What had possessed Uncle Theo to send her to a lunatic? Forget that he was hot and that just looking at him made her legs go to mush. He was still a whack job.
Piper stomped down the steps of the mansion's central staircase. It annoyed her that as her palm slid down the smooth, mahogany railing, she thought of what it would be like to trail her fingers across his gorgeous chest. A sexy physique was not something she should be looking for in a body...guard.
But she couldn't help herself. Even the fathomless darkness of the night sky reflecting in the windows along the balcony reminded her of the intensity of his gaze. Before he'd hopped on the crazy train, if Alex Jensen had so much as crooked his finger and said "come into my bedroom," she would have shouted hallelujah and raced him for the door.
Good grief. She'd always been a pushover for a pretty face, but this was ridiculous. It wasn't as if she were hurting for male company.
Her phone buzzed against her palm and she paused at the foot of the spiral staircase. "Finally," she muttered, pressing her thumb lightly on the screen.
"Are you coming, Piper?" Mother called in her sing-song voice from the direction of the patio.
"Be there in a minute!" Piper pressed the phone to her ear. "Hi," she said quietly.
Uncle Theo's warm voice resonated through the phone. "I got your message. Is Alex with you?"
She turned left from the stairs, moving away from the living room and patio and toward the South wing. "You did say the first ranch just past Homestead, didn't you?"
"That's the one. A little spread on the edge of the national park."
"Tall guy, dark hair, swoon-worthy brown eyes, almost golden?"
"His profile says dark hazel," he said, a strained edge to his voice, "What happened?"
Memories of the encounter rolled around in her chest and sent intriguing quivers skating lower. Much lower. She more or less ignored that particular call of the wild, and did her best to put some conviction into her voice. "He's crazy, that's what happened. Babbled on about pranks and supervisors and subjects that made no sense at all. I barely got out of there alive."
"You didn't call him and tell him you were coming, did you?" he stated.
"I wanted to surprise him. See what kind of a man he was."
"Did you say what I told you to?" Uncle Theo asked.
"Apparently he doesn't care for zombies."
"Give him another try."
"No, thanks. He's arrogant, egotistical, and needs to invest in a good haircut."
"Do you want a competent bodyguard who's also a damn good investigator, or eye candy?"
Some nicely solicitous images flashed through her mind. She frowned and pushed them away. "I need more options, Uncle Theo. A list would be nice."
"There's always the Internet."
"Danni would skin me if I did that."
Uncle Theo chuckled. "Alex can be intimidating, especially when he's irritated. But you can count on him in a fight one-hundred percent. He won't let anything bad happen to you, Piper. I promise."
Her stepmother's sparkling, high-pitched laugh vibrated through the house followed by the low tones of Carl's voice. Piper clenched her teeth. There was something off about that guy. Every time she thought about him possibly becoming part of the family, a chill ran over her.
Another collection of laughter drifted toward her, this time from the foyer. The couple was on their way to the dining room and getting closer. She could not get caught on the phone when she was supposed to be going into dinner.
Taking another left, Piper slipped into the powder room and closed the door behind her. She flicked on the light and the crisp white decor sparkled to life around her.
"I have a bad feeling Mother's going to make an announcement any day now," she whispered into the phone as she sat on the closed toilet seat. "You need to talk some sense into her, Uncle Theo."
"You always did like to change the subject when you were uncomfortable with a topic."
"Now who's redirecting? I really am worried about Mother."
"She's a grown woman. I'm not getting in the middle of it and neither should you."
Her stomach clenched as she remembered the years after Dad had passed and how deeply Mother had mourned. "She's lonely and the attention has gone to her head. She's not thinking clearly."
"Give Alex another try. He was probably having a bad day." She let out a speculative grunt and he laughed. "Come on Piper. He's the best."
"He's a mess," she stated with certainty. "I don't want to work with him."
"You can handle it. Call him. Tell him you've reconsidered."
"Except I haven't."
"Then you'd better get on the Internet. Maybe you should learn how to shoot, too. Just in case."
