TREY RAISED A hand and caressed Kelly’s soft cheek. She was so lovely, so good for him in so many ways, and he was desperately in love with her. And this time his feelings were the real deal. Not the crazed infatuation he’d had for Darlene. He knew the difference now.
Jason loved Kelly, too. No doubt she was the perfect woman to nurture his son. Her influence would turn him into a fine man.
He wanted to make Kelly his wife and build a life with her, have another child, if she was willing.
Yes, it was possible the dangerous job she loved could end her life too soon, but he’d become willing to take that chance. He better than anyone knew there were no guarantees.
Except one.
Marriage into the Wentworth family destroyed women. Ground them down until there was nothing left but a shell of their original vibrant spirit. His grandmother had died too young and under mysterious circumstances that his father refused to discuss. His mother was rotting in a sanitarium. His wife had drunk herself into a horrifying and violent death, nearly killing her own child.
He couldn’t—wouldn’t allow that tragic story to shape Kelly’s life. To prevent it, all he had to do was walk away from her. If he let her go, she would at least have a chance to live a normal life, a happy existence.
But could he do it? Could he say goodbye to this woman who had become so important to him? To Jason?
He’d lived a life of privilege and had always taken whatever he wanted. Who was going to stop him? He was self-aware enough to know the arrangement with his father had been as much for him as for his mother.
Confusion clouded Kelly’s clear blue eyes as he remained silent, stroking her cheek with his thumb. She’d asked him if the press release was the truth. He owed her an answer.
“You’re safer if it is the truth,” he said softly.
She blinked. “I’m safer? What does that mean?”
He dropped his hand and stood, interrupting her questions. If he stayed here any longer he’d give in to his own need and tell her how he felt. He suspected she was half in love with him already. And with him, surprisingly, not his money, which was perhaps the quality he admired the most about her.
Or was it his own raging arrogance that made him think he could make Kelly his? He’d never met a woman like her, a woman with an unwavering internal compass about right and wrong. She’d made him a better person, given him the courage to take Wentworth Industries in a new direction.
If she fell in love with him—and maybe it was arrogance, but he knew he could make that happen—life with him would devastate her. That was a tragedy he had to prevent because the world was a better place with a healthy and happy Kelly Jenkins living in it. She’d already saved one little boy. Maybe others would need her help someday. She’d chosen the right career to help people, a job that she loved.
And her contact with him had put that career in jeopardy.
He shouldn’t have come.
“Trey?” she asked in a quiet voice. “What’s wrong?”
He turned back to her. “I need to focus on Jason’s recovery,” he said.
“Of course you do.” She closed her eyes.
“He’s been so confused about you, his mother, losing Maria, the change in therapists. Jase doesn’t need any more turmoil in his life right now.”
She opened eyes glittering with unshed tears. He longed to move to her, comfort her, tell her everything would be all right. That he loved her. But he couldn’t do that to her.
“And being around me is harmful to his recovery,” she said, her voice catching. “Just like the press release said.”
No, he wanted to scream. But Trey nodded, unsure what he’d say if he tried to speak. It was better this way. Easier.
At least easier for him. This way he didn’t have to pretend he didn’t care about her.
“I understand,” she said. Moving slowly, she used her arms to push herself to her feet.
“I’m sorry,” he managed, knowing his apology meant little to Kelly, that he’d hurt her. Worse, he could see the pain it had caused her to think she was damaging his son.
He moved to the front door and opened it. Scott focused on him immediately, alert and attentive. Trey informed him they were leaving.
“I’ll wake up Jason,” Trey said, stepping toward the bedroom.
Arms folded across her chest, Kelly offered him a brave smile. He wondered how much that had cost her.
He shouldn’t have come. No matter how much Jason begged, he couldn’t bring his son to see her again. They should fly back to New York tonight. He needed to put distance between himself and Kelly so he wouldn’t be tempted to give in to his own selfish desires.
But no. He couldn’t escape Miami. Jase had just started with a new therapist, one he liked even better than Carico. His four-year-old was adjusting to the change. He was the adult and needed to find a way to do the same thing.
As predicted, Jason was sound asleep on Kelly’s bed. When Trey gathered his son in his arms, he fussed a little but didn’t fully wake up. Trey exhaled a sigh of relief that they were all three spared a tearful scene, and turned toward the door.
Jason had had enough goodbyes in his short life.
Kelly stood in the doorway watching. Their gazes locked as he moved toward her. At least he couldn’t touch her. Not when he was holding a child who had thankfully gained weight since returning home.
When he drew near, she focused on Jason, then reached out and gently stroked his hair.
