“You mean Devon and this LCR person Eden are one and the same?”
Jordan nodded, fighting a grimace. Hell, even a mere head movement hurt. He'd been in this bed for almost two weeks now and it still felt as if a meteor had landed on his chest. Today was the first day he'd been halfway coherent and immediately asked for Eden, only to be told by Samara that so far, Noah had been his only visitor. Where the hell was Eden?
Eyes wide with surprise, Samara shook her head. “How is that even possible?”
“LCR saved her life years ago. She became an operative for them.”
“When did you find out?”
“Right before I got shot.” He saw no reason to explain how incredibly stupid he'd been. The most important thing right now was finding Eden and making sure she was all right.
“But didn't you recognize her?”
“It's a long story, but she had plastic surgery … looks completely different.”
“She's the reason we broke up, isn't she?”
A pang, having nothing to do with his wound, clawed at him. Lovely and fresh, Samara stood bravely in front of him. She'd come here because the hospital had called her. Months ago, he'd put her name on his emergency contact card and had forgotten to change it. Without any hint of anger, she'd sat by his bed for two weeks. Her presence had nothing to do with her hope that they'd somehow get back together, and everything to do with the character and heart of Samara Lyons.
“I fell in love with her. I'm sorry, Samara.”
Though her mouth trembled slightly, she managed a smile. “Falling in love isn't something someone plans. It just happens.”
“I never meant to hurt you.”
“I'm glad you found her again. I don't think you could have ever been truly happy until you did.”
“You're right, but now, where the hell is she?”
“Is there anyone I can call and ask? Do you want me to go to her house or apartment?”
“Noah knows. I called him earlier. He wouldn't tell me anything.”
Her entire body stiffened. “Is there anyone else I can call?”
“You don't like Noah?”
“He's a jerk.”
“Can't argue with that.”
With a deep, resigned breath, Samara said, “What's Eden's address? I'll go there first and see if I can find her. If I can't, tell me where I can find Noah McCall, but don't expect me to be nice to him. He doesn't inspire niceness.”
Jordan grinned. “Can't argue with that, either.”
Noah glared at the screen. He was no closer to finding Bennett than he had been a month ago. It was like the creep had dropped off the face of the earth. And the bastard who worked for him had gone with him. He had to find them. Not completing this particular mission was not only unacceptable, it was incomprehensible.
The buzzer on his desk sounded, telling him he had company on the way up. He had no appointments until tonight, but Angela would only allow LCR people inside. He clicked off the screen he'd been staring at for hours. Pushing back his frustration, Noah stood and waited for his visitor.
Samara Lyons entered without knocking. Wearing a pale blue dress and a determined look, she was even lovelier than the last time he saw her.
“How the hell did you get past Angela?”
With a shrug of her slender shoulders, and an easy, feminine grace, she glided into the room as if she belonged there. “I told her I had a message from Jordan I needed to deliver in person. She showed me how to get in, and here I am.”
Thousands of dollars worth of security and all she'd had to say was one sentence? And he thought he was good at manipulating people.
“Ever heard of a phone? Whatever Jordan has to say, he could have called.”
“He did. You wouldn't tell him anything.”
“And I'll tell you the same thing in person. I'm not getting involved in his and Eden's business. When he gets out of the hospital, he can go after her. I'm out of it.”
Hands on her hips, Samara advanced toward him like a mother bear protecting her cub. “According to Jordan, you're the one who brought them together again. Seems pretty damn convenient for you to stay out now that it's gotten messy.”
“Darlin', you don't know what messy is. I'm just trying to keep a promise to Eden. No more interfering. She told me to stay the hell out of her life. That's what I'm doing.”
Luscious lips trembled and tears misted her eyes. Noah took half a step toward her and stopped, fighting the bizarre urge to wrap his arms around her in comfort. What the hell was he thinking?
“I don't think Jordan's going to get better until Eden can be found.”
“Why do you care so much? He stomped on your heart.”
She flinched at his bluntness but tilted her chin bravely. “Because I care enough about him to want him to be happy, no matter what.”
“Jordan's a lucky man to have two women who care so much for him.”
“If Eden cares about him so much, then why isn't she with him?”
“That's something she'll have to explain herself … to Jordan.” Noah went past her and headed to the door. “Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a receptionist to fire.”
Hands on her hips, Samara whirled around and glared. “Don't you dare fire Angela. She's got a little brother and sister to support. Her mother's in poor health, and her father just lost his job. She needs this work.”
“Now, how the hell do you know so much about Angela?”
“I had a little chat with her before I came up. She's a sweet young woman and you'd be an ass to fire her.”
He shot her a cocky smile, figuring it would irritate her even more. “Wouldn't be the first time.”
“That's about the first thing I've heard you say that I actually believe.”
“Smart girl.” He opened the door. “I really do have some work to do.”
She didn't move. “You're not going to fire her, are you?”
“No, I won't fire her. Happy now?”
A brief flicker of devastation swept across her expressive face, and Noah saw what she'd been desperately trying to hide. This poor girl had a broken heart and instead of going back home to nurture her crushed feelings, she'd stayed here, doing her best to help the man she loved find the woman he loved. That took a hell of a lot of courage.
