Dangerous Love (22 page)

Yet she was so skittish about relationships now. Ken frowned. What destroyed her belief? “Was the entire Fitzgerald clan in attendance?”

She smiled. “Uncle Aaron, Jade’s father, was Dad’s best man. Actually, Uncle Aaron is the one who tracked us down.” The smile disappeared from her lips. “I didn’t meet the rest of my family until later.”

Something in her voice had him asking, “Were they welcoming?”

“Some were, others weren’t. To be expected, I guess,” she added flippantly, picked up her fork, and went back to eating as though the conversation was over, but the way she gripped the fork told a different story.

Ken finished eating, but curiosity chewed his insides. He waited until Faith finished with her salad before asking, “Who wasn’t welcoming?”

She shrugged. “It doesn’t matter now, Ken. I think I’ll have part of that sub.” She removed the sandwich from its wrapper and took half of it. Instead of eating, she rearranged the vegetables. That was the first clue that his question bothered her.

“Who was mean to you, Faith?” he asked softly.

She laughed. “What does it matter? It’s in the past.”

The forced laughter was the second clue. “Because I want to know who was insensitive enough to be mean to you when you were vulnerable.”

She made a face. “I wasn’t vulnerable. My life was complete.”

“You had just lost your grandmother.”

Faith blinked then bit her lower lip, her eyes becoming overly bright.

“How did you know?” she whispered.

“You told me your grandmother died after seeing your mother married. Who was it so I can rearrange his face?”

Faith laughed. “You don’t stand a chance against Aunt Viv.”

That name again. He didn’t believe in violence against women, but that woman needed to be knocked down a peg or two. “What did she say?”

Faith sighed. “Ken…”

He took her hands in his. “Sweetheart, you can trust me with anything. Sharing things, no matter how unpleasant, is what relationships are about. Have you ever told anyone about your life before your parents got married?”

She stared at him as though weighing his words, or maybe deciding how much to admit. He wasn’t sure. Just when he reached the conclusion that she wouldn’t respond, Faith shook her head.

Ken smiled. “You just did with me, and I’m happy you trust me enough to share something so personal.” He kissed her knuckles, his gaze not leaving hers. “I want know everything about you. What makes you happy, sad, mad, what gives you this amazing determination to succeed in everything you do, to stay optimistic no matter how hopeless things seem.”

 
She made a face. “You make me sound like a puzzle you plan to solve.”

“You are special, fascinating,” he said firmly. “Talk to me.”

Faith studied him then reached out and cupped his cheek, a tiny smile playing on her lips. Then she leaned toward him and pressed her lips to his. The touch was a mere whisper yet he knew it represented something monumental, something he couldn’t define. Then she sat back and started talking.

“Meeting my cousins, uncles, and aunts was amazing. They were all curious about us, so welcoming, especially Jade and Ash. We have Thanksgiving at Aunt Viv’s place in Sonoma, and that time was no different. It was my first Thanksgiving with them and being around so many relatives became a bit overwhelming, so I went exploring. The house is a sprawling building with so many nooks and crannies.” She ran a finger along the edge of the plastic lip covering her drink, her gazed fixed on her hand as though mesmerized by her own movements. When she spoke her voice was low. “I didn’t mean to eavesdrop on their conversation.”

“Whose?”

“Aunt Viv’s and some of my other aunts. They entered the room I was in, and I hid.” She swallowed, lifted her chin and stared at me. “She didn’t think I was my father’s child, but was sure my mother was an opportunist with questionable morals, who used her beauty to trap my father. As for my father, he was a fool not to do a paternity test to allay the family’s fears.” A sad smile tugged the corners of her lips, smiting his heart in one clean blow and stalling his breath. “I had no idea what she meant, but I stayed in that closet for a good half-hour while she reduced what my parents had to something sordid.”

Ken wanted to bury his fist in something.

“As soon as they left, I went in search of my mother and asked her what a paternity test was. I didn’t want the family to be afraid. She explained it and told me there was no need for one because I was my father’s daughter and anyone who says otherwise was a liar.” She took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. “I wanted to believe her. Maybe if she’d lived, I would have. But she died three years later and I had to live in L.A. and saw Aunt Viv often. Whenever she would reprimand me for doing something wrong or acting out, she’d follow it with ‘Fitzgeralds don’t do such things or act like that, walk, talk, sit like this. After a while I believed I wasn’t a Fitzgerald.”

