Читать книгу The Second Sister - Dani Sinclair - Страница 13

Heartskeep rose defiantly against the sky. Leigh stared at the sprawling, once-elegant mansion and wondered what had become of the welcoming warmth the house had once projected. She suspected it had disappeared the same day as her mother.

Workmen were gutting the fire-damaged wing and all manner of trucks and equipment filled the turnaround out front. Leigh drove around to the back. She’d have to find R.J. As the supervisor, he needed to move repairs to the long, tree-shrouded driveway up on the list of priorities. The ruts had been bad enough before trucks had started lumbering over it. Now the ruts were beginning to resemble craters, making for a seriously bone-jarring ride.

R.J. was a couple years younger than Gavin, and was another of their neighbors’ foster sons. Leigh vaguely remembered him as a quiet loner in his teens. Tall and dark haired like Gavin, he was leaner, but just as good-looking. He’d been orphaned young and, after being abused by a series of foster parents, had become a serious disciplinary problem. Fortunately for him, like Gavin, he’d ended up under the caring supervision of George and Emily Walken. The couple had accepted and encouraged his need to work with his hands. Leigh was glad Eden had hired his fledging firm to take on the renovations, even if she’d done so for expediency and not out of any altruistic desire to help a neighbor.

Parking behind the house, Leigh stepped from the car and paused to stare up at the house. The sinister feel was even stronger back here. The bars Bram had installed over the windows didn’t improve things any. Leigh couldn’t wait for him to take them all down. Her sister owed her big-time for taking on this albatross.

Gavin had spent more than an hour going over the details and the money with them yesterday. He’d kept the discussion on a professional level the entire time, but Leigh had been aware of him every minute.

The myriad fictitious bills showed all sorts of major repairs that hadn’t been made—and most were desperately needed. Restoring the house inside and out was going to demand an enormous amount of time and money. Leigh didn’t mind spending either one, but she had a degree in telecommunications and one in computer science. Neither one would do her much good out here in horse country, but she’d called this morning and turned down the exciting new job she’d been offered in Boston because she realized the renovations were going to require a lot of time and thought. Leigh needed to be here—at least part of the time, so what was going to happen to their Boston apartment? She couldn’t see her sister moving back there without Bram any more than she could see Bram moving to an apartment in Boston.

Fretting, Leigh turned away from the house and headed for the peace of the garden maze. Gavin wasn’t due to meet her here for another twenty minutes or so and she wanted that time alone to think. Since yesterday, she’d been telling Hayley and the Walkens that she wasn’t the least bit concerned to find herself working so closely with Gavin. What had happened between them had been a long time ago and was unimportant now. She could deal with the situation like a mature adult.

An entire year, working closely with Gavin.

Why did he still have to look so incredibly good? Each time she met those penetrating eyes of his, her control slipped a notch and she had to struggle to surface from their compelling force. Flashbacks of that long-ago night kept her so on edge, it was hard to concentrate on anything else when she was around him. And what kept her awake late into the night was the certainty that Gavin hadn’t forgotten a thing any more than she had. She was almost certain she’d seen more than a flicker of masculine approval when he’d first looked at her in his office.

Right. Thinking that Gavin still had the hots for her was certainly dealing with the situation like a mature adult.

Leigh stumbled over a vine that had inched its way onto the path. Yanked from her troubled thoughts, she gazed around in dismay. The gardens were an even bigger mess than the house.

At one time, there had been three distinct mazes. Her grandfather had kept them trimmed to waist height to show off the ornamental trees and topiary animals sprinkled about. Dead ends had culminated in large circles with inviting benches, shade and ornamental trees, and a profusion of flowers. The water fountain and underground sprinkler system had been carefully planned before their grandfather’s death. Both had been installed the week her mother had disappeared.

The mazes had been a showplace, yet despite obnoxious bills to the contrary, no work had been done on them since the fountain was completed. The bushes that composed the walls now towered a good six feet or more. In several places, they’d overgrown the paths, uniting the mazes in a vast labyrinth. Most of the topiaries were unrecognizable, and the flowers were either gone or had been replaced by the roses Marcus had become so fond of tending.

Still, Leigh could almost sense her mother’s presence here among her gardens, as she’d called the mazes. Leigh half expected to round a curve and see Amy Thomas in her wide-brimmed sun hat, tending some flowers. She’d be distraught if she could see their present condition. Hiring a landscaper had just moved to the top of Leigh’s to-do list.

A squirrel suddenly skittered in front of her, racing away as if in mortal danger. Leigh realized she’d wandered down a dead-end trail by mistake. She turned to go back, when she heard the distinct crunch of footsteps approaching. A large shape abruptly blocked her path.

“Hello, Leigh.”

For a minute, she couldn’t place the vaguely familiar face. Then he smiled without humor.

“Nolan?”

Nolan Ducort III was the last person she had expected to see here, of all places. His blond good looks were dissipating right along with his hairline. His once-firm jaw had softened and rounded thanks to the thirty pounds or more he’d put on since she’d last seen him. Only his eyes were the same. Cold, and unnaturally blue thanks to contact lenses, they stared at her in a way that made her shiver despite the mid-June heat wave.

