Her Master Defender (The Masters Men Series) (3 page)

“Not really. First off, he didn’t send me home so much as agree with you and Ace it was a good idea. Second, he already has you to spy on me,” Dos said. His relaxed attitude dissipated with the topic. Tres would deny it, but Dos knew the Colonel kept in contact with both of his brothers. “Third, I’m pretty sure she’s been in business for quite a while. And fourth, I can’t imagine him wanting his daughter within a thousand miles of me.”

“First off,” Tres said, sarcastically, making Dos regret getting irritated. “I’m not spying on you. Second, other than the fact that he probably knows you’re not interested in a serious relationship, why wouldn’t he want his daughter near you?”

“I don’t know, maybe the unknown virus running through my system, or the intermittent blackouts, or, oh yeah, the fact that I’m number one on a prominent drug lord’s hit parade. But hey, other than that I’m a great catch.” He regretted the sarcasm before he even finished speaking. His situation wasn’t his brother’s fault. “Sorry, Tres. I guess not wanting a relationship is one thing. Not having the option to change your mind is something else.”

“We don’t know it’s been taken away. You’re not dead, so--”

“Yeah, I know Mom’s mantra,” Dos interrupted not wanting to hear about hope right now. “We good? I need to get back to work.”

When he flipped the phone closed, Dos sat for a minute, trying to let go of the guilt by reasoning with himself. As usual it didn’t work. Guilt was something he carried a load of. Failing his men was at the top of the list, but screwing up his relationship with his family was a close second. Having been gone so much of the last fifteen years was a problem. He didn’t know how to deal with their love-you-no-matter-what attitude anymore. Then there was the fact that being around all of them, after his months of isolation in South America, was overwhelming. He got up and grabbed the schematics he’d put away when Copper had been there. Sometimes doing technical work for the business his other brother was starting up helped.

A few hours and another pot of coffee later, movement out the front window caught Dos’ eye. Looking up he realized it wasn’t so much movement, as color that drew his attention. Copper Kerrigan’s hair flew around her head and shoulders in the October wind. The movement reflected sparks of sunshine with every step she took. Unfortunately, those sparks, and steps, were coming directly toward his office.

Dos stood a second before Copper opened the door. He noted her tight expression, as she stepped inside.

“How did it go?” He watched those flashing green eyes roll in response.

“Peachy,” she said, with a forced smile as she plopped down in the chair she’d vacated earlier. “They think it was kids messing around.”

“Really? I haven’t been around in a while, but I don’t remember ever having that kind of problem with kids here.” Dos lowered himself into his chair.

“Well, I have been around for five years, and you’re right, there’s never been this kind of trouble.”

He had hoped she would just offer the coffee she mentioned earlier, so he could turn her down and she would leave. It didn’t seem that was going to be the case. She waved her hand in the air, another Colonel-like gesture, and he knew she was trying to dismiss the entire ordeal.

“Anyway, I’ve been cleaning up a little since they left and got to thinking. You install security systems, right?”

“No,” he said confused by the unexpected disappointment that she would leave weighing down on him. Why would he possibly want her to stay? He preferred his sanctuary quiet and undisturbed by beauty and temptation.

“But your sign says, Master Security. And Mr. Parks, he owns the shop next to my office, he said you helped him.”

Dos nodded. “He asked some questions, I gave him some suggestions.”

She pulled a small pad from the pocket of her coat. “Okay, if that’s all you’ll do, suggest away.”

“I would need to know what the problems are first,” he said, regretting them as the words came out of his mouth.

Her smile warmed the entire room. Why hadn’t he noticed that before? Barely stopping himself from physically shaking his head, he pulled out his own pad to take notes. Designing a system for her was the least he could do, especially with her being the Colonel’s daughter.

“What was taken? Do you keep a lot of cash on hand there?” She shook her head and that glorious hair rippled over her shoulders. He looked down at his pad, irritated with himself.

  “None, most of my customers write checks or use credit cards. I make deposits everyday.”

“Anything else taken, electronic equipment, stereo, or a computer maybe?”

“No, my only computer was at home. Other than a cheap boom box, essential oils and such, there’s not much worth stealing. They trashed the place, as I’m sure you noticed when you made the mistake of stepping inside earlier.” The told-you-so smile on her face didn’t irritate him the way such a look from one of his brothers would.

Dos nodded in agreement.

“They smashed my entire stock of oils, destroyed the massage table in back, and all the supplies I keep in the back room. I’m closed until my next shipment comes in, and I can get the smell aired out. My portable table will work until I can get a new one. That’s going to put a crimp in the old pocketbook. So, you understand why I need advice on how to put in a security system without spending a fortune.”

He listened to the long explanation without comment. Not that he had a choice. She didn’t even take a breath. When she did, he broke in. “It sounds more personal than kids causing trouble to me. Any reason you know of that someone would want to close you down?”

“Like what? It’s not like this place is a hotbed of crime. At least it hasn’t been as long as I’ve been here.”

Dos nodded and leaned back in his chair. “I’m not up on real estate around here. Has anyone approached you about wanting to buy you out? Is there anything special about the building or land it’s on?” He didn’t recall anything significant about that building. It was old but not historical as far as he knew.

“No, and massage therapists aren’t exactly the run each other out of business types. We’re into making people feel better, not worse. Besides, there’s been plenty of business for myself and the other therapist in town for years. We even trade with each other, and fill in for each other now and then.”

Dos made a couple of notations then glanced at her across the desk. He was reluctant to voice his next thought. “Are there any angry ex-husbands or boyfriends around?”

“You’re kidding right?”

