“Oh boy, what are you up to?”
Miguel leaned over and grabbed Emmie from Alex’s arms. “I did something that my beautiful wife would do.”
“Oh, and what’s that?”
“I just lured Lacey into my office and then locked her and Dane in.”
“Wow, that is an Alex move.”
“Baby, they need to talk.”
“I love you.” Alex kissed Miguel.
“I just want everyone to be as happy as we are.”
“Well, I hope your plan works.”
“Lacey, before you say anything, I just want you to know that I had nothing to do with this.”
Lacey didn’t look up. “I’m sorry that I ran off before.”
Dane walked closer. “It’s ok. I wanted so badly to kiss you, that before I knew what I was doing, I was doing it.”
“It’s ok.”
Dane smacked his hands against his thighs. “Look, I don’t know how to say this so I’m just going to say it…I have feelings for you but they are scaring the hell out of me.”
Lacey looked up at Dane. “Me too.”
Dane blinked a few times and then dropped to his knees in front of Lacey. He reached his hand up and placed it onto her cheek. “You feel the same way?”
Lacey nodded. “I do.”
“You do.” Dane leaned forward and gave Lacey a quick kiss.
“Dirk was the only man that I ever loved. I’m so afraid.”
“Afraid of me?”
“Afraid of losing you, afraid that you’ll hurt me…”
“I’d never hurt you.”
“Dane, you did when you said all those awful things at the church.”
“I, I didn’t mean to hurt you. I was so jealous.”
“But you did hurt me.”
“I’m sorry.”
“I know but I’m trying to explain why I ran from your kiss. I was scared.”
“I’ve never cared about anyone before. All of this scares me too.”
Lacey reached for Dane’s hand. “Maybe we can figure out how to be scared together.”
Dane smiled and Lacey hugged him.
THREE DAYS HAD PASSED since Dane left Lacey standing in Miguel’s office. The last thing he wanted to do was leave her arms but when Simmons called he had no choice but to leave immediately. Now here he stood outside Lacey’s door trying to figure out how he was going to get back into her arms.
Dane rang the doorbell and waited for Lacey to open the door. He was excited to see her.
Lacey pulled the door open and was shocked to see Dane at her door. “You’re back!”
Dane was hoping for a better welcome than that. “Just landed and came right over to apologize for the way I left.” Dane handed Lacey a small bouquet of tulips.
Lacey glanced down at the tulips. “Thank you. I’m a…I’m happy that you made it back.”
Dane could tell that Lacey was upset with him. It wasn’t something he was sure how to deal with. Typically, when people were upset with him he knocked them out or shot them. “You’re upset with me?”
“I really am happy that you made it back safe, I am, but I think it’s best if you go.” Lacey took a step back.
“Mister, Mister, hey, can you come in and watch the movie with us? Please! Please!” Molly grabbed Dane’s hand and started pulling him inside.
Lacey looked down at Molly and smiled. She stepped back and allowed Dane to enter.
“Molly, I think that your mother was really looking forward to a girl’s night.”
Molly stopped and pouted at her mother. “Please Mommy, can he stay?”
Lacey placed her hand on Molly’s cheek. “Sure, Baby, if that’s want you want.”
Molly let go of Dane’s hand and hugged her mother. “Yes!”
Dane silently spoke to Lacey. “I’m sorry.”
Lacey shrugged her shoulders.
Molly pulled away, grabbed Dane’s hand and pulled him toward the living room.
“I’ll go make the popcorn.”
“Whatcha doing?”
Miguel looked up at Alex. “I’m reading to Emmie.”
“Miguel, that’s a business magazine.”
“Alex, she doesn’t understand yet and if she does, do you know how smart she will be.” Miguel smiled.
Alex shook her head. “You’re funny, you know.”
“Why don’t you let me show you how much fun I can be.” Miguel put down the magazine and reached for Alex’s hand.
Alex took Miguel’s hand. “Oh really?”
Miguel pulled Alex down onto his lap and kissed her. “I’ll get Emmie to sleep and then I’ll meet you in the bedroom.”
Alex pointed to Emmie. “She’s already asleep. I think she found your magazine boring.” Alex giggled.
“I’d rather think that my sexy voice lulled her to sleep.”
Alex ran her fingers through Miguel’s hair and then she kissed him. “If that’s what you want to believe.”
Miguel quickly sucked Alex’s lip into his mouth and then gave it a nibble. “That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.”
Alex leaned over and kissed Emmie on her little head. “Good night, my sweet angel.”
“I’ll be up in a few minutes. Be ready for me.” Miguel winked.
Faith came walking out of the bathroom sniffling. Ryan looked over at her. “Faith, what’s the matter?”
Faith dropped down onto Ryan’s lap. “I thought I was pregnant but I checked and I’m not.”
Ryan hugged Faith. “Honey, don’t be upset. You’ll get pregnant soon.”
“Everyone we know has children but us.”
“I know and I want children too, but Faith, this isn’t something you just magically make happen.”
“I know. I feel like a failure. We’re both so good at having sex but we can’t seem to make a baby.”
“Maybe we’re trying too hard?”
