Causing Havoc

by Lori Foster

  Wide-eyed and pale faced, Lorna said, “He’s…obscene.” She continued to stare.

  “Probably a fighter,” Roger mused. And judging by his extraordinary size, likely a champion.

  “I’m mortified. Absolutely shamed.” Hand to her chest, Lorna rounded on Roger. “Going by the disreputable looks of him, he must be one of Dean’s friends. But what could he be thinking to bring that criminal here?”

  “You don’t know that he’s a criminal.”

  “Well he certainly looks like one!”

  Roger considered that. The man was colossal and layered in solid muscles. He had an abundance of tattoos. He looked mean. He looked hardened enough to chew off the old shingles.

  He would certainly provide excellent backup for Dean, damn it.

  “Dear God, Roger. What if my neighbors see him up there on my roof, clomping all around?” Lorna sounded on the verge of expiring. “You have to do something. You’re Cam’s fiancé. Put a stop to this nonsense right this instant.”

  Doing his best to hide his hatred, Roger studied Lorna. As his only ally in the Conor family, he needed the old bitch.

  But one of these days, hopefully soon, her usefulness would reach an end.

  Roger’s eye ticked, showing his irritation if only Lorna weren’t too self-absorbed to notice.

  “Well?” A web of wrinkles showed on Lorna’s upper lip when she curled it with venom. “Are you going to do something about this or not?”

  “Yes.” Roger glanced at the roof and the two men toiling there as if they owned the house. He returned his gaze to Lorna. Very softly, he said, “I’ll take care of it.”

  A flash of alarm widened Lorna’s eyes. But in the next instant, they narrowed with impatience. “Good. I think the first thing you should do is—”

  Done discussing it with her, Roger opened his door and left the car. He wouldn’t give Lorna a chance to grill him for details on his plans. Let the old bag wonder at what he’d do. He didn’t want her digging deeper into his personal motivations.

  The sky remained clear without a cloud in sight, so Roger didn’t worry about putting up the top to his Mercedes. He opened Lorna’s door for her, then suffered her grip on his arm as they made their way to the back of the house.

  In numerous ways, he detected the intrusion of men to the Conor household.

  Hard rock music from a CD player vied with the sounds of hammering, heavy boots, and the occasional curse. The scent of grilling meat drifted on the air.

  At a nearby patio table, Jacki set out paper plates and plasticware onto a colorful tablecloth. Every few seconds, she glanced at the roof and sighed. Or frowned.

  Or just licked her lips.

  Roger gave her long, lean body the once-over. On a physical level, very little of Jacki appealed to him. He considered her too tall and lanky, and he disliked her skimpy clothes and glaring makeup.

  But she was a Conor, and for that reason, Roger’s morbid curiosity drove him to learn as much about her as he could.

  Beneath the shade of a tall oak tree, Eve stretched out in a lounge chair. With her eyes closed, her body relaxed, she might have been asleep. But Roger noted the signs of tension in her face, the way her brows puckered, the press of her lips together.

  Illness or fatigue?

  Not that he cared, really.

  Except that Eve made no secret of despising him and that wouldn’t do. Cam valued Eve’s opinion. That meant Roger had to value it, too.

  And thinking of Cam…She stood at the grill, her trim hips swaying in time to the music as if she actually enjoyed it. Did she? He thought she preferred country music. He’d have to remember to ask her about it.

  He wanted to know everything about her, all her likes and dislikes. Her worries. Her fears.

  Sweet, naive Cam. He gazed at her as she turned hamburgers and hot dogs with that same attention to detail that he found so enthralling.

  One day soon, he’d be the recipient of that attention—in bed. With them both naked. Hot. Sweaty.

  Breathing deeper, Roger absorbed the sight of her and accepted the effect she had on him. Each day he grew more obsessed with her. More possessive. On his list of things to have, Cam Conor was number one.

  That anyone dared to stand between them infused him with raw fury.

  Roger glanced over his shoulder at the men on the roof—and found Dean staring down at him. His expression was inscrutable, but somehow Roger still felt warned.

