DANA PERCHED ON THE EDGE of the guest-room bed and told herself she would be amazed. Enchanted, even. Delighted. Skye hung the long dress on a hook on the inside of the closet door, then pulled away the protective plastic covering.
“What do you think?” Skye asked anxiously.
The dress, actually it was a gown, glimmered in the afternoon light. It was ivory, silk-a fact Izzy had shared-and lightly beaded. The style was simple, an empire waist, with long sleeves and a full skirt. Dana could see Skye in it. The gown was totally her.
“You’ll be beautiful,” she said honestly. “I’m sorry I didn’t stay to see you try it on.”
“Don’t worry. You can suffer through the fittings I’ll have later this month,” Skye teased. “And I appreciate you were willing to be there for part of the shopping experience. I know it’s not your thing.”
“I still feel bad,” Dana said. “I was distracted and I shouldn’t have been. It was your time.”
Skye finished putting the cover back on the dress. “You can make it up to me.”
“How?” Dana was cautious. More than cautious. She was worried. Wedding details were not her thing.
“I need help addressing the invitations.”
Dana winced. “Why do I know this means more than putting on return address labels or stamps?”
“Calligraphy.”
“That fancy writing?” Dana’s stomach began to hurt. “You know I can’t do that, right?”
Skye grinned, her green eyes dancing with laughter. “Don’t panic. I’m not going to ask you.”
“Good, because I don’t want to learn how.”
“It’s pretty easy.” Skye led the way out of the guest room. “There are special pens that help.”
“I’ll take your word for it.”
They walked down the stairs and into the kitchen. Dana sniffed the air. Something delicious and spicy simmered on the stove.
“Do I want to know?” she asked.
“Carnitas.”
“Am I invited to stay for dinner?”
“If you want. It would mean being away from Garth for a few hours.”
Dana sighed. “For carnitas, I would suffer through the pain.”
“I’m not sure Garth wants to hear that.” Skye poured them each a cup of coffee.
Dana sat across from her at the kitchen table. “What’s wrong?” she asked. “You’re not glowing with happiness. Shouldn’t you be?”
“I’m glowing on the inside,” Skye said, then sighed. “I’m happy about Mitch. I love him more than I can say. Marrying him and being with him is everything I’ve ever wanted. But…”
“But?” Dana prompted. There was more. She could see it in the shadows behind the smile.
“I hate what’s happening with Jed. He’s our father. He should be here with us. We should be working together. Instead we’re trying to bring him down because he nearly killed his own daughter. Why does it have to be like this?”
“Because Jed wants to win at any cost, although if it helps, I don’t think he was trying to kill Izzy.” She told Skye what Jed had said at the party a few weeks ago.
Skye listened, then sighed. “So he might not have been trying to kill her, but it was okay if she or anyone else got hurt? What a guy.”
She frowned. “And what he did to Garth and Kathy? I still can’t wrap my mind around it.”
“I know.” Dana hesitated. “But maybe there’s more to it than what Garth told us.”
“I’m not sure we’ll ever find out,” Skye said. “Jed confirmed the facts, but won’t give us any details and Kathy can’t.”
“I’m sorry this is all such a mess.”
“Don’t be. You’re one of the few things keeping me sane-knowing I can count on you means a lot.
“I’m getting married,” Skye whispered. “I want to tell my father. I want him to be happy for me. But that’s never going to happen. He doesn’t care.” Tears filled her green eyes. “I thought my dad would walk me down the aisle. I was wrong.”
Dana wanted to writhe in her seat. She hated seeing anyone she cared about suffering, especially when she couldn’t fix the problem. While she would never want to see her father again, she understood Skye’s ambivalence. Knowing Jed was the bad guy was one thing-putting that thought into practice was another.
She remembered Skye’s first marriage. It had been a huge society event, with half a dozen bridesmaids and a horse-drawn carriage. The ceremony had been held in a big church in town, followed by a reception at Glory’s Gate. Over half a dozen senators had attended, along with a former president. People had talked about the party for weeks.
This time was different. This time Skye was marrying out of love rather than duty. This time everything was the way she wanted it and not because of how it would play in the papers. But not having Jed walk her down the aisle would still leave a hole in the day.
“Ask Garth,” she said without thinking.
Skye blinked at her. “What?”
Second thoughts crowded in, but Dana ignored them. “Ask Garth to walk you down the aisle. He’s your older brother. Doesn’t that count?”
“I hadn’t thought of that. Do you think he’d do it?”
