Step Into My Web

by Cynthia Eden

  She glanced over her shoulder at him. “I had time to get out of the way. You didn’t need to try lunging after me.”

  A muscle flexed along the hard plane of his jaw.

  “I don’t need rescuing. I’m more than capable of taking care of myself. But it was a sweet gesture.” She inclined her head toward him. “Until we meet again, Joel.” Chloe squared her shoulders and headed toward the stairs.

  “Are we going to meet again?”

  Her hand curled around the old bannister. She didn’t look back this time. “What do you think?”

  ***

  He still thought she was crazy. But he also thought she was probably the most unusual woman he’d ever met in his life. Joel shut his apartment door and glanced around. Damn, the place really did look like shit.

  He rolled back his shoulders. He should’ve been tired after the night they’d had. He wasn’t. Not even a little. Adrenaline hummed through his body, and all he wanted to do was run after Chloe. What was up with that?

  His body felt too heated. Like it was in overdrive. A cold shower would cool him off.

  Before he could hit the shower, a knock sounded at his door.

  She was back. He spun for the door. Yanked it open.

  Chloe wasn’t there.

  Instead, he found himself staring at a man in a three-piece suit, a fellow with close-cropped, blond hair. A guy who seemed to reek money as his cold gaze swept over Joel’s body. After a moment, the stranger’s mouth quirked. “Expecting someone else? Or maybe, hoping for someone else?”

  “Fuck off,” Joel snarled back. He’d caught the faint British accent in the man’s voice. An accent that was too similar to Chloe’s.

  The man laughed, not seeming to take any offense to Joel’s response. But then his laughter faded. “You spent the night with my sister.”

  Sister? Joel’s eyes narrowed. “Leave.” He started to slam the door shut—

  “According to my sources, you risked your life to save her. Not once, but at least two times since you met her in the bank. Three if you count the incident in the street outside of the strip club.”

  Joel’s fingers tightened around the doorknob. “Who are your sources?”

  A faint smile. Then… “I’ve read your background file.”

  What the hell? Since when did he have a background file?

  “An up and coming young surgeon. You were drugged and taken from your hospital. You were tortured for hours. Then buried alive.”

  Joel’s breath hissed in and out from between his clenched teeth. “Get your facts straight, jackass. I wasn’t taken from the hospital. I was tortured inside the hospital.” He’d only been hauled out when the killer thought he was dead. The intent hadn’t been to bury him alive. It had just been to bury him.

  “My mistake.” An incline of the jerk’s blond head. “You dug yourself out of the grave. The man who’d tortured you was close by. His mistake. You beat him to death.”

  Such cold, calm words.

  The bastard had fallen asleep in his car after he’d buried Joel. The sonofabitch had still been there. Joel had attacked—

  Don’t go there. Don’t. “There a reason you’re talking about my past right now?”

  “You never returned to your work as a doctor. Instead, you started taking self-defense classes. Every class that you could find. You learned about weaponry. You learned about knives. Guns. You learned everything that was necessary in order to survive in a world gone mad.”

  “The world isn’t mad,” Joel fired back. “Just certain people are.”

  “True.” Another smile. Joel didn’t like the guy’s smiles. They never reached the fellow’s eyes. “That’s why I need you.” He lifted the briefcase in his hand. “Do you mind if I come in?”

  “Yeah, I do mind. I’ve had a long-ass night. I’m tired, and I’m not in the mood for a guest.”

  The blond’s smile faded. “I can pay you well.”

  “Money doesn’t matter to me.”

  “What does?”

  If he’d been asked the question yesterday morning, before he’d gone into that bank, Joel’s response probably would have been…Not much. But this time, that wasn’t his response. Instead, he had a sudden flash of Chloe’s face.

  “My sister is in danger,” the stranger at his door continued, voice turning a bit ragged. “Chloe thinks she can handle any threat out there, but she’s wrong. No one is invulnerable. She has a killer hunting her.”