  Refusing to be cowed, Roger stared back until Lorna suddenly burst out, “And just whose outrageous idea was it to have a picnic?”

  Everyone became aware of them at once.

  Eve sat up from her reclined position.

  Jacki paused in her attempts to set the picnic table.

  Cam turned—and smiled at him. “Roger. When did you get here?”

  That innocent smile never failed to do things to him, making him feel touched. Teased. Sexually primed.

  The sun added blond highlights to her light brown, baby-fine hair. The humidity of the day combined with the heat of the grill put a dewy flush to her delicate skin. In many ways, she seemed younger than twenty-three.

  Until he looked into her eyes. Or at her body.

  Young or not, she had a woman’s responsibility, a woman’s sensuality.

  Roger metered his breathing with effort. “We just arrived.”

  Today Cam wore a casual sleeveless blouse in a summery shade of pale green, with tan walking shorts. Such understated clothes—hiding such a provocative body.

  He’d seen her in her bathing suit enough times to fantasize with accuracy. The sight of her small waist and long shapely legs was permanently burned into his memory. Unlike Jacki, Cam’s breasts would fill his hands….

  Lust stirred deep inside Roger. For so many reasons, Cam often felt like an unattainable dream. But that was an illusion, and he’d prove it by making her his own. He would have her.

  One way or another.

  Separating himself from Lorna’s abrasive attitude, he strode forward and greeted Cam with a light kiss to her mouth. She didn’t dodge him, but she didn’t exactly seem thrilled, either.

  How could she continue to put him off with everything falling down around her? Despite her damned brother’s intrusion, he was her savior. When the time was right, she’d have no choice but to turn to him.

  For everything.

  And then he’d get his due.

  “I want someone to answer me this instant,” Lorna demanded.

  Roger barely managed to keep his frustration hidden. Lorna Ross had no sense of subtlety, no real discretion.

  Cam put up a hand to shade her eyes. “I decided to grill out, Aunt Lorna. It’s a beautiful day, and I’m sure Dean and Gregor are working up an appetite.”

  Lorna lowered her voice, but not enough. “Gregor? And who is this Gregor person with all those disturbing tattoos? What do you know of him? Are you sure he’s not a convict or some such?”

  A smile twitched on Cam’s mouth. “Of course he’s not. He’s a friend of Dean.”

  Lorna sniffed her disdain. “And on that recommendation you allowed this man to know our address?”

  The blatant insult sent shock rippling through Cam. Roger started to intervene, but she didn’t give him a chance.

  “Enough.” Pushing Roger aside, Cam stepped around him to deal with her aunt. She didn’t lower her voice one iota. In fact, she might have raised it. “On that recommendation, I would move him in if asked.”

  On a deep gulp of air, Lorna prepared for a ripping tirade—when Dean’s booming laughter erupted.

  Everyone turned to look at him.

  Shouting down from the roof, Dean said, “Cam, that’s real generous of you. But there’s no need for Lorna to get her girdle all twisted. Gregor’s not staying on.”

  More outraged by the second, Lorna waited in vain for someone to defend her.

  Everyone was too busy snickering.

  When the old battle-axe realized that no one wo
uld speak on her behalf, she soured even more.

  It took all Roger had not to laugh out loud.

  Dean turned to the giant. “You’re not planning to stay in Harmony, are you, Gregor?”

  Raising a forearm to swipe the sweat from his face, Gregor said, “Nah.” Biceps the size of cantaloupes bunched and swelled with his every movement. He dropped his arm and smiled. “Not unless little sister asks me to.”

  Everyone looked at Jacki.

  Face coloring, she snorted. “You see, Aunt Lorna. There’s nothing to worry about. He’s not staying.” Her chin lifted. “Not too long anyway.”

  Trembling with anger, Lorna addressed everyone in a sweeping glance. “That’s enough from all of you!” She made Cam the brunt of her anger. “And you. It’s bad enough that you’re willing to waste money we don’t have on repairs we don’t need.”

  “They’re needed,” Cam insisted.

  “Bah. You should be signing papers to complete the sale of this money pit, and instead you’re playing outdoors and celebrating with a picnic.”

