Dangerous Proposition (8 page)

Julia blushed. She took a step back and turned, facing the opposite direction.

Was she reddening because she was as intrigued by the idea of getting up close and personal again as he was? Or because she hated him so much, she was on the brink of explosion?

“If you don’t want to do this, I won’t hold you to your promise.” Colin bit his tongue. “Do you want out?”

Julia hesitated. She turned and opened her mouth then shut it again.

“I didn’t think so.” Not wanting to seem such the arrogant ass, he added, “If it were my father’s life on the line, I would be doing the same thing.”

She met his eyes with a vicious glare. “It’s the only reason I’m doing this. And I’m not changing my clothes for you.”

“Since we’re running short on time, I’ll let it go. But I’d be lying if I didn’t tell you I enjoy these outbursts of yours. I find your feistiness intriguing. Your locks match the color of your passion.”

“It isn’t passion I feel for you,” Julia said firmly. “It’s disgust.”

“Disgust?” He forged an exaggerated frown. “That’s harsh. We may have gotten off on the wrong foot, but I can hardly believe a woman as unyielding as you would decide she dislikes a man before at least giving him a chance.”

Desperate for one last shot at upholding his image, Colin scanned the contents of Julia’s closet. Eyes swiveling from ceiling to carpet, he searched without luck for something she could wear besides denim and flannel.

A metallic piece, something he prayed was a dress, was buried beneath a box on the top shelf. He tugged at it, finding it wouldn’t budge. He pulled it harder, and the box fell forward. He grabbed Julia, moving her out of the way just before it came crashing down.

“Are you all right?” he asked, checking her arms for visible bruises. He cupped her flushed cheek.

“I’m fine!” she said, tugging free.

“Sure about that?” He smirked. “You seem shaken up.”

“I—well—do you always make a habit of touching people against their will?”

“Not always,” he replied coolly. “I usually make my intentions rather clear. I was trying to help you, Julia, keep that box from crashing down on your pretty little head. But I suppose all I did was make you…nervous.”

Eyes wide with fury, Julia got to her feet. Expression taut, she took a gigantic step back. “I don’t know what your angle is, Westwood, but your little game stops right here, right now. I agreed to take this trip with you because you said you could help find my dad. Because you said you have connections. Make no mistake about it, that’s the only reason I’m doing this.”

“Of course. Why else would you be doing it, Julia?”

Without answering, Julia tossed her belongings—clothing, camping gear, duffel bags—into the box. Balancing on her tiptoes, she shoved it back onto the shelf.

“If I didn’t know any better,” Colin said, narrowing his gaze as she shut the closet door, “I’d say your tendency to be accident prone was a practiced skill. Being in the way of oncoming objects, stumbling into my bed.”

Her posture stiffened. “Sorry to chip at your ego. But I’m a klutz, simple as that. Ask your sister-in-law if you don’t believe me. It’s just a good thing Lena and I never worked in the same classroom. I’d have ruined one of those fancy blouses of hers for sure.”

“Fancy,” he repeated. “You sound almost…jealous.” Stroking his chin, he went on, “I don’t think you give yourself enough credit. You earn a living and own a house. That’s impressive for a woman your age.”

“I’m older than you think.”

He smiled. “I’m well aware of how old you are.”

“What did you do,” Julia said, paling, “conduct a background check on me?”

He laughed, following her as she stormed out of her bedroom. He was careful to avoid bumping his head against the ceiling fan as they entered the sitting area. “Why, is there something felonious in your past you don’t want me to know about? Relax, legs. I simply asked my brother Alec a few basic questions about you. Nothing extensive. Though I must say, I was intrigued by what I heard. Maybe I
should
have a background check done. Wouldn’t want to find out I’m spending time with a serial killer who has a fetish for blue ceramic dishware.”

“There’s nothing to know about me, you jughead! Except that I have an especially low tolerance level for egocentric maniacs.”

“Harsh words, coming from a woman who was awfully eager to accept my help.”

A degree of secretiveness showed in Julia’s smile. “Well, don’t let this go to your head or anything, Westwood. But you might actually be good to have around if I run into some trouble on the front line.”

