by Lori Foster
The purpose being…that whoever used the ladder would fall.
Deliberately sabotaged? Like his tires?
Dean remembered seeing a shadow, perhaps a human shadow, near his car when he left the motel. But he’d been talking with Simon and despite the warning in his gut that told him to pay better attention, he’d dismissed the incident.
Until this morning when he found his tires vandalized.
And now this.
If it hadn’t been for the two things combined, he could have written either off as a prank. If it wasn’t for the deliberate destruction to his car tires, he could assume both he and Gregor were targets.
No doubt about it: Someone had wanted him to fall.
Last night in the hotel lobby, Roger had been peeved with him. And he’d been absent when Dean left the hotel.
Not only that, Roger had known that Dean was going to see Eve.
Roger didn’t like him—that much was clear. But did he dislike him enough to destroy his property and attempt to cause him physical harm?
Given Gregor’s banged-up body still supine on the dew-wet ground, the possibility couldn’t be ignored.
But why?
Horrified, Cam brushed off Gregor as he lumbered to his feet with a few winces and complaints.
“I’m fine,” he told her, intent on looking at the ladder himself.
In a sympathetic whisper, Cam said, “But your poor head.”
Dean peered at Gregor’s melon and dismissed Cam’s concern. “It’s just a goose egg. He’s had worse.”
“I’ll get you some ice,” Eve offered.
“Don’t bother.” Gregor tapped his knuckles against his crown. “Dean’s right. I’m not hurt. I’ve got a skull like tempered steel. It just pisses me off that I fell.”
Cam twisted her hands together and looked from one man to the other. “This is terrible. You could have been killed.”
“From that itty-bitty fall? No way.” Joining Dean, Gregor bent to examine the ladder. In two seconds flat, he came to the same conclusion as Dean. “Well, I’ll be damned! I think—”
Dean gave him a quick hard look. “That the wood was rotted? I agree.”
Not being a complete dummy, Gregor frowned but held his tongue. “Yeah. Uh, right.”
Dean nodded. He didn’t want to say anything to anyone just yet. He’d have his answers, in his own time and in his own way—without tipping off the idiot responsible.
“I should have checked the ladder myself,” Cam fretted. “I’ll go buy another one right now.”
“No,” Dean said. “This one will do.”
“But if the wood is rotted—”
“It’s sound everywhere else. We’re almost done now, so we’ll just avoid that rung.”
The sound of a car parking out front drew Gregor’s attention. His face hardened with resolve. “Dean’s right. We’ll be done in no time at all.” And with that, he slammed the ladder back up against the side of the house and went up to the roof.
Shielding his eyes, Dean stood at the bottom of the ladder and looked up. “I hear Jacki.”
“Yep.” Gregor pulled a kerchief from his pocket and tied it around his forehead.
“I thought you wanted to talk to her.”
“I did—before she pissed me off by avoidin’ me. Now I don’t know if I do or not. Besides, if she wants to talk, she knows where to find me.”
“You sound like a bitch.”
“Fuck you, Havoc.” Then, chagrined: “My apologies to the ladies.” Gregor turned his back on them all and went to the roof peak to work.
Sighing, Dean faced the women. Cam bit her lip, more to keep from chuckling than from affront at Gregor’s language. Eve glanced at her watch, impatient to make it to her appointment.
To his sister, Dean said, “Don’t worry about it. Gregor’s just letting off steam. I have a feeling he and Jacki will work it out.”
“I’m not in the least worried. I know a love-struck man when I see one.”
“Gregor?” Surely she wasn’t serious.
“He’s fighting it, I’ll give you that. But it won’t help one bit. If Jacki wasn’t my sister, I’d almost feel sorry for him. He doesn’t stand a chance.” She leaned closer to whisper, “But Jacki doesn’t know that yet, and it might be best if you don’t tell her.”
“If you say so.”
Cam glanced at Eve, smiled, and said, “I have some things I need to do inside, so I’ll leave you two to say good-bye.”
