On His Honor (12 page)

“Isn’t he? I mean, it sounds like he’s a success.”

“He is, no question. It’s just…” She shook her head. “Everything’s different now. He’s so stressed out, and even though he’s the one who invited me here to visit, he didn’t ask me to stay with him. I shouldn’t be hurt—his hours are hideous—but…” She blew out a breath. “And this can’t possibly be interesting to you, even if my reactions weren’t so…girly.”

“But you are a girl,” he pointed out. Then, to cheer her up, he waggled his eyebrows. “As I can readily attest.” It was his turn for a gusty sigh. “At least, sort of, I can. Damn tourists.”

That elicited a faint grin. “I’m a tourist, if you’ll recall.”

“Naw. You’re an international star. That means you waltz right in anywhere and fit in.” He glanced over. “Don’t be bustin’ my bubble now. You won’t, will you?”

His foolishness seemed to lift her spirits—at least, enough for her to roll her eyes. “Right. I just show up and—poof! Everybody loves me.”

“Exactly my thoughts. It’s sort of a superpower.” When she giggled like a girl, something new inside him unfurled.

No. He could not get his heart involved. Period.

And he still needed to call Doc. Pronto. “Okay, let’s test your mettle.”

She lifted one eyebrow.

“I’m going to run you back to Sophie’s so you can get out of those wet clothes. After you’ve changed, we can go to my place so I can do the same—but you have to wait on the porch long enough for me to shove laundry under the bed, throw out pizza boxes, get the place presentable. Shouldn’t take more than, oh, an hour or two.”

“That bad, huh? Bachelor pad?”

“Worse. See, I got this idea—okay, my mom had been hammering on me, and Vince was just as bad, but then Jenna started in on me, and—hell, I still don’t know how it happened, but I bought a house.
Do you know how much money you’re throwing away on rent, sweetheart?
” he said in a falsetto. “My mom is ruthless.”

“So now you have more room to make a mess of?”

“Well, not exactly. I got a great deal because Vince found this fixer-upper. No surprise—the whole clan is completely unbalanced over the do-it-yourself deal. Vince was remodeling his house when he met Chloe, who had done much of the work on hers. Jesse and Diego have a sick level of talent at anything creative, and Jenna heads this nonprofit that helps the disadvantaged become homeowners, sort of like Habitat for Humanity. So everyone’s all
‘JD, there’s nothing to it. Here’s a hammer and some nails and a paintbrush, now get to it.’
And, yeah, I was raised on a farm, and we learned to do just about everything for ourselves, but—”

She was outright laughing now. “So how bad is it?”

“One room is almost finished.”

“I’m afraid I have to see this.”

“Oh, you should be afraid, all right. Be very afraid.”

They exchanged grins.

“Sounds perfect. I’m in,” she said.

“In over your head, Hollywood, I’m warning you.”

But not any more over her head than he was.

He turned into the drive at Sophie’s and punched in the combination for the gate. “Oh—I just remembered that I need coffee. And, okay, toilet paper. I’ll go grab some and be right back here before you finish changing.”

She was shaking her head and grinning as she emerged from his truck. She waved goodbye, and he waved back.

But he noticed as he left that she was still standing there, watching.

And when she finally turned, she seemed so fragile and small, so vulnerable.

JD rubbed one hand over his heart.
What in the hell have you done, dumbass?

He couldn’t begin to formulate an answer.

Instead, he pulled out his cell and called Doc.

* * *

V
IOLET
WAS
DOUBLY
GLAD
right now that her quarters were separate so she didn’t have to drag herself through any public areas looking like a drowned rat.

Though at the moment, she wasn’t sure how much she cared. Her body was still buzzing from that interlude in the water, and she wasn’t at all sorry they’d have a chance to be alone later at his place. Yes, she was a paying guest here and shouldn’t be concerned over what anyone thought of her choice of guests or whether anyone slept over in her quarters, but Sophie’s was so much more than a hotel to her already—and she did care what Sophie thought.

The MacAllister clan was a close-knit bunch, and they included friends in their definition of family. She was the interloper, and JD was well loved. Sophie and Cade would feel protective of him. JD had been asked to provide security for her as a favor to them, and they might see her as preying upon a relationship that should have been only business.