“I just really thought I was pregnant this time. I’m late, nauseous and I feel tired.”
“Faith, why don’t you go and see the doctor. It could be a virus or something. A lot of the guys at work have been out sick.”
“I will if I’m not feeling better in a day or two.”
“How do you feel now?”
“Sad.”
“How about I cheer you up?” Ryan kissed Faith.
“With ice cream?”
“Not ice cream but I do refer to it as dessert.” Ryan winked.
“Ahh, that.” Faith giggled.
Ryan held Faith in his arms, stood up and carried her to the bedroom.
Dane sat watching Lacey. Lacey spent the evening staring at the television screen but she wasn’t watching. She kept thinking about the conversation she needed to have with Dane when the movie ended. Molly, however, sat there eating her popcorn while smiling and laughing at the movie.
“Mommy, this is my favorite part.”
Dane leaned close and whispered. “Molly, what makes it your favorite part?”
“Because everyone is happy and both of the girls have a mommy and a daddy now.” Molly smiled at Dane and then looked at her mother and winked.
Lacey smiled back at Molly and then she stood up and started clearing the glasses and snack bowls from the table. “Ok Kiddo, time for bed.”
“Ok, Mommy.” Molly got up and turned to Dane. “Thank you for staying with us. I had a good time. Good night.”
“Good night, Little Lady.”
“I’ll be there in five minutes to tuck you in.”
Molly ran off to her bedroom.
Lacey turned around and Dane was standing right there looking down at her. “Thank you for allowing me to stay.”
“I didn’t want to disappoint Molly.”
“Lacey, I never would have left you if it wasn’t urgent.”
“Look, Dane, I understand that you had to leave…”
“Then why are you upset with me?”
“Because, while I don’t know what it really is that you do, I know that yo
u come back bruised and stitched up most of the time. So, I can only guess that it is very dangerous.”
“Sometimes things get out of hand but…”
“I lost Dirk and it almost killed me. I won’t allow myself to…”
Dane reached his hand up and placed it onto Lacey’s cheek. “Nothing is going to happen to me.”
“I remember what Alex went through every time Miguel left. I will also never forget how hard it was to function when Dirk was deployed. I can’t live like that again.” Lacey pulled back.
“Lacey…”
“Please close the door on your way out.” Lacey walked out of the room.
Dane ran his hands through his hair. He didn’t know how to handle what he was feeling. He grabbed his coat, made sure the door was locked and closed it behind him.
DANE HAD AVOIDED CRUZ Contracting for the past three weeks so that he didn’t have to see Lacey but today he had no choice, Miguel said he needed him…so he pulled on his big boy pants and here he was waiting for the elevator doors to open.
“Dane.”
Miles handed Dane a cup of coffee. “Thanks.”
“Come on, Migs is waiting for us.”
Dane glanced at Lacey’s desk and breathed a sigh of relief that she wasn’t sitting at it. “So what’s up?”
“Damned if I know. I got a call that said to high tail it over.”
“Me too.”
Miles knocked on Miguel’s door. “Well, we’re about to find out.”
Lacey hid in the kitchen after Miles told her that Dane was on his way up in the elevator. She gave it five minutes and then peeked her head around the corner to see if he was there.
“Lacey, what are you doing?”
Lacey jumped. “You scared me.”
“I’m sorry.” Alex laughed. “Are you hiding or spying?”
“I was hiding but now I guess I’m spying.”
Alex put her hand on Lacey’s back. “Is everything ok?”
“No…” A tear rolled down Lacey’s cheek.
Alex hugged her. “Oh, Lacey. Let’s go to my office and talk.”
“Have a seat.” Miguel slid folders across the conference table to Dane and Miles. “Thank you both for coming right over.”
“Anything for you, Migs.”
“Eden wasn’t too happy I left her in bed…”
“Enough!”
Miles laughed. “You know that’s how we made our babies.”
Dane looked between Miguel and Miles and then cleared his throat. He knew he had better say something before they started brawling. “SOOOO!”
“Yeah, back to the reason I called you both here. Open the folders.”
Miles and Dane both opened their folders. “This is the urgent reason that we’re here?”
“Jeez, Migs.” Dane sat back in his chair.
“Come on, I need your help.”
“Why don’t you ask Faith and Eden. They are women at least.”
“Women have big mouths and if I want to keep this a secret from Alex then I can’t trust that they will keep quiet.”
“You got that right. Those women can gossip.”
Dane sat there staring down at the table.
Miguel nodded toward Dane and Miles looked over. “Dane, you ok?”
“Yeah, I’m fine.”
“You’re not fine. Fess up, Man.”
“Migs, I’m sorry. Late night.”
“Well, Miles, I guess he really can keep a secret.”
Dane stood up and started pacing. “Ok, it’s Lacey. She made me fall for her and then she wants me and now she doesn’t…and fuck, I don’t know what to feel or how to feel.” Dane ran his hands through his hair.
Miguel and Miles watched as Dane continued to walk in circles. “Wow!”
“Dane, I don’t think that Lacey did anything to intentionally make you fall in love with her.”
“Migs, don’t you take her side.”
