Finding the Perfect Man (18 page)

He shook his head. “I just don’t understand.”

“All the letters he sent me through the mail are now missing. When he was in my room the other night, he didn’t leave behind any clues. And this afternoon in the bathroom there wasn’t a trace of lipstick when you arrived.”

He stroked her face, pushing back a lock of hair that had fallen over her forehead. “True, but look at the mess he left now. Besides, who would want to make you think you’re crazy?”

She shrugged. “I don’t know.”

“A friend?”

“No.”

“A former boyfriend?”

She started to shake her head then stopped. Her eyes widened. “Oh, my… No, it couldn’t’ be.”

“Couldn’t be who?”

“Kenneth!”

“Why him?”

Her eyes moved away from Brock’s as she stared at his neck, deep in thought. Within seconds, her face lost all color again. When she turned her attention back to him, panic streaked through her.

“Because of Serena.”

“I still don’t get it.”

“Serena is dying. Half of her company was my father’s. At her death all of it will be mine.”

He shook his head. “But that doesn’t make any sense. Wouldn’t Kenneth get half? And why would he want you to think you’re crazy?”

“Because my father’s insane. My father committed suicide.” She paused, then continued. “Serena’s Will states that the company will go to me unless I’m proven mentally unfit.” Her eyes widened. “Don’t you see? If Kenneth makes me believe I’ve inherited my father’s insanity, he can take the company once Serena dies.”

She kept silent for a few more minutes. “Brock, now that I think about it, the man in my room could have been Kenneth. They’re the same size. Although I didn’t recognize his aftershave, I did smell bourbon on his breath. Kenneth always drinks bourbon.” She sat up straighter. “Kenneth knows my place. He would know how to get in and out quickly, not to mention my office since he was there several times while we were dating.”

Cursing, Brock ran his fingers through his hair. “Now what do we do? How do we trap him?”

Her shoulders wilted, and she leaned her head against his chest. “I’m stumped.”

“You know I’ll do anything to protect you, right?”

“Yes, and I love you for caring so much.”

He smiled.
She said it again…said those wonderful three little words to him, and only him.

Laying his head back against the sofa, he looked at the ceiling, hoping for inspiration to strike, for some idea to help her. He ran his hand up and down her arm while her palm rested on his chest.

“Somehow we need to catch him in the act,” he said, trying to fit the pieces of this confusing puzzle together in his mind. “Since everything happened here or at your office, we need to set a trap.”

“Shouldn’t we call the police?”

“No, not yet. We need hard evidence to convince them.”

“What do you suggest?” She laid her head on the crook of his shoulder.

“We’ll have to take pictures of him in action,” he finished before another idea struck. “I’ll get my brother Jake to help. He’s built like me and has the same dark hair. If Kenneth is watching you, he’ll think Jake is me.”

“Um… That is actually a great idea.” She looked at him with wide, excited eyes.

“I could hide outside, and you could leave the house with Jake. When Kenneth shows up, I’ll catch him in the act and take pictures of what he’s doing.”

“Oh, Brock.” She leaned up and kissed his lips. He tightened his arm around her, pulling her closer, relishing in the tender moment.

When she broke the kiss, she smiled. “Can I ask you a question?”

“Sure.” He nodded.

“Why haven’t you said anything?”

Her confusing words had him shaking his head. “I have said a lot of things, Jordan.”

She grinned up at him. “I just told you I loved you for the second time today, but you haven’t said anything about it.”

He chuckled softly, leaned over her as he pushed her down into the couch, staring deeply into her eyes. “Do you mean it? Do you really love me?”

“Yes.”

“Even though I lied to you?”

“Yes.”

“Does that mean you’ve forgiven me?”

She threaded her fingers through his hair before kissing him briefly. “What do you think?”

He chuckled. “I think I love you, too.”

Laughing, her blue eyes sparkled like diamonds. “You think?”

Sweeping his lips across hers, he teased her with feathery kisses. “Actually, I don’t
think
. I know I do. Jordan, I love you more than I can imagine. I don’t ever want to be without you.”

“That’s how I feel, too.” She smiled lazily as she caressed the side of his face.

“So let’s figure out how to put a stop to this madman who is set on wrecking your life so that you and I can be together…forever.”

She nodded. “That’s the perfect plan.”

* * * *

Brock’s plan was brilliant. She just hoped Kenneth fell for it. He had to. There was no other way.

