Fiance by Friday (12 page)

How fucked up was that?

It didn’t help that Rick had dropped a load of shit on his door two days ago. They were both putting out calls to the fourth man who made it out alive.

So far nothing. Mickey wasn’t taking calls, or wasn’t around. He could have gone back in. Units like his seldom left the military, making it a career for life.

He hoped to hell Mickey had gone back in. The thought of something sinister happening to him…to any of them, made Neil sick.

And Billy was dead.

How did anyone get past him?

Back at the house, the wiring for the back door had been replaced, the motion detectors in the backyard swapped out. Neil and the men who worked for him simulated several break-in scenarios, all of which screamed the alarm and notified Neil’s phone and the monitors Dillon watched over at his base.

Neil checked the time, it was nearly five. He considered waiting for Gwen or Karen to return, but remembered Gwen’s ultimatum in the bar.

Back off or step up.

She couldn’t have made herself more clear and after spending the day at the firing range, she’d probably think he was stepping up.

And that couldn’t happen.

He checked the GPS on Gwen’s car, which he’d slipped under her hood when she’d purchased the car.

She was inching through traffic on the freeway, but headed home.

Neil made a point of pulling out before she saw him.

On his way to Malibu, he sent her a text, telling her the monitor and alarms were back up and running correctly. Told her to let him know if there were any more problems.

She didn’t call.

He noticed when she arrived home. He watched her walk through the house, and then check the back door. A look of disappointment crossed her face as she moved into her office and turned on her computer.

Neil left the audio feeds on and listened to every sound in the house. A one-sided conversation on the phone led him to understand that Karen wasn’t coming home again that night.

According to a conversation with Blake earlier that week, Neil learned that Karen would be moving by the following weekend.

Gwen living alone meant the noises of the Tarzana home were going to be his constant companion. Someone needed to look out for her.

Chapter Ten

“You can always back out.” Gwen and Karen sat tucked in a private back corner in a Ruth’s Chris steakhouse.

Karen shook her head. “No way.” She lowered her voice. “The money’s already in the trust.”

“Doesn’t matter.”

Karen smiled. “It’s going to be a great year, Gwen. It’s like a long paid vacation where I get to meet new friends and spoil the kids at the center.”

Gwen felt it was her duty to give Karen the out if she wanted it. In theory, getting married for a short time for a lot of money sounded doable…until one said “I do,” then there were doubts.

Gwen lifted her glass of champagne and clicked it to Karen’s. “To a fabulous year.”

“Hear, hear.”

They drank and Gwen continued. “You’ll be back before Aruba, right?”

“Of course. That’s on a Friday?”

“Yes. Why?” Gwen had confirmed the dates with Samantha and Blake, who were planning on going straight to Aruba from Albany.

“Michael told me his Fridays are almost always free. Even if he can’t stay in Aruba, he can make it for the day.”

“That’s a bit of a flight for a day trip.”

“Apparently he doesn’t think so. Says he does that kind of stuff all the time.”

“Eliza and I will be there early. You’re welcome to join us if you can.”

“I’ll try. I assume your mother is coming?”

Gwen hadn’t thought of her in a while. “I can’t imagine her not showing up. Although I don’t think I can stand one more pitying glance from her.”

“What do you mean?”

“Always the bridesmaid, never the bride.”

“Oh.” Karen buttered a piece of bread. “I’m sure she just wants to see you happy. Most mothers do.”

“If only I could have a fiancé by that Friday…then she would keep her comments to herself.”

Karen raised her eyebrows. “You have a handful of men in a database at home to consider.”

Gwen smiled. “I hadn’t thought of that.” And if she started to interview men to be her date, how would the man watching over her feel about that?

“On the other hand, I’ll be invited to all kinds of industry parties over the next year. You never know who I’ll meet.”

The waiter arrived with their food. The rich aroma of the steaks washed over the table. There was something about being able to cut into a filet with a fork that made the dining experience even better. After refilling their glasses, the waiter left.

“Have you heard from Neil?”

Gwen used the excuse of chewing her food to keep from answering the question quickly.

“Not a word.”

Karen shook her head. “What’s his deal anyway? He was a marine, right?”

“He was.”

“I guess that explains why he’s head of your brother’s security. But you’d think that would mean he’d be at Blake’s side twenty-four seven. Even if that meant following Blake and Sam to Europe.”

“The only times he’s traveled to Albany were for personal parties and events. Otherwise he’s stayed here.”

“To keep an eye on the house? Seems over-the-top, if you ask me.”

“Blake told me they had been friends before he hired him to be his bodyguard. Samantha indicated that Neil had some kind of loyalty to my brother, though I don’t know what for.”

Karen bit into her steak. “God this is good.”

“The best.”

“Do you think Neil saved your brother’s butt in a fight or something?”

“My brother doesn’t fight.” Not with his fists anyway.

Karen laughed. “All men fight if they need to. It’s in their DNA.”

“I completely disagree. I’ve met men who cried over paper cuts.”

Karen rolled her eyes. “OK…I mean men like Blake and Neil. Blake wouldn’t stop his fists from flying if someone pushed him.”

“I suppose you’re right. I don’t know what transpired between them that led Neil to work for my brother. I suppose someday I’ll find out.” Maybe it was time to ask her brother…or ask Samantha to find out for her.

