“He’s dead,” Steve said.
It was over.
* * * * *
Finally, after hours at the hospital, Mark carried Lindsey through his front door, her head resting on his shoulder. He had taken her to the emergency room as soon as Steve’s back-up arrived. She had a concussion and a lot of bumps and scrapes. More than anything, she had the trauma of the experience.
Lindsey had turned over her weapon to the authorities, and would now be subjected to an internal investigation. Standard procedure, even though she was on leave. Still, he hated it. He didn’t want this to get dragged out any longer than it had to. She deserved to put this behind her.
Ever so carefully he set her on the bed. Lindsey’s eyes fluttering open. “Where are we?” she asked.
“We’re home, baby,” he said as he bent down and kissed her forehead.
She blinked and looked at him through swollen eyes. “I hurt all over.”
“I know. You’re due some more pain medicine,” he told her. “Let me get you something to drink to take it with and then we’ll get you undressed.”
She nodded. He started to turn. “Mark?” He gave her a questioning look. “You saved my life.”
He sat down on the edge of the bed. “And you returned the favor, if I remember correctly.”
Her lips trembled. “I should have listened to you.”
He kissed her hand, afraid of hurting her if he kissed her anywhere else. “It’s done and over. I’m just glad I didn’t lose you.” Emotion lodged in his throat. “Rest. I’ll get your pain medicine.”
“Thank you,” she whispered, her eyelashes fluttering to her cheeks. “I’m so tired. So very, very tired.”
* * * * *
“Hey Maggie, have you seen Mark?”
“He went out for a bit, but I don’t know where.” She studied Lindsey’s face. “That black eye is really looking better now.”
Lindsey touched the spot under her left eye. “Yes, finally. Now it sorta looks like a bad birthmark.”
“Gives the rest of us females a chance for once,” Maggie said with a playful smile.
Lindsey snorted. “Right. You too funny.”
Mark rounded the corner. “What trouble are you two cooking?”
Lindsey laughed. “That’s for us to know and you to find out.”
Mark moved forward, aware that his pulse was beating rapidly, tension lacing his body. He had something important to tell Lindsey. “Come to my office, and let me try and pry it out of you.”
Lindsey laughed and followed Mark. Once they were in his office, Mark pushed the door shut and pulled her into his arms. “I have ways to make you talk.”
Lindsey unbuttoned his jacket and dipped her hands beneath it. “Please, make me talk.”
“Actually, there is something I need to talk to you about.” He took a step backwards, taking her hand in his. “Come sit with me.”
Mark pulled the chairs around so that he could face her. He’d taken a big step. One meant to help Lindsey let go of the past. He could only pray it was the right move. He loved her. He had no question he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her.
Lindsey touched his cheek. “What’s up?”
He let out a breath. “I’ve given a lot of thought to you and me, and to the firm.” Her eyes widened. “I know you don’t want to run Paxton, and I came back on a limited timeline.”
Lindsey nodded. “I know, and I appreciate what you have done for me.”
Mark smiled, thinking of how things had changed between them. He wanted her to let go of the past. To choose to be with him out of desire, not pressure to run Paxton. “You have a job waiting for you in Washington.”
Her voice was almost a whisper. “Yes, but you have a consulting business to get back on track.”
“If I leave, it’ll force you to take over, and then you’ll resent me. I can’t deal with that.” And he couldn’t. It would destroy any hope they had of a future.
Her eyes clouded. “But it’s not fair for you to stay and miss out on your own business. I understand if you need to leave.”
He rubbed the back of her hand with his thumb. Better to just get it all on the table. “I made an offer to buy Paxton, and this time your father accepted.”
Lindsey blinked, her expression dumbfounded. “What?”
He nodded. “I don’t want you to leave, but deep down I know you don’t want to stay. To have you practice law here at Paxton, by my side, would make me very happy. But it would be selfish. I care enough about you to want you to be happy.”
Lindsey stood up and walked to the window, placing her back to Mark. “So this is goodbye,” she said without turning.