  “I heard about that.” He let go of the doorknob and rubbed the back of his neck. Tension had pooled there.

  “I want to hire someone to stay close to my sister. Someone to look out for her. Someone to stand between her and danger.” His lips pursed as his gaze assessed Joel once more. “Seems like you already are in the habit of doing that, after not even twenty-four hours.”

  “In case you missed it, your sister just left me.” Though how the guy could’ve missed seeing her, Joel had no clue. “I doubt I’ll ever see her again. I doubt—”

  “I can change your life right now, Joel Landry. I can change her life. You just have to let me do it.”

  He felt as if he were being offered a deal from the devil. “Forget it. I’m not buying whatever you’re selling.”

  “Okay. Let’s try something different.” His throat cleared. “She sent me.”

  “What?”

  Once more, the blond lifted up his briefcase. “I have a contract for you to sign. A deal to make you. Chloe is outside of the building right now, waiting in the limo. She wanted to check you out first. That’s what the night’s adventures were about. Making sure you were the right fit. She’s sure now. Chloe wants you. The question is…do you want her?”

  Chapter Five

  Chloe sat in the limo. Her index finger tapped slowly against her thigh. She’d ditched her heels. They were tossed haphazardly on the floorboard.

  Her hand turned over, and she frowned at the scratches on her palm. She hadn’t even realized she’d gotten those. Probably occurred when she’d been throwing her body at Joel so he wouldn’t jump into the road. Had her palm hit the sidewalk? She replayed the scene in her mind, slowing it down, moment by moment. Yes. Her palm had scratched over the rough edges of the sidewalk. She hadn’t noticed the brief sting of pain at the time. She’d been focused on other things.

  Him.

  “He’s coming back,” her driver announced.

  Right on time. Punctuality was one of her brother’s better assets. “Go ahead and put up the privacy screen.”

  It slid up with a soft hum. A moment later, the vehicle’s back door opened. Reese poked his head inside. His expression appeared extra grim. “Want to guess what he told me?”

  She didn’t need to guess. Not when she already knew. “Fuck off.”

  Reese grunted as he slid into the car. The door shut behind him. She knew her driver had shut it. Marie was good. Always standing at the ready. Prepared for any eventuality.

  “He’s not going to take the job,” Reese informed her as he pawed at his tie. Reese hated ties. He hated suits. But he’d worn one for her. “He thinks you’re crazy. That I’m crazy. He thinks—”

  “You told him the night was a test?”

  “Yes, but…hell, was it? Who was being tested? Him? You?” He flopped back on the leather seat and closed his eyes. “I can never keep up with your games. And I detest it when you make me play.”

  She wasn’t playing. Unfortunately, Reese didn’t understand that.

  “Why isn’t the car moving yet?” He didn’t crack open his eyes.

  “Because we’re waiting.”

  “On what?”

  On Joel. “The witness had no reaction to him. Not to his face—”

  “If the killer wore a ski mask, that makes sense—”

  “And not to Joel’s voice.”

  “Hmmm.” His face scrunched up. “Maybe he was disguising his voice?” And the British accent Reese so often favored vanished instantly. He sounded as American as…he
was.

  “A possibility,” Chloe allowed. One she’d already considered and discarded. “But I was watching closely. He didn’t act as if any part of the club or as if the witness—well, Joel didn’t act like anything was familiar.”

  “Maybe he’s just good. A good actor. Those exist in the world, you know.”

  He’d have to be better than good to fool her.

  A long sigh escaped from Reese. “You think the Joel Landry fellow could be a killer. That was the whole reason for this charade, wasn’t it?”

  There were many reasons for what she was doing. But, after everything that had happened so far… “I don’t think he’s the killer that I’m after right now.”

  “It drives me crazy when you’re all extra careful with your words,” he grumbled. “What do you mean? Do you believe Landry is a killer or not?”

  It wasn’t that simple. Yes, he was a killer. Joel had killed the man who he believed had sadistically tortured him for hours. But was Joel killing again? “He didn’t murder Donnie Adams in that alley. It wasn’t Joel.”

