She shrugged. “You don’t know that. Another hurtle, right?” the sarcasm was hard to hold back.
Thane landed a hard look on Daniel. “I’ll be back.”
She walked to the girl’s Honda, and they drove back to town.
The car came to a stop in front of the jewelry store. “Are you going to be okay?” the girl asked, her brow knitted with concern.
“I’m always, okay. What’s your name?”
“Natalie.”
“Thanks for your help, Natalie.”
She wiggled herself out of the car, and returned to the restaurant. Amazingly, still hungry.
The spoon in her hand remained steady as she blew on the soup, even thinking about all the ways she’d like to annihilate that scheming bitch of a monarch. The familiar sounds of the diner reached her through a filter red with jealousy. It was all background noise compared to the thud of her heart firmly situated in her throat, and it made it hard to swallow. She didn’t acknowledge Daniel when he slid on the bench seat across from her, and plunked a basket overflowing with cherries on the table. His muscular shoulders flexed forward as he reached across the table covering her hand.
“We’re not making pie, Daniel,” her voice stony. They used to do it all through the summer. He’d make the crusts, and she’d make the filling, but along the way, he’d be seducing her and while the pie was in the oven, he’d take her on the table or the floor or the counter.
“Yes, we are. The SEAL’s gone with the Egyptian. It’s just you and me now.”
“Daniel, what part of we are never going to be together as a couple again, did you not understand?”
“He’s one pissed off SEAL, I’ll tell ya that. I’d almost believe him.”
She glared at Daniel while sliding the spoon in her mouth.
“But, I’d rather you didn’t.” Daniel allowed a boyish smile to tighten his cheeks.
Knowing Thane had a child with Zara blistered, but she wasn’t going to show it. She was good at that. No, she was great at that.
“What can I get you, gorgeous?” the waitress asked, standing by the table.
“Coffee would be good, and my wife and I are going to share a piece of pie, cherry if you’ve got it.”
“Sure thing. How’s the soup, darlin’?”
“Good,” she said, concentrating on the bowl until the waitress left.
Daniel sat up, blinking. “Angel, this is fate. You know that.”
Tornados destroyed everything in their path. Hurricanes turned the sea to a boiling cauldron, but there wasn’t a name for the tempest that brewed in her soul. “You know what, Daniel, I’m going to finish this soup. I’ll even share that fucking pie with you, but after that, you’re going to drive me back to the ranch, and then it’s time to get the hell out of my life.”
Daniel’s expression completely dissolved. “Kayla, I don’t want to. He pulled the spoon from her, and clutched her hands in his. “Let Austen go, and let me prove to you I’m not that man anymore.”
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Thane yanked the door of the hotel open and the doorman stepped away, reading his expression. The long drive back to San Diego had only given him time to become angrier. Zara’s guard followed him. “Which room?”
“This way, Captain Austen,” he said, heading toward the elevators. Soft music, elegant chandeliers and a marble lobby filled with wealthy guests wandering or sitting in the clusters of expensive furniture, reminded him of the last time he’d been in a hotel. Months ago, and Kayla had been with him. Now he was about to face the princess, who was trying to manipulate her way into his life. Royal or not, she was still a woman, and a scheming one.
The doors opened into a penthouse suite. Opulence clung to the walls and sat on the floors with high-end pieces and paintings. When they rounded the entry hall, the expansive living room came into view. Zara stood up, dressed in an off-white blazer and skirt, the long V showing her swelling breasts. A confident smile adorned high cheeks and lit her hazel eyes.
“I’m so glad you’ve come,” she said, stepping toward him.
He wanted to tear this woman apart for what she’d done. Doubt flickered on her features and the smile disintegrated. “The child you are carrying is not mine.”
“Please, come sit.”
He swiveled toward the guard, and she gave him a motion to leave. “I thought I was pretty clear in Berlin.”
“Can I get you something to drink?”
“No, but you’re going to give me a DNA test.”
This woman had a lot of dealings with foreign relations. She practiced politics, something he knew as well and despised, but in his position, he often had to play the game.
