“Does Drake have anything to do with this?” he snapped. “I can promise you, I’ll crush him. He won’t work in Hollywood again.”
She gasped. “No. Oh, no. This has nothing to do with him.”
Although anger simmered in him, Robert kept a lid on it. He didn’t need to come on too strong, but he needed the time to change her mind back to wanting to marry him.
He hoped understanding filled his eyes. “All right. We’ll put the marriage on hold—for now. I realize you need time to recover. Let’s go home.” He clasped her hand over the table. “I was devastated when I lost you.” He stroked her finger. “Your ring?”
“I’m sorry, Robert. As you know, it was loose. Unfortunately, I lost it.”
“That’s all right. What really counts is that you’re back safely.”
Actually, he was more worried about something else she might have lost, but he couldn’t say it. “Let’s go home. I need you, the company needs you, but more importantly, you need to recover.”
“But I. . . . I can’t leave just yet.”
“Why not?”
Her face reddened. “I’d like to say good-bye to Alex."
Him again. Keeping his spiraling anger and jealousy in check, he gave her a peck on the cheek. He could be a piece of furniture for all she seemed to care.
“Let’s make it quick, Kelly. I have the plane standing by.”
* * *
After Kelly and Hillyard re-entered the hotel rooms, Alex’s jaw tightened at the older man’s smug expression . . . as if Kelly was already his for the taking. Had they discussed wedding plans over dinner?
Kelly stepped forward. “Good-bye, Alex,” she said stiffly. “Take care of yourself.”
Ignoring Hillyard, who would be able to hear every word that was said, Alex clasped her cold fingers and tried to read her thoughts. “We’ve had some adventure, haven’t we? Do you look forward to going home?”
“Yes,” she whispered, but she didn’t seem happy. Why was she going to L.A. with Hillyard, instead of to England with him?
Sighing, he knew he could never give her the commitment she needed, and she deserved the best in life. Maybe a clean, swift break was what they both needed, to make leaving each other easier, but those tears shining in her eyes almost undid him.
He touched her cheek. “I owe you everything. You saved my life.”
“You saved mine—too many times to count—so I think we’re even.”
He nodded. “We were a good team, love.”
“We were. I’ll never forget you.” He hated the tears brimming in her eyes, and the ones he felt pricking his own.
Not caring what Hillyard thought, Alex pulled her close. He didn’t like the guilt that burned his gut. “Please, be happy. We’ve made it back.” He breathed in the sweetness of her hair and wanted to recapture her the way she’d been on their island, soft, sensual, loving, and giving. God help him, but he wanted to kiss her one last time. He cupped her chin, his gaze dropping to her full lips.
Hillyard cleared his throat. “Let’s go, Kelly. The plane’s waiting.”
Alex mustered all of his restraint and released her. She turned away from him. He wanted to reach out, force her to look at him, and make her realize this scene was tearing them both up.
This had not turned out at all as he’d planned . . . with her leaving without him. Perhaps he should have stressed to her they could take their relationship one day at a time. They could go on as they had been and see what happened. All she had to do was tell Hillyard she wasn’t going with him. Why didn’t she tell him?
Then the knowledge came back to him like a roar. If Vanessa wasn’t lying . . . If for once in her bloody life she was telling truth—he was still legally married. His offer to Kelly to live with him would never work for her now.
Speaking of the witch, Vanessa sauntered into the room, waving a magazine in her hand. “Well, you both are an overnight scandal. This won’t do at all.”
Kelly reached her hand for the magazine, but Vanessa arrogantly retracted the paper from her grasp and thrust it toward Hillyard. “Why, Robert, I thought you might like to read this one first.”
Alex read the caption: Adultery in Paradise: Vanessa Caine's Husband and Embezzler’s Daughter Marooned on a Tropical Island.
The color drained from Kelly’s face.
Vanessa handed another magazine to Alex. “And this one’s even worse. My name is only mentioned in small print.” Alex didn't comment and handed the magazine to Kelly.
