Retribution Boxed Set (Books One and Two)

by Stark, Cindy

  She’d walked away feeling like the worst person ever. If her father hadn’t destroyed Xander’s dad, they would have never met. Xander wouldn’t have a hole in him from trying to protect her.

  Part of her was extremely angry for the way he’d implanted himself in her life, but the love she felt for him far outweighed her anger. It might seem irrational, but when was love sensible?

  She wished he felt the same way. She’d thought no one would be able to convince her he didn’t love her, but she was starting to falter. He’d told her he loved her when he’d thought she was asleep, and she was sure she’d felt it in her heart. But it seemed they’d both been caught in a web that had been woven by their fathers, and who knew what the final damage would be?

  She’d prayed they’d find each other now that they’d disentangled themselves.

  But he’d been out of the hospital several days, and she hadn’t heard from him. Maybe it had all been about revenge, and he didn’t want her or Apollo.

  She let the dogs lead her down the stairs of her apartment, memories of that night fresh enough to nauseate her as she passed the spot where Xander had been shot. The dogs tried to pause and sniff, but she forced them on their way. She’d had a heck of a time in her apartment where Riley had been shot. The cleaning company had done a good job removing visual traces, but there were some things no amount of cleaner could erase.

  Luckily, Riley had pulled through. She still visited him in the hospital daily, but he’d be going home soon. She had yet to face her aunt. She’d insisted she needed time, and that was the least the woman could give her.

  A cool breeze hit her face when she opened the door to the outside. She headed down the sidewalk toward the park trying to keep her waning hope alive.

  Not many people out tonight. Only a white sedan and a little black Focus in the parking lot. She wasn’t afraid, though. The park was well lit, and no one would bother her with Stormy and Apollo in hand.

  She started down the first stretch of sidewalk, stopping to let Apollo take care of business. She used the plastic doggie bag to clean it and tossed it in the nearby trash can.

  “Cute puppy,” a deep voice said from behind, nearly stopping her heart.

  She couldn’t turn, afraid it would be someone who only sounded like Xander. Apollo tugged on his leash, furiously wagging his tail.

  “Are you not going to talk to me, then?” he asked.

  She dropped her gaze before turning, looking at his feet first before trusting her eyes enough to raise them. “Xander,” she whispered when her gaze met his. Tears sprang to her eyes to see him alive and looking so damn good. “Are you okay?”

  He shrugged. “That depends on you. I can heal from a gunshot wound. Not so sure I can lose you.”

  “Oh, God.” She slammed herself against him, earning a groan from him, as she hugged him as tightly as she could. “I can’t lose you, either.”

  They held each other as the dogs barked and danced around them, wanting to join in.

  “Can you ever forgive me, Nicole? I’m praying you can understand where I was coming from. I know it’s not a good enough excuse to not trust the person I love more than anything in the world, but I’d been messed up by my dad’s death for a long time, and I guess it had a stronger hold on me than I realized.”

  “Of course, I forgive you.” She leaned back, looking at his beautiful eyes. There was no mistaking they had some distance to erase between them. “There’s been a lot of hurt and deceit, lies and pain between our two families, but our future doesn’t belong to them.”

  “I guess it’s up to us to fix it.”

  She nodded. “I’d like that. We can do what they couldn’t. Let’s make what we’ve been through count for something.”

  He kissed her until every inch of her turned to molten love. “Thanks for taking care of Apollo. I knew he was safe with you.”

  “I wanted to see you in the hospital. I tried. Those guys wouldn’t let me.”

  “I know. They’re a little overprotective.”

  “Who are they? Not brothers? They’d been too close in age and were too dissimilar in looks.

  “Brothers of a sort. I’ll fill you in later. Right now, I’d like to take you home with me. Permanently, if that’s okay with you.”

  She widened her eyes. “Oh, Xander. I’d love that. I didn’t know how I could stay another day in that building where you were shot. If I had a job, I would have left already.”

