“Damn,” Kellan muttered. “We could’ve identified his victims. Now there’s no way to know how many people he killed over the years.”
“What do you think you’re doing?”
Reed looked up to see a nurse stalking into the room. She pinned Kellan with an evil eye. “He needs that mask on and he needs to rest. He doesn’t need to answer your questions right now, Detective. I told you that not five minutes ago.”
Kellan held up his hands with a guilty smile. “He’s a friend. I was just checking on him.”
“Um hum,” she muttered, reaching for the mask and settling it back over his nose and mouth. Then she checked his vitals and read numbers from the monitor beside his bed, jotting them on his chart. With one more narrowed look that managed to encompass everyone in the room, she spun around and stormed out.
“I guess that’s my cue. I need to get paperwork done on the case. I’ll check back in with you later.” Kellan waved to the others and then departed.
Wyatt picked up the remote and clicked on the television perched high on the wall. He flipped through the channels and then stopped. “Hey, look, it’s your show.”
Just freaking great. What he didn’t need to see. And he couldn’t even tell them to turn it off with the mask covering his mouth, so he was forced to watch. Maybe he’d just check the back of his eyelids for cracks instead.
The door to his room opened. “Knock, knock. Mr. Steele has a very persistent visitor.”
Wyatt clicked off the television and jumped to his feet, following Sawyer to greet his very persistent visitor. He couldn’t see who it was until the person walked further into the room. Finally, she did and his heart soared. Hillary.
He jerked against his bonds, needing to touch her, hold her. His shoulder protested but he didn’t care. Good thing the cuffs were made of padded neoprene or he’d be doing some serious damage to the skin around his wrists...or more damage, he amended. One was already bandaged from where he’d tried to break loose from the chains inside the torture chamber. Sawyer and Wyatt took pity on him and released the cuffs and then she was blessedly, thankfully in his arms.
#
The next time Hillary woke, it was to find her hand engulfed in a large, strong one. A male hand. Reed? She blinked her eyes open. Not Reed. “Quinn!”
“Hey, sis.” Her brother leaned over and hugged her. He smelled like soap and laundry detergent and Quinn. The comforting scent enveloped her, bombarding her with fond memories of home. His blond hair was longer than the last time she saw him and a light stubble graced his masculine face. Bags surrounded his blue eyes. He looked haggard. “How’re you feeling?”
“I’m fine, really, Quinn. You didn’t need to come all the way here.”
He squeezed her hand and eased back to the chair. “Yes, I did. I couldn’t be there the last time you were injured until your recovery. I’m here now but you have to promise me, this is the last time.” His other hand clapped against his chest. “My heart can’t take it.”
She smiled, tears gathering in her eyes. “I can’t promise that, but I will be careful. I’m so happy to see you.”
“I’m happy to see you, too.”
She moved to sit up, thankful to realize the pounding had lessened in her head. Quinn helped her, arranging the pillow behind her back and adjusting the covers.
“Who the hell are you?”
Both of their heads snapped around at the snarled question. Before she could respond, Quinn slowly stood and crossed his massive arms over his chest. “Who the hell are you?”
Reed staggered into the room. With his disheveled hair, bruised face and assorted cuts and bandages, not to mention the cast, he looked threatening and slightly demented. Quinn dropped his arms, his hands curling into fists.
“Guys—”
“I’ll tell you who the hell I am,” Reed rasped, stalking forward. His voice sounded better but it was still damaged. “I’m the man who loves her.”
Quinn’s brows raised and he glanced at her. She smiled sheepishly. “When did this happen?”
“The last few weeks.”
Quinn fixed Reed with an assessing look. “You think you’re good enough for my sister?”
That stopped Reed in his tracks. “Sister?”
“Yeah, asshole.” He stabbed a thumb against his chest. “I’m her big brother. Anyone hurts her, they have to go through me first.”
“Sorry.” Reed held out his hand. “Reed Steele.”
