Dealing Double Read online

  Jake’s brow furrowed. “Where do you think your dad is right now?”

  She shrugged. “No idea. But I’m sure he’ll be screaming at me tomorrow loud enough to figure that out. He might even be here in New Mexico if he’s the one who stole the statue.” She flopped onto her back. “I hope he wasn’t behind the theft and it was Dean, but that’s not likely.”

  “It’s tough to have to doubt your parents.” Jake was quiet for a few minutes, then he whispered, “Are you afraid to have kids? Because of your father? Bad blood and all that? Worried they’d turn out like him?”

  He clearly was. “No. I really want kids. I’d never let them turn out like my father. I’d also like a normal life. I’d give anything for it. Being free these past few days makes me want it even more. Maybe if I moved to a smaller town and changed my name again, I could pull it off. I’m seriously considering it.”

  “But your father would probably just find you again, right?”

  “Probably. And dating to find a husband to have those kids with wouldn’t be easy with bodyguards around. I couldn’t even get loud in bed, or they’d come rushing in to make sure I’m not being strangled or something. So embarrassing.”

  Jake chuckled. “You’re loud in bed as a rule, are you?”

  “No. I just want the option to be loud.” She turned in his direction again. His deep-blue eyes danced with amusement and lust. Talking about being loud in bed wasn’t helping her stop thinking about his being half-naked beside her. “I haven’t been with many guys since college because of my situation. How about you? Do you have a girlfriend?” If he said yes, it’d be so much easier to sleep beside him and keep her hands to herself. She’d never poach.

  He shook his head. “Just ran the last one off a month ago. Evidently I’m not the best spouse or boyfriend.”

  “Maybe it’s all that bottled-up anger? That and the flirting at every opportunity to cover it up.” She’d bet it wasn’t because he was lousy in the sack.

  He rolled over and gave her his back. “Good night, Dr. Phil.”

  She laughed. “Good night, Jake. Sweet dreams.”

  “You don’t say ‘sweet dreams’ to a full-grown man, Gabby.” He mumbled, “Freakin’ Pollyanna, I’m telling you.”

  “Fine. Happy nightmares.”

  She closed her eyes, puzzled that Jake hadn’t flirted with her once since they’d been in bed. Dani had been right about Jake respecting her wishes, but Jake hadn’t seemed to mind when she’d rubbed his shoulder. Or maybe he was so angry about his parents that he hadn’t noticed.

  Her first impression of Jake had been of someone fun, sexy, and flirty. But beneath all of that, despite being all those things, there was a pit of anger and pain. She’d always had a soft spot for wounded animals, and that’s what Jake was.

  He whispered, “Hey, Red? Since neither of us has had much sex lately, we could put the other out of their misery. You could be as loud as you want. Dani’s a sound sleeper.”

  There it was. He couldn’t go twenty minutes without flirting. “How sound?”

  Jake turned over quickly, and it shook the whole bed. “Very. So was that a yes?”

  “No.” She moved closer, testing his boundaries. “I’m just asking because when I get really tired and have had a little too much to drink, I sometimes snore. And cuddle in my sleep.”

  Jake narrowed his eyes. “Dani told you about the touching thing, didn’t she? That’s how come you gave in so easily to sleeping with me. I knew something was up with that.”

  She moved a few inches closer and reached for his hand. “Yes. And I know you don’t want to talk about it. So I won’t ask.” She gave his hand a squeeze and was just about to let it go when his grip tightened on hers.

  “Maybe if I told you why I don’t like to be touched, it’d make you understand why I can’t love a criminal. And why you shouldn’t, either.” He sat up and laid her palm on the deep ridges and raised scars on his back.

  In an eerily calm voice, he said, “Do you feel those? The guy my brother and I worked for after my parents died knew we weren’t old enough to work. And he hated our father. He took advantage of our desperation by making me work harder and longer than anyone else. Luckily, Ben was much younger than me and mostly stayed out of the way by helping with the animals. I’d often have so much work I’d miss dinner and just land flat on my face into bed and fall sound asleep in the bunkhouse. But after my boss had his evening fifth of whiskey, sometimes he’d decide that maybe I hadn’t worked hard enough, so he’d drag me out of my bunk, tie me to a pole, and whip me just because he was a sick bastard. I only put up with it because of my brother. I think that guy knew if he ever touched Ben, I’d kill him.”

