Seasoned Veteran

by Roz Lee

  “I know.” Kelly practically bounced in her seat. “I never said you had to take a random woman. That’s why I’m here. I’ll be your date.”

  Tires screeched as he brought the big cat to a stop in the middle of the aisle. “What?” he bellowed.

  “You heard me. I’ll be your date. No one knows me here. Even if you’ve been showing my photo around, not a soul would recognize me. Last time I looked, you still had my picture from eighth grade in your wallet.”

  He could feel his neck turning red as the barb struck home. The photo she referred to was one of his favorites, and he’d seen no reason to replace it. “Kelly—”

  “You better drive. I think the person behind us wants our parking spot.”

  A quick check in the rearview mirror confirmed the impatient driver behind them. He pressed the accelerator. After paying to exit the lot, he resumed the conversation. “I’m not taking you to the ball.”

  “Have you got a better idea?”

  He merged onto the freeway dividing the facility in half. A few minutes later, when he paid the toll to exit the airport, he was no closer to proving Kelly wrong than he had been the day before. He didn’t have shit in the way of an idea, much less a plan.

  “Want to go to a ball with me?” he asked with a grin.

  Chapter Eleven

  Present - December 10th

  The last place on earth Siobhan wanted to be was at a ball, but there was no way around it. When she’d agreed to take over the responsibilities on the planning committee, she’d signed on for attending as well. I’m such a fraud. All I did was follow up with a few vendors, answer some questions, make a couple of phone calls. The sum total of her contribution was minimal, making Ashley and Bent’s interference in her life all the more obvious.

  She sighed. Water under the bridge. Devious as their plan had been, it hadn’t worked. She’d managed to thwart Jake’s every move. When he’d first started showing up to help her with the various tasks assigned to her, she’d sent him packing with sharp words and a don’t-fuck-with-me attitude. He must have gotten the message she was serious about not wanting to see him again because, in the week leading up to the ball, the unsolicited visits ceased.

  Maybe he crawled back under his rock.

  “Is everything all right?” Her brother’s hand on the small of her back was reassuring. At least she hadn’t been forced to come alone. Sean hated the vintage Captain Kirk costume Bentley had intended to wear, but it fit him perfectly, the clinging fabric emphasizing his physique. She’d already noted several women checking him out.

  “I’m fine. Just checking the table decorations. It appears the party supplier got it right, after all.”

  “Was there a problem?”

  She nodded. “A small one, it seems. As of two weeks ago, they didn’t have enough tall containers to do centerpieces on all the tables. It didn’t take a genius to solve the problem by alternating with the shorter ones.”

  “Looking good.”

  “You’d say that no matter what,” she teased.

  “I wasn’t talking about the room. I was talking about you. You look like a million bucks.”

  She was wearing the dress Ashley purchased for the event. Once she’d decided not to attend, she’d insisted on Siobhan making use of the gown. The silver beaded, halter-style garment had a high-banded neck that fell away, leaving her back exposed down to the swell of her hips. The one concession to this being a masquerade ball was the matching half-mask. Overall, the gown was sophisticated, expensive, and sexy. She’d never worn anything like it—probably never would again.

  “I think Ashley may have spent about that much on this dress,” she hedged.

  “Worth every penny.” Sean’s hand slipped around her waist, steering her in the opposite direction. “What kind of flowers are those?” he asked, pointing at one of the floral arches positioned around the perimeter of the room.

  A shiver ran down her spine. “He’s here, isn’t he?” she asked, knowing the answer was yes.

  “We can go if you want to. I can make an excuse, say you’re sick or something then I’ll take you home.”

  “No. It’s okay. We’re adults. Besides, it’s a big event. What are the chances of him even seeing me?”

  Sean looked over his shoulder. “Pretty good, I’d say, sis.”

  “He saw us?” She pretended an interest in the flower arrangement her brother had asked about earlier.

  “Yep.” His arm tightened around her waist. “He’s not alone, Siobhan.”

  She swallowed hard, willing her stomach to settle. She should be happy he’d moved on. That meant he had taken her message to heart.