  “Yeah. I’m not too fond of the place, either.”

  “I still don’t know how you knew I was in danger. Janie called the police.” She narrowed her gaze. “But you’re not an officer. And how did you find out about the offshore account? I didn’t even know about it.” She tilted her head from side to side as though that would help her sort through things. “Although Aunt Claire did.”

  He took her chin, kissing her firmly on the lips. “This is going to take longer than a chat on a street corner. Can you trust me enough to wait? There are some confidential things, things that might take time to explain, and I’d like to get you home first.”

  Impatience pushed at her, but she trusted her man. “Fine. But I can’t wait long. I feel like everyone knows everything except me.”

  “You’ll know soon enough.” He took the leashes in one hand and hers in the other as they started walking back toward her apartment.

  “Wait. I actually do know something you don’t.”

  “Really? He seemed surprised.

  “I have your money. Your dad’s money. At least most of it. Aunt Claire cooperated and gave the police the information she had on what was put into that account in Singapore. Some of it was from another heist my father pulled off. The rest was from your dad. My aunt spent some of it hiring Riley to look after me and installing a security system at her house. The police suggested I divide it percentage wise and give it back to both parties including you and your brother.”

  He chuckled. “Actually, I already knew that.”

  “What?” she turned to him with a surprised look. “How could you? I’ve only known for a couple of hours.”

  “It’s all part of the story. You’ll have to be patient.” They reached her apartment, and he paused on the front step. “Think we can pack it all tonight?”

  She laughed. “No.”

  “Want to buy new instead? Apparently, we have millions.”

  “Honestly? It doesn’t matter as long as I have you.” She pulled him toward her, pressing her lips to the man who would hold her heart forever. “I love you, Xander. I’ll always love you.”

  He laughed. “You sound so dire. Are you always like that?”

  She smiled, remembering the words she’d said to him. He must have been worried he’d lose her back then. “Just kiss me.”

  “Not until I tell you I love you.”

  She took his face in her hands, letting her gaze soak up the beautiful sight of him. “I believed you the first time you told me, back in Seaside.”

  He widened his eyes. “You weren’t asleep?”

  She shook her head. “But you can say it again and again.”

  He kissed her long and slow. “I love you, Nicole. For now and ever, if you’ll have me.”

  “Forever, Xander.”

  Stormy and Apollo barked, seeming to sense their joy.

  Xander took a moment to ruffle both of their fur. “I think they approve.”

  “You like our little family?” she said to the dogs, making them bark even louder. She turned to him. “This is good, Xander.” Her heart felt like it might explode from happiness.

  He pulled her back into his arms. “So good, Nicole.”

  The End

  Hunted

  A Retribution Novel

  By Cindy Stark

  Chapter One

  Janie Singleton placed the sparkling wedding tiara on the dark hair of her best friend’s head, pinning it in place. “Wow. Look at you. I hope Xander knows how lucky he is.” Although Janie had paid a physical and e
motional cost to be there, she couldn’t regret seeing her friend so happy.

  Nicole smiled at Janie’s reflection in the antique mirror as bright May sunshine poured through the window of the second-story room of the beautiful Victorian home where she’d be married. “I’m so happy you’re here today.”

  “I wouldn’t be anywhere else, and you know it.”

  “Did Paul come with you?”

  The mention of Janie’s boyfriend churned her stomach. She forced a smile. “I hope it’s all right if he did.” She hadn’t had a choice in the matter. Not if she wanted to arrive in one piece and presentable for public exposure. Nicole knew Paul had become increasingly more volatile during the past couple of months, but Janie hadn’t told her friend exactly how bad it was.

  Nicole bit her lip, and Janie didn’t miss the telling gesture. “You know how I feel about him.” Then she smiled. “But if you’re still a package deal, then I’ll take it.”

