Rewarded (4 page)

A noise at the door caught their attention. She peeked over his shoulder to see Joaquin standing in the doorway, looking shell-shocked. Quickly recovering, he strode toward them. As Gray helped her to stand, Joaquin pulled her away from the agent and held on to her, burying his face in her hair.

“I’m so glad you’re all right! Do you need to go to the emergency room, get checked out?” he asked anxiously, pulling back to study her from head to toe. “Your arms are scraped.”

“No, I’m fine. I just want to get out of here.”

“All right.” He turned to Gray. “Do you have keys for these cuffs?”

“Not on me, but we’ll hunt down a master and get them off. Let’s go.”

As they cleared the building, Gray walked ahead of them, Joaquin at her side. She was surprised by how much this disconcerted her. She didn’t like the feeling that things were now off-kilter, and she wasn’t sure what to do about the awkwardness.

Outside, Gray called out to several agents, who tried their keys on the cuffs. None of them worked, so a phone call was made for someone to bring a master, and that required a bit of a wait. Forty-five minutes later, however, an older agent freed her wrists and she rubbed them, breathing a sigh of relief.

“Are you hungry?” Joaquin asked.

“Starving.”

“I’ll phone ahead and have something prepared for all of us,” he said, graciously including Gray and Simon as they climbed into the limo. Though his manner was a little stiff and wary, she could tell he was sincere when he continued, addressing the agents. “I don’t know how to thank you both for helping to get my family’s name in the clear. I’ve been working for years to make that happen, and it’s truly like the albatross has been ripped from my neck.”

“I was glad to be a part of it,” Gray said, nodding. “Especially when it meant arresting Santos.”

“And thanks for coming to my rescue,” she said to Gray. Then she felt her face flush. “All of you, I mean.”

There was a general round of agreement. Joaquin slid his arm around her shoulders, and she knew he was staking his claim in front of Gray. She couldn’t blame him, but at the same time the action didn’t provide the comfort it should have. Again, she didn’t want to examine why.

She must have dozed against Joaquin’s shoulder, because the next thing she knew, someone was carefully shaking her awake. Opening her eyes, she saw that the limo had stopped and everyone had gotten out except her and Joaquin.

“Hey, sleepyhead,” he said, kissing her on the lips. “Doing okay?”

“Yeah. I just need food and sleep, in that order.”

“You got it. I think dinner is waiting, and afterward we’ll tuck you in for the night.”

“Sounds fantastic.”

The weary group trooped into the house, into the dining room. Anna’s mouth watered as she saw the cook had prepared a simple but satisfying meal of roasted chicken and vegetables. They all dug in and ate without talking too much, except for Gray, Simon, and Joaquin filling in Rio on what had gone down and how they’d rescued Anna.

Conversation all but halted after that, everyone tired as they finished up. As she pushed away her plate, Joaquin rose and addressed the agents.

“I’m going to see that Anna gets her rest. Seeing as it’s getting late, you two are welcome to stay until the morning.”

“That would be great, thanks,” Simon answered.

Gray nodded, his gaze straying to Anna. “Yes, thank you. I’m pretty beat.”

Anna went to Gray first, giving him a sound hug, then to Simon. “Again, both of you, thanks for saving my bacon. I’m not sure if that Petrov guy really would have killed me, but I’m glad I didn’t have to find out.”

Gray cocked his head. “What do you mean you’re not sure if he would have killed you? That’s what he gets paid to do.”

“I’m not sure,” she said. “He just seemed off somehow. Like every once in a while a ray of humanity peeked through when he wasn’t aware or something. And though his words were harsh, he often seemed concerned about my well-being.”

Joaquin thought about that. “That’s interesting, because I noticed that while he was escaping during the gunfight, he had the perfect chance to take out at least two agents and didn’t.”

“What do you think it means?” Simon asked.

“I’m not sure,” said Gray. “Hopefully we’ll be able to catch up with him to find out.”