  Dean muttered to Gregor, “Celebrating? Is that what we’re doing?”

  Fury turned Lorna’s face crimson and her lips white. “I refuse to take part in such obnoxious, irresponsible behavior.”

  She turned to Roger for backup, leaving him without many choices.

  Keeping his expression bland, Roger said to Cam, “I’ll only be a moment.”

  She slanted a look at her aunt, but Lorna snubbed her. Cam sighed. “Thanks, Roger. I’ll save you a burger.” And with that, she turned back to the grill.

  As if the contretemps had been nothing out of the ordinary, Dean and Gregor resumed their work.

  Digging her artificial nails into Roger’s arm, Lorna dragged him along as she marched into the house.

  Along the way, Roger considered things. So, he thought, the muscle-bound monster wanted Jacki. Bad taste on his part, but more power to him.

  Getting Jacki out from under Cam’s wing would leave her less encumbered with responsibility—which would clear the path for Roger’s ultimate goals.

  The moment they were out of sight of the others, Roger rudely brushed off Lorna and then suffered through her glare of disbelief.

  Stupid woman. With no more than the force of his anger, Roger backed her up to the sink counter. He could keep an eye on everyone in the yard and at the same time set Lorna straight on her bad judgment.

  She shrank back. “Roger. What do you think you’re doing?”

  He was so annoyed, he wanted to choke her. “Instead of always reacting with your goddamned temper, why don’t you try thinking for a change?”

  She blinked hard in incomprehension, forcing him to explain.

  “Jesus, Lorna.” He rubbed his forehead, once again amazed that someone as gentle and clueless as Cam could have any relationship to a calculating evil bitch like Lorna. “How exactly do you expect me to handle this situation if you remove me from it?”

  Never would Lorna admit to a mistake. “You weren’t handling it at all. You just stood there.”

  “And you think your insults were productive?” Roger shook his head at her stupidity. “By now you should know your niece better than that.”

  “Oh, believe me, I know her. She’s fanciful and full of herself.”

  “You’re joking.”

  She paid no attention to his sarcasm. “But regardless, I didn’t raise her to associate with men like Dean or that Gregor character.”

  No, Roger thought, but Lorna also hadn’t been successful at influencing Cam with her own hatred and mistrust of men. Somehow she’d survived with an unrealistic enthusiasm that alternately bemused, annoyed, and encouraged him. “Cam is defensive of everyone she cares about. And she cares about her brother.”

  “She doesn’t even know him!”

  “She knows you kept her from him. That’s something you ought to think about before you continue maligning him at every chance.”

  Lorna didn’t want to hear it. She clutched her designer purse to her chest and scowled new wrinkles into her face. “That bastard is going to ruin everything.”

  No, Roger vowed to himself. He wouldn’t let anyone destroy his plans. “You’re distraught.” Removing his wallet, Roger flipped off several twenties and pressed them into Lorna’s hand. “Why don’t you go to the salon, get a facial or a massage or whatever it is women do to make themselves feel better.”

  “Well…” Lorna counted the money carefully. “I suppose I could call a friend.” She slanted a sly look up at Roger. “Perhaps lunch, too, while I’m at it. Heaven knows I have no desire to choke on charred meats off the grill.”

  Wearing a tight smile, Roger peeled off another forty dollars for her. “Excellent idea.” Getting rid of Lorna was worth every penny.

  “What will you do?”

  No way in hell did he trust Lorna enough to give her the truth. If she knew about his background and why he wanted what he deserved, not only would she distort his purpose, but she wouldn’t be able to keep her mouth shut, either.

  “I’m going to go outside, visit with everyone,” Roger told her. “I’ll be cordial and hopefully get a lay of the land, so to speak. Once I see what’s what, I’ll figure out the best way to handle things.”

  “And you’ll keep me informed?”

  “No, I won’t.”

  Her double chin jiggled with her indignation.

  “The less you know of my plans, the better it is for you. I don’t want to implicate you in any way.”

  Her expression grew more severe. “Dear God, what are you planning?”

