Flirting with Fate (10 page)

* * * *

Something landed on Elle’s face. She couldn’t breathe. Something pressed down hard on her arms and her face. She kicked her feet. Bucked her hips in desperation trying to pitch the weight off. Her lungs were going to explode. A filtered voice sounded as if it came from far away, saying something about a nosy bitch.

Darkness came even as she fought against it.

* * * *

Nicki pushed Logan’s drink closer to him. She’d been distant, almost formal since arriving at the bar. They’d exchanged pleasantries, and again he’d described the bed-and-breakfast chain. She kept glancing toward the lobby as if she expected someone.

“Are we expecting Brandon?”

“He’s getting a massage. The trip down the slope was tough on him.” Her gaze slid over Logan. “You took to the snow easily. Not rusty at all.”

“Muscle memory.” The small talk had dragged on long enough. Logan decided to push the conversation along.

“I’d better get back. The market has been all over the board. I’m thinking about dumping some stock before the price drops any further.”

“You should talk to my father first.” A hand on his knee startled him. “He’s made lots of people rich.”

Logan leaned closer and delivered his best patronizing smile. “I’m already rich.”

“No one has too much money. Dad can help you stay that way.” Her grip moved to his thigh.

Logan expected her to use sex as her weapon of choice, but this open display surprised him. “I’ve heard that before.”

“No doubt,” she said with a laugh. “You should give Dad a chance. At least talk to him. He has some exciting things in the works.”

“I guess it never hurts to listen. But why am I sitting here with a beautiful woman talking business?”

Nicki glanced toward the lobby again. “Here’s a personal question. Are you and Elle a couple?”

Finally, she’d asked the question Logan had been waiting for. He pretended to choke on his drink. “Hell no. It’s a long story.”

“I’ve got time.”

Logan played it slow, making her wait. “Sounds a little goofy, but we’re contest winners. It’s a monthly thing here at the resort. People write an essay about why they’d like to meet someone new. The best two entries win an all-expense-paid vacation.” Nicki’s jaw dropped. “Before you judge me, I didn’t enter. My mother, who thinks it’s a crime that I haven’t presented her with grandchildren, entered my name. I protested at first but then thought, why not?”

Her lips thinned. “You and Elle seemed to hit it off.”

“Well, she is beautiful. I thought this might turn into a party weekend. I probably shouldn’t have told her about my B and B chain. Should have kept that to myself.”

“I’ll just bet her little ears perked up hearing that.” Nicki bared her teeth in a snarl.

“I noticed a distinct change in her demeanor.”

“Money can be a burden.” Nicki’s shoulders relaxed. “There’s something about her that makes me uncomfortable.”

“She’s okay. I figure everyone has an angle. Hers is finding a rich husband.”

Brandon Ethridge stepped into the bar as if right on cue.

“May I join you?” Even as he asked, he was dragging a chair out.

“Of course.” Logan shook Brandon’s hand.

“We were just talking about you,” Nicki said.

“That’s true,” Logan agreed.

“Logan’s thinking about selling some stock. I volunteered your advice,” she said.

“Did you now?” Brandon ordered a whiskey sour. “You two ready for a refill?”

“Nothing for me, thanks.” Logan had already turned away three offers for more alcohol from Nicki. He wasn’t falling for that.

“If you gentlemen will excuse me, I have a call to make.” Nicki stood. She affectionately rubbed Logan’s shoulders. “I won’t be long.” She kissed Brandon’s cheek, then left.

“You’ll have to forgive Nicki. She’s always bragging about my accomplishments through my investment firm.”

“You must be very proud of her,” Logan said.

“For sure.” His face flushed, but he recovered quickly by coughing a couple of times. “Now, if you’re selling, I assume you already have a safe place to invest the money.”

“Not really. My dad usually handles my investments. He’s made a few bad calls, so I’m guiding the ship for now.” Logan took a sip of his beer. He’d dropped the bait. Now to wait and see if Brandon bit.

