Deadly Bonds (16 page)

Sara recovered her manners. “Good to see you too. Thank you for sharing Theo’s special day with me.” She turned to Ron and smiled, struck as always by the resemblance between father and son. Studying her were eyes nearly identical to Holt’s and Theo’s—hazel with gold flecks.

“Holt told me he’d invited you for the weekend,” Betty said.
Did he now?
That was interesting, considering he didn’t want her to form attachments to his family. “I can’t tell you how nice it is to see he’s brought someone home.”

“Mom.” Like a growling dog, Holt had a way of warning people with a simple word.

“What? I’m not allowed to comment?”

“She’s here because of a case.”

“Well, a mother can hope, can’t she?” Betty grinned at Sara. “I haven’t seen this much spark in him in two years.” She linked arms with Sara and pulled her toward the living room. “Let’s have a chat, shall we?” Helpless against the momentum of the tide, Sara went with Betty.

“Hi, Grandma.” Theo came down the stairs and accepted the hug Betty offered. His eyes went to the coffee table where a large box wrapped in navy paper and a red bow sat. “For me?”

“You
are
the birthday boy, aren’t you?” Betty gave him a smacking kiss on his cheek. “But I’ve been warned that you’ll have to wait until after you return from your outing.”

“Outing? The treasure hunt’s going to be outside the house?” Sara asked.

Theo held up an index card. “Yep. I found the next clue in my closet.”

Ron came out of the kitchen with Holt following behind. Judging by the creases in Holt’s forehead, the two men had engaged in a brief but intense discussion.

“Happy birthday,” Ron said, moving to Theo and offering him a handshake. When Theo gripped his hand, Ron pulled him in for a hug. A brief flash of pain passed over Holt’s features and Sara realized that Theo allowed affection from everyone but his father. In fact, she couldn’t recall seeing Theo initiate an embrace. Or Holt, for that matter. Holt had patted him on the shoulder once, but she hadn’t seen the father and son hug.

None of your business
,
Sara.
This is Elizabeth’s family
,
not yours.
They’ll work it out.

* * *

Holt’s idea had been to make the project of transforming Theo’s room a big deal. Despite the cheesy phrases Holt had dreamed up and Theo’s reluctance to show enthusiasm, Theo eventually seemed to get into the spirit. It probably helped that Sara was on board. Who knew the woman would be Holt’s biggest cheerleader?

“Stop calling them cheesy,” Sara insisted at their second stop, a furniture store. They were searching for a desk and chair at which Theo could do his homework. His son was thoroughly testing swivel chairs. “
Surround yourself in a rainbow
? That was perfect to lead us to Home and Hearth for all the paint colors. And I thought this one was particularly clever.”

He’d snuck a paint swatch into Theo’s handful from the first stop and Theo had read the clue Holt had scrawled on the back. He’d even cracked a smile.
The birthday king deserves a new throne.

“Well, they’re not Shakespeare.” Holt had enjoyed coming up with the clues, but he wanted to reconnect with Theo, not come off as ridiculous.

“I doubt Shakespeare ever went paint-shopping at Home and Hearth.” She gestured to Theo, who was spinning in circles in one of the floor-model chairs. His beat-up sneakers pushed off in a repetitive rhythm. “Just look at him. He’s happy. Because of you.”

“I wanted him to get what he wanted for his birthday...redecorating the room.”

She gave him an odd look. “It’s not the room. It’s spending time with you. You showed him how much he means to you today. That’s the best present ever.” She walked over to Theo and tried out the chair next to him. Soon, they were both trying the levers that raised and lowered the chairs.

Earlier his father had warned him about Theo adjusting to a new woman being under the same roof. Though Holt had insisted it was only for the weekend, and it wasn’t
that
kind of relationship, his father had shot him several concerned looks. Theo’s emotional safety was a primary concern.

Looking at Sara with Theo now, he needn’t have worried. The kid loved her. Unfortunately, that would make things more difficult if Holt never saw Sara again after this investigation...except for when he bumped into her at the Academy, of course.

If
he never saw her? Was he actually contemplating an alternative?

Holt’s phone alerted him to a text, pulling his thoughts back from the daydreams to which they were headed.

Good job.
She certainly looks happy.

Holt’s pulse pounded like a jackhammer in his head. He glanced around and even walked down a couple aisles, while keeping Theo and Sara in sight. But there was nobody nearby leering at them. Yet, Toxin had sent this. Though the number was blocked, Holt knew without a doubt it had been sent by Toxin...and that Einstein again wouldn’t be able to trace it.

