CHAPTER TWELVE
“How’s Zoe doing?” Caleb asked.
“She’s okay, all things considered.” Cell phone pressed to his ear, Sean walked out of his living room and into the adjoining kitchen so he could talk to Caleb privately.
Currently, Zoe was curled up on the far end of Sean’s sofa, legs tucked beneath her, watching the ten o’clock news—though he doubted she was really paying attention to the show. Not only had she had an exhausting day emotionally and mentally, but they had just spent the past few hours talking about what she’d learned of her father’s deteriorating business, his secretary’s mysterious disappearance, and even the attack against Zoe in the parking garage earlier that evening.
“Zoe told me that today isn’t the first time she’s been approached by the man who slashed her tires,” Sean said as he leaned against one of the counters in the kitchen that gave him a view into the living room so he could keep an eye on Zoe. “About a week ago the same guy accosted her while she was shopping with her friend, demanding to know where her father was and letting her know that Russo owed him money. It’s clear that this guy is getting bolder and more hostile with his confrontations and now he knows where she lives.”
“And we’re taking that threat very seriously,” Caleb said, his tone adamant. “Looks like you’ll be on security detail with Zoe until either the guy is caught or things with her father finally get resolved.”
In other words, Sean was now Zoe’s personal bodyguard. “That’s not a problem.” He’d rather have her close by and know that she was safe than constantly worry about her welfare when they were apart.
“I didn’t think it would be.”
Sean wasn’t certain whether Caleb was alluding to something more personal between him and Zoe or if it was just Sean’s own imagination making more of his words, but he certainly wasn’t going to ask. “Look, I need you to contact security at Panorama Towers and find out what kind of video footage they have on the guy on the motorcycle and the attack against Zoe. Hopefully one of the security cameras got his license on tape and we can trace that information through DMV to find out who the bike is registered to.”
“I’ll get Nathan on that first thing tomorrow morning,” Caleb said, giving the assignment to another Reliance Group member who’d been a vice cop and had connections in all the right places.
Sean switched his cell phone to his other ear and continued on, relaying what Zoe had told him about her time at her father’s office and what she’d learned about the failing business. It was information The Reliance Group was already privy to thanks to their private investigators, but it let Caleb know that Zoe was beginning to realize just how serious her father’s disappearance was. She no longer believed Grant Russo was on a business trip, and with George confirming that there was big money missing from the company accounts, there was no denying her father was looking guiltier by the day. And now it appeared that Grant’s secretary might be involved somehow, too.
“By the way, Zoe managed to retrieve the hard drive from her father’s secretary’s computer,” Sean said, still surprised that Zoe had been thinking straight enough to do so. “I’ll bring it in tomorrow morning for Lucas to analyze.”
“Perfect. Lucas has pulled a few things from Russo’s hard drive that we intend to follow up on, but overall the history cache was pretty clean, which is to be expected from a man with Russo’s past experience. He’s smart enough not to leave a trail of evidence on his personal computer, but maybe his secretary wasn’t as careful.”
While Caleb talked, Sean’s gaze traveled back to Zoe. Since he hadn’t taken the time to get anything from her apartment when he’d picked her up, she was currently wearing one of his T-shirts and a pair of his drawstring shorts, which she’d changed into after taking a long, hot shower after their discussion. Her hair had dried into soft waves and her face was devoid of makeup, making her look so much younger than her true age and twice as vulnerable.
After everything that had happened to her today, he knew she was feeling less than balanced and questioning everything she thought she knew about her father. And the growing knowledge of what Grant Russo was capable of was tearing her apart inside.
Unfortunately, it was going to get a whole lot worse for her, because now that she was coming to terms with the reality of what her father was being accused of, there was a lot more she needed to know. Like the fact that this wasn’t the first time Grant Russo had scammed millions of dollars from unsuspecting investors.
Since there was no longer a valid reason to put off the inevitable, Sean released a deep breath and let Caleb in on his thoughts. “I think it’s time to give Zoe the file on her father’s past.”
On the other end of the line, Caleb was silent for a long moment, as if contemplating the consequences of those actions. “Are you ready for that?” he asked quietly.