  “It won’t be for much longer.” She had a decent chunk of money saved, and she’d been applying for jobs in Texas. A posh Mediterranean restaurant in San Antonio had interviewed her over the phone for a sous chef’s position, and they’d let her know in the next couple of days if they were seriously considering her. If so, she was gone. Her boyfriend believed she knew too much about his illegal activities and wouldn’t let her walk, so when she left, it had to be quick and for good.

  She looked away, pretending to fuss with Nicole’s bouquet, knowing that today was not the day to tell her friend she’d soon be leaving town.

  Nicole stood and shook out the layers of her satin dress. Even with her heels, she was a good four inches shorter than Janie. “If I can help, you know I’m here for you.”

  “I know. Thanks for that.”

  A few moments of silence crept between them. “Are you going to tell me what’s bothering you?”

  Janie straightened her friend’s train. “What do you mean?”

  “You seem off today. Not your usual self.”

  She pasted on a bright smile. “I hope you mean that in a good way. It’s not every day I get to see my best friend get married.”

  “I worry about you.”

  “Don’t. I’m fine. This is a temporary situation. Very temporary.”

  “There has to be some way I can help. Or Xander. He has friends—”

  “Nicole,” she interrupted. “Would you stop worrying about me? This is your wedding day. It’s not a day to talk about problems. Let’s celebrate instead, okay?”

  Janie wished there was a way someone could help her, too. Ever since the night she’d helped to save Nicole’s life, they had become sisters. Janie hadn’t had that kind of relationship with anyone in her family. They were more strangers than anything, and with all of Janie’s relatives still living in the Midwest, that status wasn’t likely to change. But with Nicole, she’d found someone to care about her and encourage her to be a better person.

  It killed Janie that she’d have to leave soon. Inside, she raged at the unfairness of it. She hoped Nicole would come visit her wherever she ended up, but Janie would never be coming back to Portland. Not if she wanted to stay alive.

  Her friend opened her mouth and then closed it. “Fine.” She fingered her dark bangs, pushing them farther from her eyes. “But the moment I’m back from my honeymoon, we’re figuring out something. Deal?”

  “Deal.” Janie was certain she wouldn’t be in town that long.

  A knock sounded on the door, and Nicole’s aunt poked her head inside. “We’re ready whenever you are.”

  Janie gave her friend one more hug for luck. “I’ll see you downstairs.” She made her way through the old house to the solarium at the back where a small group of people had gathered. The subtle, fruity scent of orchids filled the sunny room. Soft music echoed through the air and, of course, Paul sat on the back row with an empty seat beside him.

  Her spot.

  She’d requested he sit at the front so she wouldn’t be viewing the ceremony between heads. It was bad enough he wouldn’t allow her to take her rightful spot as maid of honor. Sitting in the back was his way of showing he owned her and he would make the decisions. Thankfully, Nicole had understood why she couldn’t stand beside her during the ceremony.

  Janie gritted her teeth as she approached him from behind and forced a passive smile to her lips. How could she have not seen this side of him until he was too deeply ingrained in her life for her to walk away?

  If she showed a reaction to his choices, he’d push back even harder. She wouldn’t put it past him to make a scene and ruin Nicole’s wedding.

  No. Things needed to stay calm and appear normal up until the moment she ran for her life. When she left, she wanted it to be a complete surprise.

  She’d hoped, expected really, that Paul would tell her to come alone today. He rarely supported her in things that were important to her. It was a complete surprise when he insisted on accompanying her. And not in a good way.

  She touched his shoulder, and he glanced up at her, moving his knees to the side so she could pass. The wooden seat was hard against her back as she sat. Paul wrapped an arm around her shoulder, squeezing her against him in what most would assume was a loving gesture. She clamped her lips together and tried not to react as his fingers dug into the bruise she’d received as a result of their heated discussion the previous night. She’d completely forgotten about it this morning when she’d dressed, and she prayed no one would see the mark on the back of her arm.

