The Mind Keepers (The Mind Readers)

by Lori Brighton

  “Did anyone see me?” Lizzie asked, smoothing down her white pencil skirt and kneeling carefully beside me.

  I’d been hiding in front of the pub for a good thirty minutes now, waiting for our target to make his move, and Lizzie had almost blown my cover in the mere two minutes since she’d arrived. “I don’t know, but just in case, you need to hide.”

  Lizzie dropped to her knees, grimacing when the gravel bit into her tender flesh. “He looks pretty normal for a cheater.”

  “Don’t they all,” I mumbled, wondering what my sister had been thinking by wearing a skirt and heels to a stakeout.

  But Lizzie was a novice. Beyond a novice. She’d never make it as a spy. She was too naive, too innocent. Heck, she read romance novels, for God’s sake. The first thing this business taught a person was that the idea of true love was a ridiculous myth that housewives clung to in order to give meaning to their mundane lives. Yep, they clung to the idea until I arrived, camera in hand, to show them just how in love their husbands were…with the maid, the neighbor, the wife’s best friend, or the woman twenty years younger they’d met at a bar.

  The target looked our way. “Get down!”

  Lizzie dropped to her belly with a grunt, half falling into the lilac bush we were hiding behind. The purple blooms rattled in protest, sending their overwhelming perfume through the warm evening air. She might as well have waved a white flag, proclaiming to all our location. I closed my eyes and sighed. Counting to twenty helped…sometimes.

  Still, it was a family business, which is why I didn’t fire her, and although it was hard juggling the PI firm and school, it was something I wasn’t ready to give up. Lizzie, on the other hand, would have given up years ago. I might have inherited our grandfather’s sleuthing ways, but not Lizzie. One thing was certain, she would never be a private investigator. Not like me. She was too positive, too bubbly, while I was made to crush the hopes and dreams of couples in love. And yeah, I might have even taken a perverse pleasure in proving to women that men were nothing but jerks. Attractive jerks, jerks I occasionally wanted to kiss, but jerks all the same. It was the one thing, the only thing, I was sure of.

  “Stay still,” I whispered.

  Lizzie nodded, her auburn ponytail waving back and forth.

  When I was younger, I’d envied my sister’s ease at conversation and making friends. While she’d been liked by all, I’d always been the quiet good girl everyone overlooked. The girl who’d had too much responsibility taking care of her little sister and a depressed mother to attend basketball games and pep rallies. And now, heck, I was seventeen and had only been on a handful of lame dates.

  But the past was the past. There was no use in dwelling. Pushing aside my dark thoughts, I looked through the lens of my camera, watching Kelly make her move. It didn’t take much; with a rack like hers, the gorgeous blonde had only to give a small smile and they’d come running like dogs in heat. I’d found the girl working in a strip club, and Kelly had been only too eager to leave the smoky joint.

  The former stripper gave a little toss of her head, her long blonde locks shimmering under the setting sun. I was pretty sure Kelly loved taking down the same sort of slime balls she’d been forced to endure for the five years of her adult life in that club.

  “The man in the blue button-down,” I said into the tiny microphone pinned to the lapel of my jacket. “Looking your way now.”

  Kelly gave a discreet nod and glanced over her shoulder toward our target. There it was…the smile. The poor sap didn’t have a chance. He surged from his chair, his eagerness almost tangible. With an arrogance that belied his thinning hair and middle-age paunch, he sauntered toward Kelly.

  The man had money. That was obvious by the clothing he wore and the Jag he drove, and people with money thought they were gods. He leaned against the bar, his string of drool practically sliding down Kelly’s cleavage.

  “You come here often?” came through my earpiece.

  I snorted and stretched out upon my belly to get a better angle. Seriously? The man had made millions in the stock market and that was the best line he could come up with? I almost felt sorry for him…almost. Thankful for the leather jacket I wore, I settled my elbows into the gravel.

