Slowly, they exited the car and made their way to the elevator. Analeigh sighed heavily as she stepped into the empty car and pressed the button for his floor. He shifted her overnight bag to grab her around her waist. Despite his conflicting emotions, he wanted her. He pulled her back against his chest and nuzzled her neck. She smelled like cinnamon. When she relaxed in his arms, he did so too.
“I’m sorry,” he said.
“It’s not you. No. That’s a lie. It is you. What’s going on, Blake?” Why can’t I shake the feeling that you’re lying to me?”
He exhaled. “I’m not lying.”
“But you are hiding something.”
“Yes.”
Analeigh twisted around to face him. She shifted the bag of food she was carrying to place her hand on his chest. Her eyes searched his for the truth.
“What is it?” she asked softly.
“If I tell you, I might lose you. If I don’t I might lose you anyway. Either way, your life could be in danger.”
She frowned. “What does that mean?”
The elevator doors opened. Instead of answering her, Blake took her hand to lead her out of the elevator and down the corridor to his condo. As they approached his door, the one opposite his opened. A short, Latina woman stepped into the hallway. Blake looked at her, figuring this was the Jesse that Analeigh had told him about. He studied her. Dressed in a tank top and cutoff shorts with her hair in a ponytail, she seemed harmless. However, he knew looks could be deceiving. Plus, there was a fire in her eyes that he didn’t like.
“Hello, Jesse,” Analeigh said. “This is Blake.”
Jesse smiled at him but didn’t offer her hand for him to shake. “It’s nice to finally meet you.”
“Likewise,” he said.
She crossed her arms over her chest and leaned against her door frame. “Since you’re rarely here. When I heard the noise in the hallway, I thought it was an intruder. I thought I should check it out.”
“That’s kind of you,” he said, then turned to unlock his door.
“He works strange hours,” Analeigh offered. “You’ll probably see him going more than he is coming.”
“That’s a shame,” Jesse said.
“I’m having a dinner party this weekend,” Analeigh continued. “Would you like to come?”
Blake stiffened. What was she doing? He thought this was just going to be a small dinner with friends. Anyway, he didn’t want to get to know his new neighbor. When he turned around, Jesse was glaring at him. She looked at him as if she could kill him on the spot. He made a mental note to run a background check on her.
“I can’t,” Jesse said. “But thank you.”
“Okay.” Analeigh sounded disappointed. “I’ll save you some paella.”
“I’d like that.”
“The food’s getting cold,” Blake said while he ushered Analeigh inside his condo.
“Bye, Jesse,” she called over his shoulder.
“I’ll see you guys later.”
Blake waited until Jesse went back inside her condo, then he closed his door. After he locked it, he turned around to see Analeigh’s furious stare. He walked past her to carry her overnight bag to his master suite. She set the food bags, her purse, and tote bag on the kitchen counter, then followed him.
“What was that?” he asked. “Why did you ask her to the dinner party?”
“She’s new in town and I was trying to be friendly. You didn’t have to be so rude.”
“I wasn’t being rude,” he said as he shrugged off his brown suit jacket and flung it on the floor. “I just don’t like her.”
Analeigh frowned. “You only said three words to her.”
“In my line of work, you have to be a quick judge of character. There’s something about her that feels…off. You should be more careful about who you talk to.”
After unknotting his paisley tie, he pulled it from the collar of his white shirt. Analeigh crossed to the bed. She sat down to kick off her black pumps. He took off his cuff links and placed them on the dresser.
“She seems okay.”
“No. I think you should keep your distance. At least until I’ve had the chance to check her out.”
“‘Check her out’? What, are you some kind of private eye?”
“Something like that.”
Blake watched Analeigh struggle with the zipper on her dress. She stood up, walked toward him, and turned around so that he could unfasten it. He quickly did so, then pulled the material off her shoulders to reveal the back of her black bra. With nimble fingers, he unhooked it and before she could move away, he glided his fingers down her back, causing her to shiver.
“Trust me on this,” he said. “Please.”
