Heroes Duet

by Pinder, Victoria

  Guns clicked and the man called behind her, “What about your friends?” She turned to see him nurse his chin as he snapped, “Do you have the same faith that they will be safe?”

  Her heart beat a mile a minute. She never should have come out tonight. Emily clasped her hands together. “Who are you?”

  He walked over to her and she shrank while coldness enveloped her as he said, “My name is unimportant. You’ll never see any of us again if you give me what I want.”

  Her friends mattered more than Dane’s memory—he’d left her behind. Her hands reached for the necklace but her fingers trembled around the difficult clasp. The man took this as weakness and as he touched her bare arm, she immediately twirled and in a smooth move she held his arm behind his back just as her brother-in-law had taught her. “And you’ve underestimated me.”

  The man growled an order and a gun popped off. Florencia screamed, “Maria!”

  Emily turned back and saw one of her best friends now lying on the floor bleeding. The man tugged at his arm to be released as he said, “Your friend didn’t have your talent.”

  Sweat formed on her forehead. The necklace wasn’t this important. She reached behind her neck with one hand as she shouted, “You won’t get away with this.”

  The man pulled his arm free. “Just give me the necklace, Emily, and you can get her to the hospital.”

  Her free fingers grasped the clasp as she said, “I-”

  “The curly haired girl,” he ordered.

  Another pop sounded in the air.

  Emily’s entire body froze except for her heart that pumped faster than lightning flashes in a storm. “No. Leave Florencia!”

  “She’s bleeding. Be faster, Ms. Mira.”

  “Fine. I need ten seconds. It’s stuck.” She pushed away from him and her hands shook with nerves as she unclasped the latch.

  “Back away, Emily.” Dane’s voice echoed through the night club. She turned toward the sound that came from the back of the shadowed space and met the gaze of her dark-haired rescuer who now had the bulging muscles of a man instead of the boy who’d given the necklace to her.

  For a second, she was back in his arms, still a teenager, and at the prom instead of here, in this silent nightclub as victims stifled their tears. Dane stood there like an avenging angel that just appeared out of nowhere. She blinked and suddenly he was behind her, pulling her away.

  Another man, dark-blond, tall, lean, but also muscular, who wore glasses, stood beside him and easily chased the four men who shot her friends away from the dance floor. They ran into the crowd outside. Without thinking, she latched onto him and said, “Dane.”

  He blocked her from the old man as he backed her out of the club, into a back alley. The second the door closed and they were alone, she swallowed. Inside the club, her friends were lying on the ground.

  She needed to help them.

  Dane held her waist. “Did he get the necklace?”

  “No.” She held up the gold necklace he’d given her years ago.

  He reached for her palm as he said, “Hand it over.”

  Without thinking, she took her necklace back and easily wrapped it around her neck as she said, “I need to get my friends to the hospital.”

  The dark night now flashed red and blue as sirens screeched in the air. He hurried her toward a black Bentley parked in the back. “The ambulances are already here. I called before I came for you.”

  At least her friends had a chance. She swallowed and hopped in the backseat of his car.

  His friend sat with the driver up front. She looked at all three of them and instantly had the sense these men worked together as she worried about her own friends. “Do they know to go inside?”

  “Yes. I reported guns fired before it happened.” Dane closed the door behind himself.

  The driver took off, fast. Near Dane, she wasn’t so cold and frightened that she’d freak out. Instead she took his familiar hand in hers, and prom night flooded her mind.

  At eighteen, after the night where he’d danced with her under the stars, she’d asked him to take her virginity and he’d obliged in that hotel room he’d rented for them.

  None of that mattered as the car raced toward the highway. She pulled her hand back and narrowed her gaze. “Why?”

  “I had to come back for you.” He leaned closer, sending a familiar thrill through her, and his gaze was on her neck as he said, “I knew they were coming for you.”