Ken couldn’t speak. He imagined himself in her shoes, an orphan putting up with that vicious woman, and felt her heartache. But seeing the vulnerability in her eyes made him realize something. He loved this woman. Loved her bluntness, her intensity and personal quirks, and her will to succeed against all odds, and rise above the fray. He wanted a chance to love her, to erase the nastiness from her mind, and to fill it with fun memories.

“Your aunt is not a very nice person.”

Faith chuckled. “She has her moments.”

Someone ought to shut her down, but that was none of his business. Faith was. He took her hands in his. “Go away with me for a few days.”

She laughed. “You’re kidding.”

“It will take your mind off things for a while. Your store isn’t ready and Sean’s situation is practically behind us.” He leaned forward and grinned. “I know this amazing hotel in the Bahamas. The food is spicy and plenty, and the entertainment is guaranteed to keep you occupied.”

She cupped his cheek. “I’d love to, but there’s so much I need to do before I reopen for business. I got a call from Jordan that the store is ready. Also, I must find another sponsor, which means knocking on doors and giving presentations. I need at least eighty grand to break even.”

“What if I sponsored you?” he asked, liking the idea once he voiced it. He had some liquid assets and he could make up the difference by selling some of his stocks.

“Thanks for the offer, but no.”

“Why not?”

“I just can’t accept an offer like that.” Faith jumped up.

“We’ll draw up all the papers just like we did when you asked for my help with Sean. Once you start supplying high-end stores, you can pay me back plus interest.”

She shook her head. “Not a good idea.”

“Why not?” His cell phone started to vibrate. He ignored it. “I want to help you.”

“I don’t mix business with pleasure.” She snatched the newspaper from the counter and stalked off.

“How is that different from what I’m doing now? You’re paying me to get Sean,” he reminded her.

“That’s different,” she threw over her shoulder.

“How?” he snapped, frustrated by her inability to see this was the perfect solution to her financial problems.

“I’m paying for a service.” She paused near the wall separating the kitchen from the living room. “Drop this, Ken. I’m not a charity case or someone who needs rescuing. I’ll find a sponsor on my own.”

“Who said anything about a charity case?” He started toward her, pulling out his cell phone from its holder even though it stopped ringing. “This will be a business arrangement. At least think about it.”

“There’s nothing to think about.” She threw him a killer look and marched up the stairs.

Women. Why did he ever think he understood them? He offered her a solution and she bit his head off instead. Maybe he needed to approach this from a different angle. There was no way she would turn him down if she had no other option. Fashion Week was too important to her to let her pride stop her.

The phone started to ring again. He brought the phone to his ear. “Give me some good news, detective?”

“Deidre played us,” Eddie snarled.

Something shifted in Ken’s chest. “What do you mean?”

“Deidre…Charlene or whatever she calls herself is gone. She must have grabbed her things right after we left her place and took off. I’m at her place and I’m telling you, she didn’t waste time. The drawers are open, cupboards ajar. She didn’t even take the clothes O’Neal dropped off.”

“The security guard from last night—”

“Didn’t see her leave and is beating himself up. I’m pissed. A few fat tears and I became blinded. I should have known she was a flight risk.” Eddie yelled something to someone in the background before coming back on the line. “They just found her cell phone with a hobo, who said a nice lady gave her the phone and some money to call us. She was probably crossing the damned border when the hobo called.”

“Can you still use her statement?”

“Not without a recording of O’Neal admitting to wrongdoing, otherwise it would just be his word against hers. Where’s Faith?”

“With me.”

“Good. This is going to be a blow to her.”

Faith was tough, but this would be another slap in the face from Deidre. An idea popped in Ken’s head, and the more he thought about it the more he liked it. This time, he was doing things his way. “Are you planning on hunting her down?”

“Oh yeah. Her car has a GPS system. We’ll get her.”

“Good. I still don’t understand why she ran. With what she was willing to give you, she could have copped a plea.”

“Something is off about that woman and I mean to find it.”

“You do that.”

Eddie chuckled. “Okay, out with it. What are you planning?”

Ken laughed, though amusement was the last thing on his mind. “What makes you think I’m planning anything?”

“I know you. When you’re this calm, you’re up to something. Whatever it is, I want in.”

“I’m not planning anything, detective.”

“She is my cousin, Ken. O’Neal can’t get away with hurting her.”

He won’t. “If I come up with something, I’ll call you.”

“Don’t pull some shit behind my back,” Eddie warned.

“Later, detective.” He ended the call and started to pace, his thoughts jumbled as he tried to come up with a way to execute his next move. He didn’t need a cop breathing down his back when he went after O’Neal this time, which was why Eddie Fitzgerald wasn’t going to know his plans.