“Cat got your tongue?”

“You startled me,” she said warily. She was suddenly conscious of how quiet the maze had become. “I’m…surprised to see you here.”

He swaggered closer. Leigh took an involuntary step back. Instantly, she knew she’d made a mistake. His eyes glittered in triumph at the small show of weakness, and she found herself inside one of the dead-end circles.

“We have some unfinished business, you and I.”

Her stomach twisted in sudden fear. Surely Nolan didn’t mean to attack her. Not now. Not here in her own backyard.

She drew in a steadying breath, tossed her head and raised her chin as she’d seen Hayley do many times before when confronting an annoying person. Hayley was much better at handling the male of the species, but Leigh had learned a thing or two since her last meeting with Nolan.

Imitating her sister’s best haughty glare, she forced herself to look him up and down coldly, taking extra seconds to stare at the paunch that had started to bulge above his belt buckle. Color swarmed up his neck.

Satisfied that the pounds he’d gained would slow him down once she got past him, Leigh managed a sneer. “Get lost, Nolan. Unless you’d like to start doing your business from the inside of a jail cell.”

A flicker of surprise came and went. His features hardened. She had to work to keep her own expression from revealing her core of fear.

“We both know you aren’t going to go to the cops or you’d have done it by now.”

He was right, of course. They both knew what he’d tried to do that night, and they both knew there was no way to prove a thing.

“So, what were you doing at Saratoga the other day?”

The question came out of nowhere and made absolutely no sense.

“Saratoga?” There was a disturbing intensity behind his cold, penetrating stare. “I haven’t been to Saratoga in years.”

“Going to try and pretend it was Hayley?”

Leigh had no idea what he was talking about. She didn’t care. All she wanted was for him to move away from the opening so she could escape.

“Go away, Nolan.”

He tilted his head. A quiver skittered straight down her spine at the fury in his steely blue eyes. Despite her intention not to show any fear, Leigh looked away.

“Now you’ve made me curious, Leigh,” he said with chilling softness. “I wonder exactly what it is you’re trying to hide?”

What was he talking about? She started to protest and stopped. Arguing was pointless. It didn’t matter what he was talking about. Escape was all that mattered.

“Get lost, Nolan. I mean it. You don’t have any business here.”

“Now, that’s where you’re wrong,” he said, sounding pleased. “We’re doing business together right this very minute.”

His evil smile sent her pulse racing.

“Didn’t you know? I have an interest in R.J.’s construction company.”

While his voice leered, his expression did not. Cold and calculating, he seemed intent on deliberately baiting her.

“I’ve got an interest in any number of local businesses,” he continued when she remained silent. “In fact, it looks to me like you could use the services of my landscape company.” He waved a flaccid hand toward the overgrown hedges.

“Not even if they are the only ones in town. I’m not afraid of you,” she lied boldly. “I know exactly what you did.”

His eyes gleamed, murderous shards of blue. Her fingernails bit into the palms of her hands.

“Why don’t you call the cops then?” he demanded. “Let’s see which one of us they believe.”

“I know all about your family’s political pull, Nolan. I don’t care if your father and Chief Crossley are old friends. And I don’t care how many other politicians he’s bought. Do you really believe you’re invincible? Even you must realize you can’t buy your way out of everything.”

Fury brought him a step closer. She held her ground by sheer force of will.

“Don’t try to play games with me, Leigh. You’re out of your league.”

“Get out of here.”

“We aren’t finished yet. Don’t think I forgot how you made me look like a fool seven years ago.”

“Oh, please. You didn’t need any help from me.”

She hadn’t meant to say it out loud and she knew immediately that she’d gone too far. Nolan reached for her. Even as she dodged away, Gavin’s distinctive voice whipped through the clearing.

“I thought you understood what would happen if you ever touched her again, Ducort.”

Nolan pivoted in shock. “Jarret?”

Leigh exhaled in relief. The cavalry had arrived.

“Maybe you need a reminder,” Gavin added, his voice dangerously soft.

There was no swaggering bravado in the way he stepped forward. He wasn’t as big as Nolan, yet he appeared larger and far more intimidating. He seemed to glide into the clearing, dominating the space with easy assurance. Faded jeans and an open-necked shirt accentuated his tough, lean build. His hands swung loose at his sides, yet his casual air was far more daunting than any cocky pose.

Nolan wasn’t stupid. If it came to physical blows between the spoiled rich kid running to fat and the lean, once street-savvy bad boy of the county, there was little doubt of the outcome. Gavin would take him apart without even working up a sweat.

“I warned you once before. You should have listened. I never make idle threats, Ducort.”

Despite his casual tone, a lethal, raw energy flowed from Gavin. Nolan began backing away. He stopped when the back of his knees came up against the concrete bench that sat under the large maple tree.

Leigh was frightened by the leashed power she sensed so clearly in both men. Nolan’s cheeks deepened to a dark cherry red. He shot her a look of pure malice.

“If your pet goon lays a hand on me, I’ll sue you for every cent you inherited.”

Despite her shock and fear, she wanted to laugh at his posturing. “Pet goon?”

