Uncle Sheldon stood and greeted Lori when she appeared in the doorway. “My favorite niece.” He gave her a warm hug.
“I’m surprised you’re here, but pleased,” Lori said.
“I came to see you,” Sheldon said, “but you were with a patient.”
Lori smiled. “Checking on me, are you?” She noticed Matt’s frown and his body language. He was likely miffed that she had ducked out the day before without talking to him. But she could take the cold shoulder; he needed to get the idea that he couldn’t boss her around anymore.
“If I don’t check on you, who will?” Sheldon said.
Matt bristled at that, but Lori ignored him. “I’m okay, really,” she said.
“Good to hear,” Sheldon said. “I dropped by to invite you to dinner.”
Lori’s father used to have dinner with Sheldon every few weeks. He probably missed that, and Lori wouldn’t mind having company. “I’d love to,” she said, “but I have other plans tonight.”
Matt narrowed his eyes but kept his mouth shut.
“Whenever you’re free, just let me know.” Sheldon didn’t seem to notice Matt or his antics, which was just as well.
Lori didn’t need her uncle getting into it with Matt, and he was protective enough to do that.
“After you check your calendar, let me know what works for you.” Sheldon gave her a kiss on the check and headed toward the door.
Unwilling to be alone with Matt, Lori decided to follow her uncle out. She had finished with patients for the day.
“I left the office early, but I have a meeting downtown with a client,” Sheldon said.
Lori supposed that as an investment banker his hours were more flexible than the schedule she kept in the medical profession. While Lori grabbed her purse, Sheldon waited then walked her out to her car. Once again, she had avoided a discussion with Matt. It was getting to be a habit.
*****
Gunner was on a high. He had a dinner date with Lori. He would have taken her to dinner the previous night, but he’d had an assignment. Tonight, he was free and looked forward to an evening of dinner and conversation. He didn’t know how much talking he’d do, but he was interested in knowing more about Lori.
While Gunner wrapped things up at his desk, thoughts of Lori filled his mind. She looked classy whether she wore casual wear or a lab coat. That made Gunner wonder how to dress. He didn’t have much of a wardrobe. He cringed at the thought of wearing a dark blazer and looking like a bodyguard.
“Hey, buddy, where are you?” Garrett tapped the desk to get his attention. “Daydreaming on the job?”
“Can’t get away with anything around here.”
Garrett was a married man. He had met Marlene Parks, the beloved movie star, and protected her from a shooter. Saving her life had impressed her, it seemed. She’d fallen for Garrett, and when he’d proposed, she accepted. He was a lucky guy.
“Well, don’t dally too long,” Garrett said. “I’m guessing you have a hot date.”
When Gunner finished up, he hustled home to get showered and changed. It was important to make a good impression, although it occurred to him that he didn’t normally try so hard. Going on a date usually meant a clean polo shirt and jeans, but not tonight.
Lori was special, so Gunner dug out a dress shirt, relieved to find that it wasn’t too wrinkled. He found a pair of slacks that looked decent with it. He had found that women swooned over the macho look, so a tight cotton shirt could go a long way towards impressing a date.
But Lori was different. She was delicate and refined, although Gunner was sure she had inner strength. Some things he could just tell about a person. Dinner reservations were at Pace, an Italian place in Hollywood Hills.
Gunner wanted to take Lori somewhere nice, but he didn’t want to be out of his depth. One restaurant boasted two Michelin stars, so he figured the food was too gourmet for his tastes. He enjoyed pizza and homemade pastas, so Pace should be a winner.
Plus, the website described it as cozy and dimly lit, so the atmosphere would be romantic. The restaurant was a bit of a drive, but Gunner wouldn’t mind. Lori would be in the car with him, so there was no need to rush.
Lori lived in Santa Monica, not far from the clinic. Gunner had no trouble finding the place; it was a two-story home on a large lot. It looked like a mansion to him. It was in an upscale neighborhood, and the exterior was white and pristine, like photos he’d seen of shining white buildings on the hillsides of Greece.