Dos shook his head and raised an eyebrow. Why would she think he was kidding? She had to have guys lined up around the block. She rolled her gorgeous green eyes again.

“No. I’ve never been married. Since moving here the closest I’ve come to a relationship is dinner with the same guy twice.”

The flush on her face had him wishing he had been that guy. He also wondered why the lack of social life. She was young, gorgeous, and appeared to be friendly. Why wouldn’t more guys ask her out? One possibility popped into his mind.

“Is there anyone from your past with an axe to grind?” She’d said she had only been here five years. That coupled with the lack of dating could mean she was hiding from someone.

A frown scrunched up her face. She tilted her head. “Is there a reason you think people don’t like me?”

“No,” Dos said pulling his head back as if insulted.

“Then why do you keep suggesting it? I promise. I don’t have any enemies.”

“Everyone has enemies.” He folded his hands in front of him and considered her. She seemed to be thinking about his response.

“Oh damn,” she said jumping out of her chair and turning away before whirling back and glaring at him. “Of course, you’re military. I can’t believe I didn’t see it before.”

He had never heard the two words said as an accusation before. It almost made him laugh. It also made him wonder. Why did the Colonel’s career affect their relationship in such a negative way?

“Excuse me?” Maybe playing dumb would get her to explain her leap to his profession.

“Your comment and posture remind me of all the officers I’ve known,” she said, tipping her head to the side. “You are, aren’t you?”

“Yes, I’m a major in the army.” He watched his words take her from frustration to suspicion.

“Did my father send you? I swear I’m going to . . . aughhh,” she said, turning and pacing toward the front of the office before he could answer.

Dos shook his head, though she couldn’t see him. He found the loss of control and frustration with the Colonel amusing. He had been as frustrated with the man himself. What didn’t amuse him was the fact she looked so damned desirable in her anger. Trying to tamp down the unwelcome emotion he focused on the conversation.

“First, I don’t think we’re supposed to do recon in our own country,” he told her not wanting to give up his connection with the Colonel yet. “Second, I’m home on leave.”

She turned back and the fight evaporated as fast as it had formed. The pity on her face was worse.

“Your leg, of course, I’m sorry,” she said, sitting across from him again.

God how he wished it were only his leg, but he decided to go with her version. “Yeah, it’s still a little tough running the obstacle course. Now, to get back to our previous conversation, enemies?”

He forgot what they were talking about as she shook her head. His eyes focused on her hair glowing in the sunbeams.

“No enemies, sorry.”

Shaking his own head, both to clear it and at her denial he made a notation on the pad in front of him.

“I guess it could have been someone who was high on something and lost it when they didn’t find any cash.”

Dos didn’t bore her with everything he knew about addicts. It appeared she didn’t want to admit to any negatives in her life. Thinking someone she knew was on drugs would probably be devastating. Copper Kerrigan was a softy if he’d ever seen one.

“So, did it happen in Iraq? I did a couple of hitches over there. I know how bad it can be.”

Looking up at her off topic question, he found himself mesmerized by the emerald jewels she called eyes. The feeling she could see straight through to his soul sent a shiver over his body. Dos quickly looked away. He didn’t want anyone seeing his soul tarnished with all the garbage he’d dealt with the last few years.

“No,” he answered her question about his injury, and then the rest of what she said registered. “You were in the military?”

“Four years as a Navy nurse,” she said smiling with pride.

That’s right. He’d forgotten about her academy graduation picture. Now, utterly confused he couldn’t keep from frowning. “Then why are you so anti-military?”

“I’m not anti-military,” she said shrugging and looking away.

Dos waited without saying anything more. Sometimes you got more with silence than interrogation. When her gaze finally came back to him, he saw resignation in her eyes.

“Okay, I guess it did sound that way, but I’m not. I have nothing but respect for all the men and women serving. But. . .”

This was going to be good. The pregnant pause said it all.

“I grew up an Army brat, then served four years, lost my brother in the war, and have an overprotective Colonel for a father. There, now you know my entire life history.”

Dos took her verification of his suspicion in stride. He did, however, make a mental note to discuss it with the Colonel. He may have told Tres he didn’t think it too coincidental, but he wasn’t totally convinced. One thing he knew for sure was how hard her brother’s death had been. Dos had watched it devastate the Colonel. He could see the Colonel becoming overprotective of Copper. Cocking his head, Dos considered her earlier question.

“Why did you think your father sent me here? Have you had other problems before this that would have him concerned?”

“No.”

Dos cocked an eyebrow waiting for more, though she couldn’t see it because he hadn’t cut his hair in so long. He wasn’t used to all this free time. His life was routines, schedules, missions. Without them he kept putting things off until tomorrow. Not that it mattered, he doubted the tomorrow he wanted would ever come.

Dropping his pen he scrubbed a hand over his face disgusted with his self-pity. Action, that’s what he needed. “Come on, let’s go.”

“Where are we going?”

“To check out your office. It’ll give me a better idea of what to recommend for security.” Reaching for his cane he motioned toward the door. As stiff as he was already, he decided to stop and slip on his coat. The long duster style kept some of the chilling October mountain winds from his aching muscles and bones. His hat went on out of habit.

When they stepped onto the opposite sidewalk Mr. Park, from the shop next door, stepped out. Dos nodded in greeting.

“You help her out,” the man said. “She’s a good girl. Take care of her.”

Knowing an order when he heard one, Dos saluted before stepping cautiously into Copper’s shop. The scent of her ruined inventory still hung heavy in the air. He left the door open and added a window. After taking a deep breath of outside air he turned back to the room.