Shattered Dreams (7 page)

“So you’re not going to talk to me?” he said moments later, once the silence in the car became deafening. “How can I help if you don’t talk to me?”

“I don’t want or need your help. Not anymore.”

“Hey, I’m sorry about the cheating crack. Okay? It was unprofessional and uncalled for. I have no excuse other than I’m trying to find answers. Isn’t that what you hired me to do?”

When she sat stonily silent with a mutinous expression, his frustration mounted. He took a deep breath and mentally counted to ten. What was it about the woman that brought his irritation to a head so quickly? After another few miles of total quiet, he tried again.

“Look, I was goading you. I thought if I threw that out, you’d be more forthcoming.”

“Didn’t work, did it?”

“No.” He shrugged. “But I was only trying to find out what’s going on.”

“Why? So you can dissect my pathetic marriage?”

Her statement stunned him into silence. He had no answer. Who was he to throw stones when he had his own pathetic marriage to get over?

“I’m on your side, Claire,” he finally said.

“I don’t believe that.” Her voice turned more contemptuous. “You’re on Jason Roberts’s side, and you’ll have to forgive me if I don’t really trust you because you’re also on Crystal’s side.”

“This has nothing to do with Crystal,” he shouted back, unsure of why her accusations got to him. He squeezed the steering wheel until the urge to hit something died down.

Why the hell did it matter what she thought about his association with her sister? He couldn’t ignore the strange vibes he’d picked up as to Claire’s relationship with her twin.

What’s up with that?

Even though he wondered, he added in a calmer voice, “What goes on between us is confidential. Crystal’s a lawyer. She knows that.”

“I don’t like the connection.” She crossed her arms, still fuming. “It’s a conflict of interest.”

He snorted. “No, it’s not.”

“Yes, it is. I think we should call it quits. I don’t know why I let you get this involved in the first place.”

“You know why. Crystal called me and said you needed help.”

“Exactly. You owed Crystal.”

“I don’t fricking believe this,” he muttered.

Jason shook his head, not bothering to hide his astonishment. Casting a glance skyward, he quickly prayed for divine intervention in dealing with the recalcitrant lady while taking a deep breath to contain his temper.

“Initially, yes,” he said as calmly as he could. “But the favor to Crystal’s ended. Now I’m here because something’s going on, and I truly want to help.”

“Is that so?” Her incredulous expression replaced the disdain that had been prevalent during most of their heated exchange. “Well, nothing’s going on that I can’t handle easily enough with another lawyer, preferably one who doesn’t know Crystal. You’re right about Carl. He’s not dead, so you can call off the investigator. You’re both fired.” Her voice hardened as her jaw tightened. “Send me a bill. I certainly don’t want to have to pay him for finding out information I already know. Stop the car and turn around.”

Okay, so Claire had reservations, which he could understand. But she couldn’t be totally dismissing him. Could she?

“I wouldn’t advise that.”

“I don’t care what you advise. I agreed to include you in this meeting with Deputy Snyder, against my better judgment. But it was a big mistake. So, turn around and take me home.”

“I’m not turning around. We’re almost there.” When he noticed the way her spine stiffened and her expression closed even tighter, he pulled over to the side of the road. “Think about what you’re saying. I’m here now, and you should go in to see Deputy Snyder if only to finish what you started. Once that’s done, we can go from there.”

Claire glared at him. And even though the effect was muted through dark glasses, he felt the irritation she projected. He let out a relieved breath when she nodded and said in a resolute voice, “Okay. But once it’s over, your responsibility toward me will end.”

That’s what you think, sweetheart
, Jason mused as he watched the stubborn expression flit over her lovely face.

Claire Carter intrigued him. There was no way he was going to drop it. Not when his interest had spiked, leaving him filled with questions from the moment he’d met her. He’d be damned if he’d let a little thing like her reluctance get in the way of satisfying his curiosity.

• • •

Claire reached for the door handle but was only halfway out of the car before Jason stood beside her, offering a hand. She flashed him a heated look, which he completely disregarded.

“I don’t need your help,” she snapped, annoyed that she couldn’t ignore his imposing presence.

