From his position waiting for Eva in the funeral home hall, Jesse couldn’t help but overhear the funeral director inform Eva that her check had bounced. He winced at the shock and dismay in her voice. He listened to her end of the conversation with the bank, as well. Clearly, she’d been completely unaware that her husband had emptied the bank accounts before he’d been killed.
Which brought up an immediate question. Had Drew been trying to pay someone off? Or settle a debt so huge he’d been killed because of it?
These were all questions for law enforcement. He expected them to show up with more questions before the end of the day. By now they would be invested in a murder investigation.
A few minutes later, Eva emerged. She appeared composed and collected. Only the slight hint of panic in her eyes hinted at her internal emotions.
“Are you ready?” he asked, deliberately keeping his tone light, as if he knew nothing about what had just transpired inside the room.
She nodded. Together they walked outside. Right before they were about to get in her car, she stopped. “Would you mind driving?” she asked, holding out the keys. “I’m not feeling too well and I don’t think I should.”
“No problem.” As he started the car and backed it out of the parking spot, he glanced over at her, aching. She tried so hard to be strong, even though he had to wonder if fate was conspiring against her at every turn.
Once he’d reached the gate, put in the code and entered the subdivision, he wasn’t surprised to find two sheriff’s department cruisers waiting outside the house.
Seeing them, Eva groaned. “Now what?”
“I’m sure they just want to question you about yesterday,” he said. “They’ve got a murder investigation to work after all.”
“I know.” Her soft answer made his chest hurt. “I want them to find the killer as quickly as possible. I won’t feel safe until they do. And...” She swallowed hard. “Drew didn’t deserve that. He had plans, hopes and dreams. I really think he would have made a great governor. He really cares about the people of Texas.”
Ignoring the twinge of jealousy, Jesse nodded. “Hopefully the police will have some leads.” He considered, then decided to abandon his earlier pretense of not overhearing. “You might want to mention what you just found out from the bank.”
She jerked, as if he’d startled her. “Do you think money had something to do with him being killed?”
“There’s no way to know. But it could be. Let the police know so they can investigate that aspect of it.”
Slowly, she nodded. “Okay. I will.”
As they pulled into the driveway, the police vehicles’ doors all opened and several officers emerged. In addition to the uniforms, there were also two plainclothesmen, most likely detectives. Or possibly even Feds, though he’d never known them to ride with local law enforcement like that.
Since this was a high-profile murder, he’d figured the Feds would get involved.
As he’d known they would, all the law enforcement people looked him up and down, not bothering to hide their suspicion. He knew what he looked like, a large, menacing biker with short spiky hair and lots of tattoos. If he’d been in their shoes, he’d have done the exact same thing. He should know, since he’d been on the other side of the table numerous times.
“Mrs. Rowson? We wonder if you might have a moment to talk with us.” One of the plain-clothed men stepped forward, his genial expression matching his soft-spoken tone.
Though exhaustion made her wobble, Eva nodded. “Of course. Come on inside.”
She led the way through the house, taking them to a formal sitting room that Jesse had never seen anyone use, at least in the three weeks he’d been there. “Have a seat,” she said. “I’ll just be a moment. In the meantime, Jesse, would you mind seeing if they’d like any refreshments?”
Bemused, Jesse nodded. He watched her until she disappeared down the hall, no doubt going to check on Liam. Then he turned to the gathering of men and politely asked them if they’d like something to drink.
Most of them declined, but one of the plainclothes guys asked for water. Jesse immediately got him a bottle. After handing it to him, he retreated, heading down the hallway after Eva.
As he’d expected, he found her in Liam’s room. The boy sat in the middle of the floor, surrounded by toys and happily playing. Eva sat cross-legged next to him, oblivious to everything else, totally engaged in watching her son. The nanny slouched in a chair in the corner, barely looking up from her phone when he entered.
Jesse stood in the doorway a moment, drinking in the sight of Eva, his heart full of love. She finally glanced at him, the smile that had been hovering on her lips vanishing. “What?” she asked, a trace of annoyance in her tone.
He straightened, careful to keep his expression neutral. “The police are waiting to talk to you.”
