“Did you have no other family?”
The little hitch he heard in her throat gave him a preview of the heartbreak of her next words. “Just my aunt…my dad’s sister. She was at the jail when they brought us back to Nebraska. We were never that close—she was years older than my daddy and lived in another state. Anyway, she made a point of being there that day to tell me I was responsible for her brother’s death, and as far as she was concerned, they could give me the death penalty.”
Lucas cursed softly. No wonder she held herself responsible for everything. Everyone she should have been able to count on had betrayed her and let her down.
“And now Damon Hughes is rotting in jail?” He knew the bastard had burned to death in some kind of prison riot, but asked the question since it was the reasonable one to ask.
“No, he escaped.”
Everything stilled inside him. “What do you mean, he escaped?”
She sighed and moved to get up again. This time he let her. He needed all his faculties about him to hear this. Having McKenna in his arms affected his thinking.
She sat down on the edge of the bed and faced him. “He was sentenced to thirty-five years to life in a maximum-security prison. About a year or so after he was convicted, there was a prison riot. Several inmates died…. It was reported that Damon was one of them.”
“Why don’t you believe that?”
“Because I’ve heard from him.”
“Heard from him how?”
“A few months after I heard he died, he sent me a letter. It wasn’t signed, had no return address, but it was full of facts. Facts only Damon knew. He told me he would forgive me if I came back to him. Said that he was leaving it up to me this time, but he knew where I was and could get to me anytime. He said if I made any kind of friend, had any kind of relationship, he would kill whoever it was. That he was the only person I should love.”
“Did you go to the police?”
Humorless, painful laughter burst from her mouth. “Oh yes, I made a fool of myself. Gave them the letter, told them it had to be Damon. They told me I was probably having psychotic episodes from all the drugs I’d been on or that I was imagining things because of a guilty conscience. They acted as if I was the one who wrote it.”
She shook her head. “I walked out the door and didn’t try anymore. I left town—this was in Seattle…I think.” She frowned as if confused. “I’ve lived in so many places, it’s hard to remember. I lived a year or so in Baltimore, worked at a gym. One of the men there gave me some street-fight training. But then Damon’s people found me again.” A small smile. “The guys who owned the gym beat the hell out of them. I left the city…I knew they’d be back.”
“Have you heard from him since?”
“I didn’t for a long time. Almost three years went by. I thought I was safe…thought he’d finally really died or had forgotten about me. I was living in Memphis, Tennessee. I still had no friends, worked part-time jobs to be able to eat and have a place to stay. I was too afraid to talk to people…I couldn’t take the chance.” She released a shaky breath. “But there was an elderly lady in my apartment building. I came home one day and saw her trying to carry groceries up three flights of stairs. The elevator rarely worked. I helped her carry them to her apartment. The next day she came to my door with a plate of cookies.
“It was the nicest thing anyone had done for me in the longest time.” Her eyes were desolate as she whispered, “I hugged her, thanked her. That was it. Nothing else. The next day she was found dead at the bottom of the stairs. She was eighty-one years old and it was decided that she tripped and fell down the stairs.”
“But you don’t think so?”
“Damon sent me a letter. Told me I was responsible. Said he pushed her down the stairs to punish me. That he had warned me I couldn’t have friends.” She shrugged. “I didn’t bother going to the police. No one had believed me before—why would they believe me then? They still claimed Damon was dead. I was afraid they’d lock me up as some sort of crazy person or, even worse, accuse me of killing her myself.”
She sat there for the longest time without speaking. Finally she started again. “I disappeared once more. This time I did it right. I had made some contacts in Memphis in case Damon ever did try to get to me again. I had fake driver’s licenses, fake passports. I cut my hair off, bleached it, and started wearing tons of makeup. I changed the way I walked and talked, and dressed like a boy. Everything that used to be McKenna, I changed. And then I left the country.”
“And you’ve not heard from him since?”
“No. But I know he’s still out there looking for me.”
“That’s why you stay on the move. Don’t have relationships.”
He didn’t speak the words as questions. He knew that was the reason she refused to allow anything permanent between them. Now that he knew the truth, he planned to make a significant change in her outlook. First he had to find the bastard. And he would.
“It’s just best that I don’t invite trouble. I don’t think he knows where I am, but I can’t risk anyone’s life.”
He wouldn’t argue with her. After what she’d seen, she had no reason to think otherwise. And she was correct. If Damon knew where she was and she had any kind of relationships, he would see those people dead. The bastard had proved that to her.
But there was one thing he had to say. She wouldn’t believe it, but it had to be said. He just hoped to God he wasn’t the first person to say it to her. “McKenna, you know that you’re not responsible for your family’s death, don’t you?”
Her expression was one of shocked disbelief as she shook her head. “Of course I’m responsible, Lucas. I brought that monster into their lives.”
Lucas went to her, kneeled at her feet, and took her hand. “No, Damon Hughes committed those murders. Not you. You were just as much a victim as your family.”
Her head continued to shake. He knew he wouldn’t be able to convince her with that one statement, but he hoped that at some point she could see that she hadn’t been responsible.
