What had happened between them never should have, and yet damned if he could make himself regret it. He’d had his fair share of lovers over the years, but what he and MW had shared...
Lost in thought, he stared as his cell phone rang. Again, caller ID showed the hospital. “Dr. Colton?” Dr. Patel’s voice, sounding tired.
His heartbeat sped up. “What have you learned?”
“Nothing yet.”
“I see.” As his pulse went back to normal, he exhaled. “Then what’s up?”
“I just wanted to let you know that your brother has been here. He’s input the information we have into some sort of national law-enforcement database. I’m sure he’ll be in touch with you soon.”
Thanking her, he ended the call. Next up, he punched in the command to call his brother.
Ryan answered immediately, sounding cheerful. “Well, hello there, my impatient brother. I’m working as fast as I can.”
“Thank you. Dr. Patel told me you’d been in to pay her a visit.”
“I have, I have. Figured I could fast-track this thing.”
“Thank you.” Eric gripped the wheel, wondering why he felt so apprehensive. Instinct? Or the fear he might lose MW forever?
“Once we know who she is, maybe we can figure out why someone is trying to harm her,” Ryan continued. “That’s amazing luck that she had a metal plate.”
“Yes, it is. I just wish Dr. Patel had seen fit to mention it earlier.”
“How’d you find out about it anyway?” Ryan asked.
Silence. Eric didn’t want to out-and-out lie, but his brother didn’t need to know about what had been a private moment. He finally settled on a partial truth. “She noticed a scar on her leg and showed it to me.”
“And you being a doctor, you knew immediately what it was from,” Ryan finished.
“Something like that.”
“They’re running the number now. Once they get a hit, they’ll let me know and I’ll call you. I imagine finding out her story will be a relief for you.”
“Yes, it will.” Eric took a deep breath. “As a matter of fact, I’m on my way to Tulsa now.”
“You’re bringing MW back?” Ryan sounded shocked. “I’m not sure that’s wise,” he continued, without waiting for Eric to answer. “She’s safer at the ranch.”
“Which is why I left her there.”
“Oh. I see.” For some reason, this seemed to amuse his brother. “Anyway, I’ll get in touch with Forensics tomorrow and make sure they put a rush on running that number.”
“I appreciate that. Any word on the bomb that blew up my car?”
“Nothing yet. Though your insurance company has been here harassing my people.” Ryan sighed. “I had no idea that little sports car of yours was so expensive.”
“It was. I really liked that Porsche.”
Ryan chuckled. “Good thing you had remote start. Who knew such a thing could save your life?”
“True.” And he’d never have a vehicle without it after this. “I’m glad to be alive.”
“I’m kinda glad you’re alive myself,” Ryan teased. “And I’m pretty sure once we find out what’s going on with your MW, we’ll know more about why someone blew up your car.”
Eric debated correcting his brother for referring to MW as his, but decided against it. “Probably.”
“So, where are you heading?” Ryan asked. “Do you want to grab dinner later?”
“To the hospital. I want to see the X-rays for myself. After that, I’m free, so sure.”
“Great.
He drove to the hospital and headed to his office, where he used the computer system to log in and view MW’s X-ray report, which had been filed under Jane Doe. Sure enough, the radiologist had noted the presence of a metal plate in her femur. Beyond that, nothing else had been written.
He checked all the other records in the hospital database, but everything looked routine.
Sitting back in his chair, he dragged his hand across his chin and tried to figure out what to do next. Coming back to town had been an impulsive reaction to the closeness he’d felt making love to MW. When he’d caught himself entertaining the idea of a future together, he’d known it was time to get out of Dodge. He needed to put some distance between them and try to think rationally.
Had he lost his mind? He knew nothing about this woman, nothing beside the fact he found her beautiful and sexy and fun. Nothing except the way she made him feel.
His analytical brain couldn’t process such an illogical idea. Therefore, the sooner he learned the truth about MW, the better off they’d all be.
His cell rang as he was walking to his car.
“You’re not going to believe this,” Ryan said, sounding grim. “When I ran the search in the national database for MW, it must have set off some kind of alarm. The US Marshals office just contacted me. They want to meet at the police station now. Maybe you’d better join me, especially since they specifically requested you.”
Stunned, Eric climbed into the rental SUV. “Did they say why?”
“No. Just that it concerned the person I was searching for.”
“MW.”
“Exactly.”
Taking a deep breath, Eric started the engine. “I’m on my way. I’ll be there in ten minutes.”
* * *
After finding a good book and a comfy chair in the den, MW nearly jumped out of her skin when Eric stepped into the foyer and called her name. She’d dimly heard the sound of the front door opening, but since someone always seemed to be coming or going in the monstrous house, she hadn’t paid too much attention.
“In here,” she responded, checking her watch. It was barely after seven and the sun hadn’t even set. She hadn’t expected Eric back this early.
She got to her feet and waited, trying to hide her happiness at his return. Still, she felt her face color at her foolishness.
“There you are.” His intense gaze made her entire body feel warm.
“You’re back early,” she said brightly, aware her cheeks probably looked like ripe tomatoes.