He dialed Max. “I need you, man. Toxin texted me. He’s watching, but I don’t see any sign of him. I’m out in public with Sara and Theo. Can you tail us today?”

“Don’t you have a security guy in tow?”

“Yeah, but I’d rather have you.” An ex-SEAL and Holt’s vigilance should be enough to keep them safe for the weekend.

“You got it. I’m just finishing up the security sweep at the banquet room for tomorrow night, anyway. Give me your location and I’ll be there in twenty.”

* * *

Sara ached in places she didn’t know she had. “How do you use your glutes to paint a room?”

Holt’s gaze went to her behind before moving back to his hands, which he was soaping up under a stream of water in the kitchen sink. She felt her cheeks heat as she thought about those lathered hands slipping over her skin. “Stretching to reach those high places with the roller, I guess. I probably shouldn’t have put a guest to work.” His raised eyebrows indicated he was challenging her.

“Well, it was worth it.” She handed him a towel.

Following the hunt for supplies, they’d returned home to find that Betty and Ron had moved the furniture to the center of Theo’s bedroom and taped the edges of the walls. All that was left to be done was rolling on the colors Theo had chosen—a nice Chicago Bulls’ Red and a deep navy. She’d suggested some cream-colored accessories to lighten the look. “What do you bet Theo’s still sitting on his bed in the middle of the room?”

“He sure was excited, wasn’t he?” Holt grinned. He’d done a lot of that in the past several hours, and it warmed Sara’s heart to be a part of such a lovely family day. She was honored they’d shared it with her.

But as she followed Holt into the family room where his parents were sipping on the mulled cider Betty had put together, she was reminded of the issues waiting in the wings. On one hand, Betty seemed to be firmly in the pro-new-relationship camp. On the other, Ron’s furrowed brow indicated doubt. She wanted to reassure them that this was a temporary arrangement, but she understood their concern. Theo had become attached to her, and that bond was only getting stronger.

“You’re not going to let him sleep in there with the fumes tonight, are you?” Betty asked.

“He’ll sleep in my room,” Holt assured Betty. Ron’s frown relaxed.

“He seems so happy.” Over the lip of her glass, Betty’s gaze shifted between Sara and Holt.

“Doesn’t mean it’s good for him,” Ron said. “Change isn’t easy.”

“But sometimes it’s necessary,” Holt said. Uncomfortable, Sara was relieved when she heard Theo’s footfalls on the stairs. “Time for cake?” Holt asked as Theo emerged.

“Sounds good to me.” Theo grinned as they gathered around the small kitchen table, sang the birthday song, clapped when he blew out the candles, and passed around plates with large pieces of cake and scoops of chocolate ice cream. A few minutes later, they fell into silence as a sugar-induced haze enveloped them.

“I’m so full I don’t know if I can get to the living room to watch Theo open presents,” Ron teased, patting his round belly. “Maybe we’ll have to wait a little longer until I can move.”

Theo jumped up and began gathering plates. “If I clear the table, I can bring the presents in here.”

Ron and Betty laughed and Sara rose to take the plates from Theo. “The birthday boy shouldn’t have to do chores on his special day. Unless it’s painting.” She winked at him, then quickly looked at Holt, realizing she may have crossed a line. It was all a little too familial, but after the beautiful time she’d had with Theo, she didn’t want to hold back her feelings. And that wasn’t what Theo needed, anyway. The kid was hungry for displays of affection. Then again, her emotions were raw and too close to the surface. Being with Holt’s parents had reminded her how much she was missing her own.

Still, she was in Holt’s house, and she wanted what was best for Theo. She should honor Holt’s wishes. Unfortunately, he wasn’t giving her any cues as to what he thought about her behavior, or which of his parents he agreed with. He was just sitting there quietly, watching her.

As if sensing the sudden awkwardness, Ron pushed away from the table. “I think I can make it a short ways. Come on, bucko. Let’s go admire the loot.” He, Betty and Theo left to settle in the living room. Holt continued to study her.

“Please let me help,” Sara said, holding the plates she’d gathered. “I don’t mean to intrude. In fact, I’m fine staying in here and cleaning up and you guys enjoy some family time.”

Holt took the plates from her and set them back on the table. Her heart plummeted. But when her gaze lifted to meet his, it wasn’t anger but a different kind of heat she saw there. Her heart soared again, making her stomach flip-flop as if she were on a roller coaster.

