River's Redemption: Blackwater, Book 5 (2 page)

River headed for the cabinet next to the refrigerator and took out a can of Italian roast. “Shouldn’t you be sleeping too? And where’s your better half and those handsome twin babies of yours?”

“Lucy is where I should be—asleep.” A sappy grin spread across his brother’s face. “The twins are just now beginning to sleep through the night, so she tries to catch as many Z’s as she can.”

River felt instantly guilty for keeping his brother from his family. Reilly had met the woman of his dreams. Not long after, she’d ended up pregnant with twin boys. River had never seen his brother so happy and content. He envied him that happiness sometimes. He wondered what it would be like to wake up rested and smiling every day. To have a woman and children who thought you hung the moon. River didn’t think that sort of happy-ever-after was in the cards for him.

“Go home, bro. You don’t need to stick around.”

He snorted. “The minute I leave, you’ll be out the door and on your way to Jeanette’s apartment, and we both know it.”

Truer words were never spoken. As he put the coffee on, River watched his brother slump into a chair at the table. He’d been up all night, and he was exhausted. Reilly had been doing River’s job, taking care of Jeanette. Even though it stuck in his craw to have his brother doing what he so badly ached to do, he was glad Jeanette hadn’t been alone. She would never be alone, not as long as he drew breath.

Back when Jeanette first started college, her parents had been in a horrible car accident. A drunk driver had plowed into them at an intersection. She’d lost them both in one nasty twist of fate, and she’d been on her own ever since.

For weeks afterward, Jeanette had slept in his bed. It’d broken his heart to see her in such pain. He never wanted to see her that way again. His heart couldn’t take it.

“Since you plan to babysit me, then, I suppose I could rustle up some breakfast.”

Reilly perked up at the mention of food. “If you weren’t my twin, I’d kiss you, tongue and all.”

River shook his head and glanced at the clock on the stove. It was nearly six now. Seven hours until he could see her and know for himself that she was okay. Ah hell, it was going to be a long-ass day.

Chapter Two

I’M COMING OVER. SEE YA IN A BIT.

Jeanette’s heart sped up. River was on his way. She’d gotten the text from him twenty minutes ago. God, would she always feel this instant jolt of electricity whenever the man’s name came to mind? It infuriated her that she couldn’t stop wishing for something more than friendship with him. No matter what she did, no matter how hard she tried to avoid him, River still invaded her daytime thoughts and nighttime dreams.

“Reilly says River’s been worried sick for you,” Lucy said as she sat up straighter in the chair and crossed her legs. “He cares about you a great deal.” Lucy smiled as if she knew how much Jeanette needed to hear that. “Although I’m not sure he knows it.”

Jeanette’s stomach knotted, and she shifted around on the couch to get more comfortable. Her body ached from being thrown to the concrete sidewalk last night, and she had a mild concussion. From the moment she’d opened her eyes earlier in that morning, it’d felt like someone was using a jackhammer against the inside of her skull. But she took heart in the knowledge that she’d gotten in at least one swift knee to the mugger’s groin. It hadn’t been a total loss. “Maybe he does care, as a friend, but it’s not meant to be more than that between us.”

Lucy frowned and flipped her long, black hair over her shoulder. “What do you mean?”

The image of River with the redhead sprang to mind, and her head began to pound even harder. “I’ve had a small glimpse of what River really wants in a woman. Unfortunately, I don’t think it’s me.”

“You seem so sure, but isn’t it possible you’re wrong?” Lucy shrugged. “I mean, I wasn’t exactly expecting Reilly to come barreling into my life. Honestly, that’s half the fun, though.”

Jeanette was genuinely puzzled by that remark. “What do you mean?”

“I rather like the idea that he came along when I least expected to find love. Not knowing what’s going to happen between us is thrilling.”

“Reilly isn’t River, though.” Lucy had a valid point, but there was one problem with her logic. Reilly had been ready for love. He’d been ready for Lucy and the twin babies. Jeanette didn’t think River would ever be ready to settle down. God, he needed a swift kick in the ass.