Immediately, she got to her feet, graceful as always, smoothing down her skirt with the palms of her hands. “Mommy will be right back,” she told her son, bending down to kiss his cheek. “Kara, please keep an eye on him for me.”
The nanny nodded, still intent on her phone.
“Kara?” A sharp note crept into Eva’s tone. “Please put down your phone and do your job.”
As soon as Kara had complied, Eva turned and swept past Jesse without saying a word. He followed close behind her, willing his insides to calm. It seemed he’d never be able to keep himself from wanting her. Once this assignment was over, he planned to take himself somewhere far, far away and try to get his life back together. Hopefully, the scenery would involve beaches and umbrella drinks and sun. Lord knows, after putting himself through this particular kind of hell, he’d deserve it.
By the time they got downstairs, Eva the gracious politician’s wife was back. She apologized for her delay in a friendly, mellifluous voice and once more offered them refreshments. Again, they declined, except for the one officer who held up his bottle of water. “I’m good.”
“We’d like to ask you a few questions,” one of the uniforms said.
“Of course.” Eva motioned to the couches and chairs. “Why don’t you make yourselves comfortable.” Choosing an upholstered chair, she sat, crossing her legs demurely at the ankles.
Jesse ignored the curious glances more than one of the officers sent his way. He didn’t blame them. If he’d been in their place, he would have been suspicious too.
Once everyone had gotten settled, the questions began. They were mostly routine, exactly the kind of thing anyone would expect. With her posture straight and her gaze clear, Eva answered them all as best she could. No, she hadn’t seen anything. The sound of the gunshot hadn’t even registered as a danger until Jesse took her down.
“Jesse?” the officer pounced on that. “Who’s Jesse?”
“Him.” Eva pointed. “He’s Jesse. He’s my bodyguard. My husband hired him a few weeks ago.”
“I see.” Zeroing in on him, the policeman directed the next question at Jesse. “What company employs you?”
Aware he looked out of place in the tastefully elegant room, Jesse shrugged. Instead of allowing this to make him feel self-conscious, he chose to revel in it. As in, he was a big, bad biker dude. So what?
“Who is your employer?” the officer repeated, pen poised to write the name down.
Though Jesse knew what the other man meant, he pretended not to understand. “I work for Mr. Rowson,” he said. “Or did. Now I work for Mrs. Rowson.”
“Right. But did you come from a security service? If not, where did Mr. Rowson get your name?”
Eva decided to jump in. “Jesse is a member of my father’s motorcycle club, the Brothers of Sin. My father recommended him to my husband.”
Since everyone clearly already knew about her connection to BOS, no one bothered to act surprised. Again, several of the police officers eyed him. Since Jesse was used to it, he simply stared right back.
“Okay,” the questioner finally said, and then cleared his throat. He pushed his wire-rimmed glasses up on his narrow nose. “What is your last name, Jesse?”
“Wyman,” he replied, aware that when they checked, they’d find only the carefully doctored record the Drug Enforcement Administration had put in place. Anyone searching for his background would find a completely false narrative showing a lifetime of crime, even a brief imprisonment. Not too bad, just bad enough to justify him being part of a notorious motorcycle club.
He’d spent nearly four years working undercover. He’d tried to get out a little over two and half years ago, when Eva had asked him to leave the club with her. But he’d worked too hard, gotten in too deep, to blow it all just then. Especially for a woman who would hate him once she realized he was part of the unit that took her father down. Which they would. It was only a matter of time. He’d spent years helping build the case.
Once, all he’d ever wanted out of life was a long and successful career with the ATF. These days, that focus had changed. All he wanted was Eva.
Jesse had grown up surrounded by family in law enforcement. From the time he’d been in elementary school, he’d known what he’d wanted to be. He’d focused on this goal all through high school and college. When he’d been accepted by the ATF, he’d thought he could never be happier.
Until the first time Eva had kissed him. Like a lightning bolt to the heart, he’d been dazed and surprised and then joyful. They were meant to be together.
Except everything she knew about him was based on a lie. And when she’d asked him to leave BOS with her, he couldn’t. It wasn’t only that he’d taken an oath to do his job. It was because Jesse had to finish his mission, bring the bad guys to justice. He hadn’t wanted to let his team down.
