by Kathy Ivan
“You saw the picture?”
“Yeah.” Lucas still remembered the gut-punched feeling the second he’d seen the photo. There’d been no doubt the woman in the picture was Renee. “Check your e-mail.”
He heard Shiloh typing, knew he’d seen the picture because his brother’s gasp was audible.
“Dude, she looks like you.”
“I think so, too.”
“Lemme call the airport, I’ll leave on the next flight out.”
Lucas breathed a deep sigh. Just like that, no more questions, his brother simply canceled his plans, ready to help. All of his brothers would do the same if asked, drop everything and rally the troops. It’s what Boudreaus did.
“Thank you.”
“Send me everything you’ve got on Renee or Elizabeth Reynolds. Did Heath’s newbie have any idea clue how she’d ended up in Portland, or why she was running?”
“Heath didn’t want to push him too hard for details. He was subtle, or as subtle as Heath gets, and got me the last known address in Portland. This guy, Chuck, said they weren’t seriously dating, just friendly. I haven’t been able to check out much since I got the information. This stinks. I need to be the one looking for her. She’s my sister. I’ve spent years looking for her, trying to find her. Except I can’t leave, because Jill might be in trouble.”
“Seriously? What’s going on? Last time I was home, Jill was fine.”
“It might be nothing, and I’m blowing things out of proportion, but…”
Shiloh stopped him. “You don’t make those kinds of mistakes. You’re probably the most intuitive guy I know. If your instinct’s telling you something’s wrong, chances are good it is. I’ll deal with Renee. When I find her, you’ll be the first to know, bro.”
“Thank you.”
“No thanks needed. In a roundabout way, she’s my sister, too. If she’s in Portland, I’ll find her. You take care of Jill. I’ll call you as soon as I’m on the ground.”
With that, Shiloh hung up. Lucas shot him an e-mail containing all the facts Heath had given him, along with the information from his trip to Cincinnati in his search for Elizabeth Reynolds. Running a hand through his hair, he closed his laptop and glanced at the clock. If he hurried, he’d have enough time for a shower before heading out to meet Junior.
Driving toward the gaming club, Lucas’ phone rang, and the caller ID showed Dante. He’d known the younger man would call, if for no other reason than to check in with him before he headed into Junior’s club.
“Hello.”
“Yo. Wanted to give you a head’s up. Did your dad tell you about Jill’s car?”
“He did. I’m trying to wrap my head around what happened.”
“She’s fine. Only problem she’s had all day was two flat tires. Your dad asked me to let him know if there was anything odd about them, coz it’s strange to have two flats on the same day.”
Lucas squeezed his phone tighter, wishing Dante would spit out whatever it was he’d found, instead of dragging things out like this.
“What did you find?”
“Somebody definitely tampered with the valves. There were definite scratches and evidence somebody had deliberately let the air out of her tires. Who’d do that?”
“I don’t know, but I intend to find out. Where’s Jill at now?”
“She dropped me off at the garage to pick up my car, and she was headed back to her apartment. Probably there by now.”
“Okay. You got plans for tonight?” Lucas hated to ask Dante for a favor, but if he missed this chance to get a behind-the-scenes look at Junior’s operation, he’d never get another shot, and he’d have to start over from scratch.
“Nothing I can’t cancel, why?”
“I want you to stake out your sister’s apartment. Park far enough away she won’t notice you, but still close enough you can see if anybody else is hanging around. If anything arouses your suspicions, you call Rafe immediately. Think you can handle it?”
Dante’s scoffing sound was all the answer Lucas needed.
“I think I’ll be able to keep watch.”
“I’m trusting you, Dante, to have my back here. If I didn’t have to meet Junior tonight, you can bet I’d be sitting inside your sister’s apartment right now.”
Dante’s chuckle unnerved Lucas, though he’d never admit it. Somehow the younger man read him like the Sunday newspaper, no matter how he tried to hide his feelings.
