On His Honor (6 page)

Yeah. All of them knew how crazy things could be for Zane. “Doesn’t she have a bodyguard?”

“We promised her it would be different here in Austin. We promised her a chance to live like a real person.”

Sophie’s intent was beginning to come clear. “You’re not saying…”

“I just thought… Maybe it was a foolish idea.” She sounded so disappointed. “She would be safe with you, JD, I mean, you have all that training.”

“You want me to be her bodyguard? I have a job, Sophie.”

“I know.” She sighed. “Cade would do it, but he has to leave on another assignment.”

“Cade’s a photographer, not a cop.”

“But he’s a man, and he’s big. And everyone else in the family is married.”

“You were going to pimp Cade out to Violet James?” he teased.

“No!” Then she huffed. “Do not be deliberately obtuse. I’m only asking if you would take Violet out a time or two. Give her a chance to have some fun, and still be safe. Take her somewhere where she doesn’t attract attention.”

“I practically knocked her down,” he pointed out.

“She wasn’t mad—oh, never mind,” she said. “I don’t even know that Violet would go for the idea, anyway.”

Okay, he’d been cautious enough. Now he was going to jump all over this golden opportunity to spend time with the woman one of their prime suspects was coming to visit every day. She probably knew he was a cop since the family would have no reason to hide that fact, and this was the only innocuous means by which he’d have an excuse to snoop around and see what he could learn about Avery Lofton.

“Maybe she’s the forgiving type,” he said to Sophie. “And she’ll consider me almost flattening her a novel introduction.”

Sophie chuckled.

It wasn’t without effort that he pretended nonchalance. “Okay, I guess. Feel free to try, then let me know what she thinks of your idea.”

“Oh, thank you, JD. I owe you. Of course, I already owe you for all your backbreaking labor on my landscaping.”

Oh, you really, really don’t,
he thought. Not if she could get him in the catbird seat on his investigation. But to Sophie he only said, “What are friends for? Anyway, better not celebrate yet. She might be a tough sell.”

“I don’t think so—I hope not. I mean, you do have a way with women, JD. She’s such a nice person. I like her a lot, not only as a guest, but as a person. She’s very fragile right now, and I really want to help her.”

“You have a good heart, Sophie. Call me and let me know how the sales job goes.”

“I will—and thank you so much.”

Oh, no, thank you. You’re the one who’s dropping this right in my lap.
“Bye, Sophie.”

Doc would be ecstatic if it came through.

He wished he could explain to Sophie that he would be careful with Violet, that if she wasn’t involved in this crime, she would be fine.

But he couldn’t tell Sophie anything. He reminded himself that he worked undercover all the time, that the deception was necessary, that he was doing it for the right reasons, to save lives. To keep innocent young women who weren’t famous safe from those who would brutalize and kill them.

* * *

V
IOLET
DIDN
'
T
TELL
A
VERY
about her ill-fated outing, though she wasn’t sure why. She shouldn’t have told Sophie, but Sophie had been outside on the grounds looking worried when she returned. What an oaf she’d been, not thinking to leave Sophie a note. When she stayed in a hotel she never considered accounting for her whereabouts, but even though she was a paying guest here, somehow this was different. Sophie had gone so far out of her way for Violet, and Violet had rewarded her solicitous care by vanishing and leaving Sophie to worry.

So somehow all the details had come spilling out. Sophie felt terrible, not that any of it was her fault, but that was just who Sophie was. Violet had assured her she was fine, that the incident hadn’t soured her on Austin, that she was fine staying inside the grounds and would be returning to L.A. soon anyway.

That only served to make Sophie feel worse.

Avery had arrived before they could finish the conversation and, as always, her hostess disappeared and left her to visit with Avery in private. That visit hadn’t gone much better than the morning’s outing. He’d been preoccupied and even a little irritable, so she’d sent him on his way quickly, pleading that she was tired—and frankly, he hadn’t seemed to mind all that much.

She was not a duty call. She wasn’t going to be an obligation or a worry. She didn’t want to be anyone’s burden, she just wanted—

She had no idea what she wanted. Except what she couldn’t seem to have. How had she come to this point in her life? No man, no children, no one she really trusted except Avery…and their friendship wasn’t holding up terribly well right now, either.

That was unfair. He was a busy man, yet he made time for her every day, he brought her countless gifts, trying to cheer her up.

