Shadow of Sin (The Martin Family) (14 page)

“My mother? My mother told me that had she known I’d be so much trouble, she’d have killed me in her womb. That her life would’ve been better without me in it,” Samantha all but snarled.

“Don’t ever forget that,” her mother had said, pinching Samantha’s chin hard as she drilled her with a stare. “And don’t ever darken our threshold again.”

For once, Samantha and her mother had been in perfect agreement.

“No, Caleb. I don’t worry about her. Maybe I did at first, but it served no purpose. After I graduated from law school, I tried to help her. She refused. She’s as crazy as he is. Trust me, they deserve each other.”

He seemed to consider her words. Samantha knew it went against his moral code, but her mother was a lost cause. She didn’t want out and Samantha wouldn’t waste any more energy trying to change her mind.

“You were young when you left your parent’s home, right? How’d you survive?”

“I was fifteen, and honestly? Alec and your dad.”

“What?” The shock on Caleb’s face made Samantha wonder just how clueless Caleb was about his family. “How did they help you?”

“Alec and I had been casual friends for a year or so. I hadn’t been allowed to date or have friends over, but I’d see Alec at school. He’d notice the bruises I’d tried to hide and eventually figured it out. One day, he confronted me about it and I broke down and told him the truth. Alec ignored me and went to your dad, who made arrangements with an attorney to help get me away. I stayed with her after my mother kicked me out. She gave me a place to stay while she fought for my inheritance. I don’t know all the details, but my father fought hard. Then, after a visit from
your
father, he backed off. And I mean seriously backed off. I haven’t heard from the man since.”

And Douglas Martin had taken that conversation to the grave.

Caleb shook his head. “I never knew.”

Samantha shrugged. “You weren’t here and it didn’t concern you. There was no reason you should’ve known. The woman who took me in was a friend of your parents. Claire Atwood. Ring a bell?”

“Claire.” His eyes narrowed as he stared off into the distance. “Yeah, I remember her. She passed away a few years ago.”

“Yes.” Not a day went by that Samantha didn’t miss her. “She helped me get into law school, even made arrangements to pay my tuition, although I wouldn’t hear of it. She’d argue that she had no kids of her own and she couldn’t take her money with her.” Samantha smiled with fond remembrance. “She called me a natural after that argument. Anyway, I never met my grandfather; he passed before I was born. He left a provision in his will for me. One that made sure I’d be taken care of. Financially, anyway. He must have known what kind of man his son was. Claire and I compromised and donated the money she would’ve spent on my tuition to a local woman’s shelter and I used a portion of my inheritance to pay for college.”

Understanding dawned in his gaze. “That’s why you helped Carlotta.”

“Vincent is just like my father,” she spat. “Men who have that kind of money and power think they are above the law. That they can do whatever and hurt whomever they want. No,” she shook her head. “Not on my watch. When I left my father’s home, I swore I’d never allow another man to push me around. And I’d never sit back and watch it happen to anyone else. Vincent Matteo is a parasite. If he thinks he can bully me into giving him what he wants, he’s dangerously mistaken. Even more so, now that you are on my side.”

Caleb stared at her long and hard. She met his gaze with unwavering resolve, willing him to understand, to support her decision to stand strong against Vincent.

“How could I have missed it?” he asked quietly.

“Missed what?”

He slid into the seat next to her, his hard, muscled frame crowding her space as he gathered her against him. His lips pressed against her forehead a second before he tightened his arms around her. “How special you are. You’re an amazing woman, Samantha Quinn,” he whispered close to her ear. “I’ll always be on your side. We’re in this together, Samantha. No matter what.”

Tears sprung in her eyes again and she blinked them back. “Don’t you dare feel sorry for me, Caleb.”

He pulled away so she could see his face. He shook his head, his expression sincere. “Wouldn’t even think it.” He brushed a hand over her hair. “I’d slay dragons for you, if you’d let me. You know that, right?”

“There’s no such thing as dragons.” She leaned into him, sank into the protection of his arms. Her guard began to dissolve. She didn’t have to be strong all the time, she’d realized. Not while in the arms of the man she loved. Just for a moment, she could let his strength hold her up, keep her going. Just for a moment.

