Chapter 13
It was almost one in the morning when Rio walked Skylar to her door at the castle. “I want to check with my men. I’m assigning Conner to stand guard outside your door until I get back.”
Skylar tossed a look at Conner, who was several feet away with his back to them. She grabbed Rio’s hand. “Your men have already given you a report. Why are you going anyway?”
“Because I like checking things myself at times, plus I want to look at the log-in sheet again.”
“Can’t that wait until tomorrow?” she asked, not releasing his hand.
“No, I need to do it tonight.” He had to find answers, and fast. “You’ll be safe.”
“All right, but hurry back.”
He hesitated, then opened her bedroom door and stepped inside with her. “When I do, it won’t be in your bed.”
Her eyes narrowed in that mutinous way of hers. “And why not?”
“Although my men probably know we were together, I’m not going to flaunt it in their faces. They won’t talk, but still…”
“Then I don’t see a problem. I want you here with me.” She hugged him. “We’re not going to let that creep keep us apart our first night together.” Her head lifted, determination staring back at him. “Are we?”
His hand swept her tangled hair back from her face. “You can’t always have your way.”
“I know that, but I also know that, once you check out the perimeter, you’re going to be working on that computer of yours. You can just as easily work in here as you can in the command center.” She raised her right hand. “Girl Scout’s honor, I’ll behave.”
“For how long?” he countered.
She kissed him. “Isn’t it wonderful that we know each other so well?”
His hand fisted in her hair and he pulled her closer for another taste. What if something had happened to her? “I’ll be back. To work.”
She held up her hand again.
Smiling, he left the room. He’d known from the first that Skylar would be a handful.
* * *
Skylar took another bath and pulled on a long white cotton gown. The oversized neck bared one shoulder. Delicate white lace and ribbon was stitched around the hem and on the long sleeves. She planned to keep her word, but that didn’t mean she didn’t want Rio to see her as beautiful and desirable.
With a sigh, she straightened the bed they’d wrecked, her hands smoothing out the bottom sheet. When she picked up the pillow on his side of the bed, she pressed it to her nose and inhaled his faint scent—man, soap, and the outdoors. She exchanged it for the one on her side.
Finished, she grabbed her iPad and crawled into bed. She checked the bids and did a quick sideways bounce. They were all trending up higher. Tomorrow, she thought, she might take some photographs of the auction items and post them on the Web site that could only be viewed by the people attending the auction.
Her smile faded. She leaned her head back against the four-poster’s headboard. She couldn’t for the life of her think why anyone would want to harm her because of the work she was doing for the auction. Those attending were all upstanding citizens or she wouldn’t have considered inviting them and Rio wouldn’t have cleared them.
There was no connection that she could figure, but if there was one, Rio would find it.
She sighed and brought up her e-mail. She almost sighed again. There were four e-mails from Matt Hampton, the man whose invitation had been rescinded by Blade because he’d tried to invite Sherman Tennyson, Blade’s enemy.
The poor man was pleading to come. Not happening. He’d picked the wrong horse to back, as her Grandfather Dupree would say. She deleted three and answered the fourth.
The decision is final. S. Dupree.
Short and to the point. Hopefully, he would get the message.
But she didn’t think so. She answered calls or e-mail daily from others trying to finagle, bribe, or cajole their way into the auction. Or they’d use the old ruse that their invitation must have gotten lost in the mail. The rude ones just asked why they hadn’t received an invite.
As she’d expected, the auction was becoming one of the most talked-about events of the year. The rich and glamorous, the movers and shakers, wanted to be there or it would seem they weren’t on the A list. It had been extremely difficult to limit the number of people she invited to two hundred. Of course the Graysons and their friends the Falcons and Taggarts were coming. Mary had already volunteered to babysit. Luckily there were enough bedrooms for everyone.
She smiled as she wrote the next email.
Mother, there’s someone joining us for dinner Friday evening. I’ve mentioned him before. Rio Sanchez. He’s a very special man and very special to me. I know you, Father, and the grands will know I’m right when you meet him.
Her mouth tightened for a second. Her father still thought she was ten years old and he needed to intervene on her behalf. He could be tenacious and stiff-necked. If anyone came down hard on Rio, it would be her father.