Biting her lip, Kelly flipped to the article. “It’s just like when my father died.” Her hand shook as she thrust the magazine back at Alex and whirled away. “Robert, I’m ready to go now.”
Alex frowned. He couldn’t let her go this way, being devastated. “Kelly, they’ll be on to something else next week.”
“Or perhaps she’ll be the next slut of the century for the tabloids,” Vanessa quipped.
“Shut up, Vanessa.” Alex stepped toward Kelly and addressed her back. “The press really will be on to something else soon. However, I’m worried about your safety. If you ever need anything, you can count on me. I’m only a plane ride away.”
When Kelly began to turn, Hillyard caught her around the shoulders. “That won't be necessary, Drake. After her parents were brutally murdered, I stepped in. And I’ll take care of her now, just as I did then. Come on, Kelly.”
She didn’t look at Alex again. He met the older man’s gaze, in mutual dislike, before Hillyard escorted Kelly out into the hall.
Alex followed and watched them leave. He reached out his hand to stop her, but he couldn’t move.
She was walking out of his life forever. That realization shook him and squeezed his heart.
He hastily brushed the moisture from his eyes.
Chapter Sixteen
After returning to Los Angeles, Kelly moved into her aunt’s townhouse and resumed her job at Cochran Investments. Over the past month, she welcomed the numbness that dulled her heartbreak over losing Alex. She hadn’t heard one word from him, which was probably for the best. She couldn’t be just his friend. He had moved on, and she needed to do the same—even though pain twisted like a knife in her heart every time she thought about him.
Kelly tapped the tip of her pen against her lips and stared at the computer as she went over the accounts again. The company was in even worse shape than she had previously thought. They weren’t even close to the nine million dollars needed to repay Robert’s loan. In a month, unless she asked him for another extension, the company would be forced to file bankruptcy. Now, with their engagement called off—although she wasn’t sure Robert had actually accepted that—she wasn’t sure if he’d give her more time.
With a brief knock, Tammy strode into the office. “You left a message to see me?”
Kelly gazed up from her desk. “Yes, I couldn’t find the general ledger from just before my father died, or any other records he might have left.”
Her face defiant, Tammy clamped her hands on her hips. “You don’t need to be concerned with old history.”
Anger simmered at these constant attempts to thwart her. This time Kelly stood and glared at Tammy. “Why, yes, I do.”
Tammy clamped her arms over her chest. “I’ll have to speak to Robert first.”
“At the moment, Tammy, this is still my company.”
Robert sauntered into the room. “Problems?”
“I’d like to see the old books. But your assistant thinks it’s unnecessary. I have so little time left to clear my dad’s name.”
A frown furrowed his forehead. “Kelly, why don’t you let me take care of everything? You should be home resting.”
Kelly clenched her hands. “Don’t patronize me, Robert. Dad wouldn’t steal, so I need to find out what happened. At the time of his death, I’d been too young to even think the evidence could be at the company, right under my nose.” She whirled on Tammy. “You were his secretary. Did he leave any personal records, letters . .
. a journal? Anything?”
Tammy pursed her lips. “No. And I went over every record with the police.”
“See, Kelly, it’s all been analyzed.”
“I want to see for myself.”
Robert sat in the chair across from Kelly’s desk. “Tammy, bring her whatever books and documentation she wants.”
His assistant’s lips compressed, then she strode out of the office.
Kelly dropped into her chair. “She’s hiding something from me.”
He snorted. “She’s not a conspirator, if that’s what you’re thinking. More likely, she’s concerned you’re pointing a finger at her.”
“But I’m not—”
“She thinks you are. And dwelling on the past is not going to get us anywhere. Tammy’s concerned about the company. She lost money, too.”
Kelly drew in a sharp breath. “Even she’s owed money?” she asked, her shoulders drooping.
He nodded. “As soon as we get the books, we’ll go over them together.”
“No, Robert. I want to take them to Aunt Kaye’s house. I want to do this . . . alone.”
