Superb And Sexy

Chapter 18

Maddie laughed as Brody had clearly intended. “The good stuff?” she repeated.

“Sure. You promised to love, cherish, and do good stuff. It was all in our vows.”

“Huh.” She knew what he was doing, trying to take her mind off the dangers facing her. I must have missed that part.”

“You should have paid attention. You promised all sorts of things.”

“Like?”

He waggled his eyebrow, and if they weren’t facing imminent trouble with a capital T, she would have shivered in anticipation. “You really are crazy,” she managed.

“Which isn’t going to get you out of the vows, babe.”

She laughed again, and he smiled, looking hot and sexy and cocky.

But it was pretend.

This was all pretend. Their lives depended on it. “Let’s go,” he said, taking their bags, slinging them over his shoulder, and reaching for her hand. Everything about him shouted alpha male.

He wasn’t the only one. Moving back toward the Jeep, Maddie looked at Rick’s man. He wasn’t all that tall, but he was definitely built like a linebacker. Maddie didn’t recognize him, but she recognized his type. All hired muscle and silent servitude.

And suddenly, she didn’t have to fake the nerves Leena would have shown. Did Leena know this man? She had no way of knowing, but her sister was such a snob-a submissive snob, but a snob nevertheless-and as such, would have ignored all the hired help. Easy enough to imitate.

“Are you really married?” he asked her.

She didn’t look at Brody. “Yes.”

A smile split his mouth. “I won the pool then. Sweet.”

“You…bet on me?”

“We all did. No one could see you hitched for real, but I thought it was way too inventive a lie for you, so…” He shrugged. “I win.”

The familiarity was obvious. Leena did know this man, possibly well.

“Let’s go,” he said. “Rick hates to be kept waiting, you know that.”

Be Leena. Her sister was quiet, yes, but she definitely had an attitude, always had. “Too bad.”

The man sighed. “So getting married didn’t improve your mood any.” He gestured her into the Jeep, then eyed Brody with an expression that said, and you put up with this why?

Just grateful to have pulled off the first hurdle, Maddie slid into the Jeep.

“Given Leena’s aversion to men,” their driver said, “Rick figured it was just a bullshit excuse to be late, or to get more money out of him.”

Maddie glanced back and nearly had a heart attack. He and Brody were having a stare down. MIB’s dark lenses were over his eyes, and there was the obvious bulge of a weapon at his shoulder, but her “husband” didn’t seem overly intimidated.

Oh, not good. Not good at all. Leena would marry someone quiet like herself. Meek. Reaching out for Brody’s hand, she practically yanked him on top of her. “Baby, hurry up. It’s hot out here. My makeup’s going to run.”

He shot her a look, but some of her fear must have shown because he slipped an arm around her shoulders and said nothing.

While all that he wanted to say crackled in the silence.

MIB slid into the driver’s seat, watching them through his rearview mirror with great interest. “Trouble in paradise already? Shocking, Leena.”

She wanted to snarl, but she wasn’t supposed to be herself so she thrust her nose in the air and looked out the window in pouting silence.

Leena. She was Leena…

MIB put the Jeep in gear and drove them along the secluded beach, past the sparkling, clear azure waters, up the single hill on the island. Surrounded on both sides by the lush, colorful growth, they came out of the woods at a pair of stone and wrought-iron guarded gates that opened in silent invitation, leading to a long driveway arching up to the house.

Though house seemed far too meek a word for the 25,000-square foot complex that had cost millions to build and millions more to trick out with all the combined security and elegance Rick demanded. It was a simple yet sophisticated structure, done up in the epitome of rustic luxury. Exotic woods, glass, indigenous stone…no expense had been spared. Situated on the very top of the only hill, overlooking the secluded beach amidst coconut palms and seagrape trees, the place was admittedly breathtaking.

At the sight of it all, Brody stiffened next to her. Maddie glanced over at him, but he was facing the window, probably staring in shock at the ridiculous display of wealth the house represented. She’d admit the sight had to be impressive to someone who hadn’t seen it before, but for herself, she only saw her past. When they pulled into the graceful circular driveway surrounded by abundant, flourishing landscape, breathing became difficult, if not all but impossible.

She was back…

MIB drove to the top of the driveway and cut the engine. The front door of the house opened, and a man stepped out.

Rick.

