His Deception - Patricia Rosemoor

His Deception is a work of fiction. Names, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. A Loveswept Ebook Original Copyright © 2016 by Patricia Pinianski All rights reserved. Published in the United States by Loveswept, an imprint of Random House, a division of Random House LLC, a Penguin Random House Company, New York. LOVESWEPT is a registered trademark and the LOVESWEPT colophon is a trademark of

Random House LLC. eBook ISBN 9781101965078 Cover design: Derek Walls Cover photograph: vgstudio/Shutterstock randomhousebooks.com v4.1 ep

Contents Cover Title Page Copyright

Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7

Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Epilogue Dedication About the Author The Editor’s Corner

Chapter 1 Thorne Hudson turned from South Lake Shore Drive onto the narrow Wisconsin road that led straight to Geneva Lake. A moment later, he pulled his truck off alongside a wooded area. Grabbing his binoculars, he got out and surveyed the south shore to get his bearings. Through the trees, he could see a couple of speedboats skipping across the middle of the lake, one towing a bikini-clad redhead on water skis. He looked across the lake to the heart of the Wisconsin tourist town. Busy, busy, but nothing to

arouse suspicion. Closer to the lake, he glimpsed parts of houses—mostly mansions—with landscaped grounds and, along the water, their private docks, many with boats tied to them. A couple of teenagers were walking the shore path that wound twenty-one miles around the lake. He stayed on them for a moment, just to be certain, then continued his inspection, stopping when he came to a building with a gray stone first level, white clapboard covering the two additional stories. Checking the photo on his cellphone, he confirmed he was looking at Lakeside Guest House and Café. Before he could put the cell away, it

vibrated in his hand. He didn’t have to check the screen to know who was calling. He answered, “Hudson.” “Are you in Lake Geneva yet?” “Just arrived in town.” “Good. Good. I’m trusting you, Hudson.” “I’ll do what’s necessary.” “Remember to keep me informed.” And then the conversation ended as abruptly as it had begun. Thorne took a few more minutes to survey the area. He was nothing if not meticulous, a trait he credited with keeping him alive in Afghanistan.

A moment later, behind the wheel of his truck again, he headed for the crowded parking lot behind Lakeside Guest House and Café. He parked off to one side far in the back, the truck’s nose pointing toward the business—he’d have privacy, if he needed it. And a good view all the way down to the lake. Getting out, he passed the guest house entrance and headed downhill, following the sign to the café. From the number of vehicles in the lot, he figured the restaurant must be doing a brisk lunch business, an observation that was confirmed when he entered the building. The cheerful room with whitewashed walls was small, with maybe twenty

tables painted in blues and greens. Only two unoccupied. He could see why: the view. The room’s nearly floor-to-ceiling windows were open, letting in a fresh breeze off the lake. Beyond the windows, more customers packed an outside patio. He was skipping his gaze from table to table, rapidly registering who was sitting where and what they were doing, when a woman asked, “Can I help you find someone?” She’d come up behind him so quietly she’d surprised him. Turning to face her, he was surprised again by his own reaction. He recognized her, of course: Katelyn

Wade. Owner of the establishment. Shoulder-length dark hair formed a sleek frame around a naturally lovely face, makeup free but for a swipe of berry on full lips that curled in a warm smile. He’d studied her photo on his cellphone enough times that he should be unfazed by now. Should be. Wasn’t. From the first time he’d seen that photo, there’d been something about her—a surprising sweetness—that he couldn’t help being drawn to no matter how hard he tried. And he couldn’t now, either. That smile of hers reaching straight to her baby blues was even more powerful in person —it heated up his insides. The simple white tank top and skirt that clung to her

lush womanly curves did other, unspeakable things to him. Things he couldn’t afford to think about. He cleared his throat. “Just looking for a table.” “I can give you one of those.” The smile widened, threatening to steal his breath. Taking a menu from the hostess stand, she headed across the room. She had a way of walking with a slight swaying of her hips that mesmerized him for a moment. Those hips made his hands and lower parts yearn with sweet promises…. “Here you go.” Stopping, she set the menu on a small table for two along the

far wall. “While you take a look at that, can I get you something to drink?” Sliding into a chair, he managed, “A bottled brew. Something local.” “I’ll see what we have on hand.” With that, she whipped away. He couldn’t rip his gaze from her until she rounded the bar and stooped out of sight, undoubtedly to check an undercounter fridge for that beer. He glanced around and saw she was the only one behind the bar. Apparently no bartender at lunchtime. Then he scanned the room, starting with the customers closest to her. No one seemed to be paying her any mind, so he continued his assessment. A waitress carrying a tray of food crossed

the middle of the room, and on the patio, a busboy was cleaning off a table. No one who raised his short hairs. Another glance at the Wade woman still behind the bar told him she’d retrieved that beer. He’d better figure out what he wanted to eat. He glanced at the menu, but before he got a thorough look at his options, a bottle and a mug settled on the table in front of him. “Want me to pour?” Katelyn asked. “I think I can manage.” Thorne took the bottle and filled half his glass. Foam rose and topped it. He took a sip and nodded. “Perfect.”

“Good. I like happy customers.” She cleared her throat. “I, um, haven’t seen you here before.” “Maybe because I just got into town.” He put some glad-to-meet-you warmth in his tone and gave her a friendly grin. “Thorne Hudson.” “Thorne. Strong name. I like that.” She held out her hand. “Katelyn Wade.” He shook. Her grip was firm. Solid. And damn, she was smiling at him again, like she really was glad to meet him. Something she might have cause to regret. “Visiting friends?” she asked, taking back her hand.

He shrugged. “Don’t know anyone in Lake Geneva.” “Vacationing alone?” “Nope. I’ve been doing some traveling, seeing the country while taking on different jobs.” Which was fairly accurate. “Now I’m looking to set a spell.” He locked onto her gaze, saying, “Something appealing about this place.” She started, then laughed. “Appealing. You mean the town or the café?” “Right.” He meant her and was certain she knew it. “Does the guest house have any vacancies?” “A few.” Thorne didn’t want to press his luck.

He could get back to the room situation later. “So…lunch.” He indicated the menu. “What do you recommend?” “Personally, I love the cauliflower steak sandwich. But I have a feeling you’re more of a meat kind of guy.” “I do love a good burger.” “Black and blue?” “I’m partial to blue cheese,” he admitted. “A black and blue burger it is. Rare.” Her eyes sparkled at him. “Of course.” “Rare, but not still walking,” he clarified. She backed away. “Got it. Coming

right up.” She headed for the computer to put in the order, leaving Thorne feeling restless. He wanted to follow her and keep the conversation going. It took everything in him to sit tight and drink his beer and keep his attention on his surroundings. Which is exactly where his focus belonged. — Katelyn couldn’t help eyeing the new guy as she placed his order, then greeted a young couple at the entrance and seated them, leaving them with menus

and the assurance that their waitress would be right with them. Because she was always too busy acting as hostess and overseeing both the dining room and kitchen, she didn’t normally take food orders. Thorne Hudson’s being an exception. Something about him… She glanced his way again, admired the snug T-shirt showcasing his upper body. Ripped. Super-defined muscles. Definitely hot. At least she’d gotten hot just looking at him. Another glance—she couldn’t help herself. Thick dark hair brushed the back

of his neck, his high forehead and rugged cheekbones. Wide hazel eyes roamed the crowd, again making her think he was looking for someone. Her? She wished. “Katelyn, there you are.” The deep male voice brought her back to her work. She turned around to meet a set of sharp gray eyes. “Mr. Eklund, I didn’t see you come in.” And at six feet, with thick silver hair, he was hard to miss. “You weren’t in the room,” he said, “so Tansy seated me. And as I’ve told you before, call me Gerard.”

“Gerard,” she agreed. “Have you looked over today’s specials?” “I have, but I’m waiting for your recommendation.” Single and probably in his late forties, Gerard Eklund was a regular at the café, normally stopping in for lunch or dinner a few times a week. He was particular about his food and so sought her opinion before he ordered. Lately he’d been here every day and had become more demanding of her time. Since he was the kind of customer who undoubtedly recommended the café to his friends and acquaintances, she gladly went the extra mile to give him what he wanted. She said, “The shrimp risotto would

be my choice.” “Then it will be mine.” “I’ll let Tansy know.” She started to step away. “I’m swamped today.” “You shouldn’t have to work so hard.” “I love what I do, so it doesn’t feel like work.” “An attitude you undoubtedly inherited from your parents.” “From my father,” she admitted. “You’ve mentioned him before. What was his name? Ronald? No, Robert.” “Good memory.” “Robert Wade.” He looked thoughtful. “No, doesn’t ring a bell. What does he do again?”

“He’s a businessman.” Not about to announce that her father’s notorious last name was Hamilton—or get into the fact that he was the CEO of one of several companies that he owned—Katelyn looked for an out. “Oh, I see we have a new arrival.” Thankfully, a lone woman had just come into the café. “Wait, I would like a drink. One of your Lakeside specials.” “I’m sorry, but I don’t have a bartender right now. I can only offer you a beer or wine.” “A craft beer, then. Surprise me.” Before she could leave, he mused, “Hmm, the bartender wasn’t here yesterday, either.”

Katelyn couldn’t believe Sam had gone AWOL during tourist season, and without a word. Which was going to be a problem that night when a dozen women having a birthday party for a friend just turning twenty-one showed up. They were expecting more than wine and beer. Sam had always been so responsible and acted like he had her back. Until now. “Sorry to disappoint you, but we’re working on it. Enjoy your meal.” “I would enjoy it more if you would pay me more mind.” Forcing a smile, she left without another word. Geez, talk about demanding. He was getting to be a bit

much. Harder to keep her smile real when dealing with him. A few moments later, after seating the new customer, she went in search of Tansy. The blond waitress was at a wait station, placing an order on a computer. “I have another one for you,” Katelyn said. “Gerard Eklund. Shrimp risotto.” Tansy raised her eyebrows. “Hmm. Someone has a not-so-secret crush.” “Hardly. The man simply thrives on personal attention.” Entering the order, Tansy snorted. “I’m sure he’d like to give you lots of personal attention away from this place.” “If so, he’s wasting his time.”

“Why? You got a new boyfriend?” “I have a new business,” Katelyn countered. “That takes up all my spare time.” “There’s always time for sex. On that note, order’s up. Later.” In her mid-twenties, Tansy had a good sense of humor and often shared bits and pieces of her sexual adventures. Not that Katelyn minded. Tansy could be amusing. She was also a hard worker and a great waitress. Katelyn liked her and knew she could count on her to handle anything. Noticing several more couples waiting near the entry, she rushed over to greet them. Thankfully, a few more

tables had opened up. As she seated them, she couldn’t help but think about Tansy’s offhand comment about sex, which made her turn her gaze toward Thorne Hudson yet again. When she’d been talking to him, she’d had the distinct feeling that he felt the same sexual spark that had captivated her. Or maybe it was just wishful thinking. Realistically, she attracted mostly boy-next-door types. Nice guys. Or a young businessman looking for a woman who could kick-start his career. She took a deep breath. Didn’t want to think about Aaron Starkman again. The con man had gotten close to her, had made her think about marriage, when she’d merely been

a game piece to him, her father’s professional backing being the prize. She’d rather daydream about Thorne Hudson, even if he was nothing like the really nice, really clean, really boring men who usually sought her company. Well, he seemed nice, too, if in a different way. Definitely out of her league, though. That didn’t keep her from imagining what it would be like to spend some quality time with him. To feel one of those ripped arms curled around her back. To anticipate getting closer… Katelyn started. What was wrong with her? She didn’t know anything about the man, for heaven’s sake. For all she

knew, he could be some kind of pervert. Or someone who used women and left them. Maybe she ought to let Tansy, who was the waitress in his area, take over his table service. Yes, that’s what she should do. Only she didn’t. When his order came up from the kitchen, Katelyn took it to his table herself. As she drew closer, she hesitated. Her pulse was thrumming. And he was still scanning the crowd as if looking for someone. Or something. His expression was so intent, it gave her a weird feeling. What was he searching for? But

then, as if instinct told him she was there, he turned and met her gaze. His expression immediately shifted into friendly. And that sexy smile… “Hey, that was quick,” he said. “I have an efficient kitchen staff.” His gaze bore down on the fancy burger and hand-cut fries. “My mouth is already watering.” She set the plate down in front of him. “Check the burger to make sure it’s the way you like it.” One eyebrow arched sexily and he grinned as he picked up the burger. Katelyn felt a rush of something tingly shoot through her stomach as he took a bite. Trying to distract herself, she took a

big breath. “Mmm, rare but not walking. Exactly as ordered.” She noticed his glass was half empty. “Can I get you another beer?” “I’m good.” He hesitated a moment, then asked, “No bartender?” “Not this afternoon. Or for a couple of days, actually. I have a part-timer to help with the weekends, but my full-time guy walked out on me. Just didn’t show up for work yesterday. I’ve actually had to keep drink orders to beer and wine until I find someone to replace him.” And this after developing a nice friendship with Sam. Nothing romantic. He’d been mooning over some woman

from Fontana, one he hadn’t even dated. Yet. Sam figured he just needed to be patient. She’d wished she had a brother like Sam rather than the one she did have. Sam was one of the few people in town who knew who her father was and didn’t treat her differently or, worse yet, try to use her for it. How could he have walked out on her without telling her he was quitting? What would have made him be so irresponsible? The woman? Had he hooked up with her? What was her name again? Charlie something. Realizing Thorne was staring at her, she came to her senses. “Well, my work

here is done.” She started to leave, but he stopped her short, saying, “You said your kitchen staff. And that you have a part-timer. So you manage the café?” He popped one of those fries into his mouth. She nodded. “Actually, I own the place.” “Really.” He seemed pleasantly surprised. “Honest.” “Well, you’re the one I need to talk to, then. I’ve been thinking about what you said before.” “What did I say?” “About rooms in the guest house. I’ve

decided I like the place. Great lake view. Just far enough away from the center of town so it’s not too noisy. A nice change from my past few big-city digs. When I’m done eating, can you show me the rooms available for rent?” Spend time with him? Alone? “Yes, of course.” She cursed what she could only describe as a thrill shooting through her. He wanted a place to stay, not her. “I need to check on the kitchen, but I’ll make time for you when you’re done.” Picking up the burger, he said, “I’ll be looking forward to it.” Not as much as she would. Smiling, Katelyn nodded and headed for the kitchen, glad that the lunch rush

was coming to an end so she would have as much time as she liked with him. Showing off those rooms for rent, of course. — This wasn’t part of the deal. Thorne told himself he wasn’t supposed to be attracted to Katelyn Wade, but there it was. Not that being attracted to her would hurt anything. As long as he didn’t act on it, she didn’t have to know about his having the hots for her any more than she did about his reason for being here. True to her word, she made herself available to show him the unoccupied guest rooms by the time he finished

eating. The first room she opened was on the second floor. It was cheerfully decorated in yellow and white. The bed was king-size. The bath had what looked like a new walk-in shower with multiple heads. But the view out the window was of the road and the parking lot. “So what do you think?” she asked when he finished his inspection. “It’s fine, but…” “But?” “Anything with a lake view?” “On the third floor. It is a suite, though, not just a room. Nearly double the cost.” “Sounds good.”

“Well, then.” She shrugged. “Upstairs, it is.” He let her lead the way. Watching her hips sway as she climbed the stairs sent a frisson of heat through him. He told himself to find some distraction. He kept looking at her rear anyway. When they got to the third floor, he glanced around as she opened the door to the right of the stairway. There were eight rooms with baths below, but only six doors on this floor. “You have what? Two suites up here?” Her brow crinkled as she glanced at him. “Good guess. You really are observant.”

“So you live in the other one?” “Me? No. I have an apartment on the first floor. I have a direct view of the lake, but I’m pretty much too tied up all day anyway to appreciate it.” Then she stepped inside. Thorne followed her into a nicely decorated room with old sepia-tone prints of the town and lake on the pale blue walls. A comfortable-looking cream-colored couch and two matching chairs were grouped around a large flatscreen television. Katelyn was saying, “This suite has a walk-out balcony,” but he was already there, opening the doors. She followed him outside.

“Great view,” he said. “Yes, one of the reasons I bought the place. I always had an affinity for water growing up in Kenosha on Lake Michigan. But Geneva Lake has a special place in my heart. You can see not only the town from here, but the waterside mansions, as well.” “Right.” He had a 180-degree view. He could see anyone approaching the place from the lake. Or from the lakeside pathway in either direction. “Perfect.” “You haven’t even seen the bedroom and bath yet.” He arched a brow at her. “I’m sure they’re great, too.” She blinked and her cheeks flushed.

Warmth rushed through Thorne, making him think his assignment was going to be more difficult than he’d imagined. He cleared his throat. “About the bartender’s job…do you have anyone in mind?” “No. Sorry. If you want more than beer, you’ll have to go into town, at least until the weekend when Chad’s working the bar. I’ve put the word out that I have an opening, but no one has applied.” “What about me?” “You?” Her eyes widened. “I can’t guarantee you’ll make enough to pay for this suite.” “That’s not why I’m asking. I don’t

need a job at the moment.” He was already at work, not that he could say so. “But I’m planning on sticking around Lake Geneva for a while. Bartending will give me a chance to get to know some of the locals. At any rate, you need a bartender now, right? I could fill in until you find someone permanent.” Katelyn appeared skeptical. “Any experience?” “More than enough.” That had been a few years back, before he’d figured out what he wanted to do with his life, but getting behind a bar would be like riding a bike. It would all come back to him. “Give me a trial period. If you find someone else you’d rather have work for

you, I’ll step back.” But in the meantime, he would get a better lay of the land. Not to mention that he would be able to get closer to Katelyn without raising her suspicions. “I do have a birthday party coming in tonight.” Heaving a sigh, she caved. “All right. A trial it is, then. And if it works out, the café is open Tuesdays through Sundays. You can get an extra day off if you can get Chad to work for you.” “No problem. When can I start?” “Tonight, if that’s all right with you.” “Tonight’s perfect.”

Chapter 2 Perfect… The sentiment resonated with Katelyn later that afternoon. Having checked in a couple of new arrivals to the guest rooms, she retreated to her own quarters to relax until the dinner rush started in a couple of hours. Thorne Hudson seemed too perfect to be real. She would have not only the bartender she needed so she wouldn’t lose patrons to one of the nearby competitors, but also some eye candy for the young women who frequented her

place. Thinking the last made her frown, but she shook off any negativity. If Thorne drew in more customers by tending bar, that was just plain good for business, which meant it was good for her. Besides, he could provide eye candy for her, as well. Her cellphone rang. About to answer it, she stopped herself when she saw Aaron’s name on the screen. Her former boyfriend had left several concernedsounding messages about what had happened on the Bascom College campus the previous week. Seven people killed, others injured, the gunman disappearing after discarding the automatic weapon made by one of her

father’s companies. But why the sudden renewed interest in her? She’d been through with him for eight months. Did he think he simply needed to show some concern about her father and she would let him back into her life, even after he’d turned all their problems on her after the breakup? Like hell she would. Her life had changed drastically for the better since she’d gone her own way. For years she’d fought using the trust fund her father had set up for her. She knew he loved her, and she loved him, but she hadn’t wanted to feel like she was indebted to him in any way. Her father was the most controlling person

she’d ever known, even if he was wellintentioned. That was the reason her mother, Marion, hadn’t wanted to marry him, the reason she’d left him and come home to Wisconsin, and then put off telling him she was pregnant. The end of the relationship for Mom had come when her father had paid off the lease to Mom’s rental apartment without telling her because he said he was moving her in with him. At the same time, he’d told her employer she was quitting because she no longer needed to work. He’d also assumed Mom was going to be his wife without ever asking her properly. Not wanting a life in which she wasn’t an

equal partner, Mom had broken up with Dad and left town without telling him where she was going, only to discover that she was pregnant a few weeks later. Katelyn knew Mom had considered never telling Dad about her, but in the end, she’d wanted her child to have a father, so she’d invited Dad to Katelyn’s first birthday party. By then, Dad had married on the rebound, and his new wife was expecting their first child. Katelyn was like her mother— independent. She’d averted her father’s dictates all her life. Where she was going to go to school: She’d chosen the University of Wisconsin rather than the University of Chicago, where he’d

wanted her to go. What her major would be: hospitality and tourism rather than going for an MBA. Where she would work when she graduated: a Milwaukee hotel rather than one of his corporations. All of which she had fought for to live the life she wanted. She’d frustrated the heck out of him while still trying to keep their relationship solid. But even when she was in grammar school, she’d found it difficult to stay at his house in Chicago on the occasional weekends and weeks during summer vacations. He’d wanted to orchestrate her every activity. And it had been especially difficult to be around his “real” family. Under the direction of their contentious mother,

Laura, her half-siblings had treated her like the family’s embarrassing secret. When Katelyn had walked out on Aaron last fall after dating him for several months, she’d concentrated on her career at that Milwaukee hotel, though in the end, it hadn’t quite satisfied her. She’d tried her best to make a go of it and had learned as much as she could. She was a hardworking, responsible adult, after all. Some would say she was resolute in everything she did. Actually, her best friend at the time, Jennie, had accused her of being an obsessive workhorse. Maybe she was, but there was nothing wrong with putting everything she had into achieving an

objective, no matter what it was. She figured that was her real inheritance from her father. Pretty scary. But being obsessive about something that didn’t in the long run matter to her was simply a waste of time. Realizing that what she did for a living didn’t make her happy made her rethink her priorities and what her father had done for her by establishing that trust. Lakeside Café had always been her favorite place to spend time at in the Lake Geneva area. Plus, she’d stayed in one of the guest rooms for several weekends over the past years. It had been her place for celebration and her refuge. She’d done a lot of thinking here,

had come to the realization that it was time to put all her energy into making something she loved work. So when the business had gone up for sale last winter, she hadn’t been able to resist. Unable to get such a big mortgage without using her trust fund as a source of income anyway, she’d had a talk with her father about it. He’d beamed with happiness that she’d found something she really wanted to do. He had offered to cosign the mortgage agreement. That’s where they had differed. Katelyn hadn’t wanted a partner. Or someone who would “guide” her every move. So she’d been ready to back off and stay where she was. Surprisingly,

Dad had caved. He’d admitted that he’d set up that trust fund for her so she could be free to live the way she wanted. He’d promised that if she went for it, he would step aside and not interfere. Hoping she could count on him to do exactly that, she’d quit her job in Milwaukee and bought the place. Now she had to make a success out of it. She’d only owned the business for several months and had experienced a slow start. But with tourist season, things had picked up. If only she wasn’t plagued by employee turnover. First she’d fired a waiter who hadn’t lived up to her expectations. Thankfully, Tansy

Cooper had applied for the job the next day. Then, a couple of weeks ago, her maintenance man had quit to work for a relative. She’d only hired Donald Radtke to replace him on Monday after finding him on handyman.list.com. Two of the three satisfied clients she’d emailed about him had gotten back to her, claiming he was competent and didn’t raise any issues, so she’d hired him. The man wasn’t a pleasure to be around, but, in his late thirties, he was broad and built for strength, and so far he’d done his job decently, which was what she needed. But now Sam had taken off, leaving her in the lurch for both a bartender and

a friend she could confide in. She wasn’t close to anyone else in Lake Geneva, and she would deeply miss his humor and practical outlook on life. Maybe he would come back with a good explanation as to why he’d up and disappeared. Or maybe she was fooling herself. Thinking of his being gone, she felt let down, more for the loss of a friend she could talk to than the loss of a bartender. Hopefully, Thorne Hudson would work out filling the job. Something had to go her way. Considering that she’d bought the business with money from her father, she had to prove that she could make it work on her own from here on out.

As if her father knew she was thinking about him, he took that very moment to call her. Giving the cellphone her best version of the evil eye, she answered. “Hey, Daddy. What’s up?” As if she didn’t know. “Do I need a reason to call my firstborn?” “Probably, but you’re not going to talk me into having a bodyguard, so don’t try.” “Would I do that after you’ve refused? Several times, in fact.” “Yes.” Her father was worried that someone would come after his family because of the Bascom College shooting.

“You’re wrong. I wasn’t calling to talk you into something you don’t want. I simply want to make sure nothing unusual has happened in the last few days.” “Not a thing.” Other than my bartender leaving without notice…“All is quiet on the lakefront.” “That’s good to hear.” “So you can quit worrying.” “I will never quit worrying about you, Katie-bug.” His using her childhood nickname made Katelyn smile despite herself. “I love you, too, Daddy.” No matter how obsessive he was, she knew he had only her best interests at heart.

“That’s my girl. You haven’t said anything to your mother about the threat, have you?” Mom knew about the campus shooting. They’d talked about it the other day. But she had no idea there was a revenge plot in play. “I promised you I wouldn’t say anything.” Though it did go against her grain to keep this from her mother, she hadn’t wanted Mom to worry about something that she herself had decided wasn’t a threat. Not to her. “Good. Good. Just promise me that you’ll be extra cautious.” His intensity made her stomach go tight. All this talk of the need for a

bodyguard had made her paranoid that someone was watching her on more than one occasion over the past couple of days. But no one had been. She’d peered closely into every corner and found nothing. “Katie, promise me.” “Yes, Daddy, I’ll be super extra cautious.” “And if you suspect anything is wrong, you call.” “I promise. You should be worrying about Jason and Lilah, not me. But nothing is going to happen.” Both of her half siblings lived in the Chicago area near their father and carried the Hamilton name, unlike her.

They were the likely targets if the threat turned out to be real. She wouldn’t know how they felt about anything. Though related to her through their father, they had never accepted or recognized her as a sister. She’d actually heard their mother refer to her as “the intruder” more than once. Despite the difficult relationship she had with her halfsiblings, she didn’t want to see anything bad happen to them. After all, her father loved his family. She heard him sigh. “I told you what happened to Lilah just hours after I got that email.” Katelyn rolled her eyes. Her father had told her that Lilah had almost been

run over by a speeding car that had roared out of nowhere and swooped toward her. Luckily, she’d jumped back on the curb just in time, though she had fallen. “How is her wrist?” “Minor sprain. That’s not the point. She could have been killed! The driver didn’t even stop, just whipped around a corner and fled the scene.” Katelyn still couldn’t believe it had anything to do with the threat her father had received. “Oh, come on, Daddy, you know Lilah was probably in her own little world, as usual, and just didn’t see the car coming.” Maybe she’d been texting someone. Lilah lived with a

cellphone in hand. “It was just an accident.” “I can’t take the chance that it wasn’t. Your sister and brother both get it, Katie. They’ve agreed to live with bodyguards watching over them until this thing is settled.” Hearing the strain in her father’s voice, she said, “Daddy, it wasn’t your fault.” “Then whose fault was it? My company, my responsibility.” He added, “That’s why I’ve put the business up for sale.” Katelyn was shocked into silence. Her father wasn’t the type to let anyone intimidate him like that. “Why?”

“I had to, Katie. Hell, I have to live with what happened. I can’t do anything to change it. This is all I can think to do to make up for it.” “Please stop blaming yourself. You might own the company, but you didn’t hand the assault weapon over to the man who killed those people.” “I know you’re right.” “Then, please, Daddy, stop blaming yourself. If you need someone to talk to about it, I’ll be here for you.” “That’s my Katie-bug.” The conversation came to an end a short time later, but Katelyn couldn’t get it out of her mind as easily as she had before. She’d never heard her father

sounding so down, especially on himself. A part of her wanted to get in her car and drive to Chicago so she could be with him, make him feel better, but he would raise holy hell if she so much as suggested it at this critical time. And his wife would make her feel utterly unwelcome. “The intruder.” An embarrassing intruder. He had enough on his mind as it was. Besides, she’d based her anti-bodyguard argument on her being safe here, a hundred miles from him and where no one knew they were related because of their different last names. She was safe. No one here in Lake Geneva other than Sam knew of her

connection to Robert Hamilton. Even so, her father’s call reminded her that she had reason to keep vigilant. Just in case. She tried to shake away the worry, to bury it deep where she didn’t have to think about it. She needed to get ready for the dinner crowd. Plus, she had a new bartender to train. — Thorne hit the bar early so he could see exactly how things were organized. Glasses. Mugs. Ice. Bottles of hard liquor. The refrigerator for the bottled beer was half empty, so he asked one of the busboys where to find the stock, then went to get replacements. He was

hauling two cases of local beers back to the bar when Katelyn made an appearance. And what a transformation! This morning she’d appeared freshfaced and sweet. Tonight she was sophisticated and a touch of a siren in a simple black sheath and pole-dancer heels, making her nearly as tall as he was. Her hair was clipped back in a sleek ponytail, and her blue eyes were smudged with liner and shadow. She was a knockout. Thorne was just glad he’d put on a black buttondown shirt rather than something casual. The way her gaze played over him made him believe she had more than a boss’s

interest in him. She said, “I see you put yourself to work.” Thorne set down the boxes of bottles. “The refrigerator needs restocking.” Ripping open the first box, he pulled several bottles free and placed them in the fridge. “I have three of my waitstaff working tonight. They’ll all bring you orders. As will I if customers know what they want when I seat them.” “Don’t worry. I learned to juggle fast.” “Need any refreshers on how to make specific drinks?”

“I don’t think so, but I’ll be sure to ask if I do.” “We have a house drink—the Lakeside, a takeoff on a margarita. Salted glass, tequila, and freshly made lemonade.” “Easy peasy.” He grinned. She grinned back at him. “You’re just too good to be true, Thorne Hudson.” The smile froze on his face. Too good to be true was right. Thorne was hoping that Katelyn wouldn’t have to know why he was here when the waitress named Tansy brought him her first order. He could feel Katelyn’s gaze boring into him as he checked it over. He glanced up at her. “Do you want to

watch me pour a couple of beers and a Diet Coke?” “Um, no.” “Then feel free to do whatever it is you usually do at dinner.” He looked over her shoulder. “There are new customers arriving.” “Okay. Just whistle if you need me,” she said with a wink that made his gut clench. Damn, why did she have to be so perky and positive, not to mention pretty, that he couldn’t help but be attracted to her? That made his job more difficult. She made him feel good, lighter somehow, every time he was near her. He couldn’t resist watching as she

greeted the newly arrived customers with that killer-watt smile of hers. And then he got down to business. The café was busy even on a weeknight. Thorne split his attention between checking out the crowd and filling orders. Somehow he did both jobs effortlessly. And when a dozen young, attractive women came in to celebrate a twenty-first birthday, they sat at the bar, splitting his attention again. A couple of the young women flirted with him, and while he flirted back to make them happy—after all, it was his job to keep the customers happy—the only woman who interested him was Katelyn. He’d only met her hours ago,

and she was already more than the job. The rush died down sometime after nine. Half of the tables were already empty. Dinner was no longer being served. And though the bar was still open, there were no new customers. It was a weeknight, but Thorne was still a little surprised since it was the height of tourist season. Suddenly he realized Katelyn was sliding onto a bar stool across from him. “I’ll have a Shiraz. A nice big glass.” “Yes, ma’am.” He took a good look at her as he filled the wineglass nearly to the top before setting it on the bar for her. She appeared a little on edge.

She downed nearly half the glass. “I need to unwind. That should do it in about two minutes.” He asked, “Was there some problem in the kitchen?” If anything stressful had gone on in the restaurant or on the patio, he would have seen it. He had a clear view from the bar. “No. Out here?” she asked. “Anything not right?” He shook his head. “Nothing or I would know.” Hesitating while she took another sip, he then asked, “Were you expecting something ‘not right’ to happen?” “Not me. My father. Family stuff. I’m just worrying for nothing, I guess.” She

finished the wine and set her glass before him. “Another, please.” Understanding the problem, he nodded and poured, though this time he gave her a much smaller serving. “If you need to talk…” “It’s a personal thing.” “I’m a bartender tonight. Part of my job is listening to other people’s problems.” Undoubtedly Katelyn needed to talk to someone. “If you must know, my father’s going through a terrible ordeal and he’s really down on himself.” She swirled the wine in the glass but didn’t drink more. “I’m worried about him, is all.” “Is he sick or something?” Thorne

prompted, hoping she would get to the real reason. “No. But I’m sure he’d rather be.” “I’m listening.” Because she appeared hesitant to go on, he said, “And I don’t know anyone to tell. Anything you say stays between us.” She took that next sip of wine and said, “One of my father’s several businesses manufactures weapons for law enforcement, which includes assault rifles. One made its way into the hands of that crazy bastard who shot those students on the Bascom College campus last Friday and then just disappeared.” “Yeah, I saw it on the news. It’s such a tragedy. Seven people died, right?”

She nodded. “And more were hurt. The suspect is some troubled employee named Gus Pratt who was fired when some students made a formal complaint about him. Apparently, he was trying to get even by killing students at random. He disappeared and the police haven’t picked up his trail yet. They think he had this well planned ahead of time. Now someone is threatening revenge….” “Holding your father personally responsible?” “He received an email asking him how he would feel if he lost one of his own kids. He read it to me, and I’ll remember the words forever: Seven kids died at your hands. Seven kids with

families left behind to mourn them because you make those damn weapons! See what it feels like when one of your kids is killed….” She clutched the stem of her wineglass like a lifeline and cast her eyes downward. “I can see why he would be upset,” Thorne said. “He has the police looking into it. They’ll get whoever is threatening him.” Unconvinced that would happen, at least not soon enough, Thorne shrugged. “You would hope so.” “At any rate, Daddy is worried about me. Not that he has reason to be. No one even knows we’re related. More like I have reason to be worried about him.”

No wonder she was so on edge. “He’s encouraging me to have a bodyguard. Isn’t that absurd?” she asked. “Sounds like your father simply wants to protect you,” he assured her. “He’s been trying to keep me on a short leash my entire life.” “This is different, isn’t it? It’s a matter of your safety. Maybe you should take him up on the offer.” She countered with “We don’t have the same last names or live in the same state. I’d be surprised if more than a handful of people anywhere, and definitely not here, know of our relationship. I refused having a bodyguard, because I don’t want to live

my life like that, always under someone’s watchful eye, paranoid that people are out to get me.” Not really liking the idea of protecting someone without their knowledge— someone who was dead set against the very idea—Thorne nevertheless had agreed to it. He hadn’t wanted to see some young, innocent woman die because of her father’s business. And now that he had met Katelyn in person, he knew he’d made the right decision. But how long would it be before she realized her father had gone against her wishes and hired her a bodyguard without her knowledge?

— Katelyn couldn’t believe how in sync she felt with Thorne Hudson. Or maybe it was the wine making her mellow. No, it was definitely the man. She’d been drawn to him from the moment she’d met him. She was so comfortable with him that she’d told him about her father— something she hadn’t shared with anyone here in Lake Geneva with the exception of Sam. Now that she thought about it, she probably should have kept that information to herself. Part of her reasoning behind her not having a bodyguard had to do with no one here knowing about her connection to Robert Hamilton.

Worried now, she said, “Um…you know…about my father…” “What about him?” “I would rather you…didn’t share.” Thorne set his elbows on the bar and leaned in closer to her. “A good bartender always keeps his customers’ confidences.” Her pulse jumped. “And you’re a good bartender?” “I’m trying to be. Don’t give it another thought. I would have no reason to share with anyone. As I said before, I don’t even know anyone here.” “Yet.” “No worries,” he insisted.

She believed him. The little bubble of doubt that had risen so quickly quietly sank back into oblivion. “Good. Thank you.” “No thanks necessary. You needed someone to talk to, and I’m glad I was here to listen.” “And to give me advice.” He grinned at her. “Which you are perfectly free to ignore.” She grinned back and changed the subject to work, filling Thorne in on which days and times were busy, which were slow, showing him the book and paperwork to order liquor, beer, wine, and soft drinks. He seemed to take it all in stride, letting nothing intimidate him.

Before she knew it, the café had emptied of customers, the waitstaff was cleaning up the tables, and the new maintenance man was cleaning the floor, knocking his mop into chair legs. “I need to take care of this.” Sighing, Katelyn slid off her stool and approached Donald Radtke. “Put up the chairs first, please.” Stopping, he scraped a handful of long, dark hair away from his face and scowled at her. “What?” “You’re knocking your mop into the chair legs. First turn the chairs upside down and hang them on the tables, then mop the floor.” It was something she thought a guy with a maintenance

background, which he’d professed to have, would know to do. His dark eyes nearly pierced her, and he muttered something under his breath that she couldn’t hear. But she didn’t like the sound of it. “Excuse me?” she asked. Radtke’s expression hardened, then equally fast, went neutral. “Nothing. Just that you never said to do it that way before.” “I guess I was too busy to notice. It’ll save the chair legs from being nicked.” “If you say so,” he grunted. Katelyn opened her mouth to say something acerbic, then changed her

mind. He was new. She didn’t need another employee quitting on her. “By the way, we heard some odd noises earlier. I think they were coming from the basement.” “Repairs can be noisy. And you have enough of them for me to do around here, including the sump pump down there. Anything else?” Irritated by his attitude, she nevertheless held herself in check. “Nope. That would be it.” Turning back to Thorne, she realized he was closing down the bar. “I haven’t finished my wine.” “Go ahead. But it’s almost midnight,” he said.

“It feels like it.” She took one last sip, then said, “I think I’ll go before I turn into a pumpkin.” “Now that I would like to see.” “Maybe tomorrow night,” she joked. He snorted. “Have a good one.” “Have a good one.” A good what? Katelyn assumed he meant sleep. Her eyes were heavy. Even so, before leaving she took a final look around the café to make certain everything was as it should be. The floor had cleared but for Radtke, who was now setting a chair on the table the way she’d asked him to. All was well. With a sigh of exhaustion, she left to

get some shut-eye.

Chapter 3 Katelyn awoke to thunder a little after dawn and couldn’t get back to sleep. It had been raining off and on during the night, and the sky outside her bedroom window lit with a bright flash. Well, that was eye-opening. More rumbling. She wasn’t going to get back to sleep anytime soon. Reluctantly, she slid out of bed and into the shower. She would need a short nap later in the day, or staying awake through the dinner rush would be a challenge. Thankfully, by the time she

was done showering and drying her hair, the storm over the lake had abated. The sky was clearing, and the cool morning, with its fresh after-rain scents, called to her. Dressing in shorts and a tank top, she decided to take a walk along the lake’s shore path, her favorite early-morning activity. Just being near the water both energized and comforted her. She could sit at the lake’s edge and stare at the ripples moving over the water for hours on end—if she’d had those hours, which she hadn’t since buying this place. She’d just reached her café’s boat dock when she heard footfalls that made her pulse charge.

Whipping around, she was startled to see Donald Radtke directly behind her. Where had he come from? The maintenance man didn’t work mornings. He came in at the end of the lunch service for cleanup, spent the afternoon doing repairs, then did whatever was necessary during and after the dinner shift. “What are you doing here so early?” she demanded, her gaze dropping to the legs of his jeans. “And how did you get so wet?” Not from the rain or he would have been drenched. Following her gaze, he glanced down. “Uh, yesterday I told you we had a problem with the sump pump.”

Even as she said “I thought you fixed it,” she realized they weren’t alone. Thorne Hudson was on the path behind them. His attention was focused on his surroundings with his usual intensity, as if he was looking for something or someone. “I did fix it!” Radtke turned toward the man on the path behind them, then turned back to her with a scowl. “Well, I hoped I did. But since I was up this morning, I came in to check on it because of the rain. It was still leaking, so there’s water in the basement. I worked on it again, but I don’t know if it’ll hold. I just figured you better know that you may have to replace it.”

Sighing, she asked, “How old is the pump?” “I have no idea. I’m new here, remember?” Radtke’s scowl deepened, and Katelyn figured she needed to let it go for now. Considering the rain they’d had overnight, she couldn’t fault him for coming to check on the sump pump. “Okay, just keep me informed.” As she set off, Radtke seemed to be staring after her. Passing Thorne, he quickly turned away and headed for the parking lot. “Wait up,” Thorne called. Katelyn’s pulse raced a bit faster. “Following me?”

