IN HIS OFFICE digging through the disaster that was the latest quarterly statement from Wentworth Industries—even analyzing his father’s mistakes was better than thinking about Maria’s betrayal—Trey heard his cell buzz. He checked the readout and relaxed. Joe Schwartz. Despite the fact that the man was his father’s PR genius, Trey had always liked Joe.
“Yeah, Joe?”
“I just sent you an email,” Joe said. “There’s a photograph attached. You need to open it.”
With a sense of foreboding, Trey opened his email account and found Joe’s message. He clicked on the attachment, and a grainy photo of Kelly on the deck of Drop Shot materialized.
“What is this?” he asked. “Does someone want money?”
“It’s the cover of today’s National Intruder.”
“You mean it’s already out there?”
“Yes.”
Trey enlarged the attachment and stared at the huge headline: Wentworth Heir Picks New Mother.
He cursed. How did the Intruder get that part of the story? Hell, the media always found a way.
He hated this. Kelly was going to hate this.
Did she know about the story yet?
“You know Wentworth Industries shies away from any tawdry publicity,” Joe said.
“You mean my father does.”
“He wants to do damage control.”
Trey sighed. Of course he did.
“I wanted you to know what was happening on this end,” Joe said.
“I appreciate that, Joe, but wouldn’t it be better to just ignore the story?”
“Your father doesn’t think so.”
“And what do you think?”
“I think it’s time you took your rightful place on the board of directors.”
Trey laughed softly. “Not yet, Joe.”
“When?”
“Has my father announced his retirement?”
“If that’s what you’re waiting for, there could be a hostile takeover before you make your move.”
Trey glanced at the financials. “It’s not that bad.”
“His time has passed, Trey. You need to step up.”
“Soon, Joe. Sooner than I originally planned.”
“Don’t wait much longer,” Joe said. “Listen, I’ll be issuing a statement later today with our usual denial of any relationship with this woman.”
“I’m not certain that’s accurate.”
“Obviously. She’s living in your home.”
Trey nodded. Of course the tabloids had figured that out. And the Intruder cover wouldn’t help his case to convince Kelly to stay. Or would it? If she moved back to her apartment, photographers would be all over her. The paparazzi couldn’t get to her while on Collins Island.
But should he publicly deny any relationship with her? A sexy photo on the cover of the most sensational tabloid in the country wouldn’t be good for her career. Could she be disciplined for something that wasn’t her fault? A quick denial might cool things off for her, placate her bosses.
“All right,” Trey said. “Issue your usual denial.”
* * *
AFTER HER SHIFT, where she sat at a desk answering the phone the whole day and didn’t hear one fricking word from Ballard, Kelly exited the station and came to a stunned halt.
“Kelly, over here! How is Jason?”
“Do you take kickbacks?”
“Are you and Trey Wentworth involved?”
In the middle of the mob of shouting photographers, she spotted Hans holding open the door to the limo. She ducked her head, dashed toward him and jumped inside.
A horde of loud motorcycles followed the limo. At the first stoplight, she pulled the curtains so no one could snap her photo.
“You all right back there?” Hans asked over the intercom. The privacy shield was up.
“Just peachy,” she said and folded her arms waiting for the limo to move again. She couldn’t block out the world in her patrol car. Marshall had been right to bench her.
How had she descended into this madness? This was not her life. And now IA had opened an investigation on her. They’d find nothing, but would it always be a blemish on her record?
Her cell phone buzzed. Ballard at last.
“Jenkins,” she answered.
“Maria lawyered up,” Ballard said without preamble. “We got her a public defender. It took a while, but we struck a deal and she gave up Adam.”
“Is he in custody?”
“Not yet. He’s holed up in Homestead, and we’re taking him down at first light. Do you want in?”
Yes! Kelly made a fist and thrust it into the air. “You bet I do.”
“Yeah, well, this is partly your collar. I’ll clear it with your lieutenant.”
“Thank you.” No way would Marshall say no to the FBI considering the circumstances. Between the corruption allegations and the Intruder cover, a little positive press would be welcome. And a good outcome could help her problems with IA.
“This operation won’t be a cakewalk,” Ballard continued. “Maria claims his home is like an armory. From her description, there may be an assault rifle. Wear your vest.”
“Understood. What’s the story with Adam and Maria?”
“They’re both junkies. Her habit started with prescription meds after a car accident two years ago. They met at rehab.”
“Nice,” Kelly said. So Maria’s addiction began subsequent to her employment with Trey, which explained why the background check didn’t reveal her problem. And Trey wouldn’t know what to look for once it started.
