The Diehard Warrior

by Youngblood, Jennifer

  She cocked an eyebrow, moving so close he could feel her warm breath on his face. “What’s not fair?”

  His heart slammed against his ribcage like an out-of-control drummer. Somehow, he managed to keep his voice light. “The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.”

  “That’s what I hear.” A sensuous smile curved her lips. Like him, Addie never did anything halfway. She fought hard and loved hard. His kind of woman from the word go.

  “You made me biscuits and gravy.” He wound a tendril of her hair around his finger. “How’s a man supposed to resist that?” he uttered, sliding his arm around her waist. His eyes traced the outline of her soft, full lips. “I could kiss you right now.”

  “Not if I kiss you first,” she said fiercely. She closed the distance between them and pressed her lips to his. For a second, he let her lead, her lips moving coaxingly with tantalizing persuasion, sending a tender ache stirring through him. Then the need for her grew as his mouth took hers. Fire and brilliance cut a path through him, a dozen volcanoes erupting at once. Instinctively, he ran his hands up her back and threaded his fingers through her thick mane of glorious curls. Both gave as much as they got, passion running a swift river through his blood.

  Torment and exquisite joy warred within him as he pulled back, his gaze caressing the lines of her extraordinary face. The admission of his traitorous heart tumbled from his mouth like the haggard confession of a war prisoner tortured to the brink of breaking. “Addie, I—” Love you, he was about to say, but she patted his cheek.

  “Do me a favor.” A playful grin swirled over her lips.

  “Sure,” came his dazed reply. He’d cross a dozen deserts, climb Mt. Everest, anything she wanted.

  “Give my regards to Felicity.”

  While he was standing there, jaw dropped to the floor, trying to figure out how to answer, she sauntered away. When she reached the door, she glanced back over her shoulder. “Finish cleaning up, would ya? I need to get ready before the alarm guys come. Then we can head to Piper’s. Afterwards, I need to stop by the resort to check on the water filter conference.”

  “Sure.” He rubbed his neck, wondering what in the heck had just happened.

  One step forward, ten steps back. The story of his life, he thought glumly as he reached in the cupboard to grab a container for the gravy.

  11

  Addie’s nerves were jumping like a frog on caffeine when she drove her Jetta through the large, stately gates of the Gentry Estate. As the splendor of the tall evergreens, standing like sentinels on each side of the driveway, gave way to the magnificent, brick, Tudor mansion, she glanced at Maddox, who was sitting in the passenger seat, to get his reaction. His chiseled jaw was set firm, his keen eyes taking in everything. She tightened her grip on the steering wheel, mentally preparing herself for the encounter with Piper. Even though Addie had adamantly defended her best friend, a part of her wondered if Piper and Jordan really were having marital problems. If that were the case, why did they keep it from her?

  She turned off the engine and was about to open the door when Maddox touched her arm, sending a rush of tingles through her.

  “Are you okay?”

  “I’m fine. Why?” She forced a smile.

  “You seem like you’re on edge.”

  She had to fight the urge to laugh in his face. “Yeah, I guess I am a little nervous, but that’s to be expected, right?” Emotion rose in her throat. “I’m seeing my friend for the first time after she lost her husband to a senseless, violent act.” The all-too-familiar anger blistered over her at the injustice of it all.

  He nodded. “I’ll be right by your side the entire time.”

  “Thanks.” She was touched by the concern on his handsome face. She offered an appreciative smile as her thoughts involuntarily went back to the kiss. Heat blasted up her neck. That was one for the books. Wow! No guy had ever made her feel the way Maddox did. After this morning, she knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that she was still crazy about him. Her chest tightened. Felicity! Even though she knew nothing about the woman, she was starting to detest her.

  He cleared his throat. “About what happened earlier.”

  A hard amusement rose in her chest. “Are you talking about the kiss?”

  He blinked in surprise, a quirky grin ruffling his lips. “Well, yeah.”

  Panic fluttered in her stomach. Was he trying to tell her it was a mistake? That he never should’ve kissed her because there was someone else in the picture? She couldn’t deal with that right now! She opened the door.

  “Hey,” he said, his brows wrinkling with frustration. “We were in the middle of a conversation.”