What Dana thought was that he was so going to want to kill her. She refused to feel the least bit of apprehension. He owed her for being so understanding about Fawn’s visit. “I think he’d have a hard time telling you no,” she said honestly.
“Not exactly a rousing endorsement,” Skye said with a laugh. “But good enough. I’ll call and ask him.”
“You should.”
Skye’s humor faded. “How did we get here?” she asked, tears returning to her eyes. “He’s our father. He’s supposed to love us.”
“A lot of people don’t like following the rules,” Dana said, thinking of her own father. “Jed’s one of them.”
“We have to do this. We have to put him in jail. He can’t be trusted. Who knows who he’ll come after next. Erin, maybe. Or Lexi’s baby.” She held on to the coffee mug with both hands, but didn’t drink. “I never wanted it to be like this. What happens when Mitch and I have a baby? He or she will never know who Jed is. He’ll just be a name, not a grandfather.”
“Do you think he cares about that?” Dana asked gently.
“No. He doesn’t. But knowing that doesn’t make me hurt any less.”
“I’m sorry.”
“It’s not your rock, as Fidelia would say. It’s mine.” She shrugged. “So much that has happened over the past few months has been unexpected. Lexi meeting Cruz, Izzy meeting Nick. Me falling in love with Mitch all over again. And Garth.”
“He’s a stunner,” Dana said dryly.
“Now you’re being sarcastic.”
“I don’t mean to be.”
“Then tell me what you really think about him.”
Trapped, Dana thought grimly. Trapped with nowhere to go. “I think he’s complicated.”
“And?”
“And he looks good in a suit.”
Skye wrinkled her nose. “That’s not an answer. Are you in love with him?”
Dana wanted to throw herself out of the nearest window. “Do you have to ask it like that? Don’t you want to at least lead up to the question?”
Skye smiled. “Are you?”
“I don’t know,” she yelled, pushing back her chair and coming to her feet. “I don’t know what I think about him. Being with him is hard-maybe the hardest thing I’ve ever done. Not because I question him, although I do that plenty, but mostly because I question myself. Am I good enough? Am I different enough? Am I too different? I hate feeling like I have to be worthy.”
“You’re plenty worthy. Garth is lucky to have you.”
Loyal words spoken by a loyal friend.
“Is he?” Dana asked, sitting down again. “What do I bring to the table?”
“You’re wonderful. Funny and smart and caring. You’re brave and feisty.”
“Feisty isn’t always a good thing.”
“Why not?”
“Because it requires effort and from what I’ve seen, most people don’t bother with anything that’s too hard.”
Skye sipped her coffee. “Loving Mitch is easy,” she admitted. “Although being with him can be a challenge. Is loving Garth easy?”
“Do you think you’re being subtle?” Dana asked. “Because you’re not.”
“Yeah, yeah. You don’t impress me. Answer the question.”
Was loving Garth easy? The implication being she did love him.
“Loving him would take me places I don’t want to go,” she admitted.
“Meaning?”
“I would have to let him in.”
“But haven’t you already? You live with him, Dana.”
Dana held her breath. Was Garth already inside of her, making a place for himself in her heart?
She’d always been so careful not to get involved with someone who could really touch her, really hurt her. She didn’t want that. Not the pain or the risk. She wanted to be safe, even if that meant always being alone.
But while she wasn’t looking, something else had happened. Something significant. Something that made her want to take a chance and try flying-as if love really had given her wings.
“Maybe,” she whispered. “Maybe I do love him.”
Skye didn’t say anything.
Dana turned the words over in her mind. She wasn’t running screaming from the room. That was something. Did she love Garth? Was it possible? A few days ago, with Izzy and Lexi, she hadn’t known, but now, everything was different. Clearer, somehow.
“I love him,” she said slowly. “I love Garth.”
Skye grinned. “Wow. I never thought I’d hear you say those words.”
“Then we’re even, because I never thought I’d say them.”
“When are you going to tell him?” Skye asked.
“When hell freezes over.”
“Why? You should tell him.”
“No, thanks. I like my disappointment in small doses.”
“Because you think he doesn’t love you back?”
“Well, duh.”
“He does. Dana, you’re amazing.”
“You have to say that. You love me.”
“And it’s very possible Garth does, too. Someone has to be the one to risk it all. Someone has to be the first one to put it on the line.”
“That someone can be him.”
Skye shook her head. “I thought you were strong.”
“There’s a big difference between strong and foolish. I like to keep on the right side of that line.”
“You’re really not going to say anything?”
“Isn’t it enough that I’m willing to tell you?”