He speed dialed a number. It was picked up after one ring. “Did you catch some sleep?”

“Yep,” Hailey answered. “We’re back in the office now.”

“How come? I told you to go home after you tailed O’Neal to his house.” Although now he wished he’d told them to stay just in case Deidre stopped there.

“We went to Sly’s, but his mother is still around, so we decided to come back to the office to do some paperwork.”

Was that what the kids called it now? From their mussed hair and red faces, they’d been doing more than paperwork. “I need you to do something for me.”

“Shoot, boss.”

“Place one of our GPS trackers on O’Neal’s car, so I can track it twenty-four seven.”

“Consider it done.”

“Route the feed to my home computer, okay?”

“What feed?” Faith asked from behind him.

Ken stiffened. How long had she been downstairs and how much had she heard? He turned and faced her. She was wearing sweatpants underneath his shirt, the newspaper clenched in her hand.

“Let’s talk later, Hailey.” He put his cell phone down and studied Faith, looking for telltale signs that she’d overheard him. “We are tracking someone. You okay?”

“We had our first fight,” she answered.

“No, I was being pushy and insensitive.” He walked to where she stood, cupped her face and peered into her eyes. “Forgive me.”

“There’s nothing to forgive. You made me an offer, and I wasn’t gracious in my refusal. I know you’re trying to help, but I’m not…”
 
She sighed. “It’s not easy depending on other people.”

“I understand that, but I’m not other people, sweetheart. I’m the guy who’s crazy about you, and hates to see you suffer.”

She smiled. “Thank you for the offer and for being crazy about me.”

He rolled his eyes, getting a laugh from her. She was so stubborn and independent she didn’t realize just how much she meant to him. He pulled her into his arms and just held her. Then he kissed her temple and leaned back to say, “We need to talk about Deidre. Eddie called.”

Faith’s smile disappeared.

CHAPTER 17

Ken’s somber tone sent dread through Faith.

“Deidre?” she asked.

“Didn’t make it to the precinct,” Ken finished. “When Eddie went to her place, she was gone. She’d left in a hurry, just took her personal stuff.”

Faith’s heart sunk. She wanted to rant and rave, but that would be pointless. This was just a setback, one of many she had to overcome. She blew out a breath and lifted her chin, keeping her anger in check through sheer will.

“She called earlier.” Faith turned and went to retrieve her cell phone from the counter where she’d left it.

“What did she say?” Ken asked from behind her.

“I don’t know,” Faith said through clenched teeth. “I was asleep.” She turned on the speakerphone then punched in the password to access her voicemail. Deidre’s voice filled the room.

‘I’m sorry, Faith. I wish I could help you but I can’t. I don’t want to go to jail. Bye.’

The cowardly bitch. Faith’s anger shot up. The monotone reciting the time the message was received ended, then Sean’s oily voice followed.

‘This is the fifth time I’m calling you, Faith. I have some interesting offers you might want to consider. I’ll be out of town the next several days, but will be back on Tuesday evening. I plan on being at the Thanksgiving dinner at your aunt’s. We can discuss them at her place or over dinner on Wednesday night. Let me know what you’d prefer. This is business, not personal. Oh, the reporter who did the article on you got most of his information from me. You owe me, Faith.’

Faith pressed the end button on her cell phone with more force than necessary, the urge to scream coursing through her. She’d completely forgotten about Thanksgiving and the fact that Sean never missed it because of Aunt Viv. Maybe she should take Ken up on his Bahamas offer.

No, everyone would want to know why and make her the topic of gossip. Thanksgiving was a big deal to her family. Besides, running away because of that bastard wasn’t an option.

“My offer is still available.”

Ken’s words reached her from afar, and she stared at him in confusion. “Excuse me?”

“We can go to the Bahamas next weekend, so you don’t have to deal with Sean.”

“I don’t need you to fight my battles, Ken.”

His eyes flashed, but all he said, “I didn’t say you did.”

She was turning into a bitch and taking out her frustration on Ken. She needed to leave before she said something she’d regret. “I need to go home.”

“Why?”

“Because I want to,” she snapped.

Ken caught her arm, forcing her to stop when she could have walked passed him. “I know you’re disappointed and you are hurting, but that’s no need to push me away.”

Her control was skidding on thin ice, just one push and she’d tip over. She didn’t need Ken putting her on the spot.