  I needed that money shot, the photo his wife could use to take him for everything he owned, and with Kelly’s good looks and his neediness, it wouldn’t take long. Once I got that shot I could go home, soak in a tub, and forget for a short while the heartache I witnessed every day. It was, undoubtedly, the worst part of the job, handing that picture to the wife, proof that her husband wasn’t the man she thought she’d married. But better to know now than later. Right? I shook aside the thought. Besides, the check she’d write afterward made up for my unease. At least, that’s what I told myself.

  A soft breeze blew in from Lake Michigan, sending small purple blooms raining through the air. Perhaps I’d go to the beach for a bit. When I was lying in the sand, my eyes half-closed, I could pretend I was on the Mediterranean.

  Kelly giggled at something the target said, but I barely paid attention. I’d get it all on tape and go over it later. I was good at my job. The best. Grandpa would be proud, although I doubted he’d appreciate our newest clientele…cheating men. But you had to make money any way you could, and we definitely needed the money.

  Still, lately I’d found my mind drifting, my attention wavering. Although the family business was as busy as ever, life seemed…lacking. I needed a vacation. A little time to recoup. Heck, I needed an actual life. I might not be able to afford the Mediterranean, but maybe I could talk Lizzie into driving to Florida for spring break. Nothing like string bikinis, illegal beer, and drunk frat guys to make a girl feel special.

  Our target leaned closer, resting a possessive hand on Kelly’s thigh. I smiled and clicked. “Perfect. Now give me just a little more. Mama needs vacation money.”

  “Is he going to kiss her?” Lizzie said a little too loudly, peering through the branches.

  “Shhhh,” I hissed.

  He leaned in, whispering nauseating nothings into Kelly’s ear. Click. I tried not to gag. How Kelly could allow these men to paw her, I hadn’t the slightest idea. Then again, I’d broken the guy’s finger who had dared to grab my butt at a bar last week. What could I say? I liked my personal space.

  “You know,” Lizzie whispered. “You should totally be the decoy. A little makeup, put some gel in your hair…”

  I resisted the urge to sigh. “Lizzie, please, like I want those guys pawing me.” As if to prove my point, the man leaned toward Kelly, his hand cupping the side of her face. Click. Click. “Yes, there we go. Kiss her, you sick freak.”

  “It worries me how thrilled you are when you take these men down.”

  I frowned. “Why shouldn’t I be? These men lie to their wives, their families—they should be destroyed. They’re arrogant jerks who think they can get away with anything.”

  “Yeah, but it’s totally clouding your aura.”

  I slid her a glance. At times I wasn’t sure if my sister was being serious or not. Surely no one could truly be that optimistic and clueless. For her sake, I hoped she was joking.

  I shook my head and refocused on Kelly. The target was leaning in close. So close. Here came the money shot. The thrill of victory coursed bittersweet through my veins as I knew deep down that my win was someone else’s loss. He leaned closer, and I held my breath.

  “Excuse me,” a refined British voice called out from behind us.

  I froze. Crap. Perhaps if I ignored him, he’d go away. Frantically, I continued to push that button, click, click, click, attempting to get the money shot before this man, whoever he was, ruined everything. “The owner knows me. I have permission to be on his property.”

  Which was true, sort of. I’d had permission last year, before someone had complained.

  I pushed the button again. Click. Mentally, I urged the target to move closer to Kelly. Come on, come on. Why wasn’t he kissing her? She
was totally kissable!

  “Uh, no,” the guy insisted. “You’ve misunderstood.”

  Lizzie nudged me in the arm, pushing me off-balance and making me drop the camera a few inches. I sighed and glanced over my shoulder, intending to give the man a piece of my mind. But his polished dress shoes momentarily surprised me into silence. My gaze moved from his feet to his pressed slate-gray trousers, up to his jacket and vest, complete with pristine white shirt underneath.

  Lounge and beachwear were the norm here. Even the millionaires who visited from Chicago wore their Hawaiian shirts, attempting their best imitation of Jimmy Buffett. What Ivy League college had this guy crawled from, and why the heck was he here in Podunk, Michigan?

  “I’m busy.”

  He cleared his throat, shifting the briefcase from his right hand to his left. “It’s important.”