Piper cringed. "You know guns give me the creeps."
"Call him, okay, pumpkin?"
After Uncle Theo disconnected, Piper stared at her phone for several seconds. Should she give this Jensen character another chance? Part of her said 'yes,' in that oh-my-god-let's-do-it-again kind of way and part of her said 'no.'
The Yes Team voted to hire Mr. Yummy and explore the interesting thrill of anticipation he'd inspired when he'd leaned in close and looked like he wanted to kiss her. The No Team screamed, Danger! Run for the hills before it's too late!
Tummy flutters versus common sense. Always a tough choice.
* * *
Cruising down the mile-long stone driveway in his truck, Alex passed another clump of artistically planted leafy and flowering stuff. There were dozens of the displays throughout the Roseland's walled-in property. He'd even passed a row of pecan trees and a grove of mango.
It never failed to astonish him how extravagantly the super wealthy lived—criminal, law-abiding, or otherwise.
According to Ted their wealth was legit, gained from smart investments and establishing two profitable companies decades ago, namely Roseland Financing and Roseland Shipping.
The stepsister, Danielle, ran the financing side and Piper had been willed the shipping. Her title of President was mostly honorary, though, by her own choice. Ted indicated that she hadn't stepped into the main office since the day she told the CEO she was putting all her faith in him and had other things to do.
The stepmother received a generous stipend from the numerous investments her husband had made in her name. All-in-all there wasn't any reason for any of them to get in bed with a dangerous drug family like the Azevedos. That didn't mean they hadn't.
He respected that Ted didn't want to believe any of them capable of that level of corruption, but he wasn't hamstrung by years of familiarity and affection. Which was why Department 23 didn't put family members in direct interaction with a case.
As far as he was concerned, any one of them could be guilty.
He mentally reviewed the cover story established so far. Down-and-out rancher needs extra work. Flighty, spoiled rich girl needs a bodyguard and some sleuthing on the side, but wants to keep it under wraps so as not to alarm her stepmother.
Simple and straight-forward. Always the best kind.
He glanced at the folder on the seat next to him. The plan he and his team had come up with for damage control was a bit more convoluted, but he hoped it would be enough to get him in with Piper until something better presented itself.
Alex mentally shrugged. He'd ingratiated himself into a closed group with less.
Besides, he loved a challenge.
* * *
"Piper!" Danni's voice called through the door. "Dinner!"
Piper jumped, her phone bouncing in her hands erratically as she tried to catch it.
"You're holding things up," her sister continued.
She got a grip on her phone and pressed her other hand to the middle of her chest. "For Pete's sake, Danni. A little privacy, please?"
"Not if it means I have to make polite conversation with the love birds while I starve to death."
Piper opened the door and glared at her sister. "I was just coming. Sheesh."
Danni's gaze flickered to the phone gripped in Piper's hand and then back to her face. "Plotting a secret rendezvous in there? Tsk, tsk," she said, pursing her lips, which looked lovely in Clé de Peau Beaté Extra Silky 105, Piper noted.
She caught her justified outrage softening and vowed not to be swayed by the fact that Danni had finally taken her fashion advice. At least about lipstick.
"Several liaisons, if you must know," she said loftily as she pushed past her sister and flounced down the hall toward the dining room. The grin that was guaranteed to be on Danni's face burned an itch between her shoulder blades the whole way.
As she neared the arched doorway, Piper took a deep breath and slowed her steps to a more dignified pace. With a level of poise she was far from feeling, she entered what used to be one of her favorite rooms in the house.
She'd always loved how the beveled, mirrored ceiling reflected the wood of the floor and the gold velvet coverings of the eight chairs grouped around the rosewood table. Lately, though, the dining room hadn't felt cozy and homey. In fact, even with the lighted fire in the stone fireplace sending out an inviting orange glow, being in the room left her cold.
Probably because instead of Dad, Carl Jamison sat at the head of the table.
Everyone thought he was so debonair, so charming, so good for Mother. Deep down, Piper wanted to think that, too. And for months, she'd tried. She saw how happy her stepmom was and she loved seeing her that way. Just not with a man who sent cold chills down Piper's back.