The last hour spent in the confined space was the longest of her life. All she wanted at this point was to get away from him and forget she ever met him.

“Sure you do,” he said much too pleasantly. He chuckled. “Cheer up. It’s not the end of the world. We’ll work it out.”

She didn’t answer except to send him another fuming glare. She wished he’d quit being so nice, quit being so efficient and so insightful. It was as if he knew exactly what she was thinking and what she needed. And how could he? No one knew that, not even herself.

Why had she agreed to this? She should have called the deputy and told him about the stocks.
Too late now.
No way she could tell Snyder without Jason overhearing. The man already knew too much of her personal business, thanks to what Jim O’Malley had obviously unearthed.

Carl’s affairs were old news, but after being duped with a promise to change, the thought that he might still be cheating enraged her. Having Jason blatantly throw it in her face only made her angrier, mostly with herself for being so stupid. She’d simply find another lawyer for help in dealing with Carl. And the new lawyer could deal with the deputy at the same time.

Having no choice, she allowed the irksome attorney to lead her inside the building. The guy had a knack for taking charge.

Deputy Snyder stood waiting at the same door as their last meeting. And just like then, Claire hated the thought of being in the airless room with the commanding man next to her.

“Thanks for coming. Have a seat.” Snyder gestured to the table.

“I no longer believe anything happened to my husband, Deputy Snyder. He disappeared on purpose.” Claire nodded and sat in the chair Jason had pulled out. “I hate wasting your time. I apologize for not calling, especially since I know how busy you are.”

“Then Mr. Roberts filled you in on the drugged champagne.”

“Drugged champagne?” Her gaze moved first to the deputy before it settled on Jason. “He forgot to mention that.” The condemning look she sent him didn’t faze him as he met her stare without flinching. She tried to keep the hurt out of her voice when she asked, “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I didn’t have a chance. You fired me, remember?” he taunted.

“Mrs. Carter,” Deputy Snyder interjected, pulling her attention back to him. “One of the flutes was laced with scopolamine and morphine. Are you familiar with the drugs?”

“I’ve heard of them,” she answered, looking down at her hands.

“When combined, they cause delirium and amnesia.”

“You’re telling me I was drugged?”

“Your symptoms point to it.”

“Carl drugged me?” Claire blinked back tears and absorbed the implications. “No. I refuse to believe it.” She turned her focus on Jason. “You knew the whole time?”

“Claire
—”
Jason said, but was cut off when Snyder asked, “Do you know of any reason why your husband would go to such trouble?”

Suddenly, it was all too much. She couldn’t stay here a moment longer. “Take me home,” she demanded of Jason while abruptly getting to her feet. “I don’t want to hear any more.”

“I’m sorry if I upset you, ma’am,” Deputy Snyder said, adding as she started for the door, “I know this can’t be easy to hear, but I’d still like to ask a few questions.”

She was almost out of the room when he said to Jason, “Well, that went real smooth. See if you can get her back in here. As it stands now, there’s no proof that a crime has even been committed, and without her cooperation, my hands are tied.”

Once outside, Claire felt Jason’s presence behind her before he spoke.

“Are you sure you don’t want to tell me what’s going on? I promise you, I only want to help.”

Her fingers dug into her palms until the sharp pain registered. She inhaled and uncurled her fingers in an effort to relax.

“How can I tell you when I don’t know myself?”

“Then let’s go back inside and use the deputy to find out.”

“No.” She sighed. “I only want to go home.”

“Come on,” he said as he grabbed her hand and pulled her toward his car.

Claire obediently followed and slid into the front seat of his Mercedes after he opened the door. She stayed silent as he climbed in beside her, started the car, and backed out of the space. When he turned the opposite direction onto the main road, heading south away from Miami, she spoke up.

“I thought you were taking me to my car.”

“Not just yet.”

“I want to go home,” she said through clenched teeth.

Undeterred, he met her gaze. “When’s the last time you ate?”

“That’s hardly your concern. Now turn around.” She crossed her arms and jutted out her chin, refusing to let him take charge again.