Getting to his feet, he pulled her into his arms and whispered, “Thank you for telling me.”
As her head snuggled against his chest, a plan began to form in his mind. One that he knew McKenna would not approve of and would be furious if she knew about. However, if it worked, it was worth the risk. It was damn time Damon Hughes got a taste of his own medicine and received the justice he had coming to him.
thirteen
“I’m glad you’re feeling better,” Noah said. “When will you be ready for a new assignment?”
Her grip on the phone tightened; McKenna chewed her lip in indecision. Truth was, she could handle an assignment now. Other than the need for a couple of extra hours sleep each night, she was completely recovered. She hadn’t worked an op in weeks. She needed to get back on the job before she got rusty. So what was keeping her from telling Noah that she was ready now?
Lucas.
She didn’t want to leave him yet. Yes, she would have to go very soon, but she wanted to wait just a few more days. She had already determined that once she left, she couldn’t come back. It was too dangerous…not only for Lucas but for her heart.
“You there?”
“Yes…sorry. I should be ready in about a week. Will that work for you?”
“Anytime you’re ready, we’ll be ready to have you back. Just give me a call.” The phone went dead.
There had been no censure, no accusation in Noah’s voice. He was telling the truth. Noah didn’t say things he didn’t mean. One of the many reasons she admired him. She might be an official LCR operative, but she was still a free agent. She worked when she wanted to work. All LCR operatives did.
Still, there was guilt. She pushed it away. One week—that was all she had. In seven short days, she would be saying goodbye to Lucas for good.
“Want to take a run?”
McKenna whirled around, no longer startled when Lucas appeared without her
hearing him. She used to pride herself on being able to hear a spider approach—her hearing was nearly that perfect. But Lucas could appear as if from a fog, his footsteps so quiet. She had asked him how he did that, and he had just shrugged it off. Not that it mattered, but she hoped it was because she trusted him so much that he could come upon her without her knowing, as opposed to her skills being less sharp. Staying aware had kept her safe from Damon for eight years and had saved her ass on numerous occasions during ops. She couldn’t afford to lose her advantage.
“Are you all right?”
He had drawn closer to her, and without even knowing she was going to do it, McKenna took a few steps forward, rose up on her toes, and pressed a soft, quick kiss to his beautiful, masculine mouth.
Delight gleamed in his eyes. “What was that for?”
“For everything and for nothing. You’re one of the finest men I’ve ever known, did you know that?”
Something like guilt flickered in his face. She told herself she was being silly. Guilt for what? Maybe her instincts were getting dull. She used to be able to read people very well. Though Lucas was one of the few people she’d had difficulty reading from the beginning. He was so controlled that few emotions were revealed in his expression. Until he smiled…how she loved his smile.
“Your words almost sound like goodbye.”
“You’ve been so generous with your hospitality. I don’t have to leave yet, but I will soon.”
“Why?”
“Because I have a job and you have a life that I can’t be part of.”
“And why can’t you be part of my life?”
She held back a huff of exasperation. The man wasn’t dense. He knew exactly the reason she couldn’t be part of his life. But she gave it to him anyway. “Because you’re a high-profile businessman and billionaire. You’re in the news all the time. I can’t even be seen out in public.”
“So you’re going to be on the run for the rest of your life because of one prick that you don’t even know is still alive?”
“He’s still alive, I’m sure of it. And the last thing I’m going to do is get anyone else involved in my problems. I’d like to stay for a few more days, if that’s okay with you. Or I can leave now.”
Lucas snorted. “But either way, you’re going to leave and you don’t plan on coming back, do you?”
She wrapped her arms around herself, a defensive move she recognized but couldn’t prevent. Lucas had never really questioned her or argued with her. She wasn’t afraid of him, but neither did she want anger between them. Yet she wouldn’t back away from his statement. She couldn’t because it was true.
“That’s right. After I leave here, I won’t be coming back.”
His face was harder than she’d ever seen it as he stared at her for several seconds. Unflinching and resolute, she returned his stare. He might not like her words, but she wouldn’t lie to him. If he wanted her to leave, she would. The thought wrenched her heart, but she refused to put him in any more danger than she already had.
It had been selfish of her to come to him when she was sick; it was even more selfish to stay any longer than she already had. Now it was up to him to decide if she would leave even sooner.
His face relaxed into the beautiful smile she loved. “Stay. I’m sorry I’m such an ass. I know you’re doing what you think is right. I have no right to question you.”
The relief was overwhelming—so much so, she feared she might cry. To prevent that, she said, “How about that run? I’ll go upstairs and change. Be right back.” And run she did, up the stairway before he could see how much he had come to mean to her. How much it was killing her to know she would soon leave him for good.
Lucas watched her disappear up the stairway. Part of him wanted to shake her for being so damned stubborn. The other part wanted to hold her and tell her she never had to worry about Damon Hughes or anyone hurting her ever again. That he would slay every dragon that threatened her safety and happiness. He hoped, one day soon, to be able to give her that assurance.