“Tell him goodbye for me,” she whispered.
“Of course,” Trey said, his voice hoarse.
Kelly cleared her throat. “As soon as the insurance money comes through, I’ll get your SUV back to the island.”
“Please keep it,” Trey said. “I can transfer the title.”
Another half smile curved her lips. “Still trying to buy me off, Mr. Billionaire?”
Trey wanted to hug her close, but shrugged instead. “Can’t blame a guy for trying.”
“You know I can’t accept it,” she said.
“Yeah,” he said. “I know.”
He stared into her lovely but unhappy face, trying to memorize it. Did he even have any photos of her? He hated that his visit, this final goodbye, had made her sad, and his resolve wavered.
She rose on her toes and lightly kissed his cheek. He turned her head to capture her mouth with his, but she was gone too fast.
“Stay well, Trey,” she whispered.
“You, too,” he said, and walked out her door.
“Papa is on the move,” Scott barked into the mike at his mouth as he moved ahead of Trey down the hallway.
Before entering the waiting elevator, Trey looked back.
In her doorway, Kelly raised a hand and waved. She didn’t smile. Trey nodded and stepped into the car, wishing again that he could leave this city. Instead, he’d be trapped in his walled estate longing for a woman who was so close and yet totally out of his reach.
* * *
A WEEK LATER, in full uniform except for her cap, Kelly stood at attention before Lieutenant Marshall’s desk.
“As you were, Officer Jenkins.”
Kelly moved her feet apart, clasped her hands behind her back, gaze straight ahead. Marshall had summoned her into his office. Why?
Was he finally going to fire her?
“Internal Affairs has cleared you,” he said. “Congratulations.”
She released a breath and closed her eyes. Thank God.
“Plus it appears you are no longer of interest to the media,” Marshall continued.
Kelly cut her gaze to his. Eyes narrowed, Marshall scrutinized her, waiting for her reaction.
“Are you ready to go back on patrol?”
“Yes, sir.”
Marshall opened a drawer, withdrew her badge and service weapon and placed them on his desk. “Report to your sergeant for roll call. He’s expecting you.”
Kelly grabbed her badge and holstered her gun. “Thank you, sir.”
Marshall leaned back in his chair. “I expected a smile at least.”
Kelly swallowed. “Sorry, sir,”
“I know the suspension seemed harsh, but you needed to stay off the streets for your own protection.”
“I understand, sir.” But she didn’t. Why was everyone, Trey Wentworth included, trying to protect her? She raised her chin. She didn’t need anyone to take care of her.
“You did a good thing rescuing that Wentworth kid,” Marshall continued. “You did the department proud at a time when we needed a little positive press.” He sighed. “Make that a lot of positive press.”
Kelly nodded. He was talking about the corruption allegations. She’d seen the headlines, read the stories. Hell, she’d even been part of the story for a while. Fortunately, things had died down on that front. Just as with her brief flirtation with celebrity, hungry journalists had moved on to newer, more sensational stories.
“I’m proud of you, Officer Jenkins. You should be proud of yourself.”
Kelly forced a smile. Proud of herself? She wished she’d skipped her run that fateful morning. If she had, she would have never met Trey Wentworth.
“Thank you, sir.”
“You’re dismissed,” Marshall barked, as if uncomfortable about his uncharacteristic praise. “Be safe out there.”
Kelly saluted and marched out of the lieutenant’s office. She was pleased, of course she was. Resuming patrol was what she’d wanted, had prayed for, but lately she couldn’t muster much enthusiasm for anything. Not even eating. She’d lost the weight she’d gained from Greta’s gourmet meals, and maybe a couple pounds more.
She ought to be elated about her career, on that proverbial cloud nine. Instead she felt as if she trudged around inside a dark rain cloud.
What she needed to shake her out of her slump was a good callout on patrol today. She needed an incident that summoned her entire squad, sirens wailing. Something exciting—no, something worthwhile. She needed to do something that made her proud to be a cop.
Kelly gave herself a swift mental kick in the butt as she pushed into the women’s locker room. Was she fantasizing about rescuing another little boy? If I’m going to daydream, why not reach for the stars? Why not save the mayor of Dade County? Or the governor. The Dalai Lama.
The whole thing with Trey was just as much of a fantasy.
Lana, standing by her locker, looked up and grinned at Kelly, eyebrows raised.
“Kelly?”
Kelly raised her arm for a high five. “I’m baaack.”
“All right.” Lana slapped Kelly’s palm. “Welcome home, girl.”
