The Damaged Heroes Collection [Box Set #1: The Damaged Heroes Collection] (BookStrand Publishing Mainstream)

by James, Sandy

  Alex backed up a step. Ross grinned.

  Laurie tried to stop the macho nonsense. “Ross, why don’t you take the limo back? It’s probably costing you a fortune. We can talk tomorrow.”

  “Let me walk you in, Laurie,” Ross insisted.

  “I’ll make sure she gets in,” Alex said, the challenge clear in his tone. But he didn’t move an inch from his earlier retreat.

  Laurie put her fingers to her mouth and whistled again. She pointed to the Volvo. “Alex, go. I’ll try to find some time to talk to you tomorrow. Call me at the clinic.” A lie; she’d never take his call. She turned to Ross. “Sport, come here.” She took his hand and led him toward the porch.

  Alex glared at them both for a moment before he stomped back to his car and drove away fast enough his wheels squealed against the pavement.

  At the door, Ross reached out to tug her shawl more tightly around her shoulders and then pulled her into a hug. “So that’s Alex, huh?”

  She nodded against his chest, embarrassed. Between a confrontation with her old beau and the wanton display she’d put on in the limo, Laurie wasn’t horribly comfortable locking eyes with Ross. “I had no idea he’d show up again. Honest.”

  “I believe you.”

  He nuzzled her hair as he hugged her closer. His warmth comforted her. She rubbed her cheek against his soft lapel.

  “Would you like me to come in?” he asked.

  Laurie pulled back and finally looked up at his face. Desire still burned clearly in his eyes, even after the little scene Alex had staged in the driveway. Knowing Ross still wanted her was almost enough for her to invite him inside, but she needed some time to think about everything. She lifted her hand, caressing his cheek. “I’m not ready yet. Please be patient with me.”

  He nodded then kissed her forehead. “Always, Kitten.” He brushed his lips against hers. Laurie had a hard time not groaning in disappointment when he moved away. “I’ll call you tomorrow. Maybe we can have dinner?”

  “I’d like that, if I can sneak away from work early enough.”

  Ross chuckled and a perceptive smile spread across his face. “I know what you mean.” In two long strides, he was back at her side. He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her long and deep. She never wanted the kiss to end. When he finally pulled away, he whispered, “Tomorrow, Laurie. Work isn’t nearly as important as you.”

  All she could do was smile.

  * * * *

  Alex paced the short length of his living room. Unable to find the calm he needed, he couldn’t harness the part of him that raged. He felt like a caged animal, drowning in his frustration that he hadn’t even gotten the chance to ask Laurie about the journal.

  The night he’d watched her—watched them—going into the Golden Nugget, Alex hadn’t been able to get close enough to talk to her. Seeing that brute of a man wining and dining her in a manner well beyond Alex’s current means was enough to bring out the monster.

  Losing Laurie Miller had been his one regret in the grand design. He hadn’t expected to need her, hadn’t expected her to be the tether keeping him tied to the real world. She was just supposed to be a means to an ends. When her well of information ran dry, Alex had simply moved on in pursuit of his ultimate goal. He didn’t realize what he felt for her would get in the way, that it would stall his forward momentum.

  More than six months had passed since he’d left Laurie, and he hadn’t discovered a solitary new clue. They’d rejected his dissertation. Again. And until he had something tangible to support his theory, the committee would never accept it. One of the members made a derogatory comparison of Alex’s work to Geraldo Rivera’s embarrassing opening of Al Capone’s empty vault. He couldn’t suppress a satisfied, smug smile remembering how that condescending man had been the victim of a random hit and run.

  Yeah. Random.

  Despite the committee’s skepticism, Alex knew the story of the bootlegging diamonds was real. Every instinct, everything he’d ever learned as an historian, told him so. He knew he would most definitely have the last laugh when he held the stones in his hands. After he wrote the book and sold the film rights to the story, no one would scoff at him any longer. The collectors who would scramble to own the historical stones would pay him more than enough to make him a rich man. He’d make himself famous. Legendary.