“I think he means me,” Gavin said without a trace of humor. “Since you plan to sue her, Ducort, I’ll give you one of my cards. I’m also her attorney.”

Gavin made no attempt to reach for his pocket. Nolan’s gaze darted from one to the other. His anger was as tangible as the waiting silence that had settled over the clearing. He settled for glaring at Leigh.

“I don’t know what your game is, bitch, but nobody screws with me.”

“I can understand that,” she muttered.

Raw fury started him in her direction. Gavin moved so fast Leigh didn’t have time to do more than gasp. The lawyer vanished in one beat of her heart, replaced by the street warrior Gavin had once been. He grabbed Nolan by his tailored, white linen shirtfront and spun him to one side, shoving him hard against the prickly, overgrown hedge.

“That’s going to cost you,” he promised.

Nolan squealed. A shadow speared the entrance to the clearing. Bram Myers stood framed in the opening. He was dressed all in black, from his sleeveless T-shirt to a stained pair of jeans. He appeared completely relaxed as he stood there blocking the only exit. Leigh would have thought him totally unconcerned if she hadn’t seen the expression in his midnight eyes.

“Problem, Gavin?” he asked lightly.

Gavin kept his gaze riveted on Nolan. He released the shirt with deliberate slowness before stepping back. “No problem. I was explaining some basic facts to Mr. Ducort.”

“I’ll have you on charges for assault and battery,” Nolan threatened. He straightened his shirt with unsteady fingers and shot Leigh a look that made her stomach contract.

“Now, what assault would that be?” Bram asked quietly. “You look pretty good for someone who’s been battered.”

Nolan sent him a look of impotent rage. “You’ll pay,” he sputtered. “You’ll all pay,”

“Ah. Now that sounded like a threat,” Bram said.

“The only one who’s going to do any paying around here is you, Ducort.”

As if he, too, worried Gavin might lose control, Bram stepped all the way into the circle. Leigh spoke quickly, hoping to diffuse some of the surging testosterone before someone got seriously hurt.

“Nolan was just leaving,” she said. “Weren’t you, Nolan?”

“Then why don’t I escort you to your car, Mr…. Ducort, was it?” Bram said. “I wouldn’t want you to trip and fall or anything on your way out. I think you’ve overstayed your welcome at Heartskeep.”

For a moment, Leigh thought Nolan would explode from the fury so plainly visible on his ruddy face. Without a word, he pushed past both men and stormed down the path, never once looking back.

Bram and Gavin shared a silent exchange. Bram nodded and turned to follow Nolan. Gavin focused his attention on her. Leigh only hoped the quaking turning her muscles to jelly wasn’t visible on the outside.

“Did he touch you?” Gavin demanded.

“N-no.”

Gavin’s unwavering scrutiny was chilling. This was a side of him she’d heard about but had never seen. Dark and intense, his anger was slow to fade. Where Nolan had blustered, Gavin projected a hard determination.

Leigh crossed her arms protectively over her stomach. Her knees felt absurdly weak and her stomach was queasy.

“Sit down,” he ordered.

The hands that guided her onto the unyielding bench were surprisingly tender. She’d forgotten he had such large hands. They were warm, with the long tapered fingers of a musician. Those hands had once roused her body to incredible heights, but now they soothed, lightly stroking her shoulder. Amazingly, his touch helped to dissipate the chills lifting the hairs on her bare arms.

“I’m all right,” she told him.

“I know you are.”

The warmth in his tone sent her pulse leaping. She shook her head, telling herself she was imagining things. Gavin wasn’t interested in her.

“Do you make a habit of rescuing women in distress?”

His gaze became shuttered. “Not generally, no.”

“What did you mean when you said you warned him once before?”

His eyes went flat and hard. “Nothing you need to worry about.”

Leigh shook her head. Her mind whirled, slotting the pieces together. The picture that formed shocked her.

“You went after him seven years ago, didn’t you? Of course you did. That’s why you had cuts and scrapes on your knuckles when they arrested you. That’s why the police were so sure you were the one who hit poor Mr. Wickert.”

He squeezed her shoulder. “Let it go, Leigh.”

“But—”

“You didn’t want to press charges against Nolan, remember? You wouldn’t even let us report that you’d been drugged.”

As if she could ever forget. Memories of that night and what might have happened without Gavin had haunted her for years.

“There was no point. His family has all sorts of influence in this county. You know the police wouldn’t have believed us. They would have said you put the drug in my drink.”

“I know,” he said thoughtfully, releasing her to rub a hand across his chin. “I didn’t realize you did.”

“Of course I did! We couldn’t prove anything. Nolan would have said he handed me the wrong glass, or that someone else had slipped the drug into my soft drink.”

But she knew Nolan had deliberately handed her the drugged glass. There’d been something in his smirk, she’d seen it even then. She just hadn’t understood.

Leigh knew she’d been lucky. If he’d been able to slip the drug into the beer she’d drunk first, things would have ended very differently that night.

Looking back, she’d take bets that he had asked her and not Hayley to go out with him because Hayley would have taken one look at that party scene and created such a fuss Nolan would have had to take her home. Leigh’s stomach still churned at the memory of that awful party and Nolan’s group of leering friends.