Since he couldn't tell her where Eden was, he did the next best thing. “Tell Jordan that Eden is on assignment. I'll let him know as soon as she comes back.”
As if she knew she'd allowed him to see a part of her she wanted to keep hidden, she nodded and walked out the door. Halfway to the elevator, she stopped. Her slender body tense as if expecting a blow, she asked without turning, “Does she love him, Mr. McCall?”
“Yes, she loves him very much.”
“Thank you,” she whispered before disappearing into the elevator.
Noah stared at the closed elevator for the longest time, the unfathomable longing to go after her and offer comfort almost a compulsion. Finally coming to his senses, he shook his head and returned to his office, determined to put the woman and her heartache out of his mind.
An hour later, he had no explanation for staring at a blank screen, his mind still on the spirited and beautiful Samara Lyons.
“Dammit, Noah, tell me where the hell she is.” Taut fingers dug into the leather as Jordan gripped the edge of the chair. It was all he could do to stand up, he was so damned weak. But if Noah didn't spill his guts soon, he planned to find enough energy to beat the information out of him.
Noah sat slumped in his chair, once again in control of other people's destiny. Jordan was determined his and Eden's destiny escaped his interference. First he had to find her.
“Eden told me to stay out of her life and that's what I'm trying to do, which includes telling people her location. She's on a job. When she comes back, go see her at her apartment.” He pushed his chair back and glared at Jordan, as if he had a right to be angry. “I'm out of it.”
“It's been a month. I'm not goi
ng to wait any longer.”
“She'll be back in a few days. You can wait that long.”
Jordan played his trump card. “If you don't tell me where she is, I'll see if Samara can get it out of you.”
The man actually looked horrified, as Jordan figured he would. It was a lie, of course. Samara had left several days ago at his insistence. Nevertheless, it was damned funny to see his threat provoke such a strong response. Noah McCall had finally run across someone he couldn't manipulate.
When Samara returned from confronting Noah in his office, she'd announced that the head of LCR had to be the biggest SOB she'd ever come across.
Jordan had never seen this side of Samara, hadn't known it existed. He'd always seen her as a sweet, uncomplicated woman. How intriguing that Noah brought out these hidden depths.
The thought that Noah McCall had finally found his nemesis in Jordan's former girlfriend was damned funny. But the humor he'd found in that hadn't lasted long. As days passed, Jordan knew Eden wasn't coming back.
Noah shook his head. “I can't risk it, man. Even if you sic that fiery little virago on me—which, by the way, I'd never forgive you for—Eden's in a delicate situation right now. Having her distracted …”
“Eden's a professional and you know it. She wouldn't—”
“She's not the same as she was.”
The blunt statement put a fresh stab of pain in his heart. “What do you mean?”
“I mean I thought she had ice in her veins before … well, until you came here and rattled her. But now, it's like she's on automatic … no emotion, no fire. She's just there.”
Jordan forced his shaky legs to move around to the front of the chair. Slumping into the soft cushion, he breathed out a ragged sigh. He'd gotten out of the hospital two hours ago, against doctor's orders, but he couldn't wait any longer. Every day he'd hoped to see her face, had hoped that what ever reason had made her leave had been resolved and she would reappear. That had never happened.
Noah's frequent visits to the hospital had been no help, other than to confirm she'd left town on assignment and she'd told him to never interfere in her life again.
“You picked a damn convenient time to develop scruples about playing God. You know I could just come over there and kick your ass.”
“Man, you don't look like you could kick the ass of a baby flea.”
Jordan leaned back and closed his eyes. He was right about that. After two operations, and then a setback of pneumonia, he was lucky to be alive. But, he'd never be truly alive until he was with Eden again.
Noah let out an explosive sigh. “I'm going to regret this, I know. In fact, since you can't do it, Eden'll probably come and kick my ass for you.”
Jordan sat up. Now he was talking.
“She's in Las Vegas.”
“What's she doing there?”
“Domestic dispute turned nasty, then nastier. Billionaire husband kidnapped the kids … basically holding them for ransom till the wife signs divorce papers, giving her less than she wants. Wife didn't want any press, so she called us.”
Jordan stared at him in disbelief. “You're telling me it's taken a month to get this done?”
“Not at all. This'll be Eden's third assignment in four weeks.”
“Hell, Noah, she's going to burn out with that kind of schedule.”
“I know. So what're you going to do about it?”
Jordan relaxed into his chair, feeling for the first time as though something was finally happening. “That depends. You got room for another LCR operative?”
A genuine smile spread across McCall's face. “Yeah, I think we can accommodate one more. You got anyone in mind?”
Jordan pushed himself up to stand. “Yeah, Eden St. Claire's husband … but only after an extensive honeymoon break … say about a month?”
“A month! You want to spend a month alone with Eden? Man, you must be in love with her.”
Figuring that was pretty damn obvious, Jordan didn't bother to comment. “Tell me about this assignment. Is Eden getting the kids back for the mother?”
“Yeah, but neither of them deserves the kids. He's mean, the wife's meaner.”