  In Laurie’s email, she informed him she’d miraculously found the diary. His heart had nearly stopped beating. His whole adult life had led him to that journal—the key to the fortune that Fortune stole. The time and effort required to even discover which Miller family was linked to Fortune had been phenomenal. Luckily, Alex was an extraordinarily patient and methodical person. He’d worked his way through every clue, every tiny bit of information that could lead him to the diamonds.

  Even when he’d finally narrowed his search down considerably, he still had genealogies to trace and people to interview. He hated the smell of the nursing homes and hated chasing ghosts. The only thing worse than the overpowering disinfectant was knowing the ancient chorus girls or bootleggers had died before he even had the chance to interrogate them. He sought the children of those people, hoping they knew stories or remembered bits and pieces of their parents’ past. His grandfather had gathered some information, but now the people who could have helped Alex were mostly lying six feet under and decomposing for decades.

  Alex had literally stumbled across Laurie’s connection—just a simple Internet search. The article he’d read concerned her psychic abilities and her work as a counselor. He had almost passed over it entirely, but the one little blurb that caught his eye had revealed the missing link. It had provided him with the identity of the elusive Laurence Miller. There had been no birth certificate, no marriage license, and no real public record of the person’s existence. Just hearsay. The trail had grown more than cold. It had frozen solid. When the reporter made mention of Laurie’s full name, Alex found what he’d been seeking.

  Who would have ever thought Laurence Miller would be a woman?

  Alex never even considered the possibility. The paper trail to Fortune’s family had ended abruptly at the birth of Adam Miller’s child in France twenty-nine years ago. The only real fact Alex knew was that the child had been named Laurence. He had smashed a chair against the wall out of anger over his own stupidity. It had been next to impossible to finally harness the monster that day.

  The recent email told Alex that Laurie had finally found the key to the mystery, but she was denying him access. She’d claimed it was nothing more than personal recollections and short poems which wouldn’t help him in his research. What Laurie didn’t understand, what she couldn’t know, was that those journal entries held the solution to a million dollar mystery.

  Alex planned to solve the puzzle and perhaps bring back into his life the one person who helped him maintain a semblance of sanity, a mere thread of control.

  And if she wouldn’t come around, then he would still get the journal any way he could.

  * * * *

  Ross couldn’t suppress a smile when he saw Bruiser dropping Sheila off for work. He figured they were walking examples of the notion that opposites attract.

  In her prim and proper Dockers and fuzzy angora sweater, Sheila looked downright yuppie. Bruiser was clothed in his usual biker paraphernalia, appearing extraordinarily out of place in the ritzy law office. Bruiser put his arms around Sheila’s waist and lifted her off the floor to kiss her. Ross smiled at the charming scene.

  Bruiser put Sheila down, leaned over and murmured something to her, and then walked up to Ross. “Got somethin’ for you.”

  Ross raised an eyebrow. “Did you finally find the Miller guy?”

  “Nope.”

  Bruiser followed Ross into his office, crossed his arms over his enormous chest, and leaned against the side of the desk while Ross sat in his chair. “Then what do you have to tell me?”

  “Not a guy,” Bruiser answered with a sly smile.

  Ross pushed bac
k his chair and stared up at the tall detective. “Excuse me?”

  “She’s a chick.”

  “Laurence Miller is a woman? Seriously?”

  Bruiser nodded at him and grinned.

  “What kind of warped parents name their daughter Laurence?”

  Bruiser’s shrug set the leather of his jacket squeaking in response. “Beats me. Haven’t got her yet, but she’s close.” He pointed at his nose and smiled. “I can smell her. I’ll let you know when I finish trackin’ her.”

  “You make a hell of a bloodhound, Bruiser. Thanks. Keep me informed.”

  Bruiser walked out of the office, and Ross could hear him talking to Sheila just outside the door. Then Sheila came bouncing in and sat herself down in one of the client chairs. “How’d it go, Romeo? Sweep her off her feet?”

  Ross smiled, remembering the evening he’d spent with Laurie. “It went better than I would’ve expected.” When he thought of how the whole thing ended, he returned to his more customary frown.

  “Uh oh. What’s up?”

