Rake: Wolfes of Manhattan Four

by HELEN HARDT

  He was right. Still, I couldn’t help, “Except you’re pretty much a dead ringer for him.”

  Reid’s jawline tensed. It went rigid, to the point where his lips trembled slightly.

  That wasn’t fair. Not even a little. “I’m sorry. That was out of line.”

  “Slightly,” he agreed.

  “I owe your brother everything. I’ve never forgotten that.”

  And I never would.

  2

  Reid

  The black hair goth look was too harsh for Zee. She was a beautiful woman—with a rocking showgirl body—but the black hair wasn’t working.

  I understood well why she wore her hair black. It gave her a hard look. A “don’t fuck with me” look.

  She’d been fucked with more than enough for one lifetime.

  But I’d deal with the hair, because I had to seduce this woman. I had to, not just for myself and my family, to help clear our names, but also because…

  Well…because I fucking wanted to.

  Zee was a challenge, and I never backed down from a challenge.

  My father might have been a raging psychopathic rapist, but he did teach me a few things. Oh, I hated the bastard, but I learned some excellent lessons from him.

  First, he taught me about hard work. There was simply no substitute for it.

  Second, he taught me the value of the dollar. Sure, we Wolfes had thrown money around for decades, but only because we could. We kept a lot of our money in non-liquid assets where it was safe.

  Third, he taught me about challenges. Nothing came easy, and challenges were to be embraced.

  Not until his death did I realize just how he embraced every challenge. Criminal activity? Just another challenge. He figured out how to get away with it, and he succeeded.

  Another thing I never knew, until after he died, was how much he truly hated his children.

  How else would we all be suspects in his murder?

  Derek Wolfe was the ultimate egomaniac. A megalomanic, even.

  More and more, I wondered if he’d orchestrated his own death. My siblings disagreed with me, but they hadn’t worked with him. I had, and I knew him better than anyone.

  In his warped mind, he’d see it as a challenge. Going out on his own terms.

  Whatever Derek Wolfe had or hadn’t done, I was going to prove my siblings and I were innocent of his murder.

  But I needed to get the cops off our tails to do it.

  That was where Zee came in.

  I cleared my throat. “You don’t owe Roy anything,” I said to Zee. A little reverse psychology never hurt anyone.

  “You can’t actually believe that.”

  Right, I don’t. “Of course I believe that. We’re all so happy he was able to rescue you. He didn’t even remember most of it until recently.”

  “I’m sure it was horrible for him to realize what his father was.”

  “Horrible for all of us. That’s why it’s so important to us—to me—that you know we’re nothing like him.”

  “I never thought you were.”

  This was where I’d normally try to touch her, but I held back. Zee required a different approach. I’d be in Vegas for another several days, so I had all the time I needed.

  The Reid Wolfe seduction was usually a twelve-hour-or-less thing. I was willing to go slowly with Zee. Accept that she’d suffered terribly at my father’s hands.

  But in the end, I’d get what I wanted.

  I had to.

  For my family.

  My phone buzzed, and I pulled it out of my pocket. “The limo’s here for you. I’ll walk you down.”

  She gave me a smile. Sort of. “You don’t have to.”

  “Don’t be silly. It’s no trouble.”

  Nope, no trouble at all, because I’ll be sliding into the limo beside you.

  “I want to say goodbye to Riley,” she said.

  “Of course.” I followed her across the room to where my sister stood with her new husband, Matt Rossi, a Montana man with long blond hair and light blue eyes in sharp contrast to my sister with dark hair and eyes.

  “Thank you for inviting me,” Zee said.

  Riley smiled, and I swore I’d never seen her look so happy. Funny. All those years, and I never realized how unhappy my little sister was.

  I felt bad about that. Really bad, like I kind of wanted to puke right now. All those years I thought she was the favored one who got to go on special trips. My brothers and I had no idea what actually went on during those trips.

