Tell It Like It Is

by Stanalei Fletcher

  “I gave O’Neal an update on our new location and our decision to stay in Tahoe until the book is finished.” She grimaced. “He seemed to think this place is more secure than Rosalee’s cabin, and given the circumstances, agrees with our plans for now.”

  “What do you think?”

  She scowled. “I can’t really explain why I don’t like Mr. Mansfield. But I won’t let my personal bias put Rosalee at risk.” She took a deep breath. “I will admit this place seems secure.”

  He glanced around at the sitting room walls. “I’m not sure how I feel about cameras in the room, but there’s plenty of surveillance outside. I’m going to ask if I can check out the control center.”

  “I noticed the cameras when we drove in, too.” She gestured to the room. “And I’ve looked in the obvious places for hidden surveillance, but didn’t see any. I’ll be interested in what you find in the control room.” She gave a small smile.

  Her smile was like a rare gem, turning up at the most unlikely times. His gaze dropped to her lips and he felt a reciprocating smile tug at his mouth. Deliberately, he turned before he did something he’d regret, and glanced out the deck’s windows overlooking the estate’s back yard. Snow still fell steadily and it was nearly dark outside. He closed the curtains tightly to block out any light and turned back to Shelby. “Did you ask O’Neal if they have any more information on the person who killed the maid?”

  She shook her head. “They finally got some of the hotel security footage that was supposedly scrubbed. They’re trying to clean that up.” She paused, looking uncomfortable.

  “What is it?”

  “They also found Antonio Denato, Rosalee’s Mafia boyfriend.”

  “That’s great!”

  “No. It’s not.” She shook her head. “It was exactly as we suspected. He’s been living under an assumed name. They found him in a nursing home for Alzheimer’s patients. He’s been there the last five years.”

  “Alzheimer’s?”

  Shelby nodded, her expression a mix of disappointment and frustration. “Denato isn’t mentally capable of remembering Rosalee. He fell earlier this winter and broke a hip. The bed rest has caused pneumonia and he’s not expected to live into the New Year.”

  Kane felt his own disappointment at the news. “Physically, he couldn’t have carried out the threats on Aunt Rosalee.”

  “Right.” Shelby grimaced again. “I don’t think he’s our guy.”

  “Unless he has an accomplice.” Kane lifted an eyebrow. “We discussed that aspect already.”

  Her shoulders slumped a bit. “Riley interviewed him personally. He believes Denato isn’t capable of understanding the exposure Rosalee’s book would bring to him. It’s unlikely he would perceive any threat and try to hire a hit man to take her out.”

  Kane swallowed his disappointment. “So we’re back to square one.”

  “Not entirely.” She rubbed at a spot on her temple, tiredness showing in her eyes. “We’ve eliminated one suspect. It looks doubtful the Mafia is involved, though. We need to expand our investigation. I’m still reading through the material O’Neal gave me at the briefing. There’s more in those files, but with all this moving around, I haven’t had time to complete my research.”

  Kane allowed a sympathetic smile. “Don’t beat yourself up. You’ve done your best. Why don’t you convince Aunt Rosalee to get some rest tonight and we’ll start fresh first thing in the morning. We can all use a good night’s sleep. In the meantime, I’m going to take a look around.”

  He waited until Shelby entered Rosalee’s bedroom to secure the shotguns he’d brought from the cabin in the sitting room closet. In spite of Mansfield’s gated home, he wanted his own personal protection. Then he poked his head into his aunt’s bedroom. “Let me take Oscar off your hands for a moment.” The dog yipped, and Kane found the leash to take him for a quick walk.

  Once outside, he took a deep breath of the cold mountain air. If it hadn’t been snowing, he could’ve seen the lake. Regardless of the blanketing storm, he had the feeling of being on top of the world. It made him appreciate why the billionaire selected this particular mountainside to build his fortress. For now, Kane hoped this fortress would protect them long enough for his aunt to finish her book while he and Shelby searched for the person trying to kill her.

  After the dog finished, Kane returned to the house. Mansfield met him at the front door. “Nelson, how is Rosalee?”