But she wanted someone who couldn’t wait to be with her. Someone whose day she made brighter, someone she could love as much as she wanted with this heart of hers that was starving to death. Someone whose motives she could trust completely, who saw her as she was, the East Tennessee girl, not the Hollywood star.

As the hammock she was trying to relax in slowed, a cold nose attached to a big furry head plopped over the side and stilled her. Violet smiled. “Hi, Skeeter.” The Irish setter’s tail thumped the ground, and his tongue swiped her arm.

“Skeeter! Oh, Violet, I’m so sorry. Someone let him out of the house.” Sophie rushed to retrieve her dog. “I’m very sorry he woke you.”

Violet stroked his head and smiled into the soft brown eyes, then looked up at Skeeter’s mistress. “I wasn’t asleep, and, anyway, I’ve slept for a year already. Besides, I grew up with big dogs. I’d have one if I didn’t travel so much. Nothing better than a big old sloppy dog kiss, isn’t that right, baby?” she crooned. “Much better than a yappy little thing.”

Skeeter’s tail wagged his agreement.

“He’s supposed to be in his run when guests are on the grounds.”

“Well, since you’ve been kind enough to make me your only guest, I think he should get a reprieve.”

“Not so kind. You’re paying a premium for the privilege.” Sophie was relentlessly honest, cautious to her core and ruthless in her expectations of herself and her staff.

“I should. You sacrificed bookings to afford me the privacy of being the only guest.”

Sophie waved off her concerns. “I’d do anything for Cade’s family. And once I met you, well, I’m happy if I can help someone I like so much.”

“They’re really nice, aren’t they? I’d only met Zane until last night.”

“They are. They treat me just like family.”

Violet heard the wistfulness in her voice and decided to pry a little further. “From what I heard last night, Cade would make that legal in a heartbeat.”

In a rare display of distress, Sophie was practically wringing her hands. “I know, but…” Abruptly she faced Violet. “I’ve been married before.”

“Oh.” Didn’t she know only too well how much the past could mark you? “I apologize. I—”

Sophie pressed on as though Violet hadn’t spoken. “I…we had a child.” Her voice went very quiet. “My husband and baby, they…died.”

Now Violet really felt terrible. She rose and laid her hand on the taller woman’s arm. “I understand. I’m very sorry for your loss.”

Sophie began to walk, and after a brief hesitation, Violet fell into step beside her. “I’m over it—at least, as much as you ever get over losing your family in an instant.” She faced Violet. “I was in hiding, and Cade made me come out. Taught me that I could love again…but I’m scared.” She flung her hands wide. “And I don’t know why I’m talking about this.”

“I won’t tell a soul, Sophie, I swear. It stays between us.”

“You are such a nice person. It’s not just an image—you really are America’s Sweetheart.”

“Please.” Violet shuddered. “Not here. I’m just me. And that’s a gift you’ve given me, Sophie, the space to just…be. To not have to keep up appearances or worry about what I say or how I look or—”

“You’re always beautiful. You’d be easy to hate if you weren’t so lovable.”

Violet rolled her eyes. “Yeah, yeah, blah, blah…let’s get back to you.”

“Actually, I came to talk about you.”

“Me? Is this about this morning? Sophie, please don’t worry about what happened. I’ll be fine.”

Sophie twisted her fingers together, an unusual sign of tension in someone normally so serene. “I—I arranged something for you.”

Now it was Violet who tensed. “What?”

“You need to get out,” Sophie said. “And I have a solution. JD is coming to pick you up this afternoon.”

“JD?” Violet echoed. “From last night?”

“He’s a good guy,” Sophie said quickly. “And he’s embarrassed about nearly knocking you down. That’s very unlike him. He’s usually great company, a lot of fun. Women love him.”

“That’s not exactly a selling point for me, you know.” Violet smiled wryly. “I’ve had it up to here with pretty boys. My life is full of them in L.A.”

“But he’s not like that,” Sophie responded. “And this isn’t…he didn’t ask for it. I was the one who asked him. He’s got reservations, too.”

Violet’s eyebrows rose. “Really.”

“What I mean is that he would never impose. You know he’s a cop, right? So I thought that he could be good company but also watch over you and keep you safe. I mean, you could hire a bodyguard, but—”

Violet shook her head. “I’d rather not. I just wanted to be able to go and play tourist without being followed.”

“Exactly,” Sophie said. “Which is why I thought of JD. He’s not like a real bodyguard and he’s really a lot of fun. Everyone in the family loves him.”

Violet’s instinct was to say no, but she recognized that Sophie was simply trying in a different way to give her a chance to get out and enjoy herself.