Which he guessed meant in the end, his job had been more important. Yet he’d still entertained the idea of revealing all to Eva once the mission had ended, hoping she’d understand.
But she’d left without him. He could understand that. How quickly she’d married Drew was what he didn’t get. Heartbroken, he’d told himself it was for the best. Over time, maybe he could manage to forget her. Instead, after so much time apart, he’d become her personal bodyguard.
Simply put, he couldn’t win. Not then, not now. All he could do was keep Eva safe and continue to do his job. The ATF sources had informed him that Eva’s husband had become an integral part of the Brothers of Sin operation. They’d needed proof Drew Rowson was involved in money laundering. Deep undercover in his role as gang member, Jesse had angled for the assignment to protect Eva because of that, even though he’d known being around her would destroy what was left of his heart.
He would be glad when this assignment wrapped up, even though he might not survive it. One thing for sure, he’d never be the same. Eva was the only mistake he’d made while spending years undercover. He’d fallen head over heels in love with a woman he could never have.
“Any idea why Mr. Rowson found it necessary to hire a bodyguard for you, Mrs. Rowson?”
Jesse spoke up before she could. “I was told Mr. Rowson had received several threats against him once he announced his intention of running for governor. Some of them were against his wife and son. That’s why I was brought in.”
The detective wrote furiously. “Do you have any proof of those threats?”
“Documentation?” Jesse shrugged. “Not me. I’m just an employee. I’m sure Mr. Rowson had something.”
“If he did, he didn’t share with me,” Eva interjected. “But I can search his office. If I find anything, I’ll be happy to send it on to you.”
Jesse noticed she didn’t offer to let them look. He had to applaud that decision. Who knew what kind of incriminating evidence Drew might have inside his personal desk? In fact, Jesse figured he’d better have a quick look himself, tonight if possible. He’d talk to Eva, once this meeting was over.
“One more thing,” Eva continued. And then she told them about Drew emptying the bank account. This got their attention, as Jesse had known it would. They got the bank information and then asked her if she knew of any other bank accounts.
“I don’t. But if I find out there are any, I’ll be sure to give you a call.”
One of the plainclothesmen spoke up. “Would you mind if we did a quick search of his office?”
Jesse tensed up, though he was careful not to show it. The last thing he needed were these local guys getting involved in an ongoing undercover ATF sting. Staring at Eva, he willed her to decline.
“I’m sorry, but this isn’t a good time,” she replied, smiling to soften the blow. “I really need to be allowed to go through my husband’s personal belongings myself first.”
Judging by the muscle working in the officer’s jaw, her declination didn’t sit well with him. But he, like every other law enforcement person in the room, knew there was absolutely nothing they could do about it. They’d have to get a search warrant first.
A few more follow-up questions and the officers stood to take their leave. As they filed past Jesse’s position near the doorway, the officer who’d been taking notes stopped in front of him. Pushing his glasses up with one hand, he looked Jesse up and down. “I’d like to see your ID,” he declared.
With a sigh, Jesse dug in his back pocket, dug out his wallet and removed his meticulously created driver’s license. The ATF had taken great care with it, making sure none of his law enforcement background would show, and Jesse knew it would withstand any kind of scrutiny.
After studying it, the officer snapped a picture of it with his phone and handed it back. “I’d better not find anything suspicious when I run a background check.”
Jesse couldn’t resist a cocky grin. “You won’t. You can rest assured of that.”
As soon as the door closed behind the group of officers, Eva turned to eye Jesse. “How bad is your rap sheet?”
He’d always wondered why she’d never asked him about his past convictions during the time they’d been together. He’d figured with her growing up around so much crime, she hadn’t wanted to know.
“Nothing major,” he assured her. “Mostly misdemeanors, though there might be one felony.”
Mouth tight, she nodded. “Any assaults, with or without a deadly weapon?”
“You know, you should have wondered about that when we were dating,” he drawled, unable to resist.
“Just answer the question.”
Her snappish tone made him smile. “No assaults,” he assured her, grateful that they’d decided to leave them off his fake rap sheet. They’d wanted him to appear badass enough to join the gang, but not violent.
“Good,” she said. “Because I’ve decided to allow you to stay. For now. If there was anything violent in your past, I’d have to send you on your way.”
