by Dara Girard
Joscelyn had received the call as she was leaving the lecture hall where she’d finished giving a talk and signing books she’d paid her friend Gloria to ghost write for her. However, she hadn’t signed as many books as she’d hoped, most people had taken out their cell phones and wanted to take pictures of themselves with her. She’d had to smile so much her cheeks hurt. But now that the event was over, she’d planned to relax with a game of tennis. She looked forward to slaughtering her volleying partner. “He can try to clear his name, but he’s the one who pleaded guilty,” she said, wondering why that was news. “Besides, there’s nothing he can do.”
“It seems that he has help,” the voice continued.
“Who?”
“We’re looking into it. He’s dating someone named Evelyn Williams. Her family has connections and deep pockets.”
Joscelyn shoved on her sunglasses before she stepped out the front doors. “Try to persuade him that it’s not in his best interest to look into the past.”
“He won’t take money.”
That was most annoying. He’d been the perfect one to clean up the mess they’d found themselves in. She’d built the business even bigger than Emery could have imagined, but there had been some eggs she’d had to break in the process to making her omelet. Fortunately, there was no way for anyone to tie her to what had happened.
“Try anyway,” she said, her heels clicking against the new asphalt as she walked to her car. She wrinkled her nose at the smell. “And find out what you can on his new lady love.”
“Will do. Mr. Carter called.”
She stopped, surprised. “Why didn’t you tell me that first?”
He hesitated. “I thought the other issue was more pressing.”
Nothing was more pressing than the man she planned to have. She started walking again, ignoring a car that honked at her when she stepped into its path. “What did he say?”
“That he’d see you at the show.”
She inwardly cheered. She knew the theater wasn’t his interest, but she’d managed to convince him to go. It was a small step forward and though they wouldn’t be going together, it was something.
There were few things she wanted that she couldn’t have. Tytus Carter was one. He was magnificent, calculating, and just her type. Unfortunately, she hadn’t been able to convince him of that yet. But she would.
39
His place smelled like Krispy Kreme donuts, but Jason knew his parole officer was anything but sweet. He had to see Jaime Perez every month as dictated by his probation. Every month he had to come to the sparse little room, sit in a chair that should have been tossed years ago, and stare at a carpet so threadbare he couldn’t tell what color it was or had been or decipher the pattern on it. Perez sat behind his desk with the list of questions he was set to ask without variation. He had a buzz cut hair, square jaw and tiny pin prick eyes, which became eerily enlarged when he put on his glasses.
“How are you?”
Jason was certain he could say ‘Right now my life is a steaming pile of dung’ and that Perez would just nod and go to the next question, so he said what was expected, “Fine. And you?”
Perez nodded and went to the next question. “Do you have somewhere to live?”
“Yes.”
“Where? A halfway house?”
“No, I have my own place.”
“With family?”
“I have family, but I’m not staying with them. I have an apartment.”
“Have you found a job yet?”
“Yes.”
He looked up surprised. “Doing what?”
“Working for my brother.”
“Doing what?”
Jason suppressed a smile at the suspicion. Did he think his brother was a criminal too? “Managing inventory. He owns a business that sells home goods.” It’s not sexy, but it makes us money, he remembered his father telling him when he wanted Jason to join the company.
“Okay, last question. Have you been tempted to commit the same offense that sent you to prison?”
Does wanting to steal a woman’s heart, count? “No.”
“Have you been taking any drugs?”
“No.”
“Drawing unemployment?”
Considering I have a job, that would be stupid, right? Was the guy listening to anything he was saying? “No, because I’m working for my brother,” he said slowly.
Perez nodded. “Yeah, that’s right.” He checked a box then made a note. “Have you had any contact with anyone from prison?”
So much for one more question unless he couldn’t count. Or maybe he was new and read the script wrong. “Yes.”
“Does he have employment?”
“I’m helping him look.”
“And where is he staying?”
“With me for now.”
“Is there enough room?”
“Yes.”
“I may have to come by and inspect to make sure it’s up to standards.”
Jason shrugged. “Feel free.”
For the first time, Perez smiled. “I always do.”
He was an unexpected complication.
Catherine looked through the series of pictures Jason had sent her via email. Images of him photoshopped into different scenes around the world. In front of the Eiffel Tower, the Taj Mahal, the London Eye, the Great Wall of China. He’d ended it with “All the places I want to see with you. Miss you.”
Why did he have to make her so happy? Why did he have to be so wonderful?
She briefly closed her eyes and allowed herself to smile. She couldn’t pretend that she didn’t care about him and she missed him too.
Every day she thought about him more and more. She hated not being completely honest with him, but she couldn’t. She’d planned to spend the rest of her life alone. She’d not expected to get close to anyone again. She even kept Noah and Vera at a safe distance. But he was slipping into her heart. When she returned home, he was the first person she called, and when he invited her to a local show she said yes as promised.
“Isn’t this the eighth date?” Vera said as Catherine fixed her hair in the hallway mirror.
“You’ll meet him.”
“So you’re ready to admit that this is serious?”