She would be furious when she discovered his plan. McKenna might have many vulnerabilities; she also had many strengths. One of those strengths was her determination to not involve anyone in her problems. Lucas had tremendous admiration for her courage, but damned if he would just sit on his ass and not help her. Not when he knew he could do something to stop her pain. McKenna had been running from the bastard for eight years. The man had to be stopped.
Opening the French doors, Lucas went out onto the patio. While he waited to be able to implement those plans, he had one other plan. And that was for McKenna to enjoy her time here. Not only was she still recovering from her illness, but he wanted to see her face light up with happiness. The constant worry and sadness in her eyes tore at him. Had she ever taken time off, had a holiday? He already knew the answer. Hell, she refused to go out in public except to get from one place to the other. No way would she go someplace to actually enjoy herself.
He was limited to entertaining her here at the estate. Yesterday they had gone horseback riding. The day before they had played tennis. Today they would take a run and have a picnic on the grounds. Tonight he planned a romantic dinner on one of the private patios facing the lake. McKenna had mentioned it was one of her favorite spots.
They had talked little about her past since she had revealed everything. He had a vague suspicion that McKenna actually knew Damon Hughes’s location but hadn’t told him for fear that he would hire someone to go after him. He wouldn’t do that. McKenna didn’t yet know that he didn’t need to send someone to do the dirty work. Lucas was more than capable of taking care of the dirty work himself.
Minutes after she had told him that Hughes was still alive, Lucas had called his investigator. Myron Phelps’s previous assignment had been to investigate McKenna; his new job was to find Damon Hughes. Once he knew his location, Lucas would then introduce himself to the bastard who had made McKenna’s life a living hell.
Lucas would deal with McKenna’s anger once Hughes was no longer a threat to her. What he absolutely refused to do was sit on his ass and wait for the bastard to finally make a move for her. It was way past time for the stalker to become the stalked.
She took one last bite of her sumptuous dinner, then leaned back into her chair with a sigh. “That was the absolute best meal I’ve ever eaten.”
“You’re sure you’re through? You’ve only had three servings of everything.”
McKenna laughed. “You’re only jealous because I took the last of the potatoes.”
“Not true. I’m upset because you took the last piece of chicken.”
“Hey, I’m still recovering. I need to get my strength back.”
He smiled. “I’d say you’re well on your way.”
She looked out at the beautiful night, the lake gently glittering under the bright moonlight, the soft sounds of nature in the background. Everything was lovely. The man across from her made it all the more so. She turned back to him and asked, “Why are you so good to me?”
“Because you deserve the best of everything. And because you’re very easy to be good to.”
“How so?”
“Simple things please you. A good meal, a walk in the rain, a warm fire, and a challenging game of chess.”
She laughed again. “You’ve just described the most boring person in the world.”
“No, not boring. You like the simple things in life. You take joy in them.”
“Tell me about growing up with this kind of wealth. Is it difficult?”
“That’s another thing I like about you. Most people might assume that since my family was wealthy, things were easy.”
“I don’t think anyone gets through this life easily. Some might have more advantages here and there, but we all struggle in our own way.”
“You’re wise beyond your years.”
“And you’re prevaricating.”
Accepting that she wouldn’t let it go, Lucas sighed and began speaking
in a reflective tone. McKenna couldn’t help herself—even as she listened to his words, she had to close her eyes and enjoy his voice. How she loved to hear him talk.
“I loved my father. He had his faults, but he was a good man. Losing my mother was difficult for him. Even though she died long before I was even aware of anything, I sensed a deep loneliness in him. We were close, but I always knew there was something missing in him, an emptiness I couldn’t reach. A void he could never fill. There were so many times I’d find him in his study just staring at her portrait displayed over the mantel.”
McKenna had seen the portrait. Merry Kane hadn’t been a beautiful woman so much as she’d had a liveliness about her. Her name had been apt. Even though it was a portrait, the artist had captured the mischievousness and love of life in her eyes. She looked not only spirited but also as though she would have been a delight to know.
“Do you think that’s why your dad married so many times?”
“I actually think he was looking for the exact opposite of my mother because he knew no one could ever replace her in his heart.”
McKenna sighed. That was just about the most romantic thing she’d ever heard.
“You’re not going to sleep in the middle of one of my stories, are you?”
She blinked her eyes open. Too embarrassed to tell him that his voice made her want to melt onto the floor in a pool of sheer want, she shook her head. “No, just feeling extremely relaxed.”
“Take a walk with me?”
“Only if you don’t mind if I take my shoes off.”
“Are your shoes bothering you? Did I get the wrong size?”
Lucas had not only taken care of her and fed her but clothed her. She had arrived with a pair of jeans, three T-shirts, underwear, and running shoes. That was almost three weeks ago. After much haranguing, she had agreed to let him get a few things for her. And what had he done? He had bought her a new wardrobe. Dresses, skirts, blouses, and pantsuits. And shoes, all different styles and kinds of shoes. McKenna hadn’t been this dressed up in years. She felt so feminine, so girly.
Last Chance Page 15