Breaking the Bad Boy (35 page)

And then he knew. Damn he hated his grandfather sometimes. Buck holstered his weapon and put the groceries away and went to the bedroom to unpack what he brought from
Montana
. As he unpacked he thought about how to deal with the cameras and listening devices his grandfather, no doubt, had just had installed in the apartment. He thought he’d simply go through each room and rip them out, hoping to find them all. Instead he called Sir Gerard.

“John, dear boy. To what do I owe the pleasure…?”

Buck didn’t let him finish. “I will give your crew fifteen minutes to come and dismantle the cameras and listening devices, and then I’m going to rip them all out and break all that expensive equipment. I will then make one phone call, because I can’t believe you got a judge to go along with this insanity. You have fifteen minutes, starting now.”

“They didn’t even finish installing those fifteen minutes ago, John, what gave us away?” Sir Gerard asked as if he were bored.

“Like I’m going to tell you. Two months, Grandfather, you kept her hanging for two months,” he hung up and waited. Eleven minutes later he heard the buzzer go off and Buck buzzed the two men in and watched as they dismantled the electronics. A definite pine scent followed them in, but Buck said nothing. He watched them carefully, clearly making them both uncomfortable. When they were done he held the door for them. “If that’s not all of them I will find you,” he said and the men went white and nodded vigorously. An hour later, after going through the apartment with a fine toothed comb and not finding anything, he walked back to pick up Joss. He had missed his chance to get in a nap.

“Unless you want the FBI to know your deepest, darkest secrets, don’t mention them in the apartment,” he said to her. She stopped mid step and looked at him.

“Bugs?” She asked.

“And cameras, I’m sorry, Duchess. Do you want to go to a hotel? Or we could just go to
Arizona
tonight.”

“I love you. Let’s walk for a little while; I have a confession or two to make. You have been honest with me; it’s time for me to return the favor.”

“Don’t talk about anything important until after we’re married, Joss.” She looked at him and understood that he might be called to testify against her at some point.

“Am I going to be indicted for something?” Buck looked around.

“Probably not, but why risk it? My grandfather doesn’t know our plans, I don’t think, and I’d just as soon keep him guessing.”

“I’m going to tell you anyway, Buck.”

“I thought you might, Duchess.”

“I knew what Gunter and his friends were up to from the beginning. I was there the night the plan was conceived. I thought they were just showing off, they were punks with a glamorous idea they wanted to be art thieves. I thought they were amusing. I think they were doing it to impress me by the end, I know Gunter was, he understood my bad boy lust. I did tell him I would leave him if he went through with it, and I was so shocked that he did it anyway, I mean, I thought he would do anything to keep me.”

“He loved you, Duchess,” Buck said.

“No, Buck, he didn’t, not really. Gunter loved the way I looked on his arm. He loved to see other men want me, almost as much as he loved to see women want him, but he didn’t love me. He might have thought he loved me, early on. In fact, there were a few things he really hated about me, but I digress.”

“Was he jealous?”

“I never gave him cause to be, I’m pretty monogamous.”

“I figured as much, but still, having other men drooling all over you can be pretty rough on a guy, I should know,” he smiled at her.

“Gunter liked that a lot more than you do,” she said.

“I really hate it; it brings out the Neanderthal in me. Makes me say rude things.” She laughed remembering his walking in on Big Jake making his move.

“Like with Jake?”

“Yes, among others,” he said.

“I want you, Buck, no one else.” He leaned in and kissed her.

“I know, Duchess, and you have me, heart and soul.”

“I left Nuremburg the same day they left for
Berlin
. I sat next to the French cop on purpose. I heard him dressing down a subordinate in the train station and I followed him on the train. It was easy to strike up a conversation with him to make him remember me. I pretended to need assistance with my bag and acted delighted that he was French. I told him I loved dumplings and the poor man went puce and tried to enlighten me. He wanted to bring me home to dinner he was so upset with me.” Joss took a deep cleansing breath and Buck laughed.

“I spoke with Gunter, you know?” Buck said.

“I thought you might have,” she said.

“He’s still smitten; he suffers most from your defection. It hit him harder than getting sent to prison. I can’t say I blame him.” He ran his fingers over the scar on her hand.

“Tell me where you got this scar, Duchess.”

“Brand and I made a blood pact together,” she started but he put a finger to her lips.

“Never mind.”

“I want to tell you about the gold, Buck,” she licked her lips and he looked sharply at her.

“You will not tell me anything of the sort, Duchess. Do you understand me? I can’t have you wondering…”

“I trust you.”

“Don’t. As far as I care it’s a myth, Joss, that gold has ruined too many lives, I don’t want to end up like Cassidy,” he put his hand behind her neck and brought her mouth to his, if only to keep her quiet. She returned his kiss.

“You’re right, of course.”

“Now if you want to tell me how you passed the polygraph, I would like to hear that secret,” he grinned at her. “You threw them off by answering the first questions honestly; those were there to make you lie so they’d know what your body did when you lied.”

“What were they? Was that the one asking if I had I ever broken the law? Christ, I left a trail of bodies across the state.”