“Yes.” Unsmiling, he regarded her. “Are you all right? You look a bit flushed.”
Thoroughly embarrassed, she nodded. “I didn’t expect you, so I was taken by surprise, that’s all.”
He nodded. “Why don’t you sit down?”
At his words, she froze. Her stomach churned. Though she had to admit to being curious, she was also afraid. Panic fluttered in her chest and she had to remind herself to breathe. Part of her wanted to run. Instead, she went with that little spark of defiance and lifted her chin. Time to face the truth, whatever it might be.
“Thank you, but I’d rather stand.” She exhaled, then inhaled. “You’ve learned my identity, haven’t you? Please, tell me what you’ve found out.”
“Sit first. Please. It’s a lot to take in at once.”
Reluctantly, she complied. “Well?”
“When Ryan ran a check on your metal implant, he got an almost immediate response. From the US Marshals office.”
“What?” Bewildered, she waited. “Why?”
“I’m getting to that. There’s only so much they’d tell us. I do know this. Your real name is Kara Sheppard. You’re thirty-one years old and from Manhattan, New York.” He scratched the back of his neck, his green gaze direct. “And you’re in the Federal Witness Security Program.”
The Federal Witness Security Program. Since that didn’t make sense, she focused on what she’d been longing to know ever since she’d woken up in that hospital: her real name. “Kara. Kara Sheppard.”
“Yes.”
“The name doesn’t ring a bell,” she said, her voice faint. “Kara Sheppard. From New York City.” She might as well have been talking about a total st
ranger. “I’m sorry, but are you absolutely certain?”
Slowly, he nodded, his sharp green gaze never leaving her face.
Though she knew she needed to address the rest of it, she wasn’t sure she could. “That is a lot to take in,” she admitted.
His nod let her know he understood.
Since she didn’t want to be a coward, she forced herself to continue. “And Kara Sheppard—me—is in the Witness Security Program.” Her stomach, already upset, twisted. “Do you know why?”
“Ryan’s working on it. They refused to tell either of us too many details. He’s going up the chain of command, trying to set up a meeting with someone who has authority. Dealing with the US Marshals office apparently takes time.”
Now glad she’d done as he’d asked and taken a seat, she attempted to focus. Her life had gone from strange to downright unbelievable. “What else? I’m sure there’s more.”
“That’s about it, so far. Hopefully, we’ll know more once Ryan gets it cleared.”
“Wow. Just wow.” She shook her head, as if doing so might help her make sense of things. “I don’t know which is worse, losing my memory or finding this out. Because this means that the guy who tried to run me down, the abduction and the car bomb really were attempts to kill me.”
His silence made her realize he’d understood that all along.
“I guess I was trying to live in a fairy-tale world.” She couldn’t quite keep the bitterness from her voice.
Deep breath. Bracing herself, she asked the other question she really needed an answer to. “And Walter? Who is he?”
“That’s another thing I don’t know.” The intensity glittering in his eyes told her he wanted that answer as much as she did. “I’m sure we’ll find out once we talk again to the US Marshals.”
The US Marshals. Witness Security Program. And the fact that someone really was trying to kill her. Suddenly, all she wanted to do was run.
She covered her face with her hands. Once she had a grip on her emotions, she raised her head and looked at him. “What do I do? Where do I go? I can’t stay here, because by default, my presence means you and your family are in danger, too. Do the Marshals come and get me? Move me to a safer place? Or what?”
“Hey.” His smile, though clearly meant to reassure her, couldn’t take the place of his touch. And the one thing he didn’t do was put his hand on her. “Try to remain calm. Nothing’s going to happen to you, I promise.”
She stared, hating that things were already changing between them. “How can you know that?”
“Because I’ll keep you safe.” The conviction in his voice left no room for uncertainty, despite the fact that both of them now stood on shaky ground. “I give you my word. And I promise you, Kara Sheppard, I always keep my word.”
* * *
The instant he heard himself promise MW—no, her name was Kara now—that he’d keep her safe, Eric mentally winced. What the hell had he just done? He didn’t yet know her full situation, or what kind of authority the Federal Witness Security Program had over her. For all he knew, they could show up and whisk her away without even a word or a question.
And even if they didn’t, even if they let her stay here with him, what did he plan to do once his vacation was over? How would he keep her safe in Tulsa, when the people who wanted her dead knew she lived in the general vicinity of the hospital?
Short answer—he couldn’t. Even if that wasn’t the case, with the kind of hours he worked and the way his life was dedicated to his job, why make a promise he wasn’t entirely sure he could keep?
Except he would. Because, just as he’d told her, Dr. Eric Colton, whenever possible, always kept his promises.
Chapter 12
The next morning, Eric rose before dawn and prepared to head back to Tulsa. The higher-ups had finally agreed to send a couple marshals with more authority to meet with Ryan around eight and had specifically requested that Eric be there. They’d also asked for Kara, but Eric had refused to bring her.
Until he got a damn good explanation for how they’d managed to lose someone they were supposed to be protecting, Kara wasn’t going anywhere.
