DEADLY OBSESSION

by Kristine Cayne

  “Lauren. I’m so happy to finally meet you.” Rachel held out her hand. Lauren had no idea if she was supposed to shake it or kiss Rachel on the cheeks.

  But she needn’t have feared. Rachel tugged Lauren down so she could hug and kiss her. “The pleasure is mine,” Lauren said, smiling.

  “Everyone, have a seat. Would you care for anything to drink? Tea, coffee, beer?” offered Rachel. Lauren shot a teasing glance at Kaden, wondering if he’d once again choose tea over coffee or beer.

  “I’ll have tea, Earl Grey if you have it,” he said, eyes on Lauren, as if daring her to say something. When Jake smothered a laugh, Kaden pinned him with a look. “Jake, too. We’re on the clock.”

  A slight widening of her eyes was the only sign of Rachel’s surprise. “O-kay. Rémi, I imagine you want another beer?” When he nodded, she turned to Nic and Lauren.

  “I’ll have a beer as well. But not a Fin du monde this time.” He grinned widely.

  Rémi and Rachel both laughed, and Lauren vowed that first thing Monday, she’d purchase one of those Berlitz DVD sets to learn French.

  “I’ll have tea as well,” Lauren said. “But, please, let me help.”

  Kaden elbowed Jake and said, “Lauren, stay here. Jake will help Miss Lamoureux.” Jake looked startled for a moment, but rose from his seat and waited for Rachel to lead the way.

  “Thank you, Jake. We’ll be back in a few minutes.” As she prepared to roll herself into the kitchen, Jake stepped behind the chair.

  “May I?”

  Nic stiffened at the question but relaxed when Rachel nodded. Jake took hold of the handles and wheeled her out to the kitchen.

  While they waited for Rachel and Jake to return, the conversation turned to sports. Lauren laughed as Nic and Rémi exchanged good natured barbs. With his tall lanky build, copper skin and high cheekbones, Rémi looked typically Native American. But the brilliant emerald eyes that caught her gaze screamed of a mixed heritage.

  Rémi wagged his eyebrows. When she blushed, he grinned. “I hear you’re working for Vanity Fair now.”

  Nic sat up, looking startled. “Shit. Weren’t you attending a four-day workshop?”

  Lauren shrugged. “You were more important.”

  Nic flashed her a grin before sobering again. “You didn’t quit, did you?”

  Rachel rolled back into the living room with Jake close behind in time to catch Nic’s question. “Please say you didn’t. Vanity Fair is such a great opportunity.”

  “No, I didn’t even tell them I was leaving. I have to call Ms. Combs later.” The concern on Nic’s face warmed her heart. “It’s okay, Nic. I’ll tell them I had an emergency, and if they let me go, then so be it.”

  Nic shook his head. “You’d give up your dream job for me?”

  She took his hand and smiled. “I’d do anything for you.”

  Kaden sighed loudly and Rémi burst out laughing. Rachel shook her finger at them. “You guys are just jealous.” Then she turned to Lauren and said, “Nic is lucky to have you.”

  Lauren blushed as everyone stared at her. For a moment, she’d forgotten she and Nic weren’t alone. “I’m the lucky one.”

  Nic took her hand and kissed her fingers. His warm lips on her skin sent a sizzle up her spine. A slow sexy grin spread on his face. He knew exactly how his kisses affected her. She busied herself with handing everyone beverages from the tray Jake had placed on the table. The sooner they got on with the business at hand, the sooner she and Nic could go upstairs and—

  Stop right there.

  She swallowed a sip of tea, then looked up at the assembled group. “Jake and I came here tonight because we found something in one of the photos the stalker sent Nic. We didn’t call first because I was concerned our phones had been tampered with.”

  Turning to Nic to ask him a question, she was transfixed by the sight of his throat working as he swallowed a sip of his beer. She lifted her gaze to his lips now glistening from the drink, and that was almost worse. “I assume you’ve told everyone what we know so far?”

  Nic nodded. “Yes. There’s been a new development. The LAPD called in the FBI to search security footage from the Walmarts where the phones were purchased.”