  “Her old boyfriend was waiting when we got back to her house.” He turned his chair to stare out the window.

  “Ouch. Did she blow him off?”

  “Sort of. I tell you, Sheila, I wanted to punch his lights out,” he said as he rubbed the fist he’d made of his right hand. The jealousy was overpowering, the thought of Laurie with Alex drowning Ross’s self-control.

  “I really don’t think Arthur would appreciate that. Bad publicity and all. So what’s the next step? Want me to make dinner reservations? Don’t think I can swing Everest again, but I still have a few favors I can call in.”

  “I was thinking something more personal. Maybe getting a pizza and watching a movie.” He swiveled his chair back around to face her. “Good idea?”

  Sheila smiled so broadly it had to hurt her face. “You think you’re gonna get laid!”

  He stared at her slack-jawed. The woman was epitome of audacity.

  She laughed at his incredulous look. “Good for you. Go for it. God bless and all.”

  “Sheila...”

  “Don’t ‘Sheila’ me. You need someone like this Laurie. She’s good for you. You actually cracked a smile today. And you’ve only growled twice. So when do I get to meet her?”

  “Never. You’d scare her away,” Ross replied with a chuckle.

  Sheila snorted an unladylike laugh. “Probably. Keep me as the final test. If you think you’ve found Miss Right, bring her to work. If she can stand me, you’ve got a winner.” Bouncing out of his office, she left as quickly as she’d entered.

  Ross knew he had a million things he should be doing, but he was having a hard time concentrating on anything in the mound of files sitting on his desk. The scene in the limousine played and replayed in his mind. He’d never felt for a woman what he felt for Laurie. It was downright primitive. He wanted to possess her, to hold her, to show her everything that he could about making love.

  And she had been so right about everything. Even if Laurie hadn’t been brave enough to explain his error in thinking he loved Katie, she sure as hell had been able to show him. The way he felt when Laurie sat on his lap made anything he felt for Katie pale in comparison.

  He enjoyed Laurie’s company, her humor, and her compassion. Everything about her enthralled him and captured his emotions.

  Ross picked up the phone and dialed her cell before he talked himself out of it. Chiding himself for being a moon-struck fool, he wanted to hear her voice, even if it was just a recording. He was shocked when she actually answered.

  “Hello, Ross.”

  “Good morning, Laurie.”

  “Back at’cha. What’s up?”

  “I thought I’d see if you want to have dinner tonight. Figured I’d catch you early. You know, before your old boyfriend called and you made plans with him instead.”

  Could you possibly sound any more jealous? Ross slammed a fist on the surface of his desk in frustration. He hoped to hell she hadn’t heard that.

  Moments of silence passed. “Still there?” he asked, hoping he hadn’t screwed things up again.

  “I’m here.”

  “What’s wrong?”

  “I’m waiting for you to apologize.” The change in her tone told him the counselor in her was in charge.

  “Apologize?”

  “Have I ever given you any reason to think I’d choose him over you?”

  “No, but—”

  “No. I haven’t. Are you going to apologize?”

  Ross rested his forehead against his palm and spit out the words that seldom escaped his lips. “I’m sorry.” Then he wondered why he dreaded saying them so much. It wasn’t that difficult after all. “I really am sorry, Laurie. I was just trying to be funny. I thought we’d get a pizza or something. Maybe watch a pay-per-view.”

  “You’re forgiven. How about Chinese and a DVD? Comedy or drama? I think Deepika’s got every movie known to mankind.” Laurie’s musical laugh made him smile in response.

  “Comedy. Definitely. My place or yours?”

  “Not it.”

  “Pardon?”

  Laurie laughed again. “Not it. Since I said it first, you have to choose.”

  “That’s hardly fair. I didn’t know we were playing a game.”

  She snorted a small laugh. “Sport, I think you and I are always playing some kind of game.”

  He had to give the woman credit for having first-class insight. “Fine. Since they’re Deepika’s movies, I’ll drive out there. Your car’s trashed anyway. Did you get a rental?”

  “Yeah. It’s actually nicer than the Civic. We’ve got a great Chinese place not far that delivers. I’m sorry, Ross, but I’ve got to go. Patients waiting and all. See you around seven?”

