Kitabı oku: «Temptation on His Terms», sayfa 2

“This is for your little brother, right? A vacation. Some time building sand castles. Couple days doing Disneyland. You’re not signing Shelby to a five-year contract.” He tapped fingertips on top of his hard copy. “She might enjoy having a stab at a different kind of role.”

“Helping you with scripts?”

“Why not?”

He’d tell him why not.

“She’s young. A nice girl from a small town. She doesn’t need anyone confusing issues.”

“And I suppose you have no intention of throwing a few of your own complications in.”

Dex was about to set Rance straight. Certainly Shelby was a beauty in all senses of the word, but he wasn’t laying a trap for her. He didn’t plan on seducing her, no matter how much he might like to.

Shelby reappeared.

“So, we’re done here?” she asked.

Rance’s grin was wry. “For the time being.”

After goodbyes, Dex and Shelby were back on the road. He put the address she gave him into the GPS while mulling over Rance’s comments. Shelby had been in town a second, and already she was attracting attention because of her looks and intelligence. Her modest brand of charm. As he pulled the car out and headed down the street, Dex decided that he’d need to get her signed before someone else snapped her up as a babysitter, model, actress, script doctor or, possibly, wife. Things happened fast in this town.

He tapped his thumbs on the steering wheel. “Rance thinks you’re a natural.”

“Beginner’s luck.”

“Or legitimate talent.”

“You don’t have to butter me up, Mr. Hunter.”

“The name’s Dex.”

“Either way, I haven’t changed my mind about working for you.”

He frowned across at her. “You believe me about Bernice, don’t you?” Gazing ahead, she nodded. “So what is it? You don’t enjoy Chinese? I have a housekeeper, so no chores there. I’ll get a cook in, too. Should have done it years ago.” She remained silent. “Did I mention your own suite overlooking the ocean?”

She turned her head away.

He tried to keep the annoyance from his voice. “You’re not giving me, or Tate, a chance.”

But she simply continued to gaze out at the Los Angeles streets whirring by. Dex gripped the wheel tighter. Man, she was stubborn. He only wished she wasn’t so darn attractive.

They arrived at Shelby’s apartment block, a modest complex situated in a nice enough neighborhood. Nevertheless, he cut off the engine and swung open his door to see her in. Shelby was already out and on the pavement.

“You don’t have to see me to the door,” she said as he joined her.

“This isn’t up for negotiation.”

“You’re right. It’s not.”

But when she headed off, he followed. His mother had raised her sons to see women home properly. That went for Miss Independence here, too, whether she liked it or not.

When he headed up the path and passed her, she took a moment; then, out of options, she continued on, as well. At the entrance’s security door, however, she held her ground.

“Thank you for the evening. It was…different.”

“Thank you for the help.”

He was sure that when Rance returned from his week away, he would be checking out every café on The Strip to pass on his personal thanks, too.

Moving to key her code into the pad, she stopped to think and lowered her hand.

“I’m sorry I can’t see my way clear to help with your brother. It’s just…I think you’d do better with someone who’s more familiar with how your kind of circles work.”

“Shelby, I wouldn’t want you for this job if you were from those circles. I need a responsible caretaker for a five-year-old when his big brother can’t be around. I’m not after a hostess who can swing all the Hollywood ropes.”

When he saw a glimmer of maybe in her eyes, he had an idea.

Finding his cell phone, he brought up a video. “I shot this when I flew out to Australia last.”

Holding back a tumble of hair, she edged closer.

“That’s Tate?” she asked.

“Mucking around in the surf at a Sydney beach.”

With the summer sun at his back, Tate swayed as spent waves pushed up around his little legs then dragged back out to sea, almost sweeping him along, too. The tug finally brought him down onto his bottom. Splashing his hands in the wet sand, he giggled madly at the camera.

Shelby laughed, too, and when the video ended, she kept her gaze down. Eventually she hugged herself, then finally her head tilted and those incredible green eyes found his.

“He’s real cute,” she said.

“And smart. And loving. For a little kid, he gives the biggest bear hugs.”

Her smile grew again before fading into a thoughtful look. “This is the place where all kinds of stories come to life. But I don’t want to become a star, or even rub shoulders with the rich and famous. There’s way more ordinary folk live here than highflyers, and I never thought past working for an average family with a couple everyday kids. But you’re anything but average. When I’m with you, I have no idea what to expect next. I’m not a fan of surprises.”

“Sometimes surprises are good.”

