Guarding the Heiress

by Debra Webb

  “Oh no,” Eddi murmured.

  As she’d wallowed in her self-pity she’d unknowingly unleashed a force to be reckoned with—the Club.

  She had to warn Doug. Though he’d misled her and allowed her to make a complete fool of herself, she couldn’t let him be blindsided.

  A gleeful smile slid across her lips.

  Or could she?

  “WE HAVE TO STRIKE NOW!”

  Joe was about sick and tired of being bossed around. He had a plan in motion already. He didn’t need his “partner” telling him what to do.

  “I’m on it,” he assured the nervous man on the other end of the line.

  “I don’t find that statement reassuring in the least,” his partner said in that haughty tone he loved to take with those he considered lesser life-forms.

  “Well, that’s your problem,” Joe growled. He’d had enough of this. “I’m doing things my way this time. So just keep your mouth shut and stay out of the way. By this time tomorrow she’ll be right here with me waiting to see if her grandmamma loves her more than she does her money.”

  “You just make sure she stays alive,” his partner warned. “She’ll be worthless to us if she’s dead.”

  Joe snickered in spite of his best efforts not to. The only one in this little venture who wasn’t going to end up dead was him.

  But his partner didn’t need to know that yet.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Eddi sat very still on the edge of her bed when the soft rap came at her bedroom door. She did not want to see Doug or talk to him. She wanted to be left alone. She needed to think. She exhaled a heavy breath. If only her mom and dad were here. They always knew the right thing to do. Eddi just didn’t have any experience where this kind of thing was concerned.

  Maybe it was her fault. She closed her eyes and shook her head. No. It wasn’t her fault. All her life the one thing that had mattered most to her was truth. Not only had her parents kept this huge, life-altering secret from her, but now the man she had fallen for was keeping secrets of his own. How could that possibly be right? How could he have been so intimate with her knowing that he was keeping who he really was a secret? Hurt and humiliation filled her all over again. Hurt that he’d hidden the truth from her and humiliation that she’d been too naive to notice. Then, of course, there were all the little remarks she’d made about not knowing how to act like one of “them” and that she was a “real” person. Doug must think her just awful. After all, he was one of “them.”

  “Eddi?”

  The voice on the other side of her closed door belonged to her grandmother Solange, not Doug as she’d worried. Eddi sat up a little straighter. She didn’t want to talk about her troubles with a stranger. She chewed her lower lip and considered that this was her grandmother and that she had grown very fond of her in the past few days. But…

  “Eddi, may I come in?”

  What the heck? Eddi pushed up from the bed and trudged to the door. Pity parties were a lot more fun when there was someone else to vent your complaints with. She started to open the door, but hesitated.

  “Are you alone?” she asked, suddenly certain Doug was out there, too. He wanted to explain, but she didn’t want to hear. The way she was feeling right now, if she had to talk to him, she’d only tell him to beware of the Club. No telling what they had on their minds. Of course they were in Meadowbrook, a long way from Martha’s Vineyard. A knot tightened in Eddi’s tummy. She, of all people, knew that geography would not stop those ladies. Maybe she’d better call back and let Ms. Irene know that she was okay. She’d been a little overset when they spoke earlier. If she really faced facts, this predicament was as much her own fault as Doug’s. She was an adult, not a child. He’d tried to keep things platonic. She was the one who’d pushed.

  “Yes, dear, it’s only me.”

  Exhaling a heavy sigh, Eddi opened the door and allowed her grandmother inside, then quickly closed it without even a glance across the hall.

  “I’d like you to tell me what happened tonight,” Solange insisted without preamble.

  Eddi motioned to the sitting area. “Have a seat—I mean, please, make yourself comfortable.” She’d never learn all these niceties.

  Her grandmother smiled. “The only person you have to be with me, Eddi, is yourself.”

  Relief slid through Eddi and she relaxed just a little. “Thanks.”

  When they were both seated, Solange asked again, “I’d like to know what’s going on with you and Doug and that awful reporter James threw out.”