Miles laughed. “Dane, you got it bad. Listen to what you’re saying.”
Dane dropped down onto the couch. “Oh my God, she’s driven me crazy!”
Miguel made Dane a drink and handed it to him. “Here, it’s five o’clock somewhere.”
“Thanks. I just, I don’t know how you two do this.” Dane waved his hands in the air.
Miguel sat down next to Dane and Miles pulled over his chair. “Is Lacey aware of how you feel?”
“I guess, I told her that I had feelings…”
“Feelings, Dane, you’re in love with her.”
Dane’s eyes opened wide and he shook his head. “NO!”
Miles nodded. “Yes!”
“I’m not capable of loving anyone.”
“You mean you didn’t know you were capable.”
“It doesn’t matter anyway because she wants nothing to do with me.”
“She told you that?”
“Yes, and she was very specific.”
Miguel rubbed his hand across his face. “When was this?”
“Three weeks ago yesterday.”
Miles looked up at Miguel. “Guess that explains what’s been going on with Lacey.”
“Going on?”
“What Miles means is that Lacey has been off her game the last few weeks. I knew you two had some sexual tension but I had no idea that your feelings were so deep.”
“Look, talking about it won’t change things so let’s get back to business.” Dane stood up and sat back down at the table.
“This is about Dane isn’t it?”
“I guess.”
“You guess?”
“I care about him and I miss seeing him, but Alex, I just can’t allow myself to…”
“Fall in love with him?”
Lacey nodded. “I know, it’s probably too late already.”
Alex reached for Lacey’s hand. “I’m so sorry.”
“It’s not your fault.”
“Maybe not, but I still know what it’s like to feel heartbroken.”
“If only he’d work for Miguel and stop leaving to do whatever the hell it is he does.”
“Oh, that.” Alex exhaled.
“Alex, how did you get Miguel to settle down?”
“It wasn’t easy but in the end when he realized how much it hurt me and then once I got pregnant he wasn’t about to take any chances.”
“People never really believe that it can happen to them until it does. I would see the other husbands and wives grieve but I still never thought it would happen to me until they showed up at my door and told me that Dirk wasn’t coming home.” Lacey started to cry.
Alex rubbed her back. “I can’t even begin to imagine what it’s like to lose a husband. If Miguel died, I don’t think I could go on.”
“You would, for Emmie. If I didn’t have Molly I would have laid down beside Dirk in his grave.”
“You’re so brave.”
“I don’t feel brave.”
“Well, I think you’re brave.”
“Thank you.”
“Lacey, maybe if you give Dane a chance he’ll change like Miguel and Miles did.”
“I can’t, Alex. Molly and I need someone in our lives who wants to be there.”
“Lacey, maybe Dane wants to be there and it’s his job that is keeping him away.”
“Then he has to choose because I can’t sit at home waiting to find out…”
“Sis!”
“Hey, Ry, can you just give us a minute.”
“Sure.” Ryan turned to leave.
Lacey wiped her eyes. “It’s ok, stay. I have work to do.” Lacey darted by Ryan and out the door.
“Got it, no purple. She likes pink and green.”
Miles stood up. “Daisies and black forest cake.”
“Thank you both.”
“We got this, Migs. You just get Alex to her party.” Miles patted Miguel on the shoulder.
“She’ll be there.”
“I assume that you’ll be inviting Lacey?”
“Yes, I plan to.”
“Ok.”
“Dane, talk to her.”
“And say what?”
“I don’t know but at least try to stay friends if…”
“That won’t work.”
“Why not?”
“Because when I’m with her all can think about is ripping off her clothes and having sex with her.”
“Speaking of sex, I left Eden home in bed.” Miles winked at Miguel before leaving.
Miguel shook his head. “If I didn’t love him so much I’d beat the crap out of him.”
Dane let out a laugh. “If you’re that psychotic about your sister, I can’t image what it’s going to be like when Emmie dates.”
“She’s not going to date…ever.”
Dane shook his head.
“What’s up, Ry?”
“I thought that maybe you could have a girl’s night with Faith?”
“I’d love to but what’s going on?”
“She’s obsessed with becoming pregnant.”
“I remember those days.”
“Well, I didn’t realize how obsessed she was until last night when she broke down because she thought she was pregnant but it turned out to be another false alarm.”
“Oh, poor Faith.”
“She could really use a night out.”
“I’ll call her and see if she wants to have dinner or go to the movies.”
“Thanks, Sis.”
“Hey, I loved her long before you did. You don’t ever have to thank me when it comes to Faith.”
Ryan hugged Alex. “I love you.”
“I love you too.”
Lacey no sooner sat down at her desk when Miguel walked out of his office with Dane following behind.
“Lacey, would you mind getting me a cup of coffee?”
Lacey didn’t look up. “Sure thing.” She turned in her chair and practically ran to the kitchen.
“Can we talk?”
Lacey’s stomach knotted when she heard Dane’s voice. “It won’t change my mind.” Lacey turned around and Dane was standing there looking like a sad puppy.
“Ok, but Lacey, can’t we at least try to be friends again? I miss you.”
Passion & Lies (Undercover Love Series Book 4) Page 2