Dan stirred, and Graham went to his side. “Stay still, I’m calling the authorities. I’ll tie this last one up, and Sylvia and I will get out of here. You can take all the glory.” He touched Dan’s shoulder. “Don’t mention me to anyone. I don’t work for you all, remember, never, ever again.”
Dan nodded. His eyes were swollen almost shut, and his lips were cut. One arm hung limp by his side.
“I understand,” he gasped. “Have a happy life.”
Graham flipped open his phone to call the police. “When are you getting out of this crazy business?” he asked Dan.
Dan shrugged. “Some of us are addicted.” He took the phone from Graham and spoke to the police then snapped it shut and gave it back. “They’re on the way.”
Sylvia had watched for others while Graham tied up the last guy. Then she and Graham hurried out the way he and Dan had come in. They hid in the shrubbery as a police car flew by and then walked the last block to the car.
“I promised Gina I’d have you at the hotel for breakfast,” Graham said to Sylvia. “But I think we’d better stop by the hospital first.”
“No, they’d have too many questions. We need to get out of Italy. I’ll see the doctor stateside.”
“You may be hurt internally.”
“If I were, I’d be dead by now. For once”—she paused to take a breath—“do as I say.” She tried to smile.
* * * *
Early that morning they ran across the empty foyer and took the elevator to the fourth floor. “We’re lucky we didn’t meet anyone,” Sylvia said. “You’d be arrested for battery.”
“You do look like hell. Your sister is going to be shocked.”
A faint smile curved her mouth. “I told you we’d make good partners.”
“We wouldn’t. I’m not doing this again. I wouldn’t have this time except for the fact you’re Gina’s sister.”
“‘Gina,’ is it? I see a light in your eyes. Has my baby sister broken through your tough persona?”
The elevator door opened. “None of your business,” he said as he crossed the corridor and unlocked the door. He kept to the side so the first person Gina saw was Sylvia.
Gina screamed in joy and ran to envelop Sylvia in her arms. “You’re safe.” Tears ran down her cheeks. “I was so worried about you and Graham.” She pulled him to her side, holding them both close. When she stepped back, she gasped, seeing how beat up Sylvia was, but in her excitement at first she’d barely noticed
“I’m a sight,” Sylvia said. “They ruined my appearance for good.”
“It doesn’t matter. You’re alive, and the wounds and bruises will heal.”
“Maybe.” Sylvia stared at the floor. “Can I borrow some of your clothes?”
“But you’re injured. You have to see a doctor.”
“No. I’ll change while Graham contacts the agency we work for. They’ll arrange our reservations for us to go home.”
“I don’t know that anything I have will fit you. That dress you have on is torn. You can’t wear it.”
“No problem. I’ll go check with my contacts at the agency, check on Dan’s condition, and make sure they all know, including you, Sylvia, that this is my last job. No more pleads to help. It’s over. Understand?” He stared hard at Sylvia.
“Yes. Thank you for saving me, but I do respect your wish for this to be the end of this particular career.”
“Good. While I’m out I’ll find clothes for you. What size?”
“Get eights and some pins in case I need to fasten them around my waist. And I wear size seven shoes.”
“Be ready to leave in the next two hours. I’ll get the reservations. That’s one last thing the agency can do for us. You can cover your head and face with a scarf. The sooner we’re stateside the happier I’ll be.” He locked the door after him.
* * * *
As he’d expected they got reservations on the first flight out. Dan was on the mend, which lifted a weight off Graham. Graham’s mental makeup didn’t work well with this dangerous undercover work. He didn’t worry about himself but the others involved. In the first store, he bought jeans, a shirt, and sneakers for Sylvia. He saw silky scarves on a rack and bought a white one with a small blue design. At a drugstore he found ACE bandages to bind her wrist. Then he went back to the hotel.
Gina greeted him at the door. Once inside, after he’d unloaded his packages, she put her arms around his neck.
“Thank you for saving Sylvia. She’s traumatized by all of this.”