  Eddi perked up. “James threw her out?” Now, there was something she’d like to have seen.

  Solange nodded. “I have no idea how she got an invitation, but Doug informed James of the incident and action was immediately taken.”

  Eddi’s spirits drooped once more. So, it had been Doug who’d seen to the woman’s dismissal. She should have known. “No real harm was done,” she assured her grandmother. No use letting her worry. The only hurt was to Eddi’s feelings and even that was partly her own fault. The clues had been there, she just hadn’t picked up on them. And, really, if Doug wanted to keep his past a secret, who was she to hold it against him? It wasn’t as if they were dating or anything. Last night’s culminating peak zoomed to the front of her thoughts.

  No, they weren’t dating, they’d just had almost sex. She sighed. Who was she kidding? They’d shared something beautiful. Something he’d done entirely for her, at her insistence. He hadn’t pursued intimacy, she reminded herself. She had. This was her fault. But that still didn’t make his holding out on her right. She’d told him everything…and still he’d kept his secrets. She was sick to death of secrets.

  Solange took Eddi’s hand and smiled sympathetically. “Doug told me everything.” One finely arched eyebrow lifted above the others. “I was quite surprised myself, I must admit. I actually know his mother and father. A fine family.”

  “Did he tell you why he lied to me?” Eddi’s hackles rose at the idea that her grandmother seemed to be taking up for him. She chastised herself for being so childish. She just needed to go to bed and put this behind her. Thinking clearly would be a lot easier in the morning.

  Solange did the sighing this time. “No. He didn’t say why he’d chosen to disassociate himself with the family name. He loves his family and stays in close contact. He simply chose some time ago to no longer be a part of the limelight.” She thought for a moment, then added, “But, I believe Doug is a fine young man. He must have a good reason.”

  Eddi felt just a smidgen contrite. Her grandmother was most likely right. Doug was not the kind of guy who did something this big on a whim. She was just hurt that he hadn’t felt close enough to her to share his true feelings. She’d certainly spilled her guts. Humiliation welled inside her all over again.

  “I guess you’re right,” she admitted to her grandmother.

  Solange squeezed her hand affectionately. “But you’re still hurt because you care very deeply for him.”

  Startled, Eddi lifted her gaze to her grandmother’s. “How did you know that?” Surely Doug hadn’t figured out just how stupid she’d been and…

  Solange smiled. “Oh, my dear, it’s very clear to me exactly how you feel. No one had to say a word. I was a bit concerned when I first noticed the way the two of you look at each other, but then I discovered what a fine man Doug was and I knew that all was as it should be. I want you to be happy, that’s my only wish.”

  A frown tugged at Eddi’s face. This was all too confusing. “I thought you wanted me to oversee your company.” Wasn’t that the whole point? Why she was here? Why had she signed all those papers? God, she wasn’t sure she could ever be happy heading a huge company. She was just Eddi the plumber. She was no jewelry designer. Attending fancy parties just wasn’t who she was. And Doug, though Eddi knew he was attracted to her, she wasn’t at all sure he felt anything even vaguely familiar to what she felt.

  “Of course I want you to be a part of D’Martine
Exports, but that will only be a small portion of your life,” Solange assured her. “I want you to be happy. To enjoy your heritage. Travel. Get married, have a family. Do whatever it is that you desire.”

  This was the moment of truth. Eddi couldn’t whine about others not being completely honest if she wasn’t herself. “All I want is to be with my family. My whole family.” She wanted her grandmother to know that she meant her as well. “I appreciate all that you’ve done for me, but I don’t have to travel around the world to find happiness.” She thought about Doug then and how he made her feel. She thought about how much she loved her parents and how good they’d been to her and how much she cared for the wonderful folks in Meadowbrook. Then she thought about the woman who sat beside her and she said, “I’m already happy. I just have to fine-tune a few things.” That was true even of her relationship with Doug, she realized. Maybe all they were ever intended to be was friends. She had to face that sad fact. She was, after all, cursed, she reminded herself morosely.