“Careful, Julia. That almost sounded like a compliment.”

“Must have come out wrong,” she said, thrusting her enormous suitcase into his arms. She opened the front door, stunning him by not letting it smack him in the ass as he stepped onto the porch.

They walked to the end of the driveway. Stepping beside his Mercedes, Colin disarmed the alarm and popped the trunk. He laid Julia’s suitcase beside his.

Turning around, he realized he was alone. He blinked, scanning the pavement. “Julia? Dammit! Where the hell did you—”

“Sorry!” she called, charging down the path. Two wheeling suitcases clanked behind her. “Can’t forget these. Wouldn’t want to be driving all the way back here, would we?”

She picked up the larger of her bags, shoving it into his arms. She hopped into the passenger side of the car and slammed the door shut.

Almost grateful to have a break from her ranting, Colin took his time loading the bags. The time it took figuring out how to fit four pieces of luggage inside his trunk was far too long, considering they’d probably only be gone for one night.

He got into the car. Looking Julia’s way, he saw that her eyes were on the passenger window. Her face and body were turned away.

He shook his head, moving the car away from the curb. Realizing that Julia had no intention of talking to him, he put on a CD.

After a quick drive into town and a jet ride to New York City, he and his redheaded companion climbed into the car they would take to their evening’s destination, his CL-Class Coupe. He didn’t like the feel of the vehicle as much as his Mercedes, but he supposed he was going to have to rough it for a night.

The closer they got to West Fifty-Fifth Street, the heavier the traffic around them became. Their speed slowed, cars in all surrounding lanes coming to a standstill.

Colin gripped the steering wheel. Rizzo’s threat, that he would take his so-called evidence to the cops if he was late, replayed in his mind.

“So, where are we going?” Julia asked, turning to face him.

“To a party,” he answered shortly. Not that they would be doing much partying, per se.

“What exactly are we supposed to be looking for at a party in Timbuktu?” she demanded. “I thought you said you had this covered.”

“Don’t you trust me? I looked into this. There will be several men at this party who may be able to give us information about Tucker’s abduction.”

“As far as I know, we’re not even sure whether or not he’s alive,” Julia said with a note of suspicion. “And just why would anyone from Manhattan know where my father is? We haven’t lived here for years.”

Colin shrugged. “Your father acts as a courier for me.”

“He does travel a lot,” she agreed. “Guess I’m just going to have to take your word for it. But so help me if this is a trick—”

“What reason could I possibly have to trick you? I already have everything I want. A chance to prove to you that I’m not the monster you think. And you, willingly in my bed tonight.”

She set her eyes against the dashboard. “About that. I’ve changed my mind.”

Colin smiled to himself. Amazed by his incredible luck, he pulled into an empty parking space on the street. Clasping Julia’s kneecap, he whispered, “Too late. We’re already here.”

She flashed him a dirty look before prying free of his grasp. Getting out of the car, she shut the door in his face.

Several moments later, they stood in front of their destination—a tall, thin building with thirteen floors. A door, which blended in all too well with the structure’s side paneling, stood beneath the number twenty-two.

Noting the time, Colin walked quickly toward it, urging Julia to keep up. It wouldn’t pay to be late, not that he answered to blackmailers. He led his companion to the elevator then stepped in behind her. He held his breath as they ascended.

The doors opened, and Colin eyed the room at the end of the hall. It was dark, but lit well enough that he could see they were hardly the only attendees. The door had been left open, allowing every derelict in New York City to walk in. Without thinking, he took Julia’s hand. Making his way to the entrance, he held it in his.

The place had been set up to resemble a party. It had a couple of couches, a DJ, and a bar. The room was large, packed with people, and decked with an array of Christmas lights. In the dim lighting, it was difficult to tell who was an enemy, and who was a decoy.

Colin’s heart thudded in his chest. Slipping a hand into his pocket, he realized his phone was vibrating against his hip.

He turned it over and viewed the message he’d just been sent. Reading it over a second time, he soaked in its threatening tone and found himself fighting against the idea of leaving Julia alone. In spite of her bold persona, she had never been in a situation like this before. She had no idea where they really were, let alone how she should handle herself.