Oblivious to her scrutiny, the older man smiled at Mother, leaning slightly toward her to catch something she said. The light of the fire behind him flickered across the side of his square, prize-fighter face, casting it in rippling shadows that seemed to peel all civility from his expression. For a moment, he reminded her of a picture she'd seen in a children's book of an evil goblin leering over a crib. She'd been five at the time and the image had plagued her dreams for weeks afterward.
Danni gave her a questioning look as she glided past and headed for the chair opposite Mother. Carl glanced up as she sat, and the light shifted as he included her sister in his beaming benevolence.
Piper blinked. Once again, he seemed nothing more than a fit and confident middle-aged man wrangling his way into a woman's life. His gaze drifted around the table and his expression warmed. As her stepmom beamed at him, he seemed genuinely glad to be a part of her life and their family.
Settling into the lush, cushioned chair next to her sister, she firmly told herself that she had entirely too much imagination for her own good. Uncle Theo was right. Mother's love life wasn't any of her business.
"Piper has a mysterious new boyfriend," Danni announced, a smile tugging at her mouth.
Unbidden, an image of Alex standing in front of her, low slung jeans, bare chest and all popped into Piper's mind. She glared at Danni.
"Don't tease your sister," Mother said absently as she took a sip of iced tea. "Piper, this Friday I'm having a dinner party and I want you to be here. Mrs. Harrington's son is back from Notre Dame. We want to introduce you."
Her mouth went dry. "I can't, Mother. I have plans."
"I've compromised over your so-called graduation party until I'm blue in the face. I'm sure you can find a way to attend one little party."
Her stepmom gave her a stern look. "It's time you found yourself a nice, steady young man like Danni's Mr. Keener. If you're not interested in running your part of Roseland Enterprises, what else do you have to do?"
Turning to Carl, Mother gave him a coy smile. "I've made it my mission this year to introduce my baby to as many suitable gentlemen as I can, but my efforts go unappreciated."
"I don't feel right taking you away from more important things, Mother. That's all." She inwardly cringed at the small lie.
"I've always believed the best use of a young girl's energy is marriage," her stepmom continued. "Gives her purpose and direction."
Piper did her best to stay calm and keep her mouth closed. She knew Mother meant well, it was just hard to get her to realize that the world had moved on and matching up one's children like thoroughbred horses just wasn't done anymore.
Leaving the running of Roseland Shipping to Dad's hand-picked executives, didn't mean she was completely useless. The world was full of things to do and people to help. She kept quite busy, thank you very much.
Fluttering her hand in the air, Mother gave a graceful shrug. "Young people can be very erratic without direction. They end up getting tattoos and hanging out in bars, or worse. Such behavior never leads to anywhere good, I always say."
"Are you trying to tell me that you're considering a tattoo if I don't make an honest woman of you?" Carl said, his tone as slick as a flirtatious eel.
Her mom gave a girlish titter of laughter and batted at his shoulder playfully.
A flicker of irritation passed so quickly across Carl's face, Piper wasn't sure she'd really seen it. As he set his wine glass down, the more familiar, affectionately indulgent smile tilted up his mouth. He picked up Mother's hand and took his time kissing the back of it while her stepmom blushed.
Piper suppressed the yuck-factor comment burning the tip of her tongue and helped herself to sliced chicken with rosemary dressing from the platter in front of her. Carl's capacity for outrageous flirting had definitely spiked in the last month.
At least it didn't look like any announcements were coming their way, yet, and he had succeeded in distracting Mother from her appalling matchmaking plans. Any delay in that area was a win, in her opinion.
Piper never had any trouble scrounging up a boyfriend when she wanted one. The problem was none of them really cared a thing about her. They were always more interested in making business or financial connections in the circles in which her family ran, looking big to their friends, or hitting her up for expensive presents. A self-centered man quickly became uninspiring, in her experience.
She bet a relationship with Alex would never be boring. Barring the crazy factor, of course, which now that her pride had calmed down, she really didn't believe, anyway.