“You’ll like this place,” he said, ignoring her protests and flashing that innocent, boyish grin she was becoming all too familiar with. “Antonio’s promises great food, as well as atmosphere. It’s worth the drive, especially when life’s overwhelming.”

In minutes, they turned into a parking lot hidden behind live oaks and lots of greenery. The restaurant, a liberal description, sported a large weathered deck hanging over the water. The place appeared to be fairly small and run-down, a local dive. Definitely not a tourist hangout.

Jason opened Claire’s car door and helped her out. Then he grabbed her hand, tugging her with him toward the entrance and giving her no option but to tag along.

Her annoyance at his taking over vanished the second she stepped inside as the scent of baked bread, tomato sauce, garlic, basil, and other spices assaulted her nostrils. A growling stomach knocked out the last of her resistance. It
had
been too long since she’d last eaten.

“Okay. I could be persuaded to eat,” she murmured. Dinner
did
seem like a good idea, but only because she was suddenly ravenous.

The overbearing man would soon learn she wasn’t about to bend on anything else.

Chapter 6

“What the hell are you thinking, screwing up our plans like /that?” The woman stormed into the hotel room, pushing past Carl Carter when he opened the door. “You are such a moron. You can’t even do one thing right. How could you be so stupid?”

“I did everything just like you told me, so if anyone’s stupid, it’s you.”

Carl shrugged nonchalantly, unconcerned with the enticing woman’s furious expression. He had his own agenda, and it didn’t include sharing anything with a controlling woman like her. Of course, that didn’t mean he couldn’t enjoy her while he waited for his plans to finalize.

Watching her, he smiled inwardly and licked his lips in anticipation. The woman’s anger quickened his pulse, and he felt a stirring in his groin. She had a hot temper, easily ignited. Screwing her when she was mad as hell always made for great sex.

“Why not advertise the fact that you drugged her?” Her voice held a sarcastic edge. She shook her head and all but snarled. “You were supposed to rinse out the flutes. How could you be so careless? Without proof, she’d have never known.”

“I was a little drunk at the time. And you picked me up. Why didn’t you remind me, or do it yourself?”

“Did it ever occur to you to ease off the champagne?” She started pacing.

Yep, Carl thought as he watched her wear a rut in the carpet. All that glorious hair and those thoroughbred legs. Hot sex. Primed and waiting, needing only a jump-start.

“You told me to make it look authentic.”

“Then why didn’t you?”

“I got carried away. Lost track of what I was doing. She can be as hot as you, babe.”

“Don’t give me any
babe
shit. This was the perfect way to make Claire suffer, and now it’s completely unraveling. They found the empty blood bag.”

The news stopped him short, and he swore under his breath. “It was careless of me not to stow it properly.” The bag had blown away during the ride back to the car. He damn sure didn’t think they’d find it this soon, though.

His grin was back as he shrugged off the mistake. “This was your idea, babe,” he goaded. He had his own strategy for making Claire suffer—one that was still intact. “If it’s messed up, I’m sure you’ll fix it.”

“You’re pathetic,” she snapped, her green eyes flashing pure rage. “Why do I put up with you?”

He stalked over to her, wrapped an arm around her neck, and jerked her forcefully to him. “You know why,” he ground out.

His lips weren’t gentle when they collided with hers as he used his mouth to still her outbursts. His busy hands weren’t gentle either, touching spots he knew would draw an immediate response. Instantly, she was all over him, and there was no finesse to her touch.

“I love it when you’re hot and bothered,” he whispered. He nipped at her ear, biting the lobe none too tenderly before he trailed hot kisses across her cheek.

Other than on the sailboat, Claire never got hot and bothered, and he’d put up with her long enough. To think she’d given him an ultimatum. His money had saved her company and enabled it to grow. He had no intention of settling for half.

The woman’s moan pulled him out of his thoughts, and he smiled before taking that gorgeous, pouting mouth once again. Only this time, his lips and tongue softened as they thoroughly kissed her, effectively sucking passion from her, increasing the intensity of her reaction.

Ah, yes, he thought. Primed and ready, and so was he.

“You think sex will solve this?” she asked when he released her lips.