  Tears stung her eyes. “Jake, I’m so sor—”

  “Don’t say you’re sorry. It wasn’t your fault. It was his. That’s why to this day I don’t sleep soundly, either. But my brother and I had nowhere else to go, Gabby. No one else would hire me in the small town I grew up in because I had despicable parents. It was assumed my brother and I must’ve been the same way, too. I saved all the money I could for a decent car and got my brother out of there the day I turned eighteen and could legally be his guardian. We moved to Albuquerque where no one knew us, and we started fresh. So, your little pep talk earlier about how carrying around hate for my parents will just eat at me doesn’t help. They scarred me for life. And please stop crying. That just makes me feel like an even bigger shit for telling you this.”

  Tears dripped slowly down her cheeks. Jake had suffered from trauma like a soldier coming home from war. He’d had to fight to survive. She’d been given only the best in life. And had at least one good parent to emulate. Jake had figured out how to be good all on his own. “I shouldn’t have teased you. I’m sorry, Jake.” She wiped her cheeks dry with the back of her hand. He needed her to man up.

  “I don’t know what made me tell you that. Maybe it’s because you love your criminal dad, and I hate mine.” He closed his eyes and pulled her against his chest. “I’d never upset you on purpose, Gabby.”

  He held her close as he settled them back under the covers. He gave her comfort when he was the one who deserved it the most.

  She sucked up all her sad feelings for a good kid like Jake, who took care of his brother, and said, “I know you’d never upset me on purpose. It’s in your eyes, remember? And I’m fine, Jake. Do you think that’s the worst story I’ve ever heard? My guards are asses. They often brag about the horrible things they’ve done to people.”

  “Still. I know it’s upsetting. We’ll just agree to disagree on this one, okay?”

  “Sure. But you don’t have to hold me if it makes you uncomfortable.”

  “No. If you’re going to snuggle in your sleep, I’d rather start out that way. Then I can fall asleep without anticipating it happening later.”

  “No thanks.” She didn’t want the temptation of being plastered against his hard body all night. She gave him a hug before she wiggled out of his embrace. “I was just teasing you about the snuggling. I’ve never spent the whole night with a man. It was never allowed.”

  Jake blinked at her. “But you’ve had sex before, right?

  “Of course. I’m just not supposed to get attached, because what’s the point? Would you ever marry me knowing who my father is?”

  “No.” He tilted his head. “Would you ever marry a guy like me knowing what I just told you? I didn’t tell Dani until after we were already married. I was afraid she wouldn’t be with me if she knew the truth.”

  It was sad that Jake felt he had to hide his past. None of it was his fault.

  She tapped fingers over her yawning lips. “How did you explain the scars on your back, then?”

  “Motorcycle accident.” He punched his pillow up and then laid his head down again.

  “Yeah, that’d work, I guess.” She got comfy on her side of the bed as she thought about his marriage question. “I can’t say from a typical woman’s perspective, but someone l
ike me would be lucky to be able to marry a guy like you, Jake. I hope you meet the right girl soon. Night.”

  “Night.”

  Jake was quiet for a few minutes before he said, “If your father was in jail, getting his due, I might consider marrying a woman like you, Gabby.”

  She smiled. That was a kind thing to say to a person with a father like hers. “Happy nightmares, Jake.”

  “Sweet dreams, Polly.”

  She rolled away from him and sighed at the sadness that filled her for Jake. He’d had a childhood no one deserved. Hers had been a difficult one, but not even in the same realm as his. She loved her father, though, despite everything. And she wanted the chance to love a man the way her mother had loved her father, flaws and all. But she’d pick an honest man, never a criminal.

  Maybe after she found the Son statue, she’d put her new identity plan into place. The odds it’d work were low, but she had to try. Even though it’d most likely mean never seeing her father or aunt again, it was time she had a life of her own.