Oh, God. Could she really do this? Could she fool him? With no choice, they got out of the Jeep and moved up the stairs, Brody just behind her, his hand on the small of her back.

Rick didn’t move. Medium height, medium build, with a small but welcoming smile, he shielded his eyes from the sun and waited as they came to him. Nothing about him suggested Evil Swindler, nothing at all. He was tanned from long days of the island sun, handsome even.

A soft, floral-scented breeze blew over Maddie, and she shivered. Nope, her uncle hadn’t changed much in the past ten years. He still looked like a grown-up beach bum with sun-streaked hair, carelessly lean muscled build, and easygoing stride, until one looked into his eyes and saw the utter lack of warmth.

Yeah. Home sweet home.

Her heart was literally ricocheting off her ribs as she repeated one fact over and over in her head. You’re Leena. You’re Leena.

Leena was always all nerves. Nerves were good.

“Hello,” Rick said in his quiet voice, the one that screamed I’m-in-charge.

“Rick.”

He gestured to Brody. “So. What have you done?”

“I told you. I got married.”

“Quickly, it would seem.”

“Yes.”

Rick nodded, and she took a breath. He’d bought her as Leena. He held out his hand to Brody, who was still bowled over by the surroundings or he’d realized quiet and meek was the only way to pull this off because he didn’t say a word as he shook Rick’s hand.

The only sound was a hum of insects in the flowers and the distant call of an exotic bird.

“Thought you didn’t like the islands,” Rick finally said to Brody.

“No. But the wife does.”

Rick looked at “the wife.” “You’ve not been gone very long. The last time you were here, you were still claiming you’d never marry, that you’d never settle down with one man.”

“Things change.”

Not looking convinced, Rick nodded again, still watching them both very carefully, and Maddie realized that she and Brody were standing several feet apart, not touching at all, giving off vibes that did not exactly say newlyweds. Damn it. Rick knew Leena, unfortunately well. Leena had always held a healthy fear of men, especially big, badass-looking men like Brody. This was never going to work unless Maddie could convince Rick that Brody was really just a pussy cat. Scooting closer, she slipped her arm around her “husband,” feeling buckets of tension in that big badass body. “We’re very happy.”

But Brody didn’t look happy. He looked the opposite of happy, and Maddie slid her hand down from the small of his back to his butt, which she pinched hard.

Brody turned his head and slid her a look.

She forced her sweetest smile, making up a story on the spot. “Brody was my dentist.” She hugged him while he just looked down at her, silent. “He fixed my crown, and the rest is history.”

“You married your dentist,” Rick said slowly.

“His business is booming. Everyone needs a dentist, of course, and good ones are hard to find.”

“You married your dentist,” Rick repeated. “A dentist.”

“Well, he only works one day a week since his trust fund kicked in.”

“Ah.” Rick’s tone suggested that he finally understood. “Trust fund.”

“Oh, no, it was his kindness, his sensitivity that got to me,” she gushed, setting her head on Brody’s chest with a dreamy little sigh. “Not his bank account.”

“Sure.” Rick nodded, looking amused. “And his bank account had nothing to do with it.”

“Of course not. He’s sensitive and compassionate.” Wow, listen to her gush. “We’re going to have babies.”

Brody’s eyebrows nearly leapt off his face at that one, and Maddie couldn’t even look at him anymore. “The point is,” she said after controlling herself by biting her tongue hard, “I don’t have to work.”

“So you mentioned.” Rick’s voice stayed even, but his eyes hardened. “Except that you and I have an agreement. You will continue to fulfill your end of this agreement, designing and creating for me as needed.” He shot another look in Brody’s direction. “Confidentially.”

The morning was warm, hot even, especially in the island sun, but Maddie’s blood ran cold. His meaning was clear. He must not be made to feel a need to divest himself of her husband. “Brody isn’t into jewelry,” she said, hoping she didn’t sound as desperate as she suddenly felt. “Not at all.”

“I see.”

“He’s really not.” Hopefully, he believed that, which led her to the next problem. Rick wanted her to do a job, probably create an item from a design and then set a gem for it. Only it’d been ten years since she’d even watched Leena do such a thing. She had no idea if she could pull it off.

No idea, and no choice.

“Was your sister at your wedding?” Rick finally asked.

Oh, God. “M-Maddie?”

“You have another sister I don’t know about?”

“Of course not. I just…” Mind whirling, she smiled sadly. “We haven’t been in touch.”

