eyond Desire Collection

by JS Scott, M Malone, Marie Hall, et al

  “Is that why you won’t give my phone back?” Ridley asked.

  Raina wouldn’t meet her eyes. She picked at the edge of the blanket until a few long, white strands came out. “I forgot it.”

  “Again? That’s what you said yesterday.”

  Raina crossed her arms and glared at Ridley. “You are supposed to be recuperating, not socializing.”

  Ridley held in a groan. She’d thought Raina had been insufferable before, but she’d had no idea. Ever since the shooting, Raina had been in hyperdrive. The poor nurses on the floor were no doubt ready for her to leave so they wouldn’t have to deal with Raina questioning everything they did. It had been endearing the first day or two, but she was about ready to shake her sister silly.

  If she was strong enough to get out of this damn bed.

  There was a brisk knock at the door and Ridley turned toward the sound. Elliott stood in the doorway holding a small teddy bear and looking extremely uncomfortable. She wondered how much he’d heard. He looked back and forth between them.

  “Is this a bad time?”

  Raina looked like she was about to protest when Ridley motioned him forward eagerly.

  “Elliott! Come in, come in. I’m so glad you came to see me.”

  Eli stepped in and set the teddy bear on the edge of the bed. “Hey, how are you feeling?”

  “Like crap. But I’m alive. Thanks to you. So what happened, you know, after everything? I don’t really remember.”

  Elliott perched on the edge of the bed carefully. “Well, I figured out David’s identity on a hunch. I knew he’d been using an assumed name for about three years, but it wasn’t until I looked at the information on the flash drive that I put it all together.”

  “The flash drive?”

  He reached in the pocket of his jacket and pulled out a stack of photos. He flipped through them and then pulled one out.

  “That’s the necklace he gave me.” Ridley took the picture and ran her thumb over the image. It was hard to believe something so small had been at the heart of everything.

  “It opens to conceal a flash drive.” Eli held up another picture. In this one the necklace was in two parts.

  “That’s why he wanted it back. What was on it?”

  “Confirmations of payoffs. The wire transfers we noticed going through the accounts he had set up in your name were just the beginning. He’s been borrowing identities for a while now. He uses them to set up accounts to funnel mob payouts to his father’s offshore accounts. Then after a few months he closes the accounts and moves on.”

  Ridley tried to sit up a little but pain lanced through her side.

  “Wait, I’ll help you.” Raina rushed over and pushed the button to raise the bed.

  “Thanks. So, that’s why he needed it back so badly. Because it has all the account numbers and payoff information?”

  Eli nodded. “I’m sure he’s got bits and pieces of information saved other places, but a lot of criminals keep their information offline. That way it can’t be hacked. He must have known the FBI was on to him again. So, before staging his car accident he hid the flash drive somewhere no one would ever find it. With you.”

  “And I ruined his plan by running.” Ridley closed her eyes.

  “Yes. You put quite a kink in his plans by doing what you did. Moreno is a great tracker, but you literally disappeared for a while. He admitted that Raina’s house was the first place he looked. But when it stayed empty, he had no idea where to go. It wasn’t until he saw the tabloid pictures of you and Jackson that he knew for sure you were in Virginia.”

  “You know I almost left the necklace behind that day.”

  At Elliott’s puzzled look, she continued. “He saw me put it in the drawer of my front hall table the day he gave it to me. Right before the accident. I took it out at the last minute because I was going to the bank. I thought it would be safer in my safe-deposit box. If I hadn’t done that, he would have gotten it when he broke into my apartment. None of this would have happened. I would still be in Florida living my life.”

  Ridley swiped at her eyes, embarrassed to find her cheeks were wet. Part of her wished it had happened that way. She’d still have been a victim of identity theft, but at least she wouldn’t have been injured.

  She wouldn’t be heartbroken.

  “Maybe you should go,” Raina said gently. “She shouldn’t be getting upset.”

