Seducing Fortune (A Serendipity Novel Book 3) (19 page)

I
might
as well be a member of the living dead. Lying to Dylan is the worst sin I’ve ever committed. Dylan’s hurt expression reached in and pulled out my heart like some ninja. I left the still-beating essence of it behind, pulsing in the early morning light of the parking lot.

Ironically, he questioned my trust.

I handed my own trust to Dylan when I’ve built my life on caution. I shouldn’t have slept with him last night, and I won’t risk putting him in jeopardy again.

I stand in the tiny shower, the spray of water all wonky because it’s never worked right. A burst of cold hits my face and I welcome the shock and punishment of it. I deserve to be hurt, because I was selfish. I should’ve gone there and told him we needed to take a break.

“Sissy? There’s a guy at the door.”

For one instant, I picture Dylan standing there, but I know better. “Who is it? I’m in the shower.”

“Yes, I figured you weren’t baking cookies. He says he’s Toby.” There’s blessed silence for a few seconds and I hope she’s gone away. But then Gabby knocks several times in rapid succession on the door. “He’s cute. Or at least the part I can see through the peephole is. Can I let him in?”

“No. Are you crazy? Wait a minute.” I twist the knob fully to the left and a shot of scalding water hits my back. “Ow,” I scream and stumble back.

“Sis?”

“I’m coming.” I grab a towel and dry off. It takes another minute to get dressed and out of the bathroom so I can get to the door. The peephole reveals a fisheye view of Toby’s profile.

I unlock both bolts and open the door. “What do you want?”

“Good morning,” he answers and walks in without being invited.

“I’m leaving in a few minutes. You’ll have to catch me later.”

He gives me a patient smile, the kind you give to unruly grandmothers. “Good. I’ll talk to you while we’re in the car.”

“You can call me.”

“In person is better.” He looks over my shoulder. “Hi. I’m Toby.”

I don’t have to turn to know Gabby is behind me and hanging on to every word of our conversation. “I’m Gabby. Nice to meet you.”

“On second thought,” I say, and glance at my sister, “Gabby, take my car. Toby will be happy to give me a ride to campus and pick me up later.”

“Great excuse to spend more time with you,” he says.

I didn’t know it’d be so hard to play this game of pretend. I have a few select, ungirlfriend-like words for Toby when we’re away from Gabby. Toby the random—or not so random—texter. “Give me fifteen minutes to get ready.”

“Mind if I sit in here and watch television?” Toby asks.

“Sure you can wait, but there’s no TV.” There’s a hard edge to my voice. I turn and walk down the hall. Gabby’s already quizzing Toby about his life. At least I have that for temporary payback. Gabby’s interrogations can rival a Russian mobster’s.

I’m only inside the bathroom for ten minutes when a knock sounds over the hum of my hair dryer. “Almost done,” I yell.

“It’s me,” Gabby answers.

The door opens and she peeks in at me. “Hey, can I come in?”

“Gab, there’s not enough room,” I grumble.

My mood doesn’t deter her. She pushes her way in, effectively limiting me to a twelve-inch space in front of the shower. “What happened to Dylan? I thought you guys were dating.”

“No. We’re friends. He’s my boss.” My answer comes out in a croak.

She eyes me for too long before answering. “I wanted to let you know I’m spending the night at a friend’s tonight, so I won’t be home.”

“Okay.” I run the brush through my hair. “Open the door. I have to go.”

“Okay? You’re not going to ask more?”

“No. Whatever. You’re a grown woman.” Maybe it’s best if she’s far away from danger and this apartment.

“But—”

“Move, Gabby.” I put my hands on her shoulders and squeeze. “Talk to you later. Gotta go.”

I hurry from the bathroom and give Toby a brief nod. “Ready.”

After shrugging into my coat, I grab my textbook and lead the way outside. We’re at the bottom of the stairs and his motorcycle is missing. He points to a four-door sedan.

“So you don’t even ride the bike? Wow. A complete fraud.” I walk to the passenger side.

He gives me a look and opens the door for me. “Hop in.”

“Yes, sir.”

Toby circles to the driver’s side and slides in. “Listen. I have a cover to protect and you’re so pissed off you don’t care. But it’d be great if you could hold all that in until we’re in private.” He starts the engine and turns up the heat. “Cold?”

