to happen.

  The red SUV sitting against the curb between her house and the next didn’t give her much of a pause on first glance. But when she parked in her driveway she saw that someone waited for her on her front steps.

  It only took one look for her to recognize her unexpected visitor.

  Mike Bridges.

  Jazz’s father.

  Chapter 4

  Kayla couldn’t move. She sat in her Jeep, staring at the man who’d broken her young, foolish heart more than a decade before. She hadn’t seen him since.

  Why was he here?

  Her heart started to pound like a drum.

  Jazz.

  He was here to see his daughter.

  Josie had warned her that he was asking about Jazz. She had worked under Mike’s supervision recently, and when they’d figured out their mutual connection—after some very rocky circumstances that still incensed Kayla—Mike had asked Josie about Jazz. Somehow Kayla had thought he’d just go away, the same as he had all those years ago.

  Clearly she’d been wrong.

  He was here.

  In the flesh.

  Her hand shaking, she opened the door and stepped out of the vehicle. Her legs felt suddenly rubbery.

  Kayla swallowed hard and summoned her courage. Why was she letting him do this? He hadn’t even spoken yet, and already she felt afraid. Afraid of what he might say…what he might do.

  No way.

  Fury, mostly at herself, blasted like a furnace deep inside her. There was nothing for her to be afraid of. Jazz was her daughter. Mike had merely been the sperm donor. The few dollars he sent each month was a pittance, a pathetic attempt to assuage his conscience. He had no right to make her feel this way. No right at all. Especially after what he’d almost done to Josie.

  “What do you want?” The words came out every bit as cold as she’d intended. He flinched. A rush of glee went through her. She couldn’t help it. She wanted him to suffer. Wanted him to feel just a smidgen of the uncertainty and fear she’d felt twelve years ago when she’d been young and pregnant and unmarried. And so afraid.

  He pushed to his feet. Managed a smile, though it in no way resembled the high-wattage charmers she remembered. “I apologize for showing up unannounced, Kayla.” He shrugged those broad shoulders. “I thought if I called to let you know I was coming you wouldn’t be home. I didn’t know what shift you worked, so I decided to wait around until you showed.”

  She planted her hands on her hips and told him the truth. “You figured right. Look at it from my side, Bridges. Why would I want to see you?”

  He nodded once, the move was jerky but humble all the same. It just didn’t mesh with his personality, but then time changed people. Had Mike Bridges really changed? Josie had told her about the trouble she’d had with him. That he would make a pass at one of his female subordinates like that—almost getting her kicked out of the Air Force in the process—indicated to Kayla that he hadn’t changed at all.

  “I guess Lockworth told you about our run-in,” he suggested, evidently recognizing the disgusted look in Kayla’s eyes.

  “She did.” Kayla felt absolutely no sympathy for his having lost his command. According to Josie he’d been transferred from Palmdale, California, to Nellis Air Force Base over in Nevada. Chances of him being promoted beyond major after that fiasco were about nil. Could he have finally learned his lesson?

  Kayla wasn’t about to wager Jazz’s feelings on the probability. Not with his record.

  Mike looked away.

  As much as she didn’t want to, Kayla couldn’t help studying his features. He hadn’t changed that much. Had a bit of a leaner edge about his
profile. More manly, less boyish. His hair was still thick and dark, his eyes that mischievous hazel she saw in her child’s every single day. He looked comfortable in his civilian attire, jeans and a simple gray T-shirt with the Air Force logo emblazoned across his chest. The bomber jacket was well-worn leather and suited his Top Gun image. There was no denying that Mike Bridges was a handsome man. He just didn’t understand the meaning of responsibility and commitment.

  The sole commitment he’d made was to the military. To being a pilot. Until his recent run-in with Josie, he’d apparently been on the upwardly mobile trek. A revered Air Force pilot. Too bad he’d screwed it up doing what he did best, attempting to take advantage of a woman. Not that those kinds of maneuvers were anything new, but this time he’d gotten caught.

  Kayla couldn’t pretend complete innocence in what had happened between her and Mike, but she had been painfully young. He should have recognized that fact. Instead he’d taken her word that she was eighteen. The rest, as they say, was history. He’d left, she’d borne his child.