  We knew well what our father was capable of. He was a monster, but we never knew just how much of a monster he truly was. Beyond monster. He was Satan.

  My sister knew this well, and so did Zee.

  Zee, who I was planning to use to get the information we needed.

  I didn’t like the idea. Not the whole idea, anyway. The part about seducing her? I was good with that. Even with her gothic black hair. The rest of her was to die for.

  “I hope you know you can call any of us anytime if you need to,” Riley said to Zee. “We’re all here for you.”

  “Absolutely,” I agreed. “Anytime, day or night.”

  “How long will you be in town?” Zee asked.

  “Matt and I are leaving tomorrow. So are Rock and Lacey and Roy and Charlie.”

  “But I’m staying.” I smiled. “We’re having issues with one of the contractors for our new hotel, and someone has to handle it.”

  “Why doesn’t Rock stay?” Zee asked. “I heard he was the CEO.”

  Yeah, in name only. My father’s little dig still stuck firmly in my craw. But it wasn’t Rock’s fault. I kept telling myself that, though it didn’t take the sting out. At all.

  “He is,” I said. “But I’m the COO. I’m in charge of operations.” And my big brother doesn’t have a clue how to handle contractors and lawyers.

  I kept the last part to myself.

  “Yeah,” Riley said. “The rest of us have to get back, as we’re all persons of interest in our father’s murder investigation.”

  “And you’re not?” Zee said to me.

  “Oh, I am, but someone has to see to business. I’m only a plane ride away if I’m needed in New York.”

  “So Reid will be here for you.” Riley pulled out a card. “Did I already give you my card? If not, here it is. My cell’s on it. Call me if you need anything. I mean anything.”

  Nice touch, Sis. However, Zee will be coming to me with all her needs.

  And I intend to fulfill them.

  3

  Zee

  Reid took my hand—it felt good in his—and led me out of the chapel to the waiting limo. And man, was it ever a limo! I’d lived in Vegas for the past six years, so I’d seen my share of limos. This one was longer than most, and maybe my imagination was working overtime, but it seemed shinier and blacker as well.

  The chauffeur held the door for me. I opened my mouth to thank Reid, when he slid in beside me on the lush white leather seat.

  “Thank you for everything,” I said. “I’ll… I guess I’ll be in touch.”

  He didn’t move.

  “I should give the driver my address,” I said.

  “Already taken care of.”

  “Then…goodbye. Thank you again.”

  Again, he didn’t move.

  But the limo did.

  “I don’t need a chaperone.”

  “I’m not your chaperone.” He smiled.

  And oh my, his smile dazzled. Perfectly straight teeth surrounded by those full Wolfe lips.

  So handsome.

  And so… So…familiar.

  I scooted away from him, just enough so that no part of him was touching me. Then, for the first time, I looked at my surroundings. This limo had a full bar. Seriously. A full bar. Another leather bench seat sat on the other side of the bar, and then two large bucket seats sat adjacent to it. All white leather with black accents.

  I’d never seen anything like it.

  I’d
had two limo rides during my time here. The first was a few months after I started in the show. One of the producers took a few of us out after our New Year’s Eve performance. He wanted plenty in return. I escaped when we stopped to fuel up.

  The second time was with a casino owner who took a liking to me. We dated a few times, but then, in the limo, he wanted to consummate our relationship. I wasn’t ready. Truth be told, I wasn’t ready now either.

  Luckily, he didn’t press the point. He was quite persuasive, but he stopped before raping me. Then he never called me again.

  Just as well.

  “I’m your date,” Reid continued, “and I always see my dates safely home.”

  I didn’t know what to say, so I chose to say nothing.

  “Would you like a drink?” Reid asked.

  “No, thank you.” After two flutes of champagne, I wasn’t feeling much pain, but I still had my right frame of mind. I didn’t want that to change anytime soon.

  “Do you mind if I do?”

  “Not at all.”