He glanced around. “Where is she?”
“I just left her in the bathtub. She’s been soaking. She said she didn’t know if she’d ever get clean.”
Seeing Gina’s sad eyes, Graham held her tight against his body.
After a few minutes, she pushed away. “I have to get back to her. She hates being alone. Whatever they did, she’s not the same sister I knew.”
“Here.” He handed her the packages. “Wrap her wrist, help her dress, and redress her facial bandage. We need to leave for the airport soon.”
“The bags are packed. We’ll hurry.”
* * * *
The airport was crowded. Good, it’d be harder for someone to notice them. Graham kept a constant surveillance. They stopped at the airline desk to get their tickets checked then headed for the plane. It had landed ten minutes ago and was starting to load passengers. They had first-class seats. Fewer people to stare at Sylvia.
Her jeans were loose. She’d tucked in the shirt so it didn’t look too bad, and at least her shoes fit. She and Gina had arranged the scarf artfully around Sylvia’s head and across her lower face. Still, some of the crowd took a second look at her.
Graham took a deep breath of relief when they were boarded and the plane taxied down the runway to take off. He wouldn’t fully relax until he got them to his home. Rand could take care of Sylvia, and Graham would contact Dan to see if the danger was over.
Three flights later they landed at the airport he and Gina departed from. He’d contacted Rand, and he and an ambulance met them. Few people had flown on the late-night flight, and it was early morning, so thankfully the airport was fairly empty.
Gina got in the ambulance with her sister. “Will I see you at the hospital?” she asked Graham.
“I’ll be right behind you.”
Rand got in his car to go to the hospital, and Graham went around to get in the other side. “What do you think?”
“Can’t tell much until I do a complete exam. You did a good job of hiding the worst. My guess is she’ll recover, but I need to get our best orthopedic surgeon to examine her wrist. Psychologically, she’s going to be a mess for quite a while. Especially if her face isn’t repairable. I’ll see what we can do for her.”
“Thanks.”
“Was she important to you at one time?”
“Not in the way you mean.” He swatted the side of Rand’s head.
Rand chuckled. “Just checking.” He drove off toward the hospital.
Graham stared out the window. It was good to be home and with family. He took a deep breath of the fresh air blowing in the window and thought about Gina and Sylvia.
Two sisters, so different. I’ve been attracted to both at different times. But I’d stayed away from Sylvia. She was tempting, like wanting to cuddle with a wild tiger, if someone wanted to take on the challenge. Gina, the opposite, soft and caring, has wiggled her way into my heart. But could I be a good husband? I’d have to give up my privacy and the enjoyment of being alone, all innate parts of me. Unless she is pregnant, I’m not ready to make that decision.
Chapter Thirteen
Gina sat by her sleeping sister’s bedside, holding her hand. Sylvia had been checked all over, her wrist set in surgery, and they had her on a diet to gain weight.
Her recovery was slow. They’d been back ten days. Gina spent all her waking hours at the hospital. Graham had withdrawn and become aloof. He said he was finishing up the edit to get his book off.
Five days ago, Gina had gotten her period. She’d been surprised how sad it had made her to realize there wouldn’t be a baby. Still, she didn’t want Graham to marry her because he had to. She’d told him. He’d nodded, said “Good,” and gone into his man cave.
“You look unhappy,” Sylvia said. She’d opened her eyes and stared at Gina.
“I’m fine. Don’t worry about me. Graham said your cohorts got the rest of the gang. Your mission was a success.”
“For them, maybe, not for me. The orthopedic doctor said my wrist will never be quite as strong or flexible. They won’t want me back.”
“I thought maybe you wouldn’t want to go back.”
Sylvia stared out the side window in her room. “Blue skies and fluffy clouds. I’ve never taken the time to enjoy the world around me. Maybe I’ll stay here in Frontier City for a while. Mrs. Brodie said I could come to her house when they release me tomorrow. You look surprised.”