  She sat back and pushed on his hard muscular chest to get him to give her space. As he followed her unspoken order, she lowered her gaze and said, “Thank you, Dane.” Then she stared directly into his eyes without blinking or looking away. “But why didn’t you call me and tell me not to go out?”

  He scratched the back of his neck, flexing his muscles underneath his black shirt. “Would you have listened?”

  Her face heated. Would she have obeyed a directive from Dane to stay inside, even for her own good? She was so mad at his desertion all those years ago that she would have gone out to spite him. “Probably not.”

  He held her hand to his chest where his beating heart was pressed against her palm. “I need my necklace back, Emily.”

  Her fingers brushed against his hard muscles while she took her hand back and shook her head. “Absolutely not.”

  “Why are you always so difficult?” They turned toward the airport exit, the Bentley zooming.

  There was the boy she remembered. She crossed her legs, not caring her blue dress went higher onto her thighs and fingered the necklace that accented her low cut dress like they were still teenagers and she could tease him without consequences as she asked her most pertinent questions. “Why do you need this so bad? Who are those guys? What’s going on? Where have you been the past ten years?”

  He pursed his lips and motioned with his head to the two men in the front seat as they drove to the valet parking of the airport. “I can’t answer that here.”

  Right. She wasn’t giving him the necklace. They slowed to a stop and Emily slid out of the car. “Then I’m coming with you.”

  “You’re going to the hospital with your friends.” He joined her on the sidewalk.

  With Dane, she was her younger self again. She flipped her hair to her side and shrugged as she turned toward the airport. “You’re clearly in trouble. As I said, I’m coming with you.”

  “You’re always so difficult.” He fell into sync beside her.

  They stepped inside and the cold rush of air conditioning hit her in the face. Goosebumps grew on her body as she bumped into him and more quietly said, “And loyal, which is something you don’t seem to understand.”

  “Or want, Emily.” He led her toward the private plane section of the tarmac. She knew the area. Her sister Sophie had married Michael, a self-made billionaire, who had his own planes at his disposal. Michael also happened to be Dane’s father. Dane might have walked away from him, but he clearly still enjoyed the affluent lifestyle both his father’s lived.

  They passed security and his two coworkers joined them. “Now, that is the biggest lie I’ve ever heard from you.”

  The driver said, “Uriel, did you get the necklace?”

  She stopped mid-stride. The man at the night club. Her necklace. She blinked. How had she not put this together? She swallowed and asked, “Wait? You’re Uriel Delligatti?”

  His gaze narrowed as he took her hand, guiding her forward now as he asked, “Why?”

  She picked up the pace and scooted closer. Dane felt familiar and warm. Her cheeks heated as she lowered her gaze. “The old guy in the club-”

  “Ted Vet San,” he interrupted. “And he looks older than he is.”

  They made it to the wing with the private planes. Soon they’d have to walk out on the tarmac. She blinked as she met the one man’s gaze that always stirred her in ways no one else ever had, no matter what his name was. “What?”

  “His name is Ted Vet San.” He stopped.

  She crossed h
er arms, stopping too. “Teddy in there was asking for you. Uriel.”

  Dane focused on her neck. If she hadn’t worn this tonight, would Ted and his minions have broken into her apartment and just stolen it? She pressed her lips together as she waited for his explanation.

  Dane traced her hip. “He wants the necklace.”

  “Why?” She ignored the heat that grew inside her and pushed his hand away.

  His two associates headed onto the plane jetway, while she and Dane remained in the terminal. She wasn’t budging without answers. He lowered his voice. “It’s the key to opening a bank box.” His warm breath brushed her face.

  It was like they were completely alone for the first time in ages, until the bustle of people moving in the terminal shook her out of the reverie. “Don’t they usually use pins and personal ID?”

  Dane’s forehead pressed against hers and they shared the same air again as he whispered, like it pained him, “Edmond Pearce’s family set this up specifically and that necklace is the key.”

