“You didn’t make me do anything, and I’m not sick. It’s just the sudden change in temperature from outside to in here.” He bent his head as if studying the prints on the desk in front of him.
She didn’t believe him, but he obviously didn’t want to discuss it. She, however, did not want to sit in silence because then she would start worrying about the break in. Add to that her penchant for not taking subtle hints, and sitting quietly was not an option. Leaning forward, Copper rested an elbow on the desk. “What are we looking at?”
He glanced at her, though he barely lifted his head. His dark shaggy hair hid most of his eyes from view. Their intensity still hit her as if they were staring straight into her own. It should probably intimidate her. Copper wasn’t good about doing what was expected. She was more of a damn-the-torpedoes-full-speed-ahead kind of girl. She smiled.
“It’s a schematic for a security system.”
“So I’m guessing it doesn’t look like a mess of squiggly lines to you.” If she’d learned nothing else from growing up with two alpha males in the family, then serving four years in the Navy, she knew admitting when you didn’t know something always put guys at ease. It seemed her gimpy knight in shining armor wasn’t immune, if the slight, very slight, smile on his lips was any indication.
“Actually, right now, that’s exactly what it looks like,” he said and rolled it up.
“Headache?”
For a moment he stopped rolling the prints. “No,” he said. Standing, he finished rolling the prints up, slipped them in a cardboard sleeve and took it to a shelf on the opposite wall.
Copper noticed the limp again. “Your leg hurts, then?”
“Not much.” He turned back, but his gaze gave nothing away.
“Sorry, I was a nurse before I opened my shop. It’s reflex I guess. I see someone hurting and I want to fix them,” she said. “Not that you look like you need to be fixed. I mean, oh Lord, I didn’t just say that did I?” She clapped a hand over her runaway mouth hoping to stem the flow of stupid qualifiers.
When he returned to his seat and met her gaze, he didn’t appear irritated so much, as amused. Before he said anything his attention was pulled to the window. “Yeah, you did, but it looks like you’re rescued from trying to reword it.” His head tipped toward the door. “Cops are here.”
Copper stood and looked out the window as she set her coffee cup on the desk. “Well, I guess I better go take care of business.” She turned back to face him, but he was around the desk and walking toward the door with a cane. Dang it, she’d known his leg hurt. “Thanks, but you don’t need to come. I can handle it.”
He looked her in the eye, as if taking her measure. Copper raised an eyebrow at the consideration, but didn’t say anything. When he nodded, she felt like she’d won a prize. Strange because as a rule she didn’t care what people thought of her.
“I’m sure you can,” he said continuing to the door and pulling it open. He leaned against it as he spoke. “I’ve been here since around five. I didn’t see anyone, so my guess is it happened sometime between one and four-thirty. If they want to talk to me just send them over.”
Copper narrowed her eyes a little and considered him before she left. “How did you come up with that specific a time frame?”
“There was too much going on down here last night until midnight with the shelter benefit. I saw you stop in your office before you left town after that, but didn’t see any other activity there before I left around one.”
“Are you always so aware of your surroundings and everyone around you?” Copper asked, and wondered at the slight tensing of his facial muscles with her question.
“Not always.”
Copper heard a load of guilt in the quiet admission. She could also see it was not a topic she should pursue having just met the man. Besides, she had to talk to the police.
So why are you standing here staring at the man?
“Well, thanks again. Maybe I can buy you a cup of coffee later for your trouble,” she said holding out her hand. He hesitated. When he did enclose her hand in his, Copper felt warmth and strength in his firm grasp.
“Not necessary.”
Copper had grown up with a Colonel for a father. She knew a dismissal when she heard one. This time she forced the smile as she stepped passed him and outside.
# # #
Dos watched through the window in the door as she crossed the street. The early morning sun made her hair shine like a new penny. Now that he knew her name, the thought made him grin. She was aptly named. Her height, he tipped his head as he considered it, five ten or so caught attention as well. She didn’t slouch, but carried herself with an air of confidence he appreciated. The reality of her up close had been a thousand times better than his imagination had made her from a distance. Her voice, like liquid silk, had sluiced over him like a warm spring rain. Her radiant face was a beacon in his ever-darkening life. When he’d caught her by the waist as she backed out of her office, desire to pull her close had unexpectedly slammed him in the stomach. His blood pressure rose now just remembering the moment.
Having a fantasy was one thing. He could never have more thanks to the fear of passing on the damned virus coursing through his veins. Irritated for even thinking of it had him turning away from the door.
Get a grip, Masters.
He shook his head and turned away from the door, fantasy time was over. How could he have not recognized her? He’d seen pictures of her for years in the Colonel’s office. Granted, she looked better in real life than a framed photo.
Halfway back to his desk, his cell phone vibrated in his pocket. Dos pulled it out and glanced at the display as it vibrated again. Having called the station, he knew refusing to answer was not an option. Doing that would make his brother worry. His main objective these days was to stop his family from worrying about him.
“Hey, little brother, what’s up?” he asked, in what he hoped was an upbeat tone.
“You tell me. I just got in and the officer at the desk told me you called.”