I’ll e-mail Father as well, but I don’t want either of you drilling Rio about his past or anything else. Suffice to say that since he’s head of security for Blade, and all of his properties, he can be trusted. I can’t wait to see all of you again. The auction is going well. Granddad and Grandmother Dupree are in a heated bidding war for Pure Bliss. From their e-mails, I can tell they’re having fun on their vacation and trying to top the other bidders. I’m blessed to have each of you, and now there’s Rio.
Love, Skylar
Skylar reread her e-mail, did a spell check, and sent it. The e-mail to her father was a variation on the one she’d sent her mother. Only with his, she had bolded the part about not drilling Rio. She doubted it would stop him. But she’d just remind him again. No one, not even her father, was taking him away from her.
Her door opened quietly. Her head snapped up. Joy spread through her. She was reaching for the cover to throw it back when Rio held up one hand. It could have been to stop her headlong flight into his arms or to remind her of her earlier Girl Scout’s promise. Either way, it was effective in stopping her. His hair was up again. He was back to being all business.
“Why aren’t you asleep?” he asked. “It’s almost two.”
She held up the iPad. “Working, and I wanted to e-mail my parents and tell them you’re joining us for dinner Friday night.”
He paused on the way to the small love seat near the bed. “Maybe you should invite them here.”
“Reservations already made and you’ll be with us. Besides, I want to show you off.”
“We’ll see.” He plugged in his laptop and took a seat on the small sofa. Opening it, he began typing quickly.
They certainly would see, she thought. She turned toward him, her gown sliding down her shoulder a bit more. “What are you doing?”
“Rechecking all of the people who requested invitations and were turned down, and those whose names you submitted and were turned down.” He never lifted his head.
She sat up. “That’s a lot of people. That will take forever.”
“Then the sooner you stop distracting me, the quicker I can get it done.”
She felt like flouncing back into bed like a spoiled child—but then she looked at Rio, his head bent over the computer, his shoulders hunched, all for her. He had to be uncomfortable.
“You can go back to the command center and send Conner to guard the door.”
His head did come up then. He stared at her.
“All right. I did intend to tempt you back into bed, but you look so uncomfortable all hunched over, working to keep me safe.” Her head tucked briefly. “I was being selfish and I’m sorry.”
Putting the computer on the table in front of him, he went to her. His hands bracketed her hips on the bed. “There have been times I didn’t have a desk to work on or had to stay in a certain cramped position for hours, but there has never been a time that I felt for a woman the way I feel about you. No discomfort is too great to be here with you.”
She blinked back tears. She wanted so badly to tell him she loved him. “I told my parents what an amazing man you are.”
He kissed her nose. “They already know what an amazing daughter they have.”
“My father thinks I’m headstrong.”
Rio merely lifted a dark brow.
“And where would we be if I wasn’t?” she asked, removing his hair clamp and threading her fingers through his hair.
“I probably would have eventually gotten around to it.” He kissed her bare shoulder.
“I wanted you now.” And she wanted him again.
He lifted his head. “I really need to do this.”
She started to ask what fifteen minutes would hurt, but knew from past experience that wouldn’t be nearly enough time. They enjoyed savoring each other. She gathered her hair, pulled it over her shoulder, and put the clip on. “You have to sleep sometime. You can do it here, guarding me inside my room.”
“Thin.”
“Since your men respect you and, I hope, kind of like me, thin is all we need.”
He straightened. “Try to get some sleep.”
“I just have a few more things to do and then I’ll shut it down,” she told him.
He went back to the love seat and picked up his computer. He smiled at her, then went back to work.
Skylar blew him a kiss and also went to work, wishing again that she’d been able to give the intruder a whack with the poker.
* * *
It was almost dawn. Skylar was asleep on her side facing Rio. With the first shadows of night fading from the room, she looked ethereal and beautiful. Her lips were slightly parted, her black lashes lush against her delicate skin, her slender fingers pillowing her cheek.
The bedding was to her waist. He’d pulled it up over her bare shoulder, but she’d always shoved it away moments later. He didn’t like heavy covers on him when he slept, either.
He should still be working to find the bastard behind the hit. He’d checked and rechecked fifty names, while three of his best men divided the others. Ten names popped up as having questionable business dealings or not being on good terms with Blade or Navarone Resorts and Spas. But none had any history of violence—at least none that they knew of. They were digging beneath the first layer, but that would take time.
And while they worked, Skylar’s and possibly Mrs. Grayson’s lives were in danger. His jaw tightened. Nothing would happen to either of them.
