He picked up his briefcase from the floor and ran his hand through his hair. Rupert’s threat didn’t bother him. He could take care of himself. But he’d be damned if he’d help a murderer walk free. He needed more information and he knew just who to call.
Chapter 6
“I got your message to dress up, but you know that left me with way too many options.” Shannon settled into his car and looked at him. He was elegant in his custom-tailored tux. My, how he’d changed since she’d first met him all those years ago. “You look good enough to eat.”
“Careful now.” His grin went wicked. “But thanks. I’m trying to impress a girl. You look perfect.” He leaned across the console to kiss her, careful not to ruin her lipstick. “I knew you’d figure it out.” He eyed the edge of her plunging neckline. “You always fit in wherever you go.”
“A little black dress. Hard to go wrong with one. So where is it this time?” She shivered as she captured his warm fingers before he could touch her and held his hand. “Stop teasing me. I’m not starting the night in your bed or we’ll never go anywhere else.”
He laughed and sat back. “Now that was quite a compliment. Dinner first. We have the private wine room at Theodore’s. Then they’re doing a new ballet this week and I’ve arranged for us to see the dress rehearsal tonight. I figured you’d like that.”
“Are you kidding me?” This time she forgot all about her makeup as she leaned over and kissed his smile. “How did you manage that?”
“I handled something for the stage manager’s son a while back when he was falsely accused of a hate crime. He loves me now. They’ve been rehearsing all week so when I told him a special lady loved the ballet, he said to come on. They’ll be there late so we can sit wherever we want and enjoy watching the last run-through.”
“I have a feeling the ballet’s not your favorite thing. Janie reminded me of that just this morning.” Shannon straightened his bow tie then sat back.
“She showed me the birthday cake she baked for you. I told her we’d try it when I brought you home. If I brought you home.” He finally put the car in gear.
“You’re being optimistic.” She smiled. “I think Janie likes you. Even though she’s not so keen on the fact that rich people use lawyers like you to get off when they shouldn’t.” Shannon saw him frown. “Sorry if that touched a nerve.”
“Rich people use me when they’re innocent. I don’t know what anyone else does. But this is your night. Sit back and relax. You know I can’t talk about my cases anyway. Except for the one your family is involved in. And we sure don’t want to get into that on your birthday.” He drove down the tree-lined streets toward the tony restaurant where he’d obviously made a reservation.
Shannon knew the exclusive wine room was usually booked solid. Had he used another grateful client connection? It was becoming obvious to her that the years since she and Billy had been together had been very good to him.
“You know, I owe you an apology.”
“What for?” He glanced at her, suddenly serious. He always took her seriously.
“Our first go-round I wasn’t very kind to you. I didn’t understand your work ethic and wanted you to act like one of my rich boyfriends, always available.” She started to look away but realized that was being cowardly. She needed to watch him.
“Yeah, I knew that. In college, I was drowning in debt, trying to stay in school and working two jobs. I wanted to give you everything. I was crazy about you. But I had this goal for my future. If I didn’t achieve it, you wouldn’t have wanted me anyway.” His hands tightened on the steering wheel. “I can be obsessive. It’s a fault that I can’t seem to get past. When I set my mind to something, get out of my way.”
“Yes, I know. That’s why you’re so successful.” Shannon touched one of his tight hands. “There’s nothing wrong with being driven.”
“But I drove you away.” He opened his fist and clasped her hand. “I regretted it. We were young. A mature man would have figured out a way to manage both your wishes and the other pressures. Or at least tried to open up, explain things so you could understand why I couldn’t be there for you.”
“My wishes for you to drop everything and come when I called? And do you really think I’d have been interested in your explanations back then?” Shannon realized her laugh had a bitter edge. God. Turning thirty was making her see just what a selfish bitch she’d been in the past. Past? How about five minutes ago? “Billy, I was, am, a spoiled brat. I had no concept of what it was like to have to work for what I wanted. Daddy gave me everything. I didn’t even have to study hard, majoring in fun and games.”
He lifted her hand to his lips. “You’re smart, Shannon. Don’t put yourself down like that.”
“Thanks.” She smiled, wondering why he insisted on pursuing her. “You said we could start over. Fresh. I’m willing to try.”
He smiled. “That’s enough for me.”
“You’re crazy, you know that? You have no idea what you’re taking on. My mother is insane and my daddy was a crook. You may end up having to bail me out someday or visit me in an asylum.”
“It’ll be my pleasure.” He pulled into the parking lot, then leaned over to kiss her.
It was a sweet but deep and satisfying kiss that made her sigh into his mouth and hold onto his hard middle. She shivered, terrified that she’d screw it up. She drew one hand up to cup his firm chin when he finally lifted his head.
He smiled down at her. “Will you be mad if I tell you I’m starved? No lunch. And that restaurant has the best damned steak you’ll ever put in your mouth.”
Shannon laughed and pulled a handkerchief from his pocket. He always carried one because his grandmother had trained him to do it. He’d even done it in college which had made her friends laugh at him. She wiped away the lipstick from his face. “Let’s go. I’m hungry too. Even though Cassidy bought me an absolutely decadent lunch today, including dessert.”