After saying good night again, Anna went upstairs to her room, very aware of Joaquin as he took her hand. Once inside, he shut the door and pulled her into his arms. His strength surrounded her, making her feel safe. His scent teased her nose, warm and spicy, bringing back memories of their last few days together. Laughing, making love. Heat began to unfurl in her belly—

And was just as quickly doused by confusion. Gray was here, and the feelings she’d thought she’d put behind her were far from dead.

“God, I’m so glad you’re back, safe and sound.”

“Me too.”

“How about I run you a hot bath?” he offered.

“Actually, that sounds really great. I’d like to wash the dirt from the warehouse off me before I go to bed.”

“Relax and I’ll run it for you.”

She tried a smile. “Thanks.”

Sitting on the edge of the bed, she waited while he ran her bath. When he was done, he called out and she walked into the bathroom, noting the cheery bubbles and a couple of brightly burning candles. His thoughtfulness threatened to make her cry.

“This looks wonderful. I can’t wait to get in.”

“Would you like some company?” His expression was hopeful.

Her hesitation brought the awkwardness back, and she looked away. “Would you mind if I had some time to myself?” A glance told her that she’d wounded him, though he quickly recovered.

“Of course, sweetheart. I’ll be back to tuck you in, all right?”

Leaning in, he gave her a kiss and then walked out, closing the outer door with a soft click. She felt horrible, knowing he wanted to spend time with her, hold on to her and make sure she was safe and happy.

I just need some time. Then things will get back on track between us.

That’s what she told herself as she settled in the bath. She soaked for almost half an hour before she was ready to come out. In that time, she tried to keep her mind clear of thoughts about either Joaquin or Gray, but it was hard. She was confused about the sudden resurgence of emotions she’d thought were buried, and didn’t know how to handle them.

Stepping out of the tub, she dried off and went into the bedroom. Feeling the need to be warm, to feel safe, she picked out a pair of cotton undies and a comfy nightshirt. Once dressed, she slipped between the covers and was starting to drift off when a knock sounded. She sat up as Joaquin walked in, dressed only in a pair of black silk pajama bottoms.

“Mind if I stay tonight?” he asked softly. “I just want to hold you, nothing else.”

“Of course I don’t mind.” She held out a hand to him and he hurried to join her, taking the offered hand and kissing her slowly. She opened for him, and the kiss was full of Joaquin’s slow fire. His passion.

He drew back and ran his fingers along her cheek. “Do you blame me for what happened?”

The question took her aback. “What? Santos is the one responsible for kidnapping me, not you!”

His gaze was filled with regret. “I blame myself enough for both of us. I brought you into my world knowing the dangers. Even Rio warned me, and I didn’t listen.”

“And I came here knowing them,” she reminded him. “There’s nobody to blame but Santos, and he’s going to prison for a long time. Now, are you going to hold me so I can sleep?”

He smiled. “I’d like nothing better.”

Well, that wasn’t exactly true, she thought as he spooned her from behind and his erection pressed into her through their nightclothes. For a moment she let herself enjoy the feeling of him there, his firm muscles surrounding her, his strength. Maybe she could let go, give in and make love to him. Let him take away the fear, replace it with something good.

But no, she just wasn’t ready, and he didn’t push the issue, sensitive enough to know she needed comforting tonight.

“Good night, Anna.” He kissed the top of her head.

“Night, sexy.”

His quiet chuckle followed her into a dreamless sleep.

***

Alone in his room, Gray tossed, in agony at the knowledge of Delacruz and Anna. Reunited. In her room, probably making love right this second. He wanted to die, the pain was so bad.

It was a long, long while before he finally slept.

4

Anna hadn’t wanted to make love. Not last night, and not this morning, either.

Joaquin told himself to give her time. That Grayson Sloane riding to the rescue like the Lone Ranger atop Silver, the good guy wearing the white hat, had nothing whatsoever to do with her reticence. That once he and Simon King left this morning, all would return to normal.

And he could pick up where they left off, romancing his lady and giving her the world.