“This is not about us,” she hissed. “This is about me and…and…” Anger drained out of her at his expression, so full of understanding, patience, and something else she couldn’t identify. “I’m sorry, baby. All this is getting to me. I mean, I thought I could handle anything Sean threw my way, but—”

“Shh, there’s no need to apologize. Deidre bailing out on us is a big disappointment.”

Faith took a deep breath and blew it out. She touched his cheek. “Why are you so good to me?”

“I don’t know.” A contemplative expression settled on his face, then the corners of his lips twitched. “Must be the sex.”

She laughed and smacked his chest. “Watch it with the compliments, mister.” She started for the stairs.

“I still don’t see why you have to go home,” he said from behind her.

She had a lot to do before Monday, starting with her store now that the contractor was done. “I can’t keep borrowing your clothes.”

“I don’t mind.”

“I’m sure you don’t.” She indicated the clothes she was wearing. “I’ll bring these back later.” She walked into his closet to gather the rest of her clothes. When she re-entered the bedroom again, Ken was watching her, hands in his pocket, a grin on his lips. “What?”

“Nothing.”

“Something,” she said, walking to where he stood.

“If you need me for anything, just call.”

She wrapped a hand around his arm. “I’ll hold you to that. So can I get a ride home?”

“Sure.” He dropped a kiss on her temple, and led her downstairs. The drive to her place was fast. Ken didn’t linger after he dropped her off.

Faith headed straight to her bedroom, changed into a pair of her pants and a top and then went to the kitchen to pour herself a drink. The singing of her cell phone reached her ears as she took a sip of the wine. She ran back to the bedroom, grabbed it, and brought it to her ear.

“Hello, pumpkin.”

Her throat tightened, the urge to cry washing over her. It was weird how she could hang in there when things were falling apart until she heard her father’s booming voice. “Hey, Daddy.”

“How’s my favorite girl?”

She laughed and blinked the tears away. “I’m doing fine. How’s Annapolis?”

 
“Great. Liam and Lucas are getting bigger. All they do is eat, grow, and drive Jackie crazy. They don’t understand that she has a tenure committee meeting in a few weeks and has enough on her plate. Oh, they want to come out there this summer and visit you.”

Somehow she couldn’t see the teen boys in her house. They’d be better off at Aunt Estelle’s, where Lex could keep an eye on them. “Sure, Dad. How are you doing?”

“My hair’s grayer, thanks to you and the boys.”

Faith rolled her eyes. “I stopped being difficult a long time ago.”

“Then how come you haven’t given me grandchildren?”

Faith blinked, not sure where that came from. His attitude had stayed the same over the years—no one was good enough for his daughter. What changed since they last spoke? The fact that he hadn’t brought up the burglary indicated he didn’t know about it. She hoped.

“Are you still there, pumpkin?”

 
“Yes, Dad. I’ll give you grandchildren when I find someone special like you, dependable and trustworthy,” she quipped, Ken’s face flashing in her head. She pushed it away.

Her father chuckled. “That’s my girl, but I’ve a plan to expedite the process. I know a few young men around here who’re not half as bad, men with promising careers in the military, good backgrounds and strong family ties. If you visited us, I could arrange—”

“Stop it, Caleb,” his wife scolded in the background. “She has a big show coming up and the last thing she needs right now is marriage rammed down her throat. And to a military man? No.”

“What’s wrong with military men?” Caleb Fitzgerald retorted. “You married me.”

“That’s because you’re a very special man. Now, can I talk to our daughter?”

“I’m not yet done,” her father complained.

“Oh yes, you are. Our sons need help with math, and you have a way of making them grasp concepts faster than I can.”

Faith bit back a giggle. Her father might be a navy commander and a permanent military professor at the Academy, but he was putty in his wife’s hands.

He came back on the line with, “Pumpkin?”

“I know. The boss has spoken. Give Liam and Lucas a big hug from me.”

“They’re looking forward to your show. We all are,” he added.

She hoped not to disappoint them. “Thanks, Dad. I love you.”

“Same here, sweetheart. I’ll get Jackie.”

Although her step-mother also taught at Annapolis, she was a civilian. Her father didn’t start dating her until a year after Faith’s mother died, but to Faith, it had seemed too soon, a betrayal to her mother’s memory. She still cringed at how she’d made Jacqueline’s life miserable. The disappointment in her father’s eyes when he learned about her shenanigans made her vow to never ever do anything to disappoint him again.

Her phone beeped, signaling an incoming call. It was Ashley. Faith put Jacqueline on hold long enough to say, “Can I call you back, Ash?”