But there was absolutely nothing businesslike about the way JD made her feel. That man could kiss…oh, lordy, he could kiss. Then there was that strong, gorgeous body, those changeable, magnetic gray eyes, the sharp intellect, the humor that sent all her defensive walls tumbling…

This trip to Austin to recuperate had suddenly taken on a whole new shine, and that was pretty amazing, considering she had intended to swear off men after Barry’s betrayal. She’d come to Austin wanting only to feel safe, to find time to heal out of the public eye. Never once had she even considered meeting a man, much less getting involved with one.

But this man…JD might be called a lady-killer, but there was much more to him. He felt like someone from home, someone of the same background and values. He could be much more than a fling.

Hold on now.
Half a country separated them, and they had incompatible careers, she reminded herself. And she was still raw from betrayal.

Violet unlocked the door to her suite and entered, then leaned back against the door. JD made her forget all about her real life when she was with him. Taking her to his special spot, creating a bubble around her, a lovely little time out of mind…it was easy to spin out fantasies of what could be.

And L.A. did have a police academy, plus Violet knew the mayor personally, so she could—

Wow. So tempting to blot out the fact that any relationship between them would have to survive the harsh glare of her celebrity, the spotlight that would be turned on him, too. He’d brought a ray of hope and joy into the last two days, but how fair would it be to subject him to the nastiness of Hollywood, the gossip, the constant pressure to play a role?

He was strong and secure in himself, but what would he think of her milieu? Could he possibly understand the pressure for her to pretend constantly, to have so few places where she could be herself and not have to worry about letting anyone down?

But he did have all the makings of the man of her dreams, and his reactions to her healed a lot of the damage Barry’s infidelity had inflicted. JD gave her hope that maybe she wasn’t fatally flawed. Maybe some man could come to truly care for
her…
maybe even this one.

Good grief. Avery had often teased her that she should have been a writer because she was so good at spinning out fantasies from a simple statement, a faint impression.

And he was right. Here she was, worrying about JD and a future when they’d only shared a couple of hot kisses. JD wasn’t pledging his undying love or begging her to stay—he was hot for her, yes, as she was more than a little ready to take things further with him, but the most he’d offered was today and tomorrow.

Violet shoved away from the door and headed for the bedroom, stripping as she walked, rolling her eyes and laughing softly at herself.

The universe had aligned to grant her good fortune: two days with a fascinating man while Avery would not even be around to ask questions. She would leave a message for Sophie, should events proceed as her sizzling nerve endings wished, keeping her away for the night. Maybe Sophie would understand and maybe not, but Violet had to get over her too-sharp need for the approval of others.

JD was a big boy. Violet hummed deep in her throat, remembering how that applied in more than one sense. She grinned at herself in the bathroom mirror—
oh, you bad girl
—then stepped into the shower, singing.

* * *

JD
TEXTED
D
OC
.
Lofton leaving for Houston ASAP.

His phone rang before he’d even parked at the grocery.

“Hey, Doc.”

“Leaving as in running away?” Doc asked.

“Not that I can tell. He told Violet he’d be back late tomorrow.”

“What else?”

“Only that she’s not part of it, Doc. I’d stake my life on it.”

“I guess that’s nice to know.”

“Yeah. Though it doesn’t much help our case.” But he was relieved to know his sense of her hadn’t been off. Or that he was this attracted to a monster hiding behind a beautiful facade. He realized Doc had said something. “What?”

“I asked what your plans are now.”

“I told her I was off today and tomorrow.” Though he was more reluctant than he ought to be if he really had his mind on his job, he made the offer to Doc, anyway. “She’s expecting me back any minute. Need me to…damn. That’s the problem with saying I teach at the Academy. Tough to manufacture an emergency.”

“No, we’re covered. You stay close. Even if she’s not a part of it, he checks in with her. That gives us another way to keep an eye on him.”

“Yeah, but I could be doing something more important. Like nosing around Danger Zone or helping to follow leads on the waitress.” Or on Candy. He still hadn’t been able to track her down.

“The others can handle that. You’ve got access no one else has. What’s their relationship, her and Lofton?”

“Long roots. Deep ties. Calls him her best friend. But complicated, too. They were both starving young actors, but she made it. He didn’t.”

“Anything we can learn about him or his movements is information we need. You stay with her as much as you can. If I have to pull you, I will, but for now, you’re on vacation through tomorrow. I’ll get the word to Houston, and we’ll be watching that warehouse. Lofton say where he was when he called her?”