She didn’t seem convinced. “Do you intend to have company over while your brother’s in your house?”

“If you mean women, I’m not seeing anyone. Even if I were, this is Tate’s time.”

Working his edge, he mentioned a salary figure and her eyes widened.

“Tate might not even like me,” she said.

“Don’t think we have to worry about that.” She thought some more.

“How long would you need me?”

“How does a six-month contract sound?”

She frowned. “His parents are okay with him being away that long?”

Dex hesitated. Shelby already thought his life was a whirlwind. No point revealing the more urgent reason behind Tate’s visit just yet. Whoever had planned those assassination attempts on Guthrie’s life had almost succeeded in kidnapping not only the Hunter patriarch but also his youngest son. Although the target had been Hunter Senior, never Tate, Guthrie wanted his baby boy well out of the way until this danger had passed. Unfortunately no one knew when that would be.

She wanted to know, why a six-month contract?

“I simply want to make it worth your while,” Dex replied, which was true.

When, clearly torn, she gnawed her lip, he prodded.

“Come on, Shelby. Say yes, for Tate’s sake.”

“I’d want to keep this place for days off and, well, in case things don’t work out.”

“Of course.”

After an eternity, she gave a small nod, then a smile. “Give me a start date and I’ll be there.”

He could have hugged her—and tight. Not a good idea. He’d be content with those few seconds he’d held her after that black sedan had nearly plowed her down. He was certain that kind of judgment glitch on her part wouldn’t happen again. Too close of a call.

“Let’s say Friday,” he said.

“That soon?”

“Tate’s here in a week. We need to get the place organized. Get provisions and equipment in.”

“Oh. Sure.” She drew her willowy frame up tall. “I can do that.”

“Shall we shake on it?”

She took his extended hand, and that transfixing sensation he’d experienced when he’d caught her earlier seized him again. Pleasant. Heart pumping. Inappropriate. He’d got what he needed and now he should count himself lucky and go. And yet after this simple skin-on-skin contact, suddenly he really wanted to stay. But that would require her asking him inside, which would never happen. He didn’t know her well, but she certainly wasn’t the kind to invite in a man she’d known less than a day for a drink.

A delicious heat spread over Shelby’s limbs, echoing in her chest, through to her core before she gathered herself and found the wherewithal to wind her hand away. Brushing her tingling palm down the side of her dress, she forced words past the thickness blocking her throat.

“I’ll be in touch,” she said.

“I look forward to it.”

Over the noise of distant traffic and a TV blaring from some nearby window, Dex’s voice sounded deeper. Gravelly and rich. Had he felt that amazing electric surge, too? The warmth had been so frighteningly tempting…enough to wonder if she ought to ask him to stay for a nightcap. Or wish she’d never met him at all.

She didn’t want to feel attracted to any man, particularly a man like Dex Hunter. Obviously he liked women. Women would sure as beans like him. And she didn’t want to get involved with anyone—not for any reason. Past experience was still too raw in her mind.

There was an awkward loaded moment where his lidded gaze stayed fused to hers as if he were waiting for that invitation in. When she lifted her chin, his shoulders rolled back, he tipped his head and while she entered the building, he proceeded to his car.

A moment later, inside her partly furnished apartment, Shelby moved to the bedroom, sat on the edge of the mattress and, thinking back, drew out the decades-old photo that had been torn away on that sudden gust. Not so long ago, she had ripped it into pieces. Then, before leaving Mountain Ridge for good, she’d painstakingly taped the bits together again.

The girls in the photo seemed like ghosts to Shelby now. One had hair the color of a chestnut; the other’s locks were as fair as a magnolia bloom. Friends since early grade school, they’d loved each other unreservedly. Had shared everything.

But some things were off-limits, even where best friends were concerned.

Three

As he headed home, Dex’s thoughts were dragged away from Shelby Scott’s ever-growing allure when his cell phone buzzed. He connected the call, and his younger brother Wynn’s voice swelled out from the hands-free speaker. Frowning, Dex caught the time display on the dash.

“Bro, it’s two in the morning in New York. What’s up? Decide to get a head start on the morning’s five-mile run?”

“I’m not that organized.” Really?

Wynn had his father’s tenacity and his mother’s heart. Unlike his older brothers, early on Wynn had decided he wanted to settle down and have a family. He wanted the happily ever after his parents had shared before their mother had passed away.

Maybe that’s what this call was about, Dex thought now. Maybe on the heels of Cole’s engagement news, Wynn had an announcement of his own. Absolutely made sense, given he and his photographer girlfriend, Heather Matthews, had been inseparable for over two years.

