by Lori Foster
The guards looked at her like she was nuts. Earl shouted denials. Senator Welling stirred just in time for a small bespectacled woman in a black suit to duck her head into the room and say, “Senator, it’s time for…your…introduction.” Her eyes rounded, looking huge behind her glasses.
One of the guards caught her arm and pulled her completely into the room, then shut and locked the door.
The senator moaned. Mrs. Welling, now sitting on the floor holding her head, said, “Forget it. There’ll be no more honors for him.”
Regina looked around at the chaos and wanted to cry. It was more than just the scandal that was sure to ensue, the political ramifications, the threat to her and Riley. Something she’d cherished, something she’d believed was real, had just been defiled in the worst possible way.
Her stomach actually cramped. She’d been such an utter fool.
Then Riley was there, his hand closing gently on her upper arm. “Babe, you’re crushing Butch. Loosen up.”
Regina glanced at Butch, at his bulgy little eyes, and saw it was true. She relinquished her hold on him.
“That’s it. Here, let me hold him.” Riley balanced the dog in one arm, up close to his chest because Butch seemed more than a little rattled by all that had happened. He was curled in on himself, his eyes still wild, and low growls continually emitted from deep in his throat as he watched everyone and everything. Once Riley held him, he looked less threatened.
With his other arm, Riley gathered Regina protectively into his side. Regina knew everyone was looking at her with varying degrees of expression—virulence from Mrs. Welling, disgrace from Xavier, concern from Lanny and Dermot.
She felt like a spectacle, something she detested, a feeling left over from her childhood. Ashamed, she turned into Riley to hide. “You told them where I kept the picture.”
At her agonized whisper, he tightened his hold and his voice became hard. “Only to distract them, to keep them talking until I could best situate myself to react.”
“Oh.” She supposed that made sense. She’d put them into a situation and he’d had to rescue them because of it.
“Damn it, Red, I would never deliberately do anything to hurt you.”
He sounded so outraged, Regina tried to soothe him. “Okay, Riley.” The last thing she wanted was another spectacle.
To her surprise, Riley murmured near her ear, “Red, you’ve made me so proud.”
“Proud?” She wasn’t expecting that and her laugh was bitter and hurt. “I was a gullible idiot.”
“No. You handled yourself well, disarming Mrs. Welling, protecting Butch, helping me.”
Had she done all that? She had struck out at the crazy woman, but… “I got us in this situation in the first place by being an idiot.”
“No.” He turned her to face him, his expression volatile. “You’re you, sweet and trusting and sincere, and I happen to love you an awful lot.”
She jerked back. The suffocating crowd and her own embarrassment seemed to fade away. Her entire focus was on Riley and those awesome words he’d just uttered. “You what?”
With exasperation, he took her arm and towed her into the farthest corner of the room. It wasn’t really far enough, merely a few feet away. The guards were watching them while another phoned a supervisor on his cell phone. The situation was sticky and could explode into an ugly scandal if it wasn’t handled quickly and efficiently.
Riley cupped the back of her neck and put his forehead to hers. “Listen to me, Regina. I know the human garbage that exists in our world. Hell, I’ve dealt with them more times than I care to remember. Rapists, murderers, sadists… They’re out there and we all have to be careful. But there are a lot of good people in the world, too, the kind of people you believe in.”
“Like you.”
“Like you.” He looked pained. “I’m not perfect, Red. I’m as flawed as your senator. But I would never cheat on you or deliberately hurt you and I’ll always try to make you happy. You have my word on that.”
She stared at him.
“I love you for who you are. I don’t want you to change, to be jaded by this. I like the things you believe in. Hell, I believe in them, too.” He bent to see her face. “You still do, don’t you? You won’t let one creep distort things for you?”
Her smile came slowly, along with sudden insight. The senator wasn’t the man she’d believed him to be—but Riley was. True, he wasn’t perfect, so he’d likely make mistakes in his life, just as she would. But he was steadfast, solid, a man you could rely on.
A man she could trust with her love.
“No, I won’t let him disillusion me.” She touched Riley’s chest. She knew Riley, so she knew how incredible a person could be. No one could ever change that. “I love you, too, Riley. I fought it, but I knew last night that I’d lost the battle.”
He didn’t smile, but new warmth darkened his blue eyes. “I’ve known how I feel for a long while now.”
“Buck and Harris and Ethan knew how you felt, too.”
“They what?”
Nodding, Regina said, “They told me, but I didn’t
really believe them.” Then in a barely there whisper, she confessed, “I thought you only wanted sex.”
He rolled his eyes. “Of course I want sex,” he answered in the same low whisper, and then added with gentle awe, “Look at you.”
At his very private words, she glanced around the room. She knew no one could hear him, but when Lanny winked at her, she blushed. They really should have found some privacy for this chat.
“I was giving you time, Red, and trying to get this mess sorted out so we wouldn’t be distracted.” He looked up at the sound of the door opening and two more men—very official in appearance—stepped in. “I think the mess just got messier, but at least you’re out of it now. I can concentrate on you.”
“On us?” she specified.
He pressed a firm kiss to her mouth. “Yes.”
