Babysitting a Billionaire #3 - Taking Control(29)

She'd discussed all this with the team and with Rory, but he'd assured her that no one would get past his security, and in the end they had let the night go ahead. Now she couldn't help but think that was a mistake.

The light was dim and she turned slowly taking everything in, analyzing it in her mind, looking for any discordant note, anyone who didn't fit in. But could see nothing. 

Her gaze kept straying back to Declan's brother, the one exception to the affluent and respectable description. The resemblance to Declan was uncanny. He'd separated from the little group and stood alone, leaning against the wall, arms folded across his chest as he watched the people around him. He radiated a faint sense of menace, like a panther who'd gatecrashed the party. As if sensing her gaze, he raised his head, and his eyes met hers, silver like Declan's.

He pushed off from the wall and strolled over, the guests parting for him. She'd thought his hair was short, but it was pulled back into a ponytail at his nape. He came to a halt in front of her and held out his hand. Black-and-red tattoos snaked down over his wrist and across the back of his hand. She took it in hers and watched his face. As she tried to pull away, his grip tightened.

"Jessica, I presume?"

"You do? You can drop my hand now. I'm quite capable of holding it up on my own."

His lips twitched, but he released his grip and her hand fell to her side. She resisted the urge to wipe it down her pant leg.

"So you're Jessica Bauer. Declan's unsuitable youthful indiscretion."

She raised an eyebrow. "And you're Logan McCabe. Declan's unrespectable black-sheep brother."

He grinned. "I like the description." His gaze dropped to wander over her body. It was weird; they looked so alike, but her body responded to Declan's gaze like a touch. With this man, she felt nothing. "I can't believe we never got to meet all those years ago."

"I believe you were a little indisposed."

"Shit, yeah. I was in the clink at the time." He studied her. "You know, you and I would make a much better team. Declan's way too stuffy for a woman like you."

"You know nothing about me."

"I've heard enough."

She couldn't begin to imagine. "And I've had my fill of the McCabe men, thank you."

"Oh well. It was worth a try to rile baby brother up a little."

"Do you do that often?"

"Whenever I get the opportunity. He was an insufferable little brat growing up. Always perfect, never in trouble."

"Unlike yourself."

"Yeah. At least come and meet the rest of the family. They are dying of curiosity."

"Really?" She wasn't sure she was up to satisfying that curiosity, but she followed him anyway. She found the whole idea of Declan's family unsettling. Maybe because she had demonized him for so long.

The little group opened as they approached. The three women watched her with cool expressions. She was guessing however curious they were, they were all far too well bred to make it obvious.

"Jessica, this is my step mama, Judith McCabe, my sister, Tamara, and"-he paused, a smile flickering at the corners of his mouth-"Penny, Declan's ex-fiancé."

Jess had been studying Declan's mother, now her gaze flashed to the younger woman, and she pursed her lips. "I hear you dumped him. Good move."

Logan choked back a laugh, but Penny merely smiled serenely.

"Ms. Bauer." Declan's mother stepped forward and held out her hand.

She so didn't need this right now. Why hadn't she made some sort of excuse and run away and avoided the whole fiasco?

Because she couldn't resist one last look at him.

Where the hell was he anyway?

She realized Declan's mother had been standing arm outstretched for long seconds and she reached out and shook it briefly. What was she supposed to say-nice to meet you?




 

 

It wasn't. This woman was responsible for what Declan was today. And as far as Jess was concerned, she'd done a crap job.

"It's wonderful to meet you," Declan's mother said graciously. "I do hope we'll be seeing a lot more of you in the future."

She'd been staring at the black door; now she turned back, a frown drawing her brows together. "You do?"

"I'd like to think past differences can be forgotten and we can all move on. Be friends. I'm glad I've had this opportunity to welcome you to the family."

Had she stepped into some weird alternate universe?

"I'm not sure what Declan has told you, Mrs. McCabe, but I assure you I have no intention of becoming a member of your family."