Her head tilted with a calculating gaze in her eyes. “I will not. This is your son.”
“I don’t know whose legs you crawled between, but whoever he is, he has a right to know he’s a father. I’m not him.”
“Would it make a difference?” she asked, reclining on the couch. A long arm trailed across the top of the sofa. “Thane, I can’t stop this and neither can you. We’re meant to be together. Please, sit down and talk to me.”
He remained where he was, with no intention of getting comfortable. “Starting a life with a lie is no way to start a life.”
“We spent so many hours together, becoming close. We both felt the attraction. I saw it in your eyes. I felt it when you made love to me.”
“We fucked, we didn’t make love, and I didn’t cum,” he said coldly. “I told you I belonged to someone else. Obviously, you weren’t listening.”
“Now that Kayla knows you’re the father of our son, I’m sure she’s moving on.”
She’d planned this right down to the last move. “You’re giving me proof that it’s my son.”
“By then the damage will already be done. Kayla will have moved on, and you won’t have to feel guilty.” She leaned forward, her hands folding regally on top of one another. “You’re such an honorable man. I knew I was the one that had to fix this.” She twirled an expensive bauble hanging around her neck. “You’re a wealthy man.” Zara stopped her movement. “I know because I checked. Real estate. A wise investment.” Zara’s brow rose. “I’m sure Kayla’s aspirations to have you has something to do with that.” She peered at him with her hazel gaze. “Why do you put your life at risk when you don’t have to work?”
He chewed on her words in his mind. “Kayla does not know the balance in my bank account. The fact that you do, tells me the kind of woman you are. You’re sure as hell are going to fix this, lady,” he declared “Let’s go.”
“I’m not going anywhere.”
“The test—now—or I walk out those doors and you don’t have a hope in hell of seeing me again. Since I don’t have a hope in hell of mending the damage you’ve done, I’ve got nothing to lose.”
“You have me to gain, Thane.” She reached for the zipper at the top of her suit, and pulled it open, revealing smooth golden skin, and a swell in her stomach. Far too small to be his child. “Feel him. Know him,” she said, her top pooling on the floor. She reached behind her and unzipped her skirt. Within seconds she was completely naked in front of him. “Make love to me, Thane. So many times, I’ve dreamed of that night. It’s all I see. I want to feel you inside me again.”
Zara’s elegant, lithe body pulled an emotion from him, all right. She was the complete opposite of Kayla. Kayla was small, and her figure a highway of curves and soft corners. He wanted his little she-wolf back. He pulled his phone from his pocket. “Manchester, yeah, I need your help. I need a DNA test. How long will it take for the results? Two days, we’re on our way.”
Zara swiped at her top and flung it over her shoulders. “You’re going to owe me a huge apology, Thane Austen,” she said, approaching him with a sultry twist to her long legs. “I’ll accept it in the form of forever.”
Fear gripped him for the first time. He hadn’t come in her, but he had an erection. The chances were slim that precum had done this, b
ut doubt wiggled in his spine and it scared him deeply.
* * * *
He paced, and paced, and paced more, until he’d polished the hardwood floors in his living room. Watching the clock was driving him insane. He couldn’t call anyone, and especially not the one person he wanted to talk to most, Kayla.
Zara had come to his door three times in the last forty hours. Letting her in was the last thing he would do, and her persistence was annoying. If the child was his, he’d have to do the right thing, but it didn’t mean spending one second of his life with the child’s mother. Every second he was away, Daniel was convincing Kayla to leave, proving to her he had changed, and their life together would have the happily ever after Kayla had thought she’d never have.
He stopped short when his phone vibrated on the coffee table. Standing over it, he saw it was Manchester calling. Suck it up, SEAL. You’ll deal with it.
“Manchester,” he growled into the phone.
“Captain Austen.” He cleared his throat. “I have the results of the test.”
“No shit. I have to resand my floor to get the groove out of it.”
“I’m eight hours early. I can always call back, Captain.”
“Jesus, Manchester.”
“Just trying to ease the blow.”