“I would rather walk with you.” Not exactly an answer, but it would do. She slowed a bit as she passed the dock so he could more easily catch up with her. He paused for a second, his expression intent, head tilted, gaze narrowed, as if he was listening for something. Then he shook off whatever it was and caught up to her. Dressed in jeans and a white T-shirt that accentuated his impressive musculature, he was the epitome of a hot male. Feeling heat creep up her neck at the thought, she tried to remain casual. “Early riser?” “Usually.” “But you were up late last night.” She

wondered how long he’d hung out at the bar after she’d headed to bed. “How do you get enough sleep?” “Probably the same way you do— power naps.” Katelyn nodded and breathed in the fresh air, focused on her surroundings rather than on him. “What a great morning.” They walked side by side, mere inches apart. The lapping of water on the shore and the calls of some birds wheeling overhead looking for breakfast were the only sounds breaking the comfortable silence. No motorboats on the lake this early. No one nearby on the shore path. Just her and Thorne, alone.

A little thrill shot through her as she imagined he had intentionally sought her out. Or maybe it was just wishful thinking. Thorne probably stirred up any woman he met. It had been an instantaneous thing for her, and this morning the vibe between them seemed amplified somehow. What was wrong with her? He was an employee, for heaven’s sake. A very friendly employee, but still…Plus, he wasn’t going to stick around for long. Seemed like everyone she took a liking to these days had one foot out the door. She glanced his way and realized he was again studying the area intently,

glancing in every direction. “Looking for someone?” she asked. Thorne started. “Uh, no. I was just thinking these homes lining the shore are really something. Showstoppers. So who lives in them? This isn’t exactly a big city with industry of any kind.” “They’re second homes. At least most of them are. We call them beach cottages —” “More like mansions.” She nodded in agreement. “After the Civil War, railroad access from Chicago helped turn the town into a summer resort for wealthy industry barons. Many of these homes were constructed then, and Lake Geneva earned a reputation as

the Newport of the West. And when the Great Chicago Fire destroyed much of the city, families moved here to their summer homes while the city was rebuilt, which meant staying through the winter. The original old beach cottages didn’t even have heating systems, so they had to be added.” “A pretty impressive history. The customers I talked to last night were almost all Chicagoans.” “Three-fourths of the summer residents have a connection to the city, present or past.” “Does that include you?” “Well, I’m here full-time now. I lived in Kenosha and Milwaukee before

moving to Lake Geneva. But I guess you could say I have a connection to Chicago through my father.” “Interesting that a city in a different state has such influence on the town even now. Milwaukee is a good-sized city. And closer than Chicago. Surprising there’s not more of a connection there.” The path narrowed a bit, and Thorne’s shoulder brushed hers. The inadvertent connection seared her, leaving her a bit on edge—and feeling a little out of her depth from being so close to a man who could so easily throw her off like that. A new experience. Thorne was staring at her intently, as if he felt the connection as well.

Trying to shake the unfamiliar sensation, she turned to the home they were passing, a three-story building, a first-floor screened porch with a lake view surrounding the sides. “This particular estate was built in the late nineteenth century.” “Beautiful,” he said, though he hadn’t taken his eyes off her. Heat seared her cheeks. She turned away from him, toward the lake. “Oh, look, some early-morning fishermen are out.” “I imagine it gets too choppy on the lake later.” “It does. People zipping around sightseeing. Or towing water-skiers. Or

heading for their favorite lakeside restaurant,” she said with a grin, thinking of the boaters who made her café a destination. “So was it the lake that drew you to this town?” “Pretty much. Mom used to bring me here for the day a few times every summer when I was a kid. It was a super treat. We took a boat ride tour around the lake once every year. Plus there were festivals both lakeside and in town, a yearly dairymen’s breakfast, and assorted trunk shows. All kinds of things to do. I always loved this area, so when I got out on my own, I sometimes came for a weekend, and guess where I

stayed.” “At Lakeside Guest House.” She nodded. “That I did.” “Ah, it’s all fitting into place now.” When she gave him a questioning look, he added, “You just didn’t seem like a small-town girl.” “But surprisingly, I fit in just fine.” His low voice cut through her when he said, “I’m sure you would fit in anywhere.” “Not so much.” He gave her a questioning look, so she said, “I simply didn’t fit in with corporate America. The opportunity to own and run the guest house and café was like a dream come

true for me.” “Glad to hear it. Not many people can say that about their professional lives.” “What about you?” His answer—“Bartending suits me just fine at the moment”—avoided her question’s real meaning. And he wasn’t looking at her anymore. He was studying some spot across the lake. To avoid uncomfortable questions? She wanted to know what Thorne Hudson normally did for a living. Something kept her from asking directly. When he’d volunteered to tend bar for her, he’d said he didn’t need money right now. That he was planning on sticking around Lake Geneva for a while. Maybe

he was having a professional crisis himself, trying to figure out what he should do with the rest of his life. She got that. If and when he was ready to talk about it, she would be glad to be his sounding board. And when he slid an arm around her back and pulled her a little closer to avoid a break in the walkway, warmth filled her. She was sorry when he let go. Something told her she would be glad to be his anything. “So, how far are we walking?” he asked. She couldn’t help but tease him. “The path around the lake is about twenty-one miles. Up for it?” she asked, giving him

a perfectly neutral expression. “Twenty-one miles? You’re kidding, right?” “Nope.” “I doubt we would be back in time for the lunch crowd.” “Not that I’m planning on walking it today,” she admitted with another grin. “I was just testing you.” One eyebrow arched over a wide hazel eye. “So you have a dark sense of humor, too.” Her grin widened. “I have my moments.” “I’ll keep that in mind.” In a better mood than she’d been in for

weeks, Katelyn hated to end the reason for it. Being with Thorne was better than anything she could think of. But they’d gone far enough, and she knew they should loop back so she would have time to eat and shower and straighten up her apartment before having to worry about lunch hour at the café. She said, “I’m hungry enough to eat a snake.” “Really. Do you keep snake on hand in one of the café’s freezers?” Katelyn rolled her eyes. “It’s just a saying. I must really be starving because snake is the last thing I would eat.” “I can think of worse things.” She shuddered. “Keep it to yourself,

okay? I have a vivid imagination.” Right now, she was imagining spending some quality time with Thorne when she didn’t have to worry about getting back to work. Time alone with him. Very personal, intimate time. As if… “So we’re heading back to get breakfast?” he asked, sounding hopeful. She didn’t miss the “we” in that statement. Suddenly growing warm, she said, “That was the plan. I make a decent omelet. Unless you have other plans…” “Sounds good to me.” “The street ahead will take us to South Lake Shore Drive, the main road along this side of the lake. We can

follow it back. You can see most of the estates we passed from the other side.” Katelyn told herself the walk would be long enough for her to settle down inside. To be casual about the whole thing. She didn’t want to create something in her mind that wasn’t there. Even so, she found it difficult not to wish for more. — Katelyn’s apartment was situated on the first floor of the guest house and had a view of the lake. Following her inside, Thorne realized it was similar in furnishings to his suite upstairs. Somewhat bigger, though, with a modest

kitchen and an island allowing the cook to look out over the living area. The surprise was that there weren’t more personal touches. A few family photos on a shelving unit appeared to be the only thing of her own in the room. Having the oddest feeling that something wasn’t quite right, Thorne took a second to check outside the window for anything that looked like a safety problem. Because the building had a basement and was on a hill that sloped down to the lake, Katelyn’s apartment was raised above ground level, so that was good. The café was on a lower level, closer to the lake to the east of her apartment. An intruder would

need a leg up to get to the window from the outside. And even that wouldn’t be easy, because the area below her windows was all garden, with flowering rosebushes up against the building. He just wished his internal radar would settle down. His spidey sense had been on alert more than once on their walk, and he couldn’t shake the feeling even though he hadn’t seen anything that was off. “Make yourself comfortable,” she said. “Would you like some coffee while you wait?” “I’d be comfortable giving you a hand in the kitchen. I can put the coffee on while you get started.”

“Deal.” The kitchen was a galley, with little room for two people to work at the same time. Not that brushing against an attractive woman was a hardship. Well, in a way it was. Wearing shorts and a tank top that accentuated her every curve, her skin slicked with sweat from their walk, her hair pulled up into a ponytail, tendrils around her face, she was temptation personified. His mind wandered to what it would be like to help her clean up, get those sweaty clothes off, soap those luscious curves in the shower. And then taste them. Oh, hell, if he kept fantasizing, he was just going to make himself miserable.

Attracted to Katelyn from the first, he couldn’t help wanting to get to know her better, especially in a physical way. He wasn’t a monk. Not that he was looking for anything but temporary. With a past like his, that’s all he could expect anyway. She wasn’t like the women who usually kept him company. She was squeaky clean by comparison. Sweet. Cheerful, trying to make everyone around her smile in return. Maybe a little naïve. Even so, he had to keep reminding himself that Katelyn was his job, not someone he could get close to personally. He wished that he could ignore that fact. He’d totally fantasized about getting more personal with her on

their walk, even while he’d kept an eagle eye out for impending danger. Danger that had never appeared. So far, he’d been working on instinct. A sixth sense he’d developed many years ago had always done well by him. It had kept him safe when he’d been on the streets at fifteen. And it had saved his life—and the lives of others—more than once in Afghanistan. Back in the States, he’d worked as a chauffeur and saved a client’s wife from a stalker. Which had gotten him a personal recommendation from a corporate client in Chicago. Which in turn had led to this gig watching over Hamilton’s daughter. He always seemed to know when

something was off. And the feeling had been pricking at his edges since he’d arrived in Lake Geneva. And yet, he’d seen nothing to cause any real alarm. Katelyn seemed perfectly safe. Like she didn’t really need him guarding her at all. Even so, he couldn’t shake his gut feeling that something was wrong and he was missing it. He simply couldn’t figure out what. He joined her in the kitchen area and immediately got busy. By the time he hit start on the coffeemaker, Katelyn had all her ingredients stacked on the counter and was firing up a frying pan. “What else can I do to help speed things along?” he asked.

“How about microwaving some bacon?” She threw cut-up mushrooms into the pan. “You can use paper plates and towels, which are over there.” She pointed to the counter near the refrigerator. Gathering what he needed, Thorne set about getting the bacon ready as Katelyn cracked a half-dozen eggs and dumped them into a bowl. He liked working next to her, working as a team, something he’d had no experience with except while in the Army. And that teamwork had left him with nightmares. “So where do you call home?” she suddenly asked. Uh-oh. “Wherever I am at the

moment.” “You move around a lot?” “Afraid so.” He was going to have to do a fancy dance with what information he offered. “But surely there must be someplace you call home. Where your family lives?” “No family.” He didn’t want to get into it, but perhaps that would satisfy her, and then she would leave the rest of his background be. “C’mon,” she said, “I told you about my parents.” “I’m serious. No family.” Which was more than he’d meant to tell her. “I never

knew my father. My mother couldn’t take proper care of me, so I was put in the foster system when I was five. I saw her a few times those first months. And then she just disappeared.” Katelyn frowned. “You never saw your mother again?” He shook his head and tried to relax his suddenly clenched jaw. “Afraid not. I have no idea what ever happened to her, either.” “I’m so sorry.” Katelyn was quiet for a few seconds as she beat the eggs with a whisk. Then she asked, “Foster system where?” She really was focused on learning more about him. Grudgingly, Thorne

said, “Indianapolis.” “So that’s home.” “Never felt like it to me.” He never talked about his past, not to anyone. “Hey—your mushrooms.” They were beginning to smoke, giving him a reprieve from her questions. “Oh!” She pulled the pan off the flame and flipped them with a spatula. “I think they’re still okay.” “No worries. They look fine. You caught them just in time.” “Well, you did,” she countered. “I’d better pay more attention to the food.” He sat the paper plates holding the bacon in the microwave, thankful that

he’d had a way to distract her. Somehow, she’d gotten him to open up a bit. But he’d gotten as far as he was willing to go. He didn’t want to come any closer to stirring up memories of Afghanistan, never mind talk about it. On some level, Katelyn must have realized that, because she concentrated on her omelet and on popping a few slices of bread into a toaster oven. It wasn’t until they were sitting at her island, heaping food onto their plates, that she picked up the subject again. “I’m sorry if I got too nosey about your life before. One of my downfalls.” “You have downfalls? I hadn’t noticed,” he said. “I’d rather talk about

something more pleasant than my past, though, if you don’t mind.” Her forehead furrowed. “Yes. Sure. Sorry.” He almost told her not to worry about it, but he kept his peace. He didn’t want her to be too comfortable or she would bring it up again. The sound of wind chimes filled the space. She put down her fork and pulled her cellphone from her shorts pocket. Her face pulled together in a frown. Rather than answering, she set the phone facedown on the counter. “Something wrong?” “Just a call I don’t want to take.” She tore into a piece of bacon and muttered.

“Aaron. Old boyfriend. I seem to be on his mind lately. A lot.” “Maybe he wants to get back together.” “If so, that makes one of us,” she muttered, concentrating on her food. Apparently, they both had things they didn’t want to talk about. Thorne dug into the omelet and took a big bite, following it with half a slice of bacon. “Mmm, this really hits the spot after that walk.” He ate another bite and washed it down with some coffee. “So do you ever take time off?” he asked. “Surely you’re not all work just because you own the place.” “Pretty much. I’m still learning the

business, sometimes even on my days off. Oh, I don’t think I told you. The café is closed on Mondays, so everyone can have some time to themselves.” “But you’re losing money that way. You could hire someone to be your replacement a couple days a week.” But somehow he didn’t think that would suit her. “Yeah, maybe eventually. When I get everything running smoothly. I’m still a newbie at this, doing the best I can. In the meantime, the weekends are frantic and we still have a few kinks to work out.” “So this weekend is when your parttime bartender shows up?”

She nodded. “Chad Moore. He’ll join you for the dinner shift tomorrow and work brunch and dinners on Saturday and Sunday. Trust me, even with another person behind the bar, you’ll need some time off after the weekend.” “Then it sounds like it’s a good thing I came along when I did.” And not just for her business. With so many people milling about the place, someone with bad intentions could more easily get at Katelyn. “A very good thing,” she said. “Chad’s a college kid with a limited attention span, unfortunately. I was afraid there’d be so much pressure on him working alone all weekend, he’d up

and quit, too.” “I imagine there’s a lot of turnover in any restaurant business.” “That may be true, but it sure hasn’t made these early days easy. First, I had a waiter quit at the beginning of the season, and luckily Tansy came along the very next day. She’s the best worker I have on the waitstaff, so I’m not mourning that changeover. Then the maintenance guy quit, and I was without anyone for too long before hiring Radtke. That was fun. He’s not exactly the warm, fuzzy type, if you hadn’t noticed. He takes offense easily. And now Sam just up and disappearing was about more than I could handle until you

came along.” “ ‘Disappearing’?” “It seems that way. He’s not answering my calls or texts. I even tried his apartment, but he didn’t answer the door.” “Maybe he’s in some kind of trouble and left town.” “Maybe. I was kind of wondering if he didn’t pick up with this woman he’s been crazy over and disappear with her for a while. But why he wouldn’t call and tell me that…” She shook her head and reached for a piece of toast at the same time he did. Their hands connected. Thorne froze.

So did Katelyn. Their gazes locked. His pulse surged and his breath caught in his throat for a second. Then he cleared it. “You first.” Moving his hand, he indicated she should take the first piece of toast. But not touching her didn’t relieve him of the effect she had on him. He was glad to be sitting down, with his fullblown response to her luckily being hidden by the island counter. Katelyn Wade was not someone he could use. He needed to curb his thoughts and keep a professional distance, or he would never make it to the end of this assignment without having her.

Chapter 4 Friday dinner pulled the biggest crowd Lakeside Café had seen since Katelyn bought the place. The line of hopeful customers extended out the door. There wasn’t a table to be had, but no one was deterred by that fact. It was clear that she wasn’t going to have a minute of downtime until closing, and maybe not even then. But this was what she thrived on. What did surprise her was that even as she rushed around seating people and checking on her staff and the food being

served, she somehow found time to think about Thorne. He’d been pleasant but distant at work yesterday, and at lunch today, too. While she appreciated his professional detachment, after the great morning they’d just spent together, she’d been a little surprised he didn’t find opportunities to talk to her. Maybe all her questions had put him off. Getting him to admit he’d never known his father and that his mother had given him up to the system probably had brought up old wounds. Now he’d gone from warm and friendly to distant. Her own fault. Katelyn wanted to kick herself for being insensitive. She’d simply wanted

to know more about Thorne because of her strong attraction to him. Despite his working the bar for her, she didn’t think of him as a regular employee. He didn’t actually live in Lake Geneva, a fact that caused her some consternation both professionally and personally. Who knew how long it would be before he moved on? “Katelyn!” Hearing her name, she turned to see Gerard Eklund had arrived. He stepped to the front of the line. Other customers were giving him filthy looks, and one woman began complaining to her companion in a “How dare he?” vein. Pasting on a smile, she joined him,

circling away from the other customers so they would have trouble hearing the exchange in the noisy café. “Gerard,” she said, remembering that he wanted her to call him by his first name. “How nice to see you again.” Though she was certain he wanted special treatment, she asked, “What can I do for you?” “You can get me a table before I starve,” he said in a conspiratorial voice. “I would be happy to do that, but you don’t have a reservation, so I’m afraid it will be a half hour or so before I can seat you.” “You can’t make an exception for one

of your best customers?” He was still speaking in a quiet, neutral tone. But his expression voiced his displeasure. Katelyn said, “I really can’t make exceptions—” “Not even for me?” Whoa. Apparently Gerard Eklund had a side that was even more demanding than she’d realized. She guessed that with her prior deference, he’d worked up to it. “If you like, I can have Tansy serve you at the bar.” “I don’t want Tansy, I want you. If you serve me yourself, I will agree to eat at the bar.”

Not wanting to lose a good customer even if he could be a bit difficult, she agreed. “Fine. Follow me.” Ignoring the grumbling behind her, she grabbed a menu from the waitress stand and led the way to the bar, which was packed and had even more customers surrounding it. “Give me a minute.” She stepped up to the bar and, trying to ignore Thorne, whose attention was currently on a perky redhead, she raised her voice. “Chad, please bring one of the stools from behind the bar to this side.” Then she got the attention of the customers at the end of the bar. “Excuse me, but could you please see if you can move down just a bit? We need to fit one more stool at the

end.” There were some complaints, but people did as she asked, and Chad set the extra stool down for Eklund. Wearing a smile she could only describe as triumphant, the man slid right onto it and took the menu she offered. Trying not to show her chagrin, she said, “I’ll be back in a few minutes to get your food order. In the meantime, Chad can get you whatever you like to drink.” “What happened to the regular bartender?” Eklund asked, flicking his gaze from Chad to Thorne. “I haven’t seen him since last Sunday.” “Sam doesn’t work here anymore.”

With that, she slipped away before he could make further demands on her. Had she done the right thing in indulging Eklund, or would he become even more difficult for her having done so? The customers waiting at the head of the line clearly looked displeased, but thankfully their expressions brightened when she was able to seat them right away. A few more tables were being vacated. She made sure they were bussed before taking Eklund’s order. On her way back to the bar, she became aware of Thorne’s sharp gaze on her. Warmth enveloped her. She nodded toward Eklund and raised her eyebrows. Thorne’s answering expression told her

he got it. Despite the fact that he’d seemed busy with the pretty customer before, he must have taken in the little drama. Thorne winked at her, and she couldn’t help but grin a little sheepishly. Undoubtedly gratified by the personal attention, Eklund was his normal gracious self when she took his order, and he promised to make a reservation next time. Even so, the extra stress had sapped some of her energy. She guessed she would have to get used to dealing with demanding customers. And considering the nonstop line of people that kept pouring in, it looked like she’d have to get used to it pretty quickly. Katelyn was

busier than ever. She seated people, served Eklund his dinner at the bar, seated more people, consulted with one of the waiters, checked on the person who should be bussing tables and found him on his cellphone. Seeing her, he clicked it off and rushed back into the café. Eventually the pace slowed, and the herd of customers thinned to something more manageable. Katelyn kept pushing until there was no one left to seat and she was finally able to take a break. Her adrenaline crashing, she headed for the little office off the kitchen where coffee was available for the employees. There she found Sophie Miller, the

new prep cook, a pretty young woman with round, china-blue eyes and short, spiked black hair. Sophie was just filling a mug with coffee. “Hey, Ms. Wade, I’ll bet you can use this.” Smiling, the dimple in her cheek popped as she handed Katelyn the mug. “Thanks, Sophie, don’t mind if I do. How’s it going in the kitchen?” “Smoother every day.” The prep cook filled a second mug. “I swear I can make the base for six kinds of soup in my sleep.” “And I’ve tasted every one. All delicious.” “Thanks, Ms. Wade.” Taking a sip of coffee, she headed for the door. “Gotta

get back to work.” Katelyn raised her mug in salute just as Thorne walked in. “Looks like you and I had the same idea.” He paused, then said, “That guy at the bar earlier—is he always so pushy?” She shook her head. “But there’s a first time for everything.” “You handled him like a pro.” “Let’s just hope Mr. Eklund doesn’t pull something like that again. That no one does!” she amended, taking a big slug of caffeine. “If so, I’m sure you can do a good job handling just about anyone,” he said with an air of flirtation. He poured himself a

mug of coffee. “You’re really good at what you do, Katelyn.” “I’ve been told I’m obsessive at what I do.” “I was talking about with people. You have a positive personality. You make people happy. I admire that about you. It’s just too bad that someone like Eklund takes advantage of your good nature. I’m sure it saps your energy—the reason you need that coffee. Think you’ll make it to the end of the dinner shift? I’m guessing you didn’t have any quality downtime this afternoon.” She shrugged. “It all goes with the job.” Though truly, she wondered if she would get enough sleep that night to

make it through brunch the next day. She raised her mug, saying, “Here’s to staying awake,” and then quickly downed the coffee. Thorne was staring at her. His expression was neutral, but she couldn’t say the same about his eyes. The look in them made her edgy, but in a good way. The feeling was becoming oh too familiar. Swallowing hard, she latched onto his gaze and didn’t let go. She swore she recognized a want of some kind in them. For her? She was the first to break the connection. “I’d better get back out there. A few more tables should be cleared, and when customers have to

wait…” Thorne raised his mug to her. “Go get ’em.” Katelyn grinned as she left the office. Thorne was himself again. Maybe he’d seemed distant because he’d been overtired, too. A guess that made her mind wander back to what-ifs… Distracted by thoughts about Thorne as she made her way through the crowd, she almost ran into a twenty-something guy who stepped directly in front of her. She stopped just in time to avoid a crash. Or having his drink splash over her instead of on the floor. He was tall and broad, probably had fifty pounds on

her. Looked like an athlete. “Keep on coming, hot stuff,” he said with a cockeyed grin that undoubtedly got him a lot of attention from women. He swayed, then caught himself. “You up against me? I wouldn’t complain.” Realizing he’d probably had too much to drink, she pasted on a smile and politely murmured, “Excuse me,” as she tried to circle around him. He stepped directly in front of her, making her stop again. “Don’t walk away from me, honey, not when I’m talking to you!” More like the drink in his hand was doing the talking. “C’mon, Steve, don’t start nothin’,”

one of his friends warned him. But Steve didn’t budge from her path. Katelyn drew herself up to her full height. “Excuse me, but I have work to do. If you’re not happy here, leave, or I’ll find someone to show you out. I have customers waiting to be seated.” She tried to get around him again, but once more, he got in her face. “You’re the hostess? With your looks, you could get a better-paying job than that. I know a titty bar where—” Her good nature immediately evaporating, she interrupted. “I own this place!” “Even better. Then you owe me a good time.”

He thrust his pelvis toward her, as if he expected her to service him right there. Then, before she could shove him away and call for someone to throw him out, he grabbed her. Unprepared for such a bold move, Katelyn froze for a moment until she felt his erection pressed against her thigh. With a strangled cry, she tried to free herself, but his arms were like ropes around her. “Let go of me! And get out, right now!” “Make me,” Steve said, grinding into her. As suddenly as he’d put his hands on

her, he was jerked back and upward. When he flew out to the side, Thorne appeared where he’d stood. Katelyn went wide-eyed as he released the back of the drunk’s shirt. Steve landed in a heap, but he scrambled to his feet and lunged toward Thorne, who put out a hand and caught him by the throat and shoved him back against the bar. Steve’s arms thrashed ineffectively. Thorne shook him once as if he were a rabid dog, then pinned him against a support post. Steve’s friend, the one who’d warned him, followed Katelyn toward the two. “Hey, that’s enough!” the friend said. Thorne ignored him and kept pressure

on the drunk’s throat. Steve’s arms were still windmilling, but slower now. Realizing his air was getting cut off, Katelyn thought maybe she should do something to put an end to this. But for some reason, the sight of Thorne choking the life out of her assailant stirred some perverse arousal in her, and she couldn’t bring herself to stop him. Thorne stuck his face directly in Steve’s and said, “You get one warning. You agree to leave and never come back, or I tie you up and let the cops haul you out of here. Then you can get a lawyer and hope he gets you off without too much jail time. Got it?” Without waiting for an answer, he let

go. Steve slid halfway down the support. His buddy lunged forward and stopped him from landing on his ass. “C’mon, Steve, let’s get out of this place,” the drunk’s friend muttered, looking around wildly, his gaze sliding off Katelyn and avoiding Thorne, who stood there unmoving, arms across his chest, his expression fierce. “What is Steve’s last name?” Thorne asked. When the friend grew tightlipped, Thorne said, “I’ll find out for myself if I have to.” “Nyland. Why?” “If anything unusual happens around here, I want a name to give to my buddy, the police chief.”

With that, the two men stumbled out of the café. Thorne turned to give Katelyn a onceover. “Did he hurt you?” She shook her head. “I’m still in one piece.” “Good.” With that, he headed back behind the bar. Leaving her wondering yet again about Thorne’s past. — “So, it was rad working with you, Thorne,” Chad said as he rounded the bar to leave. Working being subjective, Thorne

thought as the part-time bartender checked himself out in the mirror and smoothed back a thatch of light-brown hair from his forehead. Barely of legal age himself, Chad had spent as much time schmoozing with the young, goodlooking female customers as he had pouring drinks. But at least he seemed to be a decent sort. “We’ll be working together all weekend,” Thorne said. “Cool. Later.” The café had closed a half hour ago, and the waitstaff and kitchen crew had left a few at a time. Thorne stood his ground and did some busywork behind the bar, waiting for Katelyn to call it a

night. He wanted to make sure she got back to her room safely. He couldn’t see idiot Steve coming back for a second round, but he wasn’t taking any chances. Chair legs screeched across the floor, getting Thorne’s attention. Radtke tossed the chair upside down onto a table and finished mopping. The maintenance man kept looking out at the patio, where Katelyn sat alone in the dark. Was he looking for her approval for a job well done? Thorne wondered, even as Radtke turned toward him. The maintenance man gave him a quick dark look, as if he had some kind of problem with him, before lumbering off toward the exit. Katelyn seemed to be in no hurry to

leave. Which meant Thorne wasn’t going to, either. She was leaning against the railing at the edge of the patio and gazing out at the lake. Sensing she was still troubled over what had happened earlier, he poured a small glass of Shiraz and grabbed a beer before leaving the bar to join her. “Are you all right?” he asked. She didn’t look his way. “Just trying to come to terms with the best and worst day of my new business.” He knew best referred to its having been the busiest day, and worst to that rowdy drunk who’d grabbed her. From the second the guy had left, Thorne had watched her like a hawk. When he’d

seen the drunk make his move on her, his gut had twisted into a knot. His stepping in to rescue her had felt as much personal as it had professional. And now, the twist in his gut was all personal. Stopping next to her, he held out the stemmed glass. “I figured you could use this.” “Thanks.” He noticed her hand shook slightly as she grasped the wineglass and took a small sip. He said, “I spoke to Chad about cutting off anyone who has too much to drink in the future.” “Good.” But when she turned to study him in

the dark, he didn’t feel her good. Though she had closed the café for the night like a champ, she’d been hiding her true feelings, which washed over him now. He wished like hell that he could take away the memory that had pulled her down. “What?” He took a slug of beer, then set the bottle on the railing. “Talk it out. I’m here for you. I’m listening, remember.” “I’m trying to figure you out.” Thorne started. She was thinking about him and not the drunk? “How so?” he asked. “The way you handled that guy—I’ve never seen anything like it.”

“You shouldn’t have had to.” She stared down at the wineglass, swirling the contents. Then she sought his gaze. “Are you a cop or something?” Or something. He shook his head. “Not a cop.” “A fed?” “Nope.” “So do I assume correctly that you don’t know the police chief, either?” He grinned. “Just being creative to throw some fear into small minds.” “So if you’re not a cop and not a fed…then where did you learn to do what you did earlier?” “Fight?” He needed to give her

something believable without telling her the whole truth. “When I was a kid, fighting was how I survived. I wasn’t an easy kid and I lashed out a lot, so I was handed off from foster family to group home to another foster family and back to the group home. And so on. I was too much for anyone to handle for any length of time.” Especially when he’d had to defend himself against someone who was supposed to be taking care of him. “So you were never adopted?” He snorted at the very idea that anyone would have wanted him around full-time. After his mother had given him up, he’d never belonged to anyone, and

no one had ever belonged to him. “When I was fifteen, I took off, left the state, and moved around, taking crappy jobs all over the country.” He’d had to either get out or land in jail for a situation that couldn’t be prevented. If that bastard had laid a hand on him one more time….“And then I joined the Army and was shipped overseas.” Which was more than he’d meant to tell her. He did his best not to think about it. Not to let what he couldn’t have rule him. He’d done a good job of being content as a loner. A great job. Sometimes he even fooled himself. Other times, he simply wished he

belonged somewhere. With someone who gave a crap about him. “Overseas,” she repeated. “To where?” “To a place where I was forced to hone my fighting skills to stay alive,” he said, which was all he was going to admit. He wouldn’t tell her the details that would shock her into silence. Didn’t want to think about them. Bad enough they sometimes intruded into his dreams… She murmured, “I see.” Now she was frowning. Not his intention. “But this was supposed to be about you, Katelyn.” He’d meant to make

her feel better, not worse. “I’m fine.” As if to prove it, she set down her wineglass next to his beer bottle. “So why don’t I believe that?” “Because you’re overprotective.” If she only knew how overprotective. And why. “I don’t think so.” He reached out and cupped her cheek gently, turned her face up to catch the moonlight before letting go. “Nope. No smile.” But beautiful, even so. “Your smile defines you.” “My smile does?” “It’s the first thing that caught my attention.” And from photos her father

had provided. He’d been drawn by that smile before he’d ever met her. Somehow, it had wrapped around his insides, making him feel welcome. “And it’s missing right now.” Her brow furrowed again. “I don’t smile all the time.” “Yeah, you pretty much do. One of the things I like about you,” he admitted. “Only one of the things?” Her expression shifted, and her mouth turned up just slightly at the corners. “There are things I like about you, too.” “Such as that I agreed to tend bar for you?” “Well, that…and because you saved me from that drunken idiot tonight.

Impressively, I might add. I didn’t get a chance to thank you before. So—thank you.” With that, Katelyn moved in on him and, standing on tiptoe, brushed her lips over the corner of his mouth. Heat from the spot where she’d touched him zapped through his body like an electrical shock wave, searing him from the inside out. He tried to get hold of himself, but she hadn’t moved away from him. She was standing too close. Making her too irresistible. Groaning, he slid an arm around her back and pulled her even closer. Hesitated a moment, enough time for her to pull away if she wanted to. When she

didn’t, he dipped his head, rubbed his mouth over hers. Her lips parted. Tempting. Too tempting to resist. He nipped her lower lip, then moved in to taste her more thoroughly. Nudging her lips more fully open, he possessed her mouth. He started slowly, sinuously, seductively. Felt her hands on his chest. Was she going to push him away now? He held on tighter, kissed her more deeply. Her hands slid upward and twined around the back of his neck, anchoring her to him. The kiss seemed to last a lifetime, but when a boat’s horn blared across the lake, bringing him to his senses, he pulled his mouth from hers. It hadn’t

been long enough, and yet every second was too long when it came to his professional integrity. She trembled in his arms. Realizing how inappropriate that kiss had been, he let go of her and took a small step back. “Sorry. I guess I got carried away.” He wasn’t used to feeling guilt over a woman, and he really didn’t like it. “Oh. No harm done.” She stepped back, as well. Gave him a long, piercing look, her eyes hot with the same urge he was fighting. When he pulled himself back mentally, she seemed to realize it and appeared embarrassed.

He picked up the beer bottle and wineglass from the railing. “We should call it a night.” That would be the best move, before things got out of hand. “Do you want the rest of your wine?” “Want…Um, no. You can take it.” “I’ll just get rid of these, then we can lock up.” When he got to the bar, he dumped what was left, then looked for her. She’d left without a word, leaving him to lock up. Maybe that was for the best. Thorne called himself every kind of fool for kissing her, no matter that the softness of her lips and the heat of her mouth had rocked his world. What had

he been thinking? Her father had hired him to protect Katelyn, not to seduce her. If he wasn’t careful, he could fall for her. Hard. He couldn’t let himself get too close again.

Chapter 5 “We’ve had a couple of calls inquiring about available rooms this morning.” Natalie Woodcock, the assistant manager of the Lakeside Guest House, punched her glasses back in place as she turned her sharp green eyes from her computer to Katelyn. “I told them we are full but could accommodate them tomorrow afternoon if they are going to be in town for more than the weekend.” “Great,” Katelyn said. As it had been since the season started, the guest house would be full on both weekend nights.

“Though only two rooms will be available.” To her relief, all the other rooms were rented for longer terms. “Did you ever figure out what that weird noise was we heard the other day?” Natalie asked. “Apparently Radtke was making some kind of repair in the basement. He took offense when I asked about it.” Natalie clucked. “That man has some attitude!” The phone rang and Natalie answered it. “Lakeside Guest House.” Thankfully, the assistant manager worked weekends year-round and part-

time during the week during the busy season. If she hadn’t, Katelyn would have gone out of her mind trying to run both parts of the business alone. Remembering Thorne had suggested she get a backup manager for the café, she had to admit he’d had a valid point about hiring someone to help her. One that she should consider. Not that she wanted to think about Thorne or anything that had gone down between them the night before. Katelyn straightened up the display of flyers for local attractions, but her mind was still on her new bartender. After that kiss, she hadn’t expected him to go back to being distant. He’d made her come

alive like no man ever had before. One kiss and she’d imagined it might be the start of something good. Exciting. Hot. Despite his nonchalant attitude afterward, she hadn’t been able to forget the way he’d made her feel. Her body had betrayed her. Once she was in bed just thinking about him, she’d tossed and turned long enough that she’d chosen to do something about it. With his face filling her mind, her body had responded, her nipples hardening, her clit already wet when she’d touched it. All the while thinking of his hands on her, his fingers in her, she’d quickly gone

over the edge. With sleep had come dreams. Erotic. Him. When she’d awakened in the middle of the night, he was all she could think about. Pleasuring herself again, she’d slipped into a fantasy world, doing things to Thorne Hudson and having him do things to her she’d never before tried. Just thinking about it now turned her on. She could imagine luring him into some dark corner…. If only she had someone she could talk to about him, but her so-called best

friend back in Milwaukee had no time to chitchat. Since Jennie had gotten married last year, she’d grown nearly impossible to reach. Katelyn considered using Natalie as a sounding board. The warm, charming woman with frizzy red hair appeared to be in her mid-forties. A mother figure, so to speak. Her own mother never wanted to talk about men, other than to warn Katelyn about the pitfalls of relationships. Surprisingly, though Mom had vowed never to let a man wield influence over her, she’d married and moved to Michigan while Katelyn was in college. They rarely saw each other, but Katelyn knew her mother was

happily in love with her husband. Just as she was about to broach the subject of men, Katelyn was interrupted by the Stewarts, a young married couple who wanted some information about the activities available in and around Lake Geneva. Katelyn gave them some fun tips on shopping and a local festival. “What about boating?” the man said. “We are on a good-size lake.” Katelyn gathered a few brochures and handed them to him. “Here’s information on boat rentals. Lakeside also has a smaller speedboat for rent, though it was just used and we need to fill the tank, so it’s not available today.” “I’d rather go on a little cruise than

rent a boat,” the woman said, poking her husband. “Check out the brochure for the U.S. Mailboat Tour,” Katelyn suggested. “At one time, all the Lake Geneva mail was delivered by boat. Now only about seventy-five homes have it. It’s a twoand-a-half-hour cruise that’ll get you back to town for lunch.” “Sounds like fun.” The woman looked to the man, who was already leading her out the door. “Honey?” “How about we do that and then rent a boat?” “I want some time for shopping today, too.” Smiling, Katelyn waved them off.

Then she turned to Natalie to initiate that conversation she wanted to have about Thorne. Luckily, just before she could bring up anything personal, a familiar male voice froze her in place. “Katelyn.” Her pulse threaded unevenly and her lips curved upward of their own volition as she turned to face him. When she saw the man standing there, her smile instantly faded. He was good-looking in a way that was completely different from Thorne Hudson. Not quite six feet tall, with a medium build, he had what she had once considered mesmerizing brown eyes. A splash of brown hair over a high

forehead gave him kind of a jaunty look. He was a man most women would consider attractive. And eligible. Too bad that, in her book, he was nothing more than an upscale con man. “Aaron Starkman, what are you doing here?” “I came to see you, Katelyn. I was worried when you didn’t answer my phone calls.” His expression sincere, he asked, “Can we talk?” Katelyn didn’t see a way out of it. She knew that sincere expression was interchangeable with any one of many he adopted to get what he wanted—his MO. How had Aaron won her over with so many lies? She was a reasonable judge

of character, so how had she missed it for so long? Too bad she hadn’t realized what a liar he was sooner in their relationship. Then things never would have gotten so far. If Aaron had driven from Milwaukee to see her, he wasn’t going to be put off so easily, though she certainly didn’t want to talk here. The closest place for privacy was her apartment, but inviting him into her private quarters would be a bad move. He might get the wrong idea, and she didn’t want to deal with him making some kind of move on her. “We can go into the café,” she suggested. “It’s not open for brunch for another hour.”

“Fine. Wherever you want.” She didn’t want anything to do with Aaron Starkman anymore. That was the problem. It was the reason she’d refused to take his calls. But obviously, he was giving her no choice in the matter. Putting on her best face, she indicated the door. “This way.” Aaron followed her lead, talking as they walked. “I understand why you wanted to set up a business here,” he said as they moved outside from the guest house’s lobby just as a couple carrying bags walked in. He glanced back at them. “A very popular town during summer. You should make a small fortune.”