“Only if you tell me the truth. What do you have to tell me that might put me in danger?”
She turned around to face him. Her eyes never left his as she reached up to slowly unbutton his shirt. When the last button was undone, she pushed aside the fabric of his shirt and ran her hands over his chest. Her delicate touch caused his shaft to twitch. How could he discuss this with her while he was in such a state? Maybe it was best to wait for a more appropriate time.
Blake grabbed her around the waist. He pulled her to him and took her mouth in a hard kiss. Seconds later, his phone buzzed. He knew without looking at the screen that it was Brooklyn. With a groan, he leaned away from Analeigh. She looked annoyed at the interruption.
“You have to get that, don’t you?” she asked while moving out of his arms.
“I’m sorry.”
Analeigh went into the bathroom and slammed the door behind her. Blake couldn’t blame her for being frustrated and angry with him. He felt the same way. When his phone buzzed a second time, he pulled it out of his pants pocket and answered it.
“Brooklyn,” he answered. “What is it?”
“Ian’s on the move.”
Blake stiffened. “Where is he?”
“We tracked him to Mexico. After that, the trail went dead.”
“How long ago was that?”
“Yesterday. Our informant thinks Ian might be in the area. Until you hear from me, lay low.”
The tendon in Blake’s jaw twitched. He didn’t want to lie low. Living in plain sight must have worked. Someone Ian knew must have tipped him off if Ian had left his hiding place to move into the area. Blake thought of his new neighbor. Could it have been her?
“Blake,” Brooklyn shouted into the phone, breaking him from his thoughts.
“I’m here.”
“Don’t do anything foolish. Think of Analeigh’s safety.”
“It’s the only thing I’ve thought about since I met her.”
“I believe you. I’ll see you on Saturday.”
“Wait. Brook, can you do me a favor?”
“Sure.”
“I’ve got a new neighbor. Jesse Allen. Can you check her out?”
“Of course. I’ll get on it right now.”
When Brooklyn disconnected the call, he did the same. He sat his phone on the dresser, then ran his hands through his hair. What was Ian doing? If he was in the area, Blake was almost certain the former agent knew where he was. While it was good because it meant a showdown was eminent, the timing sucked. What was he going to do about Analeigh while he chased down the man who had killed his fiancée? Blake moved to the bed and sat down.
“Are you okay?”
Blake looked up. He had been so lost in thought he hadn’t heard Analeigh enter the room. She was standing in front of him dressed in a tank top and shorts. Her concern for him was evident in her eyes and he tried to mask his true feelings with a smile.
“I’m fine,” he said.
“You don’t look like it. Do you have to go away?”
“No.”
She touched his shoulder. “You mean I have you all to myself?”
He smirked. “Think you can handle it?”
She bent down and kissed his forehead. “I can handle anything you throw at me. I’l
l go warm up the food.”
“Okay.” Blake watched her turn form him and moved toward the bedroom door. He stopped her by calling her name. When she turned around, he said the words he’d been feeling but never dared say out loud. “I love you.”
A look of surprise flashed in her eyes. Her bottom lip quivered. “I love you too.”
Analeigh left the room. Blake lay back on the bed and closed his eyes. His heart, his thoughts raced a million miles a minute. Was there a way to have some type of resolution where he could go after Ian and make it out alive? Or one where Analeigh wouldn’t be harmed? He didn’t think so.
Chapter Thirteen
On Saturday night, Analeigh studied her reflection in the bathroom mirror of Blake’s condo. Blake had convinced her to have the dinner party at his place instead of hers. While that was fine with her, she was amazed that he had still wanted to go through with it. For the last few days, he’d been sullen and withdrawn. Her attempts to get him to open up were met with silence and him changing the subject by making love to her. And saying no to that was impossible. Analeigh’s smoothed her black maxi dress over her hips, then slid her feet into a pair of low-heeled sandals. His friends should be here at any minute.