“Neil seems so angry all the time.”

Gwen felt the need to defend him. “Guarded. Not angry.” She remembered the expression on his face when he’d fought the cowboys in Texas. His hazel eyes turned a dark shade of gray and the muscles in his neck strained with every heated breath. Now
that
was angry.

“Guarded, angry…whatever. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him smile.”

“It’s devastating when he does.” Gwen felt breathless just thinking of Neil’s smile.

“Oh, man, do you have it bad. I hope you’re not wasting your time with him.”

“Can I tell you something?”

Karen leaned forward.

“The other day, after we went to the shooting range…I swear he was going to kiss me.”

Karen blinked. “And?”

Gwen shook her head. “I don’t know. He backed off. Snapped away really. Like I bit him or something. Do you think he’s not taking advantage of what I clearly told him he could have if he were to ask, because he works for my brother?”

Karen shook her head. “No. Absolutely not. If working with your brother was an obstacle to getting to you…and he wanted you, he’d quit.”

Gwen sighed. “I guess that means he doesn’t want me.”

“The man follows you around, and guards you as if you were made of glass.”

“An obligation to watch over me isn’t the same as wanting me.”

“You said yourself he nearly kissed you.” Karen sipped her wine.

“Then ran away. I’ve not seen him since that day.”

“Something is stopping him, Gwen. Find out what that something is,” she said. “And you’ll find the problem.”

Karen was right. “Do you think there was a woman…someone who hurt him?”

“You never know.”

Gwen picked at her food. “Even if I do find out, there’s no guarantee he’ll come around.” The thought depressed her.

“True. But will you live with never knowing whether things might have worked between you? So long as he works with your brother you’ll see him all the time.”

“I don’t know what to do,” Gwen admitted.

“You have one life, Gwen. And you’re a romantic if I’ve ever seen one. You should follow your heart.”

“So wait for him?”

“Waiting is passive. I’d never advocate you pine away for a man who wasn’t showing interest. I suggest you set a time limit for yourself. And then move on. I know you told him to get a hint the other night…but you’re not ready to move on.”

“Not after the firing range.”

Karen smiled. “Just promise me we won’t be having this conversation next year at my divorce party…OK? If Neil hasn’t stepped up, I’m going to kick your ass to move on.”

“I can drink to that.”

They did.

They finished their meals and stepped into the parking lot. Since Karen had started dating Michael the media and plenty of freelance photographers were often close by snapping pictures of her.

“Looks like the paparazzi took the night off,” Karen said.

Gwen removed her keys from her purse as they stepped to her car. “I still feel like someone is watching me,” Gwen said.

“I’d say you’re paranoid, but I have to agree. Ever since Michael and I started to date I always feel eyes on me.” Karen turned in a circle. “If someone’s watching tonight, I think the stealth eyes are on you. The guys following me don’t care if I see them.”

“Neil?”

She giggled. “You think?”

Perhaps he did care.

Karen walked around to the passenger side of the car and squealed. “Eweeh.”

“What?”

Karen backed away from the car and looked at the ground. “What is up with the suicidal birds?”

At her feet was another dead crow. This one larger than the last.

“Do you think someone knows you don’t like birds?”

Karen’s eyes widened. “Oh, you don’t think…oh, yuck. You think this is here on purpose?”

Gwen reached down and moved the bird a few feet away. “Two dead birds in as many weeks. I guess it could happen.”

“That’s sick.”

“C’mon. Let’s go home.”

That night they locked all the doors and checked all the windows…twice.

The news of Michael and Karen’s wedding was everywhere by Friday evening. The media followed them to New York and reported them leaving via private jet, compliments of Lord and Lady Harrison, to take them to France.

Samantha insisted on lending them the plane. A flight to France for a honeymoon was a simple token for the newlyweds.

By Sunday evening, the media that had been attempting to get information from Gwen had left the neighborhood. There had been three phone calls over the past thirty-six hours. One from Eliza “checking in” and Samantha called to see if Gwen “needed anything.”

And then there was her mother.

“You should return to Albany.”

“That isn’t going to happen, Mum.”

Linda had always been very proper and direct. “You’re not equipped to live alone, Gwendolyn. Blake and Samantha aren’t even there.”

“Mother, please. I’m not a child.”
Lord, Neil must be loving this conversation.
That was of course if he was listening. Gwen glanced at the video monitor and rolled her eyes.

“What if I told you I was lonely?”

“I’d suggest you find a lover.”
That ought to quiet mother.

“Gwen!”

“What?”

“One does not simply find a lover.”

Gwen laughed. “You’re right. One chooses a lover.”

Linda paused on the line. “Is that what you’ve done? Is there a man in your life?”

“If I told you there was would you leave me alone?”

“I’d insist on meeting him,” Linda said.

“In that case I won’t tell you.”

“You were never this difficult when you lived here.”

No. She was always perfect…the perfect daughter, the perfect sister. Perhaps that was what attracted her to Neil. He wasn’t perfect. His edges were hard, rough, and complex.

“Gwendolyn? Are you still there?”

“Yes. Exactly where I plan on staying.”

“Oh, very well. But be prepared for a proper amount of guilt when I see you in Aruba.”