  Elliott started to stand but Ridley grabbed his hand. “No, don’t leave. Please. Just stay and talk for a little while longer. I’ve been stuck in this bed for three days. I’d love to know how everyone is doing. How are your parents?”

  “Worried about you. I filled them in on what happened. I think my mom was ready to storm the hospital because she thought you were in here alone.” He turned to Raina. “She didn’t realize you were back in town.”

  He pointed to the cluster of flower arrangements that Raina had corralled next to the window. “Anyway, they sent flowers. It’s one of those. Nick sent flowers, too.”

  “Hmm. Fat lot of good that does,” Raina muttered.

  “Raina! Don’t start anything. Eli saved my life.”

  Raina immediately looked chagrined. “I know, and I’m so grateful he was there.” She looked at Eli. “If I was the touchy-feely type I would hug you for that. Thank you for saving my sister.”

  Eli shrugged but Ridley could tell he was a little embarrassed at the praise. “In all honesty, Ridley saved herself. That was a brave thing you did. You carried it off like a pro, too.”

  Ridley snorted. “You were the one who told me what to do. If I hadn’t talked to you on Sunday, I wouldn’t have thought of that on my own. I guess things really do happen for a reason, huh?”

  A nurse came in the room then and Elliott moved back so she could get to Ridley’s side. She knew it was necessary but hated the constant poking and prodding. Ever since she’d woken up, it seemed like there was someone there taking her temperature and blood pressure every hour.

  How was she supposed to get strong enough to leave the hospital when she couldn’t get any sleep? She waited, impatiently, for the nurse to take the temperature bulb out of her mouth before she turned back to Eli.

  “So, how’s everyone else?”

  “We’re all fine. Mara and Matt came to the hospital afterward but you were in surgery so we told them to come back.”

  Ridley sighed. “You’re really going to make me ask how he’s doing?”

  Elliott looked down at his hands but didn’t say anything else. “I don’t know,” he said finally.

  “Eli—”

  “Honestly,” he added. “I haven’t heard from him since. None of us have. He won’t talk to us.”

  They sat quietly for a few minutes. Raina shifted in her chair, picked up a magazine, and held it up in front of her face.

  “There’s no point pretending you can’t hear us, Raina. It doesn’t matter.”

  Eli tried unsuccessfully to hide his smile. “Oh, before I leave, I have a present for you.” He reached in his jacket again and pulled out another photograph. He held it out to her. She leaned forward and then did a double take.

  “Hey! That’s him. That’s the guy that was following me at the mall!”

  Raina got up and leaned over so she could see the picture. “Are you sure? Who is this?” she asked Elliott.

  “That is William Rainier-Ridley. Your father.”

  Ridley gaped at him. “What?”

  “It appears David wasn’t lying when he said he found your father. Unfortunately, David pretended to be you and blackmailed the guy out of about a hundred thousand before he went underground. That’s why he was following you. He was trying to figure out why his own daughter was blackmailing him.”

  “This is too much.” Ridley lay back against the pillows and sighed.

  “I know, and you don’t have to do anything with this information if you don’t want to. I just wanted you to have the choice. There’s been enough secrets lately.”
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  Elliott stood and then tapped her on the nose. “By the way, if my idiot brother hasn’t told you, he loves you, Ridley. Now, get better so you can kick his ass personally.”

  ***

  Jackson had never known how empty a house could seem despite being occupied by three people. The one thing he wanted to do was off limits—visit Ridley to see how she was doing. According to Eli, she’d been released from the hospital a week ago.

  He’d called probably hundreds of times and she’d ignored every one. He was already in stalker territory. He had to keep his dignity if nothing else.

  The house below seemed unnaturally quiet. The boys were starting to adjust to Ridley’s absence. He could hear it in the rare peal of laughter or the sound of commotion coming from the playroom. They were trying to be on their best behavior, having sensed that Ridley’s “vacation” was especially trying for Jackson. He tried to put on a nonchalant face but as perceptive as they were, they could probably see right through it.

