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.”