Katelyn followed the walkway that went downhill toward the lake and rounded the building to the café’s public entry. “That’s not why I chose to buy the business.” “You bought it to lose money?” She had to unclench her jaw before saying, “Of course I want it to be successful, but money wasn’t the prime motivator. I bought it to make myself happy.” “So your father’s the co-owner.” He made it sound like a given. “No, Daddy has nothing to do with my business.” “Really. I just assumed…Well, I can only imagine the kind of down payment

you must have needed for a place like this.” Heat seared her neck. She wasn’t about to admit she’d bought the business with the trust fund she’d never told Aaron about. It was none of his concern, but he was just as focused on her father and on money as he had been when she’d been involved with him. Too bad she hadn’t realized his intentions sooner, before he’d been able to hurt her so badly. “Here we are,” she muttered, opening the door to the café. The first thing she saw as they entered was Thorne already behind the bar, setting up glasses. The instant he looked her way, she turned to

Aaron. “Let’s go sit out on the patio.” “A perfect day for it. A place with an incredible lake view is bound to be packed once you open for brunch.” Aaron tried to put his hand on her back, but she shrugged it off. She felt Thorne’s eyes on her as she wended her way between tables to get outside. Why? What was his deal? How high or low was his emotional temperature today? Would he continue to be distant or would he decide to be friendly after going from one to the other last night? Most of the staff had already arrived and were setting up tables and wait stations. The umbrellas were up,

providing comfortable shade. Katelyn picked a spot overlooking the water, as far away from Thorne as she could manage. She waited for Aaron to sit, then took a chair across from rather than next to him so he wasn’t close enough to touch her. Wanting to get this over with as quickly as possible, she didn’t go for the niceties. “Speak your piece,” she said. Aaron had the audacity to look hurt by her directness. “First, I wanted to tell you in person how sorry I am that I was such a disappointment to you.” As if she would believe a word out of his mouth. “You did more than disappoint me,

Aaron.” For months, she’d mistakenly thought they’d had a really good relationship that might be going somewhere. “You fulfilled my every sorry expectation when it comes to trusting men.” “It was all a misunderstanding,” he said. Another lie, if she’d ever heard one. “So now you’re saying you didn’t seek me out and develop a personal relationship with me so you could get to my father?” “Look, I’m ashamed of myself for the way our relationship began. But then I got to know you, and it turned into something far different.”

Lies and more lies. She raised an eyebrow to counter the intense expression he had adopted, making it clear she wouldn’t be foolish enough to believe him again. “The reason you tried to get me to convince my father to give you an executive position at Hamilton Precision Weapons?” Oddly enough, that was the company that had manufactured the assault rifle used to kill the seven people at Bascom College. The deaths being the supposed reason he’d been calling her and leaving messages every day since. Thankfully, she’d never carried through with Aaron’s demand that she call.

“I wanted to be worthy of you.” “What made you think you weren’t?” “C’mon, Katelyn. You belong to a family of wealth and power. I had a decent position, but I wouldn’t have been husband material for a woman of your stature.” Katelyn shook her head. She’d never told anyone how she was the odd child out in that family, so it was no wonder he’d assumed that. No matter what her father had tried to do to include her, his wife, and her half-siblings certainly had never brought her into the fold. She’d grown up always feeling like the paltry castoff. And when she’d finally figured out

why Aaron had romanced her, he’d made her feel the same way. She’d simply been a stepping-stone to his real goal. He’d made her feel as worthless as her father’s real family had. She said, “You couldn’t be more mistaken, Aaron. I’m not a Hamilton. I’m a Wade. I don’t care what a man does for a living, only that he’s committed to what he does do.” “Then you should know I landed a great new job a few months back.” Aaron aimed his most beguiling smile at her. “That should relieve your mind. I’ll tell you all about it. It’s a big surprise, but come to dinner with me tonight and I’ll give you every detail.”

“Dinner? Why?” “I was, um, hoping that maybe we could clear the air between us. Start over.” “What?” Did he really think his charm would work on her now? “I’ve never stopped thinking about you, Katelyn. I want you back.” “Why?” “Because I still love you.” No way was Katelyn buying one word of this act. “Oh, please. You loved the idea of being Robert Hamilton’s son-inlaw.” “That was just an added bonus—” “Cut the crap, Aaron! If you cared,

you wouldn’t have waited this long to contact me.” That he had waited meant he had some other motive for seeking her out. For a moment, his expression shifted to something akin to aggressive, reminding her of how hostile he could be when provoked—something that had bothered her more and more the longer she’d been with him. He had a dark side that he normally kept hidden, but she’d seen it once too often for her liking, especially when he didn’t get what he wanted. Then his features went slack and he insisted, “I didn’t know where you were.”

“I was still living in Milwaukee until early March. That gave you four months to do your song and dance.” “My pride was hurt. Then, with the shootings, I worried for your safety, and I realized how foolish I’d been.” “I have nothing to do with Daddy’s companies.” “Some people won’t care.” Katelyn’s pulse ticked. Did he know about the threat her father had received? Her father—he’d wanted her to have a bodyguard, and she’d refused. Surely he couldn’t have made some kind of secret deal with Aaron to watch over her. “Why do you say that?” she asked, glaring at him. “And why worry?”

“It would be human nature for anti-gun militants to care. Who knows what they might do?” Now she was getting truly uncomfortable with the turn in the conversation. And suspicious. Daddy hadn’t really known about Aaron other than the fact that she’d dated him and then had broken up with him. She didn’t discuss details of her romantic life with her father. She could only imagine how he’d try to exercise control over her relationships if she did. Despite his supposed new job, Aaron might have gone to her father in some convoluted attempt to impress him. “How did you find me anyway?” she

demanded. “I called Jennie.” “Jennie told you where to find me?” Dumbfounded, she couldn’t believe her best friend knew that Aaron was in hot pursuit of her and didn’t issue a warning. “Why in the world would she give you the time of day?” “She believes in true love.” “There is no true love here!” Katelyn leaped to her feet. “I have no interest in you anymore, Aaron, so give it up.” He shook his head but rose to look her in the eye. “I’m not going to give it up so easily.” “Well, you’re out of time. I need to get

to work. You need to get back to Milwaukee and start looking for a different way to get to the top.” “I understand if you don’t believe me —yet. But I want you back because I care so deeply for you—” “Enough!” “—and I’m going to prove it.” “You’ll simply be wasting your time.” She indicated the exit. “It’s that way out.” Aaron gave her a long, lingering, simulated heartfelt look that was clearly intended to put doubt in her mind. All it did was make her more impatient to see the last of him.

But would it be the last? she wondered as she watched him walk away. She’d thought she was rid of him for good, and here he was back on her doorstep, darkening what had started as a bright and positive day. Jennie had told him where to find her? More likely her father had had a hand in this one. Wait until she had a word with him! After her ex-boyfriend left the café, she turned to find Thorne’s gaze glued to her. Ignoring him, she made for the kitchen. Anything to get her mind on something other than men. — Thorne was relieved when Katelyn sent

the stranger on his way. Who was this guy? Hamilton hadn’t said his daughter was seeing anyone. But this had been no business meeting. He’d been too far away to hear anything they’d said, but he could certainly read body language. And he hadn’t missed the thundercloud surrounding Katelyn when she’d given the guy the boot. Dare he ask about it? He kept the thought at the back of his mind, but when Katelyn made for the café to start seating customers who were drifting in for brunch, she wasn’t smiling. Oh, hell. Who was that guy and what had he wanted of her? The last was a stupid question, of course. Thorne

hadn’t missed the way the man had so familiarly put his hand on Katelyn’s back. Nor had he missed the way she’d shrugged it off. They’d had a relationship. The guy who’d called her the morning they’d shared breakfast? Aaron somebody. She’d said he’d been calling her a lot lately. How lately? Since the shooting? “Hey, man, you need to set out a tray of champagne glasses for brunch,” Chad said as he joined Thorne behind the bar. “Mimosas go like hotcakes.” Thorne had been told to report to the café at least a half hour early to get set up. He assumed the part-time bartender was supposed to do the same, but the

café would open for brunch in less than ten minutes. “You’re late,” Thorne said. “Yeah, well, I had a late night.” Chad wiggled his eyebrows. “Hot date. Here now, though.” Thorne merely grunted. He wouldn’t have minded having a hot date last night himself. With Katelyn. It had taken all his willpower to end that kiss and walk away from her. And then he’d had no recourse when she’d disappeared on him. But his mood hadn’t been broken. Not by a long shot. With her in his head, he’d had a hard time falling asleep, what with his cock as hard as wood. He’d taken care of it. In his mind, she had

taken care of it. He’d felt her hand sliding over him, her breasts brushing his chest. And when he’d imagined her sliding down on him, taking him deep to the hilt, he’d come hard and fast. He’d fallen asleep thinking of her smile…. “Hey, where did you go?” Chad asked him. Thorne jerked himself back to the present. “Why don’t you set up for mimosas and anything else you can think of.” He needed a short break to shake this mood before the brunch rush began. “I’ll be right back.” “Yeah, sure, leave me with all the work,” Chad said with a big grin. Thorne passed Katelyn as he left the

café. “Hey,” he said, slowing to chat for a bit. “Hey.” The smile she flashed at him was pasted on. She kept going. Frowning, he turned to watch her. Had he pissed her off last night? Or had her conversation with the guy who had to be her ex put her in a foul mood? He couldn’t get the thought out of his mind. It ate at him through the five-hour brunch service and after, as he and Chad loaded glasses in the dishwasher, cleaned up the bar, and got it ready for the dinner crowd. He decided he had to do something about it, but he didn’t think he could get Katelyn to talk. But maybe her father could.

“I need something from my truck,” he told Chad. “No problem. I’ll hold down the fort. Just don’t walk out of here and keep going like Sam did.” Thorne nodded and left with a wave, passing customers who were already lining up to be seated. What he needed was to call Hamilton and find out what the man knew about his daughter’s ex. And he needed to do it in private, where he could talk at will. He figured he was less likely to be interrupted in his truck than he would be in his room. No doubt one of the maids would want to get in to clean the place or something. Approaching the parking lot, he

passed a few customers making their way down to the café. He scanned the area. Cars were multiplying, but while his truck was still to the rear of the lot, they were all parked in the front rows. All but one car that sat alone in the middle. A Beamer. The driver was inside, staring out at Lakeside Guest House and Café like he was casing the business for some reason. As he passed the car, Thorne got a good look at the driver—Eklund, the silver-haired guy who’d insisted on having Katelyn’s personal attention the night before. Now he was back for brunch after having had dinner here? Or was he here because of some unrequited attachment to Katelyn?

Curious. It looked like his job as Katelyn’s bodyguard was going to keep him busy warding off unwanted suitors rather than actual threats. He couldn’t say he minded. Frowning, Thorne kept going until he reached the truck and slid into the driver’s seat. He pulled out his cell and dialed Robert Hamilton. A few rings later, Hamilton picked up. “Hudson. Something to report?” “Not exactly. More like I need some information.” “About?” “Your daughter’s ex.” “You mean Aaron Starkman?”

Starkman. Thorne filed that in his memory. “That would be the one.” “Why? What’s going on?” “I’m not sure,” Thorne admitted. “I know he’s been calling Katelyn lately, but she hasn’t been picking up. Then, about a half hour ago, they walked into the café together. Well, I’m assuming that was him. I’m sending you a photo right now via text.” He’d taken several when Katelyn hadn’t been looking his way. “You tell me.” He brought up the photo and sent it. “Hang on while I check it out.” Thorne waited, looking around the parking lot that was filling up fast. He aimed his gaze back at the BMW. Eklund

was still inside the car. What in the world was the guy doing just sitting there? “Okay, got it. Yeah, that’s Aaron Starkman.” “What can you tell me about him?” “He’s been working for me at Hamilton Precision Weapons since the beginning of the year. Katelyn broke up with him last fall. When Starkman interviewed, he told me that part of the reason he wanted the job was to win her back.” “And that didn’t set off any alarms?” “My daughter doesn’t share dating information with me. I have to pull any little tidbit out of her. She simply said

that Aaron wasn’t the man she’d hoped he was.” “No wonder she didn’t want to talk to him.” Though what she’d told her father wasn’t very specific. “When he interviewed, I thought he was being honest. That maybe Katelyn was looking for someone with ambition and he was trying to live up to that. So why the concern about this guy?” “Katelyn only said he’d been calling lately. She didn’t define lately. And then he showed up today. I wasn’t close enough to hear their conversation, but I could tell she wasn’t happy about it. I didn’t know if she would tell me why— or why he said he was there—but I just

wondered if his renewed interest was sparked by the shooting.” “Christ!” Hamilton went silent for several seconds, then asked, “Did he do anything to make you suspicious?” Other than touch Katelyn and try to win her over with what Thorne could only guess passed as charm? “No. I’m just being overly cautious.” “Good. Glad to hear it. My daughter is the most stubborn person I know. Takes after her mother. She thinks she’s bulletproof.” “Most young people do.” “Well, I’m glad I hired you. Keep on it.”

“Will do.” Thorne had hoped to get more information about Katelyn’s ex from her father. He still didn’t know if Aaron Starkman was some kind of danger to his charge. Leaving the truck, he wondered if there was a way to get her to open up about the man. When she cooled off from whatever had gotten her panties in a twist this morning. Halfway through the parking lot, he checked out the BMW. Empty. He’d missed Eklund leaving the car for the café. When he arrived at the entry, he had to shoulder by customers waiting to be seated.

Eklund was not among them. Had the overly demanding customer once more used his influence on Katelyn to get a table immediately? Looking around the room, Thorne didn’t see the man. And once behind the bar, he scanned the patio beyond. No Eklund. Gerard Eklund seemed to have vanished into thin air. — Katelyn had been on edge all day since Aaron had showed up. The café closed briefly between brunch and dinner, so she decided to take that time to have a little chat with her father. If he had set

Aaron on to her, she would gladly give him a piece of her mind. No people or boats in the half-dozen slips, other than the speedboat that had come with Lakeside to service guests at the pier. She crossed through the patio and headed down to the shoreline. Sitting on the bench closest to open water, she pulled out her cell and made the call. Her father answered on the first ring. “Katie-bug, this is a surprise. It’s Saturday—you must be crazy busy.” “A little time-out,” she said, thinking that’s exactly what she would give him if her suspicions were correct. “And I was on your mind?”

“You bet you were.” “Uh-oh, that doesn’t sound good.” “Depends,” she said. “On what?” “On whether or not you went behind my back and hired someone to protect me, despite my asking you not to time and again.” Her father fell silent for a moment. Then his voice sounded a bit strained when he asked, “What in the world has gotten into you? Why would you think that I did such a thing?” She couldn’t miss the odd note in his tone. “Why else did Aaron Starkman show up this morning, worrying about

my safety after the shooting?” “Starkman?” He nearly choked on the name. “That’s your old boyfriend, right?” “Right.” “You think I enlisted your former boyfriend to protect you? I don’t remember your telling me he was a bodyguard. If I was going to hire someone to protect you, it would be a professional.” Though she still felt as if there was something going on, she believed him in this instance. “Okay.” “Okay?” “Yeah.”

Another short silence, then, “Don’t you think you owe me an apology?” Katelyn rolled her eyes. “I guess there’s a first time for everything: Sorry, Daddy.” “That’s better.” The strain in his voice lifted. “So you sent Starkman packing?” “I did, but he didn’t seem discouraged. He wants to win me back.” “And…?” “And, no way!” The only man who interested her was Thorne Hudson. Not that she had warm feelings for him right now. “Good girl. Follow your instincts.”

Again she had the weird feeling that he was holding back something, probably about that damn email threat he’d gotten. “How about at your end? Everything okay?” “So far, so good. I’m not letting go of protection, though. And bodyguards are staying with your brother and sister, as well.” They spoke for a few more minutes. Then Katelyn had to ring off. Time to see to the preparations for the dinner rush. Of course, the first thing she noticed when she got back to the patio was Thorne staring at her from behind the bar. Remembering the fantasy she’d indulged in the night before, Katelyn

grew overly warm. She turned away and headed for the kitchen and a kind of heat she was prepared to deal with. — The dinner rush found Katelyn still on edge. Everywhere she turned, she swore she felt Thorne’s eyes following her. The café and bar were as crowded as they had been the night before. In between seating people, she kept checking the bar. Not to see Thorne, she assured herself, but to make certain everyone was being kept under control after her recent altercation. Not that her new bartender would put up with it. She had to give him credit for that.

Despite wanting to ignore Thorne, Katelyn realized her looking over to the bar was more about him and less about some potential disturbance. She couldn’t figure the man out. If only she didn’t want to. How could he be so warm and friendly one minute, so aloof the next? Somehow she made it through the evening without incident. She was on the patio checking on customers when the roar of a boat engine cut through the crowd noise. A glance out at the lake told her it was heading straight for her pier. More customers. The boat glided into an empty slip. It was late enough that a few tables had been vacated. She

grabbed a couple of menus from a nearby wait station and headed for the lakeside entry. Two men got off the boat, but they didn’t move toward the restaurant. They were hovering over the side of the dock, checking out the water in the next slip with flashlights. Had one of them dropped something? The taller guy got down on his haunches and reached into the water and then jumped back. His companion squatted next to him to take a better look. The two men then seemed to be arguing about something, the tall one standing and looking toward the café, seemingly directly at her. He waved and then

pointed to the water as if he wanted her to come look. What was going on? Leaving the menus on the railing, Katelyn was about to go down to the pier when Thorne suddenly appeared at her side. “Is there a problem?” “Apparently. I was just about to find out what.” “I’ll go with you.” Despite having tried to avoid him all day, Katelyn was glad for his company. As they took the steps down to the walkway, the men at the pier were shouting now, both frantically waving them over. She didn’t know why, but she had a sick feeling about whatever it was

they’d found. Thorne was a step ahead of her, and he reached the distressed boaters first. “What’s up?” he asked. “We could see something moving around under the dock as we came in,” the tall boater said. “I figured it was a plastic bag or something,” his friend added. “Until we got close.” Thorne was already at the pier’s edge. “Can I borrow a flashlight?” “Here.” Taking it, Thorne shined the light downward, then swore under his breath. “What?” Katelyn asked as he gave the

flashlight back to the boater. He said, “Call nine-one-one” before jumping into the water. Katelyn pulled out her cellphone, but rather than making a call, she punched the flashlight app. Thorne was struggling to free the object caught under the pier. Whatever it was, it was large. It appeared to be stuck. Getting down on her knees, she asked, “What do I tell them?” He gave it a strong heave and something flopped out against him. An arm. Katelyn’s stomach roiled. “Tell them to notify emergency

medical services,” he said. “Looks like it’s too late for this guy, though.” A body…A dead person under her pier? How had that happened? And who the hell was it? She didn’t have long to wait. Thorne freed the body and floated back a few feet. The body rolled toward him, stopping faceup—answering the question that had been plaguing her for days. “Oh, my God! Sam!”

Chapter 6 The next hour was as unreal as the horrific discovery. The boaters helped Thorne lift Sam’s lifeless body onto the pier. Katelyn couldn’t tear her gaze from him. Even in the dark she could see that the water had taken its toll. “Nine-one-one,” Thorne reminded her. She made the call. The police arrived within minutes, and a uniformed officer told her the ambulance and ME were on their way.

Detective Bruce Cole, fortyish, thin, with a thatch of dark hair, interviewed the boaters, then Thorne. All the while, Katelyn stared down at Sam with a sadness that engulfed her. She felt awful that she’d been so angry with him for walking out on her without a word. She wished she’d done more to try to track him down before it was too late. Her stomach threatened to empty at the possibility. If he’d been in the lake that long, how had no one found him before this? Boats had been in and out every day. And she’d taken that walk the other morning. So had Thorne. How could they have passed the pier without realizing something was wrong?

She took big gulps of air to calm herself. She glanced up toward the patio, where customers were standing at the railing, talking in raised voices, no doubt inventing their own stories about what was happening. The sound of an ambulance siren cut through the night. It couldn’t get down here to the lake’s edge, and would have to stop on the road or in the parking lot on the other side of the building. “Ma’am, you’re the owner of Lakeside Café?” Katelyn focused on the detective as he turned his attention to her. “Yes. Katelyn Wade.”

“So this man worked for you?” he asked. She nodded. “His name is Sam Gilbert. H-he didn’t show up for work on Tuesday.” “You didn’t suspect anything was wrong when he didn’t show?” Voices floated down the hill. The EMTs? Too late to save Sam, of course. “Ma’am?” Katelyn concentrated on the detective. “Of course I thought something was wrong. Sam was reliable. He was my friend.” “But he didn’t show up to work on Tuesday.”

“Right.” “No call?” he asked as a man in a white shirt and tie and two uniformed EMTs carrying equipment and a stretcher made their way toward them. “Ma’am, I asked if Gilbert called you.” She blinked at the detective. “No. No, nothing. I tried calling his cell several times. No answer. No return call. I texted him. No response. Worried that he might be sick or something, I went to his place between shifts, but he didn’t answer the door.” “So you think he might have been under the pier all that time?” “Oh, God, I don’t know.” Katelyn’s knees went weak, and she

was trembling. Hands circled her upper arms, and she realized Thorne was there to brace her as the new arrivals circled the body. Not the body. Sam. Her employee and friend. As if Thorne knew she was fighting back tears and that her knees might give out, he pulled her toward him, slipped an arm around her waist to hold her steady. She pressed herself back into his inviting warmth. Her knees giving out was a distinct possibility. And as he had been since they’d met, Thorne was there for her. Despite his confusing emotional temperature, lately he seemed to be the one person she could count on when she was in trouble.

While the detective asked her a few more questions, the man in the white shirt examined Sam. She couldn’t watch. Thorne hugged her closer. “I think that’s enough for now,” he told the detective. “It doesn’t seem you’re getting anywhere other than upsetting Katelyn.” He nodded to the crowd at the railing above them. “We have a restaurant to close.” “Close it for tomorrow, as well,” said the white-shirted man. “The crime scene investigators may need to include the café property, particularly the patio area, in their search.” He was big, with a sizable paunch and a receding hairline. He got to his feet and spoke to the EMTs

in a quiet voice. “Call Walworth Funeral Home and get them to send a van to take the body to their morgue. I’ll go there directly from here. And get him ready to go.” Then he turned and introduced himself to Katelyn. “Roy Weaver, medical examiner.” “You want me to close the café on a Sunday?” Katelyn asked. That could be a hit to her business. “This is a potential crime scene we need to investigate.” “C-crime scene? You’re saying S-sam may have been m-murdered?” she choked out. “I don’t know yet, Ms. Wade. For all I know, it could have been a terrible

accident. He could have been out here on the pier, tripped, and hit his head.” “He has a head wound?” “A gash. He could have been unconscious when he went into the lake. I understand his clothing was caught on something under the pier. Whatever it was, it could have held him there until he drowned. But I have to do an autopsy to make that determination. Plus my people will have to check out this whole area in the daytime for any kind of evidence that might tell us what happened. We don’t need interference from your customers.” “And staying open during the investigation probably wouldn’t be good

for business,” Thorne added. No doubt he was correct. And truth be told, she was so distraught, she didn’t know how she would be able to run anything anytime soon. Too bad she hadn’t opted to hire an assistant manager who could take over for her when the café reopened on Tuesday. “Not to mention what the media will have to say about it,” Weaver added. “You might want to make yourself scarce.” “Media?” Katelyn echoed. Weaver shook his head. “We can try to keep them out as long as we’re investigating, but then they’ll swarm this place.”

Reporters in her face. Asking her all kinds of questions. Maybe finding out who her father was. It wasn’t common knowledge, though she wouldn’t be surprised if an Internet search led them to that information. And then there would be photos and videos, her face plastered all over by the media. That thought horrified Katelyn. She couldn’t deal with reporters. Not now. The idea of her name and her business being connected with these awful circumstances made her shudder. “I’m amazed reporters aren’t here now,” Thorne said. “A little late on the uptake,” Weaver agreed, “but don’t be surprised if they

show any minute. I’ll ask Cole to get a uniform to park up at the entry to your driveway. I want to keep reporters off the property until we finish our investigation.” “All right. I’ll close for the day tomorrow,” she agreed. And thankfully, the café was always closed on Mondays. Hopefully that would give her a long enough break to pull herself together. “I need to talk to you and Detective Cole about another incident.” “Another murder?” “Seven of them, actually,” she said. “At Bascom College.” Grunting, Weaver said, “Well that’s an interesting development.”

He waved Cole over, and Katelyn gave the men the details: that Robert Hamilton was her father, that he’d gotten an email threatening his own children, and that the FBI was investigating. In addition to her own and Thorne’s cell numbers, Katelyn gave Cole the numbers for her father and Special Agent Isabel Ortiz. “How long will it take to get the results of the autopsy?” she asked the medical examiner. “Not sure yet,” Weaver said. “A drowning is never medically clear-cut, and it certainly can be staged to disguise a murder. I would have to be certain before officially ruling Gilbert’s death

an accidental drowning. I’m looking at a comprehensive autopsy that will take some time. Luckily, Gilbert hasn’t been in the water too long.” “You can tell how long it has been?” Katelyn asked. “Not exactly. But in the first fortyeight hours, the skin is wrinkled, especially on the hands and fingers, and blotched and discolored pink to red. Any longer and the discoloration will be greenish bronze. If those signs are starting to show, which is hard to tell out here, I would say he could have been in the water a little more than forty-eight hours. That’s a good starting point. For now.”

Katelyn’s stomach whirled. She didn’t need the details. Thorne asked, “If we want to avoid the media tomorrow, does someone have to stick around on-site while your men work here?” Weaver shook his head. “You’d probably get in the way.” “I have your cell numbers now,” Cole said. “I’ll call if we need you.” Katelyn realized the EMTs had placed Sam on the stretcher in a black bag and were zipping it up. Weaver nodded goodbye and went to join them. Detective Cole asked Katelyn, “Does Gilbert have family here in Lake Geneva?”

“No. He’s originally from the Upper Peninsula.” “Michigan, huh? Do you have names or numbers?” “I’m afraid not.” She frowned. “We need to get word to his family.” “It may take a little time, but we should be able to find them. What else can you tell me about close acquaintances? What about a girlfriend?” “No one since I’ve been here. I know he had a thing for a woman in Fontana.” “Fontana?” Thorne said. “A town at the west end of Geneva Lake. I thought maybe he’d finally gotten

together with her. Apparently not.” And that would never happen now. “Does she have a name?” Cole asked. “He called her Charlie. Never mentioned a last name, though.” “Charlie from Fontana.” Cole made note of it. “Did he tell you anything else about her? What she looked like? Where she worked, maybe?” Katelyn tried to remember anything Sam had told her. “Just that she was a hot redhead and he met her in one of the bars overlooking the lake there.” “That narrows it down some. Assuming she made an impression on someone working in one of those bars, we’ll find her.”

“Sorry to be so vague about her,” Katelyn said. “But I have met a few of his friends here in town.” She gave him the names of a couple of guys who’d come around to the bar several times to see Sam. “What about you?” the detective asked Thorne. “New in town. Never met the man.” After making a note of Sam’s address, Cole left them, assuring Katelyn that he would be in touch soon. Katelyn looked around. The EMTs had carted Sam’s body toward the parking lot without her realizing it. “They’re gone,” she murmured. “The mortuary picked him up while

you were talking to Cole. But your customers aren’t gone,” Thorne reminded her. A glance up at the railing confirmed that. “I don’t know that I can do this.” She would burst into tears if she had to explain the situation to complete strangers. “Let me handle it. Take a break and come back at closing.” She checked the time on her cell. That would give her twenty minutes to settle down inside. “All right. Thanks.” Thorne to her rescue yet again. —

Despite a barrage of questions from customers when he hit the patio, Thorne kept his explanation to a minimum, merely saying the man who drowned was the former bartender, and that it was up to the medical examiner’s office to give more information when they had it. He gave the same explanation to Tansy. That and the fact that the café would be closed the next day. The takecharge waitress immediately set out to spread the word among the waitstaff and kitchen help and said she would take care of the cash register as well, since Katelyn wasn’t around. Thorne wondered if Katelyn knew what a gem she had in Tansy. He was certain the

woman could run the place in her boss’s absence. Which would be a good thing, considering the circumstances. He ran up to his room and quickly changed into dry clothes, then headed back to the café as most of the remaining customers drifted toward the parking lot. Obviously on edge, Chad was waiting for him. “Sam’s dead?” the kid practically shouted. “Man, who would have thought it? How the hell did that happen?” How, indeed? “I don’t have a clue.” Thorne couldn’t help but make connections. The Bascom College shooting had taken place a week ago

Friday and then the shooter had disappeared, though he’d abandoned the weapon. Hamilton said he’d gotten the threatening email first thing Monday morning. Sam Gilbert had disappeared on Tuesday. Thorne had arrived in Lake Geneva on Wednesday. According to the ME, Sam probably had been in the lake for two days. Since Thursday. Maybe he’d been there, stuck under the pier, when they’d taken that morning walk. And he’d missed it! “Why don’t you get out of here,” Thorne said. “I’ll clean up.” “Yeah, okay. Thanks.” Then Thorne reminded him, “No work tomorrow. The café will be closed

while the authorities run their investigation.” “So Sam was murdered? It wasn’t an accident?” Considering the threat against Hamilton’s children, could the death a few days later of a man working for Katelyn possibly be a coincidence? “That’s what they’ll be here to find out,” Thorne told him. Shaking his head and muttering to himself, Chad took his leave. Thorne simply didn’t believe in coincidence. At least not in one with such a tragic note. He didn’t believe Sam’s death was an accidental drowning. But why would he have been

murdered? Katelyn had told him Sam Gilbert knew she was related to Hamilton, but how would that have had any bearing on Sam’s death? Since the restaurant was closed on Mondays, she wouldn’t have had time to tell him about the threat. Or had she? They were friends. Maybe she’d talked to him. Whether or not he knew about the threat, Sam might have walked in on someone who’d been doing something suspicious. Someone trying to get to Katelyn… The thought twisted his gut. Not exactly professional. If anything happened to her…He couldn’t think about it. He was her bodyguard. Sworn to

protect her. Anything personal had to take a backseat to that. He hated misleading her about who he was and why he’d suddenly appeared in her life. He had to think with cold logic, had to do what he needed to do, no matter her wishes. No matter his own. Only it would be easier on both of them if her wishes somehow met up with his when it came to her safety. He was going to have to act fast. Get her out of town. Out of harm’s way. Luckily, he’d made provisions for that possibility before landing in Lake Geneva. But he wondered how he was going to convince Katelyn to leave when the place she’d poured her heart and soul

into needed her the most. He had to find a way. Had to keep her safe until the authorities figured out who was responsible both for Sam’s death and for the threat against Hamilton’s children. Potentially the same person. Hopefully, that day would come sooner rather than later. — Katelyn had been glad for the short reprieve. Thankful that Thorne had taken over, she’d rushed to the guest house, where she’d had to deal with a couple of curious guests who wanted to know who’d died and under what

circumstances. She’d had to skate around the details and finally had escaped to her own quarters. There, she’d had a good cry in private for the tragic loss of a friend. The phone had rung several times. The caller ID had told her the local newspaper and a Kenosha television station were already trying to get to her. She hadn’t answered. Instead, she’d pulled herself together at least temporarily, long enough to talk to her café staff before they headed home. Learning that Thorne had beaten her to it didn’t surprise her. Nor had Tansy’s taking charge. The waitress was bagging the money from the register. “Almost finished,” Tansy said. “I’ve

already filled out the deposit slip.” While most customers paid with credit cards, there were always some who preferred cash. On weekend nights, the cash was substantial, which meant tonight Katelyn would have to drive to the bank to visit the night deposit box. “Thanks for taking over, Tansy.” “No problem. A couple of years ago I was a waitress-slash-assistant manager at a chain restaurant in Kenosha.” “I’m surprised you didn’t go on to be a manager.” Tansy shrugged and handed her the bag. “I enjoy working directly with customers. Plus, they keep me moving around all night—an easy way to keep

fit.” Her smile faded into a tense expression. “I haven’t been around all that long to know Sam well, but I’m really sorry about what happened to him.” “Me, too.” Katelyn forced the words past a lump in her throat. She knew her eyes were a little swollen from crying, and from the way Tansy was looking at her, the waitress was obviously worried. “Are you going to be all right?” “Sad but functional,” Katelyn said. “You go on home.” “If you’re sure.” “Positive.”

“Okay. See you Tuesday.” Tansy left, looking back only once. And then it was just her and Thorne. Alone together. Eyeing the café and patio, Katelyn realized that while the tables were cleared, the chairs were still upright on the floor. Frowning, she said, “The place still needs to be mopped. Where is Radtke?” “Truthfully, I haven’t seen him since coming back up from the pier.” “But he was here earlier?” “Before all hell broke loose, yes. I don’t remember seeing him around after that.” So Radtke had undoubtedly taken the

opportunity to abandon his duties for the night based on the restaurant’s being closed the next day. Which left Katelyn wondering if she was going to have to hire yet another new maintenance man. Sighing, she said, “Time to get out of here.” Thorne zeroed in on the bag in her hands. “What about the night’s receipts?” “I’m taking them straight to the bank.” He left his post behind the bar. “I’ll drive you.” “I’m fine. I can drive myself.” “I’m sure you can. I just need some company,” he admitted. “It’s been a hell

of a night.” “All right,” she relented. In all honesty, she wanted some company, too. “Let’s go.” After locking up, they moved straight to the parking lot, empty but for the cars owned by customers renting rooms in the guest house. Thorne pointed to the back of the lot. “My truck.” Katelyn followed him and allowed him to help her into the passenger seat. She tried not to let him get to her, but everywhere he touched her glowed with an unwelcome warmth. Getting close to Thorne was like playing on a teetertotter. She didn’t know which way he

was going to go at any given moment. Thorne hauled himself into the driver’s seat, started the engine, and headed out of the lot. Up ahead, she saw the uniformed officer whose patrol car was blocking half the road and a couple of oncoming cars trying to get past him. One occupant held a large video camera. “Reporters,” she murmured. “Duck down if you don’t want them following us.” She immediately complied. Thorne waved to the cop and headed toward town. He glanced in the rearview mirror. “They’re not following. You can relax

now.” Sitting up, Katelyn turned to look out the rear window. When she realized they’d gotten away without her having been spotted, she settled down. She gave Thorne directions to her bank, sitting stiffly and hugging the money bag, wondering why he’d been so insistent upon escorting her. Even though he’d claimed he needed company, he kept quiet. He hadn’t even known Sam. Of course, he’d been the one to free Sam’s body from under the pier. Maybe he was just playing the hero, claiming he needed company so he could take care of her. She wouldn’t put it past him. Thorne Hudson was

certainly an enigma, one she wasn’t going to try to figure out tonight. Her mind was already spinning with the evening’s unexpected tragedy. She just wanted this sick feeling to end. At this time of night, the trip to the bank took less than five minutes. Katelyn unlocked the secure box mounted on the outside of the bank building and dropped in the bag with the night’s receipts. Five minutes later, they were back. The reporters were gone, thankfully. As they passed the patrol car and entered the Lakeside parking lot, Katelyn wondered how the man on guard had gotten rid of them. On the walk back to the building, she

was feeling overwhelmed by it all. Unable to stop thinking about Sam, about seeing his bloated body roll out from under the pier, she trembled with stress and exhaustion, and her knees felt like jelly. A break in the pavement almost toppled her, but Thorne caught her by the arm and saved her from a fall. Heat seared her where his fingers wrapped around her flesh. A different kind of heat suffused her cheeks. She hadn’t been watching where she was walking. Thorne compounded her embarrassment by sliding his arm around her waist as if she couldn’t be trusted to walk alone. He brought her solidly up against him. She croaked, “You can let go of me.”

“True.” But he didn’t remove his arm. Not wanting to argue with him, nor wanting to think about how good his touch felt, she let him support her all the way to the building. Once in the lobby, empty at this time of night, she expected him to drop her at her door and head upstairs. “You want to talk about it?” he asked instead. Her hand shook slightly as she unlocked her door. “Talking won’t bring Sam back.” Katelyn stepped inside her apartment, softly lit with the table lamp she’d left on low. Turning, she faced Thorne, who

didn’t look like he wanted to go anywhere. He practically filled the doorway, one arm set across the jamb. He was some incredible-looking man. And he could be so kind and attentive when the spirit moved him. She could use comfort from him right now. In more ways than one. Perhaps inappropriate considering the situation, but truthfully, she wasn’t sure she could stand being alone right now. And he was offering… She finally stepped back and said, “Come on in.” He followed her inside and locked the door behind him. She took a look at the landline phone near the table lamp. Seven calls. She quickly scrolled

through the IDs. Newspaper. Radio. Internet. Television. “Reporters?” Thorne asked. She nodded. “All looking for a story. And they all left voicemails.” Without listening to even one, she erased them all. He said, “That might not keep the media away, but maybe it’ll keep you sane a while longer.” Leaning against the arm of her sofa, she said, “It seems you want to talk about what happened tonight. So what’s on your mind?” Thorne moved closer. He appeared thoughtful. Serious. Seriously sexy. The soft light from the lamp intensified his

features, painting him cover-model gorgeous. She couldn’t stop staring at him. At the thick lashes over his wide hazel eyes. The strong nose with a tiny offset that made her think it had been broken at some time. The broad mouth she’d tasted only once but still hungered for. He broke into her thoughts. “I was wondering if Sam Gilbert had any enemies.” The question shocked her. “Sam? No! He was normally easygoing. Everyone liked him.” “No altercations at the bar with someone who had had too much to drink?” Thorne asked. “Maybe

something last weekend?” “Nothing like what happened last night.” Her throat tightened as she remembered the drunk Thorne had taken care of. “At least none that I know of. Why?” He shrugged. “Sunday night was the last time you saw him, right?” “Right…” She hesitated and frowned. “But?” he asked. “On Monday, Sam called to ask me if he’d left his sunglasses at the bar.” “How did he sound?” “Normal. Or maybe I wasn’t paying attention. I don’t know. Daddy had just called to tell me he wanted to hire a

bodyguard for me, and I was a little on edge from the argument we had.” Even though she hadn’t thought the threat reached all the way to her. “So maybe I wasn’t paying attention if Sam was upset about something.” “Did you find his sunglasses?” “Yes, exactly where he thought he’d left them.” “Then he came to get them from you?” She shook her head. “No. I had errands to run, so I left them in a window box next to the guest-house entry. They were gone when I returned that evening. You think his coming back here had something to do with what happened to him?”

“It does put him back on the scene.” A thought that made her stomach knot. “The ME said he’d only been in the lake for approximately forty-eight hours. That means he was alive until Thursday.” “I assume so. But he didn’t show for work on Tuesday.” “So maybe something happened here on Monday to stop him from coming in,” she mused. Now her chest tightened, and she had trouble taking a deep breath. “If so it’s m-my fault.” Her eyes stung and she fought another round of useless tears. “I-I should have told him I would drop off the sunglasses….” Suddenly, Thorne’s arms shot around her and his forehead lightly touched

hers. “No, Katelyn, what happened to Sam isn’t your fault.” Now her heart was beating fast, but it had less to do with Sam’s death than it did with the physical contact. Thorne pressing against her set off things she didn’t want to feel. It took her a bit to gather her thoughts. “Then what conclusion are you making?” she gasped. His smoothing a lock of hair from her cheek distracted her even further. “No conclusion,” he said. “Just trying to cover all the bases.” She swallowed hard. “Why?” “What do you mean, why? A man died

here and I’m concerned for you.” Thorne coming to her rescue? Again? “You don’t even know me.” “I know you better than you think.” His voice held a gruff edge when he added, “And I don’t want anything bad happening to you.” “Why?” she asked again. He answered by kissing her. Softly. Eyes open, Katelyn allowed it, though she didn’t participate. Not at first. It didn’t take long for his persuasive mouth to draw her in. She closed her eyes. Parted her lips. Accepted the tongue that instantly flicked against hers.