  Nineteen or twenty, he couldn’t have been much older. But he carried a briefcase? Weird. Maybe he was older than I first guessed. He was tall, with broad shoulders and strong hands. A workman’s hands that belied his businessman attire. Curious, I couldn’t help but lift my gaze to his face. Square, smooth jaw. Firm lips. Sunlight glinted off dark hair, trimmed neatly and parted perfectly to the side. Wire-rimmed glasses covered his green eyes. My gaze jumped back to his. No, not just green. Intensely green. My heart squeezed slightly in surprise. If he ditched the glasses and suit, he’d have women eating out of his hands.

  He was a total hot nerd. Like Clark Kent. I’d always had a thing for superheroes. I rolled back to my belly, intent on ignoring the man, and more importantly intent on ignoring the heat of attraction swirling in my gut.

  Had Louie gotten a new manager? He was certainly taking his position rather seriously, if his suit were any indication. The former manager’s idea of dress clothing was an unstained wife-beater and jeans.

  “Emma!” Lizzie cried out. “He’s kissing her!”

  “Shoot!” I lifted the camera and started clicking before I’d even focused on the target. Sure enough, the man was pressing his mouth along Kelly’s delicate jaw. I should have been paying attention. I could have missed the shot and the paycheck, all because of a guy with brilliant green eyes. I definitely needed a vacation.

  “You are Ms. Emma Watts?” the Englishman behind me persisted.

  I didn’t dare look back or stop pushing that camera button, afraid I’d lose my opportunity. “Maybe.”

  “I have something for you. Papers and…such.”

  Papers. A man wearing a suit.

  Realization hit like a punch to the stomach. I should have known. A freaking lawyer. I jerked around, looking up at him. Grandpa had been sued more than once. “You’ve got the wrong person—”

  “Your aunt has died,” he said, ignoring my protest.

  Relief was sweet. Not getting sued. Thank God. Although Grandpa always won the cases, it had taken time and money, neither of which I had. As the relief gave way, curiosity settled in. Aunt? As far as I knew, I didn’t have an aunt. “Like I said, wrong person. So either leave, or get down. You’re blowing my cover.”

  He frowned, looking more than annoyed, but finally knelt beside me. The warm scent of spice and male swirled through the air, momentarily interrupting my concentration. Visiting bars and seedy motels, I’d spent more time than I cared to around men who barely bathed. I’d forgotten what a clean guy smelled like. He smelled good…really, really good.

  “As I said, your aunt Clarice has died.”

  Lord, his eyes were even more intense up close. A brilliant green, like moss after a spring rain. I shook my head. Pretty soon I’d be spouting poetry. I never should have sneaked a peak at Lizzie’s latest romance novel.

  “We don’t have an Aunt Clarice,” Lizzie replied for me, giving the man a brilliant smile. A smile that had sent plenty of males panting to their knees. Sure enough, the man gave her a hesitant smile back…ensnared.

  Annoyed with their little display of mutual flirtation, I looked away. Every day it was the same. Even though she was a year younger, guys always fell for Lizzie’s innocent and charming personality. I supposed it didn’t hurt that Lizzie was as hot as a supermodel with a body straight from a Victoria’s Secret catalog. While I was…well…me.

  “She’s on your father’s side,” he explained.

  “Figures.” Anger fought with surprise. As much as I wanted to know what the heck was going on, my pride wouldn’t allow me to ask questions. I wanted nothing to do with my father, the man who’d abandoned us years ago for his secretary. How cliché. And I sure as heck wanted nothing to do with his family, a family who hadn’t even deemed it important to send a birthday card once in a while.

  “She’s left you something.” His warm breath brushed across the back of my neck, stirring the loose tendrils that had escaped my braid.

  I shivered, an unwelcome response to his nearness.

  “Oh my gosh!” Lizzie cried out in excitement. “What’d she leave her?”

  Curious, I glanced over my shoulder. “Money?”

  He frowned, as if finding talk about money vulgar. Typical snob. “No.”

  “Can I sell it for money?” I asked just to annoy him, and it worked.

  He sighed, obviously exasperated. “Well, not exactly.”

  I turned back around, hiding my grin. “Then I’m not interested.”