“I told you, you have it bad. For what it’s worth, you’ve got my blessing, as long as Jill wants you, too. If not, I’ll personally kick you to the curb. Understand?”
“I hear you. Don’t hesitate to call Rafe or my dad if you can’t get my brother. Tell them what you’ve told me, and they’ll show up. Don’t, under any circumstances, try to be a hero, Dante. We might be imaging things, or grasping at straws. Maybe it’s coincidence.”
“Do you honestly think so?”
“No.”
“Me either. Go, do your job and get the information you need. I’ll keep an eagle eye on my sister.”
“Have you called my dad yet, and told him what you suspect?”
“No, I was gonna call him after I talked with you.”
“Don’t worry about it, I’ll call him. Dante, thanks again for your help with my story.”
“No problem. Oh, I told Jilly about me going to Gamblers Anonymous. She said she’s proud of me.”
Lucas’ lip curled up at the sound of awe in Dante’s voice, as if he’d expected a different response. “We’re all proud of you. What you’re doing takes guts, standing up to a problem and facing it like a man. I’ve gotta go, talk to you later.”
Lucas hung up the call from Dante, and immediately dialed his father. He wanted to make sure his dad knew what Dante had found regarding the tires, and to keep his ears open in case Dante called.
“Lucas. Everything okay?”
“Yes and no. I just got off the phone with Dante. He suspects somebody tampered with the valves on both of them. Said there was clear evidence someone deliberately let the air out of both tires. Which makes Jill’s claim she thought somebody was following her carry more weight, don’t you think? Dante also told me somebody left a single red rose on Jill’s doorstep without a note.”
“When’d that happen?”
“The day after I got back to town. I think Jill’s attracted the attention of somebody. Might be a love-struck fool, but letting the air out of her tires is kicking things up a notch.”
His dad was silent for several long seconds, before he responded. “What are we going to do about this?”
Trust his dad to get right to the heart of things with an offer to help. His father’s protectiveness extended to all his sons, and by extension to the women they cared about. His father had an especially soft spot for women, a throwback to times when women were treated with respect. He never considered women the weaker sex; after all he was married to Ms. Patti, and there wasn’t a stronger, more capable woman anywhere. But Lucas and his brothers had been taught by a man who didn’t brook a woman being mistreated or threatened in any way. Douglas, Gator, and Hank all instilled in their sons a sense of duty and honor, which included protecting those who were threatened or mistreated. That umbrella of protection now extended to Jill.
“Dante’s going to stake out his sister’s apartment, keep his eyes peeled for anything that looks abnormal. Unfortunately, I’ve got someplace I have to be tonight, and there’s no getting out of it. I told Dante if he sees anything, he’s to call you.”
“Good. If I’m at the Big House when or if Dante calls, I’ll have Rafe or Chance head over to help him, since they’re closer. Hopefully, it won’t be necessary.”
“I wish she’d said something to me about what’s going on.”
His father was quiet for a moment before answering. “Son, don’t take this wrong, but you’ve been gone for a long while, and from things your momma told me, Jill didn’t handle it well when you left. Makes it not surprising s
he wouldn’t immediately trust you.”
Lucas bit back a sigh, knowing his dad was right. They hadn’t exactly ended on a bright and shiny note. Instead, he’d told her he was leaving Shiloh Springs, blurting it out of the blue, without ever having told her what he’d planned. Somehow, in his youthful ignorance, he’d expected her to want to come with him. Like she didn’t have a life of her own. Dreams she wanted or needed to follow. He’d simply assumed because he wanted to live and work in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, she’d automatically want the same.
“I was young and stupid. I knew what I wanted, and nothing and nobody was gonna stand in my way. If I wanted to follow my dream, I needed to be in a city bigger than Shiloh Springs. Guess I’m still stupid, because I thought Jill and I were making progress, that she’d forgiven me.”
“Have you talked to her? I don’t mean having conversations. I mean really talked with her. Explained why you went, what you’ve learned about yourself since you’ve been gone. Why you’re coming home.”