“I do love you, Riley, but now that this is over, I have no reason to stay with you. I’m not the type of woman who shacks up.”
He went stiff as a board, and Regina said, “Will you marry me?”
He slumped against her, half in relief, half in amusement. Butch complained until he could squirrel up between their bodies and poke his face out.
“Riley?” Regina prayed he’d said yes.
“Yeah, I’ll marry you.” He grinned. “It’s nice having a very proper woman around. Takes the guesswork out of things.”
With that settled, Regina turned back to face the room. “What do you think will happen now?”
“I dunno. I don’t really care as long as none of them can ever again threaten you.”
A sort of wistful melancholy crept up on her. “It’s strange, but I still think he’s a good senator—he’s just not a good husband.”
“Maybe. I promise I’ll be a good husband.” When she smiled in agreement, Riley hugged her tight. “One thing, Red.”
“What?”
“You remember what I said about babies?”
Regina softened all the way to her toes. Her knees felt like butter, her heart full and ripe. “Yes.”
“I’m a homebody at heart. I want a house—”
“I have the house,” she rushed to remind him, just in case he was getting cold feet.
“—and a dog.”
“Got the dog, too. A perfect dog. A dog others will envy.” She rubbed Butch’s oversize ears.
Laughing, Riley hefted Butch up closer to his face and the dog playfully nipped his chin, appearing very pleased with the situation. “I’d really like a few kids without tails if you think we can manage that sometime in the misty future.”
Tears filled her eyes. All around them was chaos, but the government could work itself out. This was important. “Since we love each other and we’re getting married, and we intend to stay married forever, I’d say it would only be right and proper.”
*
RILEY STEPPED thro
ugh the door, took one look at Regina, and backed out. With the music she had playing on the stereo, she hadn’t heard him. He turned to his friends and said, “Wait out here a second.”
Buck crossed his arms over his massive chest. “If you’re going to leave me hanging in the street just so you can grab a nooner, forget it.”
Harris laughed. “Men in love are so predictable.”
Rosie shoved him for that inelegant remark. “You’ll get yours someday, Harris. Just wait and see.”
His horrified expression had both Riley and Ethan chuckling.
Shaking his head, Riley said, “No, it’s not that. She’s just not ready for you. Two minutes, I swear. That’s all I need.”
“Two minutes? Talk about a quickie,” Harris muttered, then ducked behind Buck before Rosie could reach him.
Riley slipped through the door and locked it behind him. He loved the house that Regina had chosen. It wasn’t all that large but it had a real family feel to it, a coziness that she enhanced by her mere presence.
Since she’d already taken care of a sizeable down payment, he’d splurged on most of the furnishings. Between their combined efforts, things were really coming together.
The music continued to play, and Regina still had her delectable rump in the air as she rummaged beneath the couch for Butch’s bone. The dog sat beside her, his expression anxious and watchful.
“Can I help?”
She screeched, whipped around to sit on her butt, and stared at him. “You’re home early!”
“It ended quicker than I thought.” He’d had to testify in court on a burglary, then had stopped by to see his friends. They’d invited themselves over, but obviously Regina wasn’t ready for company.
Before he could explain that he had them all with him, she was on her feet and racing Butch to the door to greet him. Both woman and dog appeared thrilled with his arrival.
Dressed in one of his shirts—something she knew he loved seeing—and with her rich hair wound into enormous curlers around her head, Regina launched herself into his arms. Since that day at the Historical Society, she’d grown completely at ease with him. Around others, she remained immeasurably polite and proper, but with Riley she shared every facet of herself, including her less polished moments. Like now.
When the delicious kiss ended, Butch demanded his attention with a yodeling bark. He stretched up to stand on his hind legs, dancing around in what Riley called his circus dog impersonation.
Riley picked him up and treated him to a full body rub before saying to Regina, “Sorry to break it to you, but everyone is with me.”
Her hands went to her cheeks and her green eyes widened. “Everyone?”
He nodded toward the door. “Harris and Buck, Rosie and Ethan. They invited themselves over. They’re waiting on the porch.”
The words no sooner left his mouth than she whipped around and dashed down the hallway to their bedroom. Riley enjoyed the back view of her, watching her long legs and the way his shirttails bounced over her bottom. “I’ll keep them entertained while you finish getting ready.”
The slamming of the door was her only reply.
Fifteen minutes later Regina emerged dressed in pressed slacks, a beige cotton sweater and a huge smile. “Sorry I kept you all waiting. Usually I’m dressed and ready by this time of the day, but I got behind this morning after Barbara Walters’s people called.”
Rosie’s mouth fell open. Ethan jerked around to face her. Buck, who’d been on the floor playing with Butch, froze. Harris snorted in disbelief.
Riley, the only one with his wits still about him, raised a brow. “Barbara Walters?” He wasn’t all that surprised. It seemed everyone in the media wanted the scoop on Senator Welling’s sudden withdrawal. With his influence, the senator had put a gag order on the entire event. The guards present that day would never speak a word. Lanny and Dermot had been warned that they could lose their jobs if they released any information to the press.