  Setting her cup on the table, she reached for her laptop. “That’s good news. The FBI will confirm what I’ve found.” Nic regarded her, his expression closed. She turned the laptop so everyone could see the image she’d modified. “Tell me who you see.”

  Rachel inhaled sharply.

  Rémi cursed.

  Kaden sucked in a breath.

  Nic remained silent, his eyes glued to the screen. She placed her hand on his arm. After a few moments, he turned and met her gaze. The misery in his eyes would be forever burned into her brain. As long as she lived, she never wanted to see that again.

  “Fuck!” He closed his eyes, and dropped his head into his hands. “I can’t believe she’d do this to me.” Lauren scooted closer and rubbed his back.

  Several long minutes passed, during which no one dared even take a breath. Nic raised his head and scrubbed his face. “I have to talk to her.” He shook his head, as if trying to shake off a nightmare. “Before I turn her in to the police, I need to hear her admit it.”

  “That’s too dangerous,” Kaden said, his tone curt.

  Yes, it was. But Vivian was Nic’s friend, his mentor. They’d supported each other through the worst and the best life had to offer. The photo wasn’t absolutely clear. There was an outside possibility that the woman reflected in the Plexiglas was someone who resembled Vivian. Nic needed to be sure.

  Over Nic’s head, Lauren met everyone’s gaze, one by one. “Nic wants to do this. So, let’s come up with a plan to get the evidence and keep him safe.” She kept her voice firm. This wasn’t up for negotiation.

  Nic blew out a long breath and leaned back against the couch. After taking her hand in his, he cast her a brilliant smile. Rémi grabbed a pad and pen from a side table. “Let’s brainstorm. Anyone have an idea?”

  Rachel took a sip of her tea. “Well, before we start, I think we need to have clear goals.”

  “Spoken like a true business major,” Nic said. She flushed when he smiled proudly at her.

  “She needs to confess to stalking you,” Rachel said to Nic.

  “And to killing Summer,” he added. Lauren shivered, and Nic pulled her against his side. His warmth helped her forget that she was next on Vivian’s hit list.

  “We want the confession on tape, preferably video,” Kaden said. “It may or may not be admissible in court, but it will definitely be useful to the police.”

  “I’ll borrow some video equipment from the guys in my old unit,” Rémi said.

  “I can help set it up,” Lauren volunteered. Nic squeezed her arm and smiled.

  Rémi looked up from his notes. “Great. Now location. Where do we want the big confession to happen?”

  Everyone mulled that over. Rachel sat up straighter. “In the stable. Lauren can hide the video cameras and set up some photography equipment as a decoy. If Vivian asks, Nic can tell her it’s picture week for the kids.”

  Lauren nodded. “That could work. But how will Nic get her there?”

  Jake set his untouched cup of tea on the side table and piped up for the first time. “Ask her to go for a ride.”

  Nic shook his head. “She doesn’t like horses.”

  “So we have to think of something she wants enough that she’d go into the stables to get it,” Rachel said.

  Out of the corner of her eye, Lauren saw Rémi exchange a look with Nic. Nic inclined his head and said, “Me.”

  Lauren’s eyes widened. “You?”

  “It makes sense,” Rémi said. “We’ve been talking about it. What better bait could we have? She’s stalking Nic because she wants him.”

  “Sure. But it’s not like he can wave a red flag at her and shout ‘I’m here. Come get me.’”

  His expression serious, Kaden finished off his tea then leane
d forward to put the cup on the coffee table. “Vivian’s not stupid.” Lauren waited as he rested his elbows on his knees, and steepled his fingers. “Whatever you do, Nic, it has to be something believable.”

  Nic shot Lauren a nervous glance. “I’ll come on to Vivian and ask her to meet me in the stables so we can have some private time.”

  Lauren wanted to jump up and shout, “Are you crazy?” But she forced herself to remain seated, to appear calm. “So… uh, you’ll be acting, right?”

  Nic’s gaze bore into her. “Yes, but she’ll believe every minute of it.” A lump formed in her throat. Of course Vivian would believe it. The danger was that Lauren might fall for his act, too.

  She tore her eyes away from Nic when Kaden addressed her. “Lauren, you and Jake need to stay hidden. If Vivian finds out you’re here, she’ll know something’s wrong. Things could get very dangerous.”

