Rules of Desire: Protecting Erin(9)

Jared, who sat on the edge of the large tub, crossed his arms over his chest and lifted a brow. “No?”

Glancing at Reese, who leaned against the doorjamb, Erin sighed, bristling at his tone. “No. I was going to tell you all tonight.”

Jared’s smile held a hint of anger. “It’s tonight. Talk. Who’s Nelson Stark, and why the hell is some attorney calling you about him?”

Erin smiled, hoping that none of them would overreact. “Nelson Stark used to be one of my bosses. I worked closely enough with him to realize he was embezzling from the company. I went to the president of the company and reported him. Wes Cramer is the attorney who handled the case. I worked with Wes to gather enough evidence to get Nelson convicted.”

Not liking their frowns, Erin smiled. “Afterward, I got promoted and ended up as the administrative assistant to the president, John Ritten.”

Reese’s eyes narrowed. “That doesn’t explain why Wes Cramer called you today.”

Erin shrugged, averting her gaze in the hope that they wouldn’t see her unease. “He just called to tell me that Nelson was released today. He got out early for good behavior.”

When the silence became uncomfortable, she looked up again to find that Jared’s frown had deepened.

“There’s more to this. You’re leaving something out.”

How the hell did he know?

Duncan stopped pacing to glare at her. “What’s the rest?”

Reese blew out a breath and stepped closer. “Don’t you think you’ve been evasive enough for one day?”

Jared rose and stood over her, bracing his hands on the tub and bending close. “Don’t you think we know you well enough to know when you’re lying to us? It just pisses us off, Erin.”

Duncan moved closer, his hands on his hips. “You’re real close to getting yanked out of that tub and hauled over my lap.”

Well aware that Duncan would carry out his threat if she didn’t appease them in a hurry, Erin eyed each of them in turn. “You’re too protective. You overreact.”

Jared’s eyes narrowed, his body tensing. “That’s our right. Spill it.”

Taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly, Erin resigned herself to living under a microscope for the foreseeable future. “Nelson vowed to get even with me for my part in getting him convicted.”

Jared straightened, his eyes glittering. “Where is he?”

Sitting up, Erin reached for a towel. “Wes said he disappeared as soon as he was released. He didn’t even go home to his family. I also called John Ritten. He told me the same thing. The FBI is looking for him.”

Jared stilled. “The FBI? They wouldn’t be looking for him unless he was dangerous.”

Shaking her head, Erin stood. “They don’t think he’s dangerous. He’s an embezzler for God’s sake. An accountant.”

Duncan wrapped the towel around her and lifted her from the tub, his eyes wild. “And an ex-con who vowed to get even with you for helping to send him to prison.”





Chapter Three




Erin waited until Jared, Duncan, and Reese went out to the large shed where they worked on special pieces of furniture at home before calling her ex-boss again.

John Ritten answered his cell phone almost immediately. “Erin, is something wrong?”

“No. I just wanted to make sure the FBI was still looking for Nelson.”

“Yes. They think he’s on his way to where he hid the rest of the money, and when he finds out it’s gone, it won’t take long for him to figure out who took it. Erin, Cramer also left town.”

Erin got a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach and found herself back in the living room, standing over William’s bassinette. “Shit. My husbands aren’t going to like that I’m keeping this from them.”

John chuckled softly. “I still can’t believe you have three of them.”

Adjusting the light blanket over William, Erin blew out a breath, knowing damned well what her husbands would do if she told them everything. “Yeah, well, sometimes I can’t, either.”

“I can imagine. Listen, tell them the truth, Erin. They need to know in order to keep you safe.”

Amused despite her nerves, Erin sighed. “Christ, you’re almost as bad as they are. There’s no reason for them to know what you suspect. I have a hard time believing it myself. Just do me a favor and keep me posted.”

“I will.”

Erin blew out a breath and made her way back to the baby, unable to stand still. “Do you really think Cramer’s involved?”

“Yes. I watched the videotape of him when he got the call that Stark had been released. He panicked.”