“That is something,” Skye admitted. “But it would be better if you’d tell him.”
“Better for everyone but me.”
“At least think about it.”
Dana groaned. “For about sixteen seconds. Then I’ll be done.”
“It’s a start.” Skye grinned again. “Soon we’ll have you caring about your shoes.”
“Did I mention the hell freezing over part?”
“Yes, but I wasn’t listening.”
GARTH PACED THE LENGTH of Lexi’s office, but walking didn’t make him any more comfortable. Part of the reason was the space itself. Her office was in her day spa. It was done in rich colors and textured fabric. While it was a functional space, it was way too fussy for him. And there were bowls of stuff that smelled everywhere.
But it wasn’t just being in a totally female space that had him feeling ready to jump out of his skin. It was the material Lexi was reading. Or rather her reaction to it.
“This is everything?” she asked, looking up from the list he’d detailed.
He’d barely spent an hour putting the list together, but it had taken him the better part of a week to decide if he was going to give it to her. Talk about handing over the last weapon to the enemy. Except Lexi wasn’t his enemy and she wouldn’t use the information as a weapon. Something he kept telling himself but wasn’t sure he believed.
“Impressive,” she said, leaning back in her chair. “Are you going to keep pacing or do you plan to sit somewhere?”
“I’ll be pacing for a while.”
She smiled. “Because you’re nervous.”
“You could hang me with that.”
She touched the paper. On it he’d listed everything he’d done to the Titan family. From the callable note he’d offered to her, to the false tip about Skye’s foundation being a front for money laundering. Some of the things on the list had come from facts he’d dug up-like Jed being involved in illegal arms shipments. But for every fact, there were dozens of rumors. Acts designed to hurt.
“I won’t take this to the police,” she said.
“I know.”
“Then why won’t you sit down?”
He shrugged. “Trust doesn’t come easy to me.”
She pulled out her own list of what had happened, then handed both to him. “You look them over,” she said. “By comparing them, we can figure out what Jed has done. I’m going to guess it’s a lot more than we think.”
“But you asked me to prepare the list,” he said, not sure what she was doing. “Don’t you want to keep it?”
“No. I wanted you to put it together, but it doesn’t matter who does the comparison. Obviously you’d be more comfortable if it was you.” She smiled. “I’m not out to get you, Garth. Not anymore.”
He moved toward her desk, then took a seat opposite. “Okay.”
Her smile widened. “You don’t sound convinced.”
“That’ll take a minute.”
“You’re such a guy.”
“That’s the rumor.” He leaned back in his seat. “We’re getting close. It’s just a matter of time until Jed is forced into a corner. There’s no going back.”
“What makes you think I want to?”
“I’m checking. I talked to Skye.”
Lexi’s smile faded. “She’s upset about what we’re doing.”
“So she said.” His conversation with his sister had been long and rambling, but a few key points had been painfully clear.
“Her relationship with Jed is different,” Lexi told him. “She lived at Glory’s Gate longer. She acted as his hostess for years. I think she believed that would protect her. Not that it was why she did it. Skye loves Jed. We all do. But for a long time, it seemed she had more to lose.”
Until Jed had turned on Skye, threatening to have her declared an unfit mother and thrown into a mental hospital. All because she wasn’t willing to do what he said.
“She wants Jed taken down,” Lexi continued. “But the idea of having to be a part of destroying him doesn’t make her happy.”
“She can back out.”
“She won’t. He nearly killed Izzy. Skye protects those she loves. She’s tougher than she looks.”
All the Titan sisters were, he thought. Tough and beautiful and strong. Not to mention stubborn. “Did she, ah, mention anything about the wedding?” he asked, trying to sound casual and not sure he succeeded.
“What do you mean?” Lexi’s blue eyes widened slightly.
“The ceremony.”
“It’s on Christmas Eve, at Mitch’s house. You’re coming, aren’t you?”
Garth narrowed his gaze. “You already know.”
The grin returned. “That Skye asked you to walk her down the aisle? She might have mentioned something.”
He swore softly, then pushed to his feet. “What was she thinking? I can’t do that. I’m not the right guy. There has to be someone else. A friend of the family. Someone.”
He’d been sure that nothing could ever surprise him again. He planned nearly every part of his life, worked hard, understood the risks and outcomes. Then Skye had called and asked him to walk her down the aisle. Like he was…was…like he was family.
“She wants you,” Lexi told him. “You’re her brother.”
Technically. “It can’t be me,” he said and started pacing again. When he got to the far end of the room, he noticed a damn bamboo plant in the corner. Was everything in this stupid place renewable?