“Not that I could tell. He said he’d be back late tomorrow and would come see her the next day. He usually comes in the mornings, but from what she’s said, he just drops in. I hadn’t thought it a good idea to be around when he was, but want me to change that?”

“No. If you’re there when he shows up, we’ll deal with it, but otherwise, I agree with your take. Don’t give him a reason to become cautious.”

“Got it.” Should he tell Doc he might be spending the night with her? “Doc…things with Violet are…a little heated.”

“Romeo strikes again, huh?”

It’s not like that,
he wanted to protest.

“Whatever it takes, JD,” Doc continued before he could respond.

But there was a sly amusement in Doc’s voice that JD couldn’t just slough off as he usually did. “She’s a good person, Doc. She’s not…it isn’t…” But he had to stop because he honestly didn’t know what this was. He just knew it wasn’t simply a job.

“Whatever keeps you close.” The humor was gone, and somehow he felt even worse. “That’s your assignment right now. Stay close. If she trusts you, Lofton might, too. That kind of access is everything. I gotta go now. Be safe.”

“Yeah. Always.” JD disconnected and walked inside the store, but it took him a minute to remember why he was here.

If she trusts you…

She was already starting to.

And he’d never felt more tainted by the life he led.

CHAPTER TEN

V
IOLET
HAD
,
AS
PROMISED
,
showered and changed quickly. Her stomach was jumpy in a way she hadn’t experienced in a long time. She glanced out the window and spotted Sophie and Skeeter.

Good. She’d go down and visit until JD returned.

As she descended the stairs, Skeeter saw her and dashed over, leaping up, tail wagging.

“Skeeter, no!” Sophie reprimanded. “Clearly, we still have work to do.”

Violet laughed and bent to him, ruffling his fur then clasping his jaws. “Oh, but who cares? You are the most handsome boy,” she crooned.

“It’s a wonder he can get his head through a door. I tell him the same thing all the time.” Sophie approached, smiling. “Cade says I spoil him terribly.”

Violet grinned. “Like I haven’t seen him sneaking Skeeter treats.”

Sophie shared a smile. “Too true.”

“Has Cade already left?”

Sophie nodded and sighed softly. “I always miss him so much, but his work is important to him, and he’s so good at what he does.”

“He’s extremely talented, that’s for sure. But it’s not hard to see that he’s reluctant to leave you.”

“He doesn’t actively court danger anymore, thank heavens, but neither of us counted on him needing to travel so much when I couldn’t go with him. His new book about his best friend Jaime has hit big.” Her smile was fond. “I couldn’t be happier for Cade. Jaime’s death haunts him still, but the book’s proceeds go to a fund for Jaime’s family, and the strength of reader response helps with the guilt he still feels because he survived when Jaime didn’t. Knowing he’s taking care of Jaime’s family eases his mind.”

“That has to be hard for him. If I weren’t here, could you go along on this trip?”

“Oh, heavens, no.” Sophie’s response was instant. “We went into this knowing our lives wouldn’t be like others’, that we’d have to forge a different path to accommodate our diverse careers. One of these days, I’ll feel more able to leave the hotel in other hands for a time, and once he’s done with the publicity for this book, Cade hopes to be able to stay around more, but…” She shrugged. “It’s not like we met when we were young and unformed and could build our life together from scratch. We have to be inventive. Flexible. But love will find a way, right?”

“I’m not really the best person to ask that.”

“Oh, Violet, how thoughtless of me. I’m so sorry.”

“Don’t be. I’m honestly glad for both of you. I still believe in true love, however much I’ve bungled my own relationships.”

“You’re hardly the one who bungled them.” Sophie’s indignation was heartwarming.

“That’s a matter of opinion.”

“Well, anyone who disagrees is just wrong. You’re a good person, Violet. You deserve a happy ending.”

“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves,” Violet responded drily. “I think I’ll leave that to you, at least for now. You’re clearly better at it.”

Abruptly Sophie teared up.

“What’s wrong? Did I say something—”

Sophie waved off her concern. “No, it’s not you, it’s—I’m sorry. I don’t know what to do. I love Cade so much.”

Violet touched her arm. “But Cade’s crazy about you, too.”

“I know. It’s just that…I suspect I might be pregnant.”