I hold my hands against the vent. “I’m pissed. Did you know I was with Dylan when you sent the text?”

Toby shrugs. “You were supposed to break it off. Rafa will never believe we’re dating, unless you’re playing at being a whore.”

“Stop the car. I’m getting out.” My hand is on the handle.

“Wait. I’m sorry. Shit. Calm down. Let’s do what we have to do to keep everyone safe. Okay?”

I stare straight ahead.

He gives a headshake and his mouth forms a hard line for a moment. “I didn’t ride the bike because we’d become icicles, and also, it’s a little tough to talk on a bike.”

“What do we need to talk about?”

“The schedule for today. You have class this morning, right?” He heads the car in the direction of campus.

“Yes. I have class, work, and avoiding you.” I study the landscape out my passenger window.

“Do all that. During this drive, we should plan the visit to your father. You’re already on the prison’s approved visitors list for him. We’ve asked his attorney to request your visit so it can be approved. I’ll be taking you.”

“Right. So, is this happening today?”

“No, you should do classes and work. We want the visit to go through normal procedures. They have rules at Bennettsville. Inmates request approval for a visit several hours ahead of one. We don’t want someone on the inside to tip Rafa. It’s going to be odd enough that you’re visiting your father for the first time. He’s been in there for a while and never had a visitor.”

Guilt pricks me with a thousand tiny pins. “I want to get this over with.”

“We can’t rush it. We don’t want to spook anyone since we need to keep you safe.”

“Until you get the code.”

“No. I said I was trying to protect you. I wasn’t feeding you a line. The US government wants you safe. Getting the code and evidence against Rafa is a bonus.”

“You are so full of it. The government wants the code. Period.” After a pause, I add, “I have a morning lab.”

“I know,” he says without missing a beat. He drives as if he takes this route every day. “I’ll pick you up here at 9:30.”

“Great. If Rafa’s watching me, won’t he wonder why you’re playing chauffeur today?”

“No. We’re dating now, and I have classes too. Remember?”

“I hope you fail them all.”

He pulls to the curb and I get out, walking quickly to class without a backward glance.

T
oby picks
me up on schedule and I recognize the route he takes immediately. “Why are we going to your house?”

“So Rafa’s guy can see you go inside with me. You’ve only been home with me once, when you helped with Diesel. It’s going to be difficult to pull off the boyfriend thing unless we set it up a little better.”

“Why does it matter?”

“Quit acting like this. I understand you’re scared and—”

“You ruined my life with one careless act. Why did you text me this morning? I would’ve taken care of it.”

He drives, giving no response for so long I wonder if he’s going to answer. Turning his gaze from the road, he says, “Sorry. Had to. You realize Rafa knows you were with Dylan last night. Unless you want that guy to end up with more than hurt pride, it’s for the best. If you don’t give Rafa what he wants, he may get antsy and use the people you care about as pawns.”

Soon, we’re at Toby’s house. I follow him wordlessly to the door and inside. Diesel immediately rises from a large dog bed near the sofa. He’s thicker than when I saw him last.

“Hey, boy. How are you?” I take off my glove and bend down to rub the top of his square head.

“Your girlfriend has finally come to visit,” Toby coos to his dog. “Make yourself at home,” he says to me.

I obey, taking off my coat and placing it across the back of the sofa. “Come here, Diesel. Tell me what’s been going on with you. Has Mr. Toby trained you to be a spy dog yet?” The cushions of the worn sofa give under Diesel’s weight when he hops onto one side.

Giving in, I sit beside Diesel and allow the dog to place his head on my knees. Toby disappears from the room but soon reenters with a bottled water that he hands to me. He takes off his knit cap and sits in a chair near us.

Toby takes a drink of his own water. “You said you have to work today. Cleaning at Dylan’s, right?”

“Yeah.” I stare at the television. Toby turned it on at some point when I wasn’t paying attention. It must be on mute, but it’s one of my favorite movies of all time, Romeo and Juliet. DiCaprio and Dane are kissing on-screen and I stare at them.

All this tragedy is probably more true-to-life than people realize.

“Emerson? You with me?”