  Chapter Five

  A thump sounded, and Jake sat up straight in bed. He glanced beside him in the dimly moonlit room. Gabby was missing. He leaped out of bed and headed for the door, until a movement to his right made him change direction. Had Gabby’s guards found her? He flung himself toward the person.

  A feminine yelp sounded. Then something wet flew into his face. Gabby. They hit the plush carpeted floor with a muffled thud. Her tempting, hot body was plastered underneath him, while his face had landed between her full breasts. “You okay?” He wiped the water from his face.

  “Yes.” She blinked down at him in the stingy moonlight. “You scared me. What are you doing?”

  “The better question is, what are you doing?” She was still braless. Not surprising since she was still in her pajamas. Not trying to escape.

  “You were moaning in your sleep. I was getting you more pain pills. And for the record, I tried to wake you, but you just mumbled something and fell back to sleep.”

  What? He’d never slept that soundly. Must’ve been the head injury. “You sure you’re okay?”

  She nodded. “But you’re kinda heavy.”

  She felt just right underneath him, but his pounding brain commanded him to roll off her. “Sorry. I thought your guards had found you. Then when I realized it was you, I assumed you were trying to make a run for it.”

  She stood and headed for the bathroom again. “I said I’d let you help me. I gave you my word I wouldn’t run tonight. Jeez.”

  Yeah, if he had a dime for all the criminals who had lied . . . but Gabby wasn’t like her father. “I know. I don’t trust easily. Another of my bad traits.”

  She returned with another glass of water and the pills. “Here. Good night.” She handed them over and then crawled over his side of the bed to hers.

  He took the pills. “Are you mad?”

  “Just tired.” She had her back to him.

  He’d probably upset her.

  Was he actually feeling guilty for not trusting her? Why did he care what a woman who’d hit him over the head and had broken into Dani’s cabin thought of him?

  He placed the glass on the nightstand and then slipped into the bed beside her. Wrapping an arm around her waist, he pulled her closer. But not enough so that her back touched him. He might not wake again if she was mad enough to leave, so better to hang on to her. “I’m sorry, Gabby. I was sound asleep. I just reacted.”

  She grunted.

  Yep. He’d annoyed her.

  He leaned his mouth next to her ear. “Or, maybe I do have brain damage?”

  “I’m starting to wonder if you had it before I hit you.”

  “Probably.” He liked how she always had a quick comeback. “Thank you for the pills. That was nice of you.”

  She drew a deep breath, and then her shoulders slumped as if in resignation. “You’re welcome. But I know your arm around me is just to be sure I won’t slip out again. Therefore, I refuse to enjoy it.”

  She’d said she’d never spent the entire night with a man. He should make it nice for her. He moved a tad closer. “Is it okay if I enjoy it for both of us, then?”

  “Please. Stop. Talking.”

  God, I like her.

  “Shutting up now.” He smiled and closed his eyes as he fell back into a deep slumber.

  The next time he opened his eyes it was six thirty. The scents of coffee, eggs, and something cinnamon filled the air. He hoped Dani was making her famous rolls. They were the best. He glanced over his shoulder, and Red was gone again. What was up with how soundly he’d been sleeping?

  Gabby’s voice from the kitchen reassured him that his ward was still there, so he quickly showered and then dressed in warm clothes. When he joined the women in the kitchen, they were laughing and sipping coffee. “Good morning, ladies.” He made his way to the cupboard for more pain meds. His head wasn’t pounding, but the dull ache was annoying.

  Both said, “Morning,” in unison.

  He glanced over Gabby’s shoulder and read her computer screen. She was checking e-mail. “Busted yet?” he asked as he poured himself some coffee.

  She nodded. “According to my father, I have two hours to tell him where I am, or he’s coming after me personally.”

  He took a sip of some excellent coffee. “Did you ask him if he stole the statue? And kidnapped your boss?”

  “No.” Gabby glanced up at him. “I learned a long time ago not to ask my father about what he does. Less disappointment for me that way. Besides, he’d never tell me the truth if he had and make me an accessory to a crime.”