By the time the policemen left, Eva had a bad headache. The shocked and hurt look on Jesse’s rugged face only made her feel worse. But she’d had to ask, and Jesse knew she was nothing if not blunt.
His answer had reassured her. No matter what else he might have done, she knew he wouldn’t lie to her. Head pounding, she walked past him. She rarely liked to take any kind of drugs, even ibuprofen, but right now she needed something. She headed back upstairs to her bathroom, her ever-present shadow, Jesse, a few steps behind her.
Ignoring him, she closed the door and locked it. Then she rummaged in her medicine cabinet until she found the bottle. Though the ibuprofen had expired a month ago, she figured they’d still work well enough. She swallowed them dry and then turned on the faucet, ducking her mouth under until she had enough water to help her.
Wiping her lips on a towel, she eyed herself in the mirror. Other than looking a bit pale, she seemed exactly like the same woman she’d been the day before. When Drew had still been alive. And she had a difficult time grieving, so she tried not to cry.
A widow who couldn’t grieve. What did that make her? Some kind of monster? While she’d known she hadn’t loved Drew, not the way she’d loved Jesse, maybe not at all, she’d known Drew hadn’t loved her either. He’d needed a wife and had courted her. Even though they’d made love, at least in the beginning, the passion had been missing. And after she’d realized she was pregnant, Drew had never touched her again. Almost as if he’d known the baby might not be his. She’d never had the nerve to do a DNA test, afraid of what she might find out.
Thoughts of the past tumbling around in her head, she sighed. Drew hadn’t been a bad husband. Growing up in the club, she’d seen plenty of examples of that. He’d just been an absent, unloving one, showing up only when they both had a public role to play. When he’d stopped making love to her, she’d been too exhausted as a new mother to care. Later, she’d been too proud to try to seduce him. She pretty much figured he’d reject her anyway.
Worse, he’d completely ignored little Liam. That was the one thing she’d never been able to understand. Or forgive.
Now the only man she’d ever loved stood outside her bathroom door. She wished she had the courage to ask him to leave.
After opening the bathroom door, she’d just stepped out into the hall when the doorbell rang. Exchanging a look with Jesse, wondering if the police had forgotten something, she hurried down the stairs.
“Wait,” Jesse urged, grabbing her arm just as she reached for the doorknob. “At least look out the peephole.”
Because he was right, she did exactly as he asked. Once she saw who stood on her front porch, she groaned. “Drew’s parents.”
Jesse gave her a puzzled look. “Weren’t you expecting them? Their son just died.”
Guilt suffused her because once again, he was right. Taking a deep breath, she opened the door.
“Finally,” Beth Rowson declared, her sharp voice matching the ice in her gaze. She swept past Eva, her disparaging gaze lighting on Jesse before she marched into the kitchen.
Her husband, Ted, shook his head, his red-rimmed eyes full of emotion as well as censure. He dragged his hand through his perfectly coiffed head of silver hair, barely dislodging a single strand. He stepped into the foyer, stopping abruptly and eyeing Jesse. “Who are you?” he demanded.
“He’s my bodyguard,” Eva answered for him. “Drew hired him a few weeks ago.”
“Interesting.” Ted turned his attention back to Eva. “Why did he feel you needed a bodyguard?”
She answered with the same words Jesse had given the police. “Ever since Drew announced his candidacy, he’d been receiving threats. Some of them included me and Liam. He wanted to make sure I was protected. I’ve given the police this information and they’ve promised to investigate.”
“Threats. After what happened, it’s clear Drew was the one who needed the protection. What I don’t understand is why he didn’t hire a professional,” the elder Mr. Rowson pointed out. “Why a...biker?” The amount of disdain he interjected into that word would have bothered another man. But Jesse had heard it before and was used to it.
Eva, however, had been born a biker. While she wanted no part of that lifestyle, she still had a fierce pride in her heritage. She stiffened, her expression going all regal and frozen. “Do you have some sort of objection to bikers?” she asked softly. “Because I know you haven’t forgotten who my father is.”
Ted Rowson grimaced. He didn’t even have the grace to apologize or even look embarrassed. “You know what I mean,” he said. “Maybe my son would be alive today if he’d hired professional bodyguards instead of amateurs.”