“Did you get Cole’s message?” Dex asked. “Can’t believe he’s found the woman of his dreams. She must be something else to hold his attention away from the boardroom.”

“Great news. I’m happy for him.”

“No chance of you and Heather making it a double ceremony?”

“Heather and me…We’re taking a break.”

Dex almost swerved off the road. They’d seemed smitten whenever he saw them on family get-togethers back home in Sydney. Committed. Or Wynn had been, at least.

“Actually,” Wynn went on, “it’s pretty much over. We’re still friends.”

“God, Wynn… Man, I’m so sorry.”

“It’s late afternoon in Australia but Cole’s not picking up. Any more news on Dad and his situation?”

Respecting Wynn’s feelings—his need to move the conversation along—Dex got his thoughts together and summarized.

“Well, you know that after that first incident when his vehicle was run off the road, Dad was targeted again. Gunshot missed him by inches. Thankfully his P.I. was on hand when that maniac showed up a third time.”

“He’d been visiting Uncle Talbot.”

“Guess after all these years, Dad finally wants to mend fences.”

Decades ago, Guthrie had assumed the chairmanship of Hunter’s then much smaller family business, which had comprised print media only. Although he’d been assigned a position of authority, Guthrie’s brother had felt marginalized, patronized. Eventually he’d walked out. The grudge festered into a long-standing feud.

Dex believed that break was part of the reason why, after Guthrie’s heart surgery a few years back, he had divvied up Hunter Enterprises’ now worldwide interests evenly among this generation of brothers. Wynn had been given rule over Hunter’s print sector.

As far as Dex was concerned, Wynn had drawn the short straw. Steering that side of the business through the digital revolution needed not only brains but also a steely nerve. In times such as these, profits could be made but long-standing empires could just as easily crumple.

If Wynn felt the pressure, he never complained or asked for help. Which, Dex deduced, might one day be his brother’s professional undoing.

“After that shooting, Dad’s P.I. chased the guy, right?” Wynn was saying. “Can’t believe the fool ran straight into traffic.”

“Apparently he’d had a beef with the Broadcasting News Division,” Dex said, easing onto the freeway that would see him home in five. “When he didn’t regain consciousness, that should have been the end of it.”

But the worst was yet to come. Wynn also knew that, not long after the incident outside Uncle Talbot’s, their father had been assaulted in broad daylight. Dex’s stomach muscles clutched remembering how close Guthrie and Tate had come to being shoved into that black van something like a week after the shooting incident, perhaps never to be seen or heard from again. He’d give his eyeteeth to know who and what was behind it all.

“Tate’s coming out here for a visit,” Dex told Wynn. “Dad wants him out of the way in case there’s more trouble. He wanted his wife, Eloise, to vacate Sydney, too, but in her third trimester, she’s staying put.”

“Guess she wants to be with her husband.” Dex couldn’t contain it. “You and your rose-colored glasses.”

“We might not approve of his marriage, but we should support it.”

Dex wondered if Wynn even suspected. Last Christmas Eve, when the family was all together under one roof, Dex had interrupted their dear stepmom trying to play pucker-up with a repulsed Cole. Dex’s older brother had thundered out of the room while Eloise tittered on to Dex about having a lash in her eye. Quite a piece of work.

He’d been torn for a time, as Cole must have been. No one wanted to see someone they loved be made to look like a fool. But neither did a son want to cause trouble in his father’s marriage. When these attempts had begun on their father’s life, Cole had admitted he’d suspected Eloise. Private checks had cleared her of involvement—on that score at least.

Wynn said he’d keep in touch and ended the call at the same time Dex pulled into his garage. As he exited the car and passed through the internal door leading to the kitchen, he shook his head over the torment his father had endured. Some deranged people imagined they had the right to intimidate others. Some felt compelled to hurt—financially, emotionally. Physically.

On his way through to the living room, Dex lifted his nose and frowned. Smoke? A movement outside, beyond glass sliders, caught his eye. Something on the back lawn, no more than a foot high, was glowing red. He edged over, slid open the door and moved outside.

Positioned before the palm-fringed pool, a box that resembled a crude miniature coffin stood smoldering. When a piece fell to the grass, sparks spat out. A couple hit his trouser leg but, while a chill ran up his spine, Dex didn’t move to slap them away. This message was patently clear.