“Oh.” A little tendril of envy. Sophie had a man, a wonderful man, who loved her…and now that man’s baby. “So…” she began cautiously, “you don’t want it?”

“No! Oh, no.” Sophie spread her fingers over her belly. “I love her already—or him. I don’t care, it’s just that…”

“From what I can tell, the MacAllisters are big on family. Are you worried that Cade will be unhappy?”

“Not really…or at least, he’d never say so, but…it’s too soon. And I don’t want us to get married only because we’re having a baby. I haven’t done a test yet, but I remember how this feels. I just couldn’t tell him before he left. Not until I’m sure. And I’m—” Sophie’s slender fingers pressed to her lips.

Scared.
Suddenly Violet heard the words Sophie hadn’t said. She’d lost her family once before. Violet touched Sophie’s shoulder gently. “Tragedies like yours don’t happen twice, Sophie.”

Sophie turned, gripped her hand. “I realize it’s not logical, but I’m just so happy and…”

“Can you talk to your family about this?”

“I don’t have any family. I lost my parents when I was a child.”

Good heavens, no wonder Sophie was spooked. Tragedy had indeed struck twice. Violet tried to imagine a world in which she had no one who loved her, no one to turn to. “I’m sorry. And I’m an idiot. I’d be scared half to death, too.” Violet was renowned for her clever wit, her ready repartee, but right now she had no idea what was the proper thing to say.

Sophie grinned. “Thank you.”

Violet stared. “Thank you?”

“It helps to hear someone say it out loud. To know I’m not crazy or paranoid or…” She smiled at Violet, and her eyes shone. “Cade’ll likely be thrilled, as will his whole family…I just…this love was so unexpected. I thought I was done with love, that I was better off without all that you risk, given all that can go wrong…” In an uncharacteristic move for her, Sophie clasped Violet in a quick hug. “It’s terrifying to be so happy, you know?”

Violet understood intimately the risks of letting yourself revel in that emotional abandon. Sophie had suffered enough in her life. Violet hoped with all her heart that this woman she’d come to like so much would never have to come down from her cloud.

She’d like to think that she’d be on that cloud again herself—only with a man who truly loved her. Ruthlessly banishing a little tug of envy, she smiled back. “What plans could you possibly have that are better than having a good man love you and the two of you cherishing the child who’s the result of that love?”

Sophie teared up again. “Oh, look at me. I never cry. Never.” She hugged Violet again. “Thank you.” For a moment she clung.

Then she straightened. “There’s JD.”

“Oh.” On the heels of Sophie’s revelation and all the longings it stirred up in her, Violet wasn’t sure how she felt about seeing JD now.

“Violet? Is JD…he’s treating you right, isn’t he?”

“He absolutely is.” She glanced over her shoulder to see him coming through the gate. Oh, but that grin of his… She couldn’t help a little sigh.

Sophie smiled. “Yeah. A nice hunk of man candy, isn’t he?”

Violet spurted out a laugh.

“You’re blushing. Not that I blame you. Go for it, girl. He’s not only gorgeous, he’s a good man. I trust him completely.”

Before Violet could respond, JD was right in front of her, a look in his eyes making her glad she’d chosen the halter-top flowered sundress instead of jeans. “Hey, Sophie,” he greeted without ever taking his eyes off Violet.

“Hi, JD. How are you?”

I want to get you naked,
his expression clearly said.

Violet felt her body react. She arched an eyebrow, meeting his challenge with her own.

He rewarded her with a quick, devilish grin before he tore his attention away. “Uh, did you ask me something?” he said to Sophie.

Sophie shook her head. “You two kids go have some fun. You have plans?”

“He’s taking me to see his house.”

Sophie’s eyebrows rose. “Really?”

“You haven’t seen it, Soph. You don’t know how it really looks.”

“Stories abound.”

“Jenna and her big mouth,” he complained. “I’m making progress, honest.”

“I hear we need a work day,” she teased. “Like you all did with me here.”

“Not that I wouldn’t appreciate taking you folks up on it, but my manhood’s been challenged. I have to do the work myself or I’ll never hear the end of it from Vince, for starters.”

Sophie glanced at Violet, shook her head. “Men. They’re so predictable.”

“Hey, now,” JD began.

“So it’s in worse shape than he warned me?” Violet asked her.

Sophie opened her mouth, but JD spoke over her. “She hasn’t been there. She doesn’t know. Repeat, she does…not…know. Not for sure, anyway.”