More serious than I want it to be. “It’s getting close.”
“But something about him worries you?”
“It’s not him. It’s me.”
“There’s nothing wrong with you.”
“I’m not relationship material.” At least not yet. She wasn’t sure she’d ever be ready to trust, to love completely. He deserved more. She felt selfish, but being with him felt so good.
“I know your last marriage didn’t work, but don’t let that stop you.”
Catherine blinked, then remember that Evelyn had been divorced. Yes, she could use that excuse, that would be helpful. She was afraid to marry again because her last one fell apart, she was afraid because her husband left her in debt. She’d have to remember to tell Jason, but for now she’d keep that to herself. “I’m trying.”
“If you don’t invite him to dinner soon, your father will.”
“I will.”
Jason was thrilled when she told him her parents wanted to meet him. They sat in the theater a few minutes before the show began. She’d started to read what the story was about, but stopped when Jason reached over and held her hand.
“Does this frighten you?” he said softly.
It shouldn’t. “Why would you think that?”
“Because you stiffened and won’t look at me.”
She had to relax, this was normal. This was what couples did. “It’s just—”
“I won’t hurt you.”
“I know.”
“Do you want me to let go?”
She swallowed, then shook her head.
From the corner of her eyes she saw him flash his sexy grin before he kissed the back of her hand. “Good, because I wasn’t going to.” His grin widened when she turned to him.
“I’m being serious.”
That’s what continued to amaze her. How he could be serious and smile at the same time. “I wish I could be more like you. I once…”
“You once what?”
Could laugh and smile as freely as you. But that Catherine had died long ago. So had the Catherine who would say whatever was on her mind. And the Catherine who could love easily. “Was a better companion,” she finished.
“You’re perfect for me. Don’t change.”
She wished she knew what he saw. She stared at the stage, glad she hadn’t managed to scare him away with her quiet manner. She saw other women who were more lively and bubbly, and knew she was dour compared to them. At times she thought of how Evelyn would be, which was why she always presented her best…but after that she felt lost. She didn’t know how Evelyn had been in her marriage, what kind of wife she’d been. Or the kind of wife she would be. So much pretending. Did Jason like the image of Evelyn? What would he think of her if he really knew her past?
“I’ve got some good news,” he said.
“What?”
“We must be doing something right, I got a visit.”
She turned sharply to him. “What?”
“Yes, they visited and offered me a sizable amount to keep things as they are.”
“And you said?”
“No, of course.”
“But were you tempted? I know you could use the money.”
“Not as much as you think. Don’t you think it’s time you see my place?”
He’d asked her before, she’d always declined and each time felt guilty. She still felt that way. “It’s just—”
“We’ll watch a movie and order in, nothing more. I promise.”
Catherine bit her lip. “Maybe this isn’t good. I don’t like them approaching you. Did they make any threats?”
He lifted a brow. “And if they did?”
“Maybe you should leave this to me.”
“So that you’d become a target? Never.”
Why were they targeting him? Why had they approached him? How could he be a threat? What were they hiding? There were still too many unknown variables. She may have inadvertently used him to poke a hornet’s nest. Maybe involving him had been the wrong strategy. “Jason—”
“You’re worried about me.”
“Yes.”
He gave her hand a warm squeeze. “Good.”
“That’s not funny.”
“I know, it makes me feel good. Soon you’ll start realizing you love me too.”
Before she could reply, the lights dimmed and the show began.
40
The show was a flop.
“Well, that was twenty thousand down the drain,” Joscelyn said with a sigh.
Tytus shook his head in sympathy and looked at her, amused. “You invested in this?”
“It’s not something I’ll admit to in public.”
“Good idea,” he said, standing up from his seat. “Let’s pretend we didn’t even come here.” He held out her coat. Then led her to the exit. Joscelyn Payton wasn’t really his type, but he’d been bored and she was persistent enough. Maybe he’d give her a chance to be more persuasive. He was halfway up the aisle when a voice caused him to pause.
“What is it?” Joscelyn asked, when she’d crashed into his back.
He couldn’t reply. He knew that voice. Why did he know that voice? Why did it seem to rise above all the others? The voice reminded him of a small, candlelit room in England and a woman behind a mask who’d disappeared. After all these years, could it be her?
“Excuse me,” he said, then followed the voice, his heart picking up speed the closer he got to it. Then he was upon it. He only saw the back of her. A long honey brown neck, hair twisted up. She was the right size and height. He waited for her to finish and the other people to move away before he said, “Excuse me, Miss?”
She turned around and the world stood still. Her eyes met his. He knew those eyes. He knew that mouth. He’d searched for her and here she was. For a moment he felt lightheaded and breathless.
“Yes?” she said.
“We’ve met before,” he managed, his tongue feeling heavy in his mouth.
“No, I don’t think so,” she said politely.
“Years ago, you read my dreams and—”
“I’m sorry, but you must have me confused with someone else.”
“No, I know—”
“And I know that I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m sorry.” She grabbed her handbag and jacket then left.