It took every ounce of willpower he possessed not to go to her. “I hope not. I want you to stay. But I can’t kid myself. You left this place once, and when you returned you never intended to stay. I can’t win either way things go.”
Lindsey stared out, her voice shaky as she spoke. “You should have talked to me.”
“Maybe,” he admitted, “but I have thought about this until it felt I might go nuts. This was the only way I could make the choice yours. Now you have options. Stay or go, but follow your heart.”
He heard her draw in a breath before turning around to face him. “I don’t know what to say.”
“Say what you feel.”
“You’re a good man, Mark.”
Mark tried to smile, but failed. Her eyes were distant, her body stiff. His heart felt like it was being shattered into pieces. A good man. Not good enough, it seemed. He’d so hoped she would come to him. That she would choose a life with him. “You’re a free woman, Lindsey.”
Then afraid of what he might say next, he pushed to his feet, and strode out of the room. He had never needed air as badly as he did at that moment.
Chapter Fourteen
Three Months later
Lindsey slipped through the doors of the elegant New Yorker Museum feeling apprehension from the top of her head clear down to her freshly manicured toes.
Already her father’s retirement party was in full swing. The dance floor was filled, the tables packed. He’d made an amazing recovery, her father, nothing shy of a miracle. And Lindsey had been talking with him on the phone a lot. He’d even made amends with Mark, often talking about the great things he was doing with the firm. His turnaround was baffling, but welcome. As daughter and father, they were on the mend, and for that she was thankful.
But there was still one person she needed to connect with.
Mark.
She’d spent three long months in Washington, away from him, missing him every minute. Every day she hoped he would call. But he didn’t. She’d dialed his number too many times to count, and then hung up at the last minute.
Her nightmares hadn’t gone away. The dark images still woke her in the night, leaving her shaken and scared. But now she understood them. They’d never been about the murders. They were about her fear. About losing herself, her life, and her love . . . Mark.
Lindsey handed her coat to a checkperson, and eyed the room, looking for Mark as discreetly as she could. Her hand smoothed her black satin slip dress, nervous about looking her best. She’d dressed with care, taking extra time to fix herself, wanting to look her best.
She’d come to a life-altering decision. She could only hope it wasn’t coming too late. Mark was the love of her life, and she wanted to be with him. Nerves were jangling through her entire body as if she were a schoolgirl with a crush.
Taking several deep breaths, she took a moment to take in her surroundings. She had always loved the Museum, and a moment to explore its beauty would help take her outside of her anxiety. Lindsey had spent hours on the phone with Maggie planning the party. It was exciting to see how beautifully it all had come together. Surveying the room with pride, Lindsey took in the high ceilings and the dim lighting. The setting was elegant, the music soft and soothing, the tables of food delectable, even from a distance.
She suc
ked in a deep breath, and willed herself to step forward. She’d barely taken two steps when Maggie found her. “Lindsey,” she said with a warm smile and big hug. “We’ve missed you.”
Lindsey hugged her back, feeling the words with more emotion than expected. “It’s good to be missed.”
Maggie pulled back. “Have you seen Mark yet?”
Lindsey nodded apprehensively. Maggie, angel that she was, had made a point of filling her in on Mark on a regular basis. Lindsey never asked, but she darn sure listened. And Maggie was no fool. She knew Lindsey hung on every word.
“No, not yet. I just got here.”
Maggie surveyed Lindsey, stepping back and inspecting her appearance. “His eyes will pop out when he sees you in that dress, sweetie.”
Lindsey tried to smile, but she didn’t quite make it. “We’ll, see,” she said, and changed the subject. She was getting more nervous by the minute. “The party’s lovely. You did a wonderful job.”
“We did a wonderful job,” she corrected. “Come,” she said with a nod of her head. “Let’s go see your father.”
Together they maneuvered through the crowd, making their way across the room. Lindsey kept an eye out for Mark, but to her disappointment, he was nowhere in sight. Her father’s table was near the front of the room. Lindsey saw him before he saw her, which gave her a moment to digest his incredible transition. He’d put on a good fifteen pounds, and his color was healthy, his smile happy.