Recently he’d received a threatening letter; if he didn’t pay, an unfortunate incident years back would come to light. He knew that the incident to which the letter referred involved his friend Joel and an industrial building burning down. Thankfully the building had been empty at the time. That didn’t excuse the act. Arson was a criminal offense. So too was withholding evidence.

Although Dex had mentioned the note to Cole, he hadn’t taken the threat seriously. But now he wondered. Could this somehow be connected to his father’s trouble? Was the scum involved with his father’s assassination attempts for some reason widening his net?

Either way, how could he bring Tate here now?

Four

“Can’t you please take me with you when you go?”

Shelby stopped wiping a tabletop to smile over at her friend and fellow waitress.

“It’s not so bad here,” she told Lila Sommers. “Besides, you’ll hear about your college application soon and, in no time, you’ll be way ahead of the game.” Shelby sighed. “A double degree. I can’t imagine how full of brains your head must be.”

“I’m not so bright that I can land a job with one of this town’s most eligible bachelors. Dex Hunter’s been coming here ordering cheeseburgers and fries forever.”

“I’m not sure about your interpretation of eligible. Being single doesn’t necessarily make someone the pick of the bunch.”

“Okay.” Lila began counting fingers. “Let’s move onto charismatic. Absurdly handsome. Dripping with money.”

“Which you know has nothing to do with why I took the job.”

This morning while they’d set up, Shelby had filled Lila in on the previous night, ending with how she’d made the mistake of looking at that video featuring Dex’s little brother. Until then she’d decided she wasn’t a good fit with his world. From jumping to conclusions over Bernice and that unfortunate embrace, to nearly falling in front of a vehicle, then being invited to a genuine movie script session…

Merely being in his orbit left her feeling gauche.

But, irrespective of her pedestrian style—or, as Dex had said, because of it—he wanted her to be his brother’s temporary nanny. Watching Tate play around in the surf, seeing that exuberant expression light his little face…She couldn’t help but want to give Tate the stability he deserved when he came out to visit his high-flying older brother. She also wanted to hear that gorgeous giggle again.

“You must want a batch of your own someday?” Lila asked, straightening salt and pepper shakers, pushing in chairs.

Children of her own? She’d love that more than anything. But she pointed out, “I have to find the right guy first.”

And, for the time being, she wasn’t looking.

“You never know. Dex Hunter might be that man.”

“Didn’t your mama ever tell you? It’s the charmers you need to watch out for.”

“My mom’s middle name is Man-Hater. Her advice is to stay away, period.”

“Guess she’s been burned.”

“Big-time—by my dad.”

“Oh, Lila, I’m sorry.”

“It’s between them.” Lila straightened her apron then flicked back her brunette ponytail. “Dad and I are cool. Now that he knows how much I want to do college, he says he’ll help pay my tuition.” She went to wipe the next table. “If I get in.”

Shelby thought of her own father, an anchor, a safe guiding light.

“I don’t hate men,” she said. “But I am steering clear for a while.”

“I wouldn’t have thought so the way you were looking at Dex yesterday. Nothing to be ashamed of. If a guy like him showed me that kind of interest, I’d melt like milk chocolate on a grill.”

Heat suffusing her cheeks, Shelby pushed in a final chair. “There’s work to do. Lunch rush’ll be pouring in soon.”

“Wouldn’t it be a fairy tale come true if you two fell in love, got engaged—”

Shelby snapped out her cloth. “No fairy tale happening here.” Given that she’d confided in her friend about that embarrassing predicament back home, Lila ought to know she wasn’t thinking that way. Or shouldn’t be. “I’ll work for Dex Hunter on a purely professional basis or I won’t work for him at all.”

“Great we got that all cleared up.”

At the sound of that amused, masculine voice and the sudden stunned look on Lila’s face, Shelby held her breath and slowly turned around. Dressed in jeans and a casual button-down, Dex stood before her, a teasing smile slanting his lips. He looked so laid-back, weight on one leg, shoulders angled, and yet those tawny eyes held that same intensity…the same knowledge and hunger that had left her legs feeling as wobbly as Jell-O last night when they’d parted.

None of that changed the fact she’d meant what she’d said. She wasn’t interested in romance. She wasn’t concerned about his broad, hard chest, his palpable sex appeal…that entrancing bone-melting smile.

Shelby mentally shook herself. What was he doing here anyway?

“What’s wrong?” she asked. “You’re perspiring.” Beads of sweat were glistening high on his brow.

“It’s a hot day.” He wound his already folded cuffs up another turn as if to prove it. “I just dropped by to say there’s been a change of plans.”