Violet looked at Sophie. “It’s a test of my courage. I have to do this.”

“I guess so, but don’t say you weren’t warned. And call me if you start feeling faint.”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah. Very funny, you two.” JD took her hand. “I won’t let anything scary get her, Sophie. Cross my heart.” He demonstrated.

“I’ll sic Jenna on you if you don’t.”

“Now that’s just mean. Ready, Violet?” He glanced down at her, eyes more serious than his words.

To be with a kind, generous, extremely sexy man?
Was she ever.

“Yes.” She turned and hugged Sophie, whispering in her ear. “Don’t wait up.”

“I won’t,” Sophie whispered back. “Have fun. And, Violet…?”

Violet mimed zipping her lips.
Our secret,
she mouthed as JD towed her off.

* * *

"L
OOK
,
WE
REALLY
DON
'
T
HAVE
to go to my place,” JD said as they drove. “I could take you back to Sophie’s and come get you after I shower and change or…”

“What? You’re reneging on me? Wild horses couldn’t keep me away.”

Oh, man. Her cheer and mischief only made him feel worse. “I’m not sure if it’s better to tell you that the place isn’t so bad and hope that predisposes you to believe it when you see it…or tell you it’s one step up from a dump. Then you might feel so sorry for me you’d work hard to disguise your horror.”

“Does it matter what I think?”

Their gazes locked. “I’m afraid it might.” Then he pulled his eyes away to concentrate on his driving.

Keep it light. Don’t think about all the lies underpinning everything.

Easier said than done. He grasped for the first topic that hit him. “Skeeter’s great, isn’t he? I’ve been considering getting a dog, except—” Crap. He’d been about to say that his work hours were so unpredictable. “It wouldn’t be fair to have a pet in a war zone.”

“Now I really cannot wait to see this place.”

“Well, you’re about to get your wish.” He rounded the corner and onto his shady street. Halfway down, he pulled into what could laughingly be called a driveway—two parallel, broken tracks of concrete about forty years past useful. He glanced at the two-story structure that could be the setting for a haunted-house movie, its weathered paint—what there was left of it—a contrast with the brand-new roof that he’d just paid for with money that could’ve bought him a Harley instead of merely keeping him dry.

“As bad as you thought?” He tried not to wince as he waited.

She didn’t say anything as she emerged from his truck and turned a slow circle to take in the houses around him, a jumble of beautifully-restored Victorians side by side with teetering bungalows and single-family-turned-boardinghouses for students.

Get back in the truck,
he wanted to order the longer she went without speaking.
I know it’s a dump, but—

“The trees are amazing,” she said first.

He didn’t give a damn about the trees. Though he did, of course—they were a compelling reason to buy here. But—

“This feels like a neighborhood, a real one. Like you could make a home here.” Her eyes were wide with wonder as she looked at him.

His tension eased a little. “Sort of. I mean, people are trying.” He gestured around. “But there are holdouts, landlords who don’t give a damn about the neighborhood or its character—such as that one.” He pointed to a bungalow across the street and down, dirt lawn and junker cars lining the driveway and in front.

“But look at that one,” she said, gesturing to the house to his right. “They’ve really made it shine.” She focused on his then. “Your house has good bones, doesn’t it?”

It did, but he was surprised that she saw that. “You know construction?”

“Um, does it count that I love to watch HGTV?”

He enjoyed the relief of laughing. “You’re ahead of where I was when I started looking. I got the MacAllister clan full-court press on what to search for. My real-estate agent was ready to kill me because I had to have every house vetted. According to the family, my life would have been worth nothing if I’d screwed this up.” He nodded toward his house. “So I can verify that, yes, it does have good bones. The structure is sound, and I can make something of it if I really want to.” He glanced over. “That’s a direct quote from my mom, by the way.”

They shared a quick grin. “So do I get to see the inside?”

“You do recall the whole shoving laundry, throwing away pizza boxes thing, right?”

“It can’t be that bad. I have brothers. I’ve been in their bachelor pads, and I survived.” She shuddered dramatically. “If only barely.”

“Consider yourself warned—again.” With great trepidation, he unlocked the door and gestured for her to proceed ahead of him.

She stepped into the wide entry, gazed at the staircase that curved upward to the bedrooms. “Oh, that’s beautiful.”