  It’s what you wanted. So why did she feel like crying?

  “Flannery.”

  Jake’s baritone tied her muscles in knots. Willing the crippling tension to leave her body, she turned, thankful for her brother’s steadying arm around her waist.

  Dear God. Her knees turned to jelly at the sight of the man who’d trampled her heart. Judging from the white dinner jacket and bow tie, he’d gone for the James Bond look. It worked. No on-screen Bond had anything on Jake Tulleson. He was testosterone in a tux, reducing her to a frumpy lump of female hormones. She felt herself swaying toward him, caught at the last minute by Sean’s fingers digging into her skin.

  “Jake.” Her brother acknowledged the newcomer. “I heard you were back in town.”

  “I’ve been back a few weeks,” he answered while his gaze raked her from head to toe. “Doing a favor for a friend.”

  “I heard.” Sean’s voice was cold. “Bent and Ashley are in over their heads these days.”

  She was drifting again.

  Her brother brought her up tight against his side. “Who’s this? I don’t think I’ve had the pleasure.”

  Who? Siobhan blinked, breaking the spell Jake’s arrival had cast over her. She followed her brother’s gaze. Ice water replaced the heated blood flowing through her veins as she took in the woman at Jake’s side. A baby. Younger even than she was. Freakin’ gorgeous. The perfect Bond Girl to his 007. She wore the gold lame cat suit like a second skin over her long, coltish legs and athletic figure. The futuristic belt hanging low on her hips was her only adornment save the glittering gold on her eyelids and lips. About a yard of dark hair was caught up in a high ponytail draped over her shoulder. With one knee bent, her gold manicured fingers clung to her date’s arm, so she fit against him like she’d been poured into a mold.

  A toxic brew of emotions churned in Siobhan’s gut. Disappointment. Jealousy. Hate. Love that refused to die even in the face of its executioner. She really was going to be sick. Sean wouldn’t have to make anything up on her behalf.

  “This is Kelly.” He completed the introductions as smoothly as a secret agent on a mission.

  Siobhan nodded at the younger woman who acknowledged the intro with a dazzlingly perfect smile.

  “Are you okay?” Jake asked. His hand closing over her ice-cold fingers sent a blast of heat throughout her body. “You don’t look so good.”

  He tugged her away from Sean. Over her shoulder, she silently implored her brother to rescue her, but the tawny cat had her claws in her brother, drawing him in the opposite direction. He gave her a helpless look before allowing Jake’s date to whisk him off.

  “I’m fine.” She tried to brush Jake’s hand away, but he was wrapped around her, hustling her toward the ballroom doors. She had no choice but to go along.

  Chapter Twelve

  Present - December 10th.

  It felt good to hold her again, like he’d gone to Heaven and found his angel. But something was seriously wrong. He wanted nothing more than for her to fall into his arms. Just not like this. When he first saw her across the glittering room, she’d sparkled brighter than all the rhinestones on her dress combined. But something happened while they were talking. Her face below the mask she wore lost all its color then she’d begun to sway like a twig in the wind.

  Sean had caught h
er, held her upright, but damn her brother for not noticing something was really, really wrong. The Siobhan he knew and loved was made of sterner stuff than this.

  He whisked her into the first elevator to arrive. She made no argument, just fell against him so he had no choice but to hold her. Placing one hand at the small of her back to support her, he noticed the light sheen of sweat on her skin. Panic gripped him around the throat.

  “Babe,” he croaked through dry lips. “Hang on. Just a few more minutes.” No answer as he held her cheek against his lapel. Shit. Maybe I should’ve called an ambulance. What do I know about anything medical?

  The elevator doors opened on his floor. He scooped her up, making his way down the hall as quick as he could without jostling her too much. At the door to the room he’d booked for the night, he fished the keycard out of his jacket pocket, slid it into the slot to release the lock.

  She was out cold when he laid her on the bed. Holy shit. What’s wrong with her?

  “Siobhan, babe.” Sitting beside her, he removed her mask. He cradled her face between his palms, stroking his thumbs over ashen cheeks. “Wake up, babe. Ah, Christ, sweetheart, you’re scaring me.”