Gunner hoped that she didn’t have servants. Maybe he should have worn a tie. He strolled up the long walkway then rang the bell. He was relieved that Lori came to the door, not a stodgy butler. “Hi, Gunner, come in.”
Lori wore a blue velvet skirt with a cream-colored blouse and was taller in her spikey heels. “You look nice,” he said. That didn’t begin to describe it. Lori’s hair was pulled back on one side in a sparkly clip, and all dressed up, she was breathtakingly beautiful.
“Thank you,” Lori said. “I wasn’t sure how much to dress up.” She put a sweater over her arm and picked her purse up from the table.
“You’re perfect,” Gunner said, noting Lori’s blush. He didn’t see much of the house, but from what he could tell, the interior was as impressive as the outside. There were dark hardwood floors, pure white walls, and a stone fireplace. The curtains were open and there was a wooded area out back.
Lori noticed him looking. “This was my father’s home. He and my mother bought this place after my brother and I moved out. After he died, I couldn’t bear to sell it.”
“I wouldn’t sell,” Gunner said. “It’s quite a place.”
Lori took Gunner’s arm, and he escorted her to the car. On the way to the restaurant, they chatted, and it was good to see Lori relaxed. The brick restaurant building came into view, and from the looks of it, Gunner had chosen well.
The inside was brick and dark wood, with polished tile floors. The lighting was dim, and a candle adorned each linen-covered table. As Gunner expected, it was romantic. He glanced at Lori, hoping he hadn’t overdone it.
Once seated, they studied the menu, and Lori looked around. “I’ve heard of Pace but haven’t tried it before. It’s very nice.”
Lori preferred to drink wine, so Gunner had the waiter suggest a bottle. It seemed to please her, so he was glad. She didn’t smile enough to suit him, and he wanted to change that. Lori didn’t seem sad like before, but appeared thoughtful.
Over salad and spaghetti Bolognese, they got to know each other better. Gunner learned more about her younger brother, and that she had an uncle who was her father’s half-brother. And he listened while Lori talked about the clinic.
Gunner was intrigued. He wanted to know everything about Lori, and she seemed comfortable sharing. She didn’t bring up her recent engagement, and Gunner didn’t ask about Matt. He’d met the guy, so he could figure the rest out from there.
The evening went by faster than Gunner preferred, so he was pleased when Lori agreed to share the chocolate cake for dessert. It was a warm cake with whipped cream, and while they waited for the dessert to be heated, Lori sipped her creamed coffee.
Lori held the cup and looked at Gunner. “I’ve been doing all the talking,” she said. “What about you…have you ever been married?”
It figured that Lori would eventually ask that. Gunner just didn’t enjoy talking about it. “No, is the short answer.”
“I’d like to hear more.”
The cake arrived, buying Gunner time. He never knew quite how to explain his relationship or lack of one. He watched the whipped cream start to melt over the cake before answering.
“I have a son,” Gunner said, realizing he should have started at the beginning.
Lori waited, but he didn’t continue. “What is your son’s name?”
“Daniel, and he’s grown now,” Gunner said. “I guess you could say that I don’t have a relationship with him.”
“Why not?”
“His mothe
r, Rebecca, wouldn’t accept my offer of marriage…way back then.” Gunner looked away, wondering why he continued to agonize over this. “She says that I’m insensitive. When we met, she seemed to like tough guys, because that was certainly how I was. She is the mother of my child, but she refused to marry me.”
It was over now. The evening had been going so well, but Gunner had revealed his past and shown his true nature. It had been nice to dream that he could get something going with Lori, but it wasn’t going to happen.
“When Daniel’s mother rejected my offer of marriage,” Gunner said, “I was crushed. But I’m over it. I only wish that I had a relationship with my son.”
Gunner had only told Lori part of the story. He tended to be reserved about private matters, and it was all too painful anyway. He didn’t expect Lori to understand; he didn’t really either. It was a depressing way to end an otherwise wonderful evening.