  She gulped. “I understand.”

  “I’ll take your rental to my place,” Rémi added.

  “Anything we forgot?” Rachel asked.

  “The shoes.” Rémi and Rachel stared at her with identical puzzled expressions. “The stalker, Vivian, caught her foot in the photo she sent of Summer. She was wearing Christian Louboutin shoes. None of this is conclusive, but if Vivian’s got a pair of Louboutin’s with her, it’s one more piece of evidence.”

  Nic nodded. “If she isn’t wearing them, one of us will need to check her room.”

  “I’ll take care of that,” Kaden said. “We need to talk scenarios now. What happens when she confesses?”

  “If she confesses,” Nic said.

  “Okay, what happens if she confesses? She’ll probably be pretty pissed at that point. Do you want us to come in and restrain her?”

  Rémi looked up, his smile a little too bright. “I’ve got zip ties.”

  Kaden tapped his holster and grinned. “But I’ve got a gun.”

  Rémi’s smile turned into a frown, making Lauren laugh despite the seriousness of the discussion.

  Nic scrubbed his jaw, looking suddenly tired. “About that. Even if Vivian killed Summer….” He hesitated.

  Lauren was pretty sure she knew what Nic was trying to say. “You don’t want her to be hurt.”

  He nodded. “I want her to get the help she needs. I owe her that much. Without her, I’d probably still be flipping burgers.”

  “You love her.”

  “And I feel guilty. What if something I said or did set her off?” He averted his eyes. “Maybe I led her on somehow.”

  “Don’t even go there,” Rachel said. “None of this is your fault.” The sternness of her tone surprised Lauren, but she completely agreed. Nic’s gaze fixed on his sister. After a few seconds of silent discussion, he nodded.

  “Now that that’s out of the way, let’s summarize. After Vivian confesses, I get to tie her down with my zip ties.” Rémi’s eyes held a mischievous glint in them.

  “Second scenario. She killed Summer with a knife. What if she pulls one on you, Nic?” Kaden asked.

  “Unless my life is in danger, do nothing.”

  Kaden bristled. “You hired me to protect you. If she pulls a knife, you’re in danger.”

  “We could use a signal,” Jake suggested. When everyone turned to him, his voice lowered to a mumble. “It was just a thought….”

  “That’s a good idea,” Kaden said. Jake smiled. They discussed various suggestions and finally decided that if Nic wanted the cavalry to charge in, he would say slap shot.

  “But whatever you do, don’t come in with your guns,” Nic added.

  Jake looked confused. “Why not?”

  “In hostage situations, the bad guy always makes the cops give him their weapons. And the last thing I want is for Vivian to get one of your guns.”

  Kaden eyed Nic. His jaw tight, he said, “Then we’ll have to shoot from outside the room.”

  “But only on my signal.”

  Rémi tapped the pencil on the pad. “When do you want this to go down?”

  “Tomorrow evening. Sunday’s the blackmail deadline, so this has to end before then. Vivian’s plane lands at four. I’ll have a limo waiting, so she’ll probably get here around five.”

  Rachel breathed a sigh of relief. “Phew, at least the kids will be gone by then.”

  Everyone sat back.

  “Shit,” Nic said, his tone exasperated. “I hadn’t even thought about that.”

  “As they say,” Jake said. “Thank God for small favors.”

  Rémi shook his head sadly as he met Rachel’s gaze. “Not another one.” They burst out laughing while Kaden and Jake eyed them as if they’d lost their minds.

  “Hey!” Nic laughed as he reached for his beer.

  “Another one what?” Lauren asked.

  “On his last trip here, Nic was crowned the King of Fortune Cookie Crap, but Jake here might be able to challenge him for the title.”

  Laughter rang out across the room. Even Jake smiled. Before the laughter had completely died down, Nic stood up and reached for Lauren’s hand and led her to the stairs. “I think we’re done here. Goodnight everyone.”

  Lauren looked over her shoulder at the group in the living room. A flush crept across her cheeks. Everyone knew why Nic was so eager to get her upstairs. But when he ran his thumb over her palm, the heat in his eyes melted away any lingering embarrassment. She grabbed his shirt, intending to tug it out of his pants. But he stopped her and whispered, “Catch me if you can,” then turned and ran up the stairs.