Although this was her idea, she was nervous about meeting them. What if they didn’t like her? Blake told her that they had known his fiancée, Sarah. While her death happened years ago, Analeigh worried that Blake was some time still in mourning, and that could explain some of his strange behavior. As she brushed her dark hair, Blake circled his arms around her waist and kissed the back of her neck. He had wanted to wear sweats, but she convinced him to wear a green polo shirt that matched his eyes and a pair of khaki pants.
“It smells amazing in here,” he said.
“I love the smell of fresh bread,” she said with a deep inhale. Analeigh had decided to bake a loaf of crusty bread to go along with the paella. The scent of it baking filled the condo.
“I wasn’t talking about dinner.”
Analeigh laughed and swatted his arm. “Tell me about your friends.”
“Nothing to tell. I’ve known them for years now. They’re not bad people.”
“What does Duncan do? You said he’s your business partner?”
“That’s right. He does the same thing as me.”
“Pretend to be a lawyer?”
Blake chuckled but didn’t comment. Analeigh fell silent for a few moments then said, “We never finished our conversation from the other day.”
“Yes. I got distracted.”
“What were you going to tell me?”
He lifted his head. In the mirror, she watched his face. She could see that he was trying to decide what to tell her, if anything. But before he could answer, the doorbell rang. Blake didn’t move. Instead, he pulled her closer to him.
“Shouldn’t you let them in?” Analeigh asked, though she didn’t want him to take the warmth of his body away.
“Do I have to?”
“Blake.”
With a sigh, he left to answer the door. Analeigh gave her appearance a final once-over, then went to the living room. The man she guessed to be Duncan stood in the center of the room. He was about Blake’s height and build, with tanned skin and shoulder-length brown hair pulled back into a ponytail. Duncan was dressed in a black button-down shirt and jeans. The woman next to him had smooth chocolate skin and long black hair. She was considerably shorter than Duncan and Blake, and dressed in a green strapless dress. She watched the woman give Blake a tan envelope and frowned. What was that? Hearing her approach, the trio looked in her direction.
“Analeigh,” Blake said, tucking the envelope under his arm. “This is Duncan Archer and Brooklyn Stewart.”
“It’s a pleasure to finally meet you both,” Analeigh said.
Duncan extended his hand for her to shake. “The pleasure is all mine,” he said. “I must say, you’re just as beautiful as he’d described.”
His accent was rhythmic. Analeigh smiled but noticed that both Blake and Brooklyn shot him a look.
“Blake didn’t tell me that you’re an Aussie,” Analeigh commented. “But then, he hasn’t told me anything about you.”
“I’m not surprised,” Duncan said, shoving his hands into his pockets. “Blake is a mystery wrapped in a secret.”
Blake smirked. “And your ass is about to be wrapped around my foot.”
“Gentlemen,” Brooklyn scolded. She turned to Analeigh and pulled her in for a hug. “Forgive their lack of home training. I am so thrilled to meet you.”
Analeigh’s eyes widened. That voice! It was the same one that was on the voice mail for Blake’s business. Was Brooklyn mixed up in all of this too? If so, how? She leaned away and took a step back from Brooklyn. There was something about Brooklyn that was familiar to her, but she couldn’t place where she’d seen her.
“I almost forgot,” Brooklyn said while reaching into her tote bag. She yanked out a bottle of white wine and handed it to Analeigh.
She took the offering and glanced at the label, but her mind was still in a state of shock from recognizing Brooklyn’s voice. “Thank you.”
“No. Thank you,” Brooklyn said. “I don’t get to do this very often. You don’t know how grateful I am.”
Duncan bristled. He crossed his arms over his chest and sent a steely glance in her direction. “Wow. You act like you don’t get out much.”
She turned to him. “I don’t. I’m usually busy with work.”
“Then maybe you should make room in your schedule so that I—I mean, someone can date you.”
Brooklyn was visibly taken aback by his comment. She parted her lips to speak but nothing came out. Analeigh watched the exchange and wondered what was going on between them. She looked at Blake, who appeared very amused.
“Should we leave?” Blake asked.