A wave of discomfort crossed his features. She winced, but he had to know they weren’t right for each other. Now, with the hurt he must feel, she couldn’t even bring up the topic about a loan extension.
Robert dipped his head. “All right.” He gave her a wan smile, while waving a tabloid magazine at her. “I wanted to give you this. Someone left it on my desk and is deliberately trying to irritate me.”
Kelly’s stomach tightened into a ball. Tammy.
“You can’t imagine, how I hate to see your picture with Drake’s. And now, they’re spewing how romantic and heroic your time was with him, as if you were on some grand adventure.”
“What?” Although reluctant to read how well Alex was doing without her, she took the magazine from Robert’s hand. The earliest tabloids had ripped them to shreds. Calling their disappearance a publicity stunt for Alex. Some even accused her of trying to escape her financial obligations. Others charged they were on a vacation having a steamy love affair at the expense of Alex’s wonderful wife.
“You haven't seen them?”
“No.” After a painful glance at Alex’s picture, she returned the tabloid to Robert.
He leaned toward her. “Let’s put an end to these senseless rumors you had an affair with Vanessa’s husband. Marry me.”
Kelly cringed at this reminder that Alex had not really been divorced when they’d made love. “Listen to me, Robert. I’m sorry if this hurts you, but I can’t marry you.”
His face darkened. “I promised myself I’d give you time to get back to normal. Let’s not even discuss this . . . but you’ve got to know, you’re not safe in L.A. I want to take you to the ranch.”
“Of course I’d love to see my old home. But at the moment, I need to be here.”
“You’ll have computer access.”
“I’ve done nothing wrong. I won’t hide out like I’m a criminal.”
“People think you’ve benefited—”
Tammy strode through the door. Her face held a calm expression and betrayed nothing more than the dutiful assistant when she placed two leather-bound ledgers on Kelly’s desk.
“Come on, Tammy. Let’s leave Kelly to her work.” Robert quickly escorted his assistant into the hallway.
For an hour, Kelly poured through the files and discovered the incriminating evidence that implicated her father. Before the plane crash, over a six-month period, her father had made ten, large, withdrawal transactions.
Releasing a ragged breath, she gathered her laptop and the heavy books and headed for the elevator. As soon as she stepped into the nearly empty parking garage, a tingle ran up her spine. How foolish she’d been to stay so late and not leave with the usual five o’clock crowd.
She hurried toward her car, then halted in her steps. Twenty feet away, the man who had attacked her months ago in her apartment, sat on the curb. With greasy hair and wearing a dirty t-shirt, he sneered up at her.
Fear pumped in her heart and she backed away. He jumped to his feet and lunged for her. She tossed the books at him and fumbled for the pepper spray on her key chain. A steady stream hit his shirt. He jumped backwards.
“Kelly,” Robert shouted. His voice and footsteps echoed as he ran across the parking garage.
Her attacker shook his fist at her. “Next time, bitch.” Then he turned to run in the opposite direction and disappeared down the ramp.
Shaking uncontrollably, she didn’t have the strength to refuse Robert when he pulled her into his arms.
Her cheek rested against his jacket as she mumbled, “I was stupid to think these attacks were over. It’s never going to be over.” How utterly alone she was in this mess. The thought overwhelmed her and she choked back a sob to keep from breaking down.
He squeezed her tightly and pressed his lips to her temple. “That’s why you need me. I’ll protect you.”
Alex had moved on with his life. She’d never be able to repay everyone without Robert’s help.
* * *
A week later, across the globe in an English, country house, Alex sat in his study thumbing distractedly through a stack of scripts. Surprisingly, two of them were great roles. With a heavy sigh, he tossed down the last of the brandy in his glass. He should make a decision on what work to accept, but instead, all he could think about was Kelly. He missed her in his life, missed waking beside her in the morning and sharing their days. He blew out a deep breath. All he had to remind him of her were pictures in the stack of tabloids and magazines that lay on his desk.