  Roger could barely credit her audacity. Lorna had squandered a lot of money without thought toward her nieces. She’d used them and their inheritance to lead a pampered life. More than once, she’d overstepped her legal boundaries to make financial decisions that served her interests alone.

  Hanging on to her ill-gotten gains wouldn’t be easy if Dean started digging.

  Putting it simply, Roger asked, “Does it really matter how I handle the situation as long as it gets the issues resolved?”

  She subsided, as he’d known she would. “No, I suppose not.”

  “Good. Then we agree. Now I should get back outside or Cam will start wondering what’s keeping me.”

  Lorna dredged up a crocodile tear. “You’re a good friend, Roger.”

  If she hugged him, he’d vomit. So he stepped out of reach and nodded. “Enjoy the afternoon, Lorna. You’ve earned it.”

  Head held high, Lorna started away with Roger’s money crushed in her fist. “Yes, yes I have.” She nodded more to herself than anyone else. “And then some.”

  Glad to have finished with Lorna, Roger strode to the sliding doors and surveyed the yard. He couldn’t see the men on the roof, but he could hear their footfalls as they worked.

  Once again, Eve dozed in the shade. It was very unlike her to indulge in so much idle time. On a normal day, she presented nonstop energy and drive. Even while seated, she somehow exuded vibrant life.

  Had she spent a sleepless night with Dean Conor? Had they screwed all night long and into the morning? Roger wouldn’t put it past Eve. She struck him as a very sexual woman.

  He looked over, head to toes, her reclined body. Was Eve lure enough to keep Dean Conor in Harmony?

  Possibly. And that meant that, somehow, Roger would have to deal with Dean.

  Eve was so dissimilar to Cam that Roger often wondered how and why they remained friends. Thinking of Cam, his skin prickled with that familiar rush of warmth and awareness. From his position still inside the house, Roger looked at her.

  After shooing away a bumblebee, Cam lifted a large platter in one hand and used tongs to remove meat from the grill. A variety of hungers stirred. It had been a long time since he’d eaten food prepared outdoors.

  Food prepared by Cam.

  Roger started to open the patio doors when his attention snagged on Jacki. She stood off to the side, close to the house, where the others co
uldn’t see her. Roger watched her as she adjusted her top, trying to squish her small breasts together enough to create some cleavage.

  A futile effort on her part.

  Disgruntled, Jacki dropped her arms and stepped away from the house to look toward the roof. At Gregor? Likely so.

  She compressed her lips in anger and, head hanging, started toward the house.

  Roger slid the door open. “Hey Jacki. You got a second?”

  Her head snapped up and she eyed him with suspicion. Her voice filled with accusation, she said, “I thought you left with Aunt Lorna.”

  Reading Jacki wasn’t nearly as difficult as reading her sister. Cam was deep; Jacki was superficial. She might exude confidence, but deep down, Jacki’s insecurities ran rampant.

  “I believe your aunt is calling a friend to accompany her on a ladies’ day out.”

  Her mouth twisted. “Good riddance.”

  If only Cam would adopt that attitude. Roger shook his head. “If you have a moment, I’d like to speak with you.” He had an idea that just might advance his position with Cam, while assisting Jacki at the same time.

  Hip cocked out, Jacki asked, “What do you want?”

  “Just a word.”

  She resisted the invitation. “I need to get the potato chips and pickles. I forgot them.”

  “Perfect timing.” Roger stepped back to give her entrance through the patio doors. “I can lend a hand and make a suggestion at the same time.”

  A noise sounded behind them and Jacki turned to see Gregor standing there. Sweat dripped down his shoulders and chest. The sun had added richer color to his naturally dark skin tone. An icy bottle of water dangled in his hand.

  But his eyes reflected the most heat as he watched them like a hawk, making no effort to hide his burning jealousy.

  And that seemed to make up Jacki’s mind.

  “All right.” Smiling, she stepped in around Roger. “What kind of suggestion?”

  A dangerous game, Roger thought, to incite the anger of that one. But with Cam as the ultimate prize, he put all other considerations out of his mind. With one last glance at the hulk staring holes through his soul, Roger slid the patio door shut. “A suggestion that I think will please you.”

  And in the long run, it’d please him, too.