Yup, the more she thought about it, the more she suspected there were unseen depths to this guy Uncle Theo recommended that went on for miles. Plundering that unexplored frontier would be a temptation any woman would find hard to resist.
Thank God she was never going to see him again.
* * *
Slowing the truck, Alex followed a sharp curve in the drive that wound through another Eden-like outlay of plants. As the driveway broke free of the trees, the Roseland's mansion burst into view, standing proudly at attention like the palace of some eighteenth century Spanish landowner.
The smooth stone pavement of the drive opened into a wide courtyard-like area that ran right up to the arched doorway. Dozens of cars could easily park around the carefully spaced trees and it didn't take much to imagine the Roselands regularly entertaining. Making a weak attempt to break the stone-lawn feel, a rectangle of grass lay just in front of the steps, inspiring Alex to think more of red carpets than nature.
On either side of the grass, subtly lighted palm trees stood like imperial guards in plumbed helmets, their comrades in arms repeated here and there to showcase the features of the house. Besides the domed front entrance, he noted a patio with an elaborate scroll railing to his right, a three-car attached garage beyond that, and a two-story wing on the left with what looked to be a private garden sheltered behind a low wall.
The effect was impressive, if you had a taste for Texas royalty. All Alex saw when he looked at the layout, was more places for bad guys to hide than the Las Vegas strip had hookers.
He parked his truck, which looked about as comfortable next to the white Porsche as a bit-eared mutt next to a poodle. Grabbing the folder from the passenger seat, he got out and slogged past the palm trees to the front door. Relaxing his body language to look as trustworthy as possible, he pressed his thumb to the doorbell buzzer.
The deep-toned melody of the bell echoed from inside the house. A moment later, a stout, forty-something Hispanic woman wearing bright pink lipstick on her pinched-up mouth snatched open the door and glared at him.
She wore a neat and orderly blue cotton dress with white trim and a white apron. The name Lina was embroidered on the left breast pocket in white thread.
He recognized her name and knew she'd already been cleared. Having two brothers who were cops and one in the FBI hadn't hurt her case when Neil had presented his preliminary research to the CIA.
Alex gave the woman his most reassuring smile. "I'm here to see Piper Roseland. It's an emergency."
"No solicitors. Didn't you see the sign?"
"This is business." He touched the folder tucked under his arm.
Her dark brows rose and she gave him another once-over from head to toe. "Huh," she said, the sound somehow conveying, 'This ought to be good.' She moved away from the entrance and Alex stepped inside.
The sweeping beauty of the open floor plan was just as impressive as the outside packaging. As the maid led him through the foyer, he noted the interesting use of stone and wood to counter the grandeur of the entrance as it rose to the second floor where a glittering chandelier hung.
Heading toward the right, the maid took him past a wide, curved staircase that was as awe inspiring as the entranceway. The broad steps of dark, polished wood swept upward like an arching wave, capped by a balcony that overlooked both the foyer and the staircase. Down the wide hall beyond that, more rich wood paneling and stone accent walls showcased art and original paintings while cozying up to well-used overstuffed furniture, sturdy tables and bookcases.
Was the family merely eccentric, or were they not as solvent as they seemed to be?
Keeping up an extravagant lifestyle was a common motivation for getting into a lucrative side business like drug trafficking. So was a gambling addiction, or getting blackmailed.
No red flags along those lines had popped, but that didn't mean they weren't there. Records could be hidden or falsified. Luckily, character could not.
It would be interesting to see what the Roselands revealed about themselves.
* * *
Piper scooped out some mashed potatoes from the serving bowl in front of her, followed by fresh garden peas.
"My apologies for intruding," an oh, so sexy male voice said from the doorway. "I need to see Piper."
A sharp tingle of awareness rippled up from her lap to her chest, pushing her heart rate into double time. She stiffened and the serving spoon clattered back into the peas. No. It couldn't be.
Good God in heaven. Temptation had followed her home.