Brock was right when he’d told her his brother looked a lot like him. In the shadows, Jordan might not even know the difference, but in the light, she could see Jake was younger, not by much, though. Jake had the same build, the same black wavy hair, but Jake didn’t have Brock’s sexy green eyes. Instead, Jake’s were hazel.

Jake stood inside her front room while she stood, cuddling against Brock by the back door.

He kissed her long and hard. “I love you.”

“I love you, too.”

“Jake, take good care of her,” Brock told his brother before he slipped out the door and sneaked into the garage.

Jake wore the same crisp new Levis and white cotton tee-shirt Brock had on. He even went as far as to slick his hair back like his older brother.

He slipped his arm around her waist and pulled her against his side as they walked toward the door. “Too bad I didn’t meet you first,” he said. “I’m sure you would have fallen for me instead of my brother.”

She cocked her head and looked at him in confusion. “Aren’t you the brother who came to visit Brock and his parents on Christmas…bringing his wife and kids?”

He laughed. “You’re thinking about the oldest Hamill brother, Steven.”

“Oh, good. I’m happy to know you aren’t that brother and trying to hit on me.”

His arm squeezed around her a little tighter. “If I did try to hit on you, Brock would kill me.”

“Yes, I’m sure he would.” She grinned.

It seemed Jake also had his brother’s flirtatious sense of humor. She laughed as she walked with him to Brock’s Jag. Just like his brother, he opened the door for her.

Her heart pounded with anxiety. She hoped everything would go according to plan. Catching Kenneth was vitally important, not only for her state of mind, but also for her stepmother’s. Serena couldn’t turn her company over to a person like him.

As they drove off, Jordan glanced in the mirror, silently praying Brock would be safe. Who knew how dangerous Kenneth could be right now? After all, this was ten billion dollars he fought for.

SEVENTEEN

Dressed from head to toe in black, Brock hoped he wouldn’t be spotted lurking in the shadows behind Jordan’s townhouse. He also prayed her neighbors wouldn’t see him and call the cops. He couldn’t have that, not before he caught Kenneth in action.

Holding tight to the expensive camera around his neck, he crouched in the bushes, watching and waiting. In his younger days when he was married, his hobby was photography. Lanie had laughed in his face and made fun of it, calling it a wimpy hobby. He hadn’t picked up a camera since. Now everything was different. Although it might be dangerous, he anticipated working with his camera again and catching a criminal.

As the sun settled behind the mountain, winter’s chilly weather threatened to turn him into a popsicle. Shivering, he wished he’d had worn his heavy coat instead of his black leather jacket. Unfortunately, he couldn’t wear his heavier coat because it was red. Kenneth would see him yards away.

He’d have to think of Jordan, about having her in his arms and kissing her like there was no tomorrow. That would warm him up for sure! It hurt him when he remembered how he was at the beginning of their relationship. Revenge had weighed heavily on his mind, and all he could think about was bringing justice to his sister’s memory. Now he was grateful that fate had lent a hand. He needed Jordan and she needed him. Their souls were meant to be together.

The hum of a car’s engine snapped Brock’s mind back to the situation. Driving slowly up the street came a black Rolls Royce. It stopped two doors up from Jordan’s townhouse.

Brock held his breath, waiting for the person to exit the car.

Ten, fifteen minutes passed and finally a door opened. Even from where Brock hid, he could tell it was Kenneth. Eerie chills darted down Brock’s spine, testifying to him that the man walking cautiously up the sidewalk was indeed Serena’s husband. He passed under a porch light, identifying Kenneth’s features.

Gripping the camera tighter, Brock watched Kenneth walk around Jordan’s townhouse and disappear. Kenneth must have found a back way into her place. Brock waited a few more minutes before creeping up closer to the house.

He flattened himself against the brick wall near the front window. Cautiously, he peeked inside. Thankfully, Jordan had left a few lights on. He saw Kenneth’s shadow in one of the rooms.

Brock sneaked to the side of the house and looked in the window. Kenneth stood in her kitchen going through the drawers. When he reached for Jordan’s dishes, Brock raised his camera, preparing for the moment to take the picture.

Kenneth took two plates down and smashed them against the counter.
Click
. Three crystal goblets were next. Kenneth dropped them to the floor.
Click, click. Click
. Thank goodness Brock remembered his motor drive.

Kenneth swung toward the window. Brock crouched low, keeping his back flattened against the outside wall. He held his breath, wondering if Kenneth had noticed.

After a few minutes, Brock dared to look again. Kenneth wasn’t in the room but had moved into the living room. Brock breathed a sigh of relief, and hurried to the next window.