Wistfully, he remembered making love to her in Aruba. He’d been so happy to bring her home, to have time for them to get to know each other. Then Santos, damn the fucking asshole, had to make his play. But he hadn’t ruined everything, had he? Joaquin couldn’t stand to think that.

Leaning against the kitchen counter, he was sipping from his mug of coffee when Sloane walked in, fully dressed and seemingly ready to go.

“Mind if I grab some coffee before we leave?” the agent asked.

“Suit yourself.” His answer was sharper and less polite than he’d intended, and he instantly cursed himself. Sloane zeroed in on his mood like a hawk spying its prey.

“Seems like you ought to be pretty happy this morning, considering you got Anna back and you’re no longer a wanted man. What gives?”

“Nothing that concerns you. And for the record, I am happy.”

Sloane’s laugh pissed him off. “Yeah, you sound real overjoyed. What’s the matter? Was Anna’s homecoming not all you’d hoped for?”

Carefully, Joaquin set his mug aside. “You’d like that, wouldn’t you? Sorry, I don’t kiss and tell.”

“No need. If there was much kissing going on, you’d be wearing a big smile instead of that scowl.”

His temper slipped several more degrees. “You don’t know a thing about my relationship with Anna. If you weren’t so arrogant, you’d see how content she is with me. I can give her things you never will be able to.”

A smirk spread across Sloane’s face. “Want to know what I gave her in the warehouse? A big wet kiss, and she kissed me right back. If she’s so content with you, she wouldn’t have been so happy to see me,” he goaded. “Given her reaction to me, I’m going to fight with everything I’ve got to win her back. And I’m going to succeed.”

Joaquin’s temper snapped, and he lunged, grabbing Sloane by the front of his shirt and delivering a blow to the man’s jaw. Unbalanced, both of them crashed on top of the counter and sent mugs and coffee flying. The agent regained some leverage, shoving him back and getting in a good shot of his own, snapping Joaquin’s head back.

They traded blows, each intent on pummeling the other. A couple of chairs and a barstool were tossed aside, one of the chairs in pieces. Sloane pulled back his fist and was about to punch him again when King rushed into the kitchen and grabbed his friend from behind.

“What the fuck are you doing?” the man yelled.

Then Rio jogged in, shoving Joaquin away from Sloane. Right behind him, to his great shame, was Anna. She was clearly stunned, brown eyes huge in her face, dark hair tumbling around the shoulders of her nightshirt.

“What the hell is going on in here?” she demanded, looking from him to Sloane.

He and Sloane glared at each other, breathing hard.

Her voice rose. “You guys are fighting like two hormonal teenagers? Who threw the first punch?”

Joaquin’s heart sank. Collecting himself, he knew he had to fess up. “I did. But—”

“But what? Gray was goading you, I’ll bet,” she guessed. The big agent quelled under her icy stare. “Right?”

“Yeah, I might have needled him some,” Sloane said, appearing ashamed.

“How mature of you.” Her tone was scathing. Then she returned her attention to Joaquin. “And you aren’t any better, letting a few remarks get under your skin to the point that you hit someone. Do either of you have any clue how sick I am of violence? Did you care that I’ve seen more of it in the past couple of days than I care to experience again?”

“Anna, I’m sorry,” Joaquin said.

Sloane nodded. “Me too. I apologize.”

She fell silent for a long moment, and Joaquin had a feeling neither he nor Sloane was going to like what she had to say next. He was right.

“I’m a person, not a toy for two little boys to fight over. I can’t handle this, not on top of having to sort out my feelings for both of you,” she said.

The statement fell between the three of them, painfully honest. A glance at Sloane revealed the man felt as miserable as he did, despite his bold declarations of a few moments ago. He wasn’t any more sure he’d win Anna than Joaquin was. And he felt as terrible as Joaquin did about letting things get out of hand.

“I need to think,” Anna went on. “And I can’t do that here. I’m going home to New York this morning. I’ll call a car service to pick me up.”

“Anna, please, won’t you reconsider?” He hated begging in front of the three other men, including his brother. But he had to try to change her mind.