Suckled it in a rhythm that stirred longdormant needs in her. He held her tighter against him. Her breasts responded to his heat, eliciting a soft gasp from her. She felt a throbbing against her groin and realized he was as turned on as she. Despite the layers of clothing between them, she lit from within. Part of her thought she shouldn’t be feeling this. Not with him. Not now. Another part, the part deep inside herself, argued that he was exactly what she needed right now. Someone to hold her close, to bring her to a world far

away from the reality of what she’d faced tonight. She didn’t have to think about what had happened to her employee and friend. She just needed to feel. To do. To be taken from the horrible sadness that threatened to crush her. A mindless, life-affirming connection that would distract her was exactly what she needed. So when he slid a hand between them, stroked her belly, and slowly moved his hand lower, she opened for him and invited him in. As Thorne slid his hand between her thighs, he tried to hold himself back despite his need. Despite hers. He’d been fighting this attraction since the

moment he’d met Katelyn. Having her in his arms now, so soft and warm and needing him, needing something he could give her even if for only one night, he couldn’t resist. Her squirming against him ignited desires he could no longer deny. He slid his hand inside the front of her pants, down her belly, taking an imprint of every inch of her silky flesh. His fingers found her slickness and he slid them deeper. When he stroked her, she cried out and his erection responded. He wanted to bury more than fingers in her, but she rocked against his hand. Denying her was impossible. He rubbed her clit with his thumb until she was breathing

shallow and fast, mewling at him, grabbing his shirt with both fists. Her bottom rose from where it rested on the sofa’s arm, spreading her wider. “Please,” she whispered. “Please what?” “Have me.” “I am.” “No.” Her voice caught in a half sob. “I need…” “What?” “To feel you.” She let go of her death grip on his shirt and slid both hands down to his belt, quickly unbuckling it. Then she attacked his zipper. Then him. He almost

lost it at her first touch. “Wait!” he growled. But she didn’t wait. She stroked him with a deliberation he fought hard. With his free hand, he pulled down her pants, first on one side, then on the other. Somehow he got them off of her, took her right there against the couch. She wrapped her legs around his back, her arms around his neck. He moved in her and quickly felt her start to tighten around him. She was ready. She was starting to come…. He kissed her, nuzzling her mouth and then her neck. Lightly scoring her throat with his teeth, he stroked her slowly and

deliberately and made her trip to paradise last for what seemed like forever. And when she cried out, a triumphant wail, she took him with her. Once all spent, they collapsed over the sofa arm onto the cushions together, him tenting her with his body. Still at first, she then shifted, as if trying to move out from under him. Now that he had her, he wasn’t going to let her go so easily. Slipping his hand between their bodies once more, he found her sweet spot and without words convinced her to stay a while longer. The night had just begun.

— Katelyn had never known sex could be this good. In the past, she’d found it to be pleasant. Titillating. Satisfying in a way she could describe in a brief sentence or two. Never had any man taken her where Thorne did. Never before had she been so enthralled. She’d never been with a man with his strength before—both outer and inner. He was a rescuer. Someone who put others’ needs ahead of his own. Thorne had taken her out of herself twice in a very short time, lighting up

her mind with an electrical charge that she could literally see. That wasn’t enough. She wanted more. Lusty her. Greedy. Needy. Unprepared to be separated from him, she grabbed his shirt with both hands and hung on as he lifted her from the sofa into his arms. For a moment, they stared at each other. What was he thinking? Did he want her again? So soon? His kiss answered her silent question. Now in a lip-lock, he danced her to the bedroom where he finished stripping her, stripped himself, then started her internal engine all over again. They fell back on the bed attached in the most intimate of ways, him on top, her arms

back against the quilt, his fingers laced through hers. He continued kissing her and rolled so that they were reversed. Staring down at him, she admired every feature. She traced the angles of his flesh first with her eyes, then with her hands. Face. Neck. Shoulders. When she got to his chest, he raised his head and kissed her with a fierceness she recognized but didn’t understand. He drove up into her. Harder. Faster. Deeper. Taking her with him on the ride of her life. She watched his features reflect both agony and ecstasy, and when he shouted his approval, the primal, guttural sound cut through her and took her with him.

— Katelyn woke up facing the lake windows, sore but satisfied. Dawn had broken and shafts of early sunlight filtered into the bedroom. Stretching, thinking about some early-morning satisfaction, she grinned foolishly as she turned to the other side of the bed. Empty. Disappointment filtered through her. She hadn’t expected to be abandoned, and without a word from Thorne, not after the night they’d shared. Maybe he hadn’t left. Slipping out of bed, she pulled a sheet free and wrapped it around herself before poking her head

into the bathroom. Also empty. Taking a big breath, she traded the bedroom for the living area in hopes she would find him there. Empty again. Why was she surprised? She’d had a lifetime of not fitting in with people she wanted to care about. Her father’s family, for starters. Why should Thorne be any different? Remembering why they’d been together and what lay ahead for her, Katelyn realized empty was all she had to look forward to. No work today to keep her busy. Thoughts of Sam filling her mind. And sometime soon, the

authorities would be crawling over the property, looking for evidence that would tell them whether or not Sam’s death had been an accident. She couldn’t stand it. She really couldn’t. If she was here, she would have to watch. That sick feeling would fill her again until it consumed her. She simply wanted to run away…but to where? “You’re awake.” Katelyn flew around to face the apartment door so fast she almost dropped the sheet. “You’re back.” Her heart thundered in her chest at his return. His hands full, Thorne grinned appreciatively at her dishevelment. “I

went to Stanley’s to get us some breakfast.” Smelling fresh coffee and other luscious scents wafting from the big bag he carried, she relaxed. “How did you know Stanley’s was open this early?” “I did a little research when I woke up starving. That’s why they call it a smartphone.” “I can’t eat breakfast like this, wrapped in a sheet.” He shrugged. “You could always drop it.” She tried a faux frown on him. “You’d like that, wouldn’t you?” “That I would.” He grinned harder. “I

can guarantee you would like it even more.” She was already backing toward her bedroom. “How about getting breakfast ready on the island while I take a quick shower?” Setting down the bag, he said, “I volunteer to wash your back!” “I’m locking my door!” she warned him. Only once inside the bedroom she didn’t even close the door completely. She was half-hoping Thorne would carry through with his playful threat. If the food got cold, they could always warm it up in the microwave, after all. But when he didn’t come after her by the time she

turned on the shower, discarded the sheet, and stepped under the water, she realized the threat had been empty. She was going to have to wash her own back. Even so, she couldn’t stop smiling as she soaped herself up. Thorne hadn’t left her on her own, after all. He’d returned bearing gifts. Maybe they could spend the day together. Get away from this place for a while. Get away from Lake Geneva. She wanted to be anywhere but here. Being with Thorne would be a bonus. Let the police do their job without her having to witness the procedure. Just going into town wasn’t far enough away, not if reporters were

on her trail. They would surely find her, interrogate her, photograph her. Undoubtedly, they would somehow dig up her connection to her father. Somehow that now seemed inevitable. This was the wrong time, the worst time possible, to be connected to Robert Hamilton. She was showered and dressed in capris and a tank top and back in her living area in five minutes. A cup of coffee in hand, Thorne was waiting for her at the island, which was already set up with plates and flatware and containers of food. He shot an eyebrow up at her. “That was fast.”

“Because no one had my back.” Shrugging, she eyed the containers of food—eggs, ham, French toast, potatoes, and fruit. “Who all did you invite to breakfast?” “A woman who proved she had an insatiable appetite last night.” Flushing at the reference to their intimacy, she slid onto a stool. “Good thing I’m hungry for food this morning.” — Watching her eat turned him on. Then, again, everything she did turned him on. Though he regretted not carrying through with that back scrub, he knew he needed

to rein himself in. He hadn’t been hired to make love to her half the night. If she knew why he was really here… He didn’t want to think about it. The guilt was already eating at him. As much as he’d wanted her, he should have taken the high road. Deprived himself. Undoubtedly she would learn that her father had hired him soon enough. He couldn’t imagine avoiding it. And he couldn’t stand the thought of how that would make her feel. He was getting too close, more than physically. He couldn’t afford to do that. Not now. Not ever. There was a reason he’d never had a true and honest relationship with a woman. There were parts of himself that

he could never share, not with anyone, and certainly not with a woman who was as close to an innocent as he’d ever known. Unlike him, she didn’t have a duplicitous bone in her body. When more than half the feast was demolished, he said, “I thought we could do something together away from Lakeside today.” “I have no interest in watching the authorities process the ‘crime scene.’ I had the same thought about getting away from here practically the minute I woke up. But how can I avoid it?” “How about we get away from Lake Geneva altogether?”

“I have a business to run.” “Not the café. And your assistant manager can take care of the guest house. You know, some reporter will track you down if you stick around town.” She shuddered. “I know that will happen sooner or later.” “Well, let’s make it later.” He could see a ray of hope in her expression. “Getting away for a day wouldn’t hurt anything, I guess. I don’t care what we do. I really could use a day of peace and quiet to process everything that’s happened.” Relieved, he was glad he didn’t have to force her into his truck to get her out of town, away from potential danger.

“Sounds good to me. I know a great place we can go where no reporters will follow.” “Where?” With Hamilton’s help, he’d secured a secluded lake cabin a half hour north of Lake Geneva before he’d even arrived in town. A very upscale and private property. Just in case it was needed. “I don’t want to spoil the surprise,” he told her. “A surprise?” She frowned. “I’m not sure I need any more surprises right now.” “I promise you it’s a good one.” No doubt she was again thinking of

the horrible shock they’d had the night before. “Just pack a bathing suit and a change of clothes and we can be on our way for the day.” Her smile in response was familiar. Brilliant. Warm. Her. “Sounds good to me,” she said. To him, also. Better than it should. His pulse rushed faster at the thought of time alone with her. But taking her away for one day wouldn’t be enough to keep her safe, not unless the authorities figured out the source of the threat faster than he

assumed they would. The FBI was involved in the task force. So far, they knew the email threat to her father had come from a public computer at a chain eatery in Milwaukee. Any customer could have used it. He knew the agents were investigating credit card receipts from around the time the email was launched to possibly find the sender. But if the sender had paid cash for his or her food, or not eaten at all, there would be no record for them to find. “You’d better get packed.” He started clearing the table. “Make sure you bring something warm, too, in case it gets cool.” “It’ll only get cool at night.”

“True.” Her eyebrows shot up. “All right, then. After I help you.” “I’ve got it,” he said. “Go.” “But you have to pack, too.” Having anticipated getting her out of Lake Geneva one way or another, he’d beat her to it. His packed bag was waiting by his door upstairs. When he went up to fetch it, he would text her father to let the man know he was taking her to the cabin that Hamilton had arranged for him to use. “I can handle this and be ready to leave in fifteen minutes,” he said. “It’ll probably take you that long to decide what to bring.”

She gaped at him for a second, then flipped around and with a big sigh of determination headed for her bedroom. “I’ll be ready in ten.” He stood staring after her for a while, even when she was gone from the room. Something in his middle stirred. He was glad to see her pulling herself together after being an emotional wreck the night before. How long could he keep her in such good spirits before she learned the truth about him? The fact that she had no clue as to why he had suddenly appeared in her life was eating at him. Whether he wanted to face it or not, their night together had formed

a bond he couldn’t deny. One he didn’t want to end. Of course it would end, and then he would be the one to leave her an emotional wreck. Guilt be damned! He would do his best to give her a couple of days free of all worries. He didn’t believe she could completely forget about Sam any more than he could. But he would do his best to share some fun and laughter with Katelyn. Good memories. When this was over, memories would be all he would have left of her…. He only hoped that the authorities would be on point and catch whoever was threatening Hamilton’s family before things became contentious with

the woman who was worming her way into his heart.

Chapter 7 “Wow, Thorne, this place is beautiful.” So different from Geneva Lake, with its busy tourist communities and mansions practically one after another. The home was private, situated in a gem of a setting. A smile, one of the few she’d managed since they’d found Sam the night before, trembled on her lips. He said, “I hoped you would like it.” Katelyn got out of the truck and took it all in: a modest-sized but fairly new and fancy log cabin surrounded by thick woods on three sides, a small jewel of a

lake on the fourth. Suddenly, she envisioned Sam’s body in the water…then blinked the memory away. He hadn’t died here. She’d gotten away from Geneva Lake to put her mind at ease while she was forced to close the café and would only have been anxious and grief-stricken had she stayed there. There was nothing else she could do until she had answers about Sam’s death and could get her business back up and running. Right now, the thing she needed was a distraction to take her mind off the stress and shock of the past twenty-four hours, and if that distraction came in the form of a sexy-as-hell piece of man, then she’d appreciate the fact.

Taking a deep breath, she looked around. Not another house anywhere overlooking the lake. Trees grew down to the shoreline in some places, while other areas were lined with native grasses and flowering native plants. She’d fallen asleep halfway there, and waking up to such beauty was a real pleasure. “Is this your place?” she asked. Thorne laughed. “I only wish I had this kind of money. This place is more than a dozen acres. It belongs to a friend.” “We’re alone, then?” “Alone, right,” he agreed, hauling the bags from the back of the truck. “The

lake is a central part of the holding. We’re less than a half mile from the nearest town, but there are PRIVATE PROPERTY signs posted all around the perimeter of the property.” Giving them enough space just to be together for a time, and taking her away from the horror of what was going on at Lakeside. Though it was difficult to forget crime-scene investigators and reporters crawling over her property, and it was impossible to wipe Sam from her mind, she chose to compartmentalize. For now. Reality would hit her hard soon enough. Blinking away the threat of sudden tears, she turned back to the lake and

noted the small boathouse on the far side of the cabin. “So what kind of a boat comes with the house?” “I guess we’ll find out later.” “I wonder if they stock the lake for fishing.” “Don’t know that, either. If so, you’ll have to fish alone.” “Because you don’t know how or because you find it boring?” “Because I don’t take a life of any kind for no reason.” She was taken aback by the sentiment —it sounded like he had taken lives before. Remembering he’d told her he’d joined the Army and been sent overseas,

it was quite probable, considering the state of the world these days. And here she’d guessed that the kind of action he’d seen peaked at taking care of someone like Steve Nyland when he’d forced himself on her the other night. Undoubtedly Thorne’s military experience had prepared him to do much worse. He suddenly said, “I’ll take the bags inside.” “I can carry my own bag,” she informed him. “What? You don’t trust me with your swimsuit?” His mock hurt lightened the moment and made her laugh. “Okay, okay, Mr.

Macho, you can carry my bag for me. Thanks.” Now she knew why he’d had her pack one. The swimsuit was for the lake. The change of clothing because he undoubtedly meant for them to stay the night. Not that he’d said so. He was subtler than that. Well, in this instance, he was, she thought, remembering some of the scandalous things he’d whispered in her ear throughout their lovemaking the night before. The thought of a similar night with him here brought a smile to her lips as she followed him to the cabin. The building was constructed of logs and stone, and wood shingles covered

the pitched roof. A porch with rocking chairs and big planters with flowers flanked the front. The cabin looked like it could have been there forever, other than the keypad by the door. Holding both bags in one hand, Thorne tapped in a series of numbers, then swung the door open. Once he crossed the threshold, he set down the bags and found a control panel inside. He quickly tapped in a second code to turn off what Katelyn assumed must be the alarm system. Following him into the entryway, Katelyn said, “I wouldn’t think security is such a problem out here.” “It may not be, but when you have a high-end property like this, and

especially one that’s probably vacant most of the time, I guess you want to be sure you’re safe from anyone breaking in and making themselves at home.” “Or walking away with anything they can carry, I guess.” “The whole place is wired and set up with cameras inside and out. Just in case. C’mon in, let’s take a look around.” Katelyn followed him inside. The main living area’s ceiling was vaulted and the walls were made of logs, except for the front wall. There, huge windows were set on either side of a massive stone fireplace, giving her a spectacular view of the lake. The couch and chairs

were upholstered in a red-and-black plaid. An interior fireplace, also of stone, sat across from a big wooden dining table and chairs covered with what she assumed was cowhide. “Very country,” she said, turning to Thorne. Grabbing the front of his shirt, she rose on tiptoe to thank him. She’d meant the kiss to be an affectionate brush, but he caught her by the waist and pulled her to him for something more intimate. He seduced her mouth open. Her body responded. Her breasts tightened. So did her stomach. Wanting him but not just yet, she somehow managed to find the resolve to push herself away from him.

“Hey,” he complained softly. A soft smile curving her lips, she wandered into the connected kitchen area. The wood cabinets matched the feel of the log cabin, but the appliances were stainless steel. “Uh-oh, I just thought of something.” She turned to face Thorne, who’d followed her but stopped at the entry. “We forgot to pick up something for lunch on the way. Any grocery stores in the immediate area?” “I believe the freezer and pantry are well stocked. I don’t think we’ll starve in a day or two.” “Or two.” She didn’t miss that inference.

There undoubtedly was no need to be back in Lake Geneva until Tuesday lunch anyway. She wasn’t sure how far north they were, but it couldn’t be more than a half hour or so back to town. She checked out both freezer and pantry and found enough food for a couple of weeks. When she turned again, Thorne was directly behind her. “Hungry?” he asked, moving in on her. “We just ate breakfast a couple of hours ago.” “I didn’t mean for food.” He touched his forehead to hers, bringing the flat of his hand to her stomach.

“I’m always hungry,” she said, her voice catching a little, “but when it’s something worth having, I can wait for it.” He slowly inched his hand lower. “Are you sure you want to wait to be satisfied?” Despite her physical response, the sudden wetness between her thighs, she somehow choked out, “Positive!” He stopped moving his hand. “All right then.” He kissed her quickly and stepped back, giving her room to breathe. “So what do you want to do instead?” Getting hold of herself, she asked, “What are my choices?”

“Boating. Swimming. Hiking. Or maybe just sitting on the front porch and watching for wildlife.” “All sound great. After that ride up here, stretching my legs sounds like a pretty good place to start. How about a walk around the lake? We could get the lay of the land.” “Sounds good to me. Let’s leave cellphones and anything we could easily lose here.” He took his phone, wallet, and truck keys from his pockets and left them on the counter. After doing the same, she said, “All right. Let’s get going.” “Hold on a minute.” Opening the

refrigerator, he pulled out two bottles of water. He turned to her and said, “Catch!” and tossed one to her. She easily snatched the bottle in midair. “Good thinking. It’s hot out there today.” Luckily, she’d worn a pair of light cargo pants that she could roll up and secure into capris if she chose to. A long pocket along her thigh easily contained the bottle of water. Then they were off, Thorne setting the alarm before leaving the cabin. “You need to give me those codes,” she said. “Why?” “In case I need to escape, of course. Or use the bathroom when you’re not

around to let me in.” He arched an eyebrow at her, then said, “Fat chance that I’d let you escape.” Though she grew warm at Thorne’s teasing, Katelyn tried not to let him know it. With a Hmph! she set off to walk around the lake counterclockwise. Ahead, she could see that a flat area had been mowed along the shoreline, giving them something of a walking path. He caught up to her quickly. “I’m not sure this path goes all the way around.” “If it gets too difficult for you,” she said, “we could always backtrack.” “Or I could throw you in the water and let you swim back,” he threatened.

“But wait! I’m not wearing my swimsuit.” He shrugged. “Just strip down to the natural one God gave you.” She punched him lightly in the arm. They laughed together, and he took her hand. Nice, she thought. Warmth and humor were exactly what she needed today. “So who is this friend of yours that owns a multimillion-dollar property?” she asked. “He’s more of a friendly business acquaintance.” “Really. Exactly what business are you in?”

“I’ve done a little of this and a little of that. Right now I’m a bartender.” Right. While he appeared comfortable behind her bar, he didn’t seem at all like the business type. “Why so mysterious?” she asked. “Driving people around isn’t exactly an impressive job.” “You’re a taxi driver?” “Chauffeur. Was. That’s what I did when I got back from Afghanistan.” Afghanistan. She shuddered. She wondered if he ever talked about what he’d done there. How it had changed him. Why he’d said, Because I don’t take a life of any kind for no reason.

How many had he taken while in the Army? Not wanting to spoil the day so early, she didn’t ask. “So this friendly business acquaintance,” she said instead, “you were his personal driver?” — Thorne hated lying. But what was he going to do when she kept pressuring him for information? Actually, he had been a chauffeur when he’d come home from the war, and he had to tell her something that sounded authentic. “Yes, I was his driver, but I mostly drove his family.” He gave her a truth

that sounded like it would fit the circumstances. He only hoped she wouldn’t ask for more specifics. He had no idea what the owner of this property did for a living. And all he knew about the man other than his name was that he had a younger wife and two teenagers, a son and a daughter. “I basically got him to work and home, but his wife wanted to shop. A lot. Plus, she had a busy social calendar. And the kids had multiple activities every day.” “Wow, sounds like they kept you busy.” “Very.” He really had been on the move most of the day. “But I liked the family and I didn’t mind the work, so I

stayed with the job longer than I thought I would.” “What did you think you were going to do?” “I had no idea.” “So you, what? Went back to taking other jobs and moving around the country like you did before enlisting?” “For a while.” His gut went tight when he realized where this line of questioning was taking them. “But surely you settled on something?” “Eventually” was all he said. He couldn’t tell her that he’d chosen to be a bodyguard because he’d learned

he was good at protecting people. Saving lives. Taking lives when necessary. His time in Afghanistan had become a nightmare that she wouldn’t want to visit. He could tell she wanted to push for a real answer, and for an instant he thought she would. Then she relaxed and he could breathe again. Until she asked, “So what is your business friend’s name?” Fearing to lie about that—for who knew what Katelyn might find in the cabin to contradict him?—he said, “Daniel Westergard,” and held his breath waiting for her reaction. That had been the name Robert Hamilton had given him. He only hoped it wasn’t one

she knew, since the man was a friend of her father’s. But when all she said was “Westergard…sounds familiar for some reason” and shrugged, he relaxed, too. Though how many more lies he would have to tell to keep her safe was a matter of concern to him. The more lies, the more likely he would be to trip up. It was getting harder for him to deceive her. As his feelings for her grew, so did his guilt. The more lies he piled on, the worse this would end. He would have to keep her distracted so she wouldn’t have time to seek the truth. They’d gotten nearly a third of the way around the lake. Looking across the

water to the cabin, he thought it was a picture-perfect scene. “Hey, look at the view from here,” he said, taking a seat on a log near the bank. “Why don’t we hunker down and appreciate it for a while.” “All right.” A smiling Katelyn sat next to him and pulled out her water bottle to take a long drink. “It is really gorgeous, isn’t it?” He loved that smile of hers. Every time he saw it, something lit inside him. Made him feel. Yearn. For more. He’d never belonged to anyone, and

no one had ever belonged to him…but what if? He’d never met anyone who’d made him long for it. But now he’d met Katelyn Wade. “Lakeside is gorgeous, too,” he said, “if in a different way. And you get to live there full-time.” Her smile shattered. “If living there will ever be the same after what just happened.” Of course she would be sensitive about what was going on in their absence. Regretting his thoughtless remark, he wished he could reassure Katelyn. Unfortunately, he knew she could be correct. The idea of her friend

turning up dead on her property, undoubtedly murdered, would stay with her always. He would make damn sure she would survive, but he wouldn’t be surprised if she eventually walked away from it all. Her dream may already have been ruined by the crazy bastard who was out for this sick kind of revenge. Whoever killed Sam Gilbert needed to pay. He felt like this was personal, but he’d been hired to protect Katelyn. No matter how many times he reminded himself of the fact, he simply couldn’t keep that straight. Being with Katelyn took him out of himself, made him forget the things that had made him who he

was, even if only for moments at a time. Shaking away the first thought of this case that actually scared him, Thorne asked, “Do you want to talk about it?” “No. I don’t even want to think about it until I’m forced to. Besides, I feel safe with you. Like you’re my personal hero. You keep coming to my rescue.” That was enough to tie up his gut with even more guilt. Of course he kept coming to her rescue. He was being paid to do so. Hamilton had told him he expected Thorne to do whatever was necessary to keep his little girl safe. Not that he wouldn’t have protected her anyway. Her smile was payment enough. “Why don’t you tell me something

more about you,” he suggested. “Something from your past.” “How far past?” “I don’t know. High school? In your yearbook, did they name you the most positive person in your graduating class?” She cracked a small smile. “Is that how you see me?” “From the second I met you.” Before that, even. From the moment he’d seen her photo, he’d been certain she was someone he wanted to get to know. “You have a way of putting people at ease. And dealing with people who aren’t easy.” “You’re referring to Gerard Eklund.”

“Primarily. But with other customers and staff,” he said. She was blessed with a personality so appealing and different from that of anyone else he’d ever met that he couldn’t help but be drawn to it. If anyone could heal old wounds, he imagined that Katelyn Wade could. She seemed to know how to make everything right. “You keep that shiny, positive aura around you.” At least she had until they’d found her bartender’s body. Though somehow, with Thorne, she’d found a way to put that temporarily out of her mind. “So you’ve been watching me?” she asked. “Hard not to, considering where I

work. Behind the bar, I see all….” “But you continually have customers to take care of.” “Between customers, then.” More than that. He’d been aware of nearly her every move since Wednesday. “So back to high school. You were voted the girl with the best smile?” “Hmm. No, in high school, I was known as the chameleon,” she admitted. “Why?” “Because even when I was smiling, my friends didn’t know what to think. Half the time I was a mess under that smile, and they sensed it.” “Why a mess?”

“Low self-esteem, longing to fit in. I always felt like the odd kid out when Daddy brought me to his Chicago home for a weekend. Worse during the summer, when it was weeks instead of days. And when I was seventeen, he insisted on having me with them for the entire summer before my last year in high school. Said that was probably the last chance he would have to spend some real time with me before I went off to college. That’s when I realized how much my father’s wife truly despises me. And my half siblings, who were sixteen and fourteen at the time, were clear about what an embarrassment I was to them.”

“And your father didn’t do anything about it?” “Oh, when he was around, they pretended. Lied. You have no idea how much I hate liars because of what that summer did to me. But when we were alone, none of them could hide what they really thought. It got to me, but I had to pretend, too. I couldn’t break Daddy’s heart. I hated living that lie. I guess I wasn’t alone. Probably most teenagers live in some kind of emotional turmoil.” “Yeah, I remember what it was like.” All too well. “So tell me.” “I already did.” “That you ran away from a foster

home when you were fifteen. But why?” she asked. “How about some details?” His gut wrenched. “It’s not a fun story.” “It is what it is. I told you mine. It’s only fair that I get to know something about you.” She said she wanted to know, and she probably did on one level, but what about the whole truth? Because she was who she was, he was tempted to tell her what he’d never admitted to another soul. “C’mon, Thorne,” she urged him. “Be real for once.” For once? Did that mean she could read him better than he’d thought? Did

she have any idea of how many lies he’d told her? Maybe not, or she wouldn’t be so comfortable with him. Eventually this was all going to come crashing down on him. Maybe it would be better to put a wedge between them now, before they both got in too deep. The truth would do that, but could he tell it? Once the threat to her life was ended, he would be on his way. Gone out of her life. Because that’s what he did, right? Went on from one assignment to the next. One city to another. The idea left him feeling empty. If he got in any deeper, it would be even worse. Better if there were not any broken hearts that needed mending. “Okay. That’s only fair,” he said,

choosing how much truth to tell her. Just enough to put her off. “I left because I thought that if I didn’t, I would surely kill the bastard who called himself a foster father.” — Katelyn’s heart pounded at the unexpected admission. “Why? What happened?” “I went after him when he put his hands on me one too many times.” “You mean he was beating you? He should have been arrested!” “No one would have believed me over him.”

Thorne went stone-faced. Silent— making Katelyn’s skin crawl. She’d touched a nerve. What had the man done to him? Maybe she didn’t want to know how bad it had been. But part of her really did. Part of her wanted to be able to comfort him after she’d obviously upset him. Knowing asking him more about it now would only upset him further, she murmured, “Sorry, I’d like to know more about you, but I didn’t mean to intrude on something that is obviously so personal. Forget it.” He nodded. “Maybe that’s best.”

Her throat closed and she gave him one long look before getting to her feet. She took a last sip of water before again securing the bottle in the cargo pocket in her pants. “Going somewhere?” Thorne asked. “I was thinking that if we’re going to get around this lake, we ought to get started or we’ll be weak from hunger before we get halfway around.” Anything to break the tension she’d caused. To her relief, his tight expression softened just a bit as he stood. They walked in silence for a while. She still felt the strain between them at first, but it eased as they continued on.

The terrain changed slightly, with the bank rising several feet above the lake when they were directly across from the cabin entry. Gazing into the water, she noticed a school of small silver fish flashing by. “Look. How pretty!” “Especially since they’re in their natural habitat.” Suddenly Thorne said, “You know, I just realized I’m starving,” and stuffed the bottle holding the remainder of his water deep into a pants pocket. “So you want to go back? We’re almost halfway. Let’s just pick up the pace a bit.” “It’ll take too long.”

“Did you stow away some stash before leaving the house?” Glancing at his pants pockets, she didn’t see any bulge other than the water bottle that would indicate he’d brought something to eat with him. “Nope. I thought I would take the direct route.” With that, he flung himself off the high bank into the water. “Are you crazy?” she yelled after him. “You’re fully clothed!” She swore he was laughing at her, the sound bubbling through the water as he began to swim toward the opposite bank. He flipped on his back for a moment, yelling, “C’mon! I’ll race you!” and then

flipped again and kept going. Fighting his challenge, she informed him, “I am not swimming across the lake!” And thirty seconds later—all the time it took for Thorne to convince her to throw her cares to the wind—she jumped in to do just that.

Chapter 8 Once he realized Katelyn had followed him into the water, Thorne slowed a bit. She caught up to him about a quarter of the way across the lake. His jumping in might have seemed a little crazy to her, but he’d known Katelyn would follow him. He’d had to do something to shake the mood her questioning him about his past had put him in. He didn’t know if he would ever be able to reveal the real details. Not with anyone. Especially not with a woman who turned him inside out.

Who made him want to belong to someone for the first time in his life. Made him want to belong to her. As they swam together, stroke for stroke, he felt in sync with her. It felt good. Natural. Right. A sensation that filled him more and more often when they were together. He’d been fighting it. Taking himself on a guilt trip. She didn’t know who he really was. She wouldn’t want to know. They’d spent the night together. Surely she had expectations having to do with trust. He hated that he was lying to her to keep up the pretense forced upon him. What else was he supposed to do? Keep his hands off her, of course.

Too late for regrets. Not that he had any regrets about being with her. A few minutes later, he was standing in thigh-deep water a dozen yards from shore. When Katelyn went to stand too, he helped her to her feet. Surprisingly, she let him, even while chastising him, “Do you realize how long it will take everything to dry out?” As she stood there with her wet hair and clothes plastered to her, he hoped they’d never dry. He had to tear his gaze from her breasts. The cool water had made her nipples go hard. She added, “It’s a good thing my shoes are made to wear around water.”

“Then what are you complaining about?” Taking her hand, he tugged her toward shore. “You can go barefoot around here while we eat. Besides, that bag of yours was heavier than I expected. I’ll bet you brought another pair.” “Of sandals, not shoes. Luckily, I wasn’t wearing them.” He laughed. “Stop complaining! You know you had fun.” “Yes, but—” He hauled her hard, directly into him. And when she opened her mouth to protest, he took immediate advantage, helping himself to a kiss. She froze for a second. He could almost hear her brain

buzzing, urging her to push him away with a new protest. The next second, her arms were up around his neck and she was kissing him back for all she was worth. Suddenly she pulled her mouth free and flattened a hand on his chest. “I thought you were hungry.” Growling, he picked her up and carried her to a side door of the cabin, where he punched in a code. The door led directly into the kitchen, where he set her down on the tiled floor. “Wait. We’re dripping with lake water,” she complained. “Don’t you want to get out of these wet clothes before we eat?”

“Great idea.” He began stripping her, starting with her wet T-shirt. Laughing, she mocked fighting him to get him to stop. Already hard for her, he slid her pants down over her hips, and the laughter died in her throat. He unzipped his jeans and she dropped her gaze, licking her lips as though she wanted to taste him. He grew even harder. Her breathing shifted as his cock sprang free. She reached out to touch him, but he used his hands on both of her arms to turn her around. “What are you doing?” she whispered. “This.” He bent her forward over the island,

then spread her thighs. He tested her. Aroused as quickly as he’d been, she was more than ready for him. Nuzzling the back of her neck while entering her hot, wet, pulsing opening, he guided his hands around to her front. One to her breasts, the other to gather her inner wetness over her clit. He’d barely begun moving in her when she cried out. Not a short sharp cry, but one that lasted, that cut through him, that triggered his long, incredibly intense release. He finished and she was still coming. Gasping. Begging for more. “Please…please…” Turning her in his arms, he picked her up and carried her into the bedroom,

where he threw her on the quilt-covered bed. He got on his belly and snaked toward her, spreading her legs so that his mouth found her wet folds. Her instant cry of pleasure made his dick twitch, made him think about taking her again. That could wait. He wanted to draw out the sweet pleasure for her, to take her to places she’d never before reached. — Katelyn cried out again as Thorne used his tongue and fingers to plunge her into a madness of pleasure overload. Her mind lit with imaginings. Things she

wanted to do with him. To him. Envisioning what his cock would look like before she wrapped her mouth around it and sucked him dry… Now he was hard as wood again. She grasped him with both hands. Felt his size. The strength of his erection. The sheer size. Wondered how he hadn’t hurt her the night before. He moved over her to take her again, but when he tried to enter her, she stayed him and slid down lower under him, so that his tip was within a hair’s breadth of her lips. He went still and tense, hands on the mattress, arms roped with muscle. She could hear every strangled breath soughing from his lips. She rubbed one

cheek against his thigh and felt his cock against the other. She nipped the tender flesh between thigh and groin. He cried out in pleasured pain. “Tell me what you want,” she whispered. “You know what I want.” She quickly slipped her mouth around him and then withdrew equally quickly. “You mean like that?” He said nothing, but the tension rife within him said it all. Heat curled outward from her center, setting her flesh on fire for him. She tongued his head, tasted the bead of cum on the tip, then ever so slowly

started drawing him in with a rhythm he couldn’t resist. He began rocking his hips, stroking her mouth. Grabbing his buttocks, she took him in more fully. Upped the pace. Deepened the strokes. For a moment, he couldn’t resist… But then he freed himself and plunged downward so they were face-to-face. Mouth-to-mouth. Tongue-to-tongue. His knee between hers spread her for his swift entry. For a moment, he didn’t move… So she did, curling her legs up around his waist. Short, sharp movements

seducing his response. Driving into her like a madman, he took her out of herself yet again. She climbed, climbed, climbed until fireworks in her head took her over the ledge and dropped her into a free fall that felt like it would go on forever. — It was official. Despite his reservations, despite knowing how terribly wrongly this brief encounter could end, Thorne was crazy about Katelyn Wade. He didn’t want to go further than that. Didn’t want to inspect his own feelings more deeply,

but there was one thing he couldn’t deny any longer. He couldn’t get enough of her. They’d showered together, where he’d taken her up against the tile wall, so hot and slick and ready—always ready for him. Then they’d dressed and practically emptied the freezer and pantry. Okay, a bit of an exaggeration. But as they’d cooked together, they’d touched and kissed and stroked, and while the steaks were grilling, they’d given each other satisfaction without removing a stitch of clothing. Afterward, they’d brought the food out on the covered patio next to the kitchen, where he’d watched with fascination as

she consumed a large steak, a pile of mashed potatoes, a giant salad, and three dinner rolls, followed by a slab of chocolate cake. “Are you sure you don’t want something more to eat?” Thorne asked. “Oh, I could eat….” Grinning at him, she arched an eyebrow. “Just nothing with more calories.” Words that were enough to turn him on again. And make him laugh. He couldn’t remember ever being this happy before. Never in his whole life. Too bad it would have to end. But not today. Today he could pretend that this was

the beginning of something special between them. Something warm and personal and inexplicable. Something he’d never before experienced. Belonging to someone—even if just for this one day. Katelyn sighed and sat back in her chair. “I needed this.” He needed it more. He needed her more. “Food for energy after all the exercise we’ve had since we arrived?” he teased. She gave him a slant-eyed look and a bit of a smile that seemed sad somehow. “No, that’s not what I meant. Last night at Lakeside…I needed time off from the nightmare.”

But obviously she couldn’t keep it from her thoughts any more than he could. “If you need to talk about it, I’m here.” “No, not yet. On our way back to Lake Geneva tomorrow will be soon enough. Then we’ll have to face reality.” Tomorrow. He’d feared she was going to assume that they’d leave here so quickly. He was waiting for a call from Hamilton in hopes of a break in the case. He’d checked his cellphone when she’d been digging in the freezer for those steaks. No such luck. No calls at all. Her father had insisted he keep her away from potential harm if there was no progress in the case.

Most of him wished it was over. That he didn’t have to worry about Katelyn anymore. Truly, above all, he wanted her to be safe. But there was that other tiny part—the selfish part—that wished they would never find the killer and this fantasy he was playing out with her would continue forever. “Unless Detective Cole or ME Weaver calls, of course,” she added with a sigh. “I kind of expected to hear from one of them today.” Hopefully, contrary to his opinion, they would find that Sam Gilbert had died by accidental drowning and then going back wouldn’t be a security risk

for Katelyn. Not that he believed that— the reason he’d brought her here in the first place. He was starting to wonder why it was taking so long to get some kind of update. He thought about calling the detective, but Cole had their numbers and Thorne knew he would be on it if there were something to report. Suddenly Katelyn leaned forward, staring past his shoulder, her furrowed brow giving her an earnest expression. “Hey, what was that?” Thorne asked, “What?” as he turned in his seat to follow her gaze. “Something moving back by those trees.” Unable to see whatever it was that got

her attention, he said, “Probably a deer that’s already moved on.” He didn’t want to say anything to scare her, but he didn’t stop searching the wooded area. “I don’t think so.” “Why not?” “I saw something red. Like a shirt.” Thorne lunged from his seat, his gaze scraping the area. “This isn’t public land. No one should go beyond the PRIVATE PROPERTY signs.” The thought that someone—Sam’s killer?—might have followed them here put him on high alert. “There it is again!” This time he saw it. A red shirt. He

wasted no time in taking off after whoever was there. “Thorne, wait a minute!” His protection training kicking in, he ran all out. Katelyn called after him, but it didn’t slow him. He saw red—his field of vision literally flashed red. He zeroed in on the trespasser and he was almost upon him when he heard a weird sound. Sobbing. Like someone’s heart was breaking. “C’mon, Harley, please! Where are you? Harley!” Focusing, Thorne put on the brakes. A young boy whirled around to face

Thorne so quickly his crew-cut blond hair seemed to stand on end. He was maybe twelve or thirteen, scrawny—and backpedaling fast. Terrified of him, Thorne realized. Stopping within feet of the kid, who was hurriedly wiping at his wet eyes with the back of his arm, Thorne asked, “Hey, what’s going on? Who’s Harley?” “M-my dog. I just wanted him to have some fun running here where there were no cars. I let him off the leash and h-he disappeared.” He held the leash up in his other hand. Katelyn stopped beside Thorne, breathing hard and giving him a questioning look. He told her, “Kid’s

dog is out here somewhere.” “I been looking and looking! I’m never gonna find him. My dad’ll kill me if I don’t bring Harley home.” The kid was slashing an arm across his eyes again, and this time Thorne saw bruises that looked like fingerprints around it. His gut tightened. He’d been the recipient of that kind of cruelty many times when he was a little older than this kid, and he wondered what the father would do to the boy if he went home empty-handed. “We’ll help you.” Thorne just hoped nothing bad had happened to the dog. “What about your arm?” He pointed. “The bruises.”

Panic crossed the kid’s face. “Nothing. I was just messing around with one of my friends.” About to question him further, Thorne stopped when Katelyn laid a heavy hand on his elbow and gave him a look that made him back down. “Hi,” she said, “I’m Katelyn Wade and this is Thorne Hudson. And you are…?” “Joey Lawson.” “Maybe we can help you, Joey,” she said. “What kind of dog are we looking for?” “He’s just a fuzzy-faced mutt. Brown and black fur.” He held his hand about two feet off the ground. “About this big.”

“Which way did you come?” Thorne asked. The kid turned and pointed. “From Prairie Springs. But I didn’t let him off the leash until we were away from town and in the woods.” Thorne figured that would make it less than a quarter mile away. “And he just ran off?” The kid nodded. “After a rabbit.” “Then let’s go back the way you came,” Thorne said. “Maybe we can pick up his tracks and figure out which way he went.” Katelyn slipped her hand in his and gave it an approving squeeze.