His little warrior hadn’t panicked. Even if seeing her naked with a poker in her hands, ready to help, had given him a bad moment or two. Like her, he didn’t think the threat came from any dealings her parents had as corporate attorneys. He’d checked the last cases they’d been involved in. They’d won for their clients, but both cases were up for appeal—and there was no telling how long that would take.
In any case, the ruling had been against a multibillion-dollar company and, until they had to pay up, they’d let their lawyers drag the case on. Since it was copyright infringement, there was no possible loss of good public will. But if they lost, it could potentially mean a big financial hit. If the company wanted to put the lead attorneys out of commission, they’d go after them, not their children.
So he was back to the auction. He had to find the connection. He picked up the computer again.
“Rio.”
He looked up to find Skylar frowning at him. “Go back to sleep.”
She rose up on one elbow. “Have you been to sleep at all?”
“I’m used to all-nighters on the computer.”
“Emm.” She lifted the cover to show a shapely leg and scooted backward. “You need to sleep. I’ll wake you up in an hour.”
His heart turned over. She wanted to protect him. Watch over him. “We both know what will happen if I get into bed with you.”
“You’ll sleep better afterward, and I’ll still wake you in an hour. Come on, my arm is getting tired holding the covers.”
He was waiting for some data on those ten men to load.
“I should get some reward for leaving you to work, and you deserve one, too,” she reasoned.
He laughed, toed off his shoes, jerked off his shirt, and shucked his jeans and underwear. He was rock-hard. Skylar’s eyes narrowed in anticipation. She licked her lips.
“You always have a reason to get what you want.” He got into bed with her, removed the hair clip, and dropped a kiss on her bare shoulder. “Guess it comes from your days on the debate teams in high school and college.”
She kissed him quickly on the lips. “I need all the help I can get where you’re concerned.”
He stared at her. “All you need is you.” He took her mouth.
She quivered at the tenderness of his kiss, his hard, muscled body pressed against hers.
Grabbing a handful of her gown, he drew it over her head and tossed it aside. For a long moment he stared at the perfection of her body; then he lowered his head and took her nipple into his mouth. Slowly his hand skimmed downward over her flat belly and beyond to caress the inner flesh of her thighs before moving upward again to find her hot and damp.
Moaning, she arched against him, raising her hips to meet his touch. He’d intended to love her slowly, but the need to feel himself buried in her satin heat, to feel her arms and legs clasped around him, was too great.
He’d almost lost her. He released her and quickly sheathed himself, then brought them together with one sure thrust. She gasped in ecstasy as he surged in and out of her, stroking, filling, loving.
Their bodies were in perfect harmony as pleasure built and they succumbed and found their release. He continued to hold her as aftershocks rippled though her body.
“Rio.”
She murmured his name with such tenderness and pleasure, his hold tightened. He felt an overwhelming need to protect, to possess, to love her. He was familiar with the first, and out of his depth with the last two. However, he wasn’t going anywhere.
“Sleep. I’ll wake you.”
He didn’t need sleep; he needed her. “I’ve a better idea.” He rolled on top of her. This time he’d take it slow.
* * *
Skylar met the entire Grayson clan and their wives at the front door. Patterson was still in bed, and she had called Mary and the other members of the house staff to give them the day off. Rio had cautioned Patterson to keep the attack to himself. He’d said he would.
“Good morning. Please come in.”
“Good morning. Thank you,” they greeted.
“Conner, we’ll be in Blade’s office,” Skylar said to the man Rio had assigned to be her shadow if Rio himself wasn’t with her.
“I’ll be outside the door,” he said.
“This way.” Skylar led the family into the office where Rio sat behind the desk. He nodded and motioned Mrs. Grayson to take his seat. On the twenty-one-inch computer screen was Blade, with Sierra perched on the arm of his chair.
“Good morning. You two look happy,” Mrs. Grayson said.
Sierra yawned. “Good morning, Mama. It’s two AM our time.”
Blade’s arm circled Sierra’s waist. “She’s turning into a sleepyhead here. Is that Luke behind you?”
“Yes,” Mrs. Grayson answered. “I’ll get up and let Rio explain.”
Rio briefly touched her shoulder. “You can just slide over.” When she complied, he looked into the computer screen and told them everything. “Sierra, Mrs. Grayson was never in any danger and Luke is going to be with her.”
Luke moved into view of the screen. “He’s right. He’s good at what he does.”