Regret was etched on her face. “I have to do this. I need some space, plus I have a life and a business to get back to. I promise I’ll be in touch with both of you when I get my head on straight.”

He cleared his throat. He wasn’t going to allow himself to cry. “At least accept a ride home in my limo. It will be much more comfortable, and you’ll be able to stretch out and nap during the drive.”

“You know, I’ll take you up on that. Thanks.”

“The limo will be waiting out front.”

She started to walk out, and then turned back. “Just so you both know, I was going to leave anyway. The fight just made up my mind to leave a little sooner.”

Then she did walk out to go pack, and his heart cracked under the strain of his sadness. This was a disaster, and he wasn’t sure how he would recover if she never came back.

I’m sorry. Please don’t leave me.

But his silent plea was in vain.

***

She hurt, down to her soul.

This wasn’t how she’d envisioned ending her stay with Joaquin. She never thought she’d see Gray again, and the events of the past couple of days were unreal. Both men coming to blows in Joaquin’s kitchen.
Over me.

She really did need to think—she wasn’t lying about that. The only place to do that was home, surrounded by her things. Now more than ever, she needed her mother. She’d never been more glad in her life that the older woman would be waiting when she got home.

Packing didn’t take long, and when she was done she headed downstairs with her suitcase and bag. Joaquin met her on the stairs and insisted on taking the suitcase. The walk to the front door was sad, and she just wanted to get this part over with.

“I could ride with you—”

“Thanks, but no. I need to go home, alone.”

“I see.” It was clear he really didn’t. “I’ll wait to hear from you, then.”

“You will, I promise.”

Gray and Simon walked up just then, carrying their own bags. Their SUV was parked out front, behind the limo. There was an uncomfortable moment of silence before Gray stepped forward and enveloped her in a bear hug, which she returned.

“Take care, Anna,” he said hoarsely.

“I will, and I’ll call.”

“I’ll be waiting.”

Letting him go, she went to Joaquin and hugged him as well, and was held tightly in his arms for a long moment. “Thank you for everything,” she said. “Really, the first part of my stay was wonderful.”

“I’m glad.” His voice wavered. “Keep in touch.”

“Promise.”

There was no more stalling. She walked out to the car, looked around one last time, waved to Gray, Joaquin, Simon, and Rio. Then she climbed in and Henry shut the door, came around, and started the limo. As he pulled away, she couldn’t resist looking back at the mansion fading in the distance.

She wondered whether she’d ever be back. And if she returned, if it would be as a friend or a lover. Anna simply didn’t know.

Because they were traveling to the same city, Gray’s SUV followed the limo all the way back to New York, and she found that to be an unexpected comfort. Maybe because of what she’d been through, she liked knowing Gray was there. He was literally a phone call away, even at home.

More like a few steps from the door of her apartment. With a start, she wondered if he still lived in her building, or if that ended when the case was over. She should have asked, but figured she’d find out soon enough.

Despite her fatigue, she couldn’t get her brain to stop whirling long enough to take a nap. So she gazed at the scenery until at last the limo pulled to a stop outside her building. Looking around, she noted the SUV was gone, and she felt a stab of disappointment. Perhaps Gray and Simon had to go back to FBI headquarters and write reports on everything that had happened. For some reason, not knowing bugged her.

Henry went up with her, carrying her suitcase, and waited as she unlocked the door. After placing the case just inside, he turned and gave her a small smile.

“Take care of yourself, Miss Claire. We’re going to miss having you around.”

“You too, Henry. I’m going to miss all of you, too, but I’ll see you again.” Maybe.

Impulsively, she gave him a hug, causing him to blush. That made her laugh as he bid her good-bye and left. Her humor lasted until she realized she was finally home. Alone, it seemed. A quick check showed the apartment was empty, her mother who’d been house-sitting off somewhere.

No, not completely alone. In her bedroom, on the center of the bed, a little silver ball of fluff stood and stretched. Then spotted her and gave a plaintive
meow
, as though scolding her for being gone.