They followed the boy back the way he came until Thorne spotted some crushed greenery and, on further inspection, a distinct paw print in the dirt. “Looks like he went this way.” He pointed in a direction away from the cabin. With a brilliant smile just for him, Katelyn asked, “What are we waiting for?” They headed in the direction of the tracks, through an area with scattered trees and then into a meadow. They hadn’t gotten far when Thorne swore he heard a muffled whine. “Did you hear that?” Katelyn asked.

“Harley!” the kid yelled. A muffled bark answered. “I’m coming for you, boy!” Joey called out as he picked up his pace and sped in the dog’s direction, quickly outdistancing the adults. “Don’t run off again!” But Thorne didn’t think the dog was going anywhere. He hoped he was okay, since the yaps and whines were alternating, all seeming to come from one spot. He had to be trapped. Katelyn must have been thinking the same thing, because she had a grip on his hand that told him she was worried. And there was reason to be. Before them, they saw the kid throw

himself on the ground, flat on his stomach, his upper body hanging over a large hole. “You’re gonna be okay, Harley. We’ll get you out of there.” But when he looked back at Thorne, his expression told a different story. “Don’t worry, we will get him out.” “How?” How, indeed. The dog was in a sinkhole. This part of Wisconsin was dotted with fissures, caverns, and sinkholes created when water dissolved dolomite rock far below the surface. This sinkhole looked to be about ten feet both wide and deep. Harley barked and jumped at the hole’s wall, pulling more dirt down on top of himself. Obviously,

he’d been trying to climb out to no avail. “What are we going to do?” the kid asked. “I’m going to go get a rope,” Thorne said. “You’re not going to do anything but step away from that hole before you fall in, too.” “But if Harley doesn’t see me, he’ll be afraid and keep jumping and maybe go deeper.” Unfortunately, the kid had a point. “Okay, but back off that edge. Just let him see your face and talk to him in a nice, gentle tone. Calm him down as much as you can.” “I’ll stay and make sure they’re both okay,” Katelyn said.

Thorne didn’t argue with her—he’d taken her out of danger’s way by bringing her here, after all. He was already running when he said, “I’ll be back as fast as I can.” As he sped up, he could hear the kid talking the dog down. Thank God the trespasser had been a kid searching for his lost dog, not something more dangerous. The thought of there being any threat to Katelyn had triggered his basest instincts. He would have done anything to protect her. Until the kid’s crying had pulled him out of it, he’d been responding with the same instinct that had overcome him in Afghanistan when his unit had been

under attack. That had never happened with a client before. No other client had been Katelyn. He’d never before had a personal involvement with someone he was guarding. If the menace had been real and someone had tried to hurt her, he didn’t think he would have been able to control himself. He would have acted on that instinct that had kept him alive for two years. No matter what, he would have kept Katelyn alive. Until this moment, he hadn’t realized his feelings for her were stronger than he’d wanted to admit. The cabin came into view. He headed

straight for his truck, but rather than taking the rope he had stored in back, he climbed into the driver’s seat and drove to the sinkhole. Once off the road, it was a bumpy ride, and he took care to avoid any areas that looked dicey. He stopped the truck a dozen feet from the maw and got out. Katelyn backed away from where Joey was still talking to his dog in a quiet, calm tone. “He’s doing great,” she said. Thorne nodded, pulled a long coil of rope from the back of the truck, and tied one end to a cleat in the rear. Then he snatched a large leather bag from the back, emptied it of some tools, and took

it and the rope to the edge of the sinkhole. The kid’s expression was a cross between gratitude and tears. Joey got to his feet. “Do I tie that around my waist to get down there?” “You’re not going anywhere. I am.” “But he’s my dog.” “And I’m going to let you pull him up, you and Katelyn, after I get him in this bag.” Thorne tossed the bag over his shoulder and let the rope slide down into the hole. “You’ll have to talk to him the whole time so he’s not scared. But wait until I get him ready to pull up. He needs to pay attention to me until then.” “Okay.”

Holding on to the rope with both hands, Thorne eased himself over the edge. Leaning slightly away from the wall, he “walked” his way down the dirt and rock wall. “Hey, Harley, how’s it going, boy?” The dog whined but didn’t move. He looked scared and exhausted. Crouching, Thorne held out his hand. Though hesitant, the dog moved close enough to sniff it and let Thorne pet him. Setting down the bag, Thorne patted the center. “Come on, Harley, let’s get you out of here.” Relief filled him when the dog gingerly stepped into the center. Thorne patted him then, murmuring silly things

to him to keep him calm, then lifted the handles and tied the end of the rope through them. Standing, he picked up the canine-filled bag and lifted it over his head. “Okay, pull him up.” Thankfully, Katelyn and Joey had only several feet to pull him, and the kid kept talking to him all the way up. “Good boy….Take it easy….That’s it….Harley, you’re okay!” The dog barked his agreement, and once Thorne could see the joy in the kid’s face when he had the dog in his arms, he yelled, “Katelyn, untie the rope and throw it back down!”

— Thankfully, Thorne was able to pull himself out of the sinkhole. Considering his size, Katelyn knew she wouldn’t have been strong enough to do it. The truck could have done it. Of course, the thought of driving anything that big made her stomach whirl. Her own car was a small hybrid. Looping the rope as he moved toward his truck, Thorne wore remnants of the sinkhole on his person. When he turned toward her, Katelyn noticed his face was smudged with dirt, too. She smothered a grin, saying, “My hero.”

“Anyone would have done it.” “Not anyone could have done it. Shows what fine condition you are in, my man.” Katelyn looked over at the reunited dog and his young owner, who were still bonding. “What now?” “We take them home.” Touched that he was so intent on helping Joey and his dog, Katelyn gave him a radiant smile. “C’mon, Joey,” Thorne said, voice gruff. “Let’s get you and your mutt in the truck.” She didn’t miss the way his gaze lingered on the boy’s bruised arm. Or how his brow furrowed before he rounded the vehicle and got behind the

wheel. Did he suspect the boy hadn’t been truthful about getting the bruises while messing around with a friend? Five minutes later, following Joey’s directions, they crossed Main Street and stopped in front of a small house that the boy pointed out. “Thanks again, mister,” Joey said as he alighted, Harley at his side. “It’s Thorne. And you’re welcome.” The kid repeated “Thorne” as the front door opened and a harried-looking, too-thin woman with dishwater-blond hair came rushing out. “Harley and me won’t forget you. Hey, Mom.” His mother took a good look at him and her expression grew fearful. That’s

when Katelyn noticed her black eye. “Joey, what happened?” Mrs. Lawson asked. “You’re both filthy!” “Harley ran away from me and fell in a hole, Mom. Thorne and Katelyn helped me get him out.” “Take him around back and clean yourself and him up right away before your father sees you.” “Okay.” He waved at them and hurried the dog to the back of the house. The woman faced them and licked her lips. “Thank you for your help with my boy, but you should leave now.” “Are you sure there’s nothing else we can do?” Thorne asked. “Maybe for

you?” Fear crossed Mrs. Lawson’s expression. She shook her head. “No, no, please just go.” Thorne put the truck in gear and moved off. “Poor woman,” Katelyn said. “Poor kid. I wish there was something we could do.” “There is.” At the end of the block, he rounded the corner and stopped. “What are you doing?” He reached over and opened the glove compartment in front of her. “I’m going to make a call.”

When he pulled out a cellphone, she noticed what sat at the back of the compartment before he closed the door: a handgun. The last thing she’d expected to see. Startled into silence, she glanced his way and noticed he was calling 911. “Yes, I would like to report an abusive situation in Prairie Springs”— he hesitated a second, then said—“in the Lawson home.” He quickly reported the kid’s bruises and the mother’s black eye, then gave the Lawsons’ address before hanging up. Surprised, Katelyn said, “You didn’t give them our names or numbers.” “Of course not.” “I don’t understand.”

“I think you have enough problems to deal with right now between the threat to your father and the investigation going on at Lakeside. I don’t want to embroil you in something else having to do with the authorities.” He reached over and replaced the cellphone in the glove compartment, giving her another brief glimpse of his weapon. A lot of people in Wisconsin own guns. He’d been in the military. Maybe having one in his truck made him feel safer on the road. So she chose a neutral topic. “I thought you had your cell in your pocket.” “I do. That one’s a burner.” He put the

vehicle in gear and pulled into the street. “I misplaced my cell a couple of weeks ago, bought that phone, then found the missing one.” A logical explanation. So why did it bother her just a little? She couldn’t quite say. Everything Thorne had done was aboveboard, as usual. Rescuing the kid and dog. Trying to rescue the kid and his mother from the apparently violent father. And all the while protecting her. Again. He was really good at doing that. He’d had her back since the day she’d met him. That she’d known him for less than a week flitted through her thoughts, but it didn’t matter how briefly she’d

known him. Thorne Hudson had proved to be a good and selfless man. The kind of man any woman would want in her life. Katelyn realized she did want Thorne in her life, even though she had no idea how long he meant to stick around. He hadn’t hidden the fact that he moved from place to place. Or that he didn’t call any one place home. Which meant that he could up and leave at any time. Leave her, despite the fact that she was falling for him. Falling hard. What was she going to do about it?

All the way back to the cabin, they drove in silence. Katelyn felt there was something about the way he was holding his body, about the absence of expression in his chiseled face. He wasn’t his usual positive self. Because seeing Joey’s bruises had bothered him so much? He’d told her he’d run off at fifteen so he wouldn’t kill his foster father if the man put his hands on him again. Thorne’s words had made her realize that he recognized his own potential for violence. And he’d had to face it while in the military, she was certain. But in the altercation with the drunk at the bar, he’d subdued the man efficiently without hurting him. He’d

learned how to show strength without being cruel. Ever since he’d shown up on her doorstep, Thorne Hudson had revealed nothing but decency, and she believed that no matter what was festering inside him, he focused on the good. Which made her believe in him. Wanting him to forget the awful things in his own past, Katelyn thought maybe it was time for her to rescue him rather than the other way around. There was only one way she could think of to do that. Even if it was only for today. Back at his friend’s property, he drove straight to the house and parked. Only after they left the truck and headed for

the house did he seem to relax a bit. His big body appeared looser, his expression less intense. She still needed the code to get in the keyless door, so she simply watched him enter the five numbers, then set them in her mind. Opening the door, he turned off the alarm. Getting a look at himself in the door’s glass inset as he closed it, Thorne groaned. “Maybe I should just walk over to the lake and jump in to clean up.” Putting her plan into motion, she innocently said, “Or we could take a shower.” “We?” “You need someone to wash your

back.” Tension tightened his muscles again, but this was a good tension. Tension that would be good for them both. She pushed him toward the bedroom. He didn’t resist. She pulled him into the master bath. He let her. The shower was so large it was virtually open, with half a wall of glass all that was needed to keep the water where it belonged. Kicking off her sandals, she shoved him inside. He took her with him, managing to get his shoes off and tossed outside the shower by the time he got to the far wall. She turned on the rain-shower

showerhead. He took off her clothes. “But you’re the one who’s dirty,” she complained. Rivulets of gray where water met dirt from the sinkhole raced down to the drain. “Your clothes are disgusting.” “Filthy,” he agreed. He spread his arms. “So take them off.” She did so in a minute flat, turned on the body jets that sprayed at them from two walls, then pumped shower gel into her palm. Rubbing both palms together, she began soaping him with her hands. He managed to hold off making a move on her until she arrowed her hands downward from his stomach and circled his erection with soapy fingers. Pulling

her to him, he kissed her breathless, but she didn’t let him distract her. Using her fingertips, she traced every line, every crevasse of his cock. He tried to push himself inside her, but she held him off. Thought about what it would feel like as she slid her soapy fingers along his length. Now his hands were soapy, too, and they were stroking her breasts, sliding around to her back and down to her buttocks. He reached down and under from behind and spread her thighs so she opened to his touch. He pulsed her in rhythm with the water from the jets hitting sensitive parts of their bodies. Then a surprise move on his part: He

whirled her around so she was facing the jets, her hands braced against the wall before her, him pressing from behind her. Circling her thighs with his hands, he opened her to the water and slid into her from behind. She was being pummeled from both directions, a hard stream of water hitting her clit with a rhythm that made her move against it while he moved against her. His hands were on her breasts, feeling their weight, thumbing her nipples, then rolling the hardened nubs between thumb and forefinger. The pleasure was so intense, she couldn’t hold on much longer. She could tell he wasn’t ready, so she tried to think of things to delay the

end. “Come for me,” he murmured in her ear. “No, not yet.” “We have all night. Come for me now.” “You’re not ready,” she breathlessly argued. “I will be when I feel you bucking against me.” With that, he nuzzled the juncture of her neck and shoulder and slammed into her from behind. Harder. Faster. Deeper. His teeth tearing at her soft flesh. His fingers twisting her hardened nipples. Water ramming into her clit.

She cried out and lost control, her hips slamming into him as she started the trip to paradise. As promised, he went there with her before falling against her, pulling her around, and sinking to the shower floor, where they sat gasping for breath and laughing at the same time. “Told you so. There’s no way I can resist you,” he murmured, kissing her sweetly. Punctuating the exact instant Katelyn realized she was falling madly, deeply, deliriously in love with him.

Chapter 9 As he and Katelyn curled together on a couch before the fireplace he’d lit despite the warmth of the night, Thorne tried to come to terms with his feelings for her, considering the truth of their situation. A truth she didn’t yet know. He ought to pull back, put some distance between them now. But he couldn’t. Truth be told, he had a bad, bad feeling about how she was going to react when she learned that he’d come to Lake Geneva to be her secret bodyguard. She didn’t like lies. She’d been clear about

that in her description of her family life and the way her former boyfriend had deceived her. He didn’t like lies, either, but he’d done what he’d had to so he could keep her safe. Nothing he’d shared with her had been a lie. He thought about the ring of fingerprints around Joey’s arm—a grim reminder of his own past. And in avoiding details about where he lived and what he did for a living, even in the tale about the cabin’s owner, he’d simply had to juggle some facts around. His feelings for Katelyn were no lie, though he’d kept them to himself. He would take what he could get of being with her. For his sake, that would

be for as long as he could have her. For her sake, he hoped the hidden dangers came to an end soon. Which is exactly what he thought was about to happen when his cellphone rang and he saw the ID on the screen. “It’s the medical examiner,” he told her before answering the call. “Weaver here. I called Ms. Wade, but she didn’t pick up.” “She’s here now. I’ll put you on speakerphone.” “Did you finish the autopsy?” Katelyn asked. “Not exactly. We still don’t know if Sam Gilbert died from drowning or if he was already dead when he was put

in the water. As I said before, it’s a complicated determination.” Katelyn frowned. “Didn’t you suggest it might have been accidental?” “I did. He actually had bruises all over his body that appeared to be from a fall. At first, I thought that could be how he got the head wound, but it looks fresher than the bruises on his body. And there was nothing around the pier to indicate he took an accidental fall. Nothing to prove that he hit his head there or we would have found blood or hair.” “But nothing to indicate he’d been killed there, either?” Thorne asked. “Correct, Mr. Hudson. The forensic

team found no evidence of a struggle, either. If he was murdered, it wasn’t there. Gilbert’s body contained lake water, but that can happen even if he was already dead when he went in. We’re conducting a diatom test. If we can match specific lake-water microorganisms found throughout Gilbert’s body, that will tell us that he drowned and wasn’t dumped in the water after he died. There’s no way for a dead person to circulate the microorganisms found in the water.” “But even if he did drown,” Thorne said, “it might or might not have been accidental.” “Still could go either way. Let’s not

get ahead of ourselves. It takes about forty-eight hours to get the results from the diatom test. We’ll go from there. I just wanted to update Ms. Wade, because the press has been itching to find her. If you’re cornered when you return to Lakeside, refer them to me or Detective Cole for answers.” “Thank you.” Katelyn’s voice was barely a whisper. “I’ll do that.” After Weaver signed off, Thorne held her close for a really long time, offering her enough comfort that she was able to slip back into sleep. —

The next morning, Katelyn woke to find the bed empty again. Had hunger pulled Thorne out of bed in search of food once more? Or had he awakened with Sam’s death on his mind, just as she had more than once during the night? Suddenly hearing a burst of water from the bathroom, she realized he was about to take another shower. Hmm. Maybe a shower was exactly what she needed to brighten her morning, make her forget about the conversation with Weaver the night before. By the time she’d stretched and slid out of bed, the waterfall had stopped. The only sound coming from the bathroom was the insistent ringing of a

cellphone. She hesitated at the door, open a crack, only to hear Thorne say, “No, she doesn’t suspect anything.” Her eyes widened. Who didn’t suspect anything? Was he talking about her? Surely not. But if he was, what didn’t she suspect? “Don’t worry,” he went on, “I’ll do whatever it takes to keep her here.” He was talking about her! “Of course. I understand fully what’s involved here.” He paused. “Yes. I won’t let that happen.” What in the world was going on? She had half a mind to storm into the

bathroom to demand answers. Katelyn then heard Thorne say, “I’ll subdue her if necessary,” and froze where she stood. Who the hell was he talking to? He meant to subdue her? Let him freaking try! The conversation was over. The shower was running again. Her heart pounded and her stomach whirled as she realized something weird was going on here. Thorne was making some kind of play behind her back. She’d made a really big mistake, perhaps the worst of her life. Thorne Hudson obviously wasn’t the man she’d thought he was.

She’d given him her trust. Had slept with him. Had feelings for him. Right now, she was feeling like her heart was going to explode. A slight tremor snaked through her. And her knees threatened to crumble under her. Pulling herself together, she focused. Acted on instinct. Tore into her clothes while her thoughts raced ahead. So who was Thorne Hudson really, and what did he want with her? Why was he determined to keep her here? Her mind whirled dizzily, and she had to take a minute to get her breath. She thought

back to when he’d shown up at Lakeside. An awfully convenient time, just when Sam had disappeared and she’d needed a new bartender. He’d volunteered himself. Even though the ME hadn’t concluded that Sam was murdered, she now suspected that was the case. Had Thorne been involved in whatever happened to Sam Gilbert? That he would do something so awful seemed unbelievable, but so did his being wrapped up in some kind of a plot concerning her. She knew he had the capacity for violence, even if he normally kept it well hidden. And she knew he carried a gun in his

truck. What else? What didn’t she know? That was the part that scared her. What she did know was that she’d been a fool to so easily trust a virtual stranger. An actual stranger, she reminded herself. One who had sought her out purposely. Thorne had been playing a part all along. Was there anything real about him? She had to get away from him. Go someplace where she could think. Get back to Lake Geneva. Alone. Find Detective Cole and bring him up to speed. With his police contacts, Cole should be able to find out exactly who

Thorne Hudson really was. With Thorne in the shower, she had a few minutes’ head start. She left her bag and clothing scattered around the bedroom. Hopefully that would help keep him from realizing she was gone. Then Katelyn grabbed her purse and her cellphone and, as silently as possible, moved to the front door. Thankfully, she’d memorized the access code on the alarm, which had been set for the night. Punching it in, she then beat it out of the cabin. The truck parked out front mocked her. If she had had the keys, she could have made a fast getaway and been back in Lake Geneva in a half hour or so. But that would have meant going back into

the cabin and looking for them. Thorne could catch her. Besides, she didn’t even know if she could drive the damn thing. He would probably be onto her before she figured it all out. So she ran. Headed for the trees where she’d first spotted Joey Lawson. Followed the trail they’d taken searching for the dog. Found the country road that they’d taken into town to bring the kid home. Out of breath by the time she reached the road, she slowed down and kept to the trees that ran alongside for cover. Peering over her shoulder again and again, she expected to see Thorne behind

her at any time, ready to do whatever was necessary to keep her there. What did he want with her? Embarrassment and fury flooded her as she thought of what he’d gotten from her so far. Had that been planned, too? Sex to keep her distracted? So she wouldn’t recognize the truth if it bit her in the ass? That’s how she felt right now. Like a stupid, naïve fool. Which didn’t make her feel good about herself. And then it hit her. The threats to her father. Rather, the threats to her father’s children. Threats that involved him losing someone he loved…

She couldn’t believe it. Didn’t want to believe it. But she had to consider it or be an even bigger fool. Had Thorne been hired by someone to make her disappear? — Thorne took his time shaving and dressing. He’d been surprised to find the bed empty when he left the bathroom. He’d figured Katelyn must be in the kitchen scaring up breakfast, but detected no wafting coffee or bacon smells. She must not be cooking yet, so he took his time. When he went into the kitchen, he

found it empty. Hmm. Odd. “Katelyn, where are you?” he called, walking through the house. No sign of her. Frowning, he checked the alarm. Disarmed. She must have remembered the numbers he’d punched. Must be outside. Early-morning swim perhaps? He opened the door and stepped outside to check. Nope. Not in the water. “Katelyn, where are you?” No answer. He didn’t see her anywhere. Maybe she’d gone for a walk. Finishing that walk around the lake they’d started? Okay, that sounded like her. And when

she returned, she would be starving. More than a little hungry himself, he called her cell. She didn’t pick up, so he left a message. “Hey, Ms. Adventurous, I’m putting on a pot of coffee and I’m going to get breakfast started. If you’re not back in twenty, I’m eating for both of us.” That should get her back fast enough, he thought, grinning as he returned to the kitchen. As he set up the coffeemaker, Thorne realized having a little quiet time would give him a chance to think. He had a lot to consider, especially with Hamilton’s call. Katelyn’s father had gotten another threatening email. Something about

separation making the eventual loss crushing, which led Hamilton to believe that Katelyn was the target. He’d wanted assurances that the child who’d removed herself from his purview would remain safe. Even as Thorne had told Hamilton what he’d needed to hear, his gut reaction to his own assurances had left him conflicted. He knew he couldn’t force Katelyn to stay here, at least not without telling her why. Her father had forbidden him from enlightening her, but Hamilton had no clue about what had been going on between his daughter and her bodyguard. No clue that Thorne would go beyond

his pay grade to protect Katelyn. He would do anything to keep her safe. He would even die for her. Dramatic, much? Maybe. But he’d put his life at risk time and again to save the lives of fallen comrades in Afghanistan. He could do no less for the woman he loved. — Ignoring another text from Thorne, Katelyn could actually see Prairie Springs ahead by the time she realized she should have called someone to come pick her up. But whom? Sam would have

been her “go to.” She really didn’t have any other friends in town. Beyond Lake Geneva, her father was the logical choice, but she didn’t want to call him until she knew what was going on. He already had a lot on his plate, and she wasn’t about to give him even more reason to worry. Besides, this situation would take a lot more explaining than she wanted to do. If she even could explain. The logical choice was ME Weaver or Detective Cole—that was probably what she should do. But they didn’t run a taxi service, so what did she expect of them? To arrest Thorne? For what? He hadn’t kidnapped her. She’d gone with

him of her own volition. She might be suspicious of his timing —arriving at her doorstep the day after she realized Sam was gone—but that didn’t mean he’d known Sam or had had anything to do with his death. It also didn’t mean that Thorne had been hired to make her disappear. So why did she have this overwhelming feeling that that’s exactly what had happened? Maybe it was the gun he carried in his glove compartment. Or the fact that he had a burner phone. That he’d refused to identify himself to the authorities when he made the call about the Lawsons. All were good reasons to be suspicious of

him. Not that she’d given any of that real credence before overhearing his phone conversation that morning. I’ll subdue her if necessary…. She couldn’t forget that threat. About to enter the town of Prairie Springs, Katelyn fought the lost-littlegirl feeling that was enveloping her. She pulled out her cell and called Tansy, hoping the waitress would have the time to come get her. The call went directly to voicemail. “Hey, Tansy, if you get this, please call me right away. It’s important.” She didn’t want to leave further details. But if Tansy didn’t call her back, what then?

She could try going out to the main road and hitching a ride back to Lake Geneva. Not exactly a stellar solution, but what other choice did she have? She couldn’t walk to the curb and flag a taxi, as she could have in Chicago. There was a taxi service for Walworth County that operated out of Lake Geneva. But if a car was available, it would take a half hour or more to get here. And she didn’t think she had that much time. Thorne could find her quickly once he realized she’d left the property. She needed to get out of town fast. Maybe she could hire someone to drive her back to Lake Geneva. She had enough cash on her to make it worth

someone’s while. But where to look for that someone? A restaurant or bar where people gathered immediately came to mind. Too early for a bar. She spotted something called The Egg and Me straight ahead. A breakfast place— perfect. Passing the town park, she saw it was being set up for Hot Summer Days. Small towns in this area hosted lots of these celebrations during the season. A minute later she entered The Egg and Me and headed for the counter, where she forced a big smile for the red-haired waitress who was setting plates before two bearded men. “Sorry, honey, we’re full-up right

now. If you can wait about ten minutes, I can seat you.” “Actually, I’m not here to eat. I’m kind of in a bind.” Katelyn realized she had to get creative with what she told the waitress. “I was with a friend and we got separated.” Which was true, though she was the one who’d done the separating. “He’s not answering his cell”—okay, that was a necessary lie —“and I really need to get back to Lake Geneva as soon as possible.” True, true, true! “You want the number for the taxi service?” “That’ll take longer than I have. I was wondering if you might know someone

around here I could hire to drive me back.” “Hire.” “Yes, I’ll pay the person.” “That’s a far piece to go,” one of the bearded men at the counter said. He sucked his teeth and she could see a gap where he’d lost a couple. “You gonna pay how much?” “How much would you want to drive me there?” she asked, a bit uneasy. “A hundred bucks,” he said, and he and his bearded buddy snickered at the idea. Katelyn had more than a hundred dollars on her, but she wondered if it

would be wise to dish out so much. In fact, she wondered if it would be wise to go with the stranger in the first place. She wasn’t sure she wanted to go anywhere with him, but she was desperate to get out of town before Thorne caught up to her. Thinking that he was the lesser of two evils and she could simply get out of the vehicle if he turned out to be a problem, she asked, “How about fifty?” “How about free?” The familiar voice came from behind her. Startled, she turned. “Gerard, what a surprise.” A surprise, indeed. She would never have expected to find her fussy customer in a small eatery like this. It

gave her kind of an odd feeling that they would end up in this restaurant at the same time. Had he followed her? Her pulse raced, but she forced mistrust from her tone. “So, what are you doing here? In Prairie Springs, that is.” “Hot Summer Days,” he said. “You know I work for Lakeshore Bank.” He fumbled in his pocket for something. Actually, she hadn’t known he worked for the bank that handled her mortgage for the guest house and café. “We have a booth and ran out of the sunglasses we were giving away,” he said, “so I brought another box.” He pulled a bunch of plastic pairs from his pocket and handed her one. “Here. You

need to protect your eyes out there. Sun is bright today.” Taking the sunglasses from him, she felt her pulse even out again as her overactive imagination settled down. “Uh, thanks.” “I was just thinking about picking up some coffee for the ride home when I saw you come in here. Would you like a to-go cup?” She shook her head. “I’m good.” He signaled the waitress to pour just one. The guy at the counter said, “Hey, what about that fifty?” “She won’t be needing your

services,” Eklund told him, then turned back to her and said, “What a coincidence that we ended up here at the same time.” “Right,” she agreed. Gerard Eklund of all people. His showing up right when she needed a ride really was a weird coincidence. But he was here on business, she reminded herself, slipping the sunglasses from their plastic sleeve and putting them on. He said, “I would be happy to escort you back to Lakeside.” “I appreciate that. Very kind of you.” The guy at the counter grumbled a bit, but then shrugged his shoulders and chowed down without further comment.

Eklund paid for his coffee and escorted her out to his new black Cadillac sedan. Acting the gentleman, he helped her into the vehicle before rounding the front to the driver’s side. Getting in, he set his coffee in a holder and took his time buckling up. Anxious to get on the road, Katelyn turned to sweep the street behind them. No sign of Thorne’s truck, thankfully. She took a deep breath and relaxed into the leather seat as Eklund fired up the engine. “So how did you end up in Prairie Springs without a car?” he asked. “It’s a long story.” “Longer than the ride back to Lake

Geneva?” So now what was she supposed to say? “I was simply in an unusual situation. And I’m grateful that you could help me out of it.” “Perhaps you ought to set your sights higher than a bartender.” Whoa. He knew about Thorne? How? Uncomfortable again, she said, “I needed to get away from Lakeside for a while.” “Right. Because your first bartender ended up in the lake. Sam Gilbert, right?” Her throat tightened. “Yes.” “The media are making a lot of his

death. What do the authorities have to say about it?” “Not much yet. It’s too soon.” “That’s all I got from this morning’s news report,” he growled. “That’s all I know.” Her stomach was whirling now. “The ME is waiting for results from some test.” “Then he’ll know whether or not there was foul play involved?” Eklund asked. “I’m really not sure. He told me making a determination was complicated.” And talking about it with Eklund was making her very, very nervous. She wished he would just drop it. His going

on about it made her feel too vulnerable. “I would think you would have turned to your family in this time of need. Your father has influence. I’m sure someone like Robert Hamilton could obtain a faster resolution.” Her father again. Gerard Eklund was certainly interested in him. The man had asked about him before. Hadn’t been sure of his name, though. Now he knew it? Did that mean he’d caught it on the news that morning? So after her protesting that no one knew who her father was, she was now publicly connected to the Hamilton name? She kept staring in her side-view mirror, trying to convince herself that

she was overreacting. While other vehicles came and went, no black truck. Suddenly she realized they were no longer on the main road, but driving through a wooded area. “Uh…where are we going?” “Taking a shortcut. Not really shorter, just faster. Not so much traffic.” Not so many people around. No witnesses… She was trying to get her imagination under control when Eklund asked, “So have the authorities figured out how the Bascom College gunman got his hands on the assault rifle made by your father’s company yet?”

The switch in topic froze Katelyn where she sat. Had Eklund put that together himself, or was he repeating what he’d heard on the news that morning? “They haven’t even figured out the identity of the gunman yet. Or his purpose in killing those people.” Before he could press her for more information, her cellphone rang, and a quick look at the caller ID told her it wasn’t Thorne. Answering, she said, “Tansy, hey, thanks for getting back to me.” “It sounded important. Do the authorities have some answers?” “No, not yet. I needed a ride and

thought you could pick me up and get me back to town.” “Uh-oh, what happened? Are you all right?” “I’m fine. I ran into Gerard Eklund in Prairie Springs, and he’s giving me a ride back to Lake Geneva.” She didn’t miss the man’s hands tightening on the steering wheel, telling her he hadn’t liked her bringing up his name. “Eklund, huh?” “That’s right.” It made her feel better that Tansy now knew whom she was with, because Eklund’s questions had put her further on edge. “We should be back to Lakeside in ten minutes or so.”

“You can tell me all tomorrow.” “Will do.” At least an edited version, considering she had no real answers yet. “See you then.” Thankfully, Eklund stopped drilling her for information. That, plus Tansy’s knowing she was with the man, settled Katelyn down somewhat. Until she thought about Thorne. What was she going to do about him? She needed to decide and she needed to get to the bottom of what was going on before she spiraled completely out of control. As they slowed when they hit town, busy even on a weekday during the summer, the pressure to make a decision built fast, tightening her middle. She was

going to have to reveal it all to Detective Cole. Thorne could catch up to her at any time. A loud thwack-thwack from overhead shifted her attention away from that particular problem. “What’s going on?” “Looks like a helicopter,” Eklund said, “landing on your property.” Katelyn groaned. “Daddy…” Her father had arrived. Uninvited.

Chapter 10 “I can’t tell you how much I appreciate this, Gerard,” Katelyn said. Media vehicles flanked the property, and the uniformed cop was still stationed to keep them at bay. Gerard stopped his vehicle in the parking lot, yards away from the helicopter with its blades still churning up the air. “Are you certain I can’t be of further assistance?” Gerard asked. Getting out of the car, she had to raise her voice to be heard above the helicopter’s whomping. “No, really,

you’ve done enough.” She steeled herself against his obvious disappointment. “This is a family matter.” Of that she was certain. Her father must have caught the news about Sam this morning. What did he think he was going to accomplish by showing up here? Undoubtedly his protective instincts were on high alert. She waved to Eklund and stepped away from his vehicle. Wearing a somewhat sour expression, he reluctantly drove away, leaving her to face the father who was already on the ground, rushing toward her. “You’re all right?” he shouted.

“Of course I’m all right!” she shouted back as the pilot finally cut the helicopter’s engine. She was just fine physically, but emotionally was another story. She hadn’t yet decided what she was going to tell her father about Thorne. The blades whirled more slowly until finally stopping. She needed time to think! Then her father’s arms were around her, pulling her close, and Katelyn gave in to the lost-little-girl feeling she’d been fighting for the last hour. She hugged him back tightly. “I don’t understand,” he grumbled, his blue eyes a bit teary, filled with concern

for her. “Why did you do it?” “Do what?” “Leave!” “Leave?” He must have known she wasn’t in Lake Geneva, and that was the reason he’d come to find her. “I-I just needed to get away from here for a while.” She waited for him to say something about Sam being found under her pier. But before he could utter a word, another vehicle came flying into the parking lot. She gaped at it. Thorne! Pulling away from her father’s arms, she glared at the man through the windshield of his truck. “Um, Daddy, I have a complicated situation to deal

with here.” “You think I don’t know how complicated?” her father asked. “You have some explaining to do.” How was she going to explain Thorne? And keep her father safe? She hadn’t forgotten about the gun in Thorne’s glove compartment. Stopping yards from where they stood, Thorne jumped out of his vehicle and strode toward them. Thankfully, no gun in sight. Sunglasses hid his eyes, so the only thing she could read was his body language. From the tension visible in his muscles, she figured he was tightly wound, as much on edge as she was. She stood shoulder to shoulder with

her father, but aimed her words at Thorne. “You have a lot of nerve showing up here!” Thorne’s jaw clenched. Then he spoke directly to her father. “Sorry, Mr. Hamilton. I’ll understand if you no longer want me involved.” “My daughter can be unpredictable, as I told you when you called me this morning. But I trusted you to guarantee her safety.” “No longer want you involved?” Gasping, Katelyn glowered at Thorne, then at her father. “I trusted you?” Looking from one to the other and back again, she nearly choked, saying, “You two know each other?”

Stepping away from them to give herself some breathing room, she stared fiercely at both men. Her father sighed. “When you wouldn’t agree to a bodyguard, I hired Hudson to protect you.” “What!” Why was she so shocked? She gave Thorne a pointed stare. “You’ve been working for my father all along?” Then she turned her attention to her father. She’d obviously overheard Thorne talking to him this morning and misconstrued the situation. “I told you I didn’t want a bodyguard!” “Exactly.” And of course he couldn’t live with her decision. “So you’ve known

everything that’s happened here?” she asked her father. He nodded. “Hudson kept me well informed.” “And getting me out of town was some kind of a plot you two hatched together?” The two men looked at each other as if they knew they were in trouble. Her father cleared his throat and said, “I thought spending some downtime at Daniel’s place would help you forget about everything for a while.” Daniel’s place? “So Daniel Westergard is your friend?” she asked her father.

“He’s a close business associate.” “But not of yours,” she said to Thorne, whose expression became even grimmer. So he’d lied to her. He’d made up that story about chauffeuring the Westergard family to suck her into some fantasy. And she’d been fool enough to believe in him. Was anything she thought she knew about him real? Katelyn was furious with both men. She could forgive her father, who’d been trying to protect her, but Thorne? He’d been paid to protect her. He hadn’t just tricked her into believing in him. He’d outright lied. And then he’d seduced her! His deception reminded her of the way Aaron had manipulated her. Aaron,

who’d pursued her so he could get in tight with her father and launch that career he’d never gotten off the ground. Again her father was in the middle of her relationship with a man. A relationship that is over, she corrected herself. She was done with Thorne Hudson. “How could you go behind my back like that, Daddy?” she demanded. He drew himself up to his full height and scowled down at her. “Because I love you, Katie-bug. I won’t let anything bad happen to you because of me!” “Love? You think tricking me is love? You’re every bit as controlling as Mom always warned me you were!”

In her opinion, her father had caused something bad to happen here. If not for him, she would never have met Thorne. Never would have slept with him. Never would have fallen in love with him, only to find out she’d been deceived and betrayed by a man once more. “I had to protect you in any way I could,” her father said. “I am not a child. You can’t protect me from life!” “You are my child, and I can damn well do whatever I must to keep you safe!” She stared at Thorne, challenging him to say something. Whatever he was thinking, she couldn’t read him. Wasn’t

he going to defend himself? Tell Daddy exactly what had gone on between them? No? Of course not. He’d withdrawn into himself and now stood like his spine was made of steel. His face, too. What did he think he was going to get out of this assignment? A cushy job? Head of security at one of her father’s businesses? Would her father dispose of Thorne’s services immediately if she told him exactly how her bodyguard had been protecting her? Not that she was about to admit she was even more foolish than he’d ever guess. She didn’t want her father to know what had gone on between them any more than Thorne did.

Swallowing hard, she ignored her latest mistake with men, made a note to herself to give up on relationships for good. “So, on top of this catastrophe, I guess the media has blown my cover.” Her father gave her a puzzled look. “Reporting that I’m your daughter,” she clarified. “Not that I know of. No one has come to me with that information.” Then how had Eklund known about him? She flashed Thorne a quick look before asking her father, “But you’ve been getting daily personal updates on everything going on around here?”

“I know about your last bartender, yes. I’m very sorry. And we’re worried that his death might be connected to the person sending me those threatening emails.” “You think whoever is trying to get to you had something to do with Sam’s death?” It would confirm her fear that someone out there was trying to make her disappear. “I don’t know.” “But it’s likely,” Thorne countered. “Big coincidence that he disappeared right after your father received the first email. And I don’t believe in coincidence.” Then it hit her. “You said first email.

As in, there’s been more than one. You received another?” she asked her father. He pulled a sheet of paper from his pocket and handed it to her without a word. Unfolding it, she read: Separation hurts. Death is forever. The child taken from you has the most power over your heart. What if taken became forever? “Oh, Daddy, have you shown this to —” “The authorities? Of course. They know that you’re the target.” Still not wanting to believe it, she

argued, “You have three children.” “This is you, Katie. You. You were the child taken from me by your mother before I had a chance to know you existed. I’ve spent a lifetime trying to make up for that. I can’t lose you forever. It’s bad enough that I have the deaths of those seven students on my conscience. If something happened to one of my children, and because of me…” He shook his head and his eyes grew watery. “Please come home with me, where I can keep you safe.” If someone wanted to get to her badly enough, she wouldn’t be safe anywhere. Being in the same house with his real family would crush her emotionally. No

doubt they would all blame her for bringing danger their way. “Your home isn’t mine, Daddy, you know that. It never was. Right now, this is my home.” “When they catch the bastard threatening your life, you can come back here, pretend like none of this ever happened. I’m not trying to take away your dream!” Her dream had just turned into a nightmare. When this was all over, would she even want to be here? Or would she want to sell the place and move somewhere far, far away? She honestly couldn’t say. But that wasn’t the point. Not now. Not yet. Now she had to

face the reality her father had been trying to protect her from for the last week. She couldn’t deny what was going on any longer. She couldn’t simply wave off the danger as if it didn’t exist. She had to deal with it. Directly. “I may be the target,” she admitted, “or that email might have been concocted to throw you off. Some hocuspocus, making you look after me. In the meantime, Lilah or Jason could be the one being hunted. You really can’t say for certain, Daddy, so I’m staying put.” His expression showing his frustration, her father ran his hand through the silver streak in his dark hair. “Then please be reasonable and at least

promise me you’ll cooperate with Hudson so he can keep you safe.” She slid a questioning look at the man who had broken her heart. Still stoic, he swore, “I’ll do whatever it takes to protect you.” “This happens on my terms,” she insisted. “As long as your terms don’t endanger you,” he agreed, for a moment sounding like a man who actually cared what happened to her. “No more taking off like you did this morning. Promise me you won’t go anywhere without me until the authorities put a stop to this threat.” She forced herself to ignore the odd note in Thorne’s voice. How could she

know what to trust as far as he was concerned? No question that he would do whatever it took to satisfy her father. But there would be no more satisfying her. Not in a physical way. No more lies to seduce her. No more deception. “I’ll cooperate as best I can.” That was all she was willing to promise him. She turned to her father. “What have the authorities been doing? What about the FBI? Does Special Agent Ortiz have any clue as to the identity of the person threatening revenge?” Ortiz had interviewed her at length by phone the day the first email arrived. “What about finding the shooter?”