  Solange hugged her, then drew back and looked into her eyes. “You are so beautiful, Eddi. Having you here has meant more to me than you will ever know. But I understand how much you love your parents. They’ll be here by noon tomorrow. I’m sending my plane for them. We’ll all have a nice visit before you go back home to Meadowbrook.”

  Surprise stole through Eddi all over again. “I can go home?” She hadn’t meant to sound so hopeful. The last thing she wanted to do was hurt her grandmother’s feelings.

  Solange nodded. “When you’re ready and you’ll be able to come back here anytime you wish. I’ll expect a call every day, of course.”

  Eddi nodded enthusiastically. “And you can come and visit me, too.” She could definitely see her grandmother joining the Club’s weekly poker game, if she were ever to get over her fear of the outdoors. A little Remedy might do her a great deal of good. It certainly kept Irene, Ella, and the Caruthers twins perky. Her grandmother couldn’t hide out in this big old house forever.

  Solange looked a little startled, but quickly composed herself. “We’ll see,” she hedged, then stood. “For now, I’m calling it a night. I’m sure you have things to discuss with Doug before turning in.”

  Eddi started to argue with her, but followed her to the door instead. “Good night, Grandmother.” She had no intention of talking to Doug tonight.

  “You know—” Solange hesitated in the doorway “—we never know what tomorrow holds. When you grow older you’ll realize how many regrets were avoidable if you’d only pushed aside your pride.” With that said she left.

  Eddi knew she was talking about the regrets she had where her son was concerned. But she was also talking about Eddi and the mistake she might be about to make by not allowing Doug to have his say.

  Well, she’d professed truth and loyalty her whole life. It was time to put her money where her mouth was and give the man she cared about the opportunity to explain. Acting before she could change her mind, Eddi marched straight across the hall and knocked on his door.

  She found herself holding her breath as she waited. Was he even in there? Maybe he was in the shower? She leaned closer and listened. Silence. Just as she lifted her hand to knock again, the door opened. Her gaze instantly collided with his and her heart foolishly skipped a beat.

  “Is everything all right?” he asked quietly, too quietly.

  Eddi wanted to answer, she truly did. But she could only look at him for a moment. His elegant black jacket was gone. The white dress shirt was partially unbuttoned and the tie had been discarded. But the shoulder holster and weapon she’d grown oddly accustomed to were there, lying against his chest. Barely stopping her wayward thoughts, she just did resist the urge to reach out and touch him. She wanted to touch him…to do for him what he’d done for her last night. She tensed. Reality check! She was supposed to be mad at him. And the only thing in their mutual future was friendship—if that.

  “I just had a talk with my grandmother,” she informed him.

  He nodded. “I know.” He opened the door a little wider and gestured toward the monitor on his dresser. “I keep a watch on your door.”

  Her eyes went wide and then she pushed past him. “What else have you been watching?” She strode over to the monitor and stared at the image of her open bedroom door. Then the screen changed and she was looking at the inside of her room. Her mouth dropped open in disbelief.

  “It’s not what you think,” he hastened to assure her, but his statement did little to slow the fury suddenly rising inside her. Not only was he a liar, he was a Peeping Tom.

  “You—”

  He held up both hands. “I didn’t do this,” he clarified before she could say more. “This was set up for your safety before we arrived. Yes,” he said when she would have asked, “I’ve used the monitor to do my job, but you have my word that I used it for nothing else.”

  He was telling the truth. She could see it in his eyes. Besides, there was no point in arguing. Her grandmother had done this for her protection. Doug was her bodyguard. He’d only been doing his job. And she was too tired to go through any more tonight. It wasn’t as if he hadn’t seen all there was to see last night.

  She nodded in acceptance of his explanation. “I wanted to give you the opportunity to explain.” She shrugged. “I never could stay mad at anyone or hold a grudge.”