  Her back went stiff as she gave him a sideways glance. “If you’re expecting me to apologize for the kiss, you can save your breath.” A tight smile stretched over her lips. “You were mine long before you were ever hers.”

  He flinched then burst out laughing.

  Her eyes narrowed. “Really? You think this is funny?” She got out of the car and slammed the door behind her. The nerve of him! He jumped out and rushed to catch up to her as she bounded up the stairs.

  “What’s going on with us?” A cocky grin wormed over his lips. “You’re jealous of Felicity.”

  “Hah! I don’t even know Felicity. If anything, I feel sorry for her.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “Never mind,” she grumbled, punching the doorbell.

  “No, you started it. I wanna know what you meant by that.”

  She clenched her teeth. “Can we not do this now?” She pulled at her sweater, trying to clear her head, which was dang near impossible considering the source of her anxiety was standing right next to her. It didn’t help matters that he smelled fantastic—musk, clean water, and mint. The combination was one hundred percent Navy SEAL male. She clenched her fist. She couldn’t think about Maddox right now, not when there was so much at stake. She had to focus on questioning Piper. The sooner they could get to the bottom of the mystery, the sooner Maddox could go his merry way and she could get on with her life.

  Her heart about stopped when he slid an arm around her shoulders and pulled her close.

  “What’re you doing?” she demanded.

  “You’re just hoping there’s another round of kissing,” he murmured in her ear.

  A wave of desire overpowered her before she could crowd it out. “Moron,” she grumbled, pulling away from him, but he only laughed. She might’ve slugged him in the gut, but the door opened.

  Tears rushed to Addie’s eyes. “Hey.”

  “Hey,” Piper responded. Her thin face caved as a sob rose in her throat.

  Addie threw her arms around Piper and pulled her into a tight hug. Piper’s shoulders shook as she wept. Tears streamed down Addie’s face. Her heart felt like it would break in two. “I’m so sorry,” she uttered a few minutes later when they pulled apart.

  Piper nodded, bringing a hand to her mouth, stifling a hiccup in her throat. Self-consciously she mopped her eyes and touched her hair. It was then that Addie realized she’d not formally introduced Maddox. Piper had heard about him often enough, but she’d never actually met him. She motioned. “This is Maddox. My …” She scrambled to come up with the right words to describe him, not for Piper’s sake but for Maddox’s.

  “Her friend,” he inserted, a hint of amusement in his ocean blue eyes.

  Recognition touched Piper’s expression. “Of course. You’re Addie’s Navy SEAL.” She frowned, glancing at Addie. “I didn’t realize the two of you were back together.” Before Addie could articulate a response, Piper continued. “It’s a good thing. Addie was devastated when she thought you were dead.” She gave Maddox a brief smile. “I’m glad things are working out for the two of you.”

  There was no guile in Piper’s tone, merely a statement of fact. Somehow, that made it worse. Heat stung Addie’s cheeks, and she didn’t dare make eye contact with Maddox.

  “It’s nice to finally meet
you in person,” Piper said mechanically. “Please. Come in.” She led them past the formal living room into the family room off the kitchen. Addie sat down on the sofa. Maddox sat down dangerously close to her with Piper choosing one of the overstuffed chairs across from them.

  The last time Addie had seen Piper, she’d been on top of the world, excited about the upcoming release of PZT. The woman sitting before them was a shadow of her normal self. Petite with short, dark hair and lively, dark eyes, Piper was stylishly attractive. Today, however, her eyes were bloodshot and sunken around the edges like over-ripe fruit. Her tear-stained cheeks were so pale, they looked almost gray. Piper reminded Addie of a fragile twig that could break under the slightest amount of pressure.

  Addie’s heart ached for her friend. No words were sufficient to express the sympathy and concern she felt. “I’m so sorry you’re going through this,” she uttered.

  Piper’s lips pulled into a taut line. “I still can’t believe Jordan’s gone,” she said quietly, clasping her hands in her lap.

  “Me either.”

  Piper gave her a direct look. The haunted expression in Piper’s eyes battered Addie like a wrecking ball. “Did you know Jordan was coming to see you at the resort?”