“It’s getting late.” His lips brushed against hers for a brief moment. “Let’s go home.”

Samantha sighed. There was that word again.

Home.

Chapter 14

All these years…

He’d known Samantha was tough, but damn. Her strength humbled him, made him proud … and more determined than ever to protect her.

The fact that she’d been abused, had been forced to watch as her mother was abused … Caleb rolled his shoulders in an attempt to release the tension that had been building all afternoon. He had the insane desire to find Thomas Quinn and work off a little aggression. Caleb doubted the man would fare as well against someone bigger than him.

And, as if the disgust he felt for Samantha’s father wasn’t enough, he wanted to kick Alec’s ass for not telling him what she’d been through. Then, hug the crap out of him for keeping her safe.

If he hadn’t heard it from Samantha herself, Caleb wasn’t sure he’d have believed it.

It seemed there was a lot he didn’t know about his baby brother. Alec worked hard and played harder, that he knew. There was obviously more to him than hacking and sex. Go figure. He’d have to watch him more carefully in the future, to see just how fooled they all were.

For now though, all of his attention went to the beautiful redhead in the other room.

Caleb stretched his back, twisting from side to side. The unwelcome feel of the tie against his throat made him cringe. He bounced a few times on his shined up, black boots, feeling like a boxer about to enter the ring. His leg ached, but would survive the night without too much trouble. Provided Samantha didn’t have her heart set on dancing the entire night.

He hadn’t lied to Alec. He had this.

As elusive as Matteo had been, this could be his only shot. After Samantha’s bombshell this afternoon, it was even more important that Caleb educate the man as to who he was dealing with.

Samantha was his. Nobody threatened, taunted, or touched what was his.

Period.

He wasn’t sure when it happened, or when he’d come to the conclusion, but now that he had, there was no going back.

“Well, don’t you look handsome?”

Caleb turned, drawn by her sultry voice, and was immediately floored.

“Wow.”

Not very articulate, but it was all his brain could process as Samantha walked into the room. Son of a bitch, she was stunning. The emerald evening gown she wore hugged her curves, accentuating every inch of her womanly figure. A slit ran up her thigh, offering him the slightest tease of skin as she moved.

Her rich, auburn hair fell in irresistible waves, framing her face and tumbling over her bared shoulders. He imagined shoving his fingers through the thick mass and tasting those red-stained lips. From there, he’d kiss down her throat to the valley created by the deep, plunging neckline.

A thin, delicate-looking line of sequins crossed under her breasts and disappeared around her sides. His gaze traveled lower and his hands ached to find out what she was wearing under that gorgeous satin. Or wasn’t wearing.

“How do I look?”

Caleb’s heart pounded in his chest as Samantha turned a slow circle. He growled low in his throat as he checked out her ass. A fine, delectable ass. He opened his mouth. Closed it. Opened again, yet nothing came out. How could mere words describe the perfection that stood before him?

Like a temptress, she sauntered forward, stopping mere inches from him. Her hands smoothed over the lapels of his jacket and came to rest at his waist. “I do believe I’ve rendered the horseman speechless.”

No longer bothered by her nickname for him, Caleb found his voice. “Rendered him hard as stone is what you’ve done.” He searched her face, looking for some evidence of the woman that had endlessly annoyed him, defied him, and drove him bat-shit crazy.

What he saw was a woman who was his equal. A woman who balanced his harsh moods and controlling behavior, who’d never take his shit. A woman he could spend his life with.

The idea excited him as much as it freaked him out. He wasn’t against relationships, but he was no picnic and he knew it. His years in the military had changed him. He had blood on his hands. He had secrets. He didn’t know if he’d share them even if he could. Most women couldn’t deal with that. They’d expect him to be an open book, there for them to pick apart at any given moment.

But, Samantha was different. She knew much of his past, although not all, and she’d never pressed for more. His family loved her. She’d known his parents for chrissake.

He’d always known it would take a special woman to deal with his baggage. Maybe Samantha was that woman.

Caleb took her hands in his and raised them to his lips. He kissed the palm of one hand, then the other, drinking in the faint, delicate scent of her perfume.