  Pushing back from his desk, he decided to call it quits for the day. He hadn’t gotten any work done anyway, so he might as well go down and spend some quality time with the boys. Since Ridley had come, he had seen a lot of positive changes in both boys, but especially Jase. Normally quiet and introspective, Jase had said more in the last two weeks than he had in the previous two months. But ever since Ridley had left, Jase had barely said two words to him.

  The sound of the doorbell stopped him in his tracks. He turned around and peered through the peephole. Shocked by what he saw, he immediately pulled the door open.

  “What the… Eli? I thought you’d gone home?” The two brothers clasped hands and slapped each other on the back.

  “I heard from a little birdie that you might need some comfort, so I came to see you. Now that I’m here, I can see for myself they were right.” Shocked, Jackson didn’t speak until he noticed Chris’s head peeping around the corner. He had a feeling it had been two little birdies that had called their uncle Elliott to come and spy on him.

  “Well, I don’t know who your sources are, but I’m fine. However, I’m always happy to see my big bro.”

  Eli’s eyes lingered on Jackson’s face, taking in his unkempt hair and unshaven face. “So, how are things with the new group you’re producing?”

  “Slow, but it’s going. Anyway, come on in and make yourself comfortable. The boys are around here somewhere. I’m sure they’ll be happy to see you.”

  Eli clamped a hand down on his shoulder. “Actually, the little birdie that called was named Nick. He wants to take you somewhere.”

  Nick appeared in the doorway behind Eli. “Can I come in?”

  It was funny how he’d been mainly fine for the past week. He still got choked up at random intervals and he hadn’t been able to sleep in his bed anymore. He’d taken to sleeping in the chair in his office. But more than anything, seeing his brother seemed to bring it all back. He took a deep breath.

  “You’re my brother. You don’t need an invitation.”

  His brother pulled him into a hug before cradling his face in his hands. “I wasn’t sure if you’d feel that way. I really screwed things up this time.”

  Jackson closed the door behind them and walked to the living room. “You didn’t screw up, I did. I was the one she trusted. I’m the one who let her down.”

  “But this whole thing started because of my feud with Raina. So, I want to fix it. At the source.”

  “How do you plan to do that? Raina isn’t going to forgive you.”

  “I’m not looking for forgiveness from her, little bro.” Nick slapped him on the cheeks lightly. “I just want the dragon to take a step back so you can get to the princess. After that, you’re on your own.”

  Eli settled back on the couch and heaved a sigh. “I’m sorry to miss the groveling, but I’m going to stay here with the boys. Just make sure you video it when Raina decks him. That’s so going on YouTube.”

  Jackson followed Nick out of the house. He had no idea what his brother planned to do to get Raina to let them in but he knew he’d only have one shot at this.

  He was miserable without Ridley. She might not give him another chance, but at least he could tell her how he felt and apologize. He owed her at least that.

  He looked at his brother. “Tell me you have a plan.”

  Nick smirked. “Of course I do. Watch and learn.”

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  “I don’t need another magazine, Raina.”

  Raina stood at the foot of the bed wringing her hands. “Maybe some water? Or some lunch?”

  They’d left the hospital a week ago under the cover of night. It had seemed ridiculous to go through such measures to keep it secret but Raina had insisted it was necessary. The story of the Moreno family’s only son rising from the dead was too good for the media to ignore.

  Sam, Raina’s chief of security, had arranged an elaborate ruse involving several models hired to impersonate them in order to get her out of the hospital undetected. She hadn’t had the energy to care back then. They’d gotten her home without microphones and cameras in her face and that was all she’d wanted.

  Well, that wasn’t all she wanted. But the other thing she wanted hadn’t called in a week.

  “What about a movie? Or we can see what’s on TV?”