Chapter 5
The next day, Lori was busy at work, yet she couldn’t stop thinking about Gunner. He had a son, but there were issues. Gunner hadn’t elaborated, which aroused her curiosity. Maybe he was uncomfortable discussing anything personal.
Lori didn’t view Gunner as insensitive, but he might have been different in his younger years. That appeared to be a sore point, since the mother of his child had rejected him. A situation like that raised many questions.
After dinner, Gunner said that he’d like to call her. She was relieved that he was interested, because it was difficult to read his emotions. When Gunner spoke of his son, his mood turned somber. He seemed to brighten when Lori agreed to another date, almost as if he’d thought she would refuse.
Lori wanted to get to know Gunner better, so hoped she would have the chance. He was reserved, making her wonder how much he would share. He was comfortable when Lori was talking about her life, but not so much when the conversation shifted to his.
In the days that followed, Gunner texted a few times, and Lori was glad to hear from him. She began to look forward to seeing him again. Yet she kept that part of her life private, since she didn’t want Matt’s interference. And she didn’t wish to hear another’s opinion on her relationship.
Uncle Sheldon visited the clinic frequently, but Lori wasn’t in the habit of sharing the details of her private life with him. His presence was comforting, but he wasn’t her father. There were boundaries that she wasn’t prepared to cross.
Lori did her best to focus on work, yet so much had changed. Since her father’s death, life hadn’t gone back to normal—and she wasn’t sure it would. A call from Nick reminded her of that. Not only was she in charge of the clinic, she was responsible for her younger brother.
Nick needed to see her, so one afternoon, Lori went to his condo in Encino. It was a one-bedroom, one-bath place that her father had helped Nick secure. At least he had a decent home, which he likely wouldn’t have if left to his own devices.
Growing up, Lori had adored her brother, and she still loved him. Yet he made things difficult. Nick was troubled and couldn’t seem to settle down. He had tried various jobs and even college, but no matter what he attempted, it didn’t go well.
The drug issues were paramount. It seemed that each job Nick got didn’t last. He would stop showing up, or arrive under the influence. Lori didn’t know what to do to really help. She had talked with him, wanting to understand.
But Nick’s problems reappeared. Each time Lori thought he was better, she discovered that he had regressed into addiction. Therapy had been a temporary solution, yet she hoped that one day Nick would find his way.
It was heartbreaking. Nick had good attributes. He was creative and had a good sense of humor, when he wasn’t sinking into depression. Lori knew her brother was smart, even though he needed to use more common sense.
When Lori arrived, Nick took her to the backyard to talk. There was a stone terrace with patio furniture and a built-in grill. It was a pleasant area, although she didn’t think Nick entertained much. He probably hadn’t used the grill.
Nick had blue eyes, but his blond hair was darker than Lori’s. She thought he was good looking, and he was tall and slender. It would be nice if he had a woman in his life, but that hadn’t happened for Nick.
Although he had dated plenty, each relationship had ended abruptly. Sometimes it had been the drug problem that tore it apart, and other times Nick’s infidelity. Plus, there was surely more that Lori didn’t know about.
“Can I get you something to drink?” Nick said.
“Whatever you have is fine.”
Nick brought two cans of Diet Pepsi and handed her one. “I’m glad you came over. I was afraid you’d be too busy.”
Lori was on the alert. When Nick was being nice, he wanted something. “How are you?”
Nick swigged his drink and leaned back in the chair. “I’ve been worse.”
Lori waited, certain that he didn’t need encouragement to tell her what he needed. She couldn’t recall a time when he had invited her to his place just to see her—because he cared about her. She had let go of any resentment long ago.
“I have an opportunity to change my life around,” Nick said. “I could make something of myself.”
That was a familiar refrain. How many times had Lori heard that, and how many times had the opportunity not panned out?
“What do you have in mind?” Lori said, hoping his idea would have validity. She would like nothing better than for her brother to turn his life around.
“A buddy of mine wants to open a restaurant, and I’d like to invest,” Nick said. “He has some experience, has worked as a chef. I think it’s going to be a good thing.”