  What to do? He fumbled in his pocket for his cell phone, found Sean’s number. “Get up here, now. Room 3425. It’s Siobhan, she’s sick.”

  His eyes blurred, but he managed to call the front desk. “I need a doctor up here. Fast. I don’t care where you find one. Call 9-1-1 if you have to.” He gave them the few details he knew, age, sex, that was it. Christ, he was useless. Why didn’t he know more about her?

  Because you’re an ass, Tully.

  Reaching for her hand, he held onto her, silently praying for her to open those gorgeous eyes of hers. Her skin was cold. God, he’d never seen a living person so pale. He pulled the comforter off the other side of the bed to cover her, tucking it in around her like a cocoon.

  In the other room, a knock sounded on the door. He bolted to answer it. Sean Flannery pushed past him, followed by Kelly.

  “Where is she?” he asked. Worry etched deep lines between his eyes and around his mouth. “What did you do to her, you bastard?”

  “Nothing. She was sick down in the ballroom. What kind of brother are you? You didn’t even notice!” He looked at his daughter. “I called for a doctor. Stay here, let him in.” Signaling Sean to follow him to the bedroom, he called over his shoulder, “She’s in here, asshole.”

  Fear gripped him. She was so pale—not at all the vibrant woman he remembered. Minutes later, Kelly escorted another woman into the room.

  “I’m Dr. Simon.” She took his place beside Siobhan.

  She was quick and efficient, asking questions as she examined her patient. Between himself and Sean, they answered most of her questions, but it was her final inquiry that rocked him to the core.

  “Is she pregnant?”

  “No.” He scraped the fingers of one hand through his hair as the possibility hit home. Fear was a fireball in his gut. What if she is? It’s mine. He couldn’t imagine she’d taken another lover after he left. She wasn’t like that. They’d used protection, but nothing but abstinence was one hundred percent certain. They’d fucked like bunnies for weeks. “Maybe. Fuck, I don’t know.”

  The doctor waved something under Siobhan’s nose. Her moans were music to his ears as she came to.

  “What happened?” she asked.

  “You fainted.” Dr. Simon, introduced herself. “Do you mind if I examine you?”

  Confusion knitted Siobhan’s brow as she scanned the room, landing on her audience before returning to the woman at her side. “No. But I’m fine…I think.”

  “Come on.” Kelly waved both men into the other room. “Let’s give them some privacy.”

  He wandered to the middle of the outer room where he stood, helpless. Lost. What if she was pregnant? He felt bad enough about the way he’d ended their relationship, but if she was carrying his child, he’d never forgive himself.

  If he’d stayed…. She needed someone to take care of her. It should have been him.

  The door closed behind them with a soft click. His daughter came to his side. “She’ll be fine, Dad. You’ll see.”

  Please, God. Please let her be okay.

  “When was your last menstrual period?”

  Siobhan’s gaze flew from the blood pressure cuff wrapped around her arm to Dr. Simon’s face. “Why?” She couldn’t imagine what her cycle could have to do with anything.

  The doctor removed the BP cuff, folding it neatly. “Because, there doesn’t seem to be anything wrong with you. You’re young, healthy, and I presume, in a sexual relationship with one of the men in the next room.” Her words were kind rather than accusatory. “Is there a chance you could be pregnant?”

  “No.” She shook her head, trying to remember. “We used protection.”

  “Are you on the pill?”

  A trickle of fear turned her blood to ice. “No. We were cautious. He always….”

  “Condoms are not one hundred percent effective,” she warned, pinning Siobhan with a serious expression. “Have you ever fainted before?”

  “No.”

  “So, about that menstrual period?”

  Now that she thought about it, she hadn’t had one since before Jake left. “I’ve never been regular.” Her mind scrambled, searching for any reason to dismiss the doctor’s assumption.

  “One month? Two?”

  “Two. I think.” Oh Lord. A pregnancy became more of a probability.

  “Queasiness? Fatigue? Breast tenderness?”