  Kane picked up the dog and tucked it under his arm. “She was resting when I came down. She’ll want to start on the book early tomorrow. I hope her hours won’t disturb you.”

  Mansfield’s eyes narrowed. “I do wish she’d give up that foolishness. Nothing is worth her life.”

  “You’ve known her longer than I have.” Kane figured the old man knew his great-aunt pretty well after all these years. “She won’t stop until the book’s done.”

  “I suppose you’re right.” Mansfield squared his shoulders. “Well, don’t worry about waking me early. Seems I need less and less sleep these days.”

  Kane thought the billionaire looked like he could use a couple of weeks’ sound sleep, but kept the thought to himself. “Oh, by the way, I’m staying in Aunt Rosalee’s suite. Shelby is too.”

  “I have all those rooms upstairs—” Mansfield started, then stopped and gave a gruff laugh that turned into a cough. “I’d probably do the same in your shoes.”

  “Thanks for understanding. We’ll try not to get in your way.” Kane shifted the dog to his other arm. “I noticed a lot of security cameras when we drove in. I was wondering if I could look at your surveillance room.”

  “Of course.” Mansfield turned. “Follow me.” He led the way from the front entry down a hall. “I don’t suppose you’ve any leads on the culprit who’s been sending the threats?”

  Kane shook his head. “None at this time.”

  Mansfield puffed up his chest. “My offer still stands to put my best men on this situation.”

  “Thanks. I’m sure we’ll have some results soon. Two highly qualified teams are on the case.”

  “If you say so.” Mansfield looked doubtful as he stopped beside a door off the hallway. “Here’s the room. Feel free to check it out anytime.”

  Kane entered what looked like a very large walk-in closet. It was narrow and long with no windows. The muted lighting came mostly from three wide-screen monitors along one wall. Each monitor held a grid image, and together they covered three hundred sixty degrees of the estate and the entrance from the gate. A pair of desks faced the monitors and a middle-aged man wearing a dark shirt and matching pants sat at the far desk. He looked up as they entered.

  “Grissom,” Mansfield said. “This is Special Agent Nelson Kane, of the FBI. He’s staying here with his aunt.”

  Grissom stood and shook Kane’s hand. “Welcome to my little domain.”

  “This is a great setup.” Kane stared at the technology.

  “Thank you.” Grissom looked at his employer, a question in his eyes.

  “Agent Kane is welcome to review our monitoring protocols,” Mansfield explained.

  “As you wish.” Grissom nodded and returned to his seat.

  Kane felt like an intruder. It was obvious Mansfield and his staff took the property security seriously. They didn’t need him peeking over their shoulders, doing their job for them. Still, Rosalee was his family, his responsibility. He couldn’t worry about stepping on toes. He hefted the dog and took another look at the screens. “I appreciate all you’re doing here. If you’ll excuse me, I’ll take this mutt back upstairs and check on my aunt. Then I’d like to return and review your setup.” Kane stepped to the door.

  “Take your time.” Mansfield followed Kane back out into the hall. “You’re welcome to visit at your convenience. And please let me know if Rosalee needs anything else. Anything at all. For now, I’m having warm meals sent to her rooms.”

  “Thank you. You’ve been so generous with your hospitality.” Kane g
ave both men a nod and headed for the stairs. He couldn’t possibly guess what else Mansfield thought he could do to help, other than lend a bit of moral support, which he’d already done by offering safe haven in his home. Having the ability to watch for danger before it smashed through a window would be most helpful.

  When he reached the suite door, he set the dog on the floor. “Stay.” Oscar looked at him and then started sniffing the carpet. Kane knocked and heard soft footfalls on the other side of the door.

  Shelby’s voice came through. “Who is it?”

  “It’s me. Kane.”

  She unlocked and opened the door. He smiled his thanks. “How’s Aunt Rosalee?”

  “She’s getting ready for bed.” Shelby looked down at the dog by Kane’s feet. “I’ll bring rat-thing to her.” She took the leash and led the dog into the bedroom.

  Just then, a knock sounded on the suite’s door. Kane opened it to see Leone standing beside a trolley laden with covered plates.