Although he was finally recovering, this past month had sped by in a blur of sheer hell. He’d endured fever, infection, and pain. When his shoulder hadn’t healed properly, he had surgery. He flexed his still-aching arm, but at least he was out of the sling and off the pain pills.
The worst of it, his agent had pleaded with him not to go to the courts to straighten out the mess of his divorce, not while his popularity was rising.
“Wait,” Paul had insisted.
And Vanessa? He exhaled an exasperated breath. He couldn't manage to get a divorce from her. Ironically, people thought he’d married her for money. He wouldn’t get anything from her in the divorce settlement. And he’d discovered he hadn’t been the only thing she wanted when she’d tricked him into marriage. She wanted his home, and he wouldn’t let her have it.
This ancient pile of stone and bricks had been in his family for over two hundred years. Until recently, it took more money than he made to pay the taxes and maintain the manor house he loved from further decay. If he lost the house, it would be a blow to his family and his heritage. Now, with his income from The Spy, and new work on the horizon, he could begin the much needed restoration projects.
His thoughts returned to Kelly, and he blew out a deep breath. Was she happy and living with Hillyard? At an image of Hillyard laying his hands on her, jealousy ripped through Alex. He drained the rest of the brandy and lobbed the snifter into the fireplace. The glass shattered and the fire flared.
His vision blurry, he realized his life was out of control. Perhaps drinking this past week to forget Kelly hadn’t been such a good idea. He stumbled to the couch and stretched out on his back to sleep off his over indulgence. Tomorrow he’d get his life together and think of what he should do.
When the door was flung open with a bang, he lifted one eyelid.
“Hello, darling.” Vanessa flounced into the study, wearing a barely-buttoned red silk blouse, a short, black leather skirt, and boots. The tray in her hand held a bottle of champagne and fluted glasses.
“Why are you here?” He struggled to sit, but didn’t have the strength to get up. Had he consumed so much brandy?
She sat on the edge of the couch and brushed the hair away from his eyes. “Did you forget we’re still married?”
He rasped, “Get the hell out of my house.”
“Yours?” she asked with a shake of
her head. “No, darling, while you were gone, I paid for expensive repairs to the roof, or this place would be falling down. You owe me, bucko.”
“I’ll get your bloody money. Now get out.” His eyes drifted closed. He didn’t even have the strength to lift his hand to force the witch out.
“Don’t you dare fall asleep on me. It’s not money I want . . .”
“Vanessa, forget it . . . No.”
“I know what your problem is—Kelly Cochran. You might as well get over her. She and Robert married several days ago.”
The news hit Alex like a sledgehammer. “Married?”
“You insisted you two were only friends,” she said, her voice laced with heavy sarcasm. “Or else I would have told you sooner. Right now, Robert is probably giving her exactly what I want.”
His sluggish brain wouldn’t accept that Kelly was married. “You’re lying. And whatever you did to stop our divorce, I’ll find out.”
She laughed and gripped his cheek. “I still remember our time together. Alex, I’m telling you now, I won’t let you publicly humiliate me with this divorce.” The last words he heard her saying, “I didn’t go from a filthy tenement house to becoming a major star by playing fair.”
* * *
Hours later, a beam of light fell through a crack in the heavy, velvet curtains, illuminating the darkened room. Shivering, Alex pressed his fingertips to his throbbing temples. His stomach heaving, he raised his head. He lay on the floor, with only a blanket for warmth—naked.
Bloody hell. How did he end up this way? And what a horrible nightmare? He’d actually dreamed Vanessa had attacked him in his study. He squinted at the clock. Eleven a.m. He recoiled. He never slept this late.
He staggered into the bathroom. Maybe he’d learned his lesson about drinking to forget Kelly. Swaying, he put his hand on the sink and peered at his bloodshot eyes in the mirror. He gaped at the red-lipstick on his cheeks. Further evidence that Vanessa had been here trailed down over his chest, his stomach and lower in bright red smudges . . . Bile rose in his throat.
Trembling, he stepped into the shower and scrubbed his body, allowing warm water to beat down and remove all traces of her.
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