“Never mind,” Sophie said when Violet didn’t speak. “I’ll come with you. I can be fierce when I need to,” Sophie said. “Cade won’t mind sparing me for a while.”

Cade definitely would mind, Violet would bet. He’d been gone for three weeks, she’d learned during her stay here. He’d barely been back forty-eight hours and he was due to leave again in a few days. Plus, the two of them were so crazy in love with each other that Violet would be the biggest jerk to take Sophie away now.

She shouldn’t hold it against JD that he was gorgeous. He might be perfectly nice. Hadn’t she always been one to give others the benefit of the doubt? “No, I’m not taking you away from Cade,” she said. “But JD is clear this isn’t a date, right?”

“Of course,” Sophie said. “He’s only doing it as a favor to me.” Then her eyes widened. “Um, I mean… Good grief, you’d never know I have a reputation for being cool under fire.”

Violet grinned. “I don’t think I’ve ever had a pity date,” she said. “Much less a pity non-date.”

“I should probably stop right now, shouldn’t I?”

Sophie looked so distressed and embarrassed that Violet couldn’t tease her anymore. “You did fine. Anyway, it’s not your fault that I’ve made a real hash of my life.”

The other woman’s eyebrows rose. “You’re famous and beautiful and you make millions.” Then her eyes warmed. “But I guess I do understand. I wasn’t around when Zane and Roan met, but I’ve heard the family stories. Even when he was on top of the world in everyone’s eyes, his life wasn’t nearly as perfect as it seemed.”

“I hear that,” Violet said. “I made one of my dreams happen, but I never understood back then that it wouldn’t be enough.” She reached out and clasped Sophie’s hands. “You have a wonderful man who loves you. You stay here and play with him. I’ll go with JD.”

“You’ll have fun, Violet. I promise.”

It would be nice to get out, and it was the least she could do for the woman standing in front of her with worried eyes. Besides, she’d always been an optimist, and she wanted to be that Violet again.

She squeezed Sophie’s hands. “I’m looking forward to it.”

Sophie’s delight was reward enough to balance Violet’s misgivings.
Fake it ’til you make it, right, Mom?

CHAPTER FIVE

G
OOD
WORK
,
D
OC
HAD
SAID
when JD called him to report their windfall.
Don’t screw it up.

There was a lot at stake here, not the least of which was that they weren’t sure whether Violet James was involved in the human-trafficking ring. It didn’t seem likely, but his years in law enforcement had taught JD that motivations were not always obvious, that the most innocent-looking parties could still be guilty as hell.

Why a woman as on top of the world as Violet would be involved in crime, especially one that hurt women and children more than anyone, he couldn’t imagine. But Avery Lofton was definitely involved, and she was close to Lofton. Just how close was something he’d be paying rapt attention to. Even if she wasn’t part of this horrifying scheme, she could know something. He took nothing for granted at this point.

He wasn’t a trained bodyguard, either, and that could screw things up, too. Yes, he had formidable self-defense skills and he kept them honed. He didn’t just run daily, he lifted weights and he’d studied various forms of self-defense. But with luck, none of that would be needed. As far as he was aware, she had no stalkers, no crazed fans lurking in bushes. Doc had tagged an old FBI buddy stationed in L.A. to check that out. Violet James was much loved, but her reputation for sweetness shielded her from the worst of the crazies.

Beyond all of that…he also couldn’t think of how to entertain one of the world’s most famous and beautiful women.

He pulled into Sophie’s and used the code Sophie had given him when they’d spoken earlier. After the gate opened, he drove inside, still debating his options.

Could he actually be nervous? He didn’t remember the last time he’d been nervous on a date—not that this was a date, but he really didn’t know what the devil to call it.

He emerged from his truck, dressed in his usual attire of jeans, a T-shirt and boots, with a ball cap on his head from his beloved Texas Longhorns. Austin was a casual place, and Ms. Bigshot Star would just have to deal with it if she was expecting some guy in a silk shirt.

He started for the front door of the hotel, thinking he’d seek out Sophie first, but just before he made it to the steps, he heard Skeeter bark, followed by feminine laughter. He backed up several steps and peered across the grounds, seeing the woman he was here to pick up kneeling and rubbing Skeeter enthusiastically.

She looked about seventeen, her hair caught up in a ponytail, curls escaping all around her face. She, too, had jeans on, though he imagined hers probably cost much, much more than his. Whatever the cost, though, they were worth it. America’s Sweetheart had one very fine derriere and impressively long legs for someone barely medium height. She looked amazing.