“Uh, yeah, sure.” She sounded disappointed.

“I’m not putting off our talk. I’m talking to Dad and Jackie. Will call you as soon as I’m done,” she reassured her.

“Oh. Okay, that’s fine. I can wait. Say hi to Uncle Caleb and Aunt J for me.”

“Will do.”

“Hey, sweetie,” Jacqueline said, sounding breathless. “I had to move away from your father and the boys, so we could talk undisturbed.”

 
“Is Dad okay? He’s never shown interest in my personal life before.”

“Oh, he has. He’s just good at keeping it all inside until I pull it out of him. He worries about you.”

“Then what made him bring it up this time?”

“He had a scare last week, just a heart murmur, nothing serious.”

Faith’s stomach dropped. “Why didn’t you call me? What did the doctors say?”

“He’ll be fine, sweetie. He had strep throat and didn’t take all the medication, which is typical of him. He starts to feel better and decides he has no need for the medication. I keep telling him to finish the dosage, but does he listen to me? He got rheumatic fever, which caused the murmur. But he’s okay now.”

Faith sighed with relief. “So what’s this about officers he wants me to meet?”

“That part, I’m afraid, is very much part of his grand plan. You won’t believe the number of young men I’ve had to entertain the past few months, all potential husbands for you. I told him it had to stop. You’ll settle down when you’re ready.”

“Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me yet. He worries about you and will likely come up with another plan.”

Faith chuckled. “I know.”

“But enough talking about your father. I spoke with Estelle earlier today. I’m so sorry about what happened to your store.”

Faith swallowed. “Does Dad know?”

“No, honey. I didn’t want to be the one to tell him.”

The relief was sweet. “Thank you. I’ll talk to him once things calm down. Otherwise he’ll fly over here to try and fix my problems.”

Jacqueline chuckled. “And end up frustrated when he can’t. You know your father well.”

Faith did. The only thing her father ever failed to fix was her attitude during his courtship of Jacqueline. Frustrated, he’d packed Faith off to California to live with Estelle for the summer. He’d called every weekend, asking her if she was ready to come home. She’d missed him and felt out of place among her many cousins, but once she realized the calls were his way of dealing with his guilt for sending her away, she’d milked the situation. Three months had become a year, then two. Before she knew it, three years had gone by and she was a senior in high school. By then she’d matured enough to be rational and had grown close to Jade and Ashley. During her college years, she’d spend summers with her father, Jacqueline, and the twins. Time healed all wounds and she bonded with his wife, grew to love her half-brothers.

“Kiss the twins for me, Jacqueline. I’ll keep you posted.”

“You do that. Don’t wait too long to talk to your father, sweetie. I don’t like keeping secrets from him.”

“I promise.”

Once she hung up, she dialed Ashley’s number. The conversation was one-sided, but by the time she finished talking, Faith felt like a load had been lifted from her shoulders. Ashley didn’t say anything.

“Ash?” Faith asked tentatively.

“A part of me wants to scream at you for keeping all this to yourself.” Her voice shook. “Putting up with that bastard and never, ever letting anyone know why you really left his company, the thieving, conniving bastard. How could you not tell us, Faith?”

“You are screaming,” Faith reminded her, her eyes smarting.

“I’m not screaming. I’m yelling at you for carrying this burden on your own all these years, for being so stubborn, and impossible, and…and anal.”

Faith looked up and blinked hard to stop the sudden rush of tears. “Anal? Really?”

“Damn right. I could bitch slap you if you were here right now. Jade is going to have a cow when she hears this.”

“Don’t tell her.”

“Oh, watch me, Miss Independent. Oh, watch me.” Ash sniffled.

“I’m sorry,” Faith whispered, wiping the tears from her cheeks.

A sigh then Ash said, “I’m sorry…no, I’m not sorry for yelling at you. The timing sucked, but you deserved it.”

Faith chuckled.

“I’m happy you can find humor at a time like this. We must make him suffer, Faith. Have Lex run him out of town.”

Lex could make it difficult for Sean to do business in this town, but it would pit him against Aunt Viv. “No. I don’t want anyone else involved. I just want to complete my collection, which means coming up with new designs for the jackets and hitting the ground running.”

“What about a sponsor?” Ashley asked.

“I’ll find one,” Faith said. “After this article, I wouldn’t be surprised if GGC came a begging to sponsor me again.” She doubted it, but there was nothing wrong with hoping.

“Fine. Just know I can help if you need it. Now, what are we going to do about Sean and Thanksgiving?” Ashley asked.