But she was going to have to manage whether he liked it or not because there was no way in hell he was bringing her into whatever sort of danger he was about to face. Moreover, he couldn’t stand the thought of her knowing that someone was trying to shake him down.

“Wait for me here,” he said, laying a hand on her shoulder.

“Why?” she asked. “Where are you going?”

He smiled reassuringly. “Don’t worry. You’ll be safe here. I’ll be back as soon as I can. Try to blend in.”

Julia nodded. She slipped from beneath his grip and started forward, shooting him a halfhearted smile before disappearing into the crowd. He watched her go, waiting several seconds before she came into his vision again. She took a seat on one of the barstools.

Colin hesitated. For just a moment, he watched her, looking so innocent in the middle of the insanity. She wasn’t just beautiful. With her cream-white skin, hourglass figure, and brilliant blue eyes she was positively stunning.

Staring at Julia, he began to lose himself and almost forgot where he was. A man brushed past him, and he scowled, clenching a fist. Twenty or so sets of roving male eyes had fixed themselves on the leggy vixen with curly crimson locks. Each seemed to have his own idea about what he’d do with the girl, though Colin imagined they were all thinking much the same thing. It was as though they were a band of pirates, and they hadn’t seen a woman in years.

He squeezed the phone between his fingers. He would make the pickup as quickly as possible. Julia wasn’t staying there any longer than necessary.

From her seat on the barstool, Julia did an appraisal of the room. The dark space was small, and it was jam-packed with people, laughter, and enough alcohol to last the lot of them a year.

Colin hadn’t been kidding when he’d referred to this thing as a party. Based on what he’d told her, she’d been expecting a small gathering, a group that consisted mostly of men. But there were women, too, many of whom were wearing clothing she would have considered too risqué to leave the bedroom.

The affair seemed innocent enough. But, Julia couldn’t help thinking that there was more going on than meets the eye. In fact, it wouldn’t surprise her one bit if this so-called gathering was nothing but a cover-up, a decoy for something a lot bigger than beer pong and sex games in the bedrooms.

Deciding on an apple martini, she scanned the area behind the bar, hoping to find the bartender. The drink would make an excellent prop while she tailed after Colin and figured out what he was really doing at that so-called party.

Her cocky companion had been exceptionally quiet on their drive into the City. Barely made a peep the entire ride there, except to glance at his cell phone, which had been vibrating like there was no tomorrow. Maybe the men who had her father had been trying to call him and let him know that their prisoner had escaped.

No, Colin wasn’t responsible for her father’s disappearance, Julia assured herself, tapping her fingernails against the counter. He was hiding something for sure, but the man wasn’t a killer. Not based on what she’d seen, at least. If he was her father’s killer, or even his kidnapper, he never would have brought her to the City with him. Wasn’t that right?

The thought was replaced by a shiver as a man with curly black hair stepped beside her. His eyes were dark, and he was wearing a suit to match. Tall and lanky, the Dracula look he had going on was complemented by a collared shirt and a crooked smile.

Clutching her purse, Julia shot him a dirty look. “This seat is taken.”

As though he hadn’t heard her, the man smiled and draped his arm across the back of her chair. “Do you believe in love at first sight?” he asked. “Or should I walk by you again?”

Shifting in her seat, Julia inched forward as far as she could. “Please. Does that line ever work on anyone? This isn’t exactly a frat house.”

“I should say it isn’t. I own this penthouse. Though it’s seldom I actually sleep here. I do a lot of traveling. For business. But enough about me. It’s a party. I’d much rather focus on more fascinating subject matters. Griffin.” He gave her hand a squeeze.

An icy feeling lingered against Julia’s skin. She needed to steer the conversation back on course. Hoping to do just that, she cleared her throat. “Delilah. And as it happens, I find talking about business stimulating. What do you say, slick? Cut a girl in on some fast cash?”

Griffin’s charcoal irises went wide. He looked briefly over his shoulder then back again. “I’m not sure what you’ve heard, but I’m not exactly in the stock business, sweets.”