  “Then if he’s not your killer, why are we still parked here?”

  Why? “Because I like him.”

  Silence.

  Reese finally opened his eyes. “Do you know how much that statement terrifies me?”

  Not as much as it terrifies me. But she tried, very hard, not to lie to her brother.

  “I offered him a job as your guard. He turned me down.” Reese spoke very carefully as he advised, “We should drive away now.”

  “He didn’t want to be a bodyguard. He doesn’t want to stand on the sidelines.” Joel wasn’t the sideline type.

  “It creeps me out that you already seem to know a stranger this well.”

  She didn’t respond.

  “What does he want?” The question seemed torn from Reese.

  The privacy screen slid down a few inches. “He’s coming,” her driver announced. “And moving at a pretty good clip.” Marie’s voice was perfectly flat.

  Just like Reese had been…Joel was right on time.

  A few moments later, the back door was wrenched open. “You think you can buy me?” Joel’s angry voice filled the interior of the vehicle as he surged inside. He sat right next to her. His strong thigh pressed against her as he took up far too much space. He’d left the door open, and the interior lights shone brightly inside the vehicle.

  She cleared her throat and tried to be polite. Buy him? “Definitely not. I know you aren’t for sale.” It’s not like he was some fancy trinket she’d found at the store.

  Joel crowded closer to her.

  “I need a drink,” Reese said to anyone who might be listening. “A big one.”

  He was supposed to be staying away from the drinks. Especially the big ones. Because when he drank, he slipped up. She didn’t want slips on this case.

  “I believe that you’ve met my brother, Reese.” She waved toward him.

  Joel didn’t acknowledge her brother. His dark glare stayed on Chloe. “If you want me at your side, then I’m going to be there as your partner.”

  She would not smile. Not yet, anyway. “I thought you told me already that we weren’t partners.” In fact, he’d made that point several times during their brief acquaintance.

  “We weren’t…then. Things have changed.”

  Yes, she could see that they had. His cheeks were flushed. His eyes seemed to gleam, making the gold far more apparent. He didn’t look cold and grim. He seemed to pulse with life and intensity. If she’d thought he was attractive before, he was positively gorgeous now. Sexy. Very, very sexy.

  “You sent your brother to my door. I don’t know why you want me with you, but I’m ready to find out.”

  Looked like someone was up for another adventure. They were going to have such fun together. “There will be great risk,” she warned him. “You’ll be hurt. You could die.”

  Reese scrubbed a hand over his face. “A couple of drinks. That’s what I need. A couple—”

  “Will we stop a killer?” Joel cut across her brother’s words. “Because if so, then the risk is worth it.”

  The man just did not disappoint. She’d suspected he would be this way, long before she’d ever arranged the little meet and greet between them at the bank. It was always nice when she was proven to be correct. “It will be worth it.”

  His stare held hers. “Then you’ve got yourself a partner.”

  Chloe offered her hand to him. “We should shake on it.”

  His fingers curled around hers. His grip was strong and warm and a hot spark shot through her entire hand.

  Grousing, Reese reached out and shut the door that Joel had left open. The bright lights immediately died away.

  His fingers slowly released hers. His index finger trailed along the inner section of her palm. That spark she’d felt before flared hotter. Unexpected, but nothing I can’t handle. Raising her voice, she said, “Take us home, Marie.”

  With a hum, the privacy screen slid up again. The car pulled away from the curb.

  “Uh, home?” Joel seemed wary. “I was at my home. I was—”

  “If we’re going to be working together, it will be easier if you stay on the grounds of my residence. Don’t worry. You’ll have a guest house all to yourself. You’ll have plenty of privacy.”

  “You’re in it now,” Reese told him. “Welcome to her world.” His British accent had returned as soon as Joel appeared. “You’d damn well better watch her ass.”

  “Don’t worry,” Joel assured him, voice dry, “I’ll make sure my eyes are on her ass.”