Riley had assured the senator’s people up front that they couldn’t use his job to threaten him. All he cared about was that Regina be kept safe. Beyond that stipulation, they could handle the situation as quietly and secretively as they wished. But they would have to handle it because he wouldn’t tolerate any more threats to Regina. So far, they had things in hand.
Regina was the only one left that could talk—and she wasn’t about to.
“What did she want?” Buck asked.
“The same thing the others wanted.”
Agog with fascination, Rosie asked, “To hear firsthand what happened with the senator?”
“Right.” Regina sat down on Riley’s lap, which was the only seat available in the small living room. She leaned back against his chest and smiled. “I told them that they’d just have to find out the nitty-gritty details like everyone else, after the federal investigation ended.”
Rosie flopped back against her husband’s arm. “Wow. Barbara Walters and you turned her down.”
Buck rolled to his back and propped up on his elbows. “I can’t believe you don’t want revenge after the hell Welling’s wife put you through.”
Regina shrugged. “What good would revenge do? The senator has lost a lot of credibility with his constituents. They apparently don’t like secrets, but with his wife under indictment and his own blame in the whole thing, what else can he do but keep quiet?”
“He could have not cheated in the first place,” Harris grouched with feeling, then looked blank when everyone stared at him. “What? I have morals, too, ya know.”
Regina sighed. “They have two children, and I think the kids have been through enough. Even with his wife blaming everything on Earl, her involvement is bound to make headlines eventually. The whole family is going to suffer. I won’t take part in that.”
Harris nodded, giving her a look full of admiration. “You’re something else, Regina, you know that?”
Riley scowled at his tender tone, but Harris blew it by saying, “And here I thought you were a nosy reporter.”
“I am.” Regina gave them all an evil grin. “But I still like the more personal and upbeat human-interest stories.” She hesitated just long enough to add impact, then announced, “That’s why I told Walters’s retinue that if they wanted a real scoop they should bring their TV crew to Chester and check out the local heroes.”
Riley choked on his own breath.
Ethan groaned as if in mortal pain.
“You’d never get them here for something like that,” Rosie said. “They like stories of worldwide appeal.”
“Oh, I dunno. What could be more appealing to the world than the local heroes who keep us safe?” She slanted Rosie a look. “I specifically mentioned Harris and Buck.”
Buck bolted upright. “I’m no hero! Hell, I just own a lumberyard.”
“You were right there by Riley the day he caught Earl. You may not have a hero’s occupation, but you have the soul of a hero.”
“I don’t!”
“Yes, you do,” she insisted. “Think of the interview as free advertising for your business.”
Harris said, “Oh gawd,” with great disgust. “That’s weak, Regina. Very weak.”
She didn’t seem the least upset by the criticism. “When I told them two of the men were still single, they sounded pretty interested. They told me they’re doing this whole segment on singles in America, and heroes would naturally be prime fodder for the piece. They want me to call them back with more information.”
Buck and Harris stared at each other, their Adam’s apples bopping in panic.
“You wouldn’t.”
“You didn’t.”
Riley started to laugh. “I can tell you unequivocally that she would. For some insane reason, she thinks the two of you epitomize all that is good in mankind.”
“They’re your and Ethan’s friends,” Regina said with prim regard. “And you two are definitely heroic.”
“Hear, hear,” Rosie agreed.
“So of cou
rse they’re good men. And since they won’t let me interview them…” She left the sentence dangling with loaded suggestion.
“Hey, I put up with it,” Ethan pointed out.
“Me, too,” Riley added. His own interview had been carefully edited by Regina. Anything that might have been too personal or hurtful had been omitted.
It was still embarrassing, especially because the love she felt for him had shone through and Harris and Buck had harassed him for days afterward, pretending to swoon, blowing him kisses and asking for his autograph. But the public had gobbled it up, his chief was thrilled with the positive P.R. for the department and Regina had thanked him oh so sweetly, so he was glad he’d given in.
Buck finally said, “Regina, be reasonable. You have to call off Walters.”
Her nose lifted. “I could do that—if you agree to give me a story.” Her gaze slanted to Harris. “Both of you.”
With hardy groans and a lot of grumbling, they surrendered to the inevitable. “Deal.”
Regina relaxed. “I’ll return their call after dinner. But I need the interviews before our wedding next week.”
“Why the rush?” Harris asked, looking somewhat stricken by the whole idea of being in the limelight.
“After the wedding, I plan to be busy for a while—with my own personal hero.”
Riley hugged her close. He knew the truth: Regina was the heroic one. With her big heart and unwavering faith in human nature, she had filled his soul. He intended to keep her safe for the rest of their lives. If that made him a hero, too, at least in her eyes, then he’d gladly live with the label.
*
Look for Lori Foster’s next sizzling book,
FAST BURN
from HQN Books.
For the men of the Body Armor security agency,
the only thing more dangerous than the job they do
is the risk of losing their hearts.
Read on for an exclusive sneak peek…
Sahara Silver sat behind her enormous desk in her posh office on one of the upper floors of the elite Body Armor agency. Bright October sunshine splashed through tall windows. A large vase of fresh flowers, delivered that morning from a very content client, filled the air with sweetness.