“You don’t sound like the Sylvia I knew. I never really thought you’d suggest leaving the group you’ve worked with all these years.”
“I didn’t either, but times change. When do you have to get back to your job?”
“I’m on leave. I still have time left. I’ll ask Mrs. Brodie if I can come stay with you all. We can visit and talk, and later, when you’re up to it, we can try riding.”
“Sounds great to me.” Mrs. Brodie walked in the door. “Sorry about eavesdropping, but I heard my name. You’re both welcome, but I thought you might stay at Graham’s.” She looked at Gina.
“He’s busy with his edit and enjoying being back on his own. I’d rather keep out of his way.”
“Perhaps that’s a good idea, my dear. We three will have a lovely time together.”
Gina turned her head so her sister and Mrs. Brodie didn’t see the tears in her eyes. “Since Mrs. Brodie is here to visit, I’ll go out to the cabin and pack my things. If it’s all right with you, Mrs. Brodie, I’ll move in this afternoon. I can help you get Sylvia’s room ready.” She talked as she walked to the door.
“That’s fine. I’ll drive by and get you when I leave here.”
Swallowing around the lump in her throat, Gina hurried to the elevator and was glad to find it empty. She let the tears run down her face then wiped them dry when the door opened on the bottom floor. Graham had let her use his truck this morning. She climbed in and drove to the cabin. The next few hours would be difficult. Gina wasn’t going to let it show how much this move hurt her. She did have her pride.
* * * *
Graham tugged his hand through his longish brown hair. “I don’t understand why you’re moving to my mother’s house.”
“I’ve explained. I want to help her get Sylvia’s room ready and then be there to help take care of her.” Gina spread her hands out. “I’m sure you’ll be very happy to have your place back to yourself.”
“What will happen to the food in the freezer? You know I don’t cook.”
“That’s an excuse. You are an intelligent man and quite capable of cooking.”
“Maybe you could come by in the afternoon and start supper.”
“No, I’ll be busy.”
The poor man, he did look dumbfounded. Gina fought to keep from grinning or sticking her tongue out at him. At this point she had very mixed emotions regarding Graham.
He took her bags. “I’ll put these in the truck for you. You can use it while you’re here. I have my other one.”
“Thank you for the loan of the truck and for keeping me safe. I’ll call your mother so she won’t drive by here for me.” Gina didn’t look back as she drove off, but it didn’t stop her from sobbing all the way to Mrs. Brodie’s house.
* * * *
Graham watched until the truck went out of sight. His chest felt as though a knife had been thrown into his heart. It hurt.
She’s doing what you wanted her to. A sarcastic voice inside his head spoke.
“I don’t know what I want,” he mumbled to himself. “The idea of marriage scares me. All the changes in my life I’d have to make. This is best. I’d make her unhappy if I married her.” He paced the floor, still mumbling.
Will you be happy? that annoying inner voice asked him.
Damn, I’m going crazy if I’m talking to myself. He looked at the clock. Dirk and Chelsea would be sitting down to dinner soon. He’d drive over to talk to Dirk and maybe get invited to dinner. Graham, for the first time in his life, didn’t want to be alone.
As soon as he knocked on the door, Chelsea pulled him inside. “I’m so glad to see you. You hardly ever come by. You must stay and eat with us. Dirk’s showering. He’ll be right out.”
“Thanks, I don’t want to bother you.”
“Don’t be silly. I cooked enough, hoping to have company.”
“Believe her,” Dirk said coming into the kitchen. He kissed Chelsea and saw she had her usual glass of tea on the counter. Going to the fridge, he reached in and got a beer out for him and Graham. “If you don’t stay and eat, I’ll have the leftovers tomorrow night.” He patted Chelsea’s bottom as he walked by. “Come on into the great room and sit while Chelsea puts the food on the table.”
Once they were seated, Dirk got a serious expression on his face. “What’s happened?”
“Nothing, why would you ask?”
“Well, you look like you’ve lost your last friend, and you haven’t visited us in six months. Not that we’re not glad to have you anytime.”