  “Wait,” Reese snapped. “That’s not—I didn’t—”

  “So, Chloe, what’s our first move?” Joel asked as Reese sputtered.

  She’d already made the first move. She’d gotten him out of his home, into her car, and at her side. He would be with her, so he’d be protected. He could thank her later.

  After they took care of solving some murders. “We hunt.”

  Chapter Six

  When the limo pulled to a stop, Joel shoved open the door and climbed out. He’d been watching through the windows and he knew that they weren’t too far from Audubon Park. As they’d driven, the houses had gotten bigger and bigger. And the place they were at right now…

  He whistled. “Just how rich are you?”

  “You don’t want to know,” a voice to his right said.

  His head turned. The driver had just come around the front of the parked car. Petite, her dark hair was twisted at the nape of her neck, and she wore all black.

  She paused next to him. Raked him with a stare. “How long are you supposed to last?”

  His brows climbed. “I’m Joel. Nice to meet you. And you are…?”

  She stared back at him.

  Reese climbed from the limo. Stretched. His tie hung loosely around his neck. “That’s Marie Kim. Been with my sister for at least two years.”

  “Three,” Marie said with a shake of her head. “And you know it. After all, you’re the one who hired me.”

  Did Reese hire everyone for Chloe?

  Joel glanced back in the limo. Chloe was grabbing her high heels. He hadn’t even realized that she’d taken them off. He figured she’d slide them on and then exit the vehicle but—

  She didn’t. Just held them in one hand and popped out of the car. “Sorry I kept you out so late, Marie.”

  “You act like it’s unusual,” Marie replied. “We both know it’s not.”

  Chloe shrugged.

  “I’m crashing,” Reese declared. “See you all at lunch time. A civilized hour.” He headed for the giant, towering structure that passed for Chloe’s house.

  Marie brushed past Joel. Reese was at the house’s door—holding it open for her. They whispered to each other before disappearing inside.

  Chloe shut the back door of the vehicle. Stood there, still holding her shoes. She seemed lost in thought.

  What in the hell have I gotten myself into? “I shouldn�
�t have come here.”

  Her head turned toward him.

  “We can be partners without me living at your house.”

  “You’ll be living in the guest house. Not the main house.” She turned to the left. Started walking away. Her bare feet padded over the walkway as her high heels dangled from her fingers. “Unless you’d prefer to be at the main house. There’s certainly plenty of room in there.”

  He lumbered after her as his gaze swept to the left and the right in a vain effort to take everything in. A big, stone fence surrounded the property. Security cameras were discreetly perched along the perimeter. “Uh, Marie, she’s your driver?”

  “Marie does lots of things.”

  That was a vague answer. “She was driving tonight.”

  “Because I needed her to drive tonight. Someone had to drop me off at your place. And then someone had to bring Reese over later. So, tonight, she was my driver.”

  “You planned everything out, didn’t you?” He reached for her arm.

  She stilled. Looked down at his fingers, then turned toward him. They’d stopped at the edge of a massive swimming pool. Water poured from two nearby fountains, splashing into the deep pool. “I like to plan things,” she confessed. “But I can see that bothers you.”

  “I don’t like being manipulated.”

  “I would think most people don’t.” She gazed up at him.

  He hated that there wasn’t more light. He wanted to see into her eyes. To figure out just what was going on inside her head.

  “The guest house is behind me. You will, of course, have full access to the pool—it’s heated, by the way—and to the exercise room.” Her shoulders rolled back. “You have full access to the entire property. I’ll have Reese make arrangements to bring your belongings—and your motorcycle—over so that you can get comfortable.”

  “I can take care of moving my own damn things. If I stay,” he added.

  “You’re considering not staying?”

  “We can work together without living together.”

  She nodded. Turned and headed for the guest house. One story. Made of the same heavy, white bricks that matched the main house. She bent and pulled a key from beneath the rug in front of the door. She unlocked the door and handed him the key. “For you, in case you decide to stay.”