His stomach constricted. “Ease the blow?” If the test proved positive, Kayla would be lost to him. There would be no forgiveness. She’d shut him out of her life. He’d pleaded his case, and begged her to believe he hadn’t enjoyed it, hadn’t ejaculated, and he hadn’t.
Manchester continued, “The percentages as you know can be considered conclusive.”
“Fuck, just say it.” He had to give Manchester an explanation when they’d shown up for the test. He did, in short hand, but Manchester knew he didn’t want the child to be his. He’d never wanted failure so much in his entire life.
“Captain, the DNA results are ninety-nine percent accurate. I had an obligation to call Zara as well, and tell her the results which I’ve already done.”
He slumped onto the couch, pressing his palm to his head. “You know what outcome I want to hear. You’re stalling. Just fucking say it.”
* * * *
“Daniel, I’m not hungry,” Kayla said when he slipped the shallow bowl of pasta in front of her.
“Angel, you have to eat.”
She sat back in the chair. Not only had her emotions shut down, but her sense of smell.
Daniel pulled his chair next to hers. “You could never resist my Alfredo, and I bet you still can’t.” He cocked his head at her. “One bite. See, it’s easy.” He twirled the pasta, and brought it to his mouth. “Hmmm,” playing it up with a grin. He twirled a few strands, lifting it to her mouth. “Please,” giving her a boyish plea.
Thrusting his hand away from her face sharply, she said, “I don’t want a bite. I don’t want you here.” She’d been telling him to get out for two days.
Daniel sighed and lipped the fork, sucking in the creamy strands, and then set the fork down. Sitting back in his chair, he stared at her. “Kayla, you have to eat for the baby. You’re starving yourself and him.”
Guilt pinched at her. She snapped up the forked, and quickly spun a forkful, shoving it in. Although her taste buds came to life, so did her anger. “Happy?”
The green of his eyes, lightened. “Yes, now have another.”
She did, but like an obstinate child being forced to eat broccoli.
“Why are you mad at me? I’m not the one who screwed another woman.”
Jerk.
“Angel, we need to get out of here. Staying in this place is reminding you of Austen. Let’s pack up, and get the next flight out of San Diego.”
She slammed the fork down. “I don’t want to leave San Diego. This is my home,” she blurted, and then hiccupped, catching the sob in her throat. Home, frig, where was her home? She was in the middle of goddamn nowhere, as big as a whale with a man’s baby who may have to share his fatherly duties with an Egyptian princess, and sitting with the man who’d tried to murder her. Was there anything more fucked up than her life? “I don’t care what you think of Thane. I want you to pack up your shit, and get out.”
Daniel ran his knuckles gently across her cheek. “Mrs. Lapierre, you are the most beautiful woman I have ever known when you get angry.”
A cry of shock shot out her mouth when Daniel was ripped out of his chair, sprawled on the floor, and the Captain loomed above her. The room was dark except for the candles Daniel had lit on the table. She hadn’t heard a thing.
“Yes, she is, but she isn’t Mrs. Lapierre nor will she ever be again.” Daniel came up swinging, but Thane stopped him with one hand, palming Daniel’s fist, twisting it behind him and thrusting him in the chair at the same time. “Stay or I will break your neck.” Thane reached into his pocket, and slammed an envelope down in front of him. “You have some reading to do.”
She and Daniel shared a look. Thane was vibrating with anger, no doubt seeing Daniel touch her.
Thane pinned a look of pure hatred on Daniel. He reached in his pocket, and dropped a pen across the papers lying on the table. “Sign it or you, I, and a shovel will take a walk, and you won’t be coming back.”
“What are those?” she asked.
“Your divorce papers,” Thane said sharply, taking a sinewy taut step back to lean against the counter. “Sign them, asshole.”
“You have some gall calling him an asshole,” she said, angry that he hadn’t called her for two days, leaving her hanging, but maybe there was a reason. One she didn’t want to swallow whole.
Thane’s eyes shot toward the windows, hurt filling them.