Quinn just looked at it, not making a move to shake. “I know who you are. I watch your show and I was at the game in Chicago when you hit the slam in the bottom of the ninth to clinch the pennant. Hell of a hit. You crushed it.” He crossed his arms again. “Still don’t think you’re good enough for my sister.”
“Quinn—”
Reed dropped his hand to his side, his mouth curving into a smile that looked painful with the busted lip. “I don’t think I am, either, but I’ll do everything in my power to make her think I am.”
That seemed to satisfy Quinn and this time, he held out his hand to Reed and they shook. Hillary’s heart felt close to bursting. The two men who meant the most in the world were here with her and she couldn’t be happier.
Reed moved beside her and leaned down to press a kiss to her lips. “How do you feel?”
“Fine. Ready to go home.” Dread immediately washed over her. The cottage wasn’t her home. With the reno house gone, her job was officially over. Reed would fly back to his life in California. Where did that leave her?
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Four Days Later
Reed held Hillary’s hand as they walked along the beach with Kota. He couldn’t even enjoy the scenery, his mind too full. The past few days had been packed with interviews and meetings and constant demands on their time. They hadn’t had a chance to talk, let alone discuss their future. She didn’t know it yet, but Connie and the network arranged for another beach house to renovate. It would be fast and furious, as they tried to meet the deadline for the summer special. The house was smaller with only one story, two bedrooms and one bath, so they might be able to pull it off. But this one was on the west coast, in Oregon. He had to leave first thing in the morning.
The video of him toting Hillary and Penny out of the burning house had “blown up”, as Kai put it, and gone viral, logging millions of views. He’d been bombarded with interview requests from all around the world. His voice wasn’t completely back to normal, but he could manage. There wasn’t anything he could do about the cuts and bruises, but Connie assured him that they made him look like a superhero. His video, along with the one Tim shot of Hillary taking down Rocky Dixon, had made the two of them a media sensation.
Significant others of two of Hillary’s coworkers were former award-winning newscasters, now partners in a production company. They understood the ins and outs of the media industry and they’d flown over to coordinate everything. Phone calls and requests were routed through their offices. All he and Hillary had to do was show up and talk.
Daniella contacted him after seeing the news coverage. He’d ignored her messages and blocked her calls and texts. When he heard through his agent that she was planning to fly to North Carolina to be with him, he’d reluctantly dialed her number, telling her in no uncertain terms to leave him alone. Hopefully the message penetrated her calorie-deficient brain and it would be the last he heard from her.
Penny’s parents had driven to the island and they reached out to him to thank him for going back for her body even knowing he might be hurt doing so. They were overcome with grief, but thankful that they could give her a proper burial. When Hillary handed them the necklace she found lying on the floor, her mother broke down in heart-wrenching sobs. It’d been their gift to their daughter for her sixteenth birthday.
Reed hadn’t heard if they’d been able to identify the victims they found buried beneath the floor. His heart ached to think of the dozens of families that may never get closure because their loved ones cou
ldn’t be identified. The fire destroyed every piece of evidence, including the one man who knew everything.
He hadn’t even realized they’d stopped walking until Hillary stepped in front of him and wrapped her arms around his waist. He hugged her close, dropping his cheek to her hair and breathing in her scent. He would miss this. He would miss her.
#
Hillary hugged Reed, loving the feel of his strong, muscular body. She snuggled close, inhaling the heady scent that was uniquely Reed. She’d never be able to smell salt air without thinking of him. She could tell something was weighing heavily on his mind. They hadn’t discussed the future and frankly, she had no idea what to do.
Kendall Demarchis, wife of coworker Dorian, and Olivia Larrson, fiancée of coworker Alex Mylonas, flew over to handle the massive interview requests for both her and Reed. Kendall and Olivia were former television newscasters and they now co-owned a production company along with Taylor Costa, Dante’s wife. They arranged everything from interviews to photo ops, both on air and print. Hillary was so thankful for their support. She wouldn’t have been able to handle the requests without them and they’d garnered major exposure for COBRA Securities.