“Ah, yeah. I’m tired.” I don’t mention the fact that I didn’t get much sleep last night, as he very well might be guessing. “I don’t think Dylan will want me there today. Not after...well, you know.” My voice sounds as dead as I feel.

“Do you need to call and let someone know you won’t be there today?” Toby’s gentle voice makes my throat tighten.

“I’ll text Jordy.”

“Okay.”

He turns up the volume on the television and glances at me. “Want to watch something in particular?”

Diesel scoots his front paws onto my lap and burrows his head into my stomach. “No.” I answer without taking my eyes off the screen.

Toby places the remote on the arm of his chair and lays his head back. “I am sorry this is happening to you. Really. But it won’t go on forever.”

“How long have you been watching me?” I think back to the time I met Toby in the parking lot and the note on my car.

“About three months.”

Shock tunnels into my brain as I absorb his words. “Why so long?”

“Rafa had feelers out. Your dad’s been threatened in prison. Roughed up a little. When we became aware of what was going on, we knew he’d target you. It makes sense that your dad would’ve either hidden information with you or that you can get the code from him.”

I nod numbly. “I see.”

Toby’s brow furrows. “I know you don’t like me, but we just have to spend the next couple of days together and this is over.”

“You make it sound very easy.” Diesel snores softly in my lap. “If you know all this stuff about Rafa, why don’t you just go arrest him?”

“He hasn’t done anything yet that we can take to trial. That’s how the best criminals work. Nothing’s traced back to them.”

“I still don’t get it. If I give you the code, he doesn’t have anything incriminating.”

“We’re going to wire you. You’ll give him a copy. We need to get him to prepare to run Eavesdropper on his servers and then we shut him down.”

“Wait. You said I’m going to give it to him. Do I have to emphasize that I am not trained for this espionage shit?”

His mouth pulls for a brief moment. “That’s why you have me. You won’t be alone.”

J
ordy lingers in my doorway
, both hands braced on the threshold. “I said Emerson’s not coming today. What happened?”

“Nothing.” I knot my tie and grab my wallet from the dresser. The house is filled with the voices of Collin and Ace downstairs.

“Don’t lie to me. I know you too well.” He comes in and leans against the wall. “You two got into a fight.”

“That’s one way of putting it.”

I attempt to leave, but Jordy puts an arm across the open door. “She needs you, so get over whatever the little spat is and call her.”

Alarm bells ring in my brain. She does need me, but I’m still recovering from the aftershocks of knowing she wouldn’t give up the other guy.

Or am I the other guy?

“She’s seeing a guy named Toby.”

Jordy’s shock, before he covers it, is real. “Maybe they were dating before she started seeing you,” he says.

“No. She hasn’t known him long. This is some long-haired dude who rides a motorcycle and works at Folks’ Auto.”

“Really.” Jordy’s pauses. “That doesn’t sound like Emerson to date two guys at once. It doesn’t make sense.”

“Yeah, well, I thought that too.” I shove him gently to the side. “I’m going to the office.”

Jordy stays propped in my doorway as I pass him and head downstairs. Footsteps sound on the stairs and he suddenly meets me at the front door. “I’ve watched Emerson’s life for a while,” he says. “She hasn’t dated anyone for the past year. I’m positive. Then she up and decides to date two? Think about it.”

He’s right. It doesn’t make sense. The girl who laid it out for me in no uncertain terms that she is into monogamy wouldn’t have another guy in the picture.

I open the door and breathe in the frigid air. Maybe I’m overthinking everything.

I
t’s
one in the afternoon when I finally stop to take a lunch break. We’ve had a busy morning with a sales meeting about our spring marketing plans. The sales staff seem to know I’m in no mood for jokes and light conversation.

My cell chimes and I glance at the display. It’s Jordy. “Hello.”

“Did you say you know this Toby guy?”

My gut burns at the mention of his name. “Met him once. Is that why you called? I really don’t want to talk—”

“I called Gabby. She met this Toby guy for the first time today.”

“So?”

“Don’t you think that’s a little odd?”

“Not really.” I drum my pen against a pad on my desk. “What’s your point?”

“Gabby is the nosiest person I know. Chic should be a private investigator. She goes through Emerson’s things, knows her sister’s business. I’d think she would know all about Toby.”

“Emerson did a good job of keeping the secret from me...”