Whoa, boy. She’s a case, not a woman. Certainly not a woman you’ll ever find in your bed.
Still, he changed course and crossed the grounds with long strides. Skeeter saw him first, barking a greeting, then racing his way.

When the dog reached JD, he leapt to his hind legs and planted his forelegs on JD’s chest.

“Still not doing so hot at the obedience lessons, huh, boy?” JD grinned and scratched behind Skeeter’s ears, then darted sideways, exciting the dog. They began to roughhouse.

Violet approached. “He’s a great dog.”

He was staring, he knew it, but couldn’t seem to do anything about it.

The woman was just too beautiful to believe.

Her head tilted curiously, then disappointment crossed her expression and she looked away.

“I’m not thinking about how beautiful you are. I’m picturing you with a big wart on your nose.”

Her head whipped back. “What did you say?”

“You don’t like hearing that you’re beautiful. Picturing you with a big wart will keep me from being just one more person saying that.”

A sideways glance. “You’re not into warts?” There was a tiny curve to her lips.

“Well, now don’t get me wrong, with the right woman a wart could be just fine.”

This smile was genuine.

“I’m much more evolved than that,” he went on. “I couldn’t care less what a woman looks like. I’m blind to all but inner beauty.”

At that she laughed. “I think I’ll try that wart image myself. I suspect you already have enough women falling all over you.”

He grimaced. “Please, not you, too.”

“But here’s the thing: handsome men are a dime a dozen where I live. I’m immune.”

He stared at her. “That’s good…I think.” His forehead wrinkled.

“I’m just saying…”

“Consider me forewarned.” Well, now, this was…different. He saluted her then cleared his throat elaborately. “So, what’s your pleasure, ma’am? Where would you like to go?”

“Surprise me,” she said.

He considered her for a moment. “So are you a risk taker?”

“I dropped out of college and left for Hollywood against my family’s wishes and with the sum total of three hundred dollars in my pocket, which I proceeded to lose the first week I lived in L.A.”

“That only says you’re not too bright.”

She laughed instead of taking offense, and that impressed him.

“So how about now? Are you still adventurous, Ms. James?”

Her smile dimmed. “I’m trying to be. It’s harder these days. Too many eyes watching. Too many people hoping I’ll screw up. I brought it on myself, though. If I hadn’t been ambitious, none of this would’ve happened.”

“So where would you be now, if you hadn’t been ambitious?”

She got this faraway look on her face. “Maybe back in Tennessee, maybe married to one of the boys I grew up with, a house full of kids…”

He considered and rejected any number of responses. There was an element of wistfulness about her when she talked about a home, kids, as if she would trade being queen of the universe, arguably the most famous woman in America, for that life. But would she really trade her life for what many would consider mundane?

Before he could decide, she straightened and tossed her head, sending that ponytail swinging. “So, what’s the plan, Mr. Bodyguard?”

He winced. “Sure you don’t want to just hire a real bodyguard?” Immediately he cursed silently. Why had he even asked her? Ten minutes in, and he was letting emotion and a beautiful face make him forget why he was here.

“Sophie said I’d be safe with you. Was she wrong? Aren’t you a cop? Protect and serve, and all that?”

Here’s where it got dicey. He couldn’t hide his profession, but he had to walk a fine line. He’d already decided to give himself a different career path. “I teach at the Academy.” It wasn’t a total fabrication; he did teach a class now and again on undercover tactics. And the amount of time he spent undercover meant he was adept at lying, anyway.

But somehow he didn’t like lying to her.

No other choice, son.
Doc’s voice rang in his head. No one knew who she was to Avery Lofton or how much she was aware of Lofton’s illegal activities. JD had to keep his eye on the prize.

She scanned his body. “You’re pretty fit for a teacher,” she said.

He couldn’t help reacting.
Down boy.
It was hard to ignore the impact of a beautiful woman letting her eyes walk a lazy trail over your flesh.

“I like to run,” he said.

Her expression brightened. “Me, too. Every day?”

He nodded. “Five miles, rain or shine.”

She sighed. “I miss it. It’s probably part of why I’m going stir-crazy. I haven’t left this place in two and a half weeks—until this morning, that is.”

“Well, then, there’s your answer. You got your shoes here?”

She glanced down at his boots. “Yes, but you don’t.”

He grinned. “Au contraire, darlin’. I keep my gym bag in my truck. You game?”