  Her brow furrowed as he stepped back and the space between them widened. She pursed her lips and asked, “Have you talked to Michael?”

  “I’m not talking to or about my biological father.” Dane’s demeanor darkened. “My life is my own.”

  Right. Dane had thought Edmond Pearce had been his father until the day that man killed his mother in front of all of them. She winced at the memory of flying bullets—she’d only been sixteen. Edmond had also condemned Michael to prison—Michael had escaped and returned home only to find out Edmond had also stolen his unborn son. Edmond was a horrible person who deserved his early demise. Emily crossed her arms and met Dane’s gaze. “You probably should call Michael, as these men are dangerous.”

  Instead of listening, he shook his head and stared at her throat. “I should never have given you that necklace.”

  More people passed them. She turned toward the jetway and kept her voice low as she said, “You did it because you liked me once.”

  At the entrance he held her arm in earnest. “Emily, you’ve always been too much. Just give it back to me now and we’ll go our separate ways.”

  “You should also remember that I don’t give up on what’s mine.” She pushed him off and then showed him the necklace around her neck. “This is mine. Tell me. Why do you need to go to a bank and why is someone chasing you?”

  He blocked her, his muscular arms almost ripping through his black t-shirt, his chiseled legs in custom blue jeans, him, towering in front of her so she couldn’t pass. “I think you need to give me the necklace and go home.”

  She patted his shoulder and waited for him to move. After several moments, he finally did and she smirked. “Nice try. Now I’m going with you and you’re going to answer my questions.”

  He threw his hands in the air like he’d given up. “You were always bossy.”

  As she went down the jetway she saw his personal jet that could double as a passenger plane. They were clearly going straight across the Atlantic to London without stopping. She stepped on the tarmac. “You never complained. Besides, you need me.”

  He followed her and asked, “Why do I need you? I just need the necklace.”

  She hurried up the metal stairs. At the galley, she picked up a bottle of wine, a cork screw, and two glasses, then headed toward seats midway of the aircraft. He took off his suit jacket and hung it over the chair. Once he sat next to her, she handed him the glasses while she kept the bottle. “Because you know you can trust me, and I’m on your side. You need friends and I’m the best one you ever had.”

  The other two men were out of sight and she assumed they were in the cockpit.

  Dane held the glasses between his legs. “Which is why I don’t want you hurt because of me.”

  For the first time in years she felt like she belonged to something and she didn’t even know what was going on. She pierced the cork and twisted. “You can protect me by telling me what’s happening.”

  “Fine. Let me pour.” He took the bottle from her and pulled out the cork.

  Today had been the strangest day. Now that they were alone, he could tell her everything. Her body was alive and she was back with Dane. Whatever happened, she was here to help.

  Chapter Three

  Grabbing the wine had probably made her seem confident, Emily thought. Sitting next to Dane sent a pulse through her body that made long-dormant parts of her come alive, and she needed ten seconds to catch her breath.

  Emily had always been cool and confident with Dane, and somehow, her sassy side came right back. For the past few years her studious side, the one that didn’t retort with an opinion that wasn’t fully researched, was the Emily everyone saw.

  Even her friends.

  Maybe it was her sparkling blue nightclub dress that boosted her ego? She normally wore jeans and a t-shirt, with a cardigan, while she studied at the library.

  Dane poured the wine at the bar and she had a nice view of his tight backside—she knew for a fact he had them tailored. His black t-shirt seemed simple, but it was no doubt designer.

  He turned toward her and handed her a glass and her heart raced.

  Dane’s dimples hit her like a sudden earthquake and made her body tremble. Holding the stem of her wineglass, Emily leaned closer to Dane as he took the seat beside her. He still smelled like warm nights on the beach where they’d watched the sunrise.

  She ignored the stirrings in her body, sipped the wine and watched the tarmac whiz by as the plane gained speed. “Who are the men you’re with?”