* * *
Alex's gaze swept around the room while his mind cataloged details. The family sat around a long polished table set with cream-colored china plates trimmed with a wide band of gold. Silver and gold cutlery, linen napkins, crystal goblets and matching serving dishes completed the surreal look of the meal.
Piper was closest to the entryway, her shoulders rigid, the set of her profile even stiffer. She'd changed into another sleeveless dress with a fullish kind of skirt that had little pleats all over it. He bet if he looked, he'd find the red number in the trash out back.
She'd flinched when he apologized for intruding on them. As the rest of the group looked up, she kept her attention focused on the polished inlaid wood floor of the large open room to the left.
His gut told him she was more embarrassed than guilty, so her behavior didn't worry him too much. The rest of the group was another story, however.
"Who is this man, Piper?" the older woman near the fireplace asked in a shrill, offended voice. She pressed her hand to her pillowy breasts like she was seriously considering the wisdom of passing out from the sight of him.
The stepmother, Elizabeth Roseland, he realized. A slightly faded, plumper version of Piper's stepsister, the red-head sitting next to her. Ted said they called her Danni, and she watched him with speculative intelligence. Between that and the fact that she ran the financial branch of Roseland Enterprises, she moved right to the top of his list.
His mind clicked over other facts from the short briefing Ted had given him: Piper's birth mother deceased early on. Two years later, birth father remarries a woman with a daughter close to Piper's age. Father dead five years ago.
The older man sitting between them must be the boyfriend, Carl Jamison. Ted hadn't known much about him, or cared about learning more. He'd only been hanging around a few months and he thought the distraction had been good for Mrs. Roseland.
A quick check hadn't shown anything unusual. He'd done fairly well for himself in business, was divorced, had one daughter who he never spoke to, and had a weakness for fine wine.
Since he wasn't part of the family, Alex knew he didn't have the authority to initiate any significant dealings with the cartel where Roseland interests were concerned. Until more information surfaced, the man went to the bottom of Alex's mental list.
"Piper?" Mrs. Roseland said, her tone becoming insistent. "Do you know this person?"
Piper swallowed and turned to stare at him in unabashed dismay. He gave her a level look and touched the folder under his arm. "As instructed, I brought you the Addison contract as soon as it came in, Ms. Roseland. The people interested in The Sunline?" he added when she didn't say anything.
"Who are you, young man?" the stepmother demanded.
Piper flinched at the indignant tone edging the other woman's voice.
"You sold The Sunline?" the stepsister said in breathless amazement.
"It's not official until Ms. Roseland agrees to their offer," Alex said smoothly. "But the Addisons are very interested in the historic significance of the old liner. They plan to convert it into a luxury yacht."
"You're kidding." Danni looked at Piper in open amazement and delight. "I'm impressed."
"Young man," Mrs. Roseland said, her voice rising in pitch and haughtiness. "Who are you?"
He shifted his attention to the older woman and he gave her his most winning smile. "I beg your pardon, ma'am. I'm Ms. Roseland's new assistant."
Piper's gaze snapped to his, her green eyes widening.
"Alex Jensen," he said, giving a nod to the other women.
"When did my sister jump in and take an interest in Roseland Shipping?" Danni asked as her appreciative assessment skated over him. "Not that I'm complaining," she added, an amused gleam in her eyes.
"She hired me a few months ago."
"He's quite tattered, Piper," Mrs. Roseland said with disapproval.
"But efficient," Alex asserted, infusing his voice with just the right amount of warm confidence.
"Couldn't you have found someone less.... Someone more,...." The older woman sputtered to a stop, apparently having a hard time finding the best way to describe the nastiness before her.
"They sold The Sunline, Mother. He's perfect." Danni turned to Piper. "Two miracles I never thought I'd see."
"Back off, Danni," Piper said without conviction, her focus still on him. The shock on her face was fading, with murderous outrage quickly taking its place.
"Daddy would have been thrilled," her sister said.
"If you'll excuse me, I should take care of this so Mr. Jensen can be on his way." Piper got up from the table and strode past him, her posture rigid.