Dos heard the concern in Tres’ voice. “Someone broke into a business across the street. I called it in for her.”
“Her?”
“Don’t you start,” Dos chuckled, as he sat down. “Mom’s bad enough and you know better. But yeah, her. Maybe I should fix you up. She’s a real looker.” There was an understatement. She was a beauty.
“Okay, we’re even,” said his brother, and Dos relaxed, enjoying the mutual teasing.
“Don’t worry, I wouldn’t anyway. Having learned her name, and gotten a closer look at her face, keeping my distance would be best.”
“Why?”
Dos took a deep breath at the suspicion in his brother’s tone, as if Cardone or one of his men would pop up in Braedon’s Edge any minute. His whole family worried over him all the time. If it wasn’t his brothers concerned for his safety, it was his mother about his health. He hated it. However, getting mad at them didn’t help, so he gave his explanation in a more civil tone than he felt.
“Her name’s Kerrigan,” he said, waiting to see if Tres would make the connection.
“As in your C.O.?”
He should never have doubted his brother the detective.
“Yeah, she even has red hair,” Dos said grinning. “Like the Colonel used to. And in the short time she was here, I got the feeling she inherited his determination and drive as well.”
“Quite a combination,” Tres said, and then paused.
Dos sensed his brother’s unease through the line. “What?”
“Nothing, it just seems a little coincidental her being here after the Colonel sent you home to recoup.”
“Not really. First off, he didn’t send me home so much as agree with you and Ace it was a good idea. Second, he already has you to spy on me,” Dos said. His relaxed attitude dissipated with the topic. Tres would deny it, but Dos knew the Colonel kept in contact with both of his brothers. “Third, I’m pretty sure she’s been i
n business for quite a while. And fourth, I can’t imagine him wanting his daughter within a thousand miles of me.”
“First off,” Tres said, sarcastically, making Dos regret getting irritated. “I’m not spying on you. Second, other than the fact that he probably knows you’re not interested in a serious relationship, why wouldn’t he want his daughter near you?”
“I don’t know, maybe the unknown virus running through my system, or the intermittent blackouts, or, oh yeah, the fact that I’m number one on a prominent drug lord’s hit parade. But hey, other than that I’m a great catch.” He regretted the sarcasm before he even finished speaking. His situation wasn’t his brother’s fault. “Sorry, Tres. I guess not wanting a relationship is one thing. Not having the option to change your mind is something else.”
“We don’t know it’s been taken away. You’re not dead, so--”
“Yeah, I know Mom’s mantra,” Dos interrupted not wanting to hear about hope right now. “We good? I need to get back to work.”
When he flipped the phone closed, Dos sat for a minute, trying to let go of the guilt by reasoning with himself. As usual it didn’t work. Guilt was something he carried a load of. Failing his men was at the top of the list, but screwing up his relationship with his family was a close second. Having been gone so much of the last fifteen years was a problem. He didn’t know how to deal with their love-you-no-matter-what attitude anymore. Then there was the fact that being around all of them, after his months of isolation in South America, was overwhelming. He got up and grabbed the schematics he’d put away when Copper had been there. Sometimes doing technical work for the business his other brother was starting up helped.
A few hours and another pot of coffee later, movement out the front window caught Dos’ eye. Looking up he realized it wasn’t so much movement, as color that drew his attention. Copper Kerrigan’s hair flew around her head and shoulders in the October wind. The movement reflected sparks of sunshine with every step she took. Unfortunately, those sparks, and steps, were coming directly toward his office.
Chapter Two
Dos stood a second before Copper opened the door. He noted her tight expression, as she stepped inside.
“How did it go?” He watched those flashing green eyes roll in response.
“Peachy,” she said, with a forced smile as she plopped down in the chair she’d vacated earlier. “They think it was kids messing around.”
“Really? I haven’t been around in a while, but I don’t remember ever having that kind of problem with kids here.” Dos lowered himself into his chair.
“Well, I have been around for five years, and you’re right, there’s never been this kind of trouble.”
He had hoped she would just offer the coffee she mentioned earlier, so he could turn her down and she would leave. It didn’t seem that was going to be the case. She waved her hand in the air, another Colonel-like gesture, and he knew she was trying to dismiss the entire ordeal.
“Anyway, I’ve been cleaning up a little since they left and got to thinking. You install security systems, right?”
“No,” he said confused by the unexpected disappointment that she would leave weighing down on him. Why would he possibly want her to stay? He preferred his sanctuary quiet and undisturbed by beauty and temptation.
“But your sign says, Master Security. And Mr. Parks, he owns the shop next to my office, he said you helped him.”
Dos nodded. “He asked some questions, I gave him some suggestions.”
She pulled a small pad from the pocket of her coat. “Okay, if that’s all you’ll do, suggest away.”
“I would need to know what the problems are first,” he said, regretting them as the words came out of his mouth.
Her smile warmed the entire room. Why hadn’t he noticed that before? Barely stopping himself from physically shaking his head, he pulled out his own pad to take notes. Designing a system for her was the least he could do, especially with her being the Colonel’s daughter.