“Nothing they can bank on, not in either case.” “It’s been a week, and they don’t know anything?” “The only thing we do know from the serial number is that the assault rifle was lifted from the factory. It hadn’t yet been consigned to any agency.” Horrified that someone who worked for her father was guilty, she said, “So it was stolen—an inside job?” “The FBI has a couple of my employees under surveillance.” “Not necessarily the shooter,” Thorne added. “Probably someone who wanted to pocket some extra money.”

“So greed got seven people killed?” Her father sighed. “You could say that’s the same reason I bought Precision Weapons—the biggest mistake of my life. If I hadn’t, maybe those kids would be alive now. Why don’t we go inside and sit down and talk things over.” “A person crazy enough to kill will find a weapon somewhere, Daddy. You’ve got to stop blaming yourself.” Katelyn led the way. “You’d better tell me everything you know from now on. No more hiding anything from me.” She flashed a look at Thorne. Of all the things kept hidden from her at various times in her life, Thorne’s deception was the cruelest of all.

— The next hour was one of the most uncomfortable ones Thorne had ever spent in his life. He had to act like the professional bodyguard he was without revealing his feelings for Katelyn lest Hamilton get wise and replace him. He couldn’t let that happen. Even if she never forgave him, he would protect Katelyn with his life. No one could be more committed to her. No one could care for her more deeply. He’d never known what love felt like before. He had never thought he could be with someone forever, that someone would

want to be with him. For one day, he’d felt that anything was possible, but now he knew the pain of loss. He hadn’t known that love could bring him the greatest joy. He hadn’t known that it could crush him. Masking all those unfamiliar feelings, he watched Katelyn hug her father before backing away to stand in the doorway to the guest house. Hamilton signaled to his pilot to start the engine, and Thorne walked his employer back to his ride. “Don’t let her out of your sight again,” Hamilton said over the noise. “I doubt she’s going to let me watch her every move.” Thorne would camp in

Katelyn’s quarters if he could, but he figured that was the last thing she’d let him do now. “That wasn’t what I was suggesting. I know you’ll be on guard here. But don’t count on her staying put.” “No, of course not. I’ll be her shadow.” Whether or not she wanted him to be. “If I could, I’d pick her up and carry her off with me and stuff her someplace no one could find her.” “A good plan—assuming she would ever forgive you.” “I care more about my daughter’s life than her forgiveness. Be prepared, because it may come to that in the end.”

Thorne couldn’t agree more about Katelyn’s life being of utmost importance, but he kept his silence like a good employee. He couldn’t reveal his feelings for the man’s daughter. More lies, if not directly, but what was he to do? Katelyn had already turned against him. He couldn’t lose Hamilton’s trust, as well. At the helicopter now, the men shook hands and Hamilton climbed into the passenger seat. Thorne backed away. He could feel Katelyn’s angry gaze boring into the flesh between his shoulder blades. She was hurt, furious, but surely she would cool down, if not actually forgive him.

He knew he couldn’t count on it, not after everything they’d shared. Her physical safety had to be his only concern, because he sure as hell hadn’t been able to protect her heart. — Once the helicopter took off, Katelyn felt a sense of relief. Not that she felt safe— just safe from being smothered by the father who loved her perhaps too much. “Reporting for duty.” Thorne stood there before her like the good soldier Daddy had employed. She flicked him a contemptuous look and went back inside, knowing he was

barely a step behind her. “You and your dad have a nice reunion?” Natalie asked from behind the desk. The assistant manager had been there when they’d come inside earlier, and Katelyn had felt obligated to make introductions without using the Hamilton name. “Short, but I’m sure we’ll get together soon,” Katelyn said as she continued on to her apartment. It had been obvious to her that Natalie didn’t have a clue who her father was. “I thought maybe you got news. I mean on Sam.” “No.” The reminder brought her down another notch. At least the media hadn’t

dug up all the facts and made connections she hoped to avoid. So far. “Hopefully the autopsy will be done tomorrow.” “Sorry. I know that’s a lot of pressure on you.” “It is.” And she needed some relief. “Natalie, I don’t know how this coming week is going to go. Could you work full-time through next weekend?” “Of course. No problem. I’m here for you when you need me.” “Thanks.” Katelyn moved to her apartment door, Thorne directly behind her. When she stepped inside, she turned to challenge him, then realized the assistant manager

was watching them with great interest. Had Natalie guessed what had been going on between them? Katelyn backed off and let Thorne in, waved to the other woman as if nothing was wrong, and closed the door. Her spine feeling like it had been fused straight, she made for the kitchen. Not that she was hungry, but she hadn’t eaten yet today. Eating was necessary for survival, and she was going to survive what had been thrown at her. Thorne. There, watching her. No sunglasses now. Eyes that expressed regret. If she could believe the look in his eyes.

If she could believe anything where he was concerned. She pulled a meal for one from the freezer and popped it in the microwave —some chicken and vegetable thing that held no appeal for her. She didn’t have an appetite of any kind after what she’d been through this morning. Thorne sat at the island, silent but watchful. “You’re not moving in here,” she informed him. “I didn’t assume you would let me.” Which meant he’d considered it? Did he really think she would just shrug her shoulders and say she understood? Like hell.

“Then why didn’t you go upstairs?” she asked. “I figured you’d have a few things you’d want to get off your chest first.” Yes. Him, for one. As she thought it, her chest tightened. A wave of memories from the day before washed over her, thickening her voice. “So you can tell me more lies?” “Everything I told you about myself was true other than that Daniel Westergard was my employer. You asked, so I told you what you needed to hear at the time so you could chill out. Finding your friend the other night was a horrible situation. For a while there, I feared you might break in two.”

“Ah, so you were trying to protect me again.” Undoubtedly, he was trying to regain her trust. Fat chance. “I’m a lot stronger than you give me credit for.” “Believe me, I give you plenty of credit. I knew when you learned that your father hired me to protect you that you were going to be angry with me. Just know that I was following his orders to the max. After finding Gilbert in the lake, I wanted to tell you why I was here. I tried to convince your father that would be the right thing, but he forbade it. He said you wouldn’t cooperate if you learned I was your secret bodyguard.” Secret bodyguard. Who did that? Her

controlling father, of course. Katelyn would have loved to call Mom and talk to her about it, but that would put her mother in a world of unnecessary worry. And she’d promised Daddy she wouldn’t. “What makes you think I’ll cooperate now?” “You promised your father.” “Only on my terms.” “I got that.” The microwave dinged. She pulled out the meal and began to pick at it. “So then let’s talk business. We need to figure out who has been sending Daddy those threatening emails.”

“At this point, you would be wasting your time. Leave it to the FBI. I’m sure they have more information than they shared with your father. There’s really nothing you can do.” “The FBI has had a week since the first email was sent, and they still haven’t been able to put a finger on the sender.” “What makes you think you can?” “If I’m the target, then it makes sense that I might know the person. Well, be acquainted with him or her at least. Someone hanging around here. Maybe I’ll see something that the authorities didn’t.” “Where do you want to start?”

“With the victims. Seven people died. From what Special Agent Ortiz told me, we can eliminate the two international students, Jay Chandra and Reiner Ohlson. And Zachary Hicks, also, since his parents died in a car accident a couple years back. His only family is a cousin in Florida, so he couldn’t have sent the email from the Milwaukee restaurant.” “That still leaves four victims.” But she thought she could narrow it down further. “Susan Barr’s parents are bringing a lawsuit against Hamilton Precision Weapons—which is why I would eliminate them. They’re channeling their grief in a different

direction. That leaves three victims— Nicole Dyer and that brother and sister, Jori and Rebecca Hill—so that’s only two possible threats.” “I see your point.” “The brother and sister seem likely to me. I mean, can you imagine the grief of losing two kids at once?” “True, though that second email points to some kind of temporary loss that became permanent.” “You’re right. We need to find out more about them. Any ideas on how we can do that?” she asked. “I mean, other than just running an Internet search on their names.” “I have a friend in Chicago who might

be able to help us out. Justus Nance, former homicide detective. He retired from the force to start Justus Investigations. I’ve done some work for him in the last year. He’s got people who do everything to solve a case. I’ll give him a call as soon as we’re done here.” “Good. But we are done here.” Even as she said it, Katelyn knew it was cold. A cruel thing to say. If Thorne Hudson had any feelings for her, that was, but there was no way she was going to fool herself into believing that. Ignoring his tight expression, she dug into her tasteless meal and forced herself to eat it. Truth be told, finding out who Thorne

really was might have left Katelyn heartbroken, but it didn’t shut down her feelings. Or the soul-sucking attraction that got to her every time she was near him. Even now, sitting across the island from him, that attraction sizzled. It was only anger—and her very strong will— that kept Katelyn from breaking down. Somehow, she kept up the pretense that he no longer meant anything to her, that she never wanted him to touch her again. But when he left to go make that phone call to Justus Nance, breaking down was what she did. Not a person to feel sorry for herself, Katelyn tried to stop her hand from shaking, tried to take a normal breath,

tried not to view the future as one of devastation. She reminded herself that she’d been through disappointment before. That she simply needed a bit of time. She’d gotten over her heartbreak over Aaron Starkman in a matter of months. If it took half a lifetime, she would do no less with Thorne Hudson.

Chapter 11 After things settled down, Katelyn finally dealt with the reporters who’d been stalking the property for the past two days. They were eager to pick up any tidbit she could offer about Sam’s death. It took a while, but she convinced them she had no new information to give, and told them the ME might have the autopsy results the next day. She refused to give them even a glimpse of her personal feelings, other than deep regret that she’d lost a fine employee. Thankfully, they left seeming

somewhat satisfied. For the next hour, she barricaded herself in her quarters. That got old fast. Unwilling to stay locked in her apartment, she figured getting the café ready to reopen the next day was a good idea. When she left her apartment, she noticed Thorne sitting in the guest-house lobby. Without speaking to him, she headed outside and around to the café’s entrance. Of course, he followed her. Once inside, she was aware of his shadowing her every move. As much as she wanted to, she couldn’t ignore his presence. She didn’t even need to have her eyes on him to know he was there. He kept his distance, but as she gathered

the menus from various places in the café and brought them back to the hostess stand, she could feel his dark gaze glued to her. And when she went into the kitchen to make sure it was ready to rock and roll at lunch the next day, she knew the exact second he stepped through the swinging doors. Glancing his way, she saw him take a military stance, arms crossed over his chest. Flushing uncomfortably, she turned her attention back to the work area. Tansy had seen that everything was clean and in order before the kitchen staff left Saturday night. Katelyn was relieved that she didn’t have to do a thing in here.

The thought of keeping track of everything having to do with the café upped her stress level a bit. And it had nothing to do with Thorne standing there like a statue, watching her every move. She finally had to admit to herself that she needed help in the café as well as at the guest house. Which of course Thorne had suggested days ago—advice she had ignored. Ignoring the problem no longer, she got out her cell and put in a call to her best waitress. Tansy answered. “Hey, Katelyn, are you back in town?” “I’m in the café kitchen, actually. Everything looks great. Which leads me

to ask you for a really big favor.” One she hoped Tansy wouldn’t turn down. “So ask.” “I could really use your help until things go back to normal around here. How would you feel about my promoting you to assistant manager?” “You want me to manage the café?” “I can still handle the hostessing.” She hoped. She needed something to keep her mind off less positive things. “But I could use your help managing the kitchen and bar.” That was so she wouldn’t have to work directly with Thorne when he was back to his bartender duties. “Temporarily,” Katelyn assured Tansy, though perhaps she would make that

change permanent after all. Not that she was looking forward to hiring yet another new employee if Tansy didn’t want the job. Whatever. That would have to wait until this nightmare was over. “Yes, sure. I’ll help you any way I can.” “Bless your heart.” Tansy laughed. “You don’t have to be so dramatic. You’ve been such a great boss, it’ll be my pleasure to return the goodwill.” “All right. Tomorrow, then.” “Tomorrow.” Reminding her that he was still there,

watching her every move, Thorne said, “I didn’t think you had it in you to let go. I applaud you.” He was still standing military style. She flicked him a look that said he didn’t interest her. “Don’t you think you’re overdoing this guard-duty thing a bit?” “What do you suggest I do instead?” “Stay out on the patio, for one.” “And not be able to see you?” “Works for me.” Obviously, not for him. He didn’t answer, nor did he budge. So the playacting was over. He was all business. All bodyguard. Nothing personal between them.

Exactly how she wanted things, she told herself, but as she passed him to go into the office, her body betrayed her. Every nerve went on alert. Though she didn’t so much as touch him, her skin prickled. She clenched her jaw and readied herself to throw him out if he followed her into that small space. Instead, he stood in the doorway, shoulder against the jamb. Trapping her. Refusing to let him get a glimpse of the emotional roller coaster she was riding, Katelyn took a seat at the computer, her back to him. An email in her inbox with Radtke’s name in the subject line got her attention. It was from

one of the man’s former employers who’d never gotten back to her. Sorry it’s taken so long to get back to you, but I was out of town on business. Donald Radtke did a good job while working for us, but he quit last week without notice. Don’t know if that makes him reliable. Which reminded Katelyn of Sam. Only, Sam hadn’t walked out on her, after all…. Too late now to worry about why Radtke hadn’t given notice to his last employer.

Forcing herself to get back to current business, Katelyn brought up the food specials for the next day, made a few changes, then printed out copies that would go with the regular menus. But taking them to the hostess stand meant passing Thorne again. Close physical contact. She stopped in front of him, leaving a safe distance between them. “If you’re trying to unnerve me, you’re failing,” she lied. “I’m simply getting irritated. You need to keep out of my way.” “I was hoping when you caught your breath, you would be willing to talk this through calmly.”

“I am calm. And convinced that you need to back off, Hudson.” Using his last name was meant to distance herself from him. If only that would work. Memories of the past two days flooded her thoughts. Threatened to choke her. It took every ounce of will she had to stand there in front of him as if he didn’t affect her at all. “All right, I’ll give you some time,” he agreed. “Something to think about, too. I want you to know that I wasn’t playacting where you’re concerned. I came to care about you, Katelyn, more than I thought was possible.” “Please—” “Yes, please believe me. Your father

might have hired me to be your bodyguard, but my feelings for you are real. I would do anything to protect you. It’s not a job to me anymore. It’s personal.” “And why should I believe anything you tell me?” Without waiting for his reply, she put out her hand, landed it flat in the middle of his chest, and pushed. “Just stay out of my way, Hudson. Watch me from afar if you have to, but don’t think for a minute that I want you in my life.” With that lie, she shoved past him. She might want him in her life, but she wanted the Thorne she thought she’d come to know over the past few days.

The one that didn’t exist. Reality—the truth—could be brutal. Steeling herself against him, she went about her business and then headed back to the guest house, where she took refuge in the safety of her own quarters. — Later that afternoon, Natalie called her from the front desk. “We have a problem. Geneva Laundry’s truck broke down. They won’t be able to deliver our linens today. Not tomorrow morning, either.” Twice a week, Geneva Laundry washed and pressed their sheets and

towels for the guest house and the tablecloths and cloth napkins for the café. “When, then?” Katelyn asked. “Late tomorrow afternoon at the earliest.” Great. Another problem she needed to deal with. At least this wasn’t a life-ordeath situation. “That won’t do.” “That’s what I told them.” “I know for certain that we don’t have enough tablecloths for lunch tomorrow.” “Or clean sheets for the rooms that will turn over,” Natalie added. “The delivery manager said he’s shorthanded, too, and if we want our

linens today the only alternative is for us to pick up the load ourselves.” “Fine,” Katelyn said. “I’ll do it.” She could use a break from Lakeside. And from Thorne. Unfortunately, he would go wherever she went. Well, at least he had a perfectly good truck with more than enough room for the load. But when she went back out into the lobby to tell him about the errand they needed to run, he was nowhere in sight. Two little girls were running around wildly, screeching at each other, their frantic mother trying to corral them. Trying not to let them get on her nerves, Katelyn gave the harried young woman an encouraging smile and went

straight to the desk to talk to Natalie. “Have you seen Thorne?” she asked. “Uh, no, not for a while. After he came back from the café with you, he sat there for a long time for some reason, then headed outside.” “How long ago was that?” “Maybe ten or fifteen minutes.” Katelyn checked her watch. The laundry would close in less than a half hour. If she didn’t get on the road soon, she wouldn’t be able to make it. Tension curled her insides into one big knot. She said, “I’ll go out and look for him.” “Okay.” Though Natalie appeared a

bit puzzled over her wanting to find Thorne, the other woman didn’t comment. Glad to see the harried mother had clasped the hands of both little girls and was leading them upstairs to their room, Katelyn left. Outside, she looked around. No Thorne. His truck was there, still parked at the back of the lot, but he wasn’t in it. Irritated, she circled the building, but the only people she saw were a family that had rented two guest rooms for the whole week. The mother and father were sitting on the lawn watching their three kids throw a ball to each other. Where the heck was Thorne? He’d

been practically on top of her earlier, but now, when she actually could use his help, he did a disappearing act? Katelyn checked her watch again. If she wanted fresh linens for tomorrow, she would have to go get them by herself. Now. Fine. Tracking back the way she’d come, she headed for her car. Geneva Laundry was just north of town. She could drive there, pick up the load, and return to Lakeside in twenty minutes or so. Thorne would undoubtedly lecture her when he realized what she’d done, but so be it. She would have some words for him, too. Or she would simply ignore him.

Taking a last look around but still not finding him, she drove off the lot and past the police car still parked at the entrance, reminding her that Lakeside was still considered a possible crime scene. — Thorne stood in the wooded area west of the Lakeside property. Ears attuned to the slightest sounds, he waited for a footfall or a branch whipping back— anything—to tell him where the person he’d been following had gone. The only noise he was aware of was a rustling on the road above. With Katelyn holed up in her

apartment, he’d left the guest-house lobby just to get some air. And to walk off his mounting frustration. He wondered how or even if he could ever convince Katelyn that he had true feelings for her. He didn’t blame her for not trusting him now, but he hoped to find a way to make her come around eventually. Though he’d known Katelyn Wade for less than a week, he would never be able to forget her. He didn’t want to forget her. He’d been thinking about how much he wanted her in his life when he’d seen a glimmer of something within the stand of trees beyond the parking lot. A

glimmer like sunlight reflecting off glass. A camera lens? Binoculars? He’d decided to find out. By the time he’d gotten into the wooded area, however, whoever had been there seemed to have disappeared. He’d found a few fresh footprints, but they could have been left by a hiker. Even so, he wanted to be extra cautious. That new email Hamilton had received had indeed been pointing toward his oldest child. Thorne was as convinced of that as Katelyn’s father had been. He didn’t want to let anything get by him. But when he saw nothing more, heard nothing other than birds and crickets and a rabbit’s hopping rustling the ground

cover, he figured it was time to back off. Still, he did so cautiously, his gaze continually beaming from point to point to point. As he made his way through the woods, he heard a vehicle he couldn’t yet see leaving the lot. A moment later, he caught the sound of a car starting up at the road beyond the property. Whoever he’d been tracking? Too much greenery between him and the road to see anything. At least the walk had done him some good. Exercise had relieved some of the stress he’d piled on himself since he’d realized that the woman who had his heart had taken off on him that morning. Dodging a teenager as he entered the

guest house, Thorne convinced himself that he simply had to be patient. He needed to give Katelyn some time before he approached her about their relationship again. That decided, he threw himself into one of the chairs to wait for her to leave her quarters. Chances were he’d be there all night. No problem. He’d slept in much worse places in Afghanistan. “Did Katelyn find you?” He looked over to Natalie, behind the desk. “Katelyn? She was looking for me?” “Yes. A little crisis here. Geneva Laundry’s truck died, so they can’t deliver the linens we need for the

morning. I think she wanted you to take her. She went outside to look for you.” He flew out of his seat and headed for the door, where he scoured the parking lot—Katelyn was nowhere in sight. And her car was gone. He remembered hearing a vehicle leave the lot as he’d been making his way out of the woods. Damn it to hell, she’d gone off on her own! “Where is this laundry?” he asked Natalie. “A few blocks north of Main Street.” The assistant manager had barely given him the directions before he whipped out of the guest house and ran for his truck.

— By the time Katelyn parked in Geneva Laundry’s loading dock, she was properly spooked. Just her imagination, she tried telling herself, but she couldn’t fight the notion that she’d been followed. Thanks, Daddy, for putting scary thoughts in my head. You, too, Thorne. Because of them, she was very much on edge. She’d seen the dark sedan pulling out from a stand of trees shortly after she’d left the property. Her hands had been sweating by the time she reached Main Street. Then she’d thought she’d lost whoever it was, only to see the sedan

again a moment later before it disappeared once more. Still in her car, she looked around for anything suspicious, but the street was nearly deserted. Nothing threatening was visible. Shaking off the sucky feeling that held her trapped in her seat, she opened the door and got out. She had to stop letting her father’s and Thorne’s paranoia affect her. After all, it was possible that no one was after her. That no one had been following her. That there was no connection between the threats of revenge against her father and Sam’s death. She comforted herself with those thoughts as she went inside to collect the

linens, which had been shrink-wrapped in bundles. The delivery manager helped her load them into her trunk and backseat. “Thanks, Matt. Are you sure you’ll have your truck in working order tomorrow?” “If not, we’ll get a rental. Sorry about today, though, Ms. Wade.” “It all worked out. Don’t worry about it.” Every business has at least an occasional setback, as she’d so recently experienced herself. Nodding to her, the man returned to his work inside, leaving her alone in the loading dock. Katelyn ducked inside her car to straighten a few of the bundles that

looked like they would shoot off the seat the first time she hit the brakes. It wasn’t until she straightened up again that she bumped into someone standing directly behind her. Heart pumping, she whirled around to find her former boyfriend scowling at her. “Aaron! What in the world—” “We need to get something straight here, Katelyn.” Anger pulsed off him, making her wonder if she hadn’t imagined being followed after all. Maybe he’d been waiting for her to leave Lakeside and then had followed her. He was in some mood, she would give him that. His hair fell over his forehead in tangles, and his

dark eyes looked like molten lava. “Get what straight?” Flicking her gaze over his shoulder, she looked for a dark sedan but didn’t see one. What had he been driving and where had he parked? Realizing he hadn’t answered her, she said, “I already told you that I’m not interested in getting back together.” He was practically foaming at the mouth when he asked, “And because I told you how I felt, you decided to ruin my life?” And here she’d barely given him a second thought since he’d shown up at Lakeside the other day. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” “What did you say to your father about

me?” That left her staring at him openmouthed. Her father? “What?” He’d somehow met Daddy after they’d broken up? “He warned me about your being offlimits. Or else.” “Wait a minute.” This didn’t make sense. “Are you saying my father looked you up to warn you off?” “He didn’t have to go far to find me,” Aaron said. “I’ve been working for him since the first of the year.” So she’d been correct. He had continued to pursue working for her father even after she’d broken up with him—something he hadn’t mentioned

when he’d shown up. He’d been too busy acting so concerned about her welfare. “You’re working for him where?” she asked. “Where do you think? Hamilton Precision Weapons, of course. Exactly where I wanted to be all along, even though you never helped me like I asked you to. I impressed the hell out of your old man all on my own. He recently promoted me to director of sales. And I don’t intend to stop there.” “I had no idea,” she said stiffly. “So, congratulations. I have to get going now.” She opened the driver’s door to get in

her car, but he grabbed her upper arm hard, stopping her. Trying to pull free only made him hang on tighter. “I’m warning you, Katelyn.” His expression closed and his voice deepened, his grip on her arm hard enough to bruise her. “Don’t ruin this job for me or you’ll be sorry.” There was a darkness about him that frightened her. Her pulse picked up its pace, her chest tight, but she refused to back down. There were several men nearby in the laundry. If he tried anything, she would scream loud enough to bring them running. “Sorry how?” she asked. “Remember, I know who you are. The

world still doesn’t, at least not in this neck of the woods. Bascom College and Hamilton Precision Weapons are on people’s minds here. Somehow you’ve managed to keep your connection to the shooting quiet.” “You’re threatening me with telling everyone?” “Some people around Lake Geneva may be related to the dead or wounded. How do you think they’ll react if they know the daughter of the man who made the assault rifle that killed seven innocent students owns Lakeside Guest House and Café?” She’d tried not to think about that. She’d spent a lifetime away from her

father’s spotlight, and she didn’t want that to change. “Don’t you think their knowing that might affect your business?” he asked. “Keep your mouth shut about me when talking to your father. Better yet, sing my praises. Just know that if you ruin things for me, I’ll do worse to you.” “If you want to be able to use that hand anytime soon, you’ll take it off her right now!” Thorne had appeared as if out of nowhere. When Aaron didn’t immediately respond, Thorne flashed a hand around the man’s wrist and did something to make Aaron yelp and let go of her, though Thorne didn’t let go of him.

Pulling her arm away, Katelyn rubbed her bruised flesh as Thorne literally backed the red-faced Aaron into a corner of the loading dock. “You don’t want to mess with me,” he warned the other man, who was trying to no avail to get away. “Stay away from Katelyn. She’s not the only one who can ruin things for you with Hamilton.” The second he let Aaron go, the man took off, looking back only once, and his expression when his eyes met Katelyn’s shocked her. She would have sworn he aimed something like pure evil her way. “Get in your car and drive straight back to Lakeside,” Thorne ordered her. “I’ll be right behind you.”

Thinking she was done taking orders from Thorne Hudson, Katelyn opened her mouth to tell him so, then snapped it shut just as quickly. The hard stare he gave her brooked no argument. He was definitely in bodyguard mode. Which, Katelyn had to admit, was a very good thing, given the circumstances. Even so, when she slid into the driver’s seat, she slammed her car door in response. If she expected him to flinch, she was disappointed. He was already heading for his truck. A quick look back assured her that Aaron had disappeared. That didn’t keep her from looking for a suspicious sedan the entire way home.

— Back at the guest house, they carried several of the bundles of tablecloths and towels from Katelyn’s car to the lobby before Natalie and one of the daytime maids took over. “My apartment?” Katelyn said softly, not waiting for him to reply before getting out her keys and heading for the door. Thorne followed her. They needed to get a few things straight. She could have gotten hurt. Killed. His heart had nearly stopped when he’d seen Aaron Starkman threatening her. He’d had to use the utmost restraint not to do serious damage

to the man. When Katelyn closed her apartment door behind them, Thorne wasted no time in laying into her. “What were you thinking by leaving here alone like that?” Part of him wanted to shake some sense into her. The other part wanted to hold her in his arms, to feel her against him, where he could protect her with his life until this thing was done. “I was thinking we wouldn’t have linens for tomorrow”—she brushed by him so close he had to keep himself from reaching out to pull her to him—“and you found some reason to be gone at the very moment I needed to pick them up.” “You could have waited for me to

come back,” he countered. “You could have been here! Isn’t it your job to be on my ass twenty-four– seven?” “I was in the wooded area to the west.” “Why?” “I thought I saw someone who might have been watching this place, maybe through binoculars. Whoever it was got away. I’m pretty sure he had a car hidden off the road. And I’m pretty sure it was your former boyfriend.” “Aaron.” She nodded. “That works for me. I swore a dark sedan pulled out of nowhere and followed me. I didn’t see it when he showed up, though.”

“Probably parked around the corner.” “Probably. I don’t know how much you heard, but he works for—” “Your father’s weapons plant,” Thorne finished for her. “Hamilton told me.” “Aaron works in sales. Actually, he’s the new director of sales, which means he has full access to the weapons.” “And someone stole the assault rifle discarded by the shooter at Bascom College from the plant,” Thorne added. “You think Starkman had it in him to do it?” She shrugged. “I don’t know. I don’t see him as a killer. Then again, I never saw him as horrible as he was today,

but…” “But?” “But I was wondering if he needs money. I know he likes to gamble. When we were dating, he promised it wasn’t a problem, but he always went for broke, in all aspects of his life. And there was a time I walked in on him when some lowlife was threatening him for money he owed. That was around the time I broke up with him, when it was becoming more and more apparent that he wasn’t the man I’d thought he was.” “Then he might have stolen the weapon to sell to someone else,” Thorne said. “And for all we know, he could be using your father to get to you. He could

be the one sending those threatening emails.” Katelyn gasped. “You think Aaron wants me dead?” “I think he wants you scared. Terrified. At least it seemed that way to me today.” “So the revenge isn’t really against Daddy? You think Aaron might want revenge against me for spoiling his plans by breaking up with him last year?” “Just a thought.” “Nothing we can prove.” “Maybe we can’t prove any of this, but the authorities might have a field day with that information,” he said. “We

need to put it on the table, let the FBI run with it, and see where it gets them.” “What if we’re wrong?” “What if we’re not?” Appearing defeated, she sank down on the sofa. “You’re right. And then Aaron will carry through with his threat, and life as I know it here will be over.” “Didn’t that already happen the other night?” Thorne felt certain that their finding Sam Gilbert dead was still tearing Katelyn apart. How could it not have changed everything for her? And now, her former lover potentially being involved in a mass killing had to be quadruply devastating.

“People here discovering who I am will make it all worse.” She sounded as if she thought other residents would run her out of town on a rail because of her father’s company. “In your mind, I’m sure,” he agreed. “But I would bet most people are fairer than you give them credit for.” “Is that really your experience in life?” she asked. Making Thorne remember his own shortcomings when it came to her. “Not a good comparison.” “I can’t let this ruin my dream and everything I’ve worked so hard for.” She sounded so forlorn that he wanted

to take her in his arms and convince her that it would all work out, that everything would be all right. Only he wouldn’t lie to her again. He hadn’t known the kindness of strangers very often in his life. Though he was trying to be hopeful for her, he couldn’t say for certain how the community would react to the truth. “If it’s not Aaron,” she said, “then it has to be someone else I know.” “Someone who knows that Robert Hamilton is your father.” “Someone who already lives here in Lake Geneva.” Her brow creased into a frown. If they didn’t figure this out soon,

Thorne was certain things were about to get a lot worse.

Chapter 12 Despite her reluctance about Thorne moving in with her, Katelyn let him spend the night on her couch. She thought it might be the only way she could sleep after what had happened with Aaron. Even so, she awoke multiple times, with the bad dreams she had lingering in her mind. It was the first time in her life she felt so rattled. She refused to use the word scared. Thorne had called her father, telling him about the newest incident with

Aaron. And about their suspicions over Aaron’s having access to the weapons at the plant. Barely a half hour later, FBI special agent Isabel Ortiz had called to go over all that information again. Katelyn had assured her that the conclusions she and Thorne had come to were mere speculation. Even though Aaron had issued a direct threat, that wasn’t sufficient to prove his guilt in any larger crime. During a quick breakfast of cereal and berries with Thorne, she declared that this would be a “normal” day. “I’m going to get to work, seeing first to the guest house, then to the café for the lunch hour. What are you going to do?” she

asked him. “I can find something to keep me entertained in the lobby until we go over to the café.” “Great. Natalie is already wondering about you.” “Tell her I’m your bodyguard.” “Right.” “Not that she’ll believe you,” he went on. “She’ll assume we’re lovers.” “Then she’ll be wrong.” “Maybe for right now.” “Don’t get your hopes up.” She waited for Thorne to counter that, but he chose that moment to go silent. Which was for the best. Even the thought

of something happening between them again was making her squirm inside. He might set her body on fire, but with the way she hated lies, her mind was still reeling from his dishonesty and she didn’t think she could find it in her heart to forgive him. Setting her empty bowl in the sink, she turned on the water and rinsed it out. “I’ll be ready to go in five minutes.” She headed for her bedroom to freshen up. “Just so you know.” “I’ll be waiting right here for you,” he assured her. “Just so you know.” She did her best not to think about that as she cleaned up, put on a fresh top, and pulled a brush through her hair, which

she then fastened in back with a clip. She accomplished it all in the promised five minutes and reentered her living room as Thorne finished a phone call. “Thank you. Yes, of course. Keep us informed.” He hung up. “That was Justus Nance, the investigator I contacted in Chicago. He had information about those three victims we zeroed in on.” The look of concern on Thorne’s face made Katelyn’s pulse surge. “He learned something significant?” “Nicole Dyer was adopted. He got the name of her birth mother, Faye Robinson, who gave her up, when he tracked down Nicole’s birth certificate. The father is listed as being unknown.”

“So then she must be the child referred to as having been taken in that second email,” Katelyn said. The child taken from you has the most power over your heart…. “Not necessarily. Jori and Rebecca Hill also had an unusual background. Their parents divorced when they were teenagers. Their mother, Abby, got custody of fourteen-year-old Jori, but since Rebecca was sixteen and wanted to go with her father, Kevin, the judge allowed it.” “So the person seeking revenge could be either this Faye Robinson or Kevin Hill.” “Or Abby Hill,” Thorne said, pausing

for a second before adding, “By the way, her maiden name was Eklund.” Katelyn gasped. “Related to Gerard Eklund?” “Justus didn’t know that, but he is going to look into it. And into seeing if he can pry the name of Nicole Dyer’s birth father from her mother.” Katelyn’s mind was racing. “I thought it was odd that Eklund just happened to be in Prairie Springs, but he said his bank had a booth at their summer festival.” She’d taken him at his word because of the sunglasses he’d given her, but she hadn’t actually seen the booth. “Wait a minute—Eklund was there? Why didn’t you say so before?”

“Because his name just came up from your investigator friend. Eklund made me uneasy, but he didn’t threaten me.” Not like Aaron had. “I need to know what’s going on with you if I’m going to protect you. So what happened with Eklund?” “He told me his business had a booth at the fair there. He came into the café there when I was trying to buy a ride back to Lake Geneva.” “Buy a ride?” She ignored his outraged tone. “Eklund volunteered to bring me home. And I let him.” “What was the cost?”

“He didn’t charge me.” “I didn’t mean monetary. He must have wanted something.” “Information.” “About?” “He questioned me about Sam’s death. And somehow he’d learned that Robert Hamilton is my father….” “He’s obviously aware of the potential connection between those two things. You should share that information with Special Agent Ortiz.” Katelyn pulled out her cellphone to make that call. “Maybe this will give the FBI the information they need to break the case.”

She could only hope so. Then this state of unreality would be over. Not to mention that Thorne Hudson would be out of her life. Forever. — Ten minutes later, Thorne was parked in one of the lobby chairs as Katelyn went over the week’s reservations with Natalie. How long was this going to take? He pulled out his cell and checked the time. They had an hour before they needed to report to the café. He kept one eye on Katelyn while he reviewed his emails—mostly junk. He deleted those,

took a quick look at others. Nothing pressing. So why was he getting an adrenaline charge? This sense of building anticipation he had? It felt as if something was going to happen, and happen fast. Justus was a great investigator, and he had experienced people working for him. It was simply a matter of time before his team dug up the goods they needed to identify who wanted revenge. To identify Sam Gilbert’s killer. Footsteps on the stairs alerted him to new arrivals. He glanced up to see a young couple coming down from their room.

“Ms. Wade,” the man called. “Thanks for telling us about that mailboat tour the other day. We took it, and it was really fun. Now we’re up for a little action. This afternoon, we’d like to take your speedboat out for a spin on the lake.” “He wants to take the speedboat for a spin,” the woman clarified. “I’m merely going along for the ride to make him happy.” “I’ll bet you’ll enjoy it, though, Mrs. Stewart,” Katelyn said, but then she frowned. “Oh, wait. I didn’t gas up the tank the other day.” “Oh, too bad,” the woman said cheerily. But the man was frowning. “Can’t you

fill the tank now? I told you I wanted to rent the boat, and you’ve had days to do it.” Thorne could see the man had made Katelyn uncomfortable, but she covered with one of her brilliant smiles. “Um, of course.” She looked over to Thorne. “Something that you could do, Thorne?” “Something for us to do.” What was she thinking? It was obvious that for some reason she didn’t want to do it, but no way would he go off and leave her alone. “Together.” “Right,” Katelyn agreed. “Lunch hour is coming up, but we can get over to Bayside Marina to gas up before having

to open the café.” Thankfully, Thorne thought. He couldn’t wait to get out of the lobby. A boat ride on the lake and some time alone with Katelyn were bonuses he hadn’t expected. — Before leaving to fill the boat’s tank, Katelyn insisted they deliver the clean tablecloths and napkins to the café so someone could set the tables. Thankfully, her newly promoted assistant manager was already there. “Ah, I was wondering where those were,” Tansy said, taking the bundles

Katelyn was carrying from her. She nodded to Thorne. “Follow me. What I don’t need now, we can stack in a closet in the office.” While she was there, Katelyn decided to check on the kitchen. To her relief, it appeared fully staffed. Everyone seemed to be on the job. But when she came back out to the restaurant, she noticed Sophie standing pressed against one of the bussing stations. An intense-looking Donald Radtke seemed to have her trapped. What in the world was going on? As she went over to find out, Radtke turned and, noting her approach with a sour expression, said something to

Sophie, then walked away. Staring after him, Katelyn frowned. “What was that all about? Are you all right?” “Of course I’m all right. We were just talking.” Katelyn gave her a questioning look. “Is something wrong?” Sophie asked. “It just seemed like he was pressuring you about something.” “No, he said I kind of remind him of someone and asked me about the work I do in the kitchen.” That sounded a lot friendlier than the Donald Radtke who growled at her and gave her dour looks.

Thorne chose that moment to reappear from the office. “Ready to gas up the boat?” Sophie took that as her cue to leave, and Katelyn said, “Now or never.” Heading down to the pier with Thorne, however, she couldn’t shake a deep sense of unease. For a minute, she couldn’t swallow. Could hardly breathe. Had trouble focusing. In her mind’s eye, she saw Sam’s body rolling out from under the pier…. Blinking the phantasm away, she tried to act like nothing was wrong. But as she was getting into the boat, she was offbalance just enough that Thorne had to grab her by the waist to keep her from

falling. His hands on her flesh, his breath on her neck, his heat searing her rear— all made her choke back a small sob of longing before she freed herself. “I don’t need your help!” His eyebrows rose practically to his hairline. “That’s a matter of opinion.” If he touched her again, she might weaken, and she didn’t want to be with a man she couldn’t trust. “Just keep your hands off me.” “If you say so.” “Well, I do!” Untying the dock lines from the cleats on the pier, she stood at the wheel and started the engine, slowly backing the

boat out of its slip. While she had to look over her shoulder at the pier to make sure everything was lined up correctly and that there were no snags, she avoided glancing at the area where they’d found Sam. She hadn’t wanted to come down here. Hadn’t even wanted to see the pier so soon. Maybe never again! Would she ever be able to enjoy this once-idyllic spot without remembering? There was no way she could avoid the sight of the pier from her apartment windows or from the café. The pier would always be a reminder of that terrible night when they found Sam. His body rolling out from under the boards

was emblazoned in her mind forever. She would never be able to wipe it away. Knowing that, she had no clue if she would be able to run her business with the love and devotion she’d given it over the past six months. If not, what then? What did the future hold for her and her dream? She felt like she was being choked, the pressure in her chest only subsiding as the distance from Lakeside grew. By the time they were approaching the middle of Geneva Lake, she could again take a normal breath. Too bad she couldn’t think of anything normal to say.

“I’m assuming that if you’d heard anything from the medical examiner about the autopsy, you would have told me, wouldn’t you?” she asked Thorne. “I haven’t heard from Weaver or from Cole since we got back to Lake Geneva.” “Weaver said it would take forty-eight hours for the diatom test. It’s been that already.” “If he put the test through right when he called.” He pulled out his cell and dialed. “But I will check for you. I’ll call him right now.” A few seconds later, the medical examiner answered. “Weaver here. Mr. Hudson, I was just about to call Ms.