“No,” Brooklyn replied while swiping at a loose hair that had fallen across her forehead. “Everything is fine.”
“So you say,” Duncan muttered.
Analeigh cleared her throat. “Please make yourself at home. Blake, can you open this while I get everything ready?”
“Sure,” he said, taking the bottle from her.
Blake started to set the envelope on the coffee table, but seemed to change his mind. Instead, he excused himself and took it to his office. Analeigh studied his back as he left the room. What was in that envelope that was so important that no one, or rather she, couldn’t see?
“Let me help you, Analeigh,” Brooklyn said.
The women went into the kitchen. Analeigh put on a pair of oven mitts to pull the bread out of the oven. She was glad to be temporarily alone with Brooklyn. It would allow her to question Brooklyn about Blake. And why it was her voice on his phone greeting. Brooklyn took a pile of plates that were stacked on the kitchen island and carried them to the small dining area to the right of the kitchen. Analeigh quickly slid the bread into a basket and followed her.
“How long have you known Blake?”
“Too long,” Brooklyn said with a laugh. “I’m kidding. We met more than ten years ago. Been working together for nine.”
“So, you’re a lawyer?”
“Paralegal. I interned with Blake’s firm before I was hired on.”
Analeigh moved away to get the bowl of salad from the counter. Brooklyn’s explanation seemed possible, but Analeigh couldn’t shake the feeling that she wasn’t being truthful. She looked at Brooklyn. The woman seemed lost in thought, had been folding the same napkin for a while. Analeigh set the bowl on the table, then covered one of Brooklyn’s hands with hers.
“Are you okay?” he asked.
Startled, Brooklyn jumped but quickly recovered. “I’m fine,” she said. “What happened to the wine?”
Analeigh twisted around to peer into the living room. The men were huddled on the sofa in deep conversation. With a sigh, she moved to the coffee table where the bottle sat unopened, picked it up, and carried it into the kitchen.
&nbs
p; “Sorry about that,” she said while opening it and pouring two glasses.
Brooklyn waved her off. “Not your fault. What’s that expression? A good man is hard to find?”
Analeigh laughed. “Maybe it should be ‘a hard man is good to find.’“
Brooklyn clinked her glass to Analeigh’s. “I’ll drink to that.”
“You two are having too much fun over here,” Blake commented as he walked toward them with Duncan behind him.
“We’re just having some girl talk,” Analeigh told him. She moved to get the pot of paella from the stove. “And, dinner is served.”
Once they sat at the table, Analeigh grilled Duncan on his business partnership with Blake. He told her that he had known Blake for over fifteen years. Duncan ran a security firm that used Blake’s services often. When she didn’t understand why that would be the case, Blake tried to explain it to her. It was, he said, because of the clientele that hired Duncan. Analeigh listened, but it sounded like a load of bullshit to her. However, she decided to wait until she’d collected more evidence of his mistruths before she busted him on it.
Two hours easily passed. Analeigh genuinely liked the couple. She could see herself becoming friends with Brooklyn. At the end of the night, Blake walked them to the elevator. While he was gone, Analeigh began to clean up the dishes, then stopped. What was in that envelope Brooklyn gave Blake? Curiosity got the better of her, and Analeigh found herself in Blake’s office. The envelope sat on top of a stack of papers. Her hands shook when she picked it up. There was no writing on the outside of the sealed plain, white, eight by eleven envelope.
Analeigh held it up to the light. She saw pages inside, but couldn’t make out the writing on them. With a sigh, she glanced down at the desk to put the envelope back in place. Her own name in a pile of papers caught her eye. After dropping the envelope, she picked up the pages. It was a background check. Complete with her name, contact information, and a list of her family members. It was run a few days after they had met in Dublin. Why would he do that?
“Find what you’re looking for?” Blake asked.
Analeigh jumped. She looked toward the doorway. Blake leaned against the frame with his arms crossed over his chest. He seemed angry. Whatever. By all rights, she was the one who should be angry with him.
In Too Deep Page 6