  It had been years since she’d seen her sister plain-faced, but Raina hadn’t left her side for the past few days. It was kind of sweet, actually. In the beginning she’d been so tired she hadn’t been good for much else besides sleeping. But the last few days they’d talked. A lot. She’d had the chance to apologize for some of the things she’d said and Raina had apologized for trying to run her life. They were on the right track for the first time in months.

  But now her sister’s hovering was getting on her nerves.

  “I don’t want magazines or food or anything. I’m tired.” Ridley knew she was being rude but she couldn’t take it anymore.

  “Okay. I’ll let you sleep.” Raina kissed her forehead and left, pulling the door closed behind her.

  Ridley sighed and looked out the window, the late afternoon sunlight like a beacon drawing her attention outside. Since leaving the hospital she’d been pampered and coddled, slept what felt like a million hours, and taken more pain medication than she was sure was safe.

  What she hadn’t done was call Jackson.

  Raina had told her about his visit when she’d been asleep at the hospital. It didn’t make her feel good to imagine him hurting but damn it, he’d hurt her . Tears welled in her eyes again and she gritted her teeth. Crying wouldn’t erase the humiliation of being pushed out the door. Of being accused of being a thief. As much as she’d tried to understand things from his perspective, part of her couldn’t let go of the fact that he simply hadn’t believed her. He’d honestly thought she’d just been after his money.

  But now a week had gone by and she had to wonder if her pride was worth this misery. He’d hurt her more than she knew it was possible to be hurt, but she couldn’t deny that she loved him. So, who was she really punishing? Jackson or herself?

  “Maybe I should just go over there.”

  She pushed the covers back and sat up gingerly. The doctors had said she was a lucky girl because the bullet hadn’t hit her lungs. Intellectually, she understood that she was fortunate not to be dead. But every move she made exhausted her, the skin around her wound still burned like crazy, and she could barely shower without help. She didn’t feel lucky yet.

  She just felt miserable.

  “Raina,” she called. She cursed as her energy flagged and she sagged back against the pillows. How was she supposed to go track Jackson down and fuss at him when she could barely sit up without needing a nap?

  A door slammed downstairs. Then she heard the sound of voices. They hadn’t had many visitors over the last week since Raina didn’t want anyone to know they were here. One of the voices was unmistakably male.

  Who is that?

  Maybe
it was one of the security guys? The voices got louder as they came toward the stairs. The closer they got, the more familiar they sounded.

  “Is that Jackson?”

  A rush of elation gave her the energy to sit up again. He was here. He’d finally come to see her. She was still kind of mad at him but every part of her was suddenly overjoyed, too. A week ago, she’d been standing in this very room with a gun to her head, wondering if it would be the last time she saw his face. Now he was downstairs and she wasn’t waiting another minute. Ridley put her legs over the side of the bed and stood up gingerly.

  Then she took her first shaky step.

  ***

  “Raina! open the door!”

  Raina sat in her living room and blithely turned the pages of a magazine. The sound of yelling outside ceased for a few minutes before resuming.

  “I’m not leaving until you talk to me. You know I’ll make a scene.”

  “Ugh! He is so irritating.” Raina groaned and slammed the magazine down on the couch next to her. Sam had offered to delay his own vacation and stay if she needed him. She hadn’t wanted to ruin his fun when she didn’t plan on doing much other than keeping her sister company while she recuperated.

  The guards he’d posted to watch her house from outside had seemed like more than enough, but they were trained to prevent anyone from coming in. They couldn’t do anything about someone who was bothering her from the street.

  It was petty, but now she kind of wished she’d asked Sam to stay. He was creative. He’d have found a way to take care of the extremely annoying pest outside her window.

  “Okay, Raina. If you don’t open the door I’m going to video this and put it online.”

  She marched over to the front door and snatched it open. “What the hell do you want?”

  “I just want to talk.” He motioned to the guards standing between them. “Can you call off the goon squad?”

  She nodded. The guards moved aside. Nick shook his head as he walked by them. As soon as he crossed the threshold, she slammed the door. “I don’t know why you’re here. I have nothing to say to you.”