  “Your dinner.” Leone didn’t wait to be invited in; he simply pushed the trolley forward, forcing Kane to open the door wider.

  Leone arranged the trolley beside the sitting room couch, then turned and gave Kane a bland stare. “Will there be anything else, sir?”

  “No. Thank you.” Kane still stood next to the door and when Leone passed through it, he closed and locked it behind the manservant.

  The aroma of the meal made Kane’s stomach rumble a bit, but his appetite hadn’t fully returned.

  Shelby came out of his aunt’s bedroom. “I heard someone.” She paused when she saw the trolley.

  “Our host had dinner brought up.”

  “Good.” She crossed the room and lifted the cover off a plate. “I’ll take this into Rosalee. She’s settling in for the night.”

  Kane watched Shelby disappear into his aunt’s room again, wondering if the Northstar agent ever took a moment for herself. Just this once, he was tempted to let the safety of their new location lull him into dropping his guard. Instead, he ignored the food and wandered around the sitting room and checked the windows again, opening the curtains enough to verify they were still locked. Then he moved back to the door to make sure it was bolted. Confident the room was secure, he investigated the small refrigerator tucked in a corner out of the way. Inside were bottled water, soda, and some beers. In the cabinet beside the fridge he found a bottle of whiskey. He should probably settle for a beer but opted for something with a little kick to take the edge off this horrific day.

  Shelby came back into the room as he poured whiskey into a glass. He tilted the bottle toward her.

  She shook her head. “No, thanks. I have more files and manuscript pages to review tonight. I need to stay alert.”

  He noticed the blue smudges under her eyes. “You’re exhausted.”

  “I’ll sleep later.”

  “We’ve been going nonstop for nearly two days. Take a few minutes to relax. You’ll miss something critical if you don’t get some rest.”

  Shelby’s lips thinned and her eyes flashed. “I’ll take a quick shower. That should revive me.”

  “That’s not what I meant.”

  She lifted a shoulder. “It’ll have to be good enough.”

  Kane raised his glass in her direction. “Fine. I’ll hold down the fort.”

  She hesitated as though unsure of his sudden acquiescence. “Thanks.” Without grabbing fresh clothes, she headed for the bathroom.

  A few minutes later, he heard the water turn on. He tried not to think about her toned body and soapy rivulets sluicing around the curves he’d discovered this morning. “Good God!” He grimaced. “Was that only this morning?” It seemed like a lifetime since their match in the basement of his aunt’s cabin.

  He took a hit from his glass and let the liquid burn a path to his stomach. So much had happened in the last twenty-four hours. Not just to his aunt, but with the case. Not to mention the undercurrent churning between him and Shelby. That kiss… Oh hell. That kiss. He craved another…wanted to wrap his arms around her until—Kane swallowed the last of his drink to singe that memory right out of his mind.

  The shower water stopped. Kane’s brain went into overdrive as he imagined Shelby running a soft towel over her arms, her legs, her breasts… He strode to the cabinet and picked up the whisky bottle. He was unscrewing the lid when Shelby walked out of the bathroom.

  Her hair had been toweled dry and feathered in a damp fringe around her face. A white terry robe swallowed her pixie body from neck to ankles. Bare feet never looked so sexy. Those pink toenails winked up at him. He took a breath before lifting his gaze to her face. It didn’t take a sober genius to guess that she was completely naked under the robe. Heat burned his face. He was in trouble now. He never blushed.

  “Are you all right?” Her eyes narrowed as she glanced from his face to the open bottle and empty glass. “How much have you had?”

  “Not nearly enough,” he muttered and poured more golden liquor into his glass. He took a small sip. Part of him wanted to get drunk…and numb. The more rational part of him knew that was a bad idea. He needed to get back to the surveillance room. Yet here he stood, gazing at his aunt’s bodyguard like some lovesick teenager uncertain how to get to first base. Wait, he’d already made it to first. Aunt Rosalee had seen to that with her little trick under the mistletoe. He scanned the room. Where was mistletoe when he needed it?