She and Reed were alone for the first time since before the fire. After they’d been released from the hospital, Wyatt had flown Sawyer back and picked up Kendall and Olivia, dropping them off before heading for another assignment. He returned earlier tonight to pick them up, along with Kayla, who had stayed to support her. Even though she and Reed had shared the same bed the last few nights, they’d been too busy recovering and then too worn out from commitments to do anything other than hold each other and fall asleep.
“Connie arranged for us to renovate another house to replace this one.”
She glanced up at him, but his gaze was on the ocean. “That’s good.”
“It’s in Oregon.” He looked down at her. “I have to leave in the morning.”
“Oh.” Air left her lungs in a rush. She knew they’d have to part eventually, she just didn’t think it’d be this soon. She couldn’t seem to pull any air back in.
“Come with me.”
Her heart skipped a beat. She wanted to go with him. So badly. Instead, she smiled sadly. “I wish I could, Reed. But I have Kota, my job, commitments. My brother is there now. I need to get back home.”
He nodded and pulled her close burying her head against his chest. “I know.” They stood that way, holding each other as the waves crashed behind them and the sky gradually darkened. Kota sat patiently at their feet.
They finally made their way back to the cottage. Reed carried her inside and undressed her. He started gently but it soon turned passionate and frenetic. He woke her once during the night and it was slow and tender.
They shared one last walk along the beach in the morning and then showered together, making love with a desperate urgency, before she drove him to the regional airport in Manteo. She waved as the small plane taxied along the runway and picked up speed, lifting in the air. She and Kota watched until it became nothing but a dot and then disappeared from sight.
Saying goodbye to him was the hardest thing she’d ever done.
Kota was subdued on the ride back to the cottage. He knew his buddy was gone, possibly for good. She somehow managed to navigate the roads through tear-filled eyes. She was packing her suitcase when her cell rang and her heart soared. She grabbed her phone off the bed, the smile that lifted her lips at the thought of Reed calling quickly turned upside down. Daniella? Why would Reed’s former girlfriend be calling her? She tentatively lifted the phone to her ear. “Hello?”
“Hi, there, honey, this is Daniella.” She said this as if everyone should know who she was. “I’m trying to reach my boyfriend, Reed. Is he there?”
Boyfriend? She staggered until the backs of her legs hit the mattress and she dropped down. Kota butted against her and plopped his muzzle on her thigh, offering support. She rubbed his head absently. “How did you get this number?”
“I saw from the news coverage that you were there with him during the unfortunate ordeal. Thank goodness, he wasn’t hurt too terribly badly. I can’t get him on the phone so I was hoping you could help me out.”
“I’ll ask again. How did you get this number? It’s not listed.”
“Honey, do you know who I am? I’m Daniella. I can snap my fingers and get anything I want, anytime, anyhow.”
Including Reed.
The words weren’t spoken aloud, but instead implied. The woman was the world’s most famous one-named supermodel. She probably could get anything she wanted, anytime, anyhow. Including Reed.
Epilogue
Using his good arm and Neil’s favorite hammer, Reed pounded the last nail in the wall and hung the ‘Home Sweet Home’ sign, straightening it before turning to face the camera. “And with that, the house is finished and it looks like a million bucks. The crew did an outstanding job and I would like to thank everyone who had a hand in transforming the rundown beach bungalow into a seaside showpiece. That’s it, folks. This renovation is a home run.”
“Cut.”
Reed exhaled and removed his earpiece. He glanced around the inside of the house. It looked amazing. His crew did an incredible job under the time constraints and they’d nailed the deadline. It didn’t have the same hook as Josh Hannigan gifting it to his parents, but it was a damn fine renovation anyway. The network would be happy with the results.
As he did almost every half-hour, he checked his phone, smiling when he saw a text from Kota. Hillary had been sending him pictures of her dog, pretending the messages were from him. Well, he assumed they were from Hillary. Hell, the dog was so smart, he wouldn’t doubt it if she had taught him how to text.
They’d spoken almost every night during the past month. His favorite conversations were via Skype so he could see her sweet face. She’d been assigned another job soon after she returned home. Knowing she was well-trained and could take care of herself didn’t lessen his worry. He didn’t relax until he knew she was tucked safely in bed at night. He just wished he was tucked in with her.