"Call me Judith," the woman said. "And I'm sure Declan will clear up any misunderstandings you may have." She reached out and rested a hand on Jess's arm. Jess stared at it through narrowed eyes. She didn't want to call her Judith. She didn't want to call her anything. After tonight, she had no intention of being within talking distance to this woman again.

She wondered just how much Declan's mother knew of their "misunderstandings." And how the hell had a woman like this gotten mixed up with Rory McCabe?

And how the hell dare she welcome Jess to the family as though it was a possibility.

It wasn't. She could never be part of this.

Even if she wanted to.

Which she didn't.

And in that moment, she hated Judith McCabe for even suggesting the idea. For putting it in her mind.

Beside her, Logan leaned in close and whispered in her ear. "You look like you want to shoot her right now."

She cast him a sideways glance. "Maybe. And I do have a gun." She forced a bright smile on her face. "Well, it was very nice to meet you all, but I'm working tonight, and now I really have to go and check the place out for bad guys."

She didn't wait for anyone to say anything else, just whirled around and stalked off across the room.

Welcome her to the family? Was the woman crazy?

"Never going to happen," she muttered.

"What's never going to happen?" an amused voice said from behind her. She glanced around, to find Logan still close by. As she opened her mouth to answer him, the black door opened and this time Declan stepped out.

"Holy shit."

Chapter Thirteen

For a moment the room faded, the sounds of the music and voices muting.

Tall, dark, and dangerous. This was the bad-boy Declan she'd only ever dreamed about.

Beside her Logan lowered his head. "You like?" he murmured. "You know, it's the general opinion in the family that this vast improvement in Declan's appearance is all for you." 

"Really?" But she wasn't paying attention, every cell focused on Declan. From his sexily tousled midnight hair, to the dark stubble that shadowed his jawline, and lower …  She swallowed. The business suit was a distant memory, replaced by black leather pants that hugged his hips and long legs, and a black T-shirt that stretched across his broad chest. Heat washed through her, settling low down in her belly.

She didn't like to think she was so shallow as to be effected by a mere change of clothes but …  "Holy shit," she said again.

Besides, it wasn't so much that he'd changed his appearance, but the "why" behind it. What he was trying to convey? That maybe he could change? Maybe they both could.

Dark glasses covered his eyes, but he took them off and stared straight at her, his gaze catching and holding hers, and a flame shot between them.

For long seconds they stared at each other, and she couldn't look away.

She was a self-deluding idiot. If she left Declan now, she'd regret it from the moment she turned away. And probably for the rest of her life.

Could she face her fears, overcome them?

"I'll leave you two lovebirds alone," Logan said, but she hardly heard the words.

She swallowed, quite unable to move as Declan headed toward her. He even walked differently, with the smooth glide of a predator, and something dark and needy uncurled inside her. As he drew closer, she saw another change, and her breath caught in her throat. His right arm showed the red skin and black ink of a brand-new tattoo. That was more than a change of clothes. It was a declaration of …  She wasn't sure, but she wanted to find out.

He halted in front of her, and his gaze searched her face. "Are you all right?" he asked.

"I don't know." She shook her head, forcing her brain to function. "I think I might be."

She needed to touch him, check he was real, run her hands over the smooth leather …  But as she took a step closer, she became aware of a prickle of unease. It shivered down her spine and she looked around for the source. In the army she'd learned to listen to her hunches. But again, nothing seemed out of place. She found the bodyguards at the edge of the room, their attention fixed on Declan. Steve turned to her, gave a small thumbs-up. All was well. She was being paranoid.

Maybe they could leave now. Get away from this crowd.

Talk.

Do a whole load of other things.

She turned her attention to Declan.

 …

She didn't look as though she'd gotten any more sleep last night than he had, with dark shadows under her eyes. But she was still the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. He grabbed two glasses of champagne from a passing waitress and handed her one.

She took it but didn't drink.

They were in the middle of the floor, and he could feel a multitude of eyes watching him. He wanted to take her away, but wasn't at all sure that that wouldn't signal the end of the night for her and she would vanish, never to be seen again. So instead, he placed a hand on her waist and steered her into a dark corner behind one of the pillars.