Graham took a swig of his beer. “Gina left.”
“She left with her sister still in the hospital?”
“No.” Graham frowned. “She moved to Mom’s house.”
“Hmm, interesting.”
“What the hell does that mean?” Graham snapped.
“You must have been showing her your reclusive persona. For a while I thought she’d made you almost human, dear brother.”
“I don’t understand you or her.”
“If you truly don’t, then forget her. There’s no hope for the two of you.”
Graham caught himself squirming on the lounge chair like he did as a youngster when his dad caught him lying. Which wasn’t often. He took another swallow of his beer.
“Think about what I said. You’d have to change more than she would for you two to be happily married. She’s a quiet sort already, and I think she’d blend well with you if you meet her halfway.”
“I’m not going to marry.”
“Then brighten up. She’s moved out. Eventually she and her sister will leave this area. All your problems should be solved. But if you are lying to yourself, don’t wait too long to tell her.”
“Come to dinner, you guys. This is the second time I’ve called.” Chelsea waited at the door to the dining room, her hands on her hips. “Don’t blame me if the food’s cold.” But she winked at Dirk as he walked by.
Graham enjoyed the dinner and seeing his nephew and niece, but an ache had settled around his heart. He’d be better tomorrow and the next day. His life would get back to normal. He needed time.
“Thanks, guys.” He waved at Dirk and Chelsea as he drove off. The light from the kitchen framed them, Dirk’s arm around his wife and hers around him.
Graham pulled into his parking place by the cabin. The place was small and dark. He’d never minded coming home alone, in fact he’d looked forward to it, but when he stepped inside tonight, empty quietness and cold, damp air greeted him. He’d never been lonely before tonight.
He switched on a few lights. Damn, he was getting morbid. He’d finish his edit and go to bed. Tomorrow, he’d be more himself.
* * * *
Mrs. Brodie drove Gina to the hospital. They were bringing Sylvia home today. Her room, a bright, cheerful pink, was ready for her.
“Has the doctor been by?” Gina asked as they entered the hospital room.
“I’ve seen all three of them. Dr. Brodie came in first, and then the orthopedist. The plastic surgeon just came. He can’t do much fo
r my face until the infection is completely gone. I have a prescription for antibiotic pills.”
“We’ll stop at the drugstore before we leave town,” Mrs. Brodie said.
“People may see me. I’m not ready to sit in the car or go in the drugstore yet.” Sylvia’s face had gone white.
Mrs. Brodie patted her hand. “No problem. My son Sam will come get it later. Let’s get you discharged.”
Soon they were on their way out of town. Sylvia glanced at Mrs. Brodie. “You get people to move. I thought I’d have to wait all morning to get released.”
“I’ve been around a long time,” Mrs. Brodie said, but she grinned at Sylvia’s words.
When they drove up the road to the house, Sylvia turned her head, looking all around, and when she saw the house, she said, “This is yours? It’s beautiful. The land, the house all reminds me of one of those magazines that show outstanding homes.”
“I married and came to live in this house. My husband and I raised six children here. It’s the family home.” Her face shone with pride. “There’s Sam waiting. He’s next to my youngest and is the youngest boy, but he’s an old soul. In any emergency he’s calmer than anyone else, and he runs the ranch as well or better than his father.”
Sam opened the car door and smiled at Sylvia. “Welcome to our home. Do you need help getting up the steps?”
“I’m fine. The one part of me they didn’t damage is my legs.” But she flinched when she moved to get out. Sam put his arms around her and lifted her, holding her close to his chest.
“I can see your pain in your eyes. Relax, I’ll have you inside in two minutes.” He took long strides to the door. His mother held it open, and he walked through and down the hall to the bedroom they’d arranged for her. He placed her gently on the side of the bed.
“I’m not fine china. I won’t break.”
“I’m going to make sure you don’t.” He winked and left the room.
Bewitching the Reclusive Billionaire Cowboy Page 10