Closing his eyes, Sean pinched the bridge of his nose with his fingers, his stomach in knots. No, he wasn’t prepared for Zoe to discover just how closely their pasts were intertwined and how Grant Russo was responsible for making sure Sean’s father enjoyed a nice, long sentence in prison for a crime both men had committed together. How, without guilt or remorse, Elliott Cooke had turned his back on his business partner to save his own ass.
And then there was Sean’s hatred and resentment toward Grant Russo that would always stand between him and Zoe.
God, what a freakin’ mess.
Sean clenched his jaw. He was far from ready for Zoe to learn the truth, but it was necessary, and honestly, it was a secret he no longer wanted to keep from her.
“Considering how fast everything is escalating, she’s going to find out about her father’s past eventually,” Sean said. “I think she’ll be better off knowing the facts so she has time to digest the truth before the real shit hits the fan.”
“Okay.” Caleb’s tone was even and without judgment. “It’s ultimately your call.”
Sean appreciated Caleb’s support but knew if he thought it wasn’t the right time to show Zoe the files, he would have said so.
“I’ll see you tomorrow,” Sean said, and disconnected the line.
Setting his cell phone on the counter, he released a deep breath and walked back into the living room. Zoe glanced from the TV to him, her normally bright green-gold eyes filled with a sadness that made his heart ache for her and the betrayal he was certain she was feeling.
“Why didn’t you tell me about the first time this guy attacked you?” Sean asked, sitting next to her on the couch. “If I’d known you were being harassed, I never would have left you alone.” As it was, he felt sickened that she’d endured such brutality without anyone around to protect her.
“The first time it happened, I didn’t know that you were investigating my father,” she pointed out, though there was no trace of bitterness in her voice, which Sean was grateful for. “And I thought it was a one-time thing and he was a disgruntled investor. But now, thinking back on both attacks, there were things he said that first time, then again tonight, that were…off.”
Sean frowned. “Off how?”
She drew her knees up and wrapped her arms around her legs, her gaze troubled. “The first time, at Caesars Palace, he made a comment about telling my dad to get back to Vegas, along with the money he and Bunny worked so hard for. Then, tonight, he said something about how ‘that bitch’ and my father double-crossed him, and how he put his ass on the line to get all the money and now Bunny and my father have screwed him over.”
Sean processed what Zoe had just told him, finding it both interesting and intriguing, as it put a whole different spin on things. “Do you know someone named Bunny who knows your father?” Sean asked.
Zoe shook her head, her expression as weary as the day had been long. “No, and I don’t mean to be stereo-typical, but I have to admit that the name does sound like someone my father would date. He likes younger women with more fluff than substance, and ‘Bunny’ certainly fits the image.”
Sean cracked a smile at Zoe’s wry tone. “Well, it sounds like this guy who attacked you is definitely connected to your father and the missing money somehow, along with whoever this Bunny person is.”
Most likely the duo had been Grant’s partners in crime—and it sounded as though he’d double-crossed at least one of them. No big surprise there, considering how easily the guy had betrayed Sean’s father. Deceiving people was what Russo did best.
“I’ll make sure to pass that information on to Caleb tomorrow, and Lucas as well, since he’s reviewing the hard drives,” Sean said, and stood. “But for now, it’s after eleven and you’ve had a long day. How about we put you to bed?” He extended his hand to help her up.
“Sure.” Her tone emotionless, she placed her fingers in his palm and stood, then followed him to the guest bedroom.
He pulled back the comforter on the bed, and when she was settled on the mattress he covered her with the sheet and blanket. “I’m right down the hall if you need me for anything.”
He turned to go, but her soft voice stopped him before he reached the door.
“Sean?”
He glanced back at her, steeling himself against her somber expression when he’d much rather see her smiling or laughing. “Yeah?” he asked, his tone huskier than he’d intended.
“Thank you,” she whispered. “For everything.”
Her words were like a knife in the chest, because while she might be filled with gratitude tonight, she wasn’t going to be thanking him tomorrow, when her world as she knew it came crashing down around her a second time and he was the reason why.
“No problem.” After turning off her light, he locked up the house for the night before retiring to his own room.