  “Look.” His gaze settled on hers once more. Incredibly, the depth of regret she saw there surprised her. “I know I haven’t always done the right thing.” He lifted one shoulder in a weary attempt at another gesture of uncertainty. “I can’t promise I will in the future. But I can’t let my daughter grow up without getting to know her. Being a part of her life.” He shook his head, stared at the ground. “I just can’t do it.”

  She knew the deal. His career had stalled and he was scrambling for some kind of emotional purchase. Kayla tamped down the hint of empathy that welled in her chest. Stupid, Ryan, she scolded. “She’ll be twelve next month, Mike. I don’t know that I want to throw this at her right now. Adolescence is a tough time.” You’re too late, she didn’t add. Couldn’t he see that? He should have had this epiphany years ago.

  But would she have liked it any better then than she did now? Probably not.

  “I only have a few days before I have to head back to Nevada,” he went on. “Think it over. I want to know her. I have the right to know her.”

  He said the last with a kind of conviction that sent fear trickling down Kayla’s spine.

  “Is that a threat?” She searched his eyes, his face, looking for signs of just how far he intended to take this.

  He blew out a big breath and scrubbed one hand through his hair. “I don’t want to do it this way.” That hazel gaze turned dead serious and bored straight into hers. “But I will if I have to. I want to see her, Kayla. I want to get to know her. I’m her father. You can’t keep me shut out.”

  A new charge of fury scorched through her. “Shut you out?” She stabbed an accusing finger at him. “You were the one who couldn’t get away from here fast enough. You were the one who didn’t look back.”

  “But I kept up the child support payments,” he countered. “I did my duty.”

  Oh, yeah, there was that. His duty. “Being a parent is about a hell of a lot more than doing your patriotic duty, Major Bridges,” she railed. “Who sat up with her at night when she was sick? Helped with homework? Took her for dance lessons?” She hitched a thumb at her own chest. “Me. I’ve been here for her every moment of her life. Where were you?”

  “Helping to keep this country safe and free,” he snapped. “Someone has to do it.”

  “Do all the other Air Force dads abandon their kids? Their responsibilities?” The very idea that he would use that excuse infuriated her all the more.

  His gaze narrowed accusingly. “You didn’t want me involved, Kayla. Not really. And you know it. You had your family. You didn’t need me.”

  The moment of silence stretched. Maybe he was right. He’d admitted he didn’t want to get married. She’d been devastated. Hadn’t wanted anything else to do with him after that. Kayla had turned to her family and…never looked back.

  “I still don’t need you,” she couldn’t resist informing him.

  Mike surveyed her uniform. “I can see that.” He moistened his lips, whether from necessity or design, she didn’t know. Didn’t matter. She wasn’t taking the bait. “You’ve done real well, Kayla. But I knew you would. Jazz is lucky to have you for a mother.”

  “Flattery will get you nowhere,” she retorted before she could stop herself. She didn’t want to hear his compliments. Didn’t trust him to mean what he said. She’d believed in him once and he’d let her down. Or maybe she’d let herself down. Either way, she wasn’t going to travel that road again.

  They’d been bad for each other all those years ago, and there was no reason to believe things had changed since. And yet, this was not about her or Mike, this was about Jazz. She had a right to know her father. As much as Kayla would like to pretend the need could be ignored she knew it couldn’t. She’d read plenty of stories about children growing up and going out in search of a biological parent they’d never known. Why put her daughter through that? Surely she and Mike could work out something.

  It wasn’t as if Kayla had kept him a secret. She and Jazz talked about him. Jazz had started asking questions when she was five. Kayla had told as much of the truth as she felt comfortable with, saying Jazz’s father was a dedicated soldier who had chosen duty over family. Her daughter seemed to accept that explanation.

  “Kayla, don’t do this,” he urged, his voice soft and cajoling. He evidently took her silence for an outright refusal.

  As much as she didn’t want to be swayed by his needs, and certainly not by his charm, how could she say no? Jazz deserved this opportunity.

  “All right. But we do this my way.”