The first few days after he left, their conversations were stilted and tense. He worried that she might be losing interest now that they were apart. After the fourth day, he couldn’t take the awkwardness any longer so he confronted her. He’d been stunned to discover Daniella had contacted her looking for him. The nerve of the woman! If he’d been back in Los Angeles, he would’ve driven to Daniella’s house and confronted her. As it was, he settled for a threatening phone call, informing her that unless she wanted a repeat of the awards show fiasco, she would leave him alone and never so much as breathe in the same air as Hillary. If that hadn’t done the trick, the call from his agent, Will Fontaine, had when he suggested a restraining order and knowledge of its existence leaked to the media. He hadn’t heard from Daniella since.
Over the next week, he worked hard to persuade Hillary that Daniella meant nothing to him. Though she said she believed him, there was a wariness in her eyes that even distance and computer screens couldn’t hide. It took convincing. As far as grand gestures went, a bouquet of roses was about as unoriginal and uninspiring as you could get, but he’d arranged for a huge one to be delivered to her anyway. As much as she claimed she loved the flowers, he was fairly certain it was the gift basket of doggie treats that swayed her.
He’d been sending her sketches of a house, asking her opinion on several aspects of the design. He questioned her on her wants and desires and incorporated them into the plans. She thought it was for his next project…and it was. He was designing their dream home.
When he’d finished the concept, he revealed the drawings via Skype. She’d sighed dreamily. “Oh, Reed, it’s perfect. I have to see the house in person when you’re finished.” He promised she could.
“Brilliant show,” Connie gushed as she raced inside the house to embrace him. “You all did a phenomenal job.” She ran around hugging the entire crew. He waited for her to make h
er way back to him. He needed to have a conversation with her and she wasn’t going to like it. His contract was up for renewal soon and he’d been bombarded with job opportunities from several networks, but he had an idea of his own. He’d had the chance to speak with Kendall and Olivia last month when they arranged the media coverage surrounding the Marty Grimes case. Their production company was small but had a stellar reputation. He wanted to pitch a show to them. It would be similar to his current one, but TKO Productions would produce it…and it would be shot in Bloomington, Indiana.
He hated to part ways with Connie. Not only was she a wonderful producer, she was one of his best friends. But she was a romantic and she’d understand the sacrifice. He’d love to continue working with her, but it’d be impossible when her life was in California. Finally, she circled back around and drew him in for a fierce embrace. “You are a superstar.”
“Connie, we need to—”
She gripped his arms, her eyes narrowed. “You’re doing this to me now? When I’m basking in a finished-show high? You’re leaving me, aren’t you?”
He smiled ruefully. “How did you know?”
“You haven’t been the same the past few weeks. The only time I see happiness in your eyes is when you speak to her. Have you considered asking her to move to LA? There are plenty of opportunities for someone with her talents out there.”
No, he hadn’t even considered it. “Her life is in Indiana. I couldn’t ask her to choose between me and her job, her coworkers. Her brother is there now, too. That’s her life and she’s good at it.”
“She’s amazing at what she does,” Connie agreed. “I expect an invitation to the wedding.”
“Connie, there’s not…” he sighed. “Of course.”
She hugged him fiercely and choked up. “I’m going to miss you.”
“I’m going to miss you, too.”
#
The next few days passed in a blur as Reed returned to Los Angeles, packed up his belongings and arranged to list his condo on the market. The network tried everything to keep him, throwing big money and incentives at him, all of which he’d declined, much to Will’s chagrin. His agent was in the process of a nasty divorce and couldn’t understand why Reed would ruin his career for a woman. Reed assured him that he wasn’t ruining anything. He’d spoken several times with Taylor Costa, Kai’s mom and the third owner of TKO Productions. She’d negotiated a contract for his new show to air on HGTV with TKO Productions producing, all with Connie’s blessing, and reluctantly, Will’s.
Tough as Nails (COBRA Securities Book 10) Page 24