Rick just looked at her.

“We’re no longer that close.” She struggled not to fidget, to continue looking him right in the eyes, but man, it was really hard to do that and lie through her teeth. “So no, there’s been no contact.”

Another long, uncomfortable beat. The tension was thick, so much so that she could hardly breathe through it. Rick didn’t seem bothered by that fact in the least. She was. Silence from Rick had always bothered her, and this one went on so long she nearly waved her hand to make sure he was awake.

But he was awake; he was just waiting for her to crack. Leena cracked, and cracked often. It was what she did. “Okay, there’s been the occasional contact,” she admitted.

“So you lied to me?” He asked this in the same quiet tone that suggested her answer had no importance at all, but she knew better.

“Omitted,” she said. “Not nearly the same thing as lying.”

Rick’s mouth tightened. “I’d like to talk to Maddie, Leena.”

Oh, God. “That’s not necessary.”

“I think it is. We have things to discuss, her and I.” He snapped his fingers, and the two goons who’d been standing behind him like statues vanished, presumably to go contact Maddie.

Who was standing in front of him.

“She’s probably pretty busy,” she said, trying to think over her panic. Brody hadn’t been kidding-her life was complicated. “You know, living her life.”

“She’ll make time to talk to her family. To maybe visit if things don’t work out here during your visit, Leena.”

Oh, shit. He’d just given her a whole bunch of information she didn’t want, such as if she, as Leena, screwed up, Maddie was going to pay.

Well, no way in hell she was giving herself up to him. She valued her new life way too much for that. She valued Brody’s life too much for that, and she stepped even closer to her “husband.” For show, of course.

But also for the sheer comfort in having him there, big and reliable, and at her side.

On her side.

He immediately tightened his grip on her, running his hand up and down her arm in silent comfort.

He was here for her, right here. The marvel of that was never going to get old. “Why don’t I get to work,” she said. Before your goons go and find out that Maddie is standing right here in front of you.

“You’re in a hurry?”

“Well, I do have a honeymoon to get back to.” She leaned her head against Brody’s chest and felt the solid, comforting thump of his heart. “I’d like a charter here waiting for me when I’m done.”

“All right.” Again, Rick’s gaze flickered to Brody. “The notes are in your workroom. And so are all the materials you’ll need.” He gave Brody another long, considering look. “I assume you’ll still work completely alone, without distraction, as you’ve always insisted. Maybe your husband would like to go back to Nassau and wait for you there. I can arrange for deep sea fishing or any number of activities-”

“No.”

This from Brody himself in a voice of steel. His eyes matched. “I’m staying.”

Oh, crap. Why didn’t he just pee on her to mark her as his territory? Turning her back to Rick, she shot Brody a look of warning.

He ignored it. “I’m staying with my wife.” He smiled down at her. Sweetly. Kindly. So much so that she had to blink.

She’d seen him smile, of course. With genuine affection and amusement for Shayne and Noah, with triumph when he’d rebuilt any of a hundred different planes. And then there’d been that smile of wicked intent just before he’d put his tongue between her legs and taken her to a whole new world of pleasure just last night, but she’d never seen him smile like this. Like she was the love of his life. It was a bit…dazzling, and she had to remind herself that this was all for show. She turned to Rick. “He’s staying.”

Looking none too happy about that, Rick nodded and gestured them inside. “Let’s get on it then.” He gestured to a new Muscle Guy, who had two inches on Brody and no neck at all and looked as if he was a steroid-for-life kind of guy.

His name turned out to be Tiny Tim, and he led them into the foyer of the house. The décor had been updated and changed since Maddie had seen it last, now done up in a ritzy beachy decadence.

She could hardly breathe. Everywhere her gaze touched filled her with memories-sliding down the front sweeping arch of a banister and hitting the huge white tiles in the great room where she’d broken her arm. Hiding behind the two marble sculptures and knocking one over. Pretending to be an ice skater in her slippers along that cool, smooth floor…

Tiny Tim held up a hand to halt their progress and whipped out a metal detector. Okay, that was new to the Welcome Home process. Wielding the thing like a weapon, he walked around the back of Brody, or tried to, but Brody simply turned with the guy, keeping him face to face.

“Looking for weapons,” Tiny Tim said and gestured for Brody to turn around.

Maddie squeezed Brody’s fingers hard enough to bruise her own, and after an indescribable look in her direction, he, indeed, turned, facing her while the goon searched him for weapons.