  Shelby scowled, oblivious to his raging hormones and crossed to the window seat where a pillow and blankets had been stacked for making a bed. “I’ll sleep here.”

  “You don’t need to. You can have the sofa bed.”

  “You’ll fit much better on the pullout.” She gestured to the couch.

  “I won’t be sleeping much tonight.” He hefted his glass. “After I finish this and have a bite to eat, I’m going down to watch the cameras.”

  She cocked her head. “You won’t be able to stay awake. I’ll take first watch. I’m feeling more alert now that I’ve had a shower.” The determination in her eyes told him she didn’t need to spell out that the danger was far from over.

  He shook his head. “I don’t think so.” He swirled the drink in his glass. As much as he wanted to indulge in a catatonic state, he couldn’t. There was too much at stake. All their lives depended on him staying alert. “I’ll take the watch while you go through your files.”

  Shelby crossed to him and took the glass from his hands. He didn’t resist. She walked into the bathroom and dumped the remainder of the whiskey down the sink. “No more tonight. Not until this is over.”

  He let out a sigh. “You’re right.”

  “I’m right?” She stared at him for a moment. “You’ve definitely had too much to drink. Let Mansfield’s security guys do their job while you sleep it off. I’ll wake you in a few hours.”

  ****

  Shelby came out of the bathroom fully dressed and ready to finally eat something and begin work on the files. As she crossed the room, she looked at Kane. His head leaned back against the couch. Her fingers itched to smooth the stubble along his strong jaw. He was exhausted. She could tell he was tired by the way his eyes closed for just a moment then popped open again, wary and watchful like some huge jungle cat waiting for its prey. His food had barely been touched.

  She had to stifle a yawn herself. It had been a long day, and with both of them on watch duty, neither would be worth anything tomorrow if they didn’t take turns getting some sleep. Kane’s mistake was that first drink. The alcohol had made him drowsy.

  “Kane.”

  His head snapped up and he gave her a sour look. “What?”

  “Get some sleep.”

  He opened his mouth to argue, but she stopped him. “The drink and the circumstances are taking a toll. You’re barely able to keep your eyes open.” She walked over to the couch and began pulling cushions. “I’ll wake you in two hours.”

  Kane got off the couch to get out of her way. “I’m sorry. It was stupid of me to have
a drink.”

  “Yes, it was, but I can’t deny that if I’d found it first, I would have been just as tempted.” She tossed the last cushion to the floor. “Help me pull this out, please.”

  He yanked on the handle and together they lifted the bed out.

  “Two hours. No more.” He spread a blanket on the mattress.

  “You can bet on it. I need my sleep too.” She turned away from the temptation of Kane and a bed, and headed for the window seat where she’d sit out her watch.

  At the same moment, Kane stepped toward the bathroom and collided with her. He grabbed her shoulders, his heated grip branding her. She couldn’t move…wasn’t sure she wanted to.

  His breath caressed her cheek, and his scent, warm and inviting, swirled until she felt like she’d been the one drinking. How had this man become so intoxicating—so addictive—in such a short time?

  She glanced up. His gaze was tender. Her heart stuttered as her emotional wall crumbled. She couldn’t tell who moved first, but she leaned forward just as his head descended.

  With more gentleness than she’d ever experienced, his lips touched hers. He offered a question. A request. She answered by reaching around his neck and pulling him closer.

  The spark ignited—the kiss grew more insistent. She gave everything and still he demanded more. His probing tongue traced the seam of her lips.

  With a sigh, she opened to him, unable to deny the need racing through her body. She traced the springy softness of his hair, then skated her fingers down his neck and over his shoulders. When he gathered her into a crushing embrace, she moaned against his lips. Her tongue tangled with his, while his kisses stole her breath.

  Never had a kiss devoured all her reasoning. Her legs quivered. Heat pooled low.

  Insistent hands pressed along her back, cupped her bottom, and cradled her against the hard length of his body. Slowly, leisurely, he lowered her to the mattress.

  Her legs gave way as his heady weight rolled on top. Their arms and legs intertwined, fighting for position and submission at the same time.