  How had this man found me, anyway? I did as much as possible to keep my address a secret, not wanting to incur the retaliation of some two-timing husband.

  Kelly was smiling at the target, leaning into him a little too desperately. Was he pulling back? I should have been coaching her, not thinking about my father, now of all times. Yes, ironically I coached Kelly on how to flirt. Me, a seventeen-year-old who rarely dated. But that was beside the point. How dare my father’s family leave me something. I wanted to shove whatever it was down their throats and hoped they choked on it. I didn’t need anything from my father’s family…ever.

  “Emma,” Lizzie hissed. “You’re being rude.”

  I glared at Lizzie. Had my sister forgotten how our father’s family had ignored us when we’d needed their support the most? She was way too forgiving for her own good. I sure as heck wasn’t going to appease some deathbed sense of guilt.

  The man sighed. “Ms. Watts, I don’t think you understand.”

  I turned around once more, my anger flaring. “Oh, I understand completely. You don’t seem to, though, so let me spell it out for you. I want nothing from the family who abandoned us when my father left. I want nothing from the family who never called, not even sent a card. Do you understand now, Mister…”

  I didn’t have his name. My rant would have been so much more effective if I’d had his name. He pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose. There was a bump there, as if it had been broken during a fight. I doubted this suit had fought anyone, unless it had been bullies picking on him in school.

  “Owen Emerson. I’m Mr. Emerson.”

  “Wonderful to meet you, Mr. Emerson,” I sneered. “Whatever it is my aunt left me, give it to charity. Now, please leave so I can do my job.”

  His annoyed gaze flicked to Kelly, then back to me. I could imagine what he thought of my “job.” The look of disgust was plainly written across his handsome face. “Ms. Watts, please listen to me. I can’t give this gift away. It’s quite…impossible.”

  I could admit, if only to myself, that I liked the way his voice sounded; smooth, deep, and lyrical. I completely understood why women so easily fell for an accent. Yes, his accent was hot, and I hated myself for thinking so.

  “Nothing’s impossible, Mr. Emerson.”

  “Eh, yes.” He hesitated, rubbing the back of his neck. “Of course, but in this case, there really is no way to donate this gift.”

  “Really?” Lizzie asked, butting her nose into the conversation. “I’m Lizzie, by the way.”

  They shook hands like the best of friends. I tried not to curse at her. Really, whose side was she on?

  “Ni
ce to meet you,” he said.

  “So, what do you mean,” Lizzie asked. “Why can’t you give the gift away?”

  His gaze flicked from me, but not before I noticed the unease. “Well, I suppose that’s not entirely correct. Perhaps there is one way to dispose of this gift.”

  “Yeah?” I prompted, resting my camera on my knees. He had the most interesting scar on his jaw, a thin line that looked almost like a knife wound. No way. Was probably from a paper cut. “How?”

  “Death.” He looked down at us, those green eyes shimmering with sincerity. “The only way to get rid of this gift is by dying.”

  Lizzie’s gaze went wide. A look of pure horror, or was that excitement, crossed her perfect features. My sister did love the drama. “Death?” she whispered.

  I sat upright and laughed. He looked so serious that I couldn’t help myself. Between the two of them, I felt like I was in the middle of one of those daytime soaps my mom liked to watch. “What, exactly, is this supposed gift?”

  “Emma,” Lizzie interrupted, nudging me in the side. “The target’s looking this way!”

  I jerked my head toward Kelly. The target watched us, frowning, while Kelly tried desperately to regain his attention, even so much as shoving her breasts in his face.

  “Crap!” I grabbed a fistful of Owen’s shirt and jerked him down. He landed with a thud half atop me. Lizzie had somehow managed to crawl under the lilac, but I was barely aware of my sister. No, I could only seem to focus on the guy whose body was pressed to mine.

  “Ms. Watts, this is quite inappropriate,” he hissed.

  I would have laughed at his outrage, if I hadn’t been offended. I was a healthy, attractive female and he was complaining? Was he gay? The hot ones always were. Or was Lizzie right, did I need a makeover that badly? I shifted, attempting to put distance between our bodies, but the movement only brought us more fully together.