Chasing Memories: The Forevermore Series, Book 2 (8 page)

Chapter Eleven

“Come on, let’s get you settled inside.” Lucas said. He slid out of the driver’s side of the car and came around to open the passenger door.

The acrid stench of gas and other noxious fumes accosted her, making her head ache more and her stomach lurch. India wrinkled up her nose.

Lucas stretched out a hand to her, she assumed to help her out, but India didn’t take it. She remained seated and stared straight ahead. “I can’t stay here.” The lines of their boss-employee relationship had blurred enough already. How could she keep things professional between them if she stayed here with him? She couldn’t. “I can go to another hotel.”

“Be reasonable, India. You’re hurt, and you need to rest.”

“You’re my boss, Lucas.”
Not to mention I’ve got the hots for you.
And the more time they spent together, the harder it was to keep her emotions under control. She liked Lucas. Too much for her own good.

He laughed and then his eyes turned serious. “Yes, but I’d like to think I’m your friend, too.”

“You? Want to be my friend?” India snorted.
Yeah, right, and pigs fly.

One brow arched up. “You don’t believe me?”

She shook her head. “I don’t have many friends.” They’d been hard to come by when she’d been younger. School and her demanding film schedule left little time for anything else. The immediate years after her career ended were spent getting clean and… Well, to tell the truth, she found it challenging to connect with people on a personal level. She didn’t fit in with her peers. She did with Lucas. He didn’t judge her, didn’t criticize.
Didn’t freak when I woke up screaming.
With him she’d found a measure of acceptance. “And the friends that I had vanished the minute the scandal with the accident hit.”

“If they abandoned you, they weren’t true friends to begin with. A true friend is there for you and sticks around to lend support when times get tough.”

To have someone she could call and just talk to once in a while. The idea tempted and teased her senses and touched something deep inside. If only… “Sorry, but that hasn’t been my experience.”

“Maybe you’re hanging out with the wrong kind of people.”

She probably was. “Mmm.”

“So, what do you say? Friends?”

The memory of his mouth caressing hers floated into her mind. Tempting, teasing, and oh, so damned good. She lifted her eyes to him. Desire sparked in his. And hesitation. Could he be as uncertain as she? “Why?”

“Why what?”

“Why do you want to be my friend?” She had to admit, he’d made her more than a little curious. Most people found her overanxious and difficult to relate to.

“I like you. You’re a nice person.”

“Nice person, huh? I’m a neurotic mess. Ask anyone who’s met me. I’m sure they’ll tell you.”

He lifted a hand and gently caressed her bruised cheek. “I see nothing of the kind. You’re a strong, confident woman. A survivor who is determined to live her life no matter what gets thrown at her.”

Her eyes rounded, and yes, her jaw dropped and now sat on the ground. Strong, confident woman? Survivor? No one had ever used those words to describe her before.

“Look at the adversity you’ve already conquered. You battled drug addiction and won.”

Her shoulders slumped. “You know about that?” Of course he did. The media played up the angle with “then” and “now” pictures after the accident, except the current day images portrayed her as a junkie. “I’ve been clean for almost ten years.”

Lucas nodded. “That’s a hell of a feat and proves my point even more.”

She liked the India Lucas saw. A lot better than the image she had of herself. Maybe if she tried, she’d learn to see her, too?

He extended his hand to her again. “Are you coming with me?”

He smiled, and oh hell, her belly did another somersault. Staying in Lucas’s house for a few days, living with him, even as a friend would be crazy. How could she even consider the possibility?

How could she not? He knew about her past and accepted her anyway. He’d seen her at her worst. Not a pretty sight, but he’d stuck around, took her to the hospital and offered her a place to stay.
A true friend doesn’t abandon you when things get tough. They stay by your side and offer support.
Heck, the man had shown her more kindness, consideration and understanding in the last two days than most of her acquaintances throughout her life.

“India?”

She reached up and put her hand in his. “Yes, friends.”

Good, Lucas thought, satisfied.
He could do the friend thing. Hell, he owed her a little understanding, given everything she’d been through. He’d been wrapped up in his own misery over losing his grandmother, and trying to find out what had happened to cause her death. Not once did he consider what the accident meant for India. The press hounded her night and day, the few friends she’d had abandoned her, she’d lost her memory, and the icing on the cake? Scaffolding had collapsed on her. Well no more. From now on she could rely on him.

But what if she was responsible for Gram’s death?

He wouldn’t think about that now. Besides, Audrey Sotto saw Grams behind the wheel, not India. As for the memory thing, they’d figure out what happened together.

They rode the elevator up to the fifteenth floor, then traveled the short distance down the hall to his place. His condo was only one of four on this level. Inserting the key, he opened the door and gestured for India to precede him. She walked through the front entry and let out a soft gasp.