“There’s an investment on the horizon that could be just what you’re looking for. I have a client who is looking to put together a chain of destination hotels or resorts. I’m thinking he’d be interested in adding your B and Bs.”

“None of my properties are for sale.” Logan pushed his chair back as if he intended to leave.

“He’s also looking for a few select investors. Think about keeping your B and Bs and being part owner of a chain of resorts.” Brandon’s words were as practiced and smooth as the snake oil salesmen were back in the Old West. “Let’s have dinner tonight. I’ll bring you a packet with all the details and financials.”

Logan pretended to think it over. “Let me check with Elle. I’m sure she’ll want to join us.”

An odd expression flashed across Brandon’s face. Did he not want her to come? He hadn’t heard Logan’s conversation about Elle with Nicki. Not unless she’d been wearing a wire.

“Of course, I’ll make reservations for four and hope you join us.” The look had vanished as fast as it had formed, leaving Brandon with a forced smile. “Normally, I wouldn’t consider making this offer to a stranger, but I trust Nicki’s instincts. If she thinks I should give you the opportunity to double your money, then I’m game.”

“I’m sure we’ll see you, say, around seven?” This time Logan did stand. He shook Brandon’s hand. “I’ll listen to your proposition, but I’ll have to know a lot more before I commit. Truthfully, it sounds too good to be true.”

“Sometimes, good things happen to good people,” Brandon assured Logan. He waved for the server. “The drinks are on me.”

Logan kept his pace slow and easy as he meandered across the lobby. It was only after the elevator doors closed that he blew out a breath and relaxed. He almost ran down the hall to the room. He couldn’t wait to tell Elle what had happened.

Alana met him at the door. Logan scanned the room. Liam stood between him and the door to Elle’s room, which had been closed. Logan’s gut knotted. He skipped all pleasantries. “What’s wrong?”

“Elle has been attacked.”

In three strides, his hand was on the doorknob.

“Wait.” Alana caught his arm. “She’s fine. A doctor is with her.”

“What happened?” His heart rose and jammed into the back of his throat.

“Someone tried to smother her,” Alana said in a whisper.

“What? My God, I should be in there with her.” Anger rose from deep inside. His fingers rolled into a tight fist. He’d done a piss-poor job of taking care of her. “Why didn’t you send for me?”

“I’m sorry, Logan, but she insisted you not be disturbed,” Liam said.

“Disturbed?” Logan’s head was going to explode.

“She called the office, and I came up straight away,” Alana added quickly. “I sat with her while Liam located the doctor. She was shaken up but seemed to be okay.”

“She begged me not to notify the police. I honored her request, but this makes me very uncomfortable. We’re lucky that a family practitioner is here on vacation,” Liam added.

“How long has he been in there?” Logan stared at the door handle.

“Maybe fifteen minutes,” Alana said.

Logan dragged his hands over his face. Dozens of questions flooded his mind. The urge to pound someone to dust battled with his need to see her. The word
why
reverberated through his head.

“I’m not waiting much longer.”

The door opened just as Logan finished his sentence. A middle-aged male, trim as a long-distance runner and as gray-haired as Liam, extended his hand.

“You must be Logan.” The man smiled, stepped back, and waved Logan inside.

Logan wasted no time getting to Elle’s side. Dropping to his knees, he leaned down into her open arms. He breathed in her scent. Ran his fingers over her skin. Her pale face and the pink hue of her eyes sent his heart into free fall. “Elle, baby. You scared me.”

“Scared me too.” She smiled, but her eyes hid a layer of terror.

Logan glanced up. “Doctor…?”

“Abroon.” He shook Logan’s hand. “She had quite a scare. The bruises on her arms and her bloodshot eyes will clear up in a few days. “You’ll notify the police?” he asked Liam.

“I am the police.” Logan stretched the truth since he had no jurisdiction in Colorado.