Wade.” “She’s here and we’re on speakerphone,” Thorne said. “What’s all that noise?” “Boat engine. We’re on our way to gas up for some customers.” Impatient with the chitchat, Katelyn cut the engine and let the boat slow. “Do you have the autopsy report finished?” “Indeed I do.” Her throat tightened again. “Did Sam drown or not?” “I’m afraid he didn’t, Ms. Wade. He was already dead when he went into the water. Which means he was murdered.” Her knees gave out and she sank into

the seat behind her. “How?” she choked out. “Blunt force trauma. That blow to his head. I determined that it was newer than the bruises on his body. Those must have been from some kind of fall he took a day or two before he died, but that wasn’t what killed him. He was hit on the head with something hard and narrow.” “No clue as to the weapon?” Thorne asked. “Not yet. First we need to figure out where it happened. Not the pier, not the café patio, not the walkway between. Which unfortunately means we need to widen the search in and around your

property, Ms. Wade, and beyond that, into the woods.” “Yes, of course. Whatever you need to do, you’ll have my full cooperation.” “Detective Cole will have a team there in an hour.” “Great. Just in time for lunch.” She might not have to make any decision about Lakeside’s future, after all. The continuing investigation into the murder of someone who had worked for her might kill the business on its own. They signed off and Katelyn rammed the motor, speeding across the water as fast as she could push the engine. She needed to be back on the premises before Cole’s team got on site to

minimize the damage. Luckily, when they arrived at the marina, she didn’t have to wait for the gas. In less than five minutes, the tank was filled, the gas was paid for, and they were on their way home. “Talking about it might help,” Thorne finally said. “Help who? Sam?” Standing behind the wheel again, albeit on shaky legs, Katelyn headed the boat away from the shoreline. “He’s dead. Not coming back.” “There’s still a killer to catch.” Another speedboat was coming their way fast, and loud enough that Katelyn had to raise her voice to be heard. “The

police don’t even know where he died.” “Somewhere on your property. Given time, they’ll find the exact spot. Plus they know when he died and how.” “Vaguely how.” She suddenly realized that the other boat—bigger and faster than hers—was coming straight for them. “He came back to the guest house for his sunglasses on Monday night, right?” Thorne asked. “Right.” “What if he never left?” But now she was distracted by the other boat. The sun was glaring off its windshield, so she couldn’t see who

was behind the wheel. Maybe the other driver couldn’t see them, either. She shifted course to get out of the way, but the bigger boat followed suit. The prow was coming straight at them. Considering the size of the other craft, if it hit them straight-on, it looked as if it could cut them in two. “Hey!” she yelled, blaring her horn. “Move over!” But the other driver didn’t seem to hear any better than he could see. The menacing craft was bearing down on them fast. “Hey!” Thorne was now standing and waving both arms at the driver. She yelled, “Hold on!”

Swerving hard, tilting the hull to the right, tightening her leg muscles, and gripping the wheel with all her strength, she somehow held on herself as they arched to the right, her boat nearly on its side. That is, until the other boat rammed them anyway, hitting the side hard enough to jerk the wheel out of her hands. She flew up and backward. Hung suspended by air alone for long enough that her speedboat curled out of the way. And then she dropped straight into the lake and plunged downward as the attacking boat made a tight turn and tore toward her through the water. “Katelyn!” Thorne yelled. She heard her name burble through the

water as the near impact of the other craft mere inches from her spun her around. The wash pushed her sideways and she sank faster, all the while sucking in lake water. Was this it, then? The end? A real drowning this time? Revenge complete? Surely no accident! Choking on the water she was taking in, Katelyn faced what seemed inevitable even as she fought her way back to the surface. Above her, she could see the attacking boat arcing around, coming perilously close. It missed her, but the moment her head cleared the surface, the boat’s wake slapped her in the head. Under she went

again, swallowing more water, with little fight left in her. Thorne! Her last thoughts were of him…. Behind the bar, his best smile winning over customers. In that sinkhole, saving that dog, and later saving Joey. In bed, taking her to places she’d never been before. Struggling against the inevitable, she reached up as if to grab the sky— And suddenly, a manacle surrounded her wrist and made it happen. Her arm felt like it was being pulled out of its socket, but her head was

suddenly clear of the water. She choked on the air she sucked in. Hands were on her now. Familiar hands. Thorne’s hands. Dragging and lifting her. Powering her into the boat. Pulling her into him, surrounding her with solid support, holding on to her like he would never let her go. “He was trying to run you over!” A hand on either side of her head, he tilted it back so he could look into her face. “I thought I’d lost you!” Coughing ripped her head free from his hands. Lake water ripped from her lungs and onto his chest. She didn’t

argue. Made no attempt to pull away from him when he squeezed her hard to him. She clung to him, clung to life. No matter what else she thought about him, Katelyn believed Thorne would do everything in his power to protect her as promised. He gave her a minute to get her bearings, then circled her waist with one arm and pulled her back toward the wheel. “We need to get out of here in case he comes back.” Still gasping for air, Katelyn let Thorne take over. “Did you see who it was?” He revved the engine and moved off. “No. The driver was wearing a baseball

cap and sunglasses. Everything happened so fast, I barely got a glimpse after the boat rammed us. Then I was so focused on getting the boat stable and bringing you in that I couldn’t pay attention to anything else.” Not only her hands were shaking, she was shaking inside, as well. All the way back to Lakeside, she kept an eye out for the attack boat, but it might as well have sped into the mists of time. A ghost craft. Vanished. — For the first time in his life, Thorne felt

the urge to kill fill him with a seething red haze. He was no stranger to death, certainly. In Afghanistan, when their convoy had been hit, he’d rescued half the men in his company. He’d killed the enemy to save them. He hadn’t thought about it, hadn’t planned it, hadn’t savored it. He’d done only what was necessary to survive. He’d killed again over the next months, more than once, to save men he barely knew. Some of the survivors were nameless to him, simply faces he probably wouldn’t even recognize if he saw them again. But he knew Katelyn Wade better than he’d ever known anyone in his life.

He knew everything about her that a man could know about a woman. Had memorized her face. Her body. Her spirit. He couldn’t be without her. But he might have to be without her, because it looked like she would never fully forgive him. He couldn’t let that happen. Despite his being at her side, she’d almost died in the lake. No accident. Some animal bent on revenge. He was supposed to be guarding her with his life, but he had almost lost her. Forever. No going back. No do-overs. The red haze threatened to overtake him. He couldn’t fight it. Didn’t want to. Let it fill him with the strength he would

need to get her safely to the end of this particular conflict. He had to think of it that way now. A battle. A war. One he had to win. At this moment, there was no doubt in Thorne’s mind that he would do whatever it took to protect the woman he loved. This time, he thought it. He planned it. He savored it. If that’s what it took to save her, he would kill the killer. So when they got back to Lakeside, he marched Katelyn, dripping wet, through

the lobby. Natalie gaped at Katelyn. “What happened to you?” “I took a little swim” was all Katelyn said. Once inside her apartment, he pushed her into the bedroom and then toward the bathroom. “Go dry yourself off. I’ll get you some fresh clothes.” He was already opening her closet door. Frowning at him, she stopped and swayed a little. “I can get my own clothes.” “Don’t argue. Save your energy.” He pulled out a pair of long cotton jeans and a denim shirt. “Here.”

She grabbed them from him. “Is it all right if I pick out my own underwear?” He grunted at her, and she stopped at the nearby dresser to dig through one of the drawers. “Don’t take too long,” he ordered. She flashed him a look of irritation. “I won’t. Cole and his men will be here any minute.” After she disappeared into the bathroom, he muttered, “That’s what I’m afraid of.” He wanted to get her off the premises before they had to make explanations that would delay them. That would give the attacker another chance to get at her. Calling Detective Cole and giving him

the 911 on the averted kill shot could wait until they were on the road. Still in her closet, he pulled out a travel bag and threw more clean clothes in. He was at the dresser grabbing more underwear when the bathroom door opened. Seeing her finery in his hands as he dumped it into the bag, she gasped at him. “What are you doing?” “We need to get out of here, and we need to go now.” “Go where?” she demanded. “And for how long?” “Someplace where a potential killer can’t find you. For however long it takes for the authorities to nail him.”

“Detective Cole should know about what just happened! We need to make a report.” She pulled out her cellphone. He grabbed it from her hand. “Hey, give that back to me!” “No way in hell,” he said, opening the back and removing the battery. “I’m getting you out of here first.” He stuffed the parts in his own pocket. “I’m not giving your attacker another chance at you.” “This is crazy.” She shook her head. “I can’t leave my business indefinitely. Someone has to run it.” “If I remember correctly, you already

took care of that. You asked Natalie to work full-time all week.” “That’s the guest house.” “And you promoted Tansy.” “Just to see to the kitchen.” “And bar,” he reminded her. “Either get Chad in here or go back to serving beer and wine until the weekend.” He could see that she was trembling again, and not out of anger. When she spoke, she nearly choked on her words. “I-if I go…I might n-not want to come back to the business.” So that was the real problem. Her uncertainty about the future. And undoubtedly about going off somewhere

undefined with him again. He said, “If you don’t go—if you’re dead—you’ll never get the choice to run your business again.” He zipped her bag closed. She blinked at him, licked her lips, somehow found her breath. “I’m not going anywhere with you.” “Then I’m taking you, if I have to throw you over my shoulder and carry you out to the truck.” “You wouldn’t dare!” “Don’t force my hand, Katelyn. I’m serious.” She tried to shoulder by him. He launched an arm around her waist, bent

his knees, and lifted, tossing her over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. She struggled to free herself, to no avail. He picked up the small bag he’d stuffed with her clothing. He already had an extra pair of jeans and a couple of Tshirts stored in the truck for himself. “Let me down!” She banged on his back. “Agree to be reasonable.” “Like hell I will!” Without another word, he left her apartment and stormed through the lobby. “Katelyn!” Natalie sounded even more shocked now than she had a few minutes ago.

“Call the police!” Katelyn said. “Tell them I’m being kidnapped!” “Kidnapped?” Natalie repeated. “Really?” “Don’t be ridiculous. I’m saving her life,” Thorne countered. “Disappearing until the police jail a killer. Tell Tansy the café is hers until this ordeal is over. And don’t let anyone take out that boat.” Katelyn fought him all the way to the truck, where he threw her in the passenger seat, then stuck his face in hers, which was distorted by her anger. “Just know that if you try to get out of the truck,” he told her calmly, “I will hog-tie you to keep you here.” With that he backed up and slammed

the door. She didn’t try to get out while he made his way around to the driver’s side. He’d barely opened the door when she said, “I’m going to make you sorry you ever met me, Thorne Hudson.” Nice threat. “I’ll be looking forward to it. Should be interesting to see how creative you can really be.” He saw her eyeing the glove compartment and knew she was thinking about the gun inside. “Don’t bother. It’s locked.” Katelyn let go a small sob of frustration and wrapped her arms around her middle. Thorne had no time for pity.

He took off from the lot and headed west on the road, going around the lake the long way. He was past Fontana when he saw a dark sedan in his rearview mirror, where it stayed all the way to Williams Bay. Just as suddenly as it had appeared, it was gone. Within minutes he was on a road that would take them north. “Back to Prairie Springs?” she asked. “Would that be a likely choice?” “Apparently not. How far are you taking me this time?” “As far north as necessary to get lost.” In reality, he knew of a place a couple hours north of here where they could do that, though going so far was probably unwarranted. No one was following

them. They could hide out in any little burg along the way. Thorne watched the road behind them, sparsely dotted with other vehicles. When he was certain all was well, he pulled to the side and brought the truck to a fast stop. “What are we doing?” “You’re making that report to the authorities.” He unlocked the glove compartment, pulled out the burner phone, and then relocked the chamber. No way would he give her access to his handgun, just in case she got some crazy idea in her head to threaten him with it to make him turn around and go back to Lake Geneva. Accidents did happen.

“Here.” He handed her the cellphone. “Call Cole.” “I don’t have his number memorized. I have it on my phone.” “Your phone is traceable, which is why I removed the battery and did the same with my phone. I added both Weaver’s and Cole’s numbers to the burner. Now, call!”

Chapter 13 Thorne started up the truck and took off. Katelyn seethed for a moment before doing as he ordered and putting through the call. She set the phone on speaker just as the detective picked up. “Cole here.” “Detective Cole, this is Katelyn Wade. Thorne Hudson is listening in, as well.” “Ms. Wade. I was just looking for you here on your property. Your guesthouse manager had some interesting things to say about your leaving the

premises. Are you all right?” She hesitated only a second before casting a sideways glance in Thorne’s direction. “I’ve been better. But for all intents and purposes, yes, I’m fine.” “In case you need clarification about our departure,” Thorne said, “I forced Katelyn to leave Lake Geneva for her own safety. I’m a bodyguard her father hired to see to her welfare.” “Well, now, that’s something you could have shared earlier, Mr. Hudson.” “Are you kidding?” Katelyn said. “He didn’t even share that information with me!” With that, she swung straight into the

tale of almost being run over by that speedboat earlier. Almost drowning. To her credit, she generously added that Thorne had pulled her from the brink— something else she owed him—before going into a description of the boat. “What about the driver? Can you describe him or her?” “Not a clue,” Katelyn said. “The sun was glaring off the boat’s windshield, so I never got a clear view of the person behind it.” “What about you, Mr. Hudson?” “As Katelyn told you, it all happened really fast. I never got a good look at the person, either. I couldn’t even guess size, since he was hunched over in his

seat, half hidden by the windshield, and wearing dark glasses and a baseball cap.” “I do have some other new information for you that I’ve already shared with the FBI,” Katelyn said. “Concerning the Bascom College shooting,” Thorne added. “Right. It’s about three of the victims.” Katelyn relayed what they’d learned from Thorne’s Chicago investigator friend. “The Hills’ mother’s maiden name was Eklund. I have a customer, Gerard Eklund, who was around the café every day it was open last week. It seems that he’s very interested not only in Sam’s death, but

also in the campus shooting. And in Robert Hamilton being my father, though I have no idea of how he put that one together. Plus he showed up in Prairie Springs yesterday, where Thorne and I were taking a break.” She didn’t think it was necessary to tell the detective that she had been running from Thorne when she bumped into Eklund. “I figured his being there was a coincidence, but now I’m not so certain.” “I can understand why. I’ll give Special Agent Ortiz another call, see where she is with this information. In the meantime, we’re continuing the search for anything that would lead us to the scene of Gilbert’s death.”

“Yes, of course.” Katelyn paused for a second and then, after swallowing hard, asked, “Did you find sunglasses on Sam?” “Sunglasses?” “Yes. He’d forgotten them the last day he worked. He called about them last Monday, when the café was closed.” The last time she’d spoken to him. The sorrow she felt at his loss was as sharp as it had been the night they’d learned he was dead. “I found the sunglasses and left them someplace he could get them after I was gone.” “So you’re saying he did pick them up.” “I assume so. They weren’t there

when I got home,” she said. “I checked. So if something happened to him that night, he would have had them with him.” “No sunglasses on his person, Ms. Wade. They could be sitting on the bottom of the lake somewhere. Or they could still be at the scene of the crime.” That thought had occurred to her, and it stayed with her for a very long time after the call ended. Then all she had to do was stare at an increasing number of trees whipping by as they headed north. Thorne, a driving machine, didn’t even consider stopping for coffee or a bathroom until she insisted on both.

Back on the road a few minutes later, swirling her coffee in the paper cup to cool it down, she couldn’t believe she was going to be alone with Thorne Hudson again, stuck somewhere far away from home. She should have taken off with her father, as he’d wanted. Maybe then her time with Thorne at the Westergard cabin wouldn’t be haunting her now. The best day of her life… Would she ever experience a day of sheer happiness and undeniable pleasure again? Not with him. She might be able to trust Thorne Hudson with her life, but she couldn’t

trust anything else about him. And she certainly couldn’t trust him with her heart. — After stopping at a fast-food place for a quick meal, Thorne picked up a bag of groceries because he was taking her to that cabin in the far-north woods. Isolated. Safe. Romantic, if she could only get over her anger with him. Why couldn’t Katelyn try to see his side of things? Hamilton had said she was as stubborn and independent as her

mother. Her parents had loved each other, but obviously that hadn’t been enough to keep them together. Look how badly the relationship had turned out for them. Thorne couldn’t imagine things going any differently for him and Katelyn. Even so, he had to try. He would take whatever he could get, even if it was only one more day of her not looking at him as if he was something she’d scraped from the bottom of her sandal. Right now, she was standing next to the open passenger door of his truck, gazing around at the thick woods in every direction. Her features were slack with shock. “No one will ever find us

out here.” “That’s the idea.” He reached inside the truck. Unlocking the glove compartment, he removed the handgun. Her eyes widened as he stuck it into his waistband behind his back. “Then why do you need a gun?” she asked. Keeping it light, he said, “Bobcat? Wolf? Bear?” She shuddered. “I’m pretty much a city girl at heart, but I don’t want any animal dead because of me.” “Noise that will scare wild animals away is the idea here.” Aiming the gun

would be a very different thing, one reserved for killing a killer. Which, of course, he hoped would never happen. But that depended on the authorities getting to him first. He went to the back of the truck and fetched the bags, threw hers to her, which she caught on reflex, then blinked at him in surprise. With his free arm, he scooped up the bag of groceries and headed away from the truck. “Let’s check out the cabin.” “Aren’t you going to give me a story about this property?” she taunted him. “Just that it was recommended as a great place to hide out.” “By another former employer?” It had been a work acquaintance, but

he figured he was best off just dropping it there. She obviously wanted to fight with him, whereas he just wanted her. He wanted her pliant and willing and eager for him. He wanted to feel her wet and slick and tight around him. He wanted to hear her sob and cry out and whisper his name like she was so lovesick nothing he could do to her would ever be too much. Those were the thoughts driving him as he opened the unlocked cabin door and led the way into the single room, where he dropped his clothes bag on the edge of the bed. “Well, this is certainly”—Katelyn

hesitated for a second as she took a good look around—“different from the other place.” She pressed her bag against her chest and clung to it as if for protection. “It has everything we need to get by for a couple of days,” Thorne pointed out. “A potbellied stove to cook our food.” He set down the bag of groceries on a small table near it. “This table to eat on. A couple of chairs to sit on. A bed to sleep in.” Setting down her bag, she said, “Uh, there’s only one bed.” “That’s all we need.” “Because you’ll be sleeping on the floor.” “Dream on. If anyone is sleeping on

the floor, it won’t be me. But you can do as you like as long as it’s within these four walls.” Her gaze shot from timbered wall to timbered wall to timbered wall to timbered wall. “Wait a minute. There’s only one door.” “Your point?” “Where is the bathroom?” “You mean the outhouse.” Somehow, he kept from laughing at her horrified expression, because he was certain that she would be offended if he did let go even a small snort. “Take the path around back, away from the truck. The well is out back, too. If you want to wash up, you’ll have to pump the water

yourself.” “Is this a joke?” She looked a bit more freaked out than he’d thought she would. “Um, no, the outhouse and pump are real.” “I mean the whole thing. Is this my punishment for not trusting you and running off because I thought…well, that you meant me harm when I overheard your part of the conversation with Daddy?” “I would never harm you.” “I know that now. That doesn’t mean you wouldn’t torture me.” “Trust me, this is not torture.”

He knew something about torture, and not just from his time in Afghanistan. He might not have experienced it there, but he’d seen the results on several of the men they’d rescued. His own torture had started long before that, in his vulnerable teenage years. Being the prey of a sadist who fostered desperate young boys had been more than he’d been able to bear. “I’m trying to keep you safe. That’s it. Trust me.” “Trust? Right.” She headed for the door. “I’m going to find the outhouse, if that’s okay with you.” “No problem. There’s nowhere you can get to from here on foot.” She gave him a piercing look. “And

yet I’m tempted to try.” Which made him leave the cabin a few steps behind her to make sure she didn’t make a break for it. — Katelyn wasn’t certain which chafed more—being away from her business or being so very close to Thorne Hudson. What an enigma he’d proven to be. He’d saved her life and now he was all that stood between her and whoever wanted her dead. And still, she couldn’t trust him. That was the reason she avoided getting too close, starting with spending

the afternoon outside. She sat under a big tree with plenty of fallen leaves around the trunk. At least her butt was comfy, if not her back. But it was better than being trapped in that cabin with him. Not that he stayed there. He’d chosen a tree with a direct line of sight to her. Which meant she couldn’t avoid looking at him. Thinking about him. About the way he’d made her respond to him, both physically and emotionally. Thankfully, he was far enough away that she had some respite from the physical attraction that wouldn’t quit every time she was near him. He was checking his burner cell again.

“What are you going to do when you run out of battery?” she asked. “I won’t. I have several portable power packs, all charged.” He tapped the cell a couple of times. “I can even call my own cell to check on any messages.” He listened for a moment, then shook his head. “Nope. No calls.” “Weaver or Cole would probably call me. Lend me the phone and I’ll call myself.” Tossing her the burner, he said, “I was hoping for something from Justus Nance about the parents of the victims.” As was she. To her further disappointment when she called herself, there was nothing from either Weaver or

Cole. She tossed the phone back, saying, “So, you have everything figured out.” “Not everything.” “What’s missing?” “You,” he said. “Considering the situation, I haven’t quite figured out why you can’t be reasonable.” “Oh, I’m being reasonable. Trust me, you would know if I chose not to cooperate.” “I wasn’t thinking about your cooperating.” “What then?” she asked. “I was thinking of your holding everything I had to do to keep you safe

against me.” “You didn’t have to lie.” For some reason, he appeared vulnerable—or was that a lie, too? “If I had told you that your father hired me and I was taking you to his associate’s place in Prairie Springs because I thought you might be in danger, would you have come willingly?” “Probably not. I’m not talking about the big picture, Thorne. You lied about so much more—” “Everything else I told you was true.” Though she could hear the plea in his voice, she asked, “How do I know that? I mean, really? How can I possibly

believe anything you say, since you’ve been deceiving me from the moment we met?” Her words struck him hard. His expression closing him off from her, he said, “Sometimes it’s better to judge a person by his actions rather than his words.” Better for whom? she wondered. As the afternoon wore thin and the sun shifted in the sky, throwing large shadows over the land, the problem of having only one bed loomed larger in her mind. It wasn’t a particularly sizable bed. Not even a queen. She thought about sleeping on the floor just to make a point. Only, the hard wood didn’t look

like it had been cleaned in years, giving that idea even less appeal than sleeping next to Thorne. If she could sleep at all, she would probably wake up stiff in every joint. What to do? “I don’t know about you, but I’m hungry,” Thorne said, getting to his feet. “I could eat.” He was suddenly standing over her, offering a hand up. Without thinking that doing so might not be wise, she took it. He tugged and easily pulled her to her feet. Finding herself nearly pressed against him, she froze there long enough to thaw from the inside out. The longer she was around him, the more her body

awoke to the fact that it would soon be too close to his for the whole night. When he dipped his head closer, she went wide-eyed and openmouthed. And he took direct advantage. His kiss was as sweet as any she’d experienced. He wasn’t aiming for seduction. He wanted something else from her. Though his lips barely brushed hers, they made her chest tighten…. Made her eyes sting…. Made her long for him to her very soul…. She took a big step back, putting an invisible do-not-cross line between

them. “I think I’ll sleep out here tonight.” “Outside.” He cleared his throat. “Bobcat? Wolf? Bear?” “I haven’t seen anything around here other than a few birds and a rabbit.” “That doesn’t mean bigger dangers aren’t lurking in the shadows.” “Now you’re trying to frighten me?” She couldn’t say the effort was without merit. He’d set her nerves tingling. “Just trying to be realistic.” He sighed. “If you really want to sleep out here, then I’ll be right at your side.” Which would defeat the whole purpose, of course. It was going to be a long, miserable

night. — Fully clothed, Katelyn lay exhausted at the very edge of the bed. Squirming to get comfortable without touching Thorne was hard enough work that it kept her from drifting off. Moonlight spattering the room with a soft glow gave her a very different picture of Thorne. Apparently he was having no trouble sleeping, sprawled as he was over two-thirds of the bed. He’d fallen asleep nearly instantly and was now serenading her with grumbled words that made no sense interspersed with soft snores.

Trying her best to ignore him, Katelyn shifted her bottom once more, closed her eyes, and imagined floating to a less stressful place. But suddenly he started thrashing, and his next words cut through her. “—your fucking hands off me—” Heart thudding, she rose up to her hip, whispering, “I’m not touching you!” But he wasn’t talking to her. He wasn’t awake. He was struggling, continuing to thrash as if fighting off demons. “—hit me again—go ahead—” “Thorne,” she whispered, putting a hand on his shoulder. Her mind sped

back to when he’d told her that if he hadn’t run, he would have killed the bastard who’d called himself a foster father. “It’s all right. He’s not here.” His shoulder settled, but beneath her fingers, she could feel his pulse racing as fast as if he were running. “It’s just you and me. He’s not here.” When she’d learned he’d lied to her, however, she’d questioned whether anything he’d told her had been true. “—I’ll make you sorry—” he growled. “Shh, you’re safe.” She dared to lightly stroke his forehead. Seeing the pain he was in, caught in the nightmare of his past, she wouldn’t question the

veracity of this again. “No one here to hurt you now. You can sleep easy.” Her eyes stung with tears as she whispered, “Rest. You’re safe….” Her soft words and touch seemed to penetrate his nightmare. His pulse slowed. His muscles softened. Within seconds, he was comfortably snoring again. And she was wide awake. Slipping out of bed, she paced the room. Would he remember anything in the morning? Should she tell him what had gone on? No, not unless he asked. Whatever it was that had happened to him half a lifetime ago still haunted him. If she had the power to take the memory

away, she would. Startled by how much this was choking her up, how much she cared, Katelyn closed her eyes and forgot to breathe for a few seconds. Thorne’s pain was tearing her up inside. She had to distance herself from him in order to protect herself, and she had to do it now. Not that she meant to run away again. But she’d thought about sleeping outside earlier. Maybe not such a bad idea, after all. It was warm enough, even at night. Since she needed to use the outhouse anyway, she could test the waters, so to speak, and make up her mind then. A cloud covered the moon when she opened the door and let herself out.

Luckily, she’d attached a small flashlight to her key ring. Just enough illumination to get around back without tripping and breaking her neck. After using the outhouse, she went to the pump and washed up. When she shook the water from her hands, she was sure she heard something move in the nearby brush. Neither a scurry nor a hop —she swore it sounded more like a human footfall. “Thorne?” She froze with her hand on the pump handle. No answer. She tried again. “Thorne, is that you?” Nothing. Okay, this wasn’t good. Or maybe she’d just imagined the sound. Or

imagined it to be made by a person when indeed there was a bobcat or wolf or bear waiting to pounce on her. As silently as possible, her ears attuned to every noise, she moved away from the pump and back toward the cabin—until a twig snapping from the direction of the cabin stopped her in her tracks. She backed up slowly, angling toward the woods. Pulling the flashlight from her pocket, she was tempted to shine it in the direction of the sound. But what if that drew in whatever was out there? She kept the flashlight in her hand turned off as she gingerly moved away from the cabin, using only the dim light

from the mostly obscured moon. But now she heard whatever it was moving with her. Not paws padding over the ground; definitely feet scrabbling as the distance between them closed. Hard to breathe… Trying to decide… Need to run… That fast, she took off, running blind, arms outstretched to protect her head from tree branches, but still hitting one so hard it nearly spun her around. Recovering fast, she zigged and zagged through twenty yards of brush until she zeroed in on another stand of trees. Who was after her? Gerard Eklund? Under the canopy, her footfalls softened. She

slowed and moved carefully through the maze. A thud behind her told her the other person had run into something, and then they slowed down a bit. She ran faster. Carefully, but faster. Flicking on her flashlight for a few seconds, she could see her surroundings. The trail she was on sloped away from the cabin toward a section of forest razed by fire. The sound of a sharp ping nearby nearly stopped her heart and made her click off the flashlight. Another ping! Those were shots! Her attacker had a gun!

Katelyn slid off the trail and descended the slope into the burn area. Maybe he wouldn’t follow her down there. Even so, eyes adjusting to the dark, she looked for a place to hide. What remained of the vegetation were skeletal shapes and ash that her passage kicked up and threatened to choke her. But at the far perimeter of the burn, the ash was sparser and the dead trees retained more of their bulk. Finding a fallen trunk of a decadesold tree blackened but mostly whole, she found a hollow spot, climbed inside, and prayed that whoever was chasing her wouldn’t think to look for her in there. Curled in a ball, knees to her chest,

Katelyn eased her ragged breathing so she could hear the noises around her. By listening for the faintest of sounds, she kept aware of the attacker’s movements. Circling. Scattered. Unfocused. For a moment, he stopped dead in his tracks—either that or she just couldn’t hear him, which worried her more. What if he was sneaking up on her? Just thinking about it made acid from her stomach shoot into the back of her throat. The tree trunk might be a fine hiding place, but if he discovered it, she was a

sitting target. If only she had something, anything, she could use to protect herself. If only she had Thorne’s handgun. Or better yet, the man himself.

Chapter 14 Thorne swore gunfire had awakened him. It must have been a nightmare. His head was still thick with it. Had the attack on his convoy come back to haunt him again? He didn’t remember seeing uniforms or weapons or hearing the blast. Confused, he pushed himself up on his hip and tried to sort it all out. He’d sworn the nightmare had gone further back in time than Afghanistan. Centering himself inwardly, he immediately saw that bastard’s face, and

his fists, in his mind’s eye. And then he realized he was alone in the bed and shouldn’t be. “Katelyn?” Looking frantically around the darkened room, he didn’t even sense her presence. Where the hell could she have gone? Outside these four walls, obviously, when he’d strictly forbidden her to leave without telling him. Had the gunfire been real? In seconds, he retrieved his gun from under his side of the bed and was out of the cabin, off the stoop, and onto the walkway, focusing on the sounds around him.

The chirping of insects. Paws hitting the earth. An engine coming to life. That froze him in place. He caught a glimpse of the vehicle’s lights as it moved away, a dark sedan disappearing quickly between the stands of trees lining the road that led out of the woods. “Katelyn!” Hearing a soft cry, he ran toward the sound of distress and almost tumbled down an incline. The smell of burned wood filled his nose. He was in an area that had been destroyed by fire. “Thorne?” “I’m coming for you.” Barely able to

see where he was going, he kept moving toward the sound. “Talk to me so I can find you.” “I’m over here.” Her voice was louder now, and moonlight lit the area in a soft blue glow. Cutting through a small clearing, he saw a large felled tree scarred by the fire, but mostly intact. An arm wiggled out and upward from the trunk, followed by a head and shoulders. As she freed herself, he got to Katelyn and tucked his gun into his belt in the middle of his back. Fearing she was hurt, he gently moved his hands up her arms to check for himself. She shook her head. “I’m okay. I’m

okay.” Hands now on her shoulders, he really wanted to pull her to him, to hold her tight. “What the hell, Katelyn?” Only hard-won restraint kept him from doing so. “What happened?” “I, um, used the outhouse. Unfortunately, company must have arrived while I was in there.” Or the company had already arrived and had eyes on the property. The bastard had probably seen her leave the cabin alone. He said, “Gunfire woke me.” “He took a couple of shots in the dark, but didn’t get anywhere near me.”

“Thank God.” Unable to resist any longer, he pulled her to him and held her against his chest, wrapped within the shelter of his arms. He couldn’t lose Katelyn, not like this. And not on his watch. He’d never belonged to anyone before. Not his parents, not foster parents, not a woman. Katelyn had his heart. Whether or not she wanted him, he belonged to her. After having learned the truth about him, was there any way she would have him now? Her tensing and pushing herself away from him gave Thorne the answer he’d feared. “Did you see him?” she asked. “Was

it Gerard Eklund?” He shrugged. “I only saw the vehicle pull away. A dark sedan.” “Eklund was driving a dark sedan when he gave me that ride from Prairie Springs.” Her voice rose with her certainty. “It has to be him. But how did he find us?” “I don’t have a clue.” Avoiding touching her again, he started back uphill toward the cabin. “I would have sworn no one followed us. I thought maybe we had a tail leaving Lake Geneva. That was a dark sedan also,” he remembered, “but we lost him fast enough.” “What, then? Is Eklund psychic or something?”

“Or something.” Stopping alongside his truck, he opened the back gate, grabbed a Maglite, and flipped it on. Then he dropped to the ground on his side and ran the powerful beam under the bumper. “What are you looking for?” “Something high-tech rather than woowoo.” Nothing there, though. He got to his feet and went to the rear wheel well on the driver’s side and repeated the process. “What kind of high tech?” she asked. “Like spy gear.” Not there, either. He switched to the passenger side. This

time, it only took a second. “Found it.” Pulling the magnetized device free from the metal, he rolled to his feet and showed it to her. “This is a real-time digital GPS tracker. He could have gotten our location data at any moment from any Internet-enabled device. He was probably just using his smartphone.” “So what do we do with it?” “This.” Throwing it to the ground, he stomped on it hard, but the thing seemed to be made of some kind of super-strong metal. It wouldn’t give. “Wait!” she said before he could try again. “Wouldn’t that have Eklund’s fingerprints? Proof that he tried to kill

me?” “Maybe—if he didn’t clean it and wear gloves when he attached it.” He fetched the tracker from the pavement. “But as far as I can tell, it’s still working. If we take it with us to hand it over to the cops, Eklund will be trying to party with us before we get there.” He threw it into the woods. “If we need to, we can find it again, but right now we have to get our bags and get out of here. Fast.” Despite the fact that touching her impersonally was killing him, he grabbed her hand and tugged her back toward the cabin. “Okay, but where are we going?”

“Anywhere away from here.” “Will anywhere be safe?” she asked, her voice subdued. Remembering his promise to himself, Thorne said, “If Eklund is still around and tries to follow us, it will be his funeral.” — The reality of her situation weighed heavily on Katelyn as the truck whipped through the dark to some unknown destination. Her father had been right all along, but she’d been too independent to give his fears for her safety any credence.

She was lucky to be alive. Lucky to be with Thorne Hudson. A quick glance his way told her he was avoiding looking at her. His gaze was glued to the road ahead. Any feelings he had for her were fully in check. Good. That’s the way she wanted it, she told herself. But the longer they were heading west, the less convinced she was of that. She hadn’t forgotten the real reason she’d left the bed and the cabin in the first place. She’d been too drawn to Thorne, had wanted him too much—not that she would ever admit that to him. She looked down at her hands. Even

in the near darkness, she could see the filth on them. Ash from the fire. Her clothes were blackened, as well. Brushing a hand through her hair released a cloud of dark dust. She closed her eyes and turned her face so she wouldn’t choke on it. The smell brought back a vivid memory of the fear she’d felt while hiding from her attacker. Eklund. It had to be him. She kept playing that conversation they’d had in the car over and over in her mind. He’d drilled her for information, had wanted to know if the authorities had decided Sam’s death was a murder. Because he’d killed Sam? They’d been on the road about a half

hour when Thorne turned off it. She hadn’t seen a sign indicating that there was a motel nearby. Or even a gas station where she could wash up in the restroom. “Where are we headed?” she asked. “There’s a state park ahead. We’ll camp out in the back of the truck.” “But all the parks are closed for the night.” “Campgrounds are. But the back roads are open. Don’t worry, we’re not going to enter any campground.” Which means no shower, she thought. She looked down at her soot-blackened arms. “I’m going to need to wash up. Me and my clothes. I didn’t realize how

filthy I was.” Luckily, he’d made her pack a change of clothing. And had added clean undergarments as a bonus. Now the thought made her smile. Just a little. “You, too. You’re streaked with ashes from holding me.” “That’s the last thing I’m worried about.” “Anyone who sees us will know something is wrong,” she insisted. “They’ll have questions.” “But we don’t have to give them answers.” She didn’t want to argue with Thorne. She just wanted this to be over. Two attacks in one day was more than she could stand.

He went on. “We’re just going to head in on a back road and find a place to hide out for the rest of the night.” “If we do and they catch us, couldn’t we get arrested?” “If we don’t and Eklund finds us, you could get killed.” That pronouncement was emphasized by a rumble of thunder. And in the distance, the sky blinked with an eyepopping flash. “Rain is coming.” “Even better cover,” he said, turning off onto what looked like a park road. There was a hint of amusement in his tone when he added, “If it rains, you won’t have to worry about finding a

place to wash up. All you’ll have to do is step out of the truck.” The thought of showering in the open where he could see her made her squirm in her seat, but she didn’t argue the point. There was something thrilling about the idea, as well. Within a hundred yards of entering the state park, she spotted a long, narrow ribbon of water cutting through a wooded area. A creek. It curved and disappeared into a stand of trees. Thorne took the truck off-road and carefully drove nearly to the water’s edge. Another nearby lightning bolt lit up the area. Bushes and tall grasses would hide them from anyone who might drive by.

Thorne got out and opened the back of the truck. Katelyn followed suit. “I have a sleeping bag and some sheets,” he said. “While I set them up as a makeshift bed back here, you can wash up in the creek.” Her and her clothes. Thankfully, he’d made her pack that bag. “You wouldn’t have a towel, would you?” she asked. “Right here.” Grabbing one from where he’d stuffed it at the side of the truck, he held it out to her. Their hands touched, but he didn’t immediately let go. The contact sparked something inside her that left her a little shaky. The way he was looking at her, she knew he must be feeling it, as well.

Why wouldn’t he let go of the towel? Why was he hauling on it to bring it closer to him, and her along with it? Why was she letting him? They were still both clinging to the towel that bound them together when he dipped his head and claimed her mouth. Suddenly forgotten, the towel dropped between them as they wrapped their arms around each other. A mistake? she couldn’t help but wonder. Nor could she keep herself from responding to the embrace. Barely an hour ago, she’d wondered if she would survive her attacker. Now, when Thorne began stripping off her top and bra, there was something primitive about the way he

did it. And about the way she responded. She practically ripped his T-shirt off him. An inner voice warned her that she shouldn’t do this, that she would regret it in the morning. Then lightning struck again, casting everything around them in a spooky blue clarity, making her wonder if there would be a morning for them, or if the danger chasing them would catch up and finish them both before the sun even rose. The thought left her with a sense of urgency, a need to act, but they stood frozen, staring at each other, both breathing hard, until suddenly the first drops of rain splashed down on them.

Taking the lead, Thorne unzipped her jeans. “I guess you won’t need to bathe in the creek, after all.” Katelyn couldn’t help but snort as he finished undressing her, the storm rumbling ever closer. The rain pelting her naked flesh fueled unexpected desire in her, and she stripped Thorne with equal speed. Rivulets of water dirty with the remnants of the burn rolled down their bodies. From the back of the truck, Thorne produced a bottle of liquid body soap and squeezed some on her head and shoulders, then sloshed it along her skin to suds her up all over. She used her soapy body to wash his, after which they

used their seductively stroking hands to squeegee each other clean by flicking away the foaming rainwater. Thorne nuzzled her ear. “Still want that towel?” Shivering from the warmth of his mouth on her flesh, Katelyn could think of a dozen other things she wanted more. “I think that ship has sailed.” She pointed to the dropped cloth in a growing puddle of water at the back of the truck. “Or it’s about to sail.” “I have others. Dry ones.” “Let’s keep them that way for now.” “What do you have in mind, then?” he murmured.