With that stated, he stamped down the hallway, following his wife to the kitchen.
Eva sighed and shook her head. She squared her shoulders, lifted her chin and followed.
Her mother-in-law had her back to the rest of them, rummaging in the refrigerator with a kind of furious intensity.
“Is there something I can get you?” Eva asked, as politely as she could manage.
Beth barely glanced her way. “Drew always made sure to keep some of my favorite yogurts in here. But I don’t see any.”
“That’s because he only bought them when he knew you were coming to visit,” Eva gently pointed out. “I’m sorry.”
With an audible gasp, Beth began sobbing. Her husband hurried over to her and gathered her into his arms. They stood that way for a few moments while Beth cried out her sorrow.
Eva’s eyes filled too. Drew had been Beth’s son, at one time her baby boy, just like Liam was to her now. She couldn’t even begin to imagine the grief ripping through the other woman.
After a moment, Beth stirred and moved out of her husband’s arms. She grabbed a paper towel off the roll on the counter and blotted at her eyes with it. Ted made his way back to the table, pulled out a chair and dropped heavily into it.
Eva locked eyes with Jesse, not sure what to do. He stared straight ahead, as if he’d mentally vacated the room. She couldn’t blame him. She’d been married to Drew for two and a half years and during that time period, she’d seen Drew’s parents a grand total of five times. They rarely visited and Drew never went down to Houston to see them. Though she knew he’d planned to once he started canvassing the state for his campaign. Surely, he’d have managed to fit in a visit to his parents on his travels.
Finally, Beth turned around, her face pale but composed. She looked at Eva, her lips pressed tightly together. “Tomorrow, we’ll take care of the funeral arrangements,” Beth announced, drumming her perfectly manicured scarlet nails on the kitchen counter. “I want to make sure Drew has the best.”
“That’s not necessary,” Eva said, steeling herself. “I’ve already done all that. The funeral will be at Blackenstock Funeral Home. The arrangements are made. I’ll get you the details once they’re printed up.”
The older woman’s perfectly made-up eyes narrowed. “I wish you had waited for me. I really wanted to approve the casket.”
Battling the urge to offer to take her to the funeral home in the morning so she could approve of Eva’s choice, Eva managed to keep her mouth closed.
When Eva didn’t respond, Beth turned to glare at Jesse, who’d parked himself in his usual position leaning against the wall near the kitchen entrance. “Do you have to lurk around like that?” she demanded. “Isn’t there something else you could do? This is a discussion among family.”
Ignoring her, Jesse turned to Eva. “Would you like me to leave?”
“No.” Though she couldn’t say it out loud, Eva desperately needed an ally. Even though Jesse couldn’t involve himself in the discussion, his mere presence gave her strength. And she knew if she wasn’t strong, her in-laws would roll over her like a steamroller on freshly laid concrete. Even Drew had been unable to hold his own around his parents.
Abruptly, Beth pushed herself up and walked over to the sink, where she stood staring out the window. Her shoulders began shaking as she silently cried.
In empathy, Eva’s own eyes filled again. No matter how overbearing the older woman might be, she’d adored her only son. When Ted made no move to comfort his wife, Eva went to her and wrapped her arms around her. She wasn’t sure what to say, so she said nothing.
After a moment, the older woman angrily shoved Eva away. “Tell me, did he suffer?”
“No. They said he was killed instantly.” Eva swiped at her streaming eyes, relieved to be crying. “No one saw it coming.”
“Not even your bodyguard?” Ted Rowson asked snidely.
Eva ignored him. She understood the need to lash out when in pain.
“I want to know who you spoke to with the police,” Ted said. “I need to talk to him. I want my son’s killer caught as quickly as possible.”
“So do I. I won’t feel safe until he’s caught. I worry about Liam.” Eva deliberately brought up her son. Though Drew’s parents hadn’t seemed keen on the whole role of loving grandparents, she’d never lost hope that if they actually spent some time with Liam, they’d grow to love him.
But even after being reminded of his existence, neither of them asked to see her son. Part of her wanted to march upstairs and fetch him, forcing them to have some kind of interaction.