“Wasn’t that nice of her?” He opened his door as the valet opened the passenger side door for her.
Shannon pulled down the vanity mirror and quickly fixed her face then got out of the car. “Cass is amazing. A financial whiz.”
“So you think Cassidy can help save the company?” Billy handed his keys to the valet.
“She’s doing her best. Of course, Mason is a great advisor. None of us knows a thing about the oil industry. Daddy deliberately kept us in the dark. Now I think it’s because of how he’d started the company.” Shannon looked around. She had to be more careful. This was a deeply shameful thing for the family.
“It doesn’t hurt that Mason seems to have fallen hard for Cassidy.” Billy smiled when the maître’ d greeted him by name and hurried to escort them to the private room where their table waited.
“This isn’t how this room usually looks. It’s beautiful.” Shannon stopped in the doorway. There were dozens of white flowers and candles decorating the room usually tricked out as a wine cellar. It was a magical transformation.
“I wanted it to be special for you.” Billy took her elbow and guided her to a velvet chair at a small table set for two. There was a bottle of fine champagne in a silver bucket next to it. A waiter appeared from a discreet side door to show Billy the label then opened the bottle.
“Champagne?” Shannon couldn’t stop smiling.
“Did you think I was going to deny you the bubbly on your birthday?” Billy sat across from her and smiled.
“It had crossed my mind.” She laughed when the cork popped. “Sorry, but I love that sound.” She took the glass the waiter handed her then waited while he filled one for Billy before he left them alone.
“A toast.” Billy touched his crystal flute to hers. “To the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. Happy birthday.”
“Thank you.” Shannon sipped and savored the tingle of the tiny bubbles. She’d barely made a de
nt in the champagne before a waiter appeared with the first course.
“Have you been stalking me? How did you know all my favorites?” Shannon was almost too full after they’d worked their way through five courses, from a hearts of palm salad to chocolate mousse.
“I pay attention. And I called Janie.” He grinned when her empty dish was whisked away.
“This was perfect.” Shannon toyed with her glass. She had a pleasant buzz. To her surprise, they hadn’t even bothered to finish the bottle of champagne. “You seemed to find plenty of beautiful women to escort when we weren’t dating.”
“And you always had one of your rich Romeos hanging onto you.” He stood and held out his hand. “We’d better get going if we want to see any part of that ballet rehearsal.”
“Maybe I’m not so eager now.” Shannon let him wrap her silk jacket around her shoulders, then turned in his arms as they waited for the valet to bring his car around.
“No way. I went to some trouble to arrange the ballet thing.” He beat the valet to the handle and opened the car door.
“I admit I’d like to see the visiting prima ballerina from New York. Her solo is supposed to be spectacular.” Shannon settled into the leather seat and watched him walk around the car. She was too happy. There was something wrong here. She’d never let herself trust a man like this before.
Old doubts hit her as he drove them downtown. He’d get tired of her. Men always did. Or she’d get bored. Turning thirty had rattled her, made her worry that time was running out. That she’d never find a mate, settle down, have a family. Honestly, though, did she really want that? Billy certainly did. He’d mentioned kids once, long ago. He deserved a couple of them. Little League, the whole domestic bliss thing. But where would that fit in with his busy schedule? Her father had missed every one of her ballet recitals growing up, always putting business first. Would Billy do the same? Staying driven even after it was clear he was already on top of the heap?
By the time they’d parked and he’d talked a security guard into letting him leave his car in front of the auditorium, she was in full panic mode.
She took his hand and stepped into the fantasy world of the ballet. But reality kept creeping in, making her heart race and her breath catch. He leaned forward in his seat, pointing out the mechanics of the set, pretending to like the way the dancers moved gracefully across the stage. He had even arranged for her to meet the ballerina, an icon in the dancing world. When she handed Shannon an autographed pair of her shoes, it was all she could do not to cry.
Off and on—mostly off—then two days together. This was moving too fast. All this special treatment was very seductive and he was looking way too good to her. But soon he’d remember the Shannon who didn’t measure up to his strict standards. She shivered and he slipped her jacket over her shoulders before they headed to his car.
“Great night,” she murmured, sighing inwardly. “Thank you.”
Billy had become an expert at reading people. He’d done it in the courtroom for a decade. He knew when a witness was jumpy. Shannon wasn’t on the stand, but she was anxious about something. Was he pushing her too hard? Coming on too strong? She was showing signs of bolting, like a fugitive.
No, hell no. He was going to have to take drastic action. He’d been studying her—yes, they’d been apart for a long time. But it didn’t mean he hadn’t kept tabs on her. She’d worked her way through the no-account playboys in her set and he’d held his breath. She’d come close a time or two to settling for the smooth lines of the major players.