Caution crept in. “But where?”

“Oh, honey. Austin is full of places to go run. You get changed while I grab my bag and go say hi to Sophie. How far do you normally run?”

“Three miles,” she said. “But only three times a week.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll go easy on you.”

Competition sparked in her eyes. “Don’t you dare.” She turned to go.

“Tennessee girl, huh?”

She glanced back. “Yeah.”

“So you probably think pork is real barbecue.”

“It’s the only barbecue,” she responded.

He walked backwards, still talking. “So you haven’t been completely ruined by the land of fruits and nuts? I don’t have to produce macrobiotic organic vegan food for you? I mean, I can, you know. Austin’s nearly as weird as California.”

Her smile spread. “Barbecue will be just fine, even if it’s only beef.”

“Oh, sugar, you are so going to eat your words.” He spun and headed for his truck, smiling as he heard her laugh behind him.

* * *

V
IOLET
RACED
THROUGH
changing clothes. While the respite from her demanding trainer had been pretty nice up until now, she was antsy to stretch herself, to push hard, to feel the heat of well-used muscles.

So he was a runner, was he? He must lift weights, too. You didn’t get those broad shoulders and ripped arms simply from running.

He was friendly, but he was also smart. He was still too charming by half, but he didn’t kowtow to her, and that was worth a lot.

Anyway, she wasn’t obligated to anything. She would gamble today and go on this adventure. At worst, she’d get some badly needed exercise and the chance to be free on the other side of these grounds. She hoped very much he’d take her someplace where she didn’t have to be so guarded, where it could be just her and the outdoors, the sun, the breeze, the rhythm of the run.

She’d hurried so she could beat him outside, but instead he was throwing a ball for Skeeter and visiting with Sophie and Cade. There was an ease among them that she envied. Her time with the MacAllister family the night before had reminded her so much of what it was like to go home. Or, actually, what it had been like before she became famous. Now she brought trouble along with her everywhere she went.

But when she was with her family, it was so wonderful to just relax and be herself. She’d watched Zane doing the same thing, being teased by his brothers and giving as good as he got. Playing with his children, dragging his wife onto his lap and kissing the socks off her. He made everything seem so normal, but she knew very well how difficult achieving “normal” was.

How had he managed it? she wanted to know. A devoted mate, three beautiful children, roles he only accepted when the time and place worked out for all of them.

Zane had gotten it all right. She should take lessons.

Unless there was no point in teaching her. Maybe she was simply doomed from the beginning because there was something innately unlovable about her.

She danced away from that line of thought.

As she approached, she studied JD more closely. His shoes were clearly not brand-new, and he wore an ancient cops vs. firemen baseball game T-shirt with the sleeves ripped out and a pair of running shorts ratty enough to indicate that these were his real workout clothes. It was the attire of the man who wasn’t out to impress anyone.

And she’d been right about those arms, now that she saw them bare. In street clothing, he looked deceptively lean, but there was definite power in that frame.

He was indeed handsome, but not in a pampered way, not someone who had facials or manicures or a spray-on tan. This was a real man, the kind she’d almost forgotten existed.

At that moment Sophie caught sight of her and welcomed her with a smile.

Violet was grateful for the distraction.
No unwholesome thoughts about the bodyguard, Violet. Remember that.

“Hi, there,” Sophie said.

Cade turned in her direction, then JD did, as well. She was more than a little gratified to see his eyes widen at the sight of her. She hadn’t gone to any special trouble; she wore her oldest running shorts and a sleeveless form-fitting T-shirt. For an instant pride ambushed her. She wanted him to see that she, too, knew what she was about, that she was no dilettante about her exercise.

“Did you bring sunscreen?” JD asked. “’Cause you’re going to need it. This sun is brutal.”

“I live in the land of sunshine,” she reminded him.

“Texas sun isn’t sissy sun like California. You’ll need more. I have some in the truck.” Then he turned back to Sophie. “Thanks for the loan of the extra water bottle. I only had mine with me.” He glanced at Violet. “There are points along the trail where we can refill our bottles, if we have to. Gotta stay hydrated in this heat.”

He wasn’t kidding. She was used to sun and to protecting herself from it, but it had been a while since she’d had to deal with the deadly combination of heat and humidity. Tennessee could be the same, but she hadn’t lived there in a very long time.

“Thanks, Sophie. Hi, Cade,” she said.

“If Pretty Boy here doesn’t take good care of you, he’ll answer to me,” Cade said.