“Two bodies, both in self defense,” he said.

“Maybe I spoke truth the whole time; did you ever think of that?” She grinned.

“Nope,” he grinned back at her. “Are you feeling particularly exhibitionist? Because I want you, Joss, just you, you don’t need to tell me your secrets.” They stood under the statue of the Pegasus looking at each other in the light of the street lamps.

“Can we eat? I need to keep up my strength.”

“Yes, you certainly do,” he kissed her and fed her and dragged her home.

Chapter Thirteen

ARIZONA

Joss woke to the sound of children giggling. It was a sound she hadn’t heard in a long time, perhaps since she was a child and at first she thought she was dreaming. She felt the bed shift under fidgety weight and small cool hands on her back, running lightly up her scars, it felt very strange indeed, it felt soothing and slightly weird at the same time. Joss had been lying with her mouth to Buck’s neck. His hand casually cupping her ass, with her arm over his chest and her leg slung over his leg. It was the perfect place. Buck’s body stiffened when the bed moved and his hand tightened on her ass as she struggled to come awake.

It had been very late when they had gotten to Buck’s sister’s house, and it was now very early, and they were both very naked under the sheet.

“Five minutes and we leave, kids. Just say hello to Uncle Duke and then we go,” Joss heard a voice in the other room.

“Hi Uncle Duke,” the three kids said in unison. Buck pulled the sheet up over Joss’s back and they sat up with their backs against the headboard, with the same deer in the headlights look on both their faces.

“Hi guys. Man, look at how big you’re getting! I don’t come down here enough.” It had been almost a year since he’d visited, he was there for Christmas, right before he started working at Brent’s, and right after he’d started working for Lanier. They had grown, and he had missed it.

“Who are you?” the little girl said to Joss who was sitting up and pulling the sheet even closer, her back to Buck’s chest.

“I’m Joss,” she said. “Who are you?” She smiled at the kids.

“I’m Emma, and this is John and Graham,” Emma said indicating her little brothers.

“I’m so glad to meet you,” Joss said and they smiled shyly at her. John was probably named for Buck, and her heart warmed and she smiled at him.

“One minute,” their mother warned from the other room.

“We have to go to school; will you be here when we get back?” Emma asked.

“Yes, we’re here all week,” Joss said and they scrambled off the bed and waved when they got to the door.

“Mommy, Uncle Duke has a friend in there,” Emma said to her mom in the other room.

“Uncle Duke doesn’t have any friends, Emma,” she said and Buck laughed. Miri came to the door and looked in. Joss tucked the sheet under her arms, but they were clearly naked, and Buck didn’t mind his sister knowing, he had one arm around Joss, the other was behind his head. Miri’s face went from casual interest to shock and then to delight, and finally to suspicion in a matter of seconds. She clearly didn’t have Buck’s gift for being unreadable.

“I’ll be back in fifteen minutes, and then you are going to tell me everything.” She said to her brother, looked at Joss again and walked out.

“You didn’t tell her I was coming,” she said looking at his face. Buck looked contrite and she smiled at him.

“I’ve never brought anyone home before, Duchess; I put the third degree off for as long as I could.” He kissed her and she almost forgot what they had been talking about. “Are we okay?”

“You and I are fine, you and she might have a problem, though.” Buck chuckled. “You shower first, she’ll want to interview you when she gets back,” Joss said and he looked into her eyes.

“Be brave, my Duchess,” his mouth curled up on the ends and she smiled back at him.

“You should smile more, you are so beautiful.”

“That’s such a funny thing to say to a man. I’m not beautiful,” he said slapping his chest. “I’m manly.” She laughed.

“You are both, long shanks. We could shower together,” she suggested one eyebrow up.

“Not enough time, and there’s no way I’m doing this interview with a hard on, it’s going to be bad enough without one. Go get yourself a cup of Miri’s delicious coffee, I won’t be long.”

Joss pulled Buck’s shirt from yesterday on over her arms and went to the kitchen. She found the coffee and poured a cup and drank looking out the window at the backyard.
French roast, thank you, God.
The yard was surprisingly green, she had thought they were coming to the high desert. She turned to go back to the guest room and realized there was a man behind her. She inhaled sharply and looked for some kind of weapon.

It was the first time she was in an uncomfortable setting with a man she didn’t know since she had been trussed up like a Christmas turkey for Lanier’s men, and she felt dread in her core. It shocked her just how freaked out she was, and she began a mantra in her head: Buck’s in the other room, Buck’s in the other room.

“Wow.” The man said. He stood in the doorway smiling. “Where have they been keeping you?” He was shorter than Joss, and young. He had straight long brown hair that went past his shoulders and a slim build and a straight nose. The man was darker than Buck, and had a rounder face. His smile was open and appreciative, not in any way inappropriate, but it unnerved her nevertheless.

“Oh, hi. I’m Joss Erickson, are you Miri’s husband?”

“No, I’m her brother in law, Eddie Natani, and I am delighted to meet you,” he extended a hand. Joss was holding Buck’s shirt closed with a white knuckle grip in one hand and her coffee with the other. It hadn’t occurred to her that anyone was home, and she hadn’t buttoned the shirt. She put her coffee down and shook his hand.