The second his sister left, Dean pulled Eve close. “When will I see you again?”
“I won’t be back to my place till around seven tonight.” She toyed with the neck of his T-shirt. “You’re coming over tonight?”
“Yes.” Dean kissed her—and didn’t want to stop. “And tomorrow night. And the night after that.”
Eve nodded, but said, “I’ll still be…unavailable.”
“And I’ll still enjoy your company.”
A beautiful glow came over Eve. “All right then.”
“Promise me one thing.”
Eve tipped her head. “Okay.”
“Be extra careful.”
When she frowned in confusion, Dean considered things. Someone, probably Roger, wanted to hurt him. How best to do that, than to hurt Eve?
The thought terrified him and made up his mind.
He caught Eve’s arm. “Let me walk you to your car. There’s something I need you to know.”
CHAPTER 18
A few hours later, after a lot of progress, Dean pulled off his gloves and looked toward Gregor. They’d worked in near silence, and for Gregor, that wasn’t even close to normal. “It won’t take much more for us to finish up here. Let’s take lunch a little early. I have something to do.”
Without looking up, Gregor said, “If you want,” and he finished hammering in a nail. “Anything important?”
Dean shrugged that off. Gregor’s silence had been so unnerving that it was a relief to hear him speak. But he wanted to tell Jacki first. “You coming in?”
“I dunno.” He started hammering another nail. “You go on and I’ll think about it.”
“Suit yourself.” The last thing Dean wanted to bother with was a sulky fighter.
A few minutes later, when Dean opened the sliders and walked into the house, he saw both sisters in the kitchen. Jacki sat cross-legged in a chair, her knees sticking out at an odd angle while she chatted with Cam. She looked…adorable. As quirky as he now knew her to be.
Nodding every so often, Cam stood at an ironing board set up between the kitchen and the laundry room. She had a whole stack of clothes to go through.
It didn’t matter that she’d worked through part of the night and then got up early. There’d be no idle time for Cam. She wouldn’t allow it.
Odd how they each felt so familiar in such a short period of time. Like he knew them, really knew them, when such a thing wasn’t possible.
And yet…he could have said word for word how the next few minutes would play out. He knew what Jacki would do and how Cam would react. He knew what would motivate each of them.
It was his own motivations that remained murky and troubling.
Rather than hold back any longer, Dean said, “Hey,” to get their attention.
Almost in unison, the sisters looked up and smiled at him with welcome.
Jacki unfolded herself from the chair. “You look hot. Want something to drink?”
He nodded. “Just ice water would be good.”
Cam put aside her iron. She shook out a freshly pressed shirt, hung it neatly, and then crossed the room toward him. “How’s it going on the roof?”
“We’ll be done today.”
“Really?” That stopped her in her tracks. “Well. That’s wonderful.” She had a difficult time getting her mouth to smile. “I had no idea you’d accomplish so much so quickly.”
Dean knew exactly why she sounded so odd. He wished for some way to make this easier on her, but he knew that Cam herself w
ould make that impossible.
And sure enough, she said, “I can’t thank you enough. If you’ll just tell me how much I owe you, I’ll repay you right away.”
No time like the present, Dean thought. He planted his feet and looked her right in the eyes. “I won’t take your money, Cam.”
He might have given her a grave insult for the way she reacted. She sucked air into her lungs, forced a stiff, stilted smile, and stared right back. “Of course you will. I won’t let you—”
“You can’t very well stop me.”
The truth of that brought out her temper. “I don’t need charity.”
“It’s my house, too, remember?” Dean pulled out a chair as if he hadn’t a care in the world, when inside, his heart wanted to break for her. He sprawled in his seat and let out a tired breath. “You said so yourself.”
Cautiously, her gaze darting between brother and sister, Jacki set an ice-filled glass of water in front of Dean.
“Thanks.”
“No problem.”