“When her new boyfriend found out where she worked, he cooked up the kidnapping plan,” Ballard continued.
“Hard to believe she’d go along with it, though.”
“He’s abusive. She’s afraid of him. He even instructed her to get at your service weapon.”
By the end of her conversation with Ballard, the limo was safely on the ferry. Kelly stashed the tactical information about when and where to meet Ballard’s team in a pocket, and gave it a quick pat. She lifted her feet into the air and pumped her legs, wishing she could break into a run.
Finally some good news. The FBI had invited her along on Adam’s takedown. She could function like a real cop again. She just had to get to the meet location without being followed.
When the limo arrived at Wentworth Villa, Kelly went straight to her room, locked up her weapon and tossed belongings into her suitcase. She only had to get through one more night. One more night, and then she would have her life back.
Or would she?
She collapsed on the bed, hugging a pair of shorts to her chest.
So many things had changed. For one thing, she didn’t have a car, and the insurance company hadn’t yet issued a check. Trey would loan her a vehicle, but for how long? She couldn’t keep a loaner forever. How was she supposed to get back and forth to work? Would the media continue to hound her? If so, would Marshall suspend her? Terminate her?
“You’re going away, too, aren’t you?”
Kelly looked up at the sound of a small voice. Wearing a solemn expression, Jason stood at the threshold of her room, his gaze glued to her suitcase.
She sucked in a deep breath. She had to have this conversation with him sooner or later. But how could she explain why she had to go?
“Hi, Jason,” she said brightly as he moved toward her. “Did you have a nice day?”
He shook his head. “I miss Maria.”
“I know you do, and I’m sorry,” Kelly said. God, but the timing of her departure couldn’t be worse. Feeling like a jerk, she hugged him close. As she breathed in his sweet fragrance, she closed her eyes against an unexpected rush of tears. She’d miss seeing him every day. Obviously, she’d allowed herself to care about Jason too much. Yeah, maybe he was a little spoiled, but that wasn’t his fault. He’d been through so much, and now she was adding to his losses.
He wiggled away and sat on the bed beside her. “I know a secret,” he told her.
“You do?” she asked.
He nodded. “Yes.”
“Do you want to tell me?”
“I don’t know.” He focused on her suitcase behind her on the bed.
“Is it about Maria?” she asked.
“No.” He picked at the hem of his T-shirt. “It’s about you.”
“Is it a good secret or a bad secret?”
He shrugged. “I know you’re not my real mommy. You’re Kelly.”
She blinked. So she and Trey had been right. “That’s right, Jase,” she said carefully. “I’m Kelly.”
He gazed at her with incredibly sad blue eyes. “My mommy is dead,” he said in a tiny voice. “The angels took her.”
“I’m so sorry, sweetie,” Kelly said.
“Me, too,” he whispered, looking away. “I got mixed up.”
“How long have you not been mixed up?”
He shrugged again. “A while.”
“Why didn’t you say anything? Why keep it a secret?”
“Because I knew you’d go away. Are you?”
“Yes,” she said.
“But I want you to stay. Can’t you stay?” His voice was pleading.
“This isn’t my home, Jason. It’s your daddy’s home.”
“He won’t mind. I’ll ask him if it’s okay.”
“But I have a different home somewhere else.”
His eyes widened. “You do?”
“Yes, a little apartment.”
“Where is it?”
“Not on this island, but not too far.”
“Could I come visit you there?”
“I hope you do.”
He smiled for the first time. “I have a new doctor.”
“I heard that. Do you like him?”
“He’s okay. Will I get a new nanny, too?”
“Probably. Yeah, I think so.”
He entwined his fingers with her. “I wish you could be my new mommy.”
So do I. The thought came out of nowhere. Was that what she wanted? To be Jason’s replacement mother?
Or did she want to be Trey’s replacement wife?
Wishing for the moon never did anyone any good. She’d learned that a long time ago. The cold reality was now there was no longer any reason for her to remain. Trey wouldn’t even try to persuade her.
Jason had accepted the truth. He was sad, naturally, but otherwise okay with the fact that his mother was gone. Certainly no more hysterics. He had a new doctor and would soon get a new nanny.
And maybe he’d even get a new mommy someday.
She closed her eyes. She suddenly knew she’d follow Trey in the tabloids like some obsessed fan girl. She’d have to know what he was doing, where he was, if his tennis clinic ever came to fruition. How Jason was.
“Come on, Jason.” Still holding his hand, she stood. “Let’s go talk to your daddy. He needs to know you’re not mixed up anymore.”