This time Kenneth had a spray can in his hands, aiming it toward the wall.
Click, click, click
. Kenneth spun around. Brock ducked. This time Kenneth’s heavy footsteps headed toward the back of the house.

Brock cursed. He’d been caught! But that was all right. Brock had the proof the cops needed to put Kenneth away.

Sneaking as quietly as he could, Brock rounded the back of the house. Out of nowhere a two-by-four came at him. He ducked, but it was too late. The board slammed into his head.

A wave of dizziness washed over him as he fell to the hard snow. Kenneth stood over him, holding the piece of wood.

Kenneth growled. “Do you think I’ll let you live now?”

Brock fought the blackness threatening his vision. “Give up, old man. The secret is out.”

Laughter filled the night. “Not if I break your camera.”

Kenneth reached for the camera, but Brock kicked with his boot, hitting Kenneth’s knees. The man yowled and fell to the ground. Still fighting the throbbing pain spinning in his head, Brock rolled away from Kenneth’s reach, but not soon enough. The other man took him by the ankle in a tight grip.

“That company is mine,” Kenneth spat. “I’ll not let anyone have it. I’ve worked too hard to get in this position.”

The more Brock fought, the closer darkness filled his head. No! It couldn’t end this way. He wouldn’t let it. But he had no control. Thick liquid warmed the side of his face. He reached up and touched. Blood. His injury was worse than he thought.

Kenneth picked up the piece of wood again, raising it high over his head. Brock brought up his weighty arms to block the hit. But it never happened.

Instead, he heard another kind of blow, like metal hitting bone. Then Kenneth’s body landed beside him in the snow.

Brock struggled to open his eyes, peeking through the slits that managed to come apart. Jordan stood over Kenneth holding a shovel. Jake knelt beside Brock. He heard his brother’s voice, but didn’t hear the words. Slowly, Jordan’s face disappeared.

* * * *

Jordan brushed her fingers gently across Brock’s bandaged head. His ashen face blended with the white material wrapped turban-style around his head. At least he was alive. The doctor said he’d lost a lot of blood because head injuries always bled more. Thankfully after two days, the hospital released him into Jordan’s care. She took him to his house since she felt more comfortable there.

She pulled a sheet up to his chest, tucking it around him as he lay on the bed. This was rather nice. She liked caring for him this way. Would he let her do it for the rest of her life?

“I love you.” He opened his eyes and smiled. His green eyes twinkled like gems.

“I love you, too.” She placed her hand on his chest, feeling his steady heartbeat.

“Have you talked to Serena yet?”

She nodded. “She came to the hospital to see how you were doing, but you were asleep. She didn’t stay long.”

“How is she taking this?”

“
She’s a strong woman, although she’s hurting. After the police threw Kenneth in the slammer, they found he had a secret bank account. Apparently, he’d been stealing money from Serena for quite some time. Looks like he has a list of crimes against him. He won’t be out of jail any time soon, thank goodness.” She shook her head and frowned. “Poor Serena. I can tell she’s crushed, but I think she has finally realized what I’ve been saying all along about Kenneth. She hasn’t talked to me much about it. I may have to have her come in for an appointment.”

He arched a brow. “Or maybe you can just talk to her as a daughter?”

Jordan remained silent, watching the way he studied her. So much emotion in his eyes, so much love. The feeling was so strong it caused tears in her eyes.

“When did you become this smart?” He was smart and sexy, too. What more could a girl want?

He covered her hand, resting on his bare chest. “I’ve been around you too long.”

“Is that bad?”

“No, that’s good. That’s more than good. It’s great.”

She laughed. “Most men wouldn’t think that.”

“I’m not like most men.”

Gingerly, she caressed his cheek. “You’ve certainly proven that. I’m sorry for getting you confused with the others.”

“There will be no more others, Jordan. You’re stuck with me for the rest of your life.”

Her heart hammered against her ribs. “For the rest of my life?”

“Yes.”

“Promise?”

He laughed. “Or longer if you want.”

She leaned over him, resting her weight on his chest. “Are you proposing marriage?”

“I’m proposing to keep you happy for the rest of our lives and longer. Can you handle that?”

She feathered her lips against his in a whisper of a kiss. “I can handle that and more.”

“Hmm, sounds promising.”

She grinned and kissed him on the mouth. Life with Brock would definitely bring her joy. Great satisfaction and love that she’d only read about in books. Now it was time to make the books come to life…just as she’d always wanted.

The End