Lucy crossed her arms over her chest. “So, you don’t think we’re in control of our own fate, is that it?”

Jeanette wasn’t sure what she believed. Not anymore. At one time, she’d had all the confidence in the world that River would someday belong to her. Now… “I think fate is leading River and me down different paths. Clearly, fate hates my guts. The bitch.”

She chuckled. “Wow, I never knew you were such a cynic.”

The words hurt more than she let on. “It’s not cynicism. Merely instinct.”

“You’re condemning the relationship before it even has a chance to take seed.” Lucy paused, then added, “Or could this be more like self-preservation?”

She shook her head adamantly. “It’s called facing reality, Lucy.”

Lucy let out a deep breath. “Look, I know that I’m being annoying here, and you probably don’t want to deal with this right now, not with that knot on your head, but you’re too intelligent to simply give up.” In a gentler tone, she said, “You love him very much, but it seems to me that you’re being too hard on River. You don’t really expect him to be celibate do you?”

Jeanette bit her lip in frustration. She couldn’t let Lucy’s words take root, because pursuing River at this point felt too much like banging her head against a brick wall. A big, stubborn, gorgeous and annoying brick wall. “You’re right, I’m being unfair. But I’m also through pining for a man who sees me as an inexperienced child.”

“Isn’t it possible that your mind is in a different place right now?” She indicated Jeanette’s injured body. “You’ve been through something very traumatic. Give yourself a break here.”

Jeanette considered that a moment. She had always prided herself on being an open-minded person, accepting of new possibilities. Why then was she so anxious to close her mind to a relationship with River? “I don’t know. Maybe you’re right.”

She smiled and patted her hand. “Of course I am.”

God, Jeanette was so confused. She didn’t know which end was up. She sighed and rubbed her eyes; then pain shot through her hand. “Ouch.” She held up her palm, remembering too late the skin on her left hand was scraped raw. The pain meds the doctor gave her weren’t quite cutting it.

“I guess I’m not really thinking straight right now,” Jeanette admitted, wanting to put an end to the conversation. “I should give River and me a chance.”

“Damn right you should.”

Jeanette’s heart jumped at River’s deep voice. He stood in the doorway to the apartment, looking as yummy as ever with his messy black hair and sinful green eyes. He wore a pair of tight, dark jeans that molded to the length of his muscular legs, and a black short-sleeved T-shirt. He oozed male confidence and sexual prowess. River had a dark and savage quality about him that had always drawn Jeanette. And, as usual, he looked good enough to lick. He clutched an overnight bag in one strong hand, and his patented grim expression was firmly in place.

Lucy gave River a stern look. “And how long have you been standing there?”

River strode to the couch and dropped the bag onto the far end of it. “Long enough to know that Jeanette ought to have her head examined if she thinks I’m just going to walk away. Not my style.”

Jeanette arched a brow and shook her head. “I would tell you how incredibly arrogant you sound right now, not to mention how terribly rude it is to eavesdrop, but it’ll have to wait until the room stops spinning.”

Right away, River was contrite. “Tell me what to do to make you feel better, damn it,” he bit out. “I feel useless as hell here.”

Love me, she thought. Just love me.

Instead, she said, “I’m fine, really. There’s nothing to do.”

“I should probably get going,” Lucy piped up. “I have a bunch of errands to run before I can get home and relieve Reilly. I left him alone with the twins. Another couple of hours and he’s bound to be wrecked.”

“Give the babies a kiss for me,” Jeanette said.

“Ditto,” River replied. “From their favorite uncle.”

A small hint of envy invaded Jeanette’s heart. Lucy had what Jeanette so badly wanted—a loving man and two terrific babies. Lucy deserved every last drop of happiness, though. She hadn’t had the easiest upbringing, with a father who didn’t want anything to do with her and a mother who’d died in a car accident when Lucy was very young. It was one of the threads that had tied Lucy and her together as friends these past few months, ever since Lucy had met Reilly. A drunk driver had stolen both of Jeanette’s parents’ lives. When someone you loved was ripped away from you and you weren’t prepared, didn’t get to say good-bye, it left a hole in your heart. Lucy understood what that was like. Now the woman walked around with a grin twenty-four hours a day. Reilly made her happy, and that was as it should be.