  “I’ll be there.”

  * * * *

  Andrew was taken entirely by surprise when Alex Richards waltzed into the clinic, carrying a sack of food and two cans of Diet Coke. By the time the dark-haired professor reached the reception desk, Andrew had a strange and overwhelming urge to push him right back out the door. He wondered if the distaste was on Laurie’s behalf or if it was simply a reoccurrence of the creeps Alex always caused.

  In his usual no-nonsense and belligerent tone, Alex asked the receptionist, “Where’s Laurie?”

  Andrew had no doubt Connie could handle Alex. She was accustomed to dealing with people whose attitudes ranged from rude to neurotic. The gray-haired receptionist held her hand over the mouthpiece of the phone she’d been talking into. “Dr. Miller is with a patient. If you would please give me a chance to finish this call, I’ll be right with you.”

  He grumbled and craned his neck to look behind her. When he locked eyes with Andrew, Alex immediately perked up. “Is Laurie in her office?”

  Andrew nodded then frowned at Alex. “She’s there, but she’s got a patient with her. Does she even know you’re here? I mean, it’s been like six months.”

  “I saw her last night.”

  Andrew waited a moment for Alex to elaborate, but he never even made an attempt. “When did you see Laurie last night? She had a…” Andrew didn’t finish the thought. It was most definitely not his place to tell Laurie’s old boyfriend that she was dating a new one.

  “A date. I know. I was waiting when she got back. Who is that guy? Looks like a big, dumb jock to me. Not exactly Laurie’s usual selective taste in men.”

  Andrew shrugged. “You’ll have to ask her. Look, I’ve gotta get back to work. Connie will let Laurie know you’re here.” Andrew made a hasty escape to his office and shut the door. He immediately picked up his phone and dialed the extension to Laurie’s office.

  “What’s up Andrew?”

  “Sorry to interrupt...”

  “It’s fine. Miguel was just leaving. Hang on.” She gave a few more words of support to her patient before the sound of the door opening and closing echoed in the background. “Okay. What’s up?”

  “Did you know Alex Richards is waiting for y
ou in the lobby?” Laurie had stopped talking, but he could hear her rapid breathing. “He told me he saw you last night.”

  Laurie finally found her voice. “Yeah. He said he’d been waiting in his car for me to get home. Did you ask why he’s here?”

  “Nah, but it looks like he brought you lunch. Want Connie to try to get rid of him?”

  Laurie breathed a long sigh. “No. He’s just like Miguel. Doesn’t give up easily. I’ll talk to him. Thanks for the heads up.”

  Laurie hung up the phone, wishing she’d never emailed Alex about the journal. Having come to terms months ago with his disappearing act, she never even considered the email might suddenly bring him waltzing back into her life.

  Alex had first introduced himself at a fundraising dinner for the clinic. She’d never really understood his interest in the function, but he amused her with some of the stories of his historical research. The most interesting thing was that she could read him, but not in the same way she could divine other people. Alex read like someone who was deliberately blocking her attempts. No other person had ever been able to keep his emotions out of her gift’s reach. The ability was akin to being able to successfully lie while passing a polygraph. She agreed to a date simply to satisfy her curiosity as to how he managed to keep her talent at bay.

  After a couple of dates, Alex revealed that he knew about her gift from an article he’d read about her. He’d sought her out deliberately because he had been fascinated with her abilities. Having pretty much kept men at arms’ length for most of her life, Laurie was not only flattered but downright mesmerized that a man like Alex would find someone like her interesting enough to pursue. And he’d wanted to know everything about her and her family.

  When Laurie took a trip to the Montana ranch, Alex strongly hinted that he wanted to go, so she finally gave in and invited him along. He had seemed anxious to visit the place, and Laurie figured it was probably because of the history of the Circle M. What history professor wouldn’t drool over the chance to visit an authentic nineteenth century western ranch? Since he was at the University of Illinois working on his Ph.D. and teaching to try to earn a meager living, she’d paid for his trip, hoping to use the time to see if they were at all compatible.