“You’re incredible. You’ll be the most beautiful woman in the room tonight. If I weren’t chomping at the bit to show you off, I’d have you out of that dress in two seconds flat.”

A smile tugged at her lips. “I never imagined you’d say something like that to me.”

Was she serious? “Sweetheart, every man in the place will want to get you out of that dress tonight. What makes you think I’m any different?”

“I meant about you wanting to show me off.” Her eyes gleamed with wicked intent. “Hmm, every man, huh? Guess you’ll have to work really hard to make sure I come home with you.”

She turned and pressed her back against his chest. The sensual sway of her hips, the feel of her ass rubbing against him, tested his control.

She had no idea the beast she was tempting.

The woman in her spoke to everything male in him. Primal, primitive. He wanted to mark her as his own. He wanted to throw her to the floor and bury himself so deep inside her that she’d never be free.

Caleb groaned inwardly. This woman would be the death of him.

He clutched her hips and held her flush against him. There would be no mistaking the erection he sported. Her sharp intake of breath brought a smile to his lips. Oh no, no mistaking it at all.

“Be careful, sugar. That ass of yours has tempted me for years, and if you keep that up, I’ll prove it to you. As for you going home with anyone other than me, you can forget it. You go with me, you leave with me.”

Her head snapped around. “Years?”

Caleb closed his eyes. Of course she’d latch onto that. He’d expected her to be indignant about his order that she only leave with him. He wasn’t about to get into his past attraction to her now.

“Just promise me you’ll behave.”

“Where are we going?” She wiggled her ass against him again.

“Damn it, Sam! You would test the patience of a saint.”

She turned in his arms, her expression curious. “That’s the first time you’ve called me Sam. And who’s the saint in this scenario? You? Do saints have massive erections in their pants?” She snorted with laughter and reached to cup him.

Caleb snatched her wrist just in time. If she’d made contact, it’d be all over. He’d shove her dress up and fuck her right her in the middle of the living room.

“Promise.” His demand sounded more like a request as her playful mood wore off on him.

“Fine, whatever.” She rose up and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek before sneaking out of his arms.

She was excited about tonight, which made him a total jackass. She had no idea where they were going and why. If she did, the light in her eyes would be replaced by the intense glare of a woman on a mission.

Caleb wanted her eyes to sparkle and the melodic sound of her laughter in the air. Just because this night hadn’t been planned for her, didn’t mean he couldn’t make it special.

And God help him if she ever figured out the truth.

* * *

Caleb had brought her to one of Austin’s most elite events of the year.

Under normal circum
stances, Samantha wouldn’t attend such a swanky affair. Too many cameras and reporters for her taste. Too many people who associated with her father, counted on his money for their investments, businesses, or political campaigns. Too many of the same questions.

Samantha thought they’d have given up by now, moved on to someone or something much more interesting than why she didn’t speak to her father anymore. What’s the point in dredging up the past? As long as he stayed out of her life, Sam stayed out of his. She preferred to keep a low profile, but with a name like Quinn, that was damned hard to do in these parts. Her lack of comment over the years only made them try harder.

Wolves in sheep’s clothing, every one of them. The media. The senators, wealthy oilmen, the few city officials that were scattered about. All drinking, clanking their glasses, and patting themselves on the back for their vast generosities. For an event that supported local artists, she’d have thought there might be at least one of the artists in attendance. So far, all she’d seen was stifling male arrogance in a sea of bling and fake breasts, enough to make her eyes ache.

The soft, sultry sounds of the grand piano wrapped around her as she strolled around the room. Tables were scattered about, each draped in a black table cloth, adorned with candles and colorful floral arrangements.

The lure of the botanical gardens drew her to the outer wall of windows. Tiny, white lights sparkled along the landscape. Pathways were illuminated by torches. The affect was magical, a temptation hard to resist.

She loved this place. Especially this time of year, when everything was colorful and new. Out of the ashes of winter came something precious and beautiful.

As a teenager, she’d spent hours wandering the paths, absorbing the serenity of the gardens and the beauty of the flowers in bloom. She’d been able to think here, clear the cobwebs that threatened to overtake her as she worked through one problem after another.