“Did you hear what Izzy said?” Lexi asked. “She wants you in the family, Garth. Apparently you’re not objecting too much, since you’re here.”
“This is different.”
“It’s what the bride wants. Are you going to tell her no?”
He turned and glared at Lexi, but didn’t speak. Tell Skye no? Hardly. The last thing he wanted was to make her cry or something. But why did she have to ask? Walk her down the aisle. He’d never done anything like that.
“Do I have to say anything?” he asked.
Lexi’s mouth twitched, but this time she didn’t smile. “I believe the minister asks who gives the bride in marriage and you say ‘I do.’ It’s not a speech.”
“She’s old enough to walk herself,” he muttered.
“Maybe, but that’s not the point.”
“Fine. I’ll do it.”
“Ever gracious.”
“You think this is funny.”
“Yes, and I’m enjoying every minute of it. Oh, and consider this your invitation to Christmas at my house. Cruz and I are hosting. We start early with breakfast.” She hesitated. “Kathy would be welcome, too.”
Kathy at a Titan Christmas? There was irony.
“I’m not pushing,” Lexi added. “I don’t know if the crowd would frighten her or not. She’s met most of us.”
Now it was his turn to hesitate. “She usually goes to a special program Christmas morning. It’s through one of the churches.”
“Then maybe dinner? We’re one of those families who has a big meal around two.”
“That she could make.”
“Good. We’d love to have you both.” The smile returned. “And I’ll give you a sisterly warning. There are lots of presents under our tree. They’re not always fancy, but they are plentiful. Everything from socks to sticky notes to chocolates. Usually one or two special gifts. I’ve seen the wrapped pile in Cruz’s closet, so I happen to know I’m in for a spoiling. Both Nick and Mitch have called me for suggestions, so I know they’ll be overdoing it. I’m not saying you have to participate, but if you don’t want Dana to feel left out, you might want to get her something.”
Because he would be spending Christmas with Dana. She would be part of the Titan celebration. And they were together. Involved. Whatever the hell that meant.
Was it him, or was it getting hot in here? He resisted the urge to loosen his tie. Damn.
“There’s the face of a man looking to bolt,” Lexi said. “Want to tell me why?”
“I don’t make a big deal about Christmas,” he said. “I see Kathy and then I go away.”
“That sounds lonely.”
“I go to five-star resorts and stay in the best room in the hotel. There are plenty of parties and women.” It was his world-a world he liked very much.
“Still sounds lonely.”
It had been, not that he would admit that to her. But he’d accepted the feelings. Or rather he’d ignored them. Because being by himself meant being in control.
“I didn’t spend Christmas with Fawn when we were engaged.”
“Hmm, that’s pretty telling, but not relevant here. Don’t think you can escape us, Garth.” We’re your sisters. We’ll hunt you down and make you beg for mercy.”
It wasn’t just them, he thought. It was Dana. It was the image of them waking up together on Christmas morning. Of coffee in front of a tree and opening presents. He could get her something lacy and sexy in red velvet and lace. She would hate it and mock him, but then she would put it on.
He imagined her in that and then he thought about her in diamonds and nothing else. He could see them together and that scared him more than his months of being tortured in the jungle.
“No,” he said, taking a step back.
“Men,” Lexi said with a sigh. “Take a deep breath. Everything will be fine. You’re worried because you’re falling in love with her and you’re not the kind of man who does that easily. It’s okay. She’s prickly, too. You can take it slow. It’s probably better if you do.”
She kept talking, but he wasn’t hearing anything else. He was stuck back on “you’re falling in love with her.”
The panic was as ready and immediate as the passion had been. Love? No way in hell. Not him, not ever.
“I don’t love her,” he said flatly.
Lexi looked more pitying than surprised. “It’s okay, Garth.”
“It’s not. If that’s what you all think, you’re wrong. I don’t love Dana. I don’t do love. Ever.”
He spoke with a certainty that left no room for doubt, Dana thought as she paused just outside Lexi’s office. She’d been in the area and had stopped by to have lunch with her friend. She’d been happy enough to risk sticks and twigs passing for bread and something vaguely slimy made into a sandwich. She’d wanted to talk about her newly discovered feelings for Garth and maybe, just maybe, have someone show her how to wear eye makeup. She’d been floating with hope and promise because she was in love for the first time in her life.
In love with a man who obviously wasn’t going to love her back.
GARTH WALKED INTO THE Titan World building. It was one of those great, old high-rises, with old-fashioned elevators and murals in the lobby.