“Tate’s not coming?”

Mother hen Lila stepped in. “You do realize she’s resigned. The boss kicked the wall and said she could leave now except he’d be short for the lunch rush.”

“Tate’s still coming out,” Dex assured them both. “In fact, he’ll be here late tomorrow.”

“Last night you said a week.”

Dex folded into a chair. “I phoned Sydney this morning to…arrange some things. Cole, the brother stationed in Australia, is set to leave on a sabbatical. He wanted Tate’s trip signed and sealed before he left. My father agreed.”

“Suddenly you don’t look so happy about it.”

“I had some other news last night,” Dex explained as Lila laid a coffee before him then hung around to wipe an already sparkling table. “I need other accommodations until a minor problem’s sorted at my place.”

“Problem as in plumbing or a hole in the roof?”

“More like rodents in the basement.” His pensive gaze flicked up from his steaming cup. “I’ve organized a suite in town. I’d like you to help me get the place organized.”

One minute she was a waitress, next she was being whisked away to a hotel by a multimillionaire. She had to catch her breath. Shelby slid into the seat beside him.

Behind them, her boss’s unhappy voice ground out.

“Those chairs are for patrons only.”

Shelby jumped up. Mr. Connor’s usually nonexistent jaw was jutting. On either side of a bulbous nose, his small dark eyes narrowed. He addressed his remarks to Dex.

“She’s here to serve tables. You’re a good customer, but I have a business to run.”

Dex got to his feet. “Shelby was taking my order.”

Connor exhaled as if he’d heard it all before. “Look, we don’t run that kind of establishment. If you want to—you know—chat, there are other places for that.”

Shelby’s temper flared. Did Connor call her what she thought he’d just called her? She stuck out her own chin.

“Now wait a minute—”

Dex held up a hand. “Let me handle this.” He addressed Connor. “Obviously that isn’t the kind of discussion I’m having with Ms. Scott.”

“It looked pretty cozy to me,” Connor replied. “Particularly after your nice long talk yesterday.” He eyed Shelby. “Don’t think I didn’t notice.”

“I’ve offered Shelby employment,” Dex said. “I believe she passed on her resignation to you this morning.”

“So it was you.” Connor narrowed his gaze again. “Sure. She resigned, but I still have her till the end of the week.”

“I was hoping,” Dex continued, “that you might consider releasing her earlier than that.”

“Like when?”

“Like now.” Connor shrugged. “Like I said, I have a business to run.”

Dex drew out his wallet. “I’m sure we can come to some arrangement—”

“I don’t want your money.”

Dex scratched his temple. “We need to settle this somehow…” He peeled off a few big bills.

Connor sniffed, then put out his palm. “Fine. But I’ll warn you. She’s not worth it.”

While Dex’s expression darkened, Shelby shrank back. She might want to deck Connor, but she suspected Dex just might do it. But then a crooked smile eased up one corner of Dex’s mouth and he stuffed the notes down the front of Mr. Connor’s Hawaiian-print shirt.

“That amount should cover any inconvenience or losses to your establishment. Now, I’m sure we’d all prefer that this parting be amicable.” His voice dropped and hardened. “Doesn’t have to be.” He peeled off another couple bills and offered them to Lila. “Thanks for the impeccable service in the past. I’ve enjoyed the food, even if your boss is a jerk.”

He asked Shelby to get her handbag. It took her ten seconds. When she was back, he grabbed her hand. She kept up as he headed out of the shop and down the busy sidewalk.

“Connor’s face was blotched, he was so mad,” she said.

“Connor’s an oaf.”

“Do you usually give oafs huge amounts of money to shut them up?”

“No, I don’t. But it was either that or shut him up another way.” Connor was lucky he hadn’t collected a broken jaw. Dex dragged a palm across his growling stomach and winced. “Damn, I’m hungry.”

“You get hungry when you’re mad?”

Usually he didn’t get angry.

“Must be some primitive instinct to refuel before and after battle, I guess.”

“When I want to let go and punch something,” she said as they strode past people strolling on either side of them, “I jump on my horse and take a long hard ride.”

“Not as good as knocking back a stack of pancakes.”

“Much better for the waistline.”

He paused and glanced at her. She looked hotter in that uniform than he remembered. Even in a burlap bag, Shelby’s assortment of curves would be difficult to dismiss. Pretty much impossible to forget. Her waistline had nothing to worry about.

Their stride had slowed. And he was still holding her hand. Clearing his throat, he let go.