“I will.” Lucy leaned down and gently hugged her. “Take care, and let us know if you need anything.”

“Thanks, for everything.”

Lucy turned to River and frowned. “Be gentle. She’s been through a lot.”

He bent and kissed Lucy’s cheek, then said, “I’m a regular pussycat.”

Lucy snorted. “Yeah, right,” she replied as she turned and left.

River looked back at Jeanette. “Did you take anything for the pain?” He sat next to her and put his arm around the back of the couch, his thick, muscular legs spread out in front of him. When he began to gently massage her shoulders, Jeanette sighed and leaned into him. This close, Jeanette could smell his clean, masculine scent, with just a hint of aftershave. It’d always been hard to resist that potent mix of male aggressiveness and spice.

“The doctor called in a prescription,” she said around a yawn. “I’m sure it’ll kick in soon.”

He frowned. “Maybe a hot shower?”

“Nope, already tried that.”

He cursed under his breath. “One question—did they get the asshole?”

“Actually, no,” she replied, catching his angry expression. “He took off after I kneed him in the crotch. I gave the police a description, and they’re on the lookout. I’m not really holding out hope, though.”

“Shit,” he muttered. “So, this guy got your purse, which means he knows your address. Did you cancel your credit cards?”

“Yes, he knows where I live, although I don’t think it’ll matter.” She quirked a brow. “Don’t muggers usually just want quick cash? I had all of forty dollars on me. So the joke’s on him.” She tried to lighten the mood, but judging by River’s expression, it didn’t help one iota.

“And your credit cards?”

“All taken care of. I will need to get a new driver’s license, unfortunately. And before you ask, yes, I’ve already called the bank. They’re sending me a new debit card.”

“I still don’t like the idea of him knowing where you live. You aren’t safe here, sunshine.”

Oh God, it was too much. His nearness, his concern—it all wrapped around her like a warm embrace. She couldn’t keep an emotional distance with River on the best of days. Definitely not now when her defenses were down. “There isn’t anything to worry about, River.” She stood and started for the kitchen. When he followed her, she turned. “And will you
please
stop hovering.”

He closed the distance between them and took hold of her chin. “I will hover as long as it’s necessary, so you might as well get used to me being around.”

She crossed her arms over her chest. “You expect me to get used to having a constant shadow?” Jeanette didn’t bother to add that River was the most gorgeous shadow she’d ever seen. And it was that very thing that had her feeling all wound up inside. It had to stop, because it was ruining her plan to stay angry with him.

“Hey, I’m the good kind of shadow,” he said, tweaking her nose. “It’s the bad shadows of the world I’m trying to protect you from.” His eyes turned from teasing to intense in an instant. “By the way, what’s this about you working at the Dawg Pit? You should’ve come to me if you needed money. You can always come to me, sunshine.” She immediately moved to object, but he laid a finger against her lips and said, “Don’t. We’ve been friends too long. You should’ve come to me. And you can get over your mad too. I’m sorry you had to see me with Holly. It hurt you. I never meant to hurt you. But until the police catch your mugger, I’m not going anywhere. So stop pushing me away, damn it. It’s pissing me off.”

The pain in River’s eyes threatened to overwhelm her. She had been hurt when she’d seen him with that woman, but she didn’t have the right, and Jeanette knew that. He had every right to be with anyone he chose. They weren’t a couple. He didn’t owe her any explanations. Still, as illogical as it was, Jeanette felt betrayed. It was this stupid crush of hers that was causing the friction between them.

She moved his finger away and gently intertwined their fingers. “You have nothing to be sorry for,” she replied, meaning it. “I could’ve knocked. I should’ve been more considerate of your privacy.” She sighed. “And yes, I do need money for school. I’m on summer break, and working at the Dawg Pit seemed like a good idea.” When he started to speak, she overrode him. “I called this morning and quit. Don’t worry, I have no desire to go back to that end of town.” She shuddered. “Ever again.”