Lucas started at his father’s words. How had he known?
“Dad?”
Douglas chuckled, and the sound warmed something deep inside Lucas’ chest. “You’re my son. I know how you think, sometimes before you do. You needed to figure out who you are for yourself, not be pigeonholed by your family’s expectations. Course, it wouldn’t matter whether you stayed up in DFW or moved back to Shiloh Springs, we’re gonna love you regardless.”
Lucas fought the lump that suddenly formed in his throat, grateful beyond words he’d been placed with the Boudreaus. That he’d been given the chance of forming bonds with a family who loved and understood him, and let him find his own way to becoming the man he was now.
“I’ve been thinking about coming home. Now that I’ve established myself in the journalistic community, have enough knowledge and experience, I can pretty much work from anywhere as long as I’ve got a computer, printer, and phone.”
“I’ll let your momma know she can finally show you the places she’s picked out for you. Apartments and houses.”
“Momma knows, too?”
“Son, there’s nothing your momma doesn’t know, and usually a long time before I figure it out. You need to tell her soon. It’s gonna make her happy. I think she wants all her kids close. It’s her mother hen instinct. Now, you go investigate whatever it is that can’t wait. I’ll keep my phone close in case Dante calls. And, son, if things get too hot with whatever you’re looking into, call me and I’ll be there ASAP.”
“Thanks, Dad. I really do have to go to this meetup, otherwise, I’d be the one parked in Jill’s living room, sleeping on the sofa and keeping an eye on her.”
“I know. You’re a fine man, Lucas. I’m proud of you.”
“I’ve never been prouder to be part of your family. I wish—”
“Don’t,” Douglas interrupted. “I know what you’re gonna say, and I understand. Your mother and I have always understood. You need to remain an O’Malley until you find your sister. She wouldn’t recognize the Boudreau name. Though to be honest, she might not remember the O’Malley name, either. She was a little tyke when you were separated, and she got placed with a different family. Just because you haven’t changed your name doesn’t make you any less my son. I love you.”
“Love you too.” Lucas barely got the words out past the lump in his throat, and his gaze landed on the clock. “I really do have to go, I’m already late. I’ll check in with you tonight.”
“I’ll expect your call. Take care of yourself.”
Lucas ended the call, shoved his cell in his pocket, and grabbed his keys and the envelope containing the cash he’d be using at the club. He needed to look flush, a potential big spender, so he’d taken ten grand out of his savings account. No way was he walking into this meeting with chump change. He simply needed to make sure Junior knew he had access to a ready supply of cash, a large enough wad to interest the big boss.
The drive to the strip mall seemed interminable, though it was really only about twenty minutes. He parked and watched silently for a few minutes, saw a handful of men and women heading inside. It didn’t surprise him to see most of them looked like they could ill afford to risk money they didn’t have inside this snake pit. Only it was their choice what they did with their cash, no matter how much it irked him.
“Well, it’s now or never.” He gave a self-deprecating snort when he realized he was talking to himself.
Climbing from his car, he strode across the parking lot, making sure he exuded an air of confidence, a man who was used to getting what he wanted. Tonight, he wanted to play poker with the guys Dante mentioned as being the high rollers, the regulars. He had names and descriptions to match.
Show time.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
She was being an idiot. Staring down at the photo album in her lap, Jill looked at the picture of Lucas, smiling and laughing at something somebody must’ve said. His head was thrown back, his smile wide and unbridled. Running a fingertip across the picture, she thought back to the day the photo had been taken.
It had been a Saturday afternoon, and a whole group of locals from the high school decided to head to the big public pool over at the community center. The temperature had been blazing hot, she remembered, and they’d packed a big cooler full of ice, sodas, and water. They’d had a blast, but all she could recall from that day was Lucas.