“Have you hired an exterminator for the rodents?” she asked, shaking out her fingers. He must have been holding them tight.

“I’m not sure which method to take. Bait or blast.”

“Sounds nasty.”

“Nothing you or Tate will ever need to worry about.” He rubbed his hands together. “Now let’s get organized. We’ll make a list. Groceries can be delivered to the suite.”

“I’ll personally choose any food to be prepared. You have to keep a close eye on what kids eat.”

“I’m sure the delivery service has that covered.”

“But I like to walk up and down the aisles.” He scratched his head. “Why?”

“I won’t know everything I need until I see it.” Sounded like a lot of work to him, but her mind seemed set so they found a market and gathered up staples—bread, eggs, meat, Oreos. And fresh vegetables, including spinach. Shelby insisted greens were important for a growing boy. So long as she didn’t expect him to put any of that Popeye food near his plate.

Later, they arrived at the Beverly Hills Hotel. After porters collected the groceries, the valet parked the car and Dex checked in. They arrived at their suite at the same time as the porters. In the kitchen a moment later, he opened the first grocery bag and shuddered.

Shelby craned to see. “The way you screw up your nose around spinach, anyone would think it was covered in slime.”

“That’s exactly what it’s like when it’s cooked.”

“It’s packed full of vitamins.”

“You sound like an advertisement.”

She drew out a bag of carrots with the green bits still attached. “These are great for adding fiber to your diet. Vitamin A, too.”

“I’m more your potato-done-any-way kind of man. I’ve never met a curly fry I didn’t like.”

A stack of cans in hand, she twirled around, found the pantry and headed over. “I make my own brand of fries. Hopefully you won’t have to worry about feeding them to the dog under the table.”

“I don’t have a dog and you don’t have to cook.”

“Not even my specialty? Inch-thick seared juicy steak?”

He held his empty stomach. “You dare to talk that way when you know my condition?” He picked up a carton of cream. “Where are you on desserts?”

“I believe every day should end with wrapping your lips around something satisfyingly sweet.”

His gaze dipped to her hips. Well, they were in agreement there.

She turned away from the pantry while he was on his way to the fridge, and they bumped into each other. He wound a steadying arm around her. The contact was harmless; she even laughed when he said, “We’ll have to stop meeting like this.” But he was acutely aware of his blood pumping way faster than it should. Of her breasts accidentally brushing his chest.

Moving apart, they each continued with their task.

“I forgot to say that your friend found me at the café this morning,” she said. “He stopped by before heading out of town.”

Wondering where to put the cured salami sausage, Dex frowned across at her. “You mean Rance?”

“He asked if I wanted a job as his assistant.” She picked up a tub of butter. “I was flattered.”

“But you didn’t accept.”

“I could be wrong but I think Mr. Loggins wants more in an assistant than I’m prepared to give. I even told him that. He didn’t really answer, except to smile.”

It wasn’t hard to see that Rance was smitten. Although Dex would concede: Shelby did show promise as a script doctor.

She put the carton away in the fridge then found his gaze again.

“If I ask you something,” she began, “will you tell me the truth?”

“Sure.”

“You don’t really have rats in your basement, do you?” When he hesitated, she qualified. “Long skinny tails. Hunched furry bodies. Tiny white fangs.”

Leaning back against the opposite counter, Dex crossed his arms. Last night he’d wondered if the threats he’d received might somehow be linked to his father’s trouble. But he’d soon reverted to his earlier conclusion. The situations were unrelated. Whoever lay behind these extortion attempts was a coward. A lowlife who, Dex believed, didn’t have the guts to confront him face-to-face.

He wished he could turn back time. Change things.

Three years ago, his friend Joel Chase had broken down and sworn that, while he’d gone to that building with revenge on his mind, at the eleventh hour he’d had a change of heart. Unfortunately, rather than blow out the lit match, he had fumbled. The accelerant had done the rest. Dex had never been so torn in his life. How many others found themselves in that kind of predicament? Given no one was hurt, and Joel had been filled with remorse, he’d kept his mouth shut. Now, as then, Joel had way more to lose than Dex if the truth ever got out.

But this storm would pass. It must, because Dex would pirouette in public dressed in nothing but a pink tutu before handing over blackmail money to anyone for any reason. If Tate wasn’t coming to visit, Dex would have stayed put, laid a trap and confronted the creep if he dared to pull any more sick pranks. For now it was enough that he’d had those surveillance cameras hooked up.