In the coldest voice Dean had heard from Cam so far, she said, “Had I known that you wouldn’t let me repay you, I’d never have agreed to this.”
Gently Dean said, “I didn’t ask your permission, hon.”
Fury colored her cheeks.
“Cam, sit down.”
Arms tightly crossed, she shook her head. “I don’t want to sit.”
“All right, then stand. But you’re not going to like what I have to tell you.”
Fascinated, Jacki seated herself across from Dean, propped her chin in her hands and waited.
“From what I understand, Roger has helped you with some improvements and repairs.”
“Where,” she demanded, “did you hear that?”
“From Roger himself, when I ran into him at the realty office where Eve’s mother works. He also told me that a lot more repairs need to be made.”
Caution warred with anger in her eyes. “That’s why I’m selling.”
“To Roger.”
She shook her head hard. “No. Never.”
Stumped, Dean stared at her. “But I thought that you two were—”
“Engaged, I know.” Finally she pulled out a chair and sat down. “But you see, Roger thinks to do the same as you—swoop in and save poor little me. Only I’d rather save myself.”
Save herself from what? Financial debt? “If you plan to marry him, Cam, then it’s only natural that he’d want to help out.”
“I won’t ever get married as long as I owe so much. I wouldn’t feel right about it. The debt would always be between us. That’s not what marriage should be. It’s definitely not what my marriage will be.”
A guilty flush took Jacki’s breath. Avoiding making eye contact with anyone, she straightened from her slouched position and stared down at her hands.
Dean noticed, but Cam didn’t.
He decided he’d talk with Jacki about her reaction. Soon. But not just yet.
“After I sell the house and get out of debt, then I can get married.”
“To Roger?”
“Yes. Probably.”
Dean hadn’t expected this wrinkle. “Do you love him, Cam?”
She started to shake her head, but then suddenly stopped. “I think so.” Her chin lifted. “I’ve known him forever.”
“How long is that?”
“We grew up around here together. Went to school together and all that.”
“You’re childhood sweethearts?” Dean hadn’t realized that Roger grew up in the area. A sudden chill skated down his spine. If Roger had been around that long, then all kinds of things were possible.
“We didn’t start dating until high school, but we’ve always been friends, good friends. I know him better than anyone else does. Even though he tries really hard—sometimes too hard—to win Eve over, I know she doesn’t understand him, and so she doesn’t like him.” Cam sent a brief look at Jacki. “And I know you’re not fond of him, either, Jacki.”
Dean waited for Jacki to deny it, but instead she ducked her head.
Cam didn’t appear to mind. “So often I see a side of Roger that others don’t see. He’s so sweet to me, and so gentle. He always wants to help in any way he can.” She looked up at Dean. “He hasn’t had an easy life. He’s had to work extra hard for everything he has now. He’s earned all his success, and I’m very proud of him.”
Jesus. Cam made him sound like a saint.
“But that’s just it—Roger’s done so much for me that it’s hard to tell what’s in my heart when I also feel grateful to him. And beholden. And…and obligated.”
Dean sat in awe. His sister was one smart cookie. “I see.”
“I don’t want to confuse my own feelings, and I definitely don’t want to confuse his.”
Maybe the discussion on other repairs should wait. “I understand.”
“Do you?” She looked away at nothing in particular. “You’re so independent.”
But alone.
Dean hated that thought as soon as it hit him. To fend it off, he put a fist on the table. “You told me this house was partly mine.”
Wariness brought Cam’s gaze back to his. “It is.”
“Then I don’t want to sell it. And I don’t want it to fall down around us. For years you’ve had the upkeep. Now it’s my turn.”
Her mouth opened and closed twice before any words emerged. “Don’t be ridiculous! I’ve lived here. It’s not at all the same thing.”
“I might live here, too.” What the hell was he saying? “Off and on that is. Around my…other schedule.” Good God. Now he’d done it.
Jacki perked right up. “Really? You’re thinking of being here on a permanent basis?”