He parked when he reached the downtown police station and went inside. Ryan led the way back to a conference room, where the US Marshals already waited.
Whatever Eric had expected, it wasn’t two men in cowboy hats who looked like they worked at a cattle ranch similar to the one he’d just left.
“US Marshals Tom Field and Gus Thomasson,” Ryan said. “This is my brother, Dr. Eric Colton.”
After the obligatory handshakes, Ryan closed the door, gesturing that everyone could take a seat. Tom Field remained standing. Tall and lanky, he towered over the other marshal, even after he removed his hat.
His cool brown gaze zeroed in on Eric. “I’ll begin. This woman, Kara Sheppard, is a key witness in a very important case. The DEA and ATF have been working jointly with the FBI to bring mobster Paul Samboliono down. Every time we think we have him, he slips out from under our fingers.”
“Paul Samboliono?” Eric asked. “Never heard of him.”
“He’s head of the Samboliono family,” Tom continued, as if that explained everything. At both Coltons’ blank looks, he elaborated. “New York mobsters. Dealing in weapons and drugs and prostitution. Allegedly.”
Both Eric and Ryan nodded, waiting to hear the rest.
“We need her back. She has to testify.”
Eric debated whether or not to tell the other man that Kara had lost her memory, but then decided against it for now. Why cause a panic? Plus, he wanted to hear what else these two had to say.
“If Kara is so important to your case, how’d you lose her?” Eric crossed his arms. He figured he might as well cut to the chase.
Both marshals exchanged a glance. “We had a man taking care of her,” Tom admitted. “Walter Randolph. He was supposed to protect her. He was murdered.”
Walter. Though Eric felt terrible for the guy, it was as if a thirty-pound weight had just been lifted from his shoulders. “That explains why she asked for Walter after she got hit by that car.”
“What?” Tom sounded shocked. “Hit by a car?” He and his partner exchanged glances. “Could you please explain?”
Once Eric had finished outlining everything that had happened since the night he’d witnessed MW—er, Kara—getting run down, both marshals wore identical grim expressions.
“This is not good,” Gus finally spoke, his thick New York accent sounding exotic. “Really, really not good. This means the mob has somehow learned where we took her.”
“Like maybe you’ve got a mole?” Ryan asked.
His mouth thinning with displeasure, Gus nodded.
Eric looked at Ryan, debating if he should tell them the rest of it. Ryan gave him a nearly imperceptible nod, indicating he should.
“There’s more,” Eric said. When he told them Kara had no memory of her life before the accident, Tom looked as if he might get sick.
“You’re a doctor. What’s the probability of her regaining her memory before the trial?”
“The brain is a curious instrument,” Eric said. He elected not to tell them there was no clear medical reason for Kara’s amnesia. “There’s no way for us to know a timeline. When it happens—if it happens—it will be on its own.”
“But there is a chance, right?” Tom persisted. “Is there anything you can do to help her along?”
Ryan made a sound and turned to look out the window. Eric knew his brother well enough to realize right now Ryan was struggling to hide the urge to laugh.
“If only you knew,” Ryan finally said, his back to them, his shoulders shaking. “He’s been trying exactly that.”
Tom nodded. “And you became involved because you were her doctor?”
&nbs
p; “No. Actually, I was never her doctor. I just happened to be there when the Lincoln ran her down. I was leaving work. And when the hospital released her, she had no memory of who she was and therefore, no place to go. Of course I let her stay with me.”
“Of course,” Ryan echoed. “And the fact that she’s gorgeous didn’t weigh on that decision in the slightest.”
Glaring at his brother, Eric sighed before returning his gaze to the marshals. “Gentlemen, you should know Kara means a lot to me. I’ll do anything I have to in order to keep her safe, to protect her.”
“You’re not exactly qualified,” Tom began.
“Maybe not,” Eric cut him off. “But since protecting her was your job and you failed miserably, why don’t you outline what plans you have to do exactly that?”
Tom opened and closed his mouth. This time, Ryan didn’t bother to try to hide his amusement. Eric eyed the other marshal, Gus, who appeared about to come out of his seat and take both brothers on.
Ryan cleared his throat. “Just remember, we are all professionals here.”
Unable to resist, Eric had to chime in. “If they’re professionals at protecting witnesses, they’re going to have to prove to me they can do better.”
As he’d suspected it might, the meeting went downhill from there.
* * *
This time, since Eric had promised to drive back to the ranch as soon as the meeting ended, Kara couldn’t relax. She paced, irritating Big J, who sent her to the kitchen to see if Edith could use any help.
This turned out to be exactly what Kara needed. Edith put her to work doing prep to help Maria make that night’s dinner. “I help her whenever I can,” Edith confided. “She’s a really good cook and we don’t want to lose her.”
Kara nodded. Head down, she tackled the task of washing and cutting celery. The rhythmic motion of dicing felt like a balm upon her nerves.
“When you get done with that, you can chop onion,” Edith said cheerfully. “I’ve always hated that job. The smell of those dang things make me weep.”
Happily distracted, Kara did as told. When she’d finished that task, she turned to ask Edith what she should do next.
The Temptation of Dr. Colton Page 16