His mother had brought him here when he’d been ten or eleven. She’d never said why. As they often drove to interesting buildings in the city, he hadn’t thought anything of it. Not until he’d found out that Jed Titan was his father.
He looked around at the grand old structure. Ever since Jed had kicked him out on his ass nearly twenty years before, he’d promised himself one day he would own every inch of this place. Now that the day was nearly here, he waited for the feeling of accomplishment and elation. Surprisingly, there was only a faint sense of disappointment-he’d thought Jed Titan would be a more worthy opponent.
He crossed to the guards and got a visitor pass, then made his way to the executive floor. Jed’s office was in the back. It would be the grandest, with the best view. The building was worth saving, Garth thought as he approached Jed’s assistant. It would survive even as the Titan empire crumpled around it.
He gave the woman his name, then added, “I don’t have an appointment, but he’ll see me.”
She looked doubtful, but picked up her phone. “There’s a Mr. Garth Duncan here to see you, sir.” She paused, then nodded. “Of course.” When she hung up, she pointed to the closed door. “Mr. Titan will see you now.”
The last time Garth had been in Jed’s office, Garth had been all of fourteen. He’d come to beg for his mother’s life. He hadn’t wanted to go to the old man, but there hadn’t been anyone else with enough money to save Kathy. He’d been young enough to assume that when someone asked for help, he got it. He’d never thought that Jed would tell him no.
Now, as he crossed the thick carpet to the man who was his father, he remembered being stunned when Jed had refused him. He’d tried explaining again, thinking that the other man simply hadn’t understood. He hadn’t made his case well enough. Then Jed had interrupted him, saying Kathy’s brain tumor wasn’t his problem and that if Garth didn’t leave, he would have security throw him out on the street. Jed made it clear he would have Garth arrested if he ever showed up again.
Time bent and blurred. For a second Garth wasn’t sure if this was the past or present, then decided it didn’t matter. The journey had been long and hard, but he had finally won.
“I’m glad you stopped by,” Jed said from his place behind his big desk. “I’m celebrating.” He pulled out a box of cigars and offered one.
Garth shook his head. “Why?”
“Did you see the closing price of the stock? Titan World is up nearly fifteen percent.”
“You’re buying shares, I’m buying shares,” Garth said. “The stock market likes it when shares are in demand.”
Jed picked up a cigar and sniffed it appreciatively. “You gave me a good run, son. I’ll give you that. You’re a slick player and a worthy opponent. With a little more seasoning, you might have had a chance.”
“You think you’re winning?” Garth asked, amused.
“Sure. Even with the recent jump in prices, the rumors have caused the price to drop enough that I’m buying up double and triple the amount of shares I could have picked up three weeks ago. In a couple of days I’ll own enough to drive you out. You shouldn’t have offered me the loan. But I suppose you couldn’t help yourself. It took you full circle. You started by offering Lexi money and you end it by offering it to me.”
Garth took a seat. “But here’s the part that confuses me,” he said. “You’ve spent more than I’ve loaned you.”
“You’re not the only one interested in helping me, Garth. I still have friends. With a loan from a few of them, I have the cash I need to buy back Glory’s Gate. So call the note any time you want. I’m covered.”
Garth pulled a piece of paper out of his jacket pocket and passed it over to Jed. “Would these be the friends and the amounts? I’m asking because I know they’ve all promised you money, but they haven’t given it to you yet. And I’m thinking they’re not going to. I do business with every one of them. Once they got word of your illegal dealings, they weren’t so anxious to be associated with you. Still, they were willing to do me a favor by pretending they were. Those loans you’re depending on? They’re not coming, Jed. And tomorrow, when the Securities and Exchange Commission expects you to make good on your stock purchases, you’re going to have a problem.”
Jed’s face went white. He sprang to his feet, knocking over the box of cigars. “You goddamn sonofabitch,” he yelled. “What the hell have you done?”
“Won,” Garth said simply. He put another piece of paper on the table. “I’m calling the note on Glory’s Gate. You have seventy-two hours to come up with the cash or the entire property is mine.”
“Fucking bastard.” Jed’s face twisted with rage. “I’ll kill you. I swear, I’ll kill you.”
“Hard to do from prison,” Garth said as he stood. “You should have paid for her surgery, Jed. The money wouldn’t have mattered that much to you, but it would have saved her. I would have watched your back for the rest of my life.”
“You think I care about that? You were some kid. You didn’t matter to me.”
“I do now,” he said and then he left.