  He scooted toward the bar and poured himself something dark. Bourbon or scotch, I’d guess. He took a drink and then set the glass in a holder, turning to me. “Tell me a little about yourself, Zee.”

  I cleared my throat. “You know more about me than most.”

  His cheeks turned a little ruddy. Had I embarrassed him?

  “I know one thing that most probably don’t. There’s a whole lot I don’t know.”

  “Well, the one thing you know isn’t something I’ve told anyone.”

  “You told your lawyer.”

  “Correction. I told your father’s lawyer. I didn’t have a lawyer.”

  He nodded, taking another sip. “I see. Is that anything you’d like to talk about ?”

  “I think I made it clear that it’s the one thing I never talk about,” I said.

  “You did, but sometimes it helps to tell a friend.”

  “I’d hardly call you a friend, Mr. Wolfe.”

  “Please. Reid. I don’t like to think of myself as Mr. Wolfe.”

  “Why?”

  “My father was Mr. Wolfe.”

  “Oh.” I nodded. I got it. Reid didn’t want to be associated with his father. Who could blame him? Certainly not I.

  “So I’m Reid, just like Riley is Riley.”

  I nodded again.

  “I’d like to see your show.”

  My show? Why would he want to see my show? “I’m sure with your resources you’ll have no problem getting tickets.” Did that sound snotty? I didn’t mean it that way.

  “Of course. I’ll be here for a few days, at least.”

  “I’m just part of the line,” I said. “I’m not a star or anything.” Which suited me just fine. I liked being invisible.

  “I know that. I still want to see your work.”

  “But you won’t see me. That’s the idea behind being a showgirl. The audience isn’t supposed to see us, really. We’re background. They’re focused on the star.”

  He swallowed another sip. “Yes, yes. I’ve seen Las Vegas shows before. I’d just like to come. Perhaps I could take you to dinner afterward?”

  “I’m usually beat afterward. Two shows a night and all.”

  “You’re not making this easy,” he said under his breath.

  “Making what easy?”

  “Nothing. Just talking to myself.” He polished off his bourbon just as the limo pulled up at my building.

  I touched the door handle. “Well…thank you again.”

  “I’ll walk you up.”

  “You don’t have to.” Please don’t.

  “You’re my date,” he said again.

  Right. He had to see me home. Except my home was a tiny apartment with three roommates.

  So…best way to keep him from seeing my place?

  “I’m not feeling very good,” I said. “Please, just let me go up.”

  “If you’re sick, all the more reason to have someone make sure you get up there safely.”

  I was fighting a losing battle. I wasn’t embarrassed about my living situation, I was just… This was Reid Wolfe. A freaking billionaire.

  The driver opened the car door, and Reid slid out. He offered me his hand.

  A slight shiver slid through me as our hands touched.

  Odd. I didn’t normally react that way to men. Not since…

  Well, since the incident in the Wolfe building.

  I stepped out of the cab, and—

  “Oh!” One of my heels caught in a grate, and I stumbled.

  Reid caught me, and in an instant our bodies were melted together.

  I looked up into his blue eyes.

  His gaze was so intense, I almost felt I should close my eyes against it. At the same time, I couldn’t look away. As the lights from the strip flickered in the background, his blue eyes outshone even the brightest neon.

  “Easy,” he said. “I got you.”

  He held onto me as I broke free from the grate. Except—

  “Crap. Really?”

  “What?” he asked.

  Warmth spread over my cheeks. The heel to my shoe had broken off and was still stuck in the grate.

  I let out a harried sigh. “Nothing. Just my best pair of shoes.” I pointed.

  “I’m sorry. You okay on your feet?”

  “Yeah.”

  He steadied me, and then he knelt down and pulled my broken stiletto out of the grate. “I know a good cobbler who can fix this.”

  “Please. Don’t worry about it.”

  “I’m not worried.”

  Then I gasped as he hoisted me into his arms. “What are you doing?”