Something she wouldn’t have thought she would want again after learning about Thorne’s true purpose in coming to Lake Geneva. Somehow, danger chasing them changed everything. Made everything more immediate. More impossible to lose. She raised her face so the rain kissed her and ran down her nose and cheeks and elsewhere in sensual rivulets. Locking gazes with Thorne, she finally said, “I thought it would be a shame to waste such a unique opportunity.” “That it would be,” he agreed. “Then what are we waiting for?” They came together as fiercely as the

storm around them. Katelyn wrapped her arms around Thorne’s neck and, when he lifted her, her legs around his waist. He backed her into the side of the truck and with a hitch that adjusted his position, drove himself into her. She cried out and sank along his full length. Pulling away from the truck, he moved in and out of her. Katelyn tilted her hips to give him better access. When he stopped alongside the truck’s hood, he whispered, “Let go.” “I am letting go! Of everything!” His hands were hooked around her waist. “I mean of my neck.” When she did so, he added, “Now just relax.” He eased her backward, so her back

was arched over the hood of the truck, still connected to him below the waist, still holding him fast with her thighs muscling around his. Light droplets of rain popped along her breasts and belly, but it was his fingers finding her center as his cock pulsed into her that sent her skyrocketing with sensation. Her back arched, and with more of a wail than a cry, she sat up and reattached her torso to Thorne, nearly smothering him with a kiss that spoke of her wild abandon. His shout of approval was muffled by her mouth, but there was no mistaking the reason for it. The added sensation of his orgasm immediately reenergized her and she came again.

Afterward, they clung together until the rain eventually stopped. Katelyn hated it when Thorne stepped back and withdrew from being snugged within her depths. This hadn’t just been sex. She wished it could have been so simple. She would be so much less confused. Despite his deception, Katelyn realized she was still in love with Thorne Hudson. The problem was that she didn’t have any idea what she was going to do about it. —

Somehow, comforted by his warmth surrounding her, Katelyn had slept for at least a few hours, even though the back of a truck didn’t make the most comfortable bed. Now a familiar noise pulled her up from the depths of exhaustion. Her eyes blinked open to gray morning light. The sun was up, but the sky still threatened storms. And Thorne’s burner cellphone was ringing. Pulling out of the cocoon he’d made of his body to shelter her, she scrabbled to fetch the cell from a pocket in his discarded jeans. “What’s going on?” he grumbled as she got a look at the ID.

“It’s my father.” Accepting the call, she said, “Daddy, why are you calling so early? What’s going on?” and clicked on speakerphone. “The police have made two arrests. They nailed the shooter. Gus Pratt was holed up in some abandoned farmhouse. They got a confession out of him.” “About time.” Elated, she asked, “What about the other arrest?” expecting to hear they’d also got Eklund. So his saying “Aaron Starkman” shocked her. “Not Gerard Eklund?” “No. Pratt admitted Starkman sold him the assault rifle because he said he

needed the money to pay a gambling debt. Apparently his life was threatened if he didn’t come up with the money. Pratt and Starkman were old acquaintances. It didn’t take much pressure to get Starkman to admit to it. Of course, he claimed Pratt told him he wanted the assault rifle for hunting.” Pressed up against her, Thorne rubbed her arm as if comforting her. “What about Eklund’s relationship to the mother of the Hill brother and sister?” he asked. “Did the FBI check that out?” “They did. Apparently, Abby Hill is some very distant cousin. She said she hadn’t even seen Eklund since they were kids. Police asked the ex-husband

about the relationship, and he’d never even met the man, so the mother’s story held up.” “That means they still don’t have the person who sent you those emails or killed Sam or came after me,” Katelyn said, her initial elation waning. “Yes, they do, Katie. It was Starkman all along.” Shocked to the core, Katelyn asked, “Aaron admitted it?” “No, not to that part, but those charges were brought against him, as well. He was in Milwaukee on both days the emails were sent. Plus they caught him lurking around your property just before dawn, which is

when they made the arrest. He of course said he just wanted to talk to you, to reason with you so you wouldn’t ruin things with me.” “Or to keep me quiet about his gambling problem. He had someone after him last year when I broke up with him. So he was in Lake Geneva this morning.” Had he driven from the cabin to Lakeside to wait to attack her again? “They also knew he was there yesterday morning, so it’s likely he was the one trying to run you down with the speedboat. It was stolen from its dock and then found adrift later that afternoon. They’re trying to match up fingerprints now. They already checked

Starkman’s I-PASS records for Illinois toll roads and found that he’s been driving back and forth from Chicago to Wisconsin on a regular basis this whole last week. The authorities say he had the opportunity to kill Sam Gilbert, as well, though they haven’t brought that charge against him because they haven’t nailed down the scene of the murder. Even so, you can breathe now, Katie.” “Oh, my God, it’s over?” She couldn’t keep the question out of her voice. “Thankfully,” Thorne said, pulling her close and nuzzling his cheek against hers. “You can go home. Or you could take

a break from the place and come to Chicago and stay with me for a while.” For once, the invitation was tempting. If it would only be the two of them, she might take him up on it. But she wasn’t ready to deal with the tensions that were always present when she was around his other family. “Thanks, Daddy. You know how much I love you. But I have things to take care of in Lake Geneva.” Including figuring out what she was going to do about Thorne Hudson. “If you change your mind, just say the word.” She only wished she could make up her mind. While she was on the phone,

Katelyn didn’t try to move away from Thorne, but she was already questioning herself about what had happened between them the night before. He was a man without a professed home, and it seemed he didn’t want one. His job protecting her was over, so he would likely be leaving Lake Geneva, perhaps at the first opportunity. Maybe there wasn’t anything for her to decide, after all.

Chapter 15 All the way back to Lake Geneva, Thorne thought the dark, cloud-laden sky perfectly reflected Katelyn’s stormy mood. She hadn’t spoken to him in nearly an hour. She’d been a more than enthusiastic participant in their lovemaking last night, but now she seemed distant. Was she regretting turning to him already? He would have thought her father’s news would have put her in a better mood. He’d tuned the truck’s radio to a local news station that broadcast a special

edition covering the Bascom shooting and subsequent arrests. He saw her grimace when the newscaster said, “Aaron Starkman allegedly had a previous personal relationship with multimillionaire Robert Hamilton’s daughter Katelyn Wade, Lake Geneva businesswoman and owner of Lakeside Guest House and Café. Starkman is also charged with attempted murder for an attack on Wade.” “Oh, my God,” Katelyn whispered. “Exactly what I was afraid of. Now everyone will know who I am.” “Why is that a bad thing? You love your father and he adores you.” He

would give anything to have that kind of relationship with someone. With her. “I would think you’d be proud of that.” “I am proud of our relationship. I also hoped to keep it private. I’m not one for the spotlight.” With that, Katelyn seemed to sink deeper into herself, shutting Thorne out completely. When they finally arrived home, a cadre of news vehicles were gathered along the driveway of the Lakeside lot, which was half-filled with cars despite the early hour. Apparently, the police had given up their search for the crime scene and left. Though, judging by the dark clouds and frequent gusts of wind,

another bout of rain was imminent, reporters were waiting on her doorstep to interview her, and a throng of customers stood around as if eager to get a closer look at her. It took several minutes to get the crowd to move aside so Thorne could pull up outside the guest house. “If you wait a minute,” he said, “I’ll go around and get your door, then I’ll escort you inside, away from the crowd.” She didn’t argue. Didn’t say anything. Didn’t move. The blood had drained from her face and she appeared to be on the verge of panic. When Thorne got out of the truck, the

mob moved in on him. He didn’t let them stop him, didn’t even tune in to the litany of questions barraging him. “That’s Katelyn Wade you have with you, isn’t it?” He shouldered his way through the crowd to the passenger side. “Is she really Robert Hamilton’s daughter?” When he opened the door for Katelyn, he positioned himself to keep reporters as far away from her as he could. One of them stuck an arm around him, the microphone in his hand aimed at her, asking, “Is it true that you were attacked because of what happened at Bascom, Ms. Wade?”

Wide-eyed, she froze. A crash of thunder rumbled, and the sky lit up unnaturally, a portent reflecting her increasing frazzle. Thorne shut the truck’s door and wrapped an arm around her. “Out of the way. Ms. Wade would like some privacy.” He then moved her through the crowd toward the guesthouse entrance. The onslaught of questions continued anyway. Thorne tuned out. Though he didn’t push or shove, he held his free arm out to discourage anyone from getting too close. It was slow going, but once the clouds opened, pouring rain down on the crowd, the onlookers started to disperse and he finally got her

inside. “Katelyn, thank goodness you’re back!” Natalie said. “The phone has been ringing off the hook, and it has been all I can do to keep those reporters and nosey people out of here.” “Thanks for holding down the fort, Natalie,” Katelyn said. “I couldn’t have gotten through the past couple days without you. I’ll get a full recap later, but right now, the only thing I want to do is take a hot shower and clear my head.” She moved toward her apartment, Thorne following close behind her. As he closed the door, Katelyn walked straight to the window overlooking the lake and stared out at the

rain. “I can make us breakfast,” he offered. “No, thanks.” “A sandwich? One of those meals from your freezer?” “Not hungry.” “You need to eat something.” She whipped around, her expression fierce. “Stop telling me what to do! You’re not in charge of me anymore!” That made him take a step back. “I never thought of it as being in charge of you. Your father might have hired me to protect you, but my seeing to your welfare went far beyond that when it became personal between us.”

She gaped at him for a moment, looking as if she didn’t know how to respond. Then she said, “Well, your job is over. I guess that means you can leave now.” Her voice was as flat as her expression. Nothing in it to make him think she wanted him to stay. Was she dismissing him? It certainly seemed so. Thorne longed to tell her how he really felt about her, how much she had come to mean to him. How much he loved her. But under the circumstances, what good would it do, other than make things even more awkward between them? “All right, then. I’ll leave you be if that’s what you want.” She didn’t say

anything in return. Taking that as her assent, he backed off, withdrew her cellphone from his pocket, and reinserted the battery. “Yours.” After holding it up so she could see it, he set her phone down on a side table. Then he turned and started to leave, still hoping that she would say something —say anything—that would stop him. Hand on the doorknob, he glanced at her, hoping her resolve had weakened. She was staring out at the rain again, her ramrod-straight back to him, as if he didn’t exist. She had nothing for him, then. Never having felt emptier, Thorne left, knowing he would never see her again.

— Katelyn turned just as Thorne crossed the threshold and slammed the door shut behind him. Thunder rumbled overhead, nearly drowning out the sound of his footsteps on the stairs. He was going up to his room, undoubtedly to get his things before he walked out of her life forever. Split by a bolt of lightning striking somewhere on the other side of the lake, the sky lit up and sent shock waves of light into the room. Swallowing hard, Katelyn fought the sting in her eyes. That Thorne could leave so easily crushed her. But what had she expected? That he would

suddenly want to call someplace home? Overwhelmed by all the unwanted attention awaiting her here, in addition to the fear that she’d experienced on the run, she’d been less than warm and welcoming to him. Not that she’d meant to push him out completely. But she had. And it was over…. Now what? Could she really stay in Lake Geneva and run Lakeside like nothing had happened? Turning the guest house into a dream destination and the café into the most popular eatery in town had been her dream. She’d put everything into this business. But now she felt disconnected. Such horrible things had happened

here….Could she ever feel the way she had a mere week ago? Maybe she needed to get away for a while. Take a break. See what she thought about coming back and starting over. Or maybe she needed to explore other options. Thanks to Thorne’s having pushed her to delegate some of her responsibilities, she could rely on Natalie and Tansy to run the place without her while she made up her mind. She wished she had told him that. Told him that, if he wanted her, they could have found a way to work something out— No! She wasn’t going there. Too late. Thorne was gone.

She already felt empty. Not wanting to dwell on the loss looming before her, she aimed her thoughts toward the investigation of Sam’s murder. She still had so many questions. Had Aaron actually committed that crime? Had he really killed a man he didn’t even know? Apparently, anything was possible, considering that she hadn’t really known the man with whom she’d thought she might have a future. Why did that seem to be the theme of her love life? Wondering why she hadn’t gotten a call from Cole or Weaver about the investigation into Sam’s murder, she remembered that Thorne had taken the

battery out of her cell so they couldn’t be tracked. Perhaps one or both of them had called with more information. Fetching the cellphone from where he’d left it, battery now in place, she turned it on. No calls. She checked her home phone and found a myriad of messages, mostly from reporters, which she quickly erased. But, indeed, Detective Cole had left a message as well, confirming what her father had told her. Nothing about Sam’s murder, however, other than they had yet to find the scene of the crime. Despite the rain now coming down steadily and beating against the building, she recognized Thorne’s tread as he descended the stairs from his room. The

footsteps stopped before her door. Her heart thundered as she waited for his knock…but seconds later, his footsteps retreated and faded as he crossed the lobby. And then he was gone for good. Fighting tears, she turned on the television to distract herself. She might as well check out the local news and prepare herself for the next onslaught of reporters. Needing to see what the media was saying about the shooting and arrests, she tuned in a station that was showing an image of people lowering wet umbrellas as they crowded into a church. “Despite the rain, hundreds have

shown up for the memorial service for the slain Bascom College students.” The shot switched to close-ups of people trying to console one another, making Katelyn’s throat tighten. Then photographs of the slain students began to flash across the screen, the reporter’s voice identifying each of them. “We are here to remember Jay Chandra…Susan Barr…Jori Hill and Rebecca Hill…” Seeing their faces made their deaths all too real for her, especially the siblings, distant cousins of Gerard Eklund. “Zachary Hicks…Reiner Ohlson… Nicole Dyer…”

She stared at the last image, of a pretty young girl with spiked dark hair, smiling blue eyes, and a dimple creasing her cheek. The girl looked eerily familiar, though Katelyn couldn’t quite place her. The image faded to black and the scene switched to the weeping loved ones filling the church. That was too much for Katelyn to bear. She turned off the television. She needed to find work to do to keep her mind occupied with something other than the tragedy. Something other than Thorne. Dare she go out to the lobby to check in with Natalie? Cracking open her door, she was

relieved to find the lobby empty of anyone other than her assistant manager. Natalie looked up from arranging some magazines on an end table. “They’re gone. It’s safe to come out now.” Sighing, Katelyn crossed to the desk. “I imagine the unexpected attention has been exhausting.” “And invigorating in a strange way. You could have told me, you know,” Natalie added, joining Katelyn at the desk. “About your father.” “I’ve never particularly liked being in the public eye. It just seemed more comfortable to keep my own counsel.” “Now that the media has hold of the

information, you can’t close that door again.” “No, I guess not.” Undoubtedly, reporters would keep after her until the shooting became old news. “Anything else go wrong around here while I was gone?” “Just complaints about the rain spoiling tourists’ plans. It’ll be clear through the weekend, though.” A flash of lightning was followed by a long, low rumble of thunder. Rain continued to drill the building, the sound of the streaming water creating a kind of music. Lots and lots of rain. “Hmm, I’m wondering if we’re taking in water,” Katelyn said. “Has Radtke

been around to check on the sump pump?” “The handyman? I don’t remember the last time I saw him.” “He should have been around last night to help close the café.” “He could have been at the café, but he wasn’t here. You’d have to ask Tansy.” “I will. But I’ll see if I can get ahold of Radtke myself.” She fetchied her cell from her pocket, and the call she made immediately went to voicemail. “This is Katelyn Wade. I’m wondering if you’re here at Lakeside.”

As he should be by now. “Please call me when you get this message.” She clicked off and told Natalie, “In the meantime, I’m going to go downstairs and have a look at the sump pump to make sure we don’t have a problem.” The desk phone rang. As Natalie answered it, Katelyn went straight for the basement. The staircase down was on the same wall of the building as the door to her apartment. Flicking on the lights, she carefully descended the stairs, which were solid, but steep and had no risers. Not fond of deep, dank basements in the first place, she’d more than once feared her foot was going to get caught in the open spaces between the steps.

But with Radtke not to be found, she didn’t really have any choice but to check things out herself, so she steeled herself and went all the way down. A quick look around assured her there was no water puddling on the concrete floor, and she could hear the pump running. She crossed to the sump basin to take a closer look. A water stain around the opening indicated that there had been a problem, but it seemed that it had been repaired. Well, who knew what had been wrong with it. Whatever Radtke had done to fix it had obviously worked—one less worry for her. About to head back up to the lobby, she paused by the staircase when she

saw light glinting off something shiny underneath it. Kneeling at the bottom, she reached between the lowest two steps. The second her fingers touched the object, she knew what she had found. Her pulse ticking faster, she pulled the familiar item free. Sam’s sunglasses! She instantly recognized them. How had they ended up here, behind the stairs? Weaver had said that Sam had taken a fall days before receiving the head injury that had killed him. He could have fallen down these stairs…. But Sam had been here just to get these sunglasses. Why would he have

been coming down to the basement in the first place? Or had he been? What if it hadn’t been his choice? What if someone had forced him down here? Could this be the crime scene Cole’s people had been trying to find? Who would have pushed him down these steps, and why? The current suspect, Aaron, hadn’t even known about the basement. As far as she knew, he’d never been to Lakeside before the day he’d come to see her. Which meant the killer was likely someone else. What if she and Thorne had been correct? That the person threatening her

father and coming after her, killing Sam in the process, really was one of the parents of a slain student? They’d narrowed it down to Jori and Rebecca Hill’s mother or father, or to Nicole Dyer’s unnamed father. Which one? Her mind spun, taking her back to the coverage of the memorial. She’d just seen photos of all the victims. That last one, Nicole Dyer, had looked familiar. Spiked dark hair. Big blue eyes. Dimpled cheek. Now it hit her. The shooting victim very much resembled her prep cook, Sophie Miller. And the day she’d seen Radtke cornering Sophie, the girl had said Radtke thought she

looked like someone…. Nicole Dyer, the girl whose birth father hadn’t been named. Donald Radtke? She had to talk to someone about this. The first person she thought of was Thorne, of course. He’d been hired to protect her, and if the authorities had gotten it wrong when they’d assumed Aaron had tried to kill her, he’d have to come back—a thought that sped up her pulse. About to head up to her apartment to call him, she stopped when a creak behind her told her the door leading from the side yard had just been opened. Pulse surging, her head went light as she

whipped around and faced the man who’d been intent upon killing her all along. — Okay, so he was an idiot. Thorne made that determination about twenty miles outside of Lake Geneva. How could he have left without at least trying to convince Katelyn that they were right for each other? What had he been thinking? He’d been trying to respect her wishes, but screw that. Now all he could hope was that it wasn’t too late to change her mind. His cell rang and he glanced at the

screen, then tapped his Bluetooth on. “Justus. I meant to call you now that the arrests have been made.” “They got it wrong, Thorne. The part about who’s been after Hamilton and his daughter. Not Starkman.” Thorne’s gut clenched. “What the hell did you find out?” “We tracked down Faye Robinson, Nicole Dyer’s birth mother. She kept the father from knowing she was pregnant and disappeared when she realized he was deranged. And violent. About a year ago, she ran into him. Even though she’d given up their daughter two decades ago, she’d kept track of Nicole and had some photos of

her in her purse. One was of baby Nicole; her birth date was on the back. He figured it out and got Faye to admit Nicole was his child, though she wouldn’t tell him where to find her. But he did it somehow. He must have been keeping track of her since then.” “Who did? Did you get a name?” “Donald Radtke.” The surly handyman? “Jesus Christ. I have to get back there! Thanks, Justus. I owe you.” Cursing, Thorne scored a U-turn and headed back the way he’d come. He had to talk some sense into Katelyn, get her someplace safe until this thing was finished the way it should be. On top of

convincing her of how much he really cared about her. Katelyn was worth everything to him. He’d spent his whole life alone, pretty much without anyone who cared whether he lived or died. Until her. He was convinced she’d come to care about him. If she hadn’t, when she’d learned he was her secret bodyguard, she wouldn’t have been so angry. Or so prickly. Or so impossible. Impossible was suddenly sounding seductive to him. As he drove, he began working up several arguments to win Katelyn over. By the time he got back to Lakeside’s parking lot, he was so distracted that he almost ran into another

vehicle on its way out. Pulling himself together, he gave the sedan with tinted windows a single quick glance as it turned right, heading west along the lake’s southern shore. At least the parking lot was now nearly empty. As he stopped in front of the guest house, Tansy popped out from behind a parked car and waved him down with a hand holding her cellphone. “What’s up?” He had a bad feeling as he swung open his door. “You didn’t see Katelyn? She was in the vehicle you almost hit. I was coming up from the café to get something from my car when I saw Donald Radtke shove her into his.”

“Fuck!” His fault. He never should have left in the first place. “I’m pretty sure he was holding a gun on her,” Tansy said. “I was just about to call the police.” She held up the cellphone. Still in the driver’s seat, he pulled his door shut. “Go ahead and do that while I try to catch up to them.” He was already rolling when he said, “Get that information to Detective Cole.” He zoomed out of the lot and headed west. The other vehicle wasn’t in sight now—too big a head start. Or it could have turned off onto one of the small intersecting roads. Thinking he would check this road first, he floored his

accelerator and went around a curve too fast. Just missing a delivery truck, he released his death grip on the wheel and lightened his foot. A few seconds later, he pulled into an apartment complex’s lot, where he grabbed his cellphone. Why hadn’t he thought of using tech in the first place? Assuming Katelyn had her cellphone with her… He selected the GPS real-time tracker app and tapped in Katelyn’s number. A flashing red pinpoint on the map that came up told him exactly where to find her. Then he pulled out his gun and stuck it in the waistband at his back. Once again,

he vowed to do whatever it took to protect the woman he loved. If that’s what it took to save her, he would kill the killer.

Chapter 16 As they whipped toward the road that would take them west around the lake, a disbelieving Katelyn struggled with the tape binding her wrists together behind her. “Won’t do you any good,” Radtke said. “That duct tape’s gonna hold unless you have something sharp to cut it. Which I know you don’t. So you might as well sit still.” “Sit still for how long?” How far from Lakeside was he planning on taking her?

“Until it’s your time.” “For what?” He hesitated only a second before he said, “To die.” Her gut clenched and she had trouble taking a deep breath as they whipped along the tree-lined road. Exactly what she’d been afraid of. As far as she knew, no one had seen the man force her from the basement to the side yard and out to his car. No one was going to save her this time. She’d made sure of that by being so irritable with Thorne that he’d up and left. Now Radtke intended to kill her unless she could figure out some way to make him listen to reason. “Why me?” she asked.

“Because my little girl is dead!” “I don’t get it, Radtke. Do you actually think you’re honoring your daughter’s memory this way?” “You don’t know anything about my Nicole.” “Then tell me about her.” Anything to buy herself some time. There would be no escaping from him here, what with no businesses or homes fronting on the road. No one to shout to for help. Her cellphone was in her pocket, but unless she could pull a hand free, she couldn’t get to it to call for help. “Nicole was pretty and sweet and as smart as they come. I know because I

was watching her for months. Memorizing everything she did. Waiting for my opportunity. I would have made her love me if given the chance.” Given the chance… That meant he still hadn’t had a real relationship with her. Trying to appease him with some sympathy, she said, “It sounds like you were left out of the equation.” “Her bitch of a mother saw to that.” “I know how that feels. My mother kept me from my father, too, at first. By the time he knew about me, he had a new family.” She winced as she added, “And his bitch of a wife”—she used the term only because she was trying to identify

with him—“made sure that I was always the outsider.” “ ‘Outsider’—bullshit! Your old man came for you in his fancy helicopter.” “My father might love me, but it’s the way you must have loved Nicole. From a distance.” “He wrapped his arms around you. I never got to do that with my little girl. She grew up without knowing who her real father was! I didn’t even know about her until a year ago.” Katelyn could only imagine why not. “How did you find out about her in the first place?” He laughed. “I spotted her bitch of a mother at a Milwaukee shopping center.

I followed her and made it my business to learn the secret she’d been keeping from me for nineteen years. When I found those photos, she tried to lie, but I made her tell the truth.” He was obviously deranged. Following the mother? Watching his daughter for months? Waiting for his opportunity? To do what? What had he done in the first place to keep the girl’s mother from telling him about his daughter? Trying to keep her panic in check, she kept working her wrists, attempting to loosen the damn tape so she could pull one hand free. Then she would open the door and throw herself out of the car.

What then? “I was going to get to know my Nicole,” he went on. “To have a relationship. To make her love me. And now I will never have that chance.” “I’m so sorry”—for him as well as for herself and her father. “Your old man has to pay!” There was nowhere to run to out here. Few side roads led down toward the lake and the houses overlooking it. No one even seemed to be around. She was on her own, so she kept talking. “My father didn’t kill Nicole. The police have the shooter in custody. A man named Gus Pratt killed your daughter and six others. He will pay for

those crimes.” “Your father owns Hamilton Precision Weapons. He was responsible for manufacturing the assault rifle used to kill my daughter.” “That weapon was made to be used by the authorities. It was stolen—” “By someone you used to shack up with.” He suddenly turned down a side road that headed north, back toward the lake. “I’ve been watching the news. I know everything that went down.” Deflated, she couldn’t think of an argument that would change his mind. And she had the feeling they were nearly to their destination, where he planned to get rid of her. Which meant she needed

to keep him talking while she continued trying to free herself. “What about Sam Gilbert?” she asked, wanting to know the truth about her bartender’s death. “Why did you kill him?” “He caught me trying to jimmy the lock on your door. I was going to be waiting for you when you came home that night, but Gilbert was in the way. Consider him another casualty of the Hamilton name.” She got her right wrist free of the adhesive, but the tape was wound so tightly she couldn’t pull her hand out of the loop. Frustrated, she said, “But you didn’t

kill Sam right away.” “I shoved him down the stairs to the basement, then tied him up so I could go back up to your apartment. But you’d gotten home, and then it was too late.” Dear Lord, Sam had been trapped down there the night he’d come for his sunglasses? If only she had heard something that would have alerted her, she could have saved him. “Then why did you kill him?” she asked as the car jogged off onto a smaller side road that went uphill. “He was in the way of getting to you. I thought he might be dead and rotting down there. So in the middle of the night after Wednesday’s shift, I went down to

the storage area, where I’d left him. He’d worked himself loose and tried to get away. So he left me with no other choice but to kill him.” Her gorge rose. She swallowed hard and asked, “How?” “A piece of pipe. Just before dawn, I walked him down to the pier. Bastard was supposed to drift off to the middle of the lake and sink to the bottom! And then you had to go and find him. You just kept spoiling my plans.” In the middle of a stand of trees, he stopped the car and cut the engine. “But not this time.” She knew they were near Black Point, the highest point around the lake, and adjacent to the deepest water.

Radtke got out of the car, and by the time he came around to her side, he had his gun in his hand. He opened the door and motioned with it for her to get out. She stumbled to her feet. Her right hand slid around inside the tape loop, but she simply couldn’t pull it out. If only she could find something sharp to nick the material with, she could rip it open. “What are your plans for me?” she asked, already searching for someplace she could run to get away from him. He waved the handgun in her face. “After I shoot you, I’ll shove your body off the point. They’ll never find you.” She took a frantic look around for an escape route. Woods and more woods.

Could she outrun him before he got her close enough to the edge to shove her off it? Maybe, if he didn’t have the damn gun… Without thinking it through, she feigned a twisted ankle, cried out, and pretended to be off-balance. And then, when Radtke reached out to grab her, she aimed her shoulder at him, hitting him on the right side of his chest as hard as she could. His gun hand jerked and the weapon went flying, landing within feet of the bluff’s edge. And she took off in the opposite direction, running as fast as she could. “You’re not getting away from me this

time, bitch!” he yelled after her. Seeing the edge of a massive home through the trees, she headed straight for it. Halfway there, she heard another vehicle screech to a halt somewhere behind her. A glance over her shoulder revealed a truck mere yards from where Radtke was bending over to pick up his gun. She nearly tripped for real this time. That was Thorne’s truck! He’d come back for her! She stopped long enough to regain her breath as she surveyed the scene. Radtke had his gun. And when Thorne left the truck, he was empty-handed. She ran toward him as Radtke raised his weapon, aiming it at the man she loved.

“Take it easy,” Thorne said, stopping and raising his open hands. “I’m unarmed.” “Don’t shoot him, Radtke!” she yelled. “You want me, not Thorne!” With that, Radtke whirled toward her, gun hand first. As he fired, she dropped to the ground, not because she was hit, but to make herself a smaller target. Thorne lunged forward and slammed into him. The gun went flying, as did both men. She felt something sharp dig into her hip, scooted forward, and reached back for it. Her fingers found something slightly curved, but sharp at its edge. A piece of broken glass, maybe from a beer bottle.

She could try using it to cut the tape binding her wrists together. Carefully picking it up, she got to her feet and stumbled toward the wrestling men. Thorne was on top, then was quickly overturned. Radtke pummeled him. “Just stop this, Radtke!” she screamed. As she approached them, she used the glass edge to pick at the tape around her wrists. “You’ve already lost.” Even as the men rolled on the ground trading punches, Katelyn felt the sharp side of the glass catch on the tape. Radtke got to his feet and aimed a kick that caught Thorne in the head, making

him go down hard. Frantic now, Katelyn pushed and tugged and twisted that piece of glass until finally the edge of the tape gave way with a whispered rip. Radtke was going after his gun. Thorne was getting to his knees. Katelyn was putting herself between them. Radtke’s gun had fallen within feet of the bluff overhanging the lake. “Katelyn, get out of the way!” Thorne yelled when Radtke picked up the gun. If she did, Radtke would shoot Thorne instead of her. Finally ripping free of the binding, she lunged forward, arms outstretched, and grabbed Radtke’s arm,

deflecting it upward and to the side. “Let go of the damn gun!” she screeched. He stumbled backward, feet dancing toward the vertical drop to the lake, but he wouldn’t give it up. “Die, bitch!” he yelled, striking her in the head with his free fist. Seeing stars, she went off-balance, got a fast look at Thorne, and realized he wasn’t unarmed, after all. She let go of Radtke’s arm and threw herself at him, knocking him backward in what seemed for a moment like slow motion. But as the motion speeded up, he grabbed her elbow with an iron grip, and she realized his feet were still earthbound at

the drop’s edge. “If I die, you die with me!” he growled. Could she survive a fall from this height? Suddenly she felt Thorne grab the back of her pants, jerking her to a stop. She looked down and saw that Radtke still had ahold of her arm, the man the only thing between her and a lot of nothing behind him. “Drop the gun if you want to live, Radtke!” Thorne ordered. Katelyn realized he was pointing his gun at the other man’s head. “Don’t shoot!” She didn’t want a man killed because of her. She didn’t want Radtke

on Thorne’s conscience. Perched precariously as they were on the precipice, all three were about to take what would likely be a deadly fall. She grabbed Radtke’s arm as she straightened up and leaned backward, Thorne hauling her closer to him. Radtke dropped his weapon so he could grab her with both hands, but before he could do so, he lost his tenuous footing on the shifting earth and his feet did a dance as they slid out from under him. As Radtke’s mouth opened in a silent scream, Thorne reached past Katelyn and grabbed him. “You’re not going to be lucky enough to die!” Sliding Katelyn away from him, he

used both hands to haul Radtke back onto solid land. The moment his feet hit the earth again, Radtke shoved Thorne in an attempt to get away. It gave Katelyn some real gratification when Thorne punched Radtke so hard that his head nearly spun around. Then he tossed the murderer facedown on the ground and put a knee in his back just as a siren announced the police had arrived. — Later, when they were alone in Katelyn’s apartment, after they’d given their story and their captive to Detective Cole, Thorne wondered how much longer the détente between the two of them would

last. Acting as though everything was normal, she had the café deliver food, and she ate as if she was starving— which she probably was, Thorne thought, considering that she hadn’t eaten earlier. “I can hardly believe the nightmare is ended,” she said. “And Radtke is behind bars.” “If we can trust the justice system, he’ll get life.” “I wonder if they’ll seek life for Aaron, as well.” “I doubt it. He’ll get time for stealing that weapon and illegally selling it, but unless the prosecution can prove that he knew what it was going to be used

for…” “You’re right.” Thorne was glad to see her face had regained some of the color it had lost due to the stress of the past few days. She finally put down her fork and sat back in her chair. “I’m glad Gerard wasn’t guilty of anything but being nosey.” “And of liking you a little too much.” Even though he hadn’t eaten that day either, Thorne simply pushed his full plate away. Katelyn’s eyebrows shot up. “Are you feeling okay?” “I’m just not hungry.”

“Really?” She rose and took the dishes from the island to the counter next to the sink. “You look as if you have something on your mind.” She scraped the plates and set them in the sink. “So tell me, Thorne, why did you come back for me?” He hesitated a moment before offering the truth. “Justus called to tell me that Radtke was Nicole Dyer’s father. The danger wasn’t over, after all.” “I see.” Her expression remained neutral, but there was a slight edge to her voice as she forgot the dishes and concentrated on him. “So, then…it was a work-related decision.” “At that moment, yes.”

That wasn’t what she’d wanted to hear. It wasn’t what he’d wanted to say. This was the moment he’d been waiting for. And it was probably his last chance to tell her how he felt about her. If she sent him away, that would be the end of them. He chose his words carefully. “Before Justus called, I’d already realized I’d made a mistake in letting you chase me off.” He quickly added, “I know you were angry with me, but—” “I wasn’t angry with you.” She moved closer to him. “I was upset because I thought you were ready to move on. You didn’t deny it.” “You didn’t make me want to,” he countered, turning on his stool to face

her. This wasn’t going the way he’d hoped. He wanted her soft and pliant and ready to hear the loving words he’d been waiting to shower on her. Instead, she was challenging him, making it more difficult for him to get his feelings out in the open. “Let’s be clear on this,” she said, practically getting in his face. “We should be clear after the lies that pushed us apart. I. Didn’t. Want. You. To. Go.” His pulse surged at her admission. And at the fact that she was practically wedged between his knees. “And I didn’t want to go.” “You didn’t want to leave Lake

Geneva?” “I. Didn’t. Want. To. Leave. You.” This was it. He had to say it now. “I barely got twenty miles out of town before deciding I was a fool and I had to do whatever it took to convince you I care. I’ve had feelings for you from the moment we met, Katelyn Wade. And the more I get to know you, the stronger those feelings grow. God help me, I’m madly in love you.” A brilliant smile lit Katelyn’s face. Finally. The smile that had drawn him in when he’d first seen a photograph of her. The smile that had made him love her. “I didn’t know if I could ever learn to trust you again,” she said. “But you’ve

kept every promise you’ve ever made me. You’re the one who’s come to my rescue time and again, who’s kept me safe and protected me even after I shut you out. Your actions have given me reason to believe in you. Have given me reason to love you, Thorne Hudson.” Thorne felt his features shift into some weird, loopy expression that conveyed his happiness. Katelyn snuggled against him and lowered her voice. “Now I’d like to request a different kind of action, please. Something more…physical.” Starting with a kiss that promised her his complete loyalty and love, Thorne was only too happy to comply.

Epilogue FOUR MONTHS LATER “Today’s the day,” Thorne growled into Katelyn’s ear. Barely awake, she snorted. “I thought every day was the day.” “I didn’t mean to have sex.” Astonished, she pulled away from him. “You don’t want to have sex with me?” “That’s not what I meant. Today’s the day you’re moving back to Lake Geneva permanently.”

“Oh, that!” Smiling, she threw a leg over him and between his thighs and was rewarded with an instant salute. Mornings seemed to be Thorne’s favorite time. Truthfully, he was ready anytime. “Have you changed your mind?” he asked. “No!” She started to remove her leg, but he was quick to slip a hand over her butt and lock her in place against him. Katelyn laughed and tucked her head into the hollow between his shoulder and neck. She’d never been so happy.

Having spent the last months going back and forth between Lake Geneva on the weekends and Chicago during the week—Thorne had been working for Justus Nance—she’d had enough time to recover from the nightmare of Donald Radtke. Enough time to grieve for the friend who had died a senseless death. Enough time to realize that she still wanted to hold on to the dream that had almost died with Sam. “Thank you,” she murmured. “For what?” Thorne slid his hand up from her butt to her breast. “I haven’t done anything.” He arched one eyebrow at her as he flicked her nipple into aching need. “Yet.”

Her pulse fluttering with anticipation, she smiled. “You convinced me not to make any decisions until I’d had time to think everything through.” She was returning to Lake Geneva in time to prepare for the winter holiday madness. “And you convinced me to decide what I really want, too.” Thorne would be the one commuting back and forth until his security business was up and running in a month or two. Being in Lake Geneva full-time together would be the best Christmas present ever. Sighing, she said, “I’m still amazed that you decided to make Lake Geneva your first real home.”

“Not Lake Geneva.” “Wait a minute! You haven’t changed your mind, I hope!” “Not Lake Geneva,” he said again. “You. I choose you to be my home. Wherever you want to live.” Katelyn’s eyes stung and she blinked away a couple of heartfelt tears. “What is it you told me? Not to judge a person by his words, but by his actions?” Pulling her over him, Thorne murmured, “Gladly,” before making love to her in a way that left no doubt they were meant to be together. Forever.

A champagne toast to Sherrill Bodine, who generously opened her Lake Geneva homes to our critique group for writing retreats two or three times a year. My time spent there over two decades gave me a fun, realistic setting for His Deception.

PHOTO: FIREFLY NIGHTS PHOTOGRAPHY

With ninety-seven novels and more than seven million books in print, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author PATRICIA ROSEMOOR is fascinated with “dangerous love,” the kind combining romance with danger. She has written various forms of romantic and paranormal romantic thrillers, bringing

different mixes of thrills and chills to her stories. Patricia was the recipient of a Golden Heart Award from Romance Writers of America and two Reviewers’ Choice and two Career Achievement awards from RT Book Reviews. In her other life, she taught popular fiction and suspense-thriller writing in credit courses at Columbia College Chicago. patriciarosemoor.com Facebook.com/PatriciaRosemoorAuthor @PRosemoor

The Editor’s Corner April is a promise of spring and Loveswept romance is here to warm things up. L. P. Dover continues her edgy, emotionally gripping Second Chances series with the story of a beautiful widow who can’t resist a chiseled NFL player in Catching Summer. The Society of Gentlemen series from K. J. Charles continues with the sizzling A Gentleman’s Position. For a new series, ladies, meet Micah, a man who takes what he wants—until he meets the one

woman he needs in Stacey Kennedy’s Bound Beneath His Pain. An epic love affair steals the show in Stina Lindenblatt’s This One Moment. Annie Rains continues her small-town Hero’s Welcome series with a cowboy turned marine in Welcome Home, Cowboy. Gillian Archer is hot on the trend of MC romance, introducing her True Brothers series with Ruthless. And MC Sons of Odin returns with Violetta Rand’s irresistible novel about a sexy-as-sin biker who tempts a good girl to go bad, Possession. Off the Hook from USA Today bestselling author Laura Drewry is the first in her Fishing for Trouble series

featuring three unforgettable brothers— each of whom is a great catch. Then the swoon-worthy McKinney Brothers series from New York Times bestselling author Claudia Connor continues with J.T. in Worth It All. USA Today bestselling author Alexis Morgan kicks off her new Sergeant Joe’s Boys series with Always for You: Jack, where a foster son learns about love and life in record time. And the new Fireside series tells a story of an old love reunited in His to Love from new Loveswept author, Stacey Lynn. USA Today bestselling writing duo M. J. Fields and Chelsea Camaron are back with the Caldwell brothers in Jagger, which is not only full

of swagger and sensuality but also packs an emotional punch as the last bachelor standing fights for a woman who’s worth every ounce of trouble. And yet another Aces Hockey romance from Kelly Jamieson releases this month featuring pro hockey hunk Duncan in Icing. There’s also something naughty for you from New York Times bestselling author Jen McLaughlin in Lust Is the Thorn where a soon-to-be ordained priest has to decide who he loves more. Then prepare yourself for razor-sharp suspense from New York Times bestselling author Patricia Rosemoor with His Deception. Two words for you: secret bodyguard. And for fans of the hit

TV show Empire, Lisa Marie Perry’s Sin for Me kicks off the sizzling Devil’s Music series. Friend Loveswept and let the romance begin! Until next month— Happy Romance!

Gina Wachtel Associate Publisher

Love stories you’ll never forget By authors you’ll always remember eOriginal Romance from Random House randomhousebooks.com

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