“Lucas, the views of the ocean are stunning.” She made her way through the main living space to the floor-to-ceiling windows that faced south.

He followed behind her. “It’s why I bought this place. Come on. Let me show you where you’ll be staying.” He laid a hand at the small of her back, then turned left and guided her to the hall off the entryway. “It’s the room at the end.”

As they walked, India asked, “What other rooms are here?”

He pointed to the right. “Guest suite, but it doesn’t have its own bathroom. Yours does. And my home office over here.” He gestured to the opposite wall. “You’ll have plenty of privacy, if that’s what you’re worried about. The master is at the other end of the hall.” She didn’t reply, and when they reached the door, he opened it and led her in. “I’ll let you rest now. If you need anything give me a call on my cell.”

Her eyes widened. “You’re leaving?”

“I’m heading back to the hotel. I’ve got a few things I need to take care of.”

“But it’s not safe. You could get hurt.”

A warm pressure filled his chest. Her concern for his wellbeing touched him. He’d never experienced anything resembling it with any of the past women in his life. “I’m not planning to stay long. I want to get a look at the scaffolding, and I need to make sure my office manager rebooks any guests we have to other hotels.” He wanted to talk to the workmen, too. One of them must know something. He’d question the staff on duty as well.

“I’ll pack up your things while I’m there and bring them back with me.” His eyes raked over her. She needed to get out of her blood-stained clothes. Couldn’t wait until he brought her things later. “Wait here.” Turning, he strode to his master suite, grabbed a T-shirt and a pair of shorts with a drawstring from the dresser, and returned to India. “Here.” He handed her the items. “Put them on for now until I come back with your clothes.”

Her eyes rounded. “Um, thanks.”

He smiled. “You’re welcome. Oh, and the nurse mentioned there’s a prescription you need filled.”

She shook her head. “I didn’t take it.”

“Why?”

“I don’t take drugs unless it’s absolutely necessary.”

A neurotic mess? No way.
She was stronger than anyone he knew. “What about naproxen sodium or ibuprofen?”

“Only if I have to.”

“I have some. I’ll get the bottle and leave it on the dresser with a glass of water for you.”

India shook her head. “You’ve done more than enough for me, Lucas. I can get the bottle if I need it.”

“I’m sure you can, but I’ll go and get it anyway. Is there anything else you need?”

“Do you think you can, um, help me take off my jacket?”

Color invaded her cheeks. It made him want to smile. “Sure. I’ll even be a gentleman and close my eyes so I don’t see anything I’m not supposed to.”

She grinned back at him. “Thanks.”

She unbuttoned the garment. He eased it off her, taking care to not aggravate the gash on her shoulder. He’d intended to close his eyes, but the long, thin bruises on her arms and chest drew his attention.
Shit.
He drew in a sharp breath. “I’m so sorry, India. I never meant for you to get hurt.”

“It’s not your fault, Lucas.”

Yes.
He’d brought her down here and exposed her to danger. He needed to make sure she stayed safe from now on.

His phone rang. He grabbed it and glanced at the caller ID. Amanda. “I’ll call you right back.”

“No. Please don’t hang up. I need to know what you learned from Richard Davis. It’s important.”

“All right. Hold on a minute.” He muted the phone then gazed up at India. “I have to take this.”

“Don’t worry about me. I’m going to finish changing and then lie down for a while.”

He nodded, strode to the door, and closed it as he stepped into the hall. “I’m back. I spoke with Richard, but he didn’t know anything about the sale.”

“I’m not surprised.”

“Why?”

“I went over to Grams’s when we got off the phone this morning. It didn’t make sense to me she’d sell the building without telling either one of us. I went through her paperwork. Lucas, she still has the original deed from when she bought the building twenty-five years ago.”

“Son of a bitch. It’s not possible.” She would have transferred it over to the new owner when the sale was finalized.

If she sold the building.

Richard’s words from earlier in the day echoed in his mind.

Chapter Twelve

“Lucas? Is everything okay?” India walked out into the main living area of Lucas’s condo and stared. He stood in the center of the bright, sunlit room with a holy-hell expression on his face. She’d heard him utter a loud curse. It brought her out here in the first place.

“Lucas? Are you there?” a female voice asked.

India frowned, then stared at Lucas’s hand. The loud sound emanating from his phone made her wonder if someone else was here.

“Come on. Answer me, Lucas,” the woman insisted.

She stiffened. The vein on the side of her head pounded, then her whole head vibrated, vision blurred, insides twisted. “Who is that? On the phone?” she whispered. The voice—something about it seemed familiar, and not in a good way.