Kelly slammed open her locker. Welcome home. That sounded right. This police station was her home, the only home she had ever wanted. Truly the only home she’d ever known.
She smashed her cap onto her head. What did she know about a family? She’d never actually been part of one. The make-believe with the Wentworths didn’t count.
The locker room door swung open. Grinning, Trice entered and said, “I heard a rumor.”
“Please,” Kelly said, holding up her hand. “I’ve had enough celebrity gossip to last a lifetime.”
“Rudy says you’re off suspension.”
“Damn straight,” Kelly said.
“Make it count,” Trice said.
“Make it count,” Lana repeated.
Kelly nodded. “Make it count,” she said again, the mantra the three of them had cooked up during training.
Make it count. She had saved a little boy. She pictured Jason in the park when he crashed into her that morning, and the tightness in her belly loosened just a little.
Okay, yeah, maybe he was spoiled and rich and would have eventually been rescued when the ransom payoff got straightened out. But what if he wasn’t? Her lieutenant was right. She should be proud of herself.
So why did she feel so empty inside?
* * *
AT HIS DESK, Trey looked up at a knock on his office door. He was expecting Brian, and that was who stood in the doorway looking as intense as ever, toting his massive brown leather briefcase.
“You’re late,” Trey said, smiling to soften his accusation.
“Sorry. The two o’clock ferry was full, and I had to wait,” Brian said. “Has the meeting started?”
Trey glanced at his computer screen, which showed a long empty conference table. A woman carrying a tray with a pitcher of water and glasses moved in front of the camera and disappeared. The sound was muted, but Trey knew she’d placed the water on a sideboard for use by directors during the upcoming emergency board meeting.
“Any minute now,” Trey said.
He sat back, rubbing his eyes. It had been a long day. A long week. Between plans for the tennis clinic and preparing himself for the CEO position at Wentworth Industries, he’d tried to keep too busy to think about Kelly. She’d texted that she was off suspension, which was of course excellent news. But he couldn’t help wonder if she blamed him for almost destroying her career.
And he couldn’t help wondering if she missed him.
“You need a secretary,” Brian said, glancing at the various stacks of paper on the desk. “And a file cabinet.”
Trey followed Brian’s gaze and winced. “I’ve got a temp coming tomorrow morning.”
“I think you’ll need more than a temp.” Brian settled himself so he could see the screen. “Are you certain this is the way you want to go with your father?”
Trey cut him a look. “You said there were no problems legally with the board’s decision.”
“Absolutely not,” Brian said, withdrawing a thick packet from his briefcase. “A majority vote is all that’s needed to make a change. But—” He hesitated. “The man is your father.”
“And I would have preferred to wait a few more months, give him a little more time to get used to the idea of stepping down. But the board is adamant. Senior’s recent decisions have been too costly.” Trey paused, then said, “I thought you agreed.”
“I do,” Brian said. “As your new corporate counsel. It’s your old friend who is worried about the consequences to your family.”
Trey shook his head, refusing to dwell on the meaning behind the word family. He pushed away an image of Kelly reading Jason a bedtime story, his son gazing adoringly at the woman he’d chosen for his new mother.
“Father refused to resign,” Trey said. “It’s either me as CEO, or they bring in someone new. I’m certain Senior would rather have me than an outsider he’d have less influence over.”
“Will he show to protest the vote?”
“Unknown,” Trey said with another glance at the monitor. Two men and a woman were now seated around the table. The board had acquiesced to a teleconference due to Jason’s situation. Trey wasn’t ready to leave his son yet since one kidnapper was still at large.
“Alexander could file suit,” Brian said. “He doesn’t have a case, but the litigation would be expensive and cause a stock dive.”
“I hope he doesn’t go that route.” Trey sighed. “My father is slipping, and he doesn’t want to admit it.”
“How bad is it?” Brian asked. “Could you have him declared incompetent?”
Trey shook his head and didn’t reply.
“I take it you don’t want to go there.”
“Not if I can help it,” Trey said.
The phone rang. Trey checked caller ID, wholeheartedly agreeing with Brian that he needed a permanent assistant, if for nothing else than to screen calls. His life was definitely about to make a radical change. He’d be attending fewer fund-raisers and answering more phone calls. He couldn’t help but think that had to be a good thing. He’d have less time to obsess about what was missing in his life.
One Officer Kelly Jenkins.
And this call was from the company that managed the apartment building where she lived. He’d been expecting to hear from them. He heard a chime from the computer and glanced at the monitor. The table was now full, so this conversation had to be quick.
The meeting to depose his father as CEO of Wentworth Industries was set to commence.