by Nora Roberts
she wasn’t going to test herself yet. “Even if that were true—and it isn’t—going back east wouldn’t stop it. I already know too much about too many people. Secrets, lies, embarrassments. Maybe this would stop if I kept quiet. I’m not willing to spend the rest of my life, the rest of Brandon’s, on that kind of a maybe.”
He hated the fact that part of him, the logical part, saw the sense of what she was saying. The emotional part simply wanted her safe. “You can announce, publicly, that you’re abandoning the project.”
“I’m not going to do that. Not only because it goes against my conscience, but because I don’t think it would matter. I could take out an ad in Variety, In Publishers Weekly, in the LA. and The New York Times. I could go back and pick up another project. After a few weeks, a few months, I might start to relax. Then there’d be an accident, and my son would end up an orphan.” Her hand dropped away from his to curl at her side. “No, I’m going to see this through, and I’m going to see it through here, where I feel I have some leverage.”
He wanted to argue, to demand, to drag her and Brandon both onto a plane and take them as far away as possible. But her reasoning made too much sense. “We go to the police with the notes, and with what we suspect.”
She nodded. The relief that he was with her was almost as weakening as the fear. “But I think we’d have more plausibility after Eve gets the report on the plane. If they find proof of sabotage, it would go a long way to our being believed.”
“I don’t want you out of my sight.”
Grateful, she held out both hands. “Me either.”
“Then you’ll go along with my staying here tonight?”
“Not only will I go along with it, but I’ll personally turn down the bed in the guest room.”
“The guest room.”
She offered an apologetic smile. “Brandon.”
“Brandon,” Paul repeated, and drew her back in his arms again. Suddenly, she felt so small, so slight. So his. “Here’s the deal. Until he gets used to it, I’ll pretend to sleep in the guest room.”
She thought it over, running her hands over his bare back. “I’m usually willing to compromise.” Confused, she pulled away. “Where’s your shirt?”
“You must have been nearly comatose not to’ve noticed my exceptional naked chest. The kid and I were playing ball, remember? It gets hot.”
“Oh, right. Basketball. The hoop. There wasn’t a hoop there before.”
“She’s coming back,” Paul murmured, and kissed her. “I put it up a couple hours ago.”
It was becoming easier and easier for her heart to melt. “You did it for Brandon.”
“Sort of.” He shrugged it off as he toyed with her hair. “I figured I’d dazzle him with my superior skills. Then he snuck up and beat me. The kid’s tough.”
Incredibly moved, she framed his face in her hands. “And I never thought, never imagined I could love anyone as much as I love him. Until you.”
“Julia!” Nina rushed in through the kitchen door, bounding into the living room without a knock. It was the first time Julia had seen her truly frazzled. Her skin was pale, her eyes huge, the usually sleek crop of hair ruffled. “Oh, God, are you all right? I just heard.” As Julia turned from Paul, Nina enveloped her in a trembling hug and the subtle scent of Halston. “The pilot called. He wanted to make sure you’d made it home all right. He told me …” She trailed off, tightening her hold.
“I’m fine. Now anyway.”
“I don’t understand it. I don’t.” She pulled back but kept her strong, businesslike hands firm on Julia’s arms. “He’s a top-flight pilot, and Eve’s mechanic is the best in the business. I don’t see how there could have been a problem like this.”
“I’m sure we’ll find out when they finish examining the plane.”
“They’re going to go over every inch of it. Every inch. I’m sorry.” After letting out a shaky breath, she backed away. “I’m sure the last thing you need is me coming apart at the seams. It’s only that when I heard, I had to see for myself that you weren’t hurt.”
“Not a scratch. You’re right about Jack being a top-notch pilot.”
“What can I do?” Nina summoned back her brisk efficiency. She glanced around the newly refurbished living area, pleased that Eve had allowed her to handle the decorating. “Fix you a drink? Draw you a bath? I could call Miss B.’s doctor. He’d come out and give you a tranquilizer so you could sleep.”
“I don’t think I’ll need any help with that when the time comes, but thanks.” Because she was steady again, Julia was able to laugh. “Actually, you look like the one who could use a drink.”
“Maybe a seat,” she said as she sank to the arm of the curvy sofa. “You’re so calm.”
“Now,” Julia told her. “A few minutes ago it was a different story.”
Nina shuddered, then rubbed the chill out of her arms. “The last time I flew we ran into a storm. I spent the most frightening fifteen minutes of my life at thirty-five thousand feet. I can’t imagine it came close to what it was like for you.”
“It’s not an experience I’d like to repeat.” She heard the kitchen screen door slam. “That’s Brandon. I’d rather he didn’t hear about this yet.”
“Of course.” Nina made herself get to her feet. “I know you wouldn’t want to upset him. I’ll go on back so I can waylay Eve and tell her about this calmly. Travers would blurt it out.”
“Thanks, Nina.”