  She should learn not to engage Paul when he was coming down from a cocaine high, but no one ever said she was the sharpest tool in the shed as her father liked to tell her, and quite frankly, she’d begun to view her defiance as proof that Paul had not won. He might have beaten her, literally, but she still had fight left in her. She was certain that rebelliousness would be what would ensure she left him for a better life. If she cowed, she was done.

  The pianist switched to the wedding march, and the rows of people stood, turning to see the bride coming down the aisle, escorted by her aunt. Xander, with his dark hair and gorgeous eyes, looking like the happiest man in the Pacific Northwest, waited near the priest for his beautiful bride.

  Janie caught Nicole’s smile as she passed. What she wouldn’t give to be marrying a man like Xander. A man with morals and conviction. A man who would do anything to make her happy. Janie didn’t know if she’d ever marry, wasn’t sure she could trust a man enough to let him get close to her. But if she did, she wouldn’t pick anyone like Paul.

  * * *

  Nicole and Xander were halfway through their vows when a man slipped in and sat beside Janie. She glanced to her left, shocked to see Detective Sam Holden and another man occupying the previously vacant seats on her and Paul’s row. Detective Holden nodded at her before focusing on the couple exchanging their vows.

  She was certain she’d widened her eyes, surprised to see him here. Really, surprised to see him anywhere again.

  The last time she’d shared space with the police officer with blond hair and intense brown eyes had been when he’d arrived at the scene after one of Nicole’s former co-workers had shot Xander. Now, here he was at Xander and Nicole’s wedding?

  Why?

  Janie prayed the detective wasn’t there to arrest any of the guests. As far as she knew, the people in attendance were upstanding individuals…with the exception of the man on her right. But Paul had been smart enough to evade police up to this point, and there was no reason to believe things had changed.

  She snuck another sideways glance. Both newcomers were attired in suits acceptable for a wedding. Maybe Xander or Nicole had befriended the cop after the shooting incident. Detective Holden shifted in his chair, his legs relaxing outward so that his thigh now touched hers. She tensed. He’d come into her personal space without asking, and as much as she’d like to pretend his actions didn’t affect her, she couldn’t ignore the snap of electrical attraction he caused like he had when she’d first met him.
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  Her throat tightened, leaving her breath shallow, and she could no longer focus on the ceremony. Heat seeped from his pants through the silk of her skirt as though there were no barriers between them.

  Paul turned his dark gaze on her as though he sensed her reaction. She gave him a brief smile to reassure him all was well before focusing on the priest, pretending to listen to his poetic words. Paul returned his gaze to the couple, and it was all she could do not to fall back into her seat with relief.

  She blinked several times and stared at Xander and Nicole as they exchanged vows, refusing to look at Detective Holden or Paul for the rest of the ceremony.

  * * *

  When the priest pronounced Xander and Nicole to be husband and wife, the congregation stood, clapping. Sam used that moment to survey Janie Singleton more closely.

  She looked good. Damn good. Her slender build and wispy blond hair left him with a delicate, sexy impression. Today, she wore a silky lavender dress that hugged her curves in a flimsy, feminine sort of way.

  He hadn’t seen her in months, not since the night he’d realized Nicole wasn’t guilty of the theft case he’d been working on, and he’d watched her and Janie walk out of the central precinct downtown.

  He’d kept occasional tabs on the blonde. Especially on the perp she seemed determined to stay with. For the life of him, he couldn’t understand why women stayed in abusive relationships.

  When Janie and the degenerate moved into the aisle, his buddy, Christian, elbowed his ribs. “Let’s go congratulate the happy couple.”

  “Yeah.”

  As they moved forward, Sam caught the faint markings of a bruise marring the smooth skin on the back of Janie’s arm. “Bastard,” he said under his breath.

  Christian caught his expletive. “Who?”

  Sam shook his head as he reined in the need to grab the jerk by the arm and give him a similar bruise. “Tell you later.”