The minute he spotted Lindsey, his eyes lit up and he pushed to his feet. Maggie grabbed Lindsey’s arm to gain her attention. “I better circulate. Catch up to you in a few.”
Lindsey nodded and moved towards her father. The minute she was within his reach, he pulled her into a bear hug, holding her tightly and rocking. “I missed you,” he said softly.
Lindsey looked up at him, fighting back tears. She couldn’t believe how good he looked. “I missed you too, Daddy.”
“I want you to meet Elizabeth,” he said, motioning towards a short, dark-haired woman, who pushed to her feet and smiled.
She looked familiar . . . oh my. Lindsey remembered. “Aren’t you one of the nurses from the treatment center?”
She nodded and laughed, her eyes friendly and happy. “Yes, I’m the only one who would put up with your father.”
Lindsey laughed, feeling herself relax ever so slightly. “Well, that makes you a saint, doesn’t it?”
Edward laughed with the two women. “Lindsey, Elizabeth has agreed to be my wife.”
The words hit her with such surprise she sank down into a chair. “W . . . wife?”
Elizabeth reached out and patted Lindsay’s hand as Edward sat down. “Yes, but I know I can never replace your mother nor would I try. I love your father very much, and I promise to be good to him.”
Lindsey looked at Elizabeth and then at her father. He had changed, and she would venture to say this woman had a lot to do with those changes. Lindsey smiled. “I’m very happy for you both.” She paused. “I mean that.”
“Good, because we’re happy together,” Edward said, as he looked at Elizabeth and smiled.
Lindsey watched the two of them, a smile turning the corners of her mouth up. No doubt, these two were in love. Her mother would want them to be happy. A rush of emotion threatened. What she shared with Mark had been special. She’d allowed fear to take it from them. “If you two will excuse me, there is something I need to do.”
Edward’s hand reached out and grabbed her wrist. “The last time I saw him, he was at the bar.”
Lindsey swallowed and nodded. She didn’t ask how he knew who she was looking for. No doubt Maggie had told him. “Thanks Daddy,” she said softly.
* * * * *
Standing at the bar, Mark made like a hermit. Socializing was the last thing on his mind. If it wouldn’t have been downright rude, he would have passed on the party.
Shit. That was a damn lie. No way would he have passed on seeing Lindsey. It tore him up to know she was in town, but she hadn’t even called him. She’d blown him off like a bad day, and it hurt like hell. He’d actually thought he might be getting over her until he heard she was coming to town. All those tucked-away emotions had roared to life, and refused to be put away.
How he was going to see her, and act unaffected, he hadn’t a clue.
Why he had ever thought getting involved with Lindsey was a good idea, he didn’t know. Tipping back his drink, he finished it off. Like he’d had any option. She’d had him by the balls the moment he set eyes on her. He was pitiful. There’d never been an inkling of hope for his heart. On that note, he ordered another drink. Though he wasn’t a big drinker, tonight was an exception. Anything to ease the pain of the knife she had planted in his chest and kept twisting. His entire situation was ironic⎯no, a joke, a bad joke on him. Paxton was thriving, and he was even getting along with Edward. Hell, he’d even become great friends with Steve. A shared near-death experience tended to build friendship. Even Greg had high-tailed out of town. Everything had come together, but still he wasn’t happy.
Because he missed Lindsey.
* * * * *
He was standing alone, looking incredibly sexy in his tuxedo. And she knew her fascination with him, her need to be with him, hadn’t been imagined. Passion, hot and fierce, raced through her veins. But it was so much more than that.
She needed him in every way possible.
Her mouth grew dry, and her pulse raced dangerously fast. Nerves flip-flopped her stomach. God, how she had missed him. As if he felt her gaze, his head lifted, and their eyes locked. Oh, those eyes. They enticed her with their shrewdness—so assessing, so amazingly seductive. One look from him had always been enough to make her knees rattle. His gaze slipped down her body in a slow inspection that was hot and intimate.