“I’m glad you’re all right.” She gave Julia’s hand a final squeeze. “Take care of her,” she said to Paul. “You can count on it.”
She left by the terrace door, and was already smoothing her hair as she walked away. Julia turned to see Brandon watching from the kitchen doorway. There was a wary look in his eye, and a suspicious purple mustache over his lip.
“Why does he have to take care of you?”
“Just an expression,” Julia told him. She narrowed her eyes. “Grape Kool-Aid?”
He covered most of his grin by swiping the back of his hand over his mouth. “Nehi. Travers had it opened and everything. I thought it would be rude not to drink it.”
“I bet you did.”
“A guy gets thirsty playing one on one,” Paul put in. “Yeah,” Brandon tossed back at him, “especially when he wins.”
“That does it, you little creep, you’re on your own.”
They exchanged what Julia thought were very manly looks before Brandon bounced into a chair.
“Are you okay and all? Paul said maybe you were upset or something.”
“I’m okay,” Julia told him. “In fact, I’m dandy. I might be persuaded to fix a few king-size Brandonburgers.”
“Hey, cool. With fries and all?”
“I think I … oh, I forgot.” She pressed a hand over her son’s head. “I’m supposed to have dinner with Eve tonight. I promised.” Because she felt his disappointment, she began to make adjustments. “Maybe I could call her and reschedule.”
“Don’t do it on our account.” Paul winked at Brandon. “The brat and I can take care of dinner ourselves.”
“Yes, but—”
But Brandon was interested. “Can you cook?” “Can I cook? I can do better than that. I can drive to McDonald’s.”
“All right!” He bounded up, then remembered his mother and shot her a hopeful look. A trip to McDonald’s meant all kinds of wonderful things. Including no cleaning up after dinner. “That’s okay, isn’t it?”
“Yeah.” She kissed the top of his head, then smiled at Paul. “It’s okay.”
A long, hot bath with fragrant oils, the creams, the lotions. Fifteen luxurious minutes fussing with powders and paints. By the time Julia slipped into the icy pink evening pants and draped jacket, she was completely recovered. So recovered, it amused her that Paul had insisted on walking her over to the main house.
“You smell incredible.” He lifted her wrist to sniff, then lingered to nibble at it. “Maybe you’d like to join me in
the guest room later.”
“I might be persuaded.” She stopped at the main door, turned, and linked her hands around his neck. “Why don’t you start thinking of ways to persuade me?” Her lips touched his lightly, then she surprised and pleased them both by pouring herself into a long, breath-stealing kiss. “Now, go buy yourself a hamburger.”
It felt as though the blood had drained from his brain straight to his loins. “Two things,” he said. “Eat fast.” She smiled. “What’s the second thing?” “I’ll show you when you get home.” He started off, then called over his shoulders. “Eat real fast.”
Laughing to herself, Julia knocked and decided she might set the world’s record for gulping dinner. “Hello, Travers.”
For once the housekeeper didn’t grunt, but looked Julia over with what first appeared to be concern. It changed quickly to suspicion and annoyance. “You’ve got her upset.”
“Eve?” Julia said as the door closed at her back. “I’ve upset Eve?” Then it struck her and she wasn’t sure whether to laugh or swear. “About the plane? You can hardly blame me for almost being in a crash, Travers.”
But apparently she could as she stomped back toward the kitchen after one sharp gesture toward the parlor.
“Always a pleasure chatting with you,” Julia called after her, then made her way toward the parlor.
Eve was there, pacing the width of the room. Back and forth, an exotic beast in an elegant cage. Emotion washed in her wake, so strong, so intense, it was almost visible. Her eyes glistened, but the tears didn’t fall until she looked over at Julia.
For once all her will deserted her. With a helpless shake of her head, she folded onto the sofa and began to weep.
“Oh, no, please.” Julia was across the room like a shot, arms enfolding, voice soothing. Silk rustled as Eve turned into her. Their scents met, opposing notes that somehow harmonized into one exotic fragrance. “It’s all right,” Julia told her, the words as automatic, as comforting as her stroking hands. “Everything’s all right now.”
“You could have been killed. I don’t know what I would have done.” Moments after breaking down, she was struggling for composure. She drew back, wanting, needing to study Julia’s face. “I swear to you, Julia, I never thought anyone would go this far. I knew they would try to stop me, but I never considered they would try to hurt you to do it.”
“I haven’t been hurt. I’m not going to be hurt.”
“No. Because we won’t go any further.”
“Eve.” Julia searched in her own pocket for a tissue and handed it over. “I’ve just been through all that with Paul. Stopping now won’t make any difference, will it?”
She took the time to dab at the tears. “No.” Slowly, feeling her age, she rose to go to the bar and poured a drink from the bottle of champagne that was already open and waiting. “You know more than you should.” Her full red lips flattened. “That’s my responsibility. My selfishness.” “My job,” Julia countered.
Eve took a long sip before pouring a second glass for Julia. The girl had soft shoulders, she thought. Almost fragile in appearance, yet they were strong enough to support. “You don’t want to stop?”