He stared at her back, stunned. Could he be wrong? He’d been so certain. All these years he hadn’t heard a voice like hers. But…she was right there. There was something different about the cadence of her words and her word choices, but…no, that voice. That voice was hers and those eyes… he’d know them anywhere. Why would she pretend not to know him?
Catherine hurried out of the theater. Jason had gone to use the restroom and she’d stayed behind to chat with some people who’d been just as baffled by the performance as she had been, but that had been a mistake. She should have waited for him outside the theater. She stood near the men’s room, trying not to appear too anxious. What was taking him so long? She had to get away before Tytus spotted her again. Tytus! How could this be?
“Are you okay?” Jason said when he saw her.
“I’m fine. I was just getting hot in there.”
“Well, let’s get you…” His words trailed off when he saw something behind her. “I don’t believe this.” His face spread into a broad grin and he raised his hand.
Catherine turned to see who he was signaling and froze. It was him. Again!! But this time he wasn’t alone. Joscelyn stood almost possessively by his side. That was interesting. Joscelyn never seemed very interested in others before. Especially men. What made Tytus special to her? What was he doing with her? Or better yet, what was she doing with him? Joscelyn and Tytus, what a horrible yet appealing mix. She’d thought the play was bad, but this was worse. She considered feigning illness, but seeing Joscelyn’s eagle glare, she decided against it. She didn’t want to show any weakness in front of her.
“Haven’t we met before?” Joscelyn said.
“No,” Catherine said, surprised. Joscelyn had barely glanced at her in the hospital, but she wasn’t worried. She’d worn a suitable disguise. Unless her sister thought she seemed familiar because she recognized who she really was. But so many years had passed and if Catherine dismissed the idea, Joscelyn wasn’t one to press a topic. Catherine shifted her gaze to Tytus. “I guess I have that kind of face.”
“I wanted to offer my apologies,” Tytus said. “I didn’t mean to frighten you.”
Yes, she remembered telling him he’d frightened her all those years ago, but she wouldn’t fall for the bait. “There’s no reason to apologize. It’s understandable.”
“You two already know each other?” Jason said.
“No, it’s just that she reminded me of someone I’d met a long time ago,” Tytus said holding her gaze, daring her to look away. “Someone who changed my life.”
Catherine offered a thin smile, trying not to be mesmerized by his dark eyes. “I didn’t take you for a romantic.”
“A romantic?”
His gaze had grown even more intense over the years, she could feel goose bumps on her arms, but didn’t dare look away. “Yes, making such an exaggerated claim.”
“It’s not. I meant every word.”
Joscelyn slipped her arm through his. “Tytus always says what he means.”
“I don’t doubt it,” Catherine said, noticing the gesture. Her stepsister was feeling insecure. That was rare. Joscelyn usually didn’t have to stake a claim. Tytus meant a lot to her. That was good to know. Maybe this unexpected reunion would prove useful.
Jason shoved his hands in his pockets. “Yes, my brother always speaks his mind.”
“Brother?” Joscelyn and Catherine said in startled unison.
; “Yes,” Jason said with an embarrassed grin. “Sorry, I didn’t make introductions.”
“Allow me,” Tytus said holding out his hand to Catherine. “I’m Tytus Carter.”
She didn’t want to touch him, didn’t want to remember cupping his hand in hers and pretending to read his palm, but had no choice. “Evelyn Williams,” she said, taking his large hand in hers, steeling herself against the same electrical current that seemed to happen every time they touched. Part of her hoped it wouldn’t happen, but it did. Even more forceful than it had in the past. His gaze sharpened and his eyes narrowed, but she kept her features neutral, pretending not to feel anything. “And your lovely date?” she urged him.
He blinked, not releasing her hand, his palm hot against hers. “What?”
Jason playfully hit him on the arm. “Wake up, bro. Are you in a trance or something?”
“Excuse me,” Tytus said, quickly recovering himself before he motioned to the woman beside him. “Joscelyn Payton.”
“A pleasure,” Catherine said, shaking her hand. It’s been a long time.
“Thank you,” Joscelyn said, sending her a look of cool disinterest, which she’d perfected. But Catherine knew the look meant the exact opposite. She saw Evelyn as a possible threat and that wasn’t good. She hadn’t planned to be an enemy of Joscelyn this soon in the game. She wouldn’t be able to get her in a vulnerable spot if she had her defense up.
Catherine took Jason’s hand and kissed him lightly on the cheek. “Come on, I’m starving and I know just where I want to treat you.”
He looked so delighted at her unexpected display of affection that she felt guilty for using him just to ease Joscelyn’s concerns. But she had no choice. She would make it up to him.
“I won’t say no to that,” Jason said, giving her hand a tender squeeze. He nodded at Tytus and Joscelyn. “See you both.”
As they walked to the exit, Catherine made sure not to look back, although she wondered if her diversion had worked. Was Tytus or Joscelyn watching them leave? Would Tytus believe her lie and forget her? This was getting more and more complicated. Jason’s brother was dating the woman she wanted to destroy.