For the briefest of moments, emotions flashed in his eyes, maybe even anger, but then they were gone. He pulled the shutters down, blocking what was inside from her view. Completely still, he just watched her: no smile, no welcome home. Of course, what had she expected? She’d pushed him away time and time again. She would have to go to him. It was her turn to expose herself, to risk being denied.
But he was worth it.
Slowly she stepped forward, never taking her eyes from his, not stopping until she was directly in front of him. “Hi,” she whispered a bit breathlessly. Heat sizzled in the air between them despite the uncertainty of their relationship.
His eyes darkened, and for a split second, she really thought he might reject her. Silence filled the air for what felt like a lifetime. She had forgotten just how big he was, tall and broad, and incredibly masculine. Finally he spoke, “Hi, yourself.” His voice was soulfully deep, a velvet perfection that gave her goose bumps.
She wanted to touch him—no, she needed to touch him. There was no option⎯it was a physical need, so real it was like hunger. Lindsey reached out and ran her hand down his lapel, the touch making her burn for more. “You look very handsome.” And sexy as sin.
He reached up and put his hand over hers, his eyes loaded with unspoken meaning, with desire. His touch warmed her body, and made her ache. “And you look like pure temptation,” he said in a voice as soft as a caress.
A slight trickle of relief filtered into her mind. At least he wasn’t denying he wanted her physically. It was the encouragement she needed to step closer to him. Grasping both his lapels with her hands, she said, “Yeah?”
His voice was husky as his hands settled on her waist. “Oh, yeah.”
She swallowed and wet her dry lips. His gaze dropped to her mouth, and she knew he wanted to kiss her. And, oh, how she wanted him to. It felt like forever since she had felt those sultry, warm lips on hers. “I’ve missed you Mark.” Her voice cracked with emotion.
Mark looked down at her, so beautiful, so everything he wanted in his life. But when would she leave him again, get scared and tuck her tail and run? Was he convenient for the night, a chance to ease her loneliness while in town? She
missed him. The words rang in his head over and over. She had been gone for months, not one phone call, and now she suddenly missed him.
He had suffered enough heartache to last a lifetime over Lindsey. No way could he watch her walk away again. As much as he wanted to drag her off and made wild, passionate love to her, it was best to keep his distance. When she left, and surely she would, he would be screwed over again. The thought made him drop his hands to his sides.
His voice was icy. “You have a funny way of showing it.”
“Mark—” Lindsey started to plead her case when the loudspeaker came on.
Maggie’s voice filtered through the room. “It’s time for a special tribute. If you could all gather around.” She paused and there was a shuffle in the room. “Lindsey and Mark, can I get you both up here?”
Lindsey pulled her bottom lip into her teeth. Her eyes flashed with something that resembled desperation. “No,” she said, surprising him as she flattened her hands on his chest. “Promise me you’ll hear me out before the night is over.” He stared at her, trying to get a grip on what he was feeling.
Maggie called for them again. Lindsey’s eyes held a plea. “Please, Mark.”
He’d never seen Lindsey seem so willing to lay herself on the line. Something in her voice, and in her actions, touched him deep inside. It wouldn’t hurt to at least hear her out. Decision made, he didn’t say a word, but he took her hand in his, loving the feel of her soft skin against his rough palm. He nodded towards the stage and pulled her behind him, moving quickly towards Maggie.
Lindsey couldn’t breathe or think. The only thing that kept her slightly composed was the possessiveness of his hand over hers. His touch gave her comfort and hope, and she clung to it as a source of strength.
An hour later, she stepped down from the podium with Mark by her side. To her relief, he reached for her hand again. “Come dance with me,” he said softly.
Lindsey didn’t want to dance; she wanted to leave with him, now. She stopped walking, tugging on his hand. He turned and looked down at her, a question in his eyes. “Let’s leave,” she said, and then added more firmly, “now.”
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