  Dani got up and fixed him a plate. When she handed it over, she poked him in the ribs. “You’re an awful nosy cowboy this morning, Jake.”

  Code for back off or Gabby will figure out you’re a cop. “I’m just a little worried about running into her father’s men at the dig site. That’s all.”

  Gabby slapped her laptop’s lid shut. “That’s why we need to hurry and get started. Thanks for breakfast, Dani. It was great. I’ll just be a few minutes, Jake.” She rose from the table and disappeared into the bedroom to get dressed.

  He sat at the table and dug in. “Did she tell you anything I can use?”

  Dani poured herself some more coffee and then slipped into a chair next to him. In a low voice, she said, “Her aunt had to come clean with the guards. They knew Gabby couldn’t have done what she did on her own. They know she’s in New Mexico and what car to look for. And Gabby checked with a colleague at work. Dean is still out on leave.”

  He nodded as he bit into a cinnamon roll. “So we still don’t know if Dean is innocent in this.”

  “Or if he and her father are working together.”

  He finished the roll. “These are damn good, Dani.”

  “Thank you. They’re Michael’s favorite, too, so I keep the fixings here.”

  Of course, now they were Michael’s favorites. Apparently, they had stopped being called his favorite after they’d divorced.

  He lifted his fork to scoop up eggs but stopped. “Are Dean and her father working together? Do you know something?”

  “I don’t know if they’re working together, just that Dean and her father are involved. Luca could’ve kidnapped Dean, but it’s not clear. This was one of those annoying dreams where I only get pieces.” She reached out and squeezed his hand. “You guys need to be careful, though, okay? Luca and his men aren’t nice people. Luckily I know you can trust Gabby completely.”

  “I’m aware. Thank you.” He was a cop, for God’s sake. He knew whom he could trust and whom he couldn’t. Red was as innocent and sweet as they came.

  He swiped up some egg yolk with his toast. “Is my hunting rifle still on the top shelf in the closet?”

  “Yep.” Dani stood and started doing dishes. “And we have an ATV out in the shed you guys can use if you want.”

  “An ATV? When did you get that?”

  “A few months ago.” She opened a drawer
and then tossed keys his way. “Michael’s kids come occasionally. He bought it to entertain them, but I think he and I get just as much fun out of it. I love to take the girls on it. They squeal in fear while they beg to go faster.”

  Michael’s kids adored Dani. She fit right in with them, making a complete happy family. It sent a pang of envy to his heart. He hated that. He wasn’t the jealous type. “You’re going to need a bigger cabin soon.”

  “We already have plans to add on two more bedrooms and a bath. They’ll start next month if the weather holds. You’re still welcome to use the cabin, but it could get noisy.”

  “Michael is really okay with me using this place?” Michael was a good guy, but they didn’t enjoy each other’s company on any level.

  She turned and leaned against the counter. “He accepts that I’ll always love you. As a brother. And I think he’s finally recovered from the girls calling you Uncle Jake at Thanksgiving.” She smirked.

  Gabby came back all decked out and adorable in Dani’s pink snow gear. Gabby must’ve overheard the conversation because she said, “You guys are really friendly for being divorced. It’s nice to see that can actually happen.”

  He grunted. “That much pink isn’t going to make it hard for your father’s men to find you. Go change. We have an ATV now, so we’ll only have to walk the last bit, most likely.”

  Dani said, “The pink is cuter, but I have some darker things, too.”

  Gabby looked down at herself. “Oh. Right. Didn’t think about that. Be right back.”

  He shook his head. “Has she been living under a rock?”

  “Essentially.” Dani sat down at the table again. “She told me earlier how during college she wasn’t allowed to live in the dorms. A guard, who she told people was her boyfriend, lived with her and walked her to all her classes. After she had graduated from college, her father would only let her work in the museum because it’s guarded twenty-four seven, and if she agreed to drivers, and to live in one of his gated homes. She has a couple of work friends, but none outside the job. She had a few years while at boarding school to be like the other kids, but everything changed after her mom and brother were killed.”