He stripped down to his boxer briefs, got into bed, and managed to doze off—until the creak of the wooden floor, along with the soft sound of footsteps, jarred him awake. He blinked his eyes open and found Zoe standing beside his bed, a shaft of moonlight silhouetting her body and shimmering off her blond hair like a halo.
Immediately he sat up, concerned that something was wrong. “Are you okay?”
“Not really.” She shifted on her bare feet and bit her bottom lip anxiously. “After everything that happened today, I…I don’t want to be alone tonight. Can I stay in here with you?”
“Of course you can.” Even knowing that letting her sleep beside him was probably going to keep him awake and most likely aroused all night long, he couldn’t bring himself to refuse her. Tossing back the covers, he patted the mattress next to him. “C’mere.”
She crawled into his bed and lay on her side facing him, her gaze searching his in the shadows. “Sean…,” she whispered longingly, “will you hold me?”
The muscles in his abdomen tightened at her request. Was she trying to test every ounce of willpower he possessed? Didn’t she realize that he had very little self-control when it came to her? Apparently not, since she took it upon herself to close the distance between them before he could reply. She snuggled up to his side and rested her head on his chest, trusting him when he’d given her very little reason to.
Oh, hell. Wrapping his arm around her slender waist, he pulled Zoe closer to him—right where she belonged. Her body relaxed against his, and she sighed, her warm breath fanning across his bare chest.
Succumbing to temptation, he threaded his fingers through her silky hair, offering her the physical kind of affection and comfort she seemed to need tonight. He skimmed his hand along her arm in a tender caress, loving the feel of her soft skin beneath his palm, and whispered caring, soothing words that lulled her to sleep.
He gave her the warmth of his embrace, the safety of knowing she wasn’t alone, and a brief escape from the harsh reality she’d faced today. But the one thing he couldn’t give her was the reassurance that everything was going to be okay. No, that would be a lie, and he wasn’t about to give Zoe any more false illusions.
*
With a happy smile on her face, Jessica rested her head against the passenger seat in Noah’s BMW, feeling more exhilarated than she had in a very long time. And wiped out, too, since they’d just spent the past four hours at the Adventuredome at Circus Circus, where they had played carnival games, eaten junk food, and she had screamed her head off as they rode the Canyon Blaster roller coaster and other thrill rides meant for adrenaline junkies.
Of course, Noah chuckled the entire time, enjoying the fact that she’d clung to him on the wilder rides while her stomach bottomed out and her throat grew hoarse from all her high-pitched shrieks.
Just like old times.
Back when they were teenagers and dating, her time with Noah had always been fun and carefree and filled with laughter, the exact opposite of the anger and hostility she’d been subjected to at home. Then and now, he made her feel special, and she realized that being with a man, without pressure or expectations, was something she’d missed having in her life.
As promised, there had been no talk of their past or why she’d left him, which made the time with Noah that afternoon even more enjoyable. It also made her glad that he’d won the auction, instead of a stranger, because she’d been able to just be herself, and the outing had given her a sense of normalcy.
Releasing a sigh of contentment, she glanced over at Noah, admiring his strong, masculine profile and the easy smile on his lips. His dark hair was mussed from the rides, but the tousled look only made him sexier. “If you were trying to wear me out, I think you succeeded.”
“Yes, that was all part of my nefarious plan, so I can have my wicked way with you later.” He waggled his brows at her.
She laughed at his teasing remark. That’s how relaxed she’d become with him over the last few hours. He was no longer her adversary but had established himself as someone she could fall for all over again.
Noah might have been on his best behavior when it came to not discussing their past relationship, but that hadn’t stopped him from flirting shamelessly with her. He hadn’t missed an opportunity to touch her as they stood in line for the attractions, or put his arm around her when they sat next to each other on the rides.
When he’d won her a prize at one of the midway games, she’d been so excited she’d given him a hug, and it hadn’t escaped her notice that he’d held her longer than necessary or that his hands had accidentally brushed over the curve of her bottom before letting her go.
The incident, along with the heat of desire darkening his eyes, had brought on a rush of awareness she hadn’t been able to shake since. And she was beginning to wonder if she even wanted to. Dangerous thoughts, considering they had no future together.