  “I can’t let you stumble up to your apartment.” He laughed. “You’re light as a feather!”

  That was a lie. A big one. I was five nine and muscled from dancing. I weighed one fifty-five. He was probably used to scrawny models. I said nothing, though, as he carried me along the walkway up the steps into the building.

  “Which floor?” He approached the elevator.

  “Fourth, and that elevator hasn’t worked in years.”

  “Oh? We’ll see about that.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “Nothing. Which way to the stairs?”

  I gestured toward a door, and he carried me through. Then up one flight. Two. Three. Four. My God, the man wasn’t even winded. Somehow, he turned the knob on the door and carried me into the hallway.

  “Apartment 404,” I said, “on the left.”

  A few more steps and then we stood in front of my place.

  “Got a key?” he asked.

  “Just knock. Mo is home, I think.”

  “Mo?”

  “Short for Maureen. One of my roommates. She’s in the show, and we’re dark tonight, as you know.”

  “Ah. Okay.” Reid knocked.

  A few seconds later, Mo opened the door, clad in her Lucy and Linus pajamas. “Zee! What happened?”

  “Nothing. Just broke the heel off my shoe.”

  Mo smiled. “And who’s this?”

  “Reid. Reid Wolfe,” he said as he walked into our tiny place.

  “You can put me down now,” I said.

  “You sure? You didn’t twist your ankle or anything?”

  “I’m fine. Seriously.”

  He let me down gently, and I stood, placing weight on both legs. The left ankle was slightly weak, but once I kicked off my other shoe and was level, I felt better. A little sore but nothing I couldn’t live with. I’d danced with worse. A little ice tonight and tomorrow, and I’d be ready for rehearsal at three and showtime at seven.

  Reid gathered my shoes. “I’ll have these fixed for you.”

  “Please. It’s not necessary. They weren’t expensive.” I’d gotten them secondhand on Posh, but I kept that to myself.

  “It’s no problem. They’ll be messengered back to you tomorrow.”

  “I’m working tomorrow.”

  “Right. About that dinner after
the show?”

  “Shows are at seven and ten. There’s no time between for dinner, and I said—”

  “Then I’ll make reservations for midnight. I’ll see you after the show.”

  “Wait, I—”

  “Great meeting you,” Reid said to Mo. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  Then he was gone. Like a flash. Totally forgetting how I’d said I was always beat after two shows…

  “Those are some crazy gorgeous eyes,” Mo said, “and the rest of him… Wow.”

  I said nothing. What could I say? She was spot on.

  “Where’d you find him?”

  “Just a…get-together.”

  “And you didn’t invite me? Are there any more like him?”

  “First of all, we’re not together. I broke my shoe.”

  “And he carried you up here.”

  “Yes,” I said matter-of-factly.

  “Lucky girl.” Mo flashed me a smile and then walked to our tiny kitchen.

  Funny.

  I didn’t feel so lucky.

  4

  Reid

  Oh, yes. This was going to be a challenge.

  Any other woman would be in bed with me right about now, screaming my name.

  Of course any other woman—at least any other living woman—hadn’t been so viciously victimized by my psycho father.

  No problem. I had a few days at my disposal. I’d be working my ass off with the legal team, of course, but I never had trouble finding playtime.

  I’d sleep on it.

  I texted my assistant, Terrence, quickly and told him I needed tickets to Zee’s ten o’clock show tomorrow, pronto, and then I turned to emails.

  I’d gotten through a few when my phone dinged with a text.

  Terrence was damned good. He’d been my assistant for a couple years now, and I swore the dude had connections even the Wolfes didn’t have.

  Except…the text wasn’t from Terrence.

  I hear you’re in Las Vegas, gorgeous. So am I, as it happens. Want to meet for a drink?

  Nieves Romero. My brother’s old flame who I just happened to fuck a couple weeks ago when she showed up in New York.

  Not my finest moment.