“Sorry, I didn’t realize anyone was here, or I would have dressed,” she flushed.

“Don’t dress on my account,” he said. “Ever.”

“Actually, I’m going to do that right now,” she picked up her cup. “Excuse me.” Eddie stepped away from the door to let her pass without taking his eyes from her when a second man stepped into the doorway and blocked it. Joss stopped again.

“Who are you talking to?” He asked and then caught sight of Joss. His eyes went wide but he said nothing.

“Um, I’m Joss Erickson, are you Clint, Miri’s husband?” He nodded, still not speaking. “I’m here with Buck.” He nodded again. “I didn’t know people were still here. Okay, I’ll just go get dressed then,” she said after an uncomfortable silence. No one moved. The two men stared at her like she came from another planet.

“Who’s Buck,” Eddie asked. Clint nodded.

“Oh, I mean Duke,” Joss said looking at him and backing up again.

“Duke’s here?” Eddie asked. “You’re with Duke?” Joss nodded and looked over Eddie’s shoulder at Buck who was taking in the scene. Her relief was palpable, her whole body relaxed and she took a deep breath as Buck watched her, somehow knowing exactly what was going on in her head.

“Hey Eddie, Clint, I see you’ve met Joss,” Buck said moving past them to her. He kissed her lightly on the lips and she sighed with relief. “What is it with you half naked in kitchens with members of my family?” She shrugged.

“They keep sneaking up on me,” she said. “I’m glad you’re here.” He chuckled softly and kissed her forehead, her eyes closed briefly.

“Shower’s all yours, Duchess.” He smiled at her. She took an almost frantic drink from her mug and then handed it to him and slipped past the men in the doorway as they watched her go.

“Where did you find her? The Swedish bikini team? Amazons are Us?” Eddie asked. “Her legs come up to…”

“Be polite, Eddie, that’s my woman you’re drooling over. You okay, Clint? You look like you’ve been poleaxed.” Clint nodded, and then shook his head as if to clear it.

“She’s very pretty, Duke, does, um, Miri know she’s here?” Clint asked warily.

“I did as soon as Emma told me,” Miri said coming into the kitchen and tossing her keys on the counter. Buck hugged her and she looked up at him amazed.

“We all thought you were gay,” she said just as Buck was sipping Joss’ coffee. He spat it out and it went everywhere, and everyone laughed. “To be fair, Granddad said you weren’t, but we figured he didn’t know what it meant.”

“Huh,” Buck said. “Well, I don’t want to disappoint you, but I’m not gay.”

“We have to get to work,” Clint said leaning down to kiss his wife. “See ya, Duke.” They both walked out.

“You have twenty two minutes and then I need to go to work. You could have mentioned you were bringing a friend,” she said looking up at him. “You coward.” He laughed.

“You’re right, of course. Joss is more than that though, Miri, I love her,” he said.

“I figured it was serious if you brought her home. Does she love you?”

“Yes, she does.”

“How long have you known her?”

“Miri, the third degree? Really? I’m thirty five years old, I have found my soul mate, and nothing will wrench us apart again.”

“What wrenched you apart the first time?”

“It has been one thing after another, but Sir Gerard was the most recent pain in my butt. But there were bad guys and bullets and even a bear,” he said and Miri inhaled sharply. Buck looked at her. “What?”

“Emma said something about scars on your friend’s back in the car, is all,” she said acting too casual.

“She was mauled by a bear, she’ll show you, I expect, she’s not squeamish about it. And her name is Joss.” He took a deep breath. “I was right there when it happened; I thought I was going to lose her.” He shuddered.

“Jesus, Duke, what have you been up to?” He inhaled deeply, wondering how much he should tell his little sister.

“I got shot again, twice.”

“You’ve lost weight, was it bad?” Buck nodded.

“I made mistakes,” he said simply.

“Are you okay now?”

“If I am with Joss, I am okay.” He hadn’t realized it until he said it, but it was the truth.

“You got it pretty bad, huh?”

“Yes, completely screwed, and never happier.” He smiled at her, he really was happy, for the first time in his life he was at peace with who he was and what he was. Joss centered him.

“Does she know about your money?”

“Yes, we have no secrets. She’s not in it for the money, she fell in love with me when she thought I was a ranch hand. And anyway, she can have it. Your kids have their college trusts all set up, they are untouchable,” he said.

“How dare you think
that’s
what I’m worried about?! I’m worried about you, dammit. If she was ugly I would think it was true love, but she’s too pretty, Duke, you’re going to have your heart broken.” Miri said.

“I won’t break his heart,” Joss said from the door and Miri gasped. “And I don’t want his money. I just want him.”

“Miri, I’d like you to meet my fiancée, Joss Erickson,” Buck said and the women shook hands warily.

“I’m sorry, Joss, he’s never blindsided me before. You’re even prettier up close,” Miri said and Joss smiled down at her. “And really tall.” Miri was a very small woman, and aside from the difference in height it was clear that Buck and she were related.