Lori cringed. She had hoped the opportunity would involve Nick actually doing some work. Investments were risky, even ones that were well researched. And she was sure that Nick hadn’t done his due diligence.
“What kind of a restaurant?” Lori got her brother talking to buy time. She didn’t want to immediately reject his idea. Yet she had no confidence that Nick knew what he was doing. She hated to be so negative, but if the past had taught her anything, it was that her brother was unreliable.
Nick proceeded to tell more her about the concept for the restaurant, and Lori listened without interrupting. She was waiting for the punch line, which was how much money he needed for this investment. And what she couldn’t understand was why Nick needed money so soon after their father’s death.
Despite Nick’s issues, he hadn’t been neglected. Their father had provided for him by putting money in trust. It was established that Nick couldn’t hold on to cash any better than he could keep a job. Creating a trust to limit withdrawals had been the safest way to ensure that Nick wasn’t penniless.
“Will you participate in the restaurant’s operation?” Lori said. “Or are you only planning to invest capital?”
“I can’t cook or anything,” Nick said. “I’m sure I’ll drop by, offer support and all that. Primarily, it will be an investment for me.”
“How much?”
Nick dropped the bombshell without flinching. Upon hearing the amount, Lori nearly choked on her drink. A pang of guilt struck her for thinking the worst, but she suspected that Nick wanted the money for something else and was just using the restaurant as a cover.
The pattern had repeated so many times. Nick would gain funds for a worthy endeavor, like a career or college. Then the money would evaporate with no results to show for it. Lori wondered if he wanted the money for drugs. Supporting a habit was costly.
Lori studied her brother, but there were no signs of drug use—yet she might be deceived.
“You have your trust fund,” Lori said. “And you received a lump sum that Dad gave you in his will. What happened to all that money?”
Nick stood up. “It costs a lot to keep up this place, to eat and live in this city. You’re one to talk. Look at all you got.”
Nick was jealous. He claimed that their father had played favorites and loved Lori more.
L
ori sighed. “Don’t start this again, Nick.”
“Start what?” Nick said. “You know exactly what I mean. Dad gave you the clinic. You’re sitting pretty. And what do I get…just the scraps?”
“That’s just not true.”
“You’re selfish,” Nick said, “I’m sure your boyfriend would agree with me. Or should I say ex-boyfriend. I suppose that he wasn’t good enough for you.”
“That’s a low blow.” During Lori’s engagement, Nick had hung out with Matt, and they’d become friends. She didn’t know if that would last now that she’d broken up with Matt. She’d probably be blamed for destroying that friendship, along with everything else.
“I’ll talk to Matt. He will side with me, you’ll see.”
“Nick, stop this,” Lori said. “It’s not a battle, and anyway, Matt doesn’t have influence over me. It’s just too much money, that’s all. I have a lot on my plate right now. I have to run the clinic and make sure we stay solvent. I’m not rich, if that’s what you’re thinking.”
Nick glared at her. He drummed his fingers on the back of the chair and shifted from one foot to the other. He appeared nervous and didn’t sit down.
“Are you on drugs again?”
Nick shoved the chair and threw his Pepsi can against the wall. “Why would you accuse me of that? I told you that I quit.”
“I hope so,” Lori said. “And don’t buddy up with Matt. He won’t give you drugs.” She blurted that out before thinking. When Nick was in a bad way, he would go to extreme measures to feed his habit. And in the back of her mind, Lori thought about the supply order discrepancies that she still needed to talk to Matt about.
“You think all I want from people is drugs,” Nick said. “That’s your opinion of your own brother. You can’t imagine that Matt is a friend?”
Lori didn’t stay to hear more. It was disheartening, since they only had each other now, but not much had changed. If anything, Nick was worse than before. Without their father around to intervene, Nick seemed to think that he could guilt Lori into giving him what he wanted.
Savage Peril: Military Romantic Suspense (Stealth Security Book 6) Page 5