  “No, he just showed up. I was running out the door to pick up last-minute items for a conference and had planned to grab lunch while I was out. Since Jordan showed up, I asked my assistant to get the items for me and suggested that Jordan and I grab something at the café. We sat out on the terrace and talked.” Her voice faltered. “He was hit as he walked out the front of the resort.”

  “Why did Jordan come to see you?”

  “He stopped by to pick up some jewelry I was holding for him—earrings and a bracelet. He wanted to give them to you on your cruise.” Her heart hurt thinking how Jordan’s last actions had been an attempt to do something nice for his wife. Hopefully, eventually, that would be a healing balm to Piper to know Jordan was thinking of her until the very end.

  Piper looked surprised. “Did you tell me that already?”

  “So much has happened. I can’t remember.” Addie wanted to forget that horrific phone call where she’d informed Piper that her husband was killed. Maddox shifted in his seat. Addie could feel his impatience, knew he wanted her to question Piper about her marriage, PZT, and the key. Also, she needed to know why someone was targeting her. She glanced his direction, her eyes telling him to take a chill pill. Piper’s feelings were at stake here. She had to ease into the hard topics.

  “Do you still have the jewelry?” Piper asked. “I’d like to get it, if you don’t mind.” Her mouth worked like she was trying to control her emotion. “It would be nice to have that as a final memory.”

  “Um, about that …” Addie had called Steinway’s this morning, only to learn that he’d been unable to repair the clasp on the bracelet. He sent it to his nephew in Brooklyn who specializes in fixing hard-to-repair jewelry. Mr. Steinway assured her he’d contact his nephew today to find out the status.

  Piper leaned forward. “What’s going on?”

  Addie looked to Maddox for help.

  “Currently, the jewelry’s being examined,” Maddox said.

  Piper’s brows slanted down in a V as she looked back and forth between Addie and Maddox. “Examined? I don’t understand.”

  “The same day Jordan was killed, my cabin was broken into,” Addie blurted.

  “What?” Piper’s face drained as she clutched the arms of the chair. She looked so weak and vulnerable that Addie feared she might pass out.

  “Yesterday, Addie was almost kidnapped,” Maddox added.

  Tears rose in Piper’s eyes as she put a hand to her mouth. She shook her head. “Why?” she uttered.

  Maddox leaned forward, clasping his hands together in his lap. “That’s partly why we came here today, in the hope that you can shed some light on the situation.”

  “And to check on you,” Addie inserted, shooting Maddox a dark look.

  Maddox’s voice became businesslike. “We believe that Jordan’s death and the attacks on Addie are linked to PZT, the Alzheimer’s drug you and Jordan have been developing.”

  Addie halfway expected Piper to jump up and lash out, but she just sat there. When she spoke, Addie never could’ve imagined the words that would come out of her mouth.

  “I’m so sorry that Jordan involved you in this,” Piper said.

  The blood left Addie’s head, making her feel dizzy. “What?” A river of heat flushed through her body when she saw Piper’s guilty expression. “What’re you talking about?” Her back went ramrod straight as she leaned forward. “Were you and Jordan having marital problems?”

  Piper folded her arms tightly over her chest. “Yes,” she finally admitted.

  The word hit Addie like a slap in the face. She looked at Maddox, expecting to see an I-told-you-so expression on his face, but she saw only sympathy. “Why didn’t you tell me?” she asked, turning her attention back to Piper.

  A single tear dribbled down Piper’s cheek. “I dunno.” She let out a half-laugh, swiping her runny nose. “I was embarrassed, humiliated.” She rubbed her hands on her jeans. “Jordan was having an affair.”

  The breath whooshed out of Addie’s lungs. “What? No, Jordan wouldn’t do that to you.”

  Piper’s eyes hardened. “Unfortunately, he did.”

  Addie tried to process what she was hearing, but her mind buzzed like an overcrowded beehive. “I don’t understand. He loved you.”

  Maddox touched her arm, giving her a quick, reassuring smile before turning his attention to Piper. “Maybe you should start from the beginning and tell us everything.”

  Piper nodded. “A little over six months ago, Jordan started acting strange—keeping late hours, making impromptu trips, becoming secretive.”