He reached out and took her now-empty hands in his own. “I know you don’t mean any harm.” His thumb was warm as he stroked it along her palm. “But you have a way of attaching yourself to people.” She stiffened. He tugged her into his lap and she was too astonished to release the defensive words that had sprung to her lips. “It’s not your fault. You just have a way of getting under our skins. I’ve seen it firsthand with Theo.” It sounded as if he were trying to work out some kind of puzzle.

“Gee, you make me sound so appealing.”

His eyes went to her lips. “You are. Too appealing to resist. Lord knows I’ve tried.”

She held her breath, thinking he would kiss her now. For weeks, she’d dreamed of kissing him again.

But Holt lifted her off of his lap and set her in a standing position just as the kitchen door swung open and Theo stuck his head in. “Are you guys coming?”

“Wouldn’t miss it,” Holt said. Sara was still regaining her balance emotionally and physically as Holt gathered up the pile of plates and dumped them into the trash container.

Sara needed a moment to gather her senses. “I just need to get my gift.”

From the dresser in her room, she retrieved the envelope she’d put together late last night, when Holt had given her access to her email and the internet on his office computer. She was returning to the living room when she heard Theo’s words.

“She doesn’t have to get me a present. She
is
my present. From Mom.”

“Mom?” The tension in Holt’s voice indicated he’d gone into high-alert mode.

“Yeah. Mom told me before she died that Miss Sara would look after me, and she has.”

Somewhere, Sara found the willpower to set one foot in front of the other and descend the final two steps that put her in view of the occupants in the living room. Holt’s parents were exchanging concerned looks after the bomb Theo had dropped. Holt spied her standing there and quickly looked away. But not before Sara caught the tight lines around his mouth.

Sara held up the envelope. “I promised Theo a gift.”
Lame.
She felt the words fall flat.

Theo didn’t seem to notice anything was wrong. He rushed forward. “I want to open it first.”

“It’s not much.” She suddenly felt nervous. She’d been excited by the idea, but perhaps she’d presumed too much.

Theo took the envelope in both hands as if it were precious and delicate. He slid a finger under the flap and removed the single sheet of paper inside. Sara had printed the website page.

Theo read the paper. “A creative writing course?”

“My friend teaches it online, and normally it’s for college-age students, but she agreed to let you into the class. I hope that’s something you’d enjoy. I thought, with your talent for creating stories, you might be interested...”

So fierce was his excitement as he hugged her around the waist that she almost toppled over into a nearby lamp.

She hugged him back, laughing. “I guess that’s a yes?” She looked to Holt, whose eyes were narrowed on his son. “If it’s okay with your dad, that is.” She should have run it by him first. She could see that now. But she’d wanted to surprise Theo.

“It’s okay with me,” Holt said. But he was still avoiding looking at her. “You clearly know what my son likes.”

Chapter Sixteen

“Dad, do you have a minute?” Theo stood in the doorway of Holt’s home office.

“Of course. Come in.” Holt closed his laptop, on which he’d been reviewing the latest communication among SSAM agents. They’d done everything they could think of to ramp up security for tonight’s banquet. He’d combed through the guest list for Toxin’s next possible target, but no name was jumping out at him. But then, Toxin’s targets never seemed to make much sense.

Theo was clutching the leather notebook Sara had given him a couple months ago, as well as a spiral-bound one. He seemed hesitant.

“Would you like to show me those?” Holt asked. “Because I’d love to see them...but only if you want me to.”

Theo thrust them toward him. “Yeah. If you really want to, that is...” He swallowed. “There’s some stuff in there that might remind you of Mom. I was kind of thinking of her...and cancer...when I wrote the stories.”

Theo sat on the chair in the corner of the room, apparently wanting to watch Holt read the stories. Holt pulled his glasses on and spent the next fifteen minutes reading through the journals. His heart squeezed as he read about the trials and tribulations of the hero, who felt alone in the world. Was that how Theo felt?

When he came to the end, he looked at Theo, who was nibbling on his bottom lip nervously. “I can see why Miss Sara was impressed.”

“You like it?” Theo came over to the desk. “I wasn’t sure...”

“I do.” And he was most impressed that his son had come up with a way to express his feelings that felt safe. “Do you think of yourself as the hero?”

“Sometimes. But mostly I pictured you.”

Holt was startled. “Me?” Did Theo see him as a loner, taking on grief by himself and closing himself off to the world? He’d thought he’d sheltered his son from his own feelings, but he’d gravely mistaken how much Theo had picked up on.