Lucas stared at her as if… Well, she wasn’t sure what, but his mouth gaped open and his eyes rounded into saucers. “Lucas?”

He blinked, and muttered a terse, “I’ll call you back.”

“Is everything okay?”

“I’m not sure. My cousin called with some troubling news.”

“Oh. Do you have to go back to San Francisco?” A lump formed in the back of her throat at the idea. “Don’t worry about me. I can go to a hotel. I should have insisted in the first place.” The words came out in a rush.

His expression darkened. “No!”

Her brows furrowed.
No what?

He flashed a hint of a smile. “I don’t have to leave. At least not yet, and you can stay here until you’re feeling better. We’ll figure out the rest later.” He shifted his weight from side to side. “Ah, why did you want to know who I’d been talking to?”

Heat invaded her cheeks. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to pry.” She’d interrupted a personal call.
Obviously.
Probably with his girlfriend.
Oh damn.
“I thought I recognized the voice. It seemed somehow familiar, kind of like it reminded me of someone or something. I can’t really explain it.” She gestured with her hand as if waving off the notion. “It’s no big deal. Forget I mentioned it.”

He lifted a hand and caressed her cheek.

Her heart beat a crazy tattoo.
Stop it, stop it, stop it.

“It is. You turned sheet white when you heard it. Do you think it might be a memory trying to surface?”

A shiver ran through her, and her stomach sank as if she were at the top of the highest peak on a roller coaster and started plummeting down. “It’s just… I don’t know. I can’t remember.” Tears filled her eyes and, oh hell, she started to cry. Agonizing, breath-stealing sobs escaped. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t stop the shudders racking her body. Lucas wrapped his arms around her and held her tight, like he’d never let her go, and lord, it felt so damned good, so what she needed at this moment. She burrowed deeper into his embrace.

“It’s okay.” His voice soothed her battered soul. His hand gently stroked through her hair, down her back, and made its way up again, and he repeated the movements. “Everything’s going to be all right. I’ve got you, India. I’ve got you.”

India wasn’t sure how long the crying jag lasted, but after the last tear fell all she wanted to do was climb into bed and sleep for a year. Every muscle in her body hurt, from her head down to the toes on her feet. She forced herself to ease out of his embrace, even though everything inside her rebelled against the idea.

Idiot, idiot, idiot. The last thing the man wants is a sobbing woman in his arms.
Her brothers had told her they hated when women cried. She hadn’t meant to break down and lose control either. How the heck could she face him now? Eyes cast downward, she said, “Sorry. I, ah, guess I got a little overwhelmed. It’s been a long day.”

He tilted her chin up. Care and compassion radiated from him as he stared down at her. Dear lord, she loved his eyes. A rich, chocolate brown, they shimmered with tiny flecks of gold. She could stare into their fathomless depths forever.

“You have nothing to apologize for. You’re one tough cookie. I know men who aren’t as strong as you.”

She gave a small smile. “Thanks.”

“Come on, let’s get you into bed. You need to rest.”

Yes, she did, but what if the horrible nightmares from this morning returned while she slept? A tremor raced down her spine at the notion.

*****

Lucas scrolled through his contacts and selected Amanda’s number as the elevator descended to the parking garage. He’d tucked India into bed, and she’d been asleep before he’d lowered the blackout shades.

He’d watched her for long minutes. Why, he wasn’t sure, but something inside compelled him to stay. Finally, he forced himself to leave, even though it was the last thing he wanted to do but couldn’t resist the urge to place a gentle kiss on her soft, supple cheek first. He shook his head, remembering as she’d strolled into the living room dressed in his T-shirt, which fell to her shapely thighs, hiding the way-too-big-for-her shorts. The sight of her in his
clothes, touching all her glorious skin… Like he’d put his brand on her, which was absolutely crazy, because it was only a pair of cotton shorts and a T-shirt. Still, it hadn’t stemmed the urge to go all caveman and drag her back in the bedroom and make love to her until she sobbed his name again and again. His little fantasy ended the moment she’d heard Amanda’s voice. Hell, the color had drained from her face.

She’d been upset, and what did he do?
Mr. Sensitive, once again.
He’d pushed her over the edge. Her tears and the heart-wrenching sobs she’d cried gutted him.

“Lucas. What’s going on? Why did you hang up on me, and whose voice did I hear in the background?”

The elevator doors opened on the parking garage level. Lucas stepped out and strode through the concrete structure to his car. “I was with India.”

“Oh. Lucas, you’ve got to stop this craziness.”

“I’m not crazy.”

“Forget India. What are we going to do about this mess with the sale of Grams’s building?”