  “Like how he came to see me unannounced on the day of his death and didn’t tell you where he was going.” Addie didn’t realize she’d spoken the words out loud until Piper answered.

  “Yes. At first, I attributed Jordan’s erratic behavior to stress. PZT is in the final testing phase, and we’re getting ready to submit our drug application to the FDA.”

  Addie nodded. “Jordan mentioned that.”

  Piper’s features tightened. “Did Jordan also tell you that he planned to sell the formula to our competitor, Barrett Medical?”

  Addie’s throat constricted to the point where she felt it might swallow her tongue. Her words came out breathless. “Jordan was a good person. He loved you. He was honest.” She clenched her hands. “He wouldn’t do that to you.” The words sounded small and insignificant in her own ears, like she was shouting against the wind. “Above all, Jordan wanted to help cure Alzheimer’s.” Her voice quivered with intensity. “He wanted to protect families from suffering the same fate we did. Jordan’s mother, your mother … Gram.”

  Piper’s eyes were a curious mixture of pity and anger. “I know it’s hard to believe.” She grunted out a laugh. “I could hardly believe it myself, at first.” Her voice took on a faraway quality as she stared past Addie into space. “My dad came to me. Told me his suspicions. There were rumors that Jordan was working a secret deal with Blanche Richey the VP of Barrett Medical.” Her jaw hardened. “Eventually, I hired a detective and discovered that the rumors were true.” Her eyes streaked with pain. “Further, I learned that Jordan and Blanche were having an affair.”

  The current was rushing so swiftly that Addie could hardly keep her head above water. “The two of you planned to go on a cruise the following day. You told me so yourself.” She eyed Piper, daring her to deny it. “Why would you do that if your marriage was on the rocks?”

  Piper crossed her legs and wrapped her hands around her knees. “Jordan had a falling out with Blanche. He realized she was in cahoots with another man and only using him to get the formula for PZT. Jordan severed all communications with Blanche. He and I started seeing a counselor.” Her voice broke. “I thought everything was fine.”r />
  “Why didn’t you tell me any of this was happening?” Rocks knocked together in Addie’s stomach. She and Piper shared everything…or so she’d thought.

  “You don’t know how much I wanted to.” Piper gave her a pleading look. “Jordan was embarrassed over his actions, and I wanted to just move on.”

  Maddox interrupted the conversation. “There’s something I’m not getting.” He tilted his head. “You said PZT is in the final testing phase and that a drug application will be filed with the FDA in the near future.”

  Piper nodded. “Correct.”

  “Jordan was part owner of your drug company, right?”

  “Yes, he and I were partners in Therapia,” Piper answered. Her expression was one of annoyance, like she didn’t understand why he was interjecting himself into the conversation.

  “After my cabin was ransacked, Maddox came into town to protect me,” Addie explained. “He’s trying to get to the bottom of why someone’s targeting me.”

  Understanding registered on her features. “I see.” Piper looked at Maddox, the lines on her face smoothing. “You were saying?”

  Maddox scooted to the edge of the sofa. “Once PZT hits the market, it will potentially be worth billions of dollars, correct?”

  Piper spread her hands. “That’s the hope.”

  “Assuming the drug works,” Maddox added.

  “Oh, I assure you. It works,” Piper countered, lifting her chin.

  “Okay, so you have a revolutionary drug—that works—about to hit the market.” Maddox’s tone grew musing. “Jordan is half owner of the company that developed it. He’s in the driver’s seat. Why would he want to sell it?”

  Addie frowned. An excellent point. She looked at Piper, awaiting her explanation.

  Piper let out a long breath. “Getting a drug on the market is a long, painstaking process. It can take years to complete the process. Jordan grew impatient with the red tape. He wanted to cut to the chase and release the drug ASAP to get it to as many people as possible. Barrett Medical has a history of circumventing the system. I’m sure Blanche promised Jordan the Moon,” she added bitterly, “told him everything he wanted to hear.” Piper’s expression grew grim as her eyes met Addie’s. “Even though I didn’t agree with Jordan’s reasoning, I understood where he was coming from. Think of what it would’ve meant to my mom and your grandmother if they’d had access to PZT.”