  Yes. Yes. Yes.

  Dr. Simon took her hand in both of hers. “Look. I’m not the morality police here, but years of experience tell me the likelihood of you being pregnant is pretty high. Healthy women your age do not faint for no reason. You should visit your gynecologist sooner rather than later, just to make sure.”

  Unable to form words, she nodded.

  Gathering her things, the other woman stood. She laid a white card on the nightstand. “Call me if you have any questions or if you need someone to talk to. I understand how overwhelming something like this can be.”

  Dr. Simon paused before opening the door. “Which one?” She tilted her head toward the closed door. “James Bond or Captain Kirk?”

  Siobhan smiled for the first time since she’d woken up in the strange room. “James Bond. Captain Kirk is my brother.”

  The older woman pretended to swoon. “I thought so. Good genes. You’ll make beautiful babies.” She had a big smile on her face as she closed the door softly behind her.

  Propped against the headboard, she tried to absorb what she knew to be true. She was pregnant. With Jake Tulleson’s baby.

  Her mind flitted all around but never once contemplated anything other than seeing the pregnancy through to a natural conclusion.

  I’m having a baby.

  Wonder and love blossomed in her heart, spreading warmth throughout her body. She placed her hands over her stomach, willing the life inside to feel her love. She didn’t have a clue how to be a mother, but she’d learn. Daddy or no, her child was going to be loved.

  Daddy. Jake.

  As if her thoughts conjured him up, the door opened. The daddy-to-be stepped inside. Following close on his heels were the other two people who had been in the room when she woke.

  Sean shouldered his way past Jake and the hussy in gold. “Sis,” he said, sitting on the bed beside her. A small smile softened the worry on his face. “The doc says you’re okay.”

  “I’m fine. Just a little tired. I guess that’s normal.” She ducked her head to avoid his gaze.

  “It’s true? You’re pregnant?”

  “It’s not official but, yeah, I think I might be.” She raised her head, seeking Jake’s gaze. The crinkles around his blue eyes matched the parenthesis around his curved lips.

  “It’s mine.”

  She nodded. “Yes. No other possibilities.” No use denying it. He, of all people, knew she wou
ldn’t have gone to anyone else when he left. It was a shame she couldn’t say the same about him. As much as she tried not to, she glanced at the woman standing across the room. Why was she still here?

  “Oh.” Jake beckoned his date forward. “You remember Kelly. You met her downstairs.”

  Sean stood, making way for them to approach the bed. Humiliation threatened to take away her newly discovered joy, but she lifted her chin, determined to see this meeting through with a measure of dignity, if possible. As much as she hated Jake at that moment, she had to think of her child. She wanted her kid to have a relationship with its father. If that meant playing nice with this or whatever woman he was fucking at the time, then she would do it.

  “Siobhan,” Kelly said, taking the place Sean had vacated. “I can’t tell you how excited I am to meet you. Daddy told me all about you. He went on and on until I couldn’t stand it another minute. I told him to get his ass back to Texas and do whatever it took to get you back.” She literally bounced with enthusiasm. Her eyes mirrored her smile, both looking eerily familiar. “I can’t believe I’m going to have a brother or a sister! That is so cool.” The young woman glanced up at Jake, whose face had paled. “Way to go, Dad. Who’d a thought you had it in you?”

  “Wait.” Siobhan held her hand up. “What’s going on here?” Her gaze darted between the two people closest to her. “Jake, who is this woman?”

  His face turned bright red. She’d never seen him look more like a kid caught with his hand in the cookie jar. “I knew this was a bad idea, but Kelly talked me into it.”

  “Hey!” Gold lame girl squealed. “You didn’t have to go along with it.”

  “Talked you into what?”

  Jake glared at Kelly before turning his attention to Siobhan. He shook his head. “I’m sorry, babe. Like I said, it was a bad idea, but I was desperate to catch your attention, so I went along with it. Kelly isn’t my date. She’s my daughter.”

  Bees buzzed inside her skull. Surely, she’d misunderstood. “Your what?”

  “My daughter. My twenty-year-old daughter.”