  Doug shoved his hands into his pockets to keep from reaching out to her. He’d made this mess himself and she was willing to give him a way out. He’d been wrong all the way around. Wrong to take advantage of their relationship and wrong to think he could get this close to her without telling her the truth.

  “My father is a financial genius on Wall Street and my mother is into art. She owns several galleries.” He paused a moment for her to absorb the difference between what he’d told her the other night and what really was. “I got tired of never having a moment to myself.” He thought about the way the paparazzi had hounded him and all he’d lost. All he’d given up. “I started to hate my life and everything in it.” There were some things he just couldn’t bring himself to tell her. Not being able to persuade his fiancée to believe in him was something no man wanted to admit to. Would Eddi feel the same way? Would she ever trust him again? This time he had no one to blame but himself. He looked straight into her eyes. “I didn’t even know who I was anymore. I’d lost myself.” He knew that, of all people, she would understand how that felt. At least he hoped she would. “I wanted out. A fresh start. To be just a regular guy.”

  Eddi listened without interrupting, but he read the understanding in her eyes. He should have shared this with her from the beginning. He hadn’t because he’d feared scaring her off from doing what she had to do and it was simply too personal. By the time they had gotten that “personal,” it was too late to change what he’d already done and said.

  “You could have told me,” she finally suggested. “I would have understood.”

  Why did she have to be so good-hearted? Eddi was nothing like the woman he’d thought he loved all those years ago. He’d screwed up. Let a job get personal. Broken the first rule. He had to fix this mess before it got any worse. Eddi was vulnerable right now, too easily confused. And he definitely didn’t deserve her. He was far too jaded for a sweet girl like her. It would be in her best interest if he stopped this now.

  “I was wrong about a lot of things,” he confessed, forcing firmness into his voice as he said the words that were true in one respect but far from it in all others. “I was assigned to protect you, not to seduce you. I lost my focus, overstepped my bounds and I apologize for that. It won’t happen again.”

  A new kind of hurt flashed in her eyes and he knew he’d said too little too late. He’d let her fall for him, had facilitated the tumble. She’d trusted him…depended on him. He’d let her down.

  “I’m glad we had this talk,” she said too quickly. Her voice trembled and something inside him twisted at the idea that it was his fault entirely. “My parents
are coming tomorrow,” she added as she backed toward the door. “I should get some sleep.” She blinked rapidly and he was sure he noted a suspicious brightness about her eyes.

  “Eddi, I—”

  She held up a hand and shook her head. “Good night, Doug.” She did an about-face and rushed to her room, closing the door behind her.

  Doug shifted his attention to the monitor just as she dashed into the en suite bath. There was no way he could have missed the tremble in her shoulders before she disappeared from sight. He’d hurt her again. He hadn’t wanted to but it had been necessary. He dropped onto the foot of his bed and stared at the monitor. She was confused right now, she would thank him later. Falling for him had only been an instinctive reaction to the sudden changes in her life. She would realize sooner or later that what she felt wasn’t anything except a desperate need to reach out to someone during a tumultuous time. He’d saved her from making a grievous error. He’d done the right thing tonight.

  Funny thing was, it felt all wrong.

  JOE TENSED WHEN EDDI entered the bathroom and slammed the door, then relaxed. About time. He’d waited in here all evening. He’d stayed perfectly quiet when she came back to the room after the big hoity-toity party downstairs. He’d wanted to cuss a blue streak when she hadn’t come to the bathroom first thing. Then, as if it wasn’t taking long enough, her grandmother had to come into the room for a little heart-to-heart talk. He made a face and resisted the urge to laugh. He’d soon know if the old woman cared as much for the girl as she pretended to.

  He listened for a moment longer before making his move. Sweet little Eddi Harper sniffled and then blew her nose. He’d gathered that her bodyguard had failed to mention a few things about who he really was and now she was all torn up about it. Joe mentally shook his head. Who believed in happy endings anymore? He hoped she didn’t, because there wasn’t going to be one for her.