  Laughing, she took off after him. She’d already caught him.

  And she’d never let him go.

  CHAPTER 22

  As Nic reached the steps leading up to his attic suite, he pretended to stumble. He landed with his butt on the steps and waited. Lauren careened around the corner and flew into his arms. “Gotcha.” He grinned.

  She wrinkled her nose at him. “I thought I was supposed to catch you.”

  “Does it matter?”

  Laughing, she looped her arms around his neck. “Not one bit.”

  “I missed you so much,” he whispered in her ear and groaned at the feel of her stomach pressing against his cock. As if they had a mind of their own, his hands slid under her shirt. Nic wanted to shout out with relief when he felt the softness of her breasts against his palms. Several times over the past few days, he thought he’d never feel her silky skin again or hear her sexy moans. But here she was.

  Where she belonged.

  But the clothes had to go. He grabbed the hem of her shirt and pulled it up over her head. Her bra soon followed. With his hands on her waist, he lifted her higher so he could taste her ripe nipples. Hearing the sounds of pleasure she made at the back of her throat, his hips jerked against hers. But when he reached for the snap of her cargo pants, she stopped him. “Nic, we’re on the stairs.”

  Christ, he’d done it again. “Everything disappears when I’m with you.”

  She smiled. “Let’s go to your room.”

  Nic had all the best intentions in the world, but after kicking the door to his suite shut, he didn’t want to take another step. Naked from the waist up, she was beautiful. Turning, he backed her against the wall. He wanted her. And he couldn’t wait until they got to the bed.

  Kneeling before her, he undid the snap and zipper on her pants and tugged them off. Tonight, she wore a lacy green thong. It was the color of her eyes and sexy as hell. He nuzzled her through the thin material, relishing her moans of delight.

  Her breathing hitched as she speared her fingers through his hair, pulling him tighter against her. Inch by inch, he lowered her panties, his tongue trailing a wet path in their wake. She writhed as if anticipating the pleasure he would soon give her. He’d wanted to drag things out, to tease her a little. But where she was concerned, he was a weak man.

  Desperate for the taste of her, he yanked off the tiny scrap of material, nudged her legs apart and brought his mouth to her pink flesh. Oh man. She tasted even better than he
remembered. He’d been crazy to give in to the stalker’s demands, even for one minute.

  As he thrust his tongue into her opening, she tugged on his hair. He resisted. She tugged a little harder. “I need you inside. Now.” He raised his eyes to her and she groaned. “Seeing you like that… you’re killing me. Come here,” she insisted, again.

  The sight of her so aroused and demanding made him grin. It would be his pleasure to satisfy her tonight and for the rest of their lives. In one smooth movement, he stood up, lifting her at the same time. Her legs wrapped around his hips, while her hands worked to undo the fly of his jeans. When her hand closed around his cock and started stroking him, he stopped breathing. And like some hormonally challenged teenager, he had to fight not to come in her hand. “Condom… wallet,” he said, praying she’d understand.

  While she fiddled with his wallet, searching for a condom, he pressed his cock against her core in a rhythmic grind. Each small bump elicited a soft “Ah” from her that ratcheted up his desire. It was pure torture, but he couldn’t stop. Didn’t want to stop. After what felt like years, she dropped the wallet on the floor and waved a shiny wrapper in front of his face. “Got it!”

  Moments later, with his cock enclosed in latex, he pressed her back against the wall and slammed home, making them both gasp.

  When she wiggled her bottom, he gripped it and began to move. She was hot and tight, and he wouldn’t last long. The smooth column of her neck drew his attention and he raked the pale skin gently with his teeth. Her moans almost pushed him over the edge. Trailing his lips along her jaw, he took little nips along the way. She worked her fingers through his hair and pressed her mouth against his.

  Her lips opened, and he deepened the kiss, sucking her tongue into his mouth. Each time he nibbled the tip or stroked his tongue against hers, she made one of her wonderful sweet sounds that were like music to him. Her muscles contracted, heat bathed his cock. The pressure sent him reeling. But she was close and he wanted her to come before him.