If her head would quit pounding, she might have. As it was, all she wanted to do was crawl into her bed and try to sleep.
“Do you have anything to feed us?” Beth demanded, using the paper towel to blot the black mascara stains under her eyes. “We’ve driven a long way. I would have thought your church friends would have brought casseroles and such.”
Church friends. She knew now wasn’t the time to point out that Drew had rarely attended church unless it had been for a photo op.
“I can make you a sandwich or something,” she offered.
The older woman stared at her as if she’d suggested eating raw meat. “Never mind. I’ll just send Ted for something.”
Eva nodded, the movement sending shards of pain through her head. “I’ll make up the guest bedroom for you.” Part of her hoped Beth would decline and state that she and Ted would stay in a hotel.
No such luck.
“Don’t you have a housekeeper to do that?” Ted asked, looking around curiously. “I thought Drew employed a full household staff.”
Though she had no idea where he’d gotten that idea, Eva explained they employed only a nanny to help with Liam.
Again, despite the mention of his name, neither of them asked to see their grandson. Eva wished she could understand why that hurt so badly. She guessed until she stopped being an eternal optimist, she’d be doomed to disappointment where these people were concerned.
Forcing herself to move, she headed back upstairs, first to the linen closet and then to the largest guest bedroom, the one on the opposite side of the house from her room. Jesse occupied the smaller one next to the master bedroom and the nursery. The big room she planned on giving her in-laws.
Of course, Jesse stayed right behind her. When she pulled back the comforter on the queen-size bed, he grabbed the other part of the fitted sheet. “Let me help,” he said quietly. “It’ll get done faster and maybe you can go lie down.”
Hurting too badly to argue, she shot him a thankful look. They made quick work of making up the bed. “Thank you,” she told him. “How rude would it be if I left them on their own and went to bed?”
“You’re in mourning too,” he said, his voice gruff. “No one in their right mind would expect a grieving widow to play hostess. If you’d like, I’d be happy to tell them that you’ve gone to bed and are done for the night.”
To her shock, she actually considered taking him up on his offer. “I’ve still got to check and make sure Kara has bathed Liam before he goes to bed,” she said. “And I always read him a story before he goes to sleep.”
“What about them?” he asked, gesturing toward downstairs. “Don’t they want to come see their grandson?”
Staring at him, too tired to mask her sadness, she shook her head. “They just don’t find him interesting. They never have. I’m not sure why, but it is what it is.”
“Would you like me to entertain them while you do that?” he asked. “Just let me know what I can do to help.”
“I’d like that,” she said softly. “Take care of them for me. I don’t have the energy to deal with them any more tonight.”
Though he had no earthly idea what he could talk to them about, Jesse dutifully trudged back downstairs. Drew’s parents were discussing Eva, making no effort to lower their voices.
“I’m telling you, she’s glad he’s dead,” Beth Rowson declared. “I knew she never loved our son.” With that, she began loudly weeping, repeating over and over that she couldn’t believe he was gone.
When Jesse walked into the room, instead of finding Ted comforting his wife, he realized the older man had walked over to the front window and stood staring outside, his back to the room.
Still crying, Beth didn’t look up when Jesse entered the room.
“Excuse me.” Jesse cleared his throat. “Eva is putting Liam to bed. Would you like me to take you up to see him before he goes to sleep?”
Wiping at her streaming eyes, Beth glared at him. Her husband remained at the window, not even bothering to turn around.
“We’ll pass,” Ted replied. “We’re not all that fond of children.”
For the first time ever, Jesse felt pity for what Drew must have endured growing up. “This is your grandson,” Jesse continued. “Not just any child. He lost his father, just like you lost your son. I think he—and Eva—could use all the family love and support right now.”
At his words, Beth’s tears dried up and her expression went from devastated to furious. “Who do you think you are, attempting to lecture us on personal family matters? It’s none of your business what we do or don’t do.”
Since she was right, Jesse shut his mouth and turned to go. Just as he reached the exit, Ted spoke, shocking him.
“Liam is not our grandson. Neither Drew nor we believe he’s related by blood. Eva clearly slept with someone else right before she married Drew. All you have to do is look at the boy to see that. There’s not a trace of Rowson blood in that child.”