The memory felt as fresh and vibrant as if it had been yesterday, instead of years earlier. She remembered it with such detail because it was the day they’d had their first fight. Of course, now that she was older and hopefully wiser, she wouldn’t even classify it as anything to get all hot and bothered about. Back then though, she’d just turned seventeen and she’d had a giant crush on Lucas Boudreau. Between that and raging teenage hormones, she’d been a walking, talking hormone bomb ready to explode at the slightest provocation.
Cue in Lisa Giardino, her high school nemesis. Not that Lisa knew or cared what Jill thought about her. She was the school bad girl, and she loved living down to her reputation. Lisa was the one all the boys flocked to when she crooked her little finger, and left them panting like pups in heat chasing after her.
All except Lucas. Somehow, he seemed immune to all her charms, and Lisa had definitely been blessed in the physical endowments department, though not so much in the mental acumen area. Things had been going great at the pool party, until Lisa showed up with her gal pals, trolling for their Saturday night conquests. For whatever reason, that sweltering hot afternoon, she set her sights on Lucas.
Jill shook her head, trying to escape the memory and turned the page in the photo album. A squeezing in her chest made her gasp. She’d forgotten about this photo. One she’d taken with her cell phone years ago, when she’d been a senior in high school. She’d printed it out, and stuck it under her pillow. Later on, she’d started an album with all his pictures and hidden it away, so nobody could find it or discover her secret crush.
Strange, but she hadn’t drug out these photos since Lucas left Shiloh Springs to head for the big city life. Right after he left, she’d been accepted at Duke in North Carolina. She remembered how excited she’d been, getting that letter of acceptance. Money would be tight, but between student loans, scholarships, and the small amount her parents had put aside, she could make it work. She’d left Shiloh Springs and headed to Durham.
Turning the page, she smiled at a picture of Lucas, Rafe and Dane standing outside the high school. Rafe had graduated, she remembered, and Lucas and Dane were one year apart. All three men looked so different, yet even then the bond between the brothers was evident.
A knock on her door startled her. She laid the photo album on the coffee table and picked up her phone, checking to see who was outside. Dante had insisted on installing one of those camera doorbells, so she’d always know who was on the other side of the door.
Only there wasn’t anybody there. She’d heard a knock, she was sure of it. Shrugging, she walked
over and eased the door open, looking down the hall in both directions, but didn’t see anybody. As she started to close the door, she glanced down and spotted a small white box sitting on the ground. Atop it was a pink ribbon, with frilly little curlicues at the ends.
Kneeling, she picked it up, carried it inside and closed the door. Curiosity piqued, she sat on the sofa and held the package in her hand. It didn’t weight much, and she didn’t see any kind of card or label.
It must be for me. It’s in front on my door. But who would drop off a package and not check and make sure I’m home?
She carefully slid the ribbon off the box and tossed it onto the coffee table. Opening the white box, she realized that it was really an outer box, with another one inside, this one a vivid red. Taking the red box in her hand, she looked at it from all angles, before finally giving in and opening the lid. She gasped when she spotted the bracelet inside.
Diamonds. Each stone seemed to catch the light, reflecting back a prism of colors as the bracelet spilled across her fingertips. It had diamonds all the way around, resembling a tennis bracelet, but these stones were bigger than any she’d seen before.
Springing from the couch, she raced over to the door and flung it open, once again looking for anybody who might be in the hallway. Nobody was there, and there was nothing to indicate who might have left the gift on her doorstep.
Locking her front door, she slumped down on the couch and studied the bracelet. It couldn’t hurt to try it on, right? She wouldn’t, couldn’t keep it, but there wasn’t any rule that said she didn’t get to have a bit of a thrill somebody wanted to shower her with expensive gifts.
Clasping the catch of the bracelet, she turned her wrist, watching the play of colors and sparkles against her skin, the diamonds catching and refracting the light. It was stunning. Too bad she couldn’t keep it, because it had to be some kind of mistake. Nobody she knew would’ve left something this expensive on her doorstep.