“What was taken? Do you keep a lot of cash on hand there?” She shook her head and that glorious hair rippled over her shoulders. He looked down at his pad, irritated with himself.
“None, most of my customers write checks or use credit cards. I make deposits everyday.”
“Anything else taken, electronic equipment, stereo, or a computer maybe?”
“No, my only computer was at home. Other than a cheap boom box, essential oils and such, there’s not much worth stealing. They trashed the place, as I’m sure you noticed when you made the mistake of stepping inside earlier.” The told-you-so smile on her face didn’t irritate him the way such a look from one of his brothers would.
Dos nodded in agreement.
“They smashed my entire stock of oils, destroyed the massage table in back, and all the supplies I keep in the back room. I’m closed until my next shipment comes in, and I can get the smell aired out. My portable table will work until I can get a new one. That’s going to put a crimp in the old pocketbook. So, you understand why I need advice on how to put in a security system without spending a fortune.”
He listened to the long explanation without comment. Not that he had a choice. She didn’t even take a breath. When she did, he broke in. “It sounds more personal than kids causing trouble to me. Any reason you know of that someone would want to close you down?”
“Like what? It’s not like this place is a hotbed of crime. At least it hasn’t been as long as I’ve been here.”
Dos nodded and leaned back in his chair. “I’m not up on real estate around here. Has anyone approached you about wanting to buy you out? Is there anything special about the building or land it’s on?” He didn’t recall anything significant about that building. It was old but not historical as far as he knew.
“No, and massage therapists aren’t exactly the run each other out of business types. We’re into making people feel better, not worse. Besides, there’s been plenty of business for myself and the other therapist in town for years. We even trade with each other, and fill in for each other now and then.”
Dos made a couple of notations then glanced at her across the desk. He was reluctant to voice his next thought. “Are there any angry ex-husbands or boyfriends around?”
“You’re kidding right?”
Dos shook his head and raised an eyebrow. Why would she think he was kidding? She had to have guys lined up around the block. She rolled her gorgeous green eyes again.
“No. I’ve never been married. Since moving here the closest I’ve come to a relationship is dinner with the same guy twice.”
The flush on her face had him wishing he had been that guy. He also wondered why the lack of social life. She was young, gorgeous, and appeared to be friendly. Why wouldn’t more guys ask her out? One possibility popped into his mind.
“Is there anyone from your past with an axe to grind?” She’d said she had only been here five years. That coupled with the lack of dating could mean she was hiding from someone.
A frown scrunched up her face. She tilted her head. “Is there a reason you think people don’t like me?”
“No,” Dos said pulling his head back as if insulted.
“Then why do you keep suggesting it? I promise. I don’t have any enemies.”
“Everyone has enemies.” He folded his hands in front of him and considered her. She seemed to be thinking about his response.
“Oh damn,” she said jumping out of her chair and turning away before whirling back and glaring at him. “Of course, you’re military. I can’t believe I didn’t see it before.”
He had never heard the two words said as an accusation before. It almost made him laugh. It also made him wonder. Why did the Colonel’s career affect their relationship in such a negative way?
“Excuse me?” Maybe playing dumb would get her to explain her leap to his profession.
“Your comment and posture remind me of all the officers I’ve known,” she said, tipping her head to the side. “You
are, aren’t you?”
“Yes, I’m a major in the army.” He watched his words take her from frustration to suspicion.
“Did my father send you? I swear I’m going to . . . aughhh,” she said, turning and pacing toward the front of the office before he could answer.
Dos shook his head, though she couldn’t see him. He found the loss of control and frustration with the Colonel amusing. He had been as frustrated with the man himself. What didn’t amuse him was the fact she looked so damned desirable in her anger. Trying to tamp down the unwelcome emotion he focused on the conversation.
“First, I don’t think we’re supposed to do recon in our own country,” he told her not wanting to give up his connection with the Colonel yet. “Second, I’m home on leave.”
She turned back and the fight evaporated as fast as it had formed. The pity on her face was worse.
“Your leg, of course, I’m sorry,” she said, sitting across from him again.
God how he wished it were only his leg, but he decided to go with her version. “Yeah, it’s still a little tough running the obstacle course. Now, to get back to our previous conversation, enemies?”
He forgot what they were talking about as she shook her head. His eyes focused on her hair glowing in the sunbeams.
“No enemies, sorry.”
Shaking his own head, both to clear it and at her denial he made a notation on the pad in front of him.
“I guess it could have been someone who was high on something and lost it when they didn’t find any cash.”
Dos didn’t bore her with everything he knew about addicts. It appeared she didn’t want to admit to any negatives in her life. Thinking someone she knew was on drugs would probably be devastating. Copper Kerrigan was a softy if he’d ever seen one.
“So, did it happen in Iraq? I did a couple of hitches over there. I know how bad it can be.”
Looking up at her off topic question, he found himself mesmerized by the emerald jewels she called eyes. The feeling she could see straight through to his soul sent a shiver over his body. Dos quickly looked away. He didn’t want anyone seeing his soul tarnished with all the garbage he’d dealt with the last few years.
Her Master Defender (The Masters Men Series) Page 2