“I’m coming back.” Sierra was on her feet.
Blade caught her hand. “We’re coming back. If Shane can tear himself away. I’ll pick him up on the way. Together, we’ll figure out what’s going on.”
“There’s one more thing.” Rio stepped in front of the monitor. “I think we should cancel the auction.”
“No!” The loud protest came from Skylar. “We are not doing that. What reason would Blade and Mrs. Grayson give?”
“I don’t want you paying for my ineptness,” Rio said.
She went to him. “What did I tell you about talking nonsense? I’m alive because of you. Even if you cancel, there’s no way to tell if some other creep won’t come after me.”
“Then you’ll go back to Tucson.”
“Where I’ll be even more vulnerable because you won’t be there to protect me. Wouldn’t it be better if you find the person behind this while I’m here?” She touched his stiff arm. “With you, I’m as safe as I can be.”
There was complete silence for several seconds until Blade spoke. “She’s right, Rio.”
Rio hated that she was stubborn and right, but it knotted his guts to know that someone wanted her dead. If the person was determined enough, devious enough, it could happen.
“I have faith in you. Please have a little in me.”
“Skylar.” He swallowed.
“I won’t move unless I’m with you or Conner.” She held up her right hand.
“All right.”
“Now, if there is nothing else, I have work to do.” Skylar turned to Mrs. Grayson. “I’d like to show you and your lovely and gracious daughters-in-law the collection. It’s quite amazing.”
“I’d love to see it.” Mrs. Grayson spoke to the monitor. “Good-bye, Blade and Sierra. Safe travel.”
“Good-bye,” they bid.
Skylar led the women from the room. As she did Mrs. Grayson commented on the beautiful clip in her hair. Skylar barely kept from blushing. “Thank you. This way.” The clip belonged to Rio, and she had a sneaky suspicion that Mrs. Grayson knew it.
Luke whistled as the door closed behind the women. “That’s one brave woman.”
“Bravery won’t keep her safe,” Rio muttered.
“But you will,” Sierra said.
“She’s right.” Blade agreed. “Now, what’s the plan?”
* * *
An hour later Rio found Skylar in the auction room, working at a large French-inspired desk. Around the room were elegant chairs and a laptop if bidders didn’t want to use their cell phones to bid. Stationed at the door would be one of Mrs. Grayson’s senior students with a list of names to recheck anyone entering the room. Jason would be there with the student if problems arose. Rio’s men would also be in the room dressed as guests.
Skylar glanced up when Rio was several feet away. She crossed her arms. She wasn’t pleased with him.
“It was for your own safety.”
“Good thing I don’t have a complex since you’re always trying to send me away,” she muttered.
He knelt by her chair and took her hand. “A day without you in my life would be like a thousand, but knowing you were safe would help me greet the day with joy.”
She hugged him. “That’s beautiful. You’re forgiven.”
He kissed her on the lips. “Don’t thank me too soon. Your safety will always come first.”
“Since I feel the same way about you, you’re still forgiven.”
Holding her hand, he came to his feet and leaned a hip against the edge of the desk. “We’re checking the ten people I told you about this morning. Have you thought of anything else? Anyone who sticks out in your mind?”
“Matt Hampton,” she said. “He sent me four e-mails yesterday. I kind of feel sorry for him.”
Rio’s gaze sharpened. “He say anything about Tennyson?”
“No. Rio, he was almost begging to be allowed to attend. And I understand a little bit. He’s trying to follow in his famous father’s footsteps in the oil industry and not being very successful.” Skylar’s other hand covered Rio’s. “I know what it’s like to try to live up to your parents’ image.”
“Your heart is too soft. Besides, you’d never take some of the asinine risks Hampton has taken or associate with a devious person like Tennyson,” Rio told her.
“Maybe he didn’t know,” Skylar defended. “You said yourself that some of Blade’s associates believed in Tennyson. He might have been duped like the others.”
“And one of them might still believe Tennyson over Blade.” He got to his feet. “I need to check a few things out and go into town.” The bail hearing for the man who’d intended to kill Skylar was that day, and Rio planned to be there.
“Should I wait on you for lunch?” she asked.
“No. I’m not sure what time I’ll get back. You need anything?”
“A good-bye kiss.”
He needed one as well. His head lowered, his lips moved against hers, exploring the infinite pleasure of her mouth with greedy hunger and endless need. After a long time his head lifted. Her lids fluttered open to reveal dazed eyes.