“Semipermanent. Maybe.” And then, “Shit, I don’t know.”
Enjoying his obvious confusion, Jacki beamed at him. “Cool. I’d love to have you around more often.”
Disgusted, Dean turned from Jacki back to Cam. “Since this is now my home, too, it means I have every right to make any improvements that I want to make.”
Confused, Cam said, “I suppose so.”
He didn’t like her beat-down attitude, but he’d fix that. Somehow. “Good. Then that’s settled.”
Gregor stuck his head in. He looked at Cam and only Cam. “Any chance I could get somethin’ to eat?”
Jacki turned away to present a deliberate cold shoulder.
Manners dictated that Cam try to make up for her sister’s slight. “Of course. Gregor, I’m so sorry. I meant to have something ready, but I forgot. I guess I got a little absorbed in my discussion with Jacki. But I can get you a sandwich. Will that do?”
“It’ll be fine.” Gregor eased in another step. “So what were you two discussin’?”
“Before Dean came in, we were trying to decide how Jacki would get back and forth to work tomorrow.”
Gregor stepped the rest of the way in and closed the door behind him. Still without looking at Jacki, he said, “I’ll drive her.”
Jacki spun around to stab him with a lethal glare. “I’d rather walk,” she hissed. “Or crawl. Or…or be rolled down the sidewalk.”
Cam made a sound of impatience. “Jacki, for heaven’s sake.”
Dean couldn’t help himself. He laughed. When Cam and Jacki both frowned at him, he rubbed the grin off his mouth.
“You’re not going to walk,” Cam told Jacki calmly, as much to fill the awkward silence as for any other reason. “You’ll take my car and I’ll get a ride with Roger.”
In for a penny, in for a pound, Dean thought. He cleared his throat.
Cam took one look at him, saw his apologetic smile, and groaned. “What now?”
“I bought her a car.”
Cam and Jacki said at once, “Who?”
He nodded at Jacki. “You. I bought you a car.” She blinked at him in disbelief. “Nothing all that fancy. A Ford Escort.”
Again in unison, the sisters said, “You did what?”
Amazing, Dean thought,
how their minds formed the same thought at the same time, and verbalized it with such accuracy. Because Cam looked the most volatile, Dean addressed her first. “Jacki needed transportation. I bought her a car. End of story.”
“Oh. My. God.” For once, Cam looked more inclined to smack him than hug him.
The opposite of her sister, Jacki bubbled right out of her seat with excitement. “What color is it?”
“Silver.”
Cam sent Jacki a quelling look before turning the full force of her displeasure on Dean. “You cannot buy her a car.”
Jacki’s hands landed on her hips. “Yes, he can. He said he already did.”
“No.” Cam yelled at Jacki in an uncommon loss of control. “He cannot. Dean doesn’t owe us anything, certainly not a car. If anything—”
Unwilling to let her say it, Dean rose to his feet. “It’s not about owing you.” He put his hands on Cam’s shoulders before she could retreat out of reach. “I can afford it. I want to do it.” He squeezed her shoulders in apology, then added, “And it’s got nothing to do with you, Cam.”
Cam turned big, wounded eyes on him.
Dean held firm. She needed to learn that she wasn’t responsible for her sister. Not anymore. “This is between Jacki and me.”
Jacki stepped forward in a massive about-face. “If Cam doesn’t want me to take the car, I’m not taking it.”
Dean studied her, saw the resolution in her eyes, and felt so much pride at her loyalty toward Cam that it nearly choked him. “Fair enough. But what the hell am I going to do with it, then? It’s paid in full. The dealer won’t let me return it.”
Jacki glanced at Cam with hope.
Still frozen and hurt, Cam shrugged a shoulder at her sister. “He’s right. It’s none of my business.”
Dean gently shook her. “I said it was between Jacki and me. But as her big sister, everything about her is your business.”
A calculating gleam put golden lights in Cam’s brown eyes. “And you’re her big brother, so it’s your business as well?”