  He put his glass down on the table in front of them without touching a drop as the plane soared in the air. Casual and relaxed, Dane tugged on his t-shirt like the collar was suddenly too tight., then nodded toward the cockpit. “Doctor Brady Booker, who works with me, and my butler, body guard, pilot, and all-around handyman, Henry Kavanah.”

  The three men had worked like a well-trained unit in the club, so she sensed they’d worked together for a while. Her heart sped fast near him, but she honestly had no idea where he’d been. His dark hair with thick curls had been cut super short, though she remembered his longer hair like it was just yesterday—she used to run her fingers through it when she’d kissed him. She gripped the armrests of her soft leather chair, and then gestured with her head to the wings of the private plane visible through the open windows.

  Clearly, Dane used his money he’d inherited, and his close proximity caused a small jolt inside her that she’d never admit to. Michael also employed a loyal man who’d taken a bullet for him. Emily smiled and asked, “When did you get your own Jack?”

  “Right after my first dig.” Dane picked up his glass and drank before admitting, “Michael might have influenced my decision to seek out someone loyal to have around. Bad people know I’m rich.”

  Had he been hurt? Not only had he inherited his stepfather’s money, but he’d benefited from his real father’s vast wealth too. Emily sighed and sipped her wine. “That you are, Dane.”

  She’d earned her scholarships, though Michael had helped her financially throughout her years of education. Now she needed to earn an income and prove her worth. His nose curled like she’d insulted him. “Don’t call me that.”

  As they soared over the ocean, the craft bounced with turbulence until the plane steadied. She crossed her arms. “But it’s your name.”

  He took another sip and lowered his glass between his legs. “I changed it to Uriel when I left home.”

  Out of all the names in the world, he’d chosen a strange one. She fluffed her short blonde bob, l sighed, and scooted closer as she lowered her voice, “Where are we going?”

  He didn’t move and for one moment, she could feel his skin on hers though they didn’t touch. His eyes dilated—was his heart beating faster, too? She licked her lips and closed her eyes but he sat up like he’d been scolded. “London. You don’t have your passport so we’ll send you home right away.”

  She’d left her passport at home,
not thinking she’d need it for dancing. Knowing it was a stupid idea, Emily wished they’d had that kiss. She tugged her short dress down a little. “You can get my passport ordered, just like your father can.”

  Dane looked over her shoulder, like he saw a ghost out the window when he said, “He’s not my father, not really.”

  Emily blinked and her entire body stilled as she recalled their first meeting so many years ago, as teenagers. She and her sisters had been hiding in the barn where Dane’s mother had been shot by his stepfather, Edmond Pearce, who had sent Dane into the barn with the same gun to set him up as his mother’s murderer. Emily had kissed Dane to distract him from shooting either her sisters, or Michael. She’d held Dane’s hand while the truth was unveiled and he’d dropped the gun in his own hand like it was a hot potato.

  The memory surged through her and she shook her head. “So you want to consider the man who shot your mother a father?”

  Dane held the glass between his legs so tight she wondered if he’d break it. “Edmond raised me until I was sixteen. He’s who I see when I close my eyes as the one that raised me, but father… I prefer to believe I never had one.”

  Fair enough. Emily remembered her mom and never considered her older sister as anything other than that, though their two younger siblings more thought of Sophie as their second mother. Emily patted his arm, thick with muscle now. “Interesting. I won’t push on that one.” His eyes flickered. “Why does this Ted person want the necklace you gave me?”

  He stared unabashed at the gold blossoms at her throat. “I told you to hold it for me.”

  She fingered it and lowered her head. “You never took it back.”

  He brushed his hand against her skin at the collarbone. “I need it now.”

  Wow. Every part of her body became aware of him. She pushed his hand away. “Why? And give me specifics.”

  He sat way back in his seat like he needed to escape from her. “Apparently Edmond Pearce possesses the Irish Crown Jewels in a bank box. I’m going to retrieve it and give it back to the throne.”