“My. My. I’m glad I’m sitting down,” she said slowly.
“Behave while I’m gone, and don’t give Conner any trouble,” he told her.
“I’ll be on my best behavior.”
“Somehow I doubt that.” Because he couldn’t resist, he kissed her again quickly and then was gone.
* * *
Shortly after lunch, Skylar was working in the auction room when her phone rang. She looked at the readout. Unknown. Aware that many people didn’t want their phone number made public, she answered. “Skylar Dupree, event manager for Navarone Resorts and Spas.”
“Ms. Dupree, this is Matt Hampton. I wonder if I might have a moment of your time. Please, I beg of you.”
Her hand flexed on the phone. She should just hang up.
“Please.”
She really was a wimp at times. “Mr. Hamp—”
“I’ve flown down on my jet. I’m near the Navarone Castle. I can be there in five minutes. Please,” he begged.
Another thought hit. She might be able to find out if Tennyson was behind the request. She didn’t think Blade or Rio would want the man in the house. She also didn’t think Conner would drive her to meet Hampton without telling Rio. Rio would insist he come and scare the spit out of the man.
“Ms. Dupree?”
“I’ll clear you through security and meet you out front.” That was the best compromise she could think of.
“Out front?”
“It’s that or nothing.” Where others were concerned, she could be firm.
“Thank you. I’ll be there shortly.”
Skylar disconnected the call, then called the front gate to tell them of Hampton’s pending arrival. Finished, she waited a few minutes to tell Conner of her guest. He’d call Rio and spoil everything.
* * *
“Rio know about this?” Conner asked, following her out the front door. He was a big man with yard-wide shoulders and roped muscles. He was a good-looking sandy-haired man who topped six feet. He kidded with her a lot, but at the moment he wasn’t smiling.
“Rio and I talked about Hampton this morning,” Skylar evaded. The car had been checked and cleared through the security checkpoint.
“That doesn’t answer my question, Skylar,” Conner said.
She gave her best smile. “He’ll be here and gone in five minutes.”
Conner pulled out his phone just as the car pulled up. Skylar wrinkled her nose. He was calling Rio. She didn’t have much time. She quickly went to the bottom of the steps to greet Mr. Hampton as his driver jumped out and opened the door to the limousine. From the corner of her eyes, she saw Jason come from the direction of the garage. They’d spoil everything.
She extended her hand. “Good afternoon, Mr. Hampton.” He was at least six feet tall and weighed about 210. His stomach bulged over his black crocodile Gucci belt. His expensive suit was wrinkled. He looked as if he’d slept in it. And he hadn’t slept well if the dark smudges beneath his eyes were any indication.
His questioning gaze went behind her, then to the front of the car where Jason stood. Both he and Conner had guns. Hampton ignored her hand and began to perspire.
“Jason. Conner. Please give us a moment,” she asked.
Jason took one step back. She didn’t have to look at Conner to know he wasn’t moving much farther—if at all.
She smiled at the nervous man, took his arm, and started walking. “Security for the auction, and this is Mr. Navarone’s home. How can I help you?”
Hampton mopped his forehead with a white handkerchief. “I—I’ve come to plead with you to change your mind.”
“Mr. Navarone’s decision is final.”
“He has to change his mind.” His eyes flashed with desperation. “You don’t understand. He’ll—” He put his handkerchief to his mouth.
“Tennyson.”
Fear widened his blue eyes. “I—I don’t know what you’re talking about?”
“You’re lying. Tennyson is behind this.” She took a chance. “I wonder what he’ll say when Blade contacts him about your visit.”
“You can’t. You don’t know what he’s like,” Hampton wailed.
“Suppose you tell me.”
“No. No. Forget I came here.” He turned to leave.
“I can’t do that.”
He turned back around. “You have to.”
“I’m sorry.”
“You don’t know what you’re doing.” He lunged for her.
She heard Conner’s curse. Jason yell.
Skylar blocked the man’s hands, and this time she didn’t hesitate to slap both of his ears as hard as she could. When he grabbed them, she kneed him in the groin. He dropped like a stone, moaning and clutching between his legs.
Conner and Jason were there before the man hit the ground. Conner eyed her and then the man. “You ever see Rio really mad?”
She wisely kept her mouth shut. That was one image she didn’t want to think about.