He didn’t blame the guys who’d come after her. She was everything a man could want—beautiful, smart and accomplished. She could enter a room and charm everyone in it. A man could make a dazzling career with a woman like that at his side. Yeah, he knew that. Had known it from the get-go. But it was more than a cold business decision that made him determined to have Shannon Calhoun. It was the undeniable spark between them. The thing that made him watch for her every time he went to one of those social things that his business required, the high society gigs she lived and breathed for.
She had a grace and sophistication that part of him craved. He always had to be tough and it was damned exhausting. He needed a soft place to fall and in his mind, it was Shannon he pictured beside him when he finally relaxed the relentless pace he’d set for himself. A different man might find other women more impressive. Prettier, funnier, curvier. Didn’t matter. None of them did it for him like Shannon did.
So he’d arranged for this thing with the ballet. Saw her face light up and watched her carefully. She said what he’d expected. Clutched those nasty toe shoes to her little black dress like they were platinum and even teared up when the famous ballerina signed them. He got it. If a certain basketball great had signed a ball and handed it him, he might have teared up too. He liked seeing her happy. Her smile when she turned to thank him, made him feel ten feet tall. He wanted to make her smile like that all the time. For him; because of him.
Once they were in his car again, he hoped the evening wasn’t over. He turned to her as he put the car in gear. “Shannon…”
“Billy, maybe I should go home now. To my house. Work tomorrow, you know. It’s late.” She gestured at the clock on his dash.
“Really?” He reached over and touched her bare knee. He did love the way the dress she wore hugged her curves and kept sliding up her legs.
“I’m tired.” She yawned and leaned back in her seat. “I know you must be. You told me over dinner that you were up all night with your aunt and her problems.”
“I took a nap this afternoon. Found a second wind. But if you come home with me, we could sleep. I’d love to wake up with you in my arms.” He grinned. “I’m pretty good in the morning. Remember?”
“Hmm.” She held his hand on her thigh. “I do remember.”
Was she softening? Billy stopped at a light. This was where he would turn left or right. Her house or his.
“Make a decision. I won’t push it.” His body was screaming at him to push and push hard.
“This was a perfect evening. You made it wonderful.” She nodded. “I’d love to fall asleep in your arms. But I can’t.”
He just resisted pounding the steering wheel. “I guess that means you’re not ready. And maybe we should do things differently this time around. Okay.” He made the left turn and eased off the accelerator, no longer in a hurry.
“You seem to have picked up a lot of favors since you started your law practice.” She watched him drive.
“Yeah. It’s a good way to do business. You never know when you’ll need one. Like tonight. That sure came in handy. And the restaurant owner. I had to pull a few strings to get the wine room at the last minute.”
* * * *
“It was worth it. I’ve never had such a perfect meal.” She sighed. “We’re here. Thank you again for such a great night.”
“Your birthday’s almost over and I haven’t given you your present yet.” He parked and pulled out a wrapped box.
It was small. Jewelry? She stared at him across the dark car.
“We should have done this during dinner.” He handed it to her.
“Why didn’t we?” She slid the ribbon off the box and tore off the paper. Inside was an old velvet jewelry box, the kind with an attached lid.
“This means something special. I wanted it to be just the two of us when you opened it.” He grabbed her hand before she could snap open the box. “Maybe I should explain.”
“You’re nervous. What is this, Billy?” Shannon studied his face. “Is it a family heirloom? Or a piece of estate jewelry? I love things like that. Pieces with history.”
“Oh, hell. Just open it and then I’ll explain.” He let go of her hand.
She flipped up the lid and saw a short gold chain with an enameled charm in the middle. Lifting it, she could see that it was a bracelet. The c
harm was obviously Indian, a two-headed bird of some kind. “It’s beautiful.”
“It’s the symbol of my great grandfather’s tribe, the Patagi. Those are twin birds. They represent our right to choose between good and evil. Gramps chose to leave the Tribe. Later in life, he had this made for my great grandmother. He made peace with the Tribal Council but never went back to the reservation to live.”
“But surely this should stay with your grandmother, or your aunt.” Shannon laid it on her wrist. It would fit perfectly and was obviously high-quality gold with very fine enamel work.
“Gran can’t wear it. Her arthritis makes it hard for her to work a clasp like that. She sure won’t give it to my aunt. She’s furious with her. Has been for a while. So she gave it to me some time ago and told me to give it to someone special.” Billy pulled her closer, his hands on her shoulders. “That’s you, Shannon. It’s not a commitment or anything like that, so don’t freak out. If you don’t want to wear it, I’ll understand. I’ve noticed you don’t wear much jewelry except to your fancy shindigs.”
Shannon stared at him. Not a commitment. Of course not. But it obviously meant a lot to him and accepting it would be a step toward healing things between them. She just hoped he didn’t regret giving her such an important family piece.
“I love it. I’ll be proud to wear it every day.” She held out her wrist. “Put it on for me.”
Billy fastened the clasp securely. “I had a jeweler add a safety chain. My grandmother lost it for a while then found it in a sofa cushion when I was just a kid. So she put it away. It’s the only valuable piece the family managed to keep after my great grandfather lost everything in the Great Depression.”
Texas Pride Page 7