Determined not to allow any negative energy to ruin her time with Noah, she glanced down at the cute stuffed pink orangutan with the words Be Mine stitched on its soft belly sitting on her lap. “By the way, thanks again for my orangutan,” she said, fingering one of the fuzzy ears. “I love it.”
“It was my pleasure.” He took his eyes off the road for a second to grin at her. “It wouldn’t be right if I took you to a circus and didn’t win you a stuffed animal.”
“Well, it’s not as though it was that difficult,” she drawled, giving him a hard time. “You were a basketball star in high school and college, and you chose the Hoop Shot game. Of course you’re going to make every shot and win the best stuffed animals.”
He placed a hand on his chest and feigned a wounded look. “Man, you’re killing my fragile ego.”
Amused laughter escaped her. “From what I can see, there’s plenty more where that came from.” The man had male arrogance to spare.
He didn’t argue. Instead, he turned his gaze back to the road. “Are you hungry?”
“Yeah,” she said, just as her stomach gave a growl of agreement. “After those nachos, popcorn, and cotton candy, I’m hungry for real food.”
“How does Italian sound?” Noah asked as he turned off of the main Strip and headed toward the outskirts of Las Vegas.
“Sounds fantastic. Where are we going for dinner?” she asked curiously.
“My place,” he said, his tone casual.
His reply surprised her. She would have thought he’d try to impress her by taking her to a fancy, high-dollar restaurant. But a quiet dinner, without having to worry about people watching her or fans approaching her for a photo opportunity or autograph, was more her style. But then again, there was the flip side of being completely alone with Noah at his house and just how tempting that had the potential to be.
“Are you going to cook dinner for me?” she asked. Now that would definitely impress her.
He cast her a lazy grin. “I’d love to say yes, but I had my mother make up a dish of her baked ziti with mini-meatballs and it’s waiting for us in the refrigerator to heat up for dinner.”
“Oh, my God. That sounds amazing.” Her mouth nearly salivated at the mention of the savory home-cooked meal. “I love your mother’s baked ziti and meatballs.”
“I know,” he said, and winked at Jessica.
She shook her head, shocked that he’d remembered something so simple. Not to mention the forethought that had gone into arranging their date and dinner. “Everything today was so well planned, including my favorite dinner. How did you manage that?”
He shrugged as if it were no big deal. “When I heard the radio station promoting the auction for a date with you, I set everything up ahead of time.”
There was that self-confidence again, and she had to admit he wore it well. “You were that certain you’d win,” she said, her comment more of a statement than a question.
“I was,” he said, his tone unapologetic.
She hugged the soft orangutan to her chest, feeling oddly special that Noah had gone to such great lengths to make her happy today. “Well, if I haven’t already said it, thank you for the generous donation. It’ll go a long way in making a lot of kids at the hospital very happy.”
He made another turn into a middle-class residential area and slowed his vehicle when he saw kids playing on one of the sidewalks. A little boy waved at Noah as he drove by, and he gave a friendly wave back. “I know you founded Wishes Are Forever, but do you spend time at the hospital with the kids?”
“When I have the time. Usually in between touring, like now,” she told him, wondering how much he knew of her foundation, and her career, too. “The foundation keeps me informed of the various wishes, which I have to approve, and I also like to be involved with the setup of the wishes as much as possible. The kids deserve a bit of happiness in their sick lives.”
“Well, it’s a noble cause.” He pulled into a driveway and cut the engine. “Here we are.”
She glanced out the passenger window at his two-story house, taking in the well-maintained appearance and beautifully landscaped front yard, which told her he took a lot of pride in where he lived. The neighborhood was far from ostentatious, but there was a warmth and charm about the area that she really liked. It was the kind of place a couple could raise a family and be a part of a community—which was something that Jessica had always secretly wanted for herself.
She followed him up the walkway and into the house, finding the inside just as cozy and inviting. Decorated in shades of beige and hunter green throughout, with oak trim and leather furnishings, the place had a definite masculine vibe. He led her into the spacious kitchen, where he gave her the task of making a salad while he prepared the garlic cheese bread to go with the pasta dish.
While she pulled the lettuce and other veggies out of the refrigerator, he put the ziti into the oven to heat, then poured each of them a glass of red Zinfandel.