“Do you think Brandon Ethridge did this?” Alana asked.

The Fitzgeralds had no knowledge of the flash drive, so Logan was careful with his words. “I can’t imagine it being anyone but him. Without proof, it’s best not to accuse him.”

“As soon as the roads are passable, I’ll have to notify our local police,” Liam said.

“Absolutely,” Logan agreed.

“Then we’ll leave so Elle can get some rest,” Liam said.

Alana smoothed her fingers across Elle’s cheek. “Call me if you need anything.”

“I will,” Elle said, hugging the older woman. “Thank you.”

Logan escorted the trio to the door. He thanked each person individually before hurrying back to Elle. He eased down next to her and pulled her into his arms. Needing reassurance she was okay, he gently kissed her. Her warm response helped untie the knots in his gut and shifted the boulder off his chest. He ran his hands over every inch he could reach before he laid her back on her pillows.

“Do you feel like talking?”

“Yes. As soon as I get off this bed.”

“You sure? The doc said you should rest.”

“Then I’ll rest on the couch or your bed.” She swung her feet to the floor and stood. Elle leaned against him, and he led her to the common room.

Logan considered trying to preserve the crime scene but decided against it. Too many people had been in here within the past few hours. It could be days before a forensic team could get to the castle. Son of a bitch. That was why Nicki had kept looking at the door. She’d kept him busy while Brandon had tried to kill Elle.

Elle turned to Logan. “What have I started? I shouldn’t have been playing detective.”

Logan swept her into his arms. She buried her head in his neck as her full body shivered. He carried her into the common room, laid her on the couch, and then sat on the coffee table. He struggled to push the guilty feelings from his mind.

“We’ll get through this. I’m sorry I left you alone. It won’t happen again.” He took her hand in his. “Close your eyes and tell me everything you remember. If you get scared, we’ll stop for a while.”

Elle recalled falling asleep and waking to what was probably a pillow over her face. Tears slid down her cheeks as she admitted the fear and pain she’d felt when she’d realized she wasn’t able to breathe. “It was like a great weight just landed on me.” She gasped. Her eyes opened wide.

“What is it?”

“I heard a voice.” She closed her eyes again. “Die, you nosy bitch.”

Elle’s voice trembled and Logan rubbed her hand. “You’re doing great. Did you recognize the voice?”

“No. It sounded so far away. I’m sorry. That’s all I remember.”

“Don’t beat yourself up. You were wonderful. Occasionally, people can’t remember anything.”

“My life didn’t flash in front of my face.” She gave him a weak grin. “But that’s when a person is drowning. Right?”

“So I’ve heard. What did you think about?”

“All the things I was leaving undone and words unspoken. I didn’t want to die.”

“There’ll be time for everything.” Logan refused to think about her dying. He had to concentrate on putting Brandon away for a very long time. “You make a bucket list, and I’ll make sure to fulfill every wish.”

“I may hold you to that.” Elle pushed herself up, stood, and then took a couple of steps.

“Where are you going?” Logan asked.

“I have to move around.” She stopped with one foot still in the air. “Did you move my laptop?”

“No. When I left, it was here on the counter.” Logan dragged a hand across his chin. “He knows there was an attempted breach on his files and tracked it back to your laptop.”

“He also must know the files self-destructed. Why try to kill me?”

“I wish I knew. That explains why Nicki was so curious about you, asking how well I knew you and if we were a couple.”

“What do we do now?”

“I’ll cancel dinner with the bastard. You’re not going near him or Nicki.” Logan wrapped his arms around Elle. Holding her as close as possible, he buried his face in her hair, imprinting her body into his memory. “Never assume. A lesson I learned years ago. Yet I assumed the bastard wasn’t violent. My mistake almost got you killed.”

“You can’t cancel.” She straightened her back and stepped away. Her dark eyes were sharp and determined. “I’m alive, and you’re not to blame for the attack. Your friend needs time to break the code and send us the rest of his files.”