“I’m telling you that something isn’t right. I went to the Folks’ webpage. They have a page called ‘At Your Service’ where they put names and photos of all their mechanics. It’s a PR thing. No Toby there.”

“Well, you got an A in detective work until that point. I met him while he was working at Folks’.”

“Gabby says Emerson is crazy about you. That anytime she mentions you, she gets all flustered.”

Jordy’s statement sends a zing of pleasure through me. A second later, the zing dies and numbness takes over. I twirl to face the wall of glass and stare at the ceiling while I rub my temple.

“I think she’s exaggerating. Or maybe Emerson was afraid of getting caught.” I look out to my showroom floor and see my office manager watching me from her desk. I rotate my chair away from her prying eyes.

“I think you should call Gabby. Ask her yourself. I’ll give you the number. Just think about what I said.”

I take the offered number all while thinking I’d have to be a real loser to call Emerson’s younger sister and ask for details concerning the other guy. The guy who has something I don’t have—some trait that Emerson is looking for in a man she dates.

“Hey, Dylan,” Aggie calls over the phone intercom. “You have a guest heading your way. And she’s too fast to stop.”

“Hey,” Gabby says, opening my door and poking her head in.

Speak of the little-sister devil.

“Hi, Gabby. How are you?” I stand and smile, my good manners kicking in on autopilot despite my surprise.

She nods with a serious expression. “What’s going on with you and Emerson?”

Not quite the question I expected. “I think you need to ask her.”

“Well, I’m asking you for a reason.” She sits in the chair in front of my desk and studies me.

I’m not sure why I feel I’m under inspection. “We disagreed on something this morning.” I take my seat again and flex my hands against my legs.

“My sister is my best friend in the entire world.” Gabby crosses her arms. “Why is she with this guy Toby and not you?”

I close my eyes. Take a deep breath. Count to three. “Listen. I think it’s really great that you’re concerned about your sister. But it’s her business and mine. Private business.”

“She’s with this Toby guy today.” Gabby twists the virtual knife a little harder. “She doesn’t even like him. I’m pretty sure she hates him.”

Blood rushes into my head. Black rage threatens to spill out of me if I don’t get answers soon. “How well do you know this guy? He wouldn’t hurt her, would he?”

“Never met him before this morning. He came inside and I was interested. He’s a hot guy. But then I see the way Emerson reacts to him and I know—know without a doubt—that she wanted to tear into him. But she didn’t. Not in front of me. It’s like she was hiding something.”

A combination of sick relief and fear travels through my gut. I wipe a hand across my neck and loosen the knot of my tie. “Anything else? Tell me everything. Please, Gabby.”

She exhales and stares at my desk. “Everything. Okay. So, she offers her car to me. She never does that. Then when I tell her I won’t be home tonight, she blows it off and just tries to leave with that guy.”

“And these are not normal things?”

“Are you kidding? My sister wants to know my every move. Usually it chaps my ass but today? Today she was scary-disinterested. Maybe that’s not fair. Really, I think she was so preoccupied with getting away to talk to Toby that she didn’t have enough energy to deal with me.” Gabby nods, satisfied with her analysis.

“Does she know where you are now?”

“Of course not. She never came home after her class and then I found out from Jordy that she wasn’t going to clean your house today. So where is she? She won’t answer my calls.” Gabby’s words tumble out and her voice borders on frantic.

“I’m sure she’s fine,” I say, which is exactly the opposite from what my instincts scream. “Listen. You should go home. Let me have your number. I’ll check in with you in a little while.”

“You call her. She’ll answer yours.” Gabby demands this without any thought that I’ll deny her.

“Gab—”

She raises her hand. “You care about her. Be a man and get over your pride. Call her.”

I’ve just been dressed down by the tyrant little sister. I bob my head slowly. “I’ll call. Maybe she’ll pick up.”

Gabby scribbles her number on a post-it note from my desk and hands it to me. “And then call me. I want to know if you get ahold of her.”

“Sure.”

Gabby leaves and I’m unable to act. My rapid pulse is the only sound in my office. It overpowers the noise of customers in the showroom and the sound of Serena laughing at some joke.