“Thank you,” she said, and took a sip of her wine before asking, “So, does your mother know who she made this ziti for?”
Noah came up beside Jessica where she was standing at the granite island chopping lettuce and set a loaf of bread, grated cheese, and a garlic butter spread on the counter. “Of course I told her. I’ve never asked her to specifically make it for me before. She was curious why, and I wasn’t going to lie.”
Jessica winced and took another gulp of Zinfandel before focusing on cutting up the tomatoes. “I’ll bet she hates me, just like you do.”
He stopped spreading the garlic butter on a slice of bread. “She doesn’t hate you…and neither do I, Jessica,” he said softly.
She tossed the tomato slices into the glass salad bowl and started in on a cucumber. “You had an odd way of showing it the other night,” she said, forcing a wry note into her voice. She didn’t even know why she made the comment, because it really shouldn’t have mattered how he’d treated her a few nights ago at Taboo.
But it did matter, and she hated that it made any difference at all.
Sighing, he placed the bread on a baking sheet, added the shredded cheese, and turned to face her, his expression sincere. “Look, I know I acted like a jerk at the nightclub, but seeing you again after so many years, with so much left unsaid between us, it brought up old anger.” He reached out and ran the back of his fingers along her cheek, the touch so gentle and caring. “There’s still a level of hurt there, because I have no idea what I did wrong, but I loved you too much at one time to ever hate you.”
He had changed his behavior toward her, and she swallowed the emotional lump that had jammed in her throat. She glanced away before she did something incredibly stupid…like throw herself into his arms and beg his forgiveness.
Picking up her glass, she took another drink of her wine, realizing that she’d already consumed the entire amount he’d poured. Then she pasted on a bright smile. “Well, at least you’ve moved on, right?” She nearly groaned as the idiotic words slipped out of her mouth. Why would she ask such a thing when she really didn’t want to know the answer?
He moved around her to put the bread in the oven to toast, then returned to her side with the bottle of Zinfandel and refilled her glass. “If you’re asking about having relationships with women, sure, I’ve had a few over the years, but nothing lasting,” he said as he began setting the small dining table with plates and silverware.
She tossed the salad with Italian dressing and placed it on the table before returning to the kitchen, where he was checking the pasta dish. “What, you just haven’t found the right woman?” God, could she get any more clichéd?
“No, I found her.” He turned to face her, his eyes a startling shade of brown. “Once, a long time ago. I thought I was going to get married, have a big family with her, grow old with her.”
The emotion that swelled within her was almost suffocating in its intensity, because she’d wanted those things, too, until a cruel twist of fate had changed everything.
She looked away and decided the best thing to do was not respond to his comment. After such a wonderful day with each other, the last thing she wanted was a discussion about the past to ruin what was left of the evening and their time together.
He didn’t push the issue, either, which she appreciated. The timer on the oven buzzed, announcing that the ziti and cheese bread was done, and they put the rest of the food on the table and sat down to eat.
She wasn’t as hungry as she’d been an hour ago, but she scooped up a nice amount of the baked ziti onto her plate, along with some salad and bread. And once she started eating and Noah steered the conversation toward his family and bringing her up-to-date on his parents and siblings, her appetite, and cheerful disposition, returned.
Until he unwittingly brought up another touchy subject she had no wish to broach.
“How’s your mother these days?” he asked, his tone conversational as he finished off a piece of garlic cheese bread.
Jessica set her fork down on her plate and wiped her mouth with her napkin. Judging by the genuine interest in his gaze, he obviously had no idea just how unpleasant this particular topic still was for her—that the years that had passed had done absolutely nothing to mend the volatile mother–daughter relationship that had started way before her father’s fatal heart attack.
“Honestly, I have no idea how my mother is,” Jessica replied, and took a drink of her Zinfandel.
Noah tipped his head, a slight frown creasing his brows. “You don’t talk to her?”
“No.” And it was no big loss to Jessica. Not after the horrible accusations her mother had made against her right before she’d kicked Jessica out of the house that summer she’d graduated. The day her mother’s much younger boyfriend had ruthlessly raped her and Cheryl Morgan had walked in on them just as he’d finished.