She gazed into the night, wondering if the gardens would still offer her the same clarity she’d found here before. As though the shrubbery would help her decide what to do about Caleb.

She loved him, but she wasn’t so naive as to think love could conquer all. So much stood between them—the biggest obstacle being while he might like her enough to sleep with her, he didn’t love her. Somewhere out there, her life waited. Caleb would expect her to get back to it.

At least they’d become friends, which was more than she could’ve hoped for. She’d dreamed of a time they could laugh and joke together. She’d have paid good money to get through one holiday dinner without him growling at her. Now, it seemed, the friendship she’d longed for was going to break her heart.

Be careful what you wish for, Sammie.

The reflection in the glass revealed Caleb was still where she’d left him—in a heated debate with the governor. Her mouth watered as she stared at Caleb’s handsome form. Dressed in neck-to-toe black, he looked every inch the rogue. Dangerous. Forbidden. Drop dead sexy.

His broad shoulders strained the bindings of his suit. His tie had made it to the truck before he’d mumbled a curse and pulled the thing from his neck. He’d unbuttoned the top two buttons, which showed off his tanned, muscle-lined neck and just a hint of what lay below.

Joe stood to Caleb’s left. The only difference between their attire was Joe’s silver shirt and tie. Amanda stood next to Joe. Her long, blonde curls and pink, strapless dress made her look like a princess.

They were good together. Last year, Samantha had suggested Amanda have a one-night stand to get her confidence back. She’d never expected Amanda would find her soul mate.

Warmth filled Samantha’s chest as Joe’s arm wrapped possessively around Amanda’s waist and pulled her closer to his side. Any man in the room would get the message. Amanda was his.

They shared a love beyond anything Samantha had witnessed. It gave her hope for the future. Amanda and Joe would have kids and raise them to be loving adults. The world needed more love like that.

Samantha might have felt a slight twinge of jealousy for what the two shared, but she was truly happy for Amanda.

Samantha had been glad to put their disagreement at lunch behind them. It seemed Amanda had too. Neither of them had been eager to dwell on it.

“Miss Quinn.” A deep, male voice drew her from her thoughts. “What a surprise to see you this evening. I dare say, I thought you preferred venues with sawdust on the floor.”

Vincent Matteo spoke with the same aristocratic accent that her father tried to emulate. Since Thomas Quinn was a native Texan, it only served to make him sound like a pompous idiot. At least Vincent had the New England roots to pull off the dialect. Still, his inflections gave her a chill.

Her heart pounded as she looked from Vincent’s reflection back to Caleb’s. As if he sensed her watching, Caleb’s concerned gaze met hers. She offered him a reassuring smile, realizing from his vantage point he couldn’t see her unwanted companion.

She had two choices. She could engage Vincent and goad him into doing or saying something stupid, or she could honor the deal she’d made with Caleb and let him handle it.

Caleb didn’t know Vincent was here, but that wouldn’t last long now that Vincent had found her. Caleb had made her promise not to wander out of his line of sight when she’d gotten restless. She’d rolled her eyes, but agreed, discovering she liked the idea that he’d be watching. Vincent had five, maybe ten, minutes before Caleb was at her side.

Okay, so she only had one choice.

Samantha never did anything half way. When she was in, she was full tilt, balls-to-the-wall, no holds barred in. And loving Caleb, whether he returned her affection or not, meant she had to set aside her insecurities. He knew her deepest secret, knew what she’d been through, and she had to believe he wouldn’t betray her trust.

Besides, she wasn’t in any danger. Vincent didn’t get to his position in life by being stupid. He’d sought her out for a reason. No harm in hearing him out, right?

Samantha turned to Vincent. Even in her heels, she had to lift her chin to make eye contact. His eyes were cold, eerily dark and void of emotion. His thick, neatly trimmed eyebrows and black hair were sprinkled with gray. His face was lightly tanned and wrinkle-free. In his dark navy suit, he gave off the air of a distinguished gentleman.

Another wolf.

“Why, Mr. Matteo.” Samantha exaggerated her Southern drawl. “Have you been keeping tabs on me?”