“I couldn’t if I wanted to. And no, I don’t.” She accepted the glass Eve offered, then touched crystal to crystal. “I’m in for the duration.”
Before Julia could drink, Eve gripped her wrist. Her eyes were suddenly very dry and very intense. “You may hate me before it’s over.”
The hold was so tight, Julia could feel the pulse in her wrist beat against that of Eve’s thumb. “No, I couldn’t.”
Eve only nodded. She’d made her decision, for better or worse. The only thing left was to finish. “Grab the bottle, will you? We’ll eat out on the terrace.”
There were fairy lights strung through the trees and candles already glowing on the glass-topped table. The garden was hushed with dusk. Only the sound of air breathing through leaves and the music of water against water from the fountain. The gardenias were beginning to flower, and the sweet romance of their fragrance drifted everywhere.
“There’s so much I need to tell you tonight.” Eve paused as Travers came out with plates of stuffed mushrooms. “You may find it too much, all at once, but I feel I might have waited too long already.”
“I’m here to listen, Eve.”
She nodded. “Victor was waiting for me in the car this morning. I can’t tell you how wonderful it was to be with him again, to know we were together, in our hearts. He’s a good man, Julia. Trapped by circumstance, upbringing, religion. Is there a more difficult burden than trying to follow heart and conscience? Despite all the problems and pain, I’ve had more happiness with him than many women find in a lifetime.”
“I think I understand.” Julia’s voice was like the shadows. Soft, comforting. “Sometimes you can love without the happy-ever-after. That doesn’t make the story any less important, any less vital.”
“Don’t give up on your own happy-evers, Julia. I want them for you.”
Travers trooped out with salads, frowned over the fact that Eve had barely touched her first course, but said nothing.
“Tell me what you thought of Kenneth.”
“Well …” Realizing she was starving, Julia dived into the salad. “I’d have to say first that he wasn’t what I expected. He was more charming, more relaxed, more sexy.”
For the first time in hours, Eve was able to laugh. “Christ, yes. It used to irritate the hell out of me that the man could have so much sex appeal and be so prim about it. Always the proper word at the proper time. Except the last time.”
“He told me.” Her lips curved. “I’m surprised he escaped with his skin.”
“It was nip and tuck. And he was right, of course, in what he said to me. Still, it’s difficult for a man to understand what a woman goes through when she must be in second place. Even so, I’ve always known I could count on Kenneth for anything.”
Julia listened to the rustle of air in the leaves, the first cooing of night birds as Eve stared into her wine. “Did you know he was at the top of the stairs the night Delrickio got out of hand, the night Paul was almost beaten?”
The green eyes flashed back up. “Kenneth?”
“Yes, Kenneth. At the top of the stairs with a loaded pistol, and apparently ready to use it. You’re quite right when you say you can depend on him.”
“I’ll be damned.” Eve set aside her fork, exchanging it for her glass. “He never said a word.”
“There’s more, if you want an opinion.”
“I’d like yours.”
“I think he’s been in love with you most of his life.”
Eve started to laugh it off, but Julia was watching her so quietly. Memories, scenes, half phrases, moments, passed through her mind so that her hand was unsteady when she set her glass down again. “God, how careless we are with people.” “I doubt he regrets a minute of it.” “But I do.”
Eve was silent as Travers served the salmon. Inside her head was a cacophony of sound, voices hammering. Threats, promises. She was afraid she would say too much, afraid some things would never be said.
“Julia, did you bring your recorder?”
“Yes, you said there were things you wanted to tell me.”
“I’d like to begin now.” Eve made an elaborate pretense of eating while Julia set the tape. “You know my feelings now on many people. The way my life had wound with theirs. Travers and Nina coming to me from such destructive beginnings. Kenneth, whom I stole from Charlotte out of spite. Michael Torrent, Tony, Rory, Damien, all mistakes with different results. Michael Delrickio, who appealed to my vanity, my arrogance. Through him I lost Drake.”
“I don’t understand.”
“It was Drake who broke into your house, who stole, who wanted the tapes.”
“Drake?” Julia blinked against the flare of a match as Eve lit a cigarette.
“Perhaps it isn’t entirely fair to blame Michael. After all, Drake was marred years
before. But I prefer to blame him. He knew the boy’s weakness for gambling. Hell, the boy’s weakness for everything, and he used it. Drake was weak, he was calculating, he was disloyal, but he was also family.”
“Was?”
“I’ve fired him,” Eve said simply, “as my publicity agent, and as my nephew.”
“That explains why he hasn’t been returning my calls. I’m sorry, Eve.”
She waved the sympathy away. “I don’t want to dwell on Drake, God knows. My point is that all of the people in my life have had a certain amount of influence on it, and often on each other’s as well. Rory brought me Paul, thank Christ, and that binds all three of us together. I suppose, if you’re right about this Lily person,