Of course, Cheryl chose to believe that Jessica had seduced her boyfriend in an attempt to take yet another thing away from her mother, and the asshole who’d assaulted her insisted that’s exactly what had happened.
That day had changed Jessica’s life forever, in so many ways. She’d lost the innocence she’d only ever shared with Noah. She’d been cast out of the only home she’d ever known. And, most devastating, she’d been stripped of the ability to ever have a family of her own. The family she’d dreamed of having with Noah.
Realizing that Noah was studying her too intently, Jessica glanced at her wineglass, watching as her fingers absently stroked the crystal stem as she gathered her composure.
Finally, she spoke. “The last time I saw my mother was three years ago, when she came to one of my concerts, made her way backstage afterward, and asked for money because she’d blown through every cent my father had left her, including the money she’d received from his half-a-million-dollar life-insurance policy.”
“Nice,” Noah drawled sarcastically. “I guess some things never change.”
When Jessica and Noah had been dating, he’d been the one person other than Zoe whom she’d confided in about just how difficult things had been between herself and her mother, so he knew all about Cheryl’s erratic and unstable personality. “I’d expect nothing less from her,” Jessica said, unable to keep the note of disgust from her voice. “And she didn’t take it too well when I told her that she’d never see a dime from me, then had security escort her out of the building, along with the message that if she ever approached me again I’d have a restraining order put out against her.”
“I don’t blame you.”
Jessica appreciated Noah’s comment and his understanding. Ever since the moment she had been conceived, it had been her mother’s intent to use her as a pawn to coerce marriage to the wealthy man Cheryl had deliberately captivated and charmed. As a stripper in one of Vegas’s upscale gentlemen’s clubs, she had seen the older-by-twenty-years Liam Morgan as her meal ticket, but what she’d never anticipated was the strong, unbreakable bond between daughter and father. Jessica had been a daddy’s girl, the light of her father’s life, and her mother’s jealousy over their close relationship had made her bitter and vindictive toward Jessica.
The marriage between Cheryl and Liam was far from a love match, and while Jessica’s father took care of Cheryl and bought her whatever she wanted, it was never enough. She’d had affairs that her husband had turned a blind eye to, because he refused to divorce Cheryl, fearing she’d demand full custody of Jessica out of spite and that he’d rarely, if ever, see her and not wanting to take that risk. Liam had put Jessica’s welfare above his own happiness and always made sure she felt loved and secure, and she’d been devastated when he’d died.
Her mother couldn’t have been happier. Within days, every trace of her husband had been erased from the house and Cheryl’s current boyfriend had moved in. From there, it had been a revolving door of men in Cheryl’s life, booze and partying, and lavish spending sprees on herself. And those times when Jessica made the mistake of crossing paths with her mother, Cheryl always made sure that Jessica knew how much she despised her.
Yeah, her mother had been a real piece of work. Still was, apparently. Except now Jessica no longer had to put up with Cheryl’s crap.
“Damn,” Noah said, cutting into Jessica’s less-than-pleasant thoughts. “I really am a mood killer tonight, aren’t I?” he asked, seemingly realizing that he’d dredged up bad childhood memories.
She laughed and decided to make light of things. “Yeah, a little bit. How about I help you clean up?” she asked, indicating the meal they were done eating. That was as good a distraction as any.
“Now there’s an offer I won’t refuse.” Standing, he started stacking their plates and utensils.
She helped him clear the table, and while she rinsed dishes and placed them in the dishwasher, he put away all the leftover food. They worked together companionably, sharing in the domestic chore, and it made Jessica wonder what married life with Noah would have been like. She had a feeling that being his wife would have been amazing, and it was difficult to ignore the pang of regret that squeezed her chest.
“Would you like me to take you home, or would you like to stay a while longer?” Noah asked once they finished cleaning the kitchen.
There was nothing sexual in his offer, just a friendly overture to Jessica to spend more time with him…if she wanted to. And if she was ready to leave, she knew he’d respect her decision and drive her back to her apartment.
Her choice was an easy one to make. “It’s been a really nice day, and evening, and I’m not ready for it to end just yet.” She spoke honestly, from the heart. It just felt good and right being with Noah, in some ways as though they’d never been apart.
His smile was filled with relief, and boyish charm, too. “Good. Me, neither.”