Alex trailed after her as she stomped through the palatial foyer and down a short hall lined with photographs of the family. A particularly cute one caught his eye—a little tow-headed girl, her hair in pig tails, her grin showing a gap where two front teeth should be. The shade of the eyes told him it was Piper. She was proudly holding up a small snapping turtle.
He cocked his head and studied the tight, round ass and narrow waist in front of him. Hard to imagine the designer-laden Piper of today grabbing hold of anything that unpredictable.
Sliding open a thick glass door etched around the edges with vines and fruit, she gave a regal gesture with one manicured hand, indicating he should precede her onto the patio. With a smile he obliged, striding confidently into the perfectly-presented, tastefully lighted night that made up her world.
Crossing to the far corner, he positioned himself beside a small, round glass table flanked by two chairs that would look right at home in an ice-cream parlor. Another one of those anomalous touches that seemed to be all over the house.
The door clicked closed behind him. Turning his back on the row of pecan trees on the other side of the railing, Alex braced for impact.
"What's the idea, lying to my family like that?" she hissed.
"What makes you think I'm lying?"
She snatched the folder from under his arm and he didn't try to stop her. Flipping it open, her gaze skimmed across the letter lying on the top. Her mouth pressed into a tight line and she looked up at him. "How is this possible?"
"I'm an excellent assistant."
"You're not my assistant. Or my bodyguard."
"I'm both. Mostly the latter with some detective stuff thrown in for good measure."
"Get out of here," she ground out. "Before I call the cops."
"Ted hired me this afternoon."
Her eyebrows pulled down, making a deep V over the bridge of her perky little nose. "He did not."
"With a bonus to compensate for hostile working conditions."
"I just talked to him. He didn't say anything about this." Her gaze shifted to just past his shoulder where the branches of the trees rustled and sighed on a light breeze. The sweet hint of forest and earth floated around them for a moment and was gone.
He could almost see the wheels turning with the flow of changing expressions on her beautiful face. "He did try very hard to talk me into working with you," she finally said.
"Maybe he wants to help."
Her gaze snapped back to him, anger tightening across her expression again. "You scared me this afternoon."
He shrugged. "I hadn't had my coffee, yet."
Her breasts rose and fell with every agitated breath she took. "How can I trust you to do the job I need done?"
The impulse to show her that he could definitely perform in a satisfactory manner streaked through him. Alex gritted his teeth and forced his gaze to stay above the neck.
Lounging back against the railing, he did his best to look harmless. "That report in your hand proves my competence."
She frowned. "Right. The Addisons. Who I suspect you made up. Which means either you faked the documents, or you bought the ship, yourself."
He let out a snort. "Old cruise ships aren't in my budget."
"Uncle Theo, then. He runs a bank and makes a good living. He did it to convince me to hire you."
"A better theory than your first one, but nope. The Addisons are real. You'll get to meet them if you agree to the sale."
He straightened away from the railing and stared up at the stars while he pretended to gather his thoughts. Dropping his gaze, he let a few of the real worries plaguing him show briefly on his face. "Please. I need this job."
Her posture shifted, softening slightly, and he knew he had her.
She bit the full cushion of her bottom lip and eyed him suspiciously. "Why should I believe anything you say?"
"You saw the state of my ranch. What do you think?"
"I think Uncle Theo knows I'm a sucker for a hard luck case," she groused.
"Thanks."
Piper stepped closer and her fresh flower scent floated around him. His hardening cock pressed tighter against his zipper and his heartbeat sped up.
The affect she had on him surprised and puzzled him. He'd been with beautiful women all over the world during the course of his career. What was it about this one that instantly turned up the heat for him?
"I don't want to work with you, Mr. Jensen."
"Alex."
"But Uncle Theo's gone over my head, so I don't have much choice. You have one week to prove yourself."
His gaze skimmed over her delicate features, set at the moment in hard, determined lines. "That's not a lot of time."
She held up her index finger. "One. Week."
"As long as you realize,..." Alex shifted, bringing his body within striking distance of hers. "A lot can happen in a week."