  He nodded, albeit reluctantly. “Does she know about me?”

  Kayla rolled her eyes. “Of course. How do you think I explained where she came from?”

  He smiled, the expression visibly relieved. “I’m grateful for that.”

  She shrugged, almost too prideful to admit the next. “I have that picture we had made together at the spring carnival. She knows who you are.”

  He blinked, but not quickly enough to conceal the surprise that glittered briefly in his eyes. “That little thing?”

  “I had it enlarged to a five-by-seven. It’s not that bad.” The picture had actually been an accurate depiction of their time together. Mike had been standing behind her with his arms wrapped around her and the huge teddy bear he’d just won. In the photo they were both smiling, unabashedly happy smiles. The image of him captured on the film had been precisely the way she’d seen him during that short affair. A single moment of happiness trapped in a mere photograph. Two young people too crazy in lust to think clearly.

  She had been just as much at fault in the whole mess as Mike, hadn’t she? Kayla felt uncomfortable making that admission. And even so, could she trust him with her daughter’s heart? God help her, maybe this wasn’t such a good idea.

  “When can I see her?”

  Fear attacked Kayla all over again. “Let’s not be hasty,” she countered. She rubbed her damp palms on her hips and tried not to look as nervous as she suddenly felt. “We have to go slowly with this. Let me talk to her first.”

  Irritation sparked in his eyes once more. “I don’t want you putting me off. I want—”

  She held up her hands to ward off whatever he would have said next. “I’m not putting you off. But this is pretty sudden, you have to admit.”

  He didn’t agree, but he didn’t disagree.

  “Let me talk to her. I’ll call you tonight and set something up. That’s fair, isn’t it?”

  When he was slow in responding, she added, “After all, her feelings are primary here, right?”

  Kayla held her breath until she saw the signs of capitulation in his posture. Thank God.

  “Let me give you my cell number.”

  She withdrew the notepad she kept in her jacket pocket for jotting down info at crime scenes and from perp interviews and took his cell phone number as well as the name of the hotel in Phoenix where he would be staying for a few days.

  “I
’ll call you tonight.”

  He took an abrupt step in her direction. Kayla’s breath caught in her throat.

  “Don’t forget, Kayla,” he reminded her. “If I don’t hear from you tonight, I’ll be back tomorrow.”

  She didn’t have to ask this time. She knew the statement was a threat.

  Before she could pull together a proper comeback a sedan pulled up behind Mike’s SUV. Recognition flared instantly.

  Hadden.

  Perfect.

  Peter Hadden emerged from his vehicle looking as he always did, rumpled and sexy as hell. Colombo meets James Bond. He strolled right up to where Kayla and Mike stood on the sidewalk in front of her house as if he lived there.

  Despite her worries where Mike was concerned, Kayla suddenly wondered if Hadden brought news regarding their joint investigation. Something besides his insistence that Marshall Carrington was some sort of smuggler.

  “Kayla,” Hadden said with a dip of his head.

  She blinked, startled. She couldn’t recall once his having called her by her first name. “Hadden,” she returned. “What’s up?”

  Just when she felt certain things couldn’t get any stranger, his gaze shifted from her to the man standing nearby. “I don’t believe we’ve met.” He thrust out his hand. “I’m Peter Hadden, homicide, Tucson.”

  “Major Mike Bridges.” Mike gave Hadden’s hand a brisk shake, his demeanor stiff, noticeably tense. “Jasmine’s father,” he pitched in with a distinct edge in his voice.

  If the last surprised Hadden he showed no sign of it, but then he was a good detective, well versed in the proper methods of negotiations. Never let the enemy see you sweat.

  “I hope I’m not interrupting anything,” Hadden said with a smile. He looked from Kayla to Mike and back.

  “Actually, Mike was just leaving.” Her gaze was direct when she addressed the man who wanted to invade her daughter’s life. “I’ll call you tonight.”

  The familiar glitter that ignited in Mike’s eyes shocked her just a little. She knew that look. Had seen it before. Anytime she and Mike had gone out all those years ago he had been fiercely possessive. A single glance from another man would set him off.