“Who’s the asshole now?” Daniel said, turning a raised brow at him. “Problem with you is your ego is so fucking large it won’t accept anything unless you decide it’s so. You’re so goddamned American, it’s sickening.”
“Screw you, JTF. Here in America we fight for what we believe in. I believe in Kayla and if it wasn’t for the years of abuse you put her through, she’d believe in me.” Thane straightened to a domineering height, towering over both of them. When his hand reappeared, his revolver came with it. The deadly expression on his face stilled them both. “Sign that paper, and I’ll let you walk out of here alive.” When Daniel didn’t move, Thane’s finger grazed the trigger. “You think I’m kidding. I’ll spend the rest of my days in prison, but Kayla will be free of you, one fucking way or another. Sign it!”
Daniel’s nostrils flared, and his body flexed, but slowly his hand crept toward the pen. “This doesn’t change a thing, Austen.” He signed his name then dropped the pen like it burned his skin.
“She’s free. That’s all I care about.”
The sound of boots on the hardwood floor made her turn. “Greg?”
Daniel’s brother stopped a few feet behind them, his expression severe. Wearing his fatigues, he looked like he’d just stepped off the plane. The creases near his eyes were deep with the shadow of the warrior. She recognized the look, he’d always come home with one foot back in civilian life, and one still hovering in combat, and it took a few days before he returned to his old self.
“What the hell do you want?” Daniel asked warily. Greg and Thane exchanged a look. “You fucking bastard,” he spit out in disbelief. “My loyal brother, teaming up with the man who deceived my wife?”
“Get up,” Greg ordered, his stance wide and determined like the Captain’s. “You’re coming with me.”
“We’re both coming,” Daniel said, covering her hand. “Kayla’s coming home.”
Greg’s gaze swept to her. The look in his eyes was resolute, but there was also love. “No she’s not, Daniel. We’re both going to let go.”
“What?” She shot out of her chair. “What do you mean, Greg?”
“Get up,” he roared at his brother.
Daniel stared at her with shock. “It looks to me as if you’re more concerned about my brother than me.”
She ignor
ed him, and crossed the distance to Greg. “I can’t lose you.”
Greg’s gaze dropped to hers and softened. A small wrinkle crossed his brow. “You’re right, there’s no going back. No righting the wrongs, but we can both be happy, and I have to start by letting you go.” He shot a look toward the Captain.
“No,” the word choked in her throat, and tears rushed to her eyes. He was cutting her off, and it scared her beyond belief. “Greg,” a sob vaulted from her throat. “Why? Whatever I did, I’m sorry. Please don’t be mad at me.”
“Kayla,” he gave her a comforting smile, and pressed his lips to her ear. “I’m not mad at you. It’s not forever. We both need to heal, and I have to do it without you. I will never love anyone as much as you, but I can be content. We’ll see each other again, I promise.” He gently wrapped her in his arms, holding her against his chest, resting his chin on her head. The smell of gun oil and dust in his clothes was familiar, but it was being in his arms that made her safe and her world balanced. A gasping cry flew from her throat, and she squeezed the life out of him, as he tried to push her away. “Captain—”
“Isn’t that fucking sweet,” Daniel declared, anger and hate dripping from each word. “I was right all along wasn’t I? Behind my back. How many times did you screw my wife, brother?”
Greg’s eyes hardened. “Not enough, but that’s the shame of it all. I did it too late. I should have fought for her in the beginning, instead of suffering with all the pain you caused both of us, coddling your insecurities, standing beside you while you put us through hell. We never gave up on you, and we let you burn us both to the ground. This time, I’m not letting you do it to either of us. You’re leaving, and you’re leaving Kayla here.”
“You’re on U.S. soil illegally,” Thane finally spoke.
The sound of several boots entered the house, and her head snapped around. Four Master-at-Arms strode in the room accompanied by two men in suits.
One of the men in a dark suit stepped forward. “Daniel Arthur Lapierre, INS Immigration and Naturalization Service. You are in the United States of America illegally with an attempted manslaughter charge on your Canadian record. Please come with us.”
Code Name: Kayla's Fire (A Warrior's Challenge) Page 32