“Sterling! Come here, kitty,” she crooned, sitting on the bed. “I’ve missed you.”

He hurried over, crawling into her lap, where she scooped him up and held him close, listening to him purr. She rubbed her face in his soft fur, soaking up his unconditional love, his sweetness—and the tears started. They wouldn’t be stopped, and she cried, so lost in misery that she didn’t hear her mother return.

“Anna, you’re home!” Margaret exclaimed in happiness from the doorway. “When did you get here? Wait, are you crying?”

Raising her head, she looked at her mother through watery eyes. “Oh, Mom.”

The older woman crossed the room quickly, putting an arm around her shoulders and simply letting her cry for the longest time without prying. It must have been some sort of record for her mother, who wasn’t exactly the most subtle or patient of people when she wanted answers.

She didn’t speak until Anna’s crying had been reduced to hiccups. Her voice was soft. “When you came home, I expected to see you tanned and relaxed, maybe with some new insight into what you want. Instead, I find my baby in pain, upset. Tell me what’s wrong.”

And it all came pouring out. Her mom had known about her meeting Joaquin in Aruba, and about her going home with him. But not about his dangerous world, the harrowing kidnapping.

Margaret was horrified. “You were abducted? And nobody called me?”

“To be honest, I’m sure they were only thinking of getting me away from Santos. And after it was over, I didn’t stay long. The two of them came to blows over me.”

“Oh, honey.”

The last part of the story was the worst—her confusion over which man she was truly in love with. Which one was right for her. And leaving to come home so she could think.

“Sweetie, have you considered that neither of these men is the one for you? They’ve done nothing but make you cry. How can that be a good thing?”

“I don’t have an answer for that yet.”

“Well, you know I’m here for you. Whatever you need.”

“I know, Mom. And thanks.” She hugged her tightly again.

“Do you know if Gray still lives across the hall?”

“I don’t know, honey. If he does, I never see him.”

Anna didn’t try to find out, as tempted as she was to knock.

Margaret ended up staying a few more days, until Anna was feeling a lot steadier and ready to go back to work. Normally her mother staying so long would drive her crazy, but not this time. Anna was grateful for her mother’s love and her wisdom. She only wanted Anna to be happy, and said so repeatedly until the second she walked out the door.

Truly alone for the first time in weeks, she rattled around in her near-empty apartment. She went back to the restaurant, throwing herself into work. At home, she cuddled with her kitten and tried not to think of either of the men she’d loved.

Until the day there was a knock on her door, and she answered it.

***

The past few days—make that weeks—without Anna were the most miserable of his life.

Gray had tried to keep out of her way, and in his opinion he’d succeeded a little too well. He’d kept the apartment after the case with Anna’s restaurant was over, maybe not his smartest move. Unable to bear being across the hallway from her since her departure from Delacruz’s estate, he’d gone out of state to visit relatives.

But there were only so many to visit and not too many more days off he could take, and he had to go home. He was going to continue to stay away. To give her the space she needed. And then Simon cleared things right up in two sentences.

“Don’t be such a fucking moron. Do you think Delacruz is gonna wait forever before he makes his move?”

“No,” he admitted.

“Then go see her, dumbass. Fight for your woman.”

That was why he found himself standing outside her door, working up the courage to knock. What if she told him to go to hell? Or worse, what if she simply had realized she didn’t love him, that they weren’t right for each other?

But he’d never know unless he tried. Dammit, he couldn’t wait another second.

Raising his fist, he knocked. Waited. He almost turned and left, but refused to take the coward’s way out any longer. Then the door swung open and Anna stood there, pretty brown eyes brimming at the sight of him. Damn, not a good start.

“Shit, I didn’t come here to upset you. I can go.” He turned, and was surprised to feel her hand catch his arm.

“Please, don’t. Stay?”

Hope swelled and he nodded. “Sure.”

They went inside and he stood in the middle of her living room, drinking in the sight of her. He cleared his throat. “I tried to give you as much time as you needed, but I couldn’t wait anymore. I’m sorry.”