I’m filled with a sense of trepidation and it’s futile to do anything other than conquer what’s made me afraid. A gliding hawk dive-bombs my stomach. In the end, I tell myself that I know how to deal with rejection. It’s part of the sales life.

I press the speed-dial key for Emerson and stop breathing. One ring and I wonder where she is. Two rings and I imagine what she’s doing. Three rings and voice mail picks up.

Cannot. Breathe. I gulp air into my lungs.

“Emerson. It’s me.” The phone shakes in my hand. “I...I wanted to say I’m sorry if I lost my temper this morning. Call me.”

When I call Gabby, she lets me know that I’m to call her the minute Emerson calls back. I agree, but I’ve got an odd feeling that she won’t return my call.

I work the rest of my day with an attitude that earns me the title of King Crab with my staff. Gabby calls as I’m walking out and invites me to their place to wait with her.

“Good idea,” I answer. If I have to worry about Emerson for another second, I’ll likely need a tranquilizer the size they give tigers at the zoo. “Be there in fifteen minutes.”

“Hey, Dylan? Can you bring something for dinner?”

I actually hold the phone away from my head and stare at the display like Gabby might be able to see my face. If she could, she’d take back her request. This girl is the very definition of aggressive.

With the phone back against my ear, I agree. A little dinner can’t hurt either one of us.

G
abby
and I sit on the sofa balancing paper plates of pizza on our knees. She’s shown me photos of her childhood and I’m struck by the fact that many feature Emerson. Emerson and a dog. Emerson on a stage. Emerson modeling a dress.

God, she’s beautiful and always has been.

“Where are all the photos of you?” I ask.

“Daddy took most of the pictures. Emerson was his favorite.” Gabby says it matter-of-factly.

I nod and act like her statement doesn’t shock me. “Thanks for showing me these.” I take a bite of pizza.

“Are you worried?” Gabby glances at the wall clock. It’s grown dark and we’ve both avoided talking about where Emerson might be and why she hasn’t returned our calls.

“No,” I lie. “She’ll be home in a few minutes.”

Not a moment later, the door opens and Emerson stands without moving. Her gaze moves from me to Gabby and back. “I thought that was your car.”

There’s a shadow behind her and Toby steps inside.

I nod while keeping my eye contact with Emerson. “Gabby invited me.” The words are out of my mouth before I can contemplate all their implications.

Gabby gets up from the sofa and grabs our paper plates. “I’ve been calling you. I asked Dylan to call you.”

Emerson’s lips press together. Her nostrils flare. “Gabby, I’m home now. Did you need something?”

Gabby gives her sister a hateful look. “Yes, maybe I did. But you didn’t have the courtesy—”

“Dylan, can I talk to you alone for a minute?”

She walks straight to her tiny bedroom without saying another word. I have no choice but to follow.

“I’ll call you later, babe,” Toby says.

Emerson’s already gone to her room, but I hear his parting words before the front door shuts.

I walk inside and close her door softly. “Hi.” My mouth is dry and it’s all I can manage.

“What are you doing here?”

“Why didn’t you come to the house today?” I ask.

“I had some things I needed to do.”

“With Toby?”

“Maybe. What are you doing with Gabby?” Emerson stalks toward me. “You leave her alone. Don’t think you can use her to make me jealous.”

“What? You think that’s why I’m here? To play some game and use Gabby? You sure think a lot of my character.”

“Stay away from Gabby.” Her eyes flash with a fury I haven’t seen since the day Toby dropped her off at my house the first time.

“Are you hearing yourself? You dumped me this morning and gave up the right to tell me to do anything.”

She sucks in air. I resist grabbing her and shaking sense into that head of hers. I know she still wants me.

“Out. Get out. Now.” Emerson grabs the door and swings it wide. It pops against the wall.

Gabby comes to the doorway before I can leave. “He didn’t do anything.”

Emerson looks at her sister. “You. How could you? Don’t even talk to me.”

“It’s not like that,” Gabby whispers, but Emerson isn’t listening. I shake my head at Gabby and walk past her. “Lock up behind me, okay?”

Gabby nods and follows me to the door. “It’s not your fault. It’s mine. Don’t worry. We’ll work it out. Call me,” she says in a low voice.

“People never realize what they had until it’s too late,” I say.

I look up in time to see Emerson in the hallway, listening to every incriminating word.