“You said it was a delicate situation. What's so delicate about it?”
Amusement sparkling in his eyes, he turned a monitor around so Jordan could read the screen. It was an email from Eden to Noah, with today's date.
Noah, neither parent deserves these kids. I'm keeping them.
Jordan looked at Noah. They both burst out laughing.
twenty-six
Eden meandered through the casino, the musical clang of slot machines intermingling with the din of desperate and excited voices created a cacophony of blurred noise. Smoke stung her eyes; the stench of alcohol, unwashed bodies, and too much perfume blended into a nauseating odor. She ignored it. Though she could have gone through the lobby to get to her room and skipped this mass of people, she didn't really want to reach her room so soon. All that waited for her was an empty bed and another lonely night.
She'd just delivered two beautiful children back to the greedy clutches of their mother, against her better judgment. What she'd emailed Noah had been correct, neither parent deserved those precious children. But they legally belonged to the Baxters. So she'd returned them, but not without a stern lecture to both parents about allowing their children to become pawns. Though they'd had the grace to look ashamed, Eden figured that shame would only last until the next time one of them wanted something from the other.
She had a flight back to Paris tomorrow, but was seriously considering rescheduling it. Not that Vegas held that much appeal to her, but she had no real desire to return home.
Jordan would be leaving the hospital any day now, according to Noah's last report. She knew he'd had a tough time and though she desperately wanted to be there with him, it wasn't her place. Jordan had someone to hold and comfort him. He certainly didn't need her around to complicate things.
When she'd left the hospital after seeing Jordan's fiancée, she'd gone home and packed. She'd called Noah on the way to the office and told him she wanted an assignment. He'd been full of questions, of course. She'd refused to discuss anything with him other than assignments, demanding once and for all that he stay out of her life.
She'd met him at the office, grabbed the information, and stalked out. No words had been exchanged. He'd tried without success to talk with her. She ignored him. At some point, she'd have to forgive him. After all, he was her best—make that, only—friend. But for now, she needed distance and time. Her assignments had given her that.
Now this one was over and though she could return to Paris and get another one, for the first time ever Eden was thinking about taking time off. But did she want to stay here or find another place to lick her wounds?
Abruptly, she noticed a tall, beefy security guard eyeing her with suspicion. Since she'd just been standing in the middle of the room, staring into space, he probably thought she was either high on drugs or planning a casino heist. Who knew?
With as much excitement as one would face the guillotine, Eden pulled a twenty from her purse and stuck it into a slot machine. The mindless activity kept her busy. What was Jordan doing now? Was he out of the hospital? Was he headed back to the States? Did he wonder what happened to her, or now that he knew the truth, did he consider everything over?
Though she never got the opportunity to apologize for her deceit, she wasn't masochistic enough to contact him. Everything was over and done with. He would get on with his life and she with hers.
As the slot machine greedily swallowed the last of her money, Eden rose. There was no reason to stay and lose more. Maybe she'd take a hot bath, or order an ice-cream sundae and watch a movie.
Sitting on a stool close to the entrance, Jordan had seen her when she first drifted into the crowded casino. Beautiful and much too slender, she wore a simple, light green sleeveless dress and stood out like a fragile swan among overblown peacocks. Fragile. A word h
e never thought he'd use to describe this beautiful, gutsy woman. His heart literally ached.
He'd watched her stand in the middle of the casino and stare at nothing for almost ten minutes, seemingly lost in thought. Then when a security guard frowned at her, she hurriedly sat down and began to play a machine.
He didn't like any of it. The lifeless look in her eyes, the slight slump of her shoulders, and he sure as hell didn't like the meek way she'd looked at the guard. The old Eden would have arched an arrogant brow or winked at him.
Noah was right. She wasn't the same. And he still didn't know what had happened, but he'd bet his last nickel he was solely responsible for it. When had he not caused this woman heartache? Had she left because of the way he treated her when he confronted her about being Devon? He'd been deliberately cruel. Said things it would take a thousand years to forgive himself for. How long would it take Eden to forgive him? Would she forgive him?
Why hadn't she stayed so they could talk about what happened? Why couldn't she have called him the bastard he was, bashed his head in, and then forgiven him?
Jordan followed slowly behind Eden as she headed for the bank of elevators. He waited until she got on an elevator and then took a different one. He'd already been in her room … had a few things prepared for her. Well aware he was taking an awful chance with her, he didn't see any other alternative. She might still be hurt about how he'd treated her. If she was, his plan might screw everything up. But he wasn't giving up on her and if this was the only way, he'd take the chance. He couldn't fix the problem until he knew what the problem was.
Admittedly, he was hanging his hat and heart on one vague memory of the day he was shot. Though his brain had been fogged with medication and the pain in his chest felt as though a herd of elephants had stampeded over it, he remembered Eden's soft lips kissing his cheek as she told him she loved him … had always loved him.
Tonight he would find out.
When he got off the elevator, Eden stood at her door, her head bent as she rummaged around in her purse looking for her key card. She had no awareness of her surroundings. If someone came at her from the back … Jordan didn't even want to contemplate what could happen. This was so unlike her, to be unfocused this way.
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