“I’ll contact Richard again, and update him on the situation. Maybe Grams believed she’d misplaced the deed and requested a duplicate.” The idea hadn’t occurred to him when Amanda mentioned her findings earlier. He’d been focused on India, and the accident and couldn’t think straight, but it made the most sense.

“Not likely, considering I found it with her other important paperwork.”

“Regardless, it should be easy enough to check whether this man’s claim is legitimate.”

“What about moving the real estate office to the Acquati? Do you still want me to proceed?”

“Yes.”

Amanda sighed. “Lucas, I need you to come home.”

No. He wasn’t prepared to leave Miami, not now.

“Are you listening to me?” Amanda asked.

He let out a sharp breath. “I can’t. I’ve had some trouble down here at the hotel.”

“Trouble?”

“Yes. Someone tried to sabotage the renovation work I’m doing here.”

She sucked in a deep breath. “What happened?”

“Someone cut the support brackets on some scaffolding set up on the second floor, and it collapsed.”

“Oh my gosh. Did anyone get hurt?”

“India. She was standing next to the structure when it fell.”

“Holy crap. Is she okay?”

“A lot of nasty cuts and bruises, a gash in her shoulder that required stitches, but it could have been a lot worse. Did you know Grams experienced similar problems during her remodel?”

“Mom mentioned a wall collapsed, but nothing more. Why?”

“Apparently the temporary supports holding up a wall shifted, and the wall came down. India is convinced it wasn’t an accident.”

“Not an accident?” Amanda gasped. “Wait. You mean someone tried to interfere with the renovations at the Young building and the same person is after you now?”

“Yes.”

*****

Lucas exited his office at the Acquati hotel, strode down the corridor to the bank of elevators and summoned a car. Grabbing his cell, he scrolled through his contacts and called Richard Davis while he waited. He needed a list of private investigator recommendations. Finding Grams’s original property deed probably wasn’t important, but he’d mention it to put Amanda’s mind at ease.

“Davis, Grant and Bowen. How may I direct your call?”

“Richard Davis, please.”

“Mr. Davis isn’t available today. Can I put you through to his voice mail?”

“Yes, please.” Lucas left a message and ended the call. The elevator arrived and he rode to the second floor. The doors opened. He stepped out and sucked in a deep breath. “Holy shit!” Wooden slats and long, steel poles from the two lower levels of scaffolding lay scattered on the ground, but the top level remained intact, including the wood planks stretched across the supports. It must have come down as one piece. Bile roiled in his gut. It would have killed India if she’d been beneath it. He picked up a few of the brackets and examined them for himself. Not that he didn’t trust Javier. He did, but he wanted to see exactly what had been done. No doubt about it, someone cut the pieces. Used a grinder if he wasn’t mistaken. Javier’s assessment was dead right.

Pulling out his phone, he touched the camera icon. After taking a few dozen pictures, he returned the cell to its holder and made his way back to the elevator.

He still hadn’t talked to his night manager, Penny, about canceling the reservations and relocating their guests to other hotels in the area. He’d left it too late for today, but he could get her started on the rest of the week. He made a mental note to look for Javier next. They’d need to stop all work until the guests checked out tomorrow. They’d lose another day, but it couldn’t be helped.

Once in the lobby, he stepped out and approached the check-in counter and gave Penny a smile. At least he tried to smile, but judging by the deep frown lines grooving her otherwise smooth complexion, he’d probably flashed more of a grimace.

“I heard about what happened today. Is India all right?” Penny asked, concern radiating in her hazel eyes.

“No major injuries, but she’ll be sore for a few days. How many rooms have we got booked tonight and through the rest of the week?”

Penny frowned. “None. Brett instructed me not to take any more reservations for the rest of the week due to the construction crew working two shifts a day to complete the remodel for the restaurant.”

Why? They’d cordoned off the construction areas. It shouldn’t have been a problem. Was there something going on he didn’t know about? “When did he tell you this?”

“I don’t know, about a week ago.”

When he’d been in San Francisco dealing with Grams’s death. God, had only a couple of weeks passed since he’d laid her to rest? Lucas shuddered. With Brett handling everything, did he forget to mention it? Or, maybe he had, and Lucas hadn’t heard him? There’d been arrangements to make, the police to deal with and…the gut-wrenching, knife-twisting grief clawing at him.
Not going there.

“Was Brett wrong?”

“No. In fact, given what happened today, he had perfect timing.”

“I’ll say. At least we didn’t have any guests walking around up there when the accident occurred.”

“No one on the second floor?”

Penny nodded. “They’d all checked out. Well, except for India, but she’s not an actual guest.”

“India’s was the only room occupied on the second floor?”

Penny nodded. “Yes.”

If there weren’t any other guests, then only India would have a reason to go up there. Had whoever rigged the platforms to fall been out to hurt her?