“Now face me,” Tiny Tim demanded. “Arms out.”

With a grim tightening of his mouth, Brody turned, lifting his arms as directed, letting the guy thoroughly search him.

Finally, Tiny Tim gestured him aside and turned to Maddie.

Her turn, and she had a knife in her boot and a gun in her bag, both of which would light up the detector like a Christmas tree.

Thoughts whirling with ready-made excuses, she held out her arms, but to her surprise, the guy set aside the metal detector and stepped close, a gleam in his eyes.

He was going to pat her down by hand.

Okay, this could work. Because unless he asked her to strip, he was going to miss the knife. But then he put his hands on her, and not exactly gently or with care for her personal space, and over his bent head, she locked gazes with Brody.

Such temper shot from his eyes that she nearly flew backwards from its blast. He took a step toward her, and just like that, her life flashed before her eyes. Don’t, she mouthed.

He stilled with obvious difficulty, his body tense enough to shatter.

Oblivious to the silent battle, Tiny Tim stood in front of her, his meaty paws patting down her hips, her legs…

Jaw ticking, Brody jammed his own fisted hands into his pockets, probably to keep them from closing around Muscle’s throat as Maddie continued to silently beg him to behave himself and stay still.

Muscle didn’t so much as glance at Brody, but Maddie knew he had to be incredibly aware of the sheer fury resonating off of her “husband,” whose eyes were promising her that if Tiny Tim took this any further, he would take action.

Oh, God. And what then?

But Tiny Tim finally finished getting his jollies feeling her up and straightened as she took a breath. Okay. Okay, they were nearly done here-

Except not, because then he settled those hands back on her waist, gliding them upward, heading with wicked intent toward her breasts.

Brody’s eyes narrowed to slits, and he took another step toward him, but by some miracle, Tiny Tim’s phone chirped, and he turned away to answer.

Maddie let out a slow, careful breath and took a quick glance at Brody, but before she could say a word, Tiny Tim turned back, slipping his phone into his pocket. “Follow me,” he said gruffly, not even glancing at Brody as he took them to the huge, curved staircase.

Miraculously still armed, Maddie followed with Brody in the rear. She didn’t speak to him, mostly because she knew from living here all those years ago that the place was under surveillance. Most common areas of the grounds and house were under camera surveillance, with only the bedrooms and bathrooms off limits.

“Where are we going?” he asked, not knowing about the sound system, his voice filled with a lethal calm and absolutely no quietness or meekness about him.

“To Leena’s room,” Tiny Tim said. “Where you’ll stay until you’re needed.”

“And Leena?”

“She’ll go to work.”

Brody didn’t say a word, but his opposition to this plan practically bounced off the walls as if he’d shouted.

Silent and doubting her own sanity, Maddie let Tiny Tim lead them up the stairs to Leena’s bedroom. The place was spotless, as always, and Maddie wondered if Rick’s housekeeper Rosaline still worked here. Once upon a time, Rosaline had been the sole soft spot in this entire place, always kind and gentle with Maddie and Leena, their only true female influence. Maddie wondered if it was possible that the woman had put up with Rick all these years…

Next to her, Brody was taking it all in, the elegance and sophistication, the museum quality art and furniture, his expression going more and more grim. At the top of the stairs and down a wide hallway, Tiny Tim opened a door, gestured them in. “I’ll be back for you in a few,” he said to Leena, then left.

Silence settled over them. In Maddie’s case, it was heavy with the weight of the memories from being back in Leena’s childhood bedroom. She wasn’t surprised to find that nothing much had changed, not the pale yellow and white lace or the expensive Victorian furniture Leena loved.

Brody moved through the room, his big shoulder nudging the corner of the dresser so that a vase perched there nearly toppled off. He neatly caught it, then as if he felt like a bull in a china shop, set it back with exaggerated care, letting out a low breath as he backed away from the dresser. “That thing is probably worth more than my car. Hell, everything in this place is worth more than my car.”

His tone was light, but nothing about his body language said light, and certainly nothing about the fire spitting from his eyes said it either.

But he was right about the value of the vase. Everything in here was valuable. Or invaluable. It was how Rick liked things.

Almost robotically, she stepped toward a pocket door just beyond the dresser.

Sliding it open, she felt the full force of the blast from her past as she stared into her own childhood bedroom.