“You didn’t like other people to see your weaknesses. But most of all, you kept fighting. Like the hero in the story.”

Holt looked away a moment, then met Theo’s steady gaze. “I’m sorry I didn’t talk with you more about what your mom was going through. I guess I underestimated how much you saw, how much you felt. Sometimes it’s okay for people you love to see your weakness. It binds you together. I’d forgotten that, Theo. Thanks for the reminder.”

Theo smiled. “No problem.” He shocked Holt by coming around the desk to hug him. His arms encircled Holt’s neck. Holt squeezed his eyes shut and breathed in the scent of his son. He could have held him like that for a long, long time.

But Theo pulled away and grinned. “Miss Sara was right. I shouldn’t have been afraid to show you these.”

“Why were you afraid?”

“I didn’t want to remind you of Mom’s death. Not when you were finally starting to act normal. I didn’t want to make you sad again.”

Holt felt moisture pricking at his eyes and blinked it back. “You could never make me sad, Theo. You only make me happy. You are the best parts of me and your mother.”

“That’s what Miss Sara said.” It seemed Holt owed Sara another debt. Theo shuffled his feet, apparently reaching the limit of his emotional sharing for the evening. “I should get my homework done. Got some stuff due tomorrow. And you should be getting ready for your date.”

“Date?”

Theo rolled his eyes. “You don’t have to hide it, Dad. It’s okay if you’re seeing Miss Sara. She’s singing in the bathroom while she gets ready.” He leaned forward conspiratorially. “I think she likes you.”

More surprises. “And you’d be okay with that.”

“She’s really nice. I think she’d be good for us.”

Holt was thinking the same thing. Hearing the confirmation from his son was like lifting a weight from his shoulders. He handed the notebooks back. “Thank you for sharing these with me. I think that creative writing class will be perfect for you.”

Theo grinned. “Yeah, and I’ll be like a college student.”

He was growing up so fast. Holt was only glad he’d mentally returned to the land of the living in time to see it. “And maybe we can attend a comic book convention sometime soon, if you’d be interested.”

Theo let out a whoop and hugged Holt. Twice in one night. Holt could get used to that.

As his son practically skipped out of the room, Holt felt the need to thank the woman responsible for their breakthrough.

He made his way down the hall toward the guestroom, where Sara was, indeed, singing. “Back in Black” by ACDC. He grinned.

“Are you ready yet?” he called through the closed guest bathroom door.

He tried to distract himself from thoughts of her naked in his house by mentally reviewing today’s SSAM meeting and the preparations for tonight. They needed to trap Toxin
tonight.
Anything else was unacceptable. Then Holt could shift his focus to his son. It was way past due. The memory of Theo’s arms wrapped around his neck left Holt with a warm glow. He had his son back.

The door opened a crack and Holt caught a glimpse of rose-painted lips before Sara’s baby blues locked on him. “I need your help.”

“With?”

She opened the door wider and he swallowed hard as he caught sight of the dress hugging her curves. Was it possible to be jealous of a dress? Black satin. Simple. Sexy. Effective.

Back in black.
And she had his pulse ratcheting up with every breath. Then she turned her back to him, showing an exposed V of creamy white skin and a glimpse of a bra clasp. Black lace. Holt’s pulse sped up. Sara swept her blond curls into her hands and held them up on her head. The glint of a rhinestone-studded hair comb that pinned back one side of her hair winked at him as she glanced back over her shoulder. “Zip me?”

His hands shook as he clutched the zipper but she didn’t seem to notice when he fumbled. After he’d zipped her, he dropped his hands before they could give in to the temptation to explore the creamy skin near her neck. “Thank you.”

Sara released her hair and turned back around. “For what?”

“Theo finally showed me his stories.”

Her eyes lit up. “Oh, I’m so glad.”

“I think you had a lot to do with it.”

She shook her head. “He would have come to you eventually.”

“He even hugged me.” It seemed he’d been waiting an eternity for a hug from his son.

Her eyes softened in understanding. “There will be a lot more to come.”

“Yeah. When we catch Toxin, I’m hoping to take some time off with him. Winter break is just around the corner.”

“You work too hard.” Her fingertips traced the dark circles under his eyes. He sucked in a breath at the contact.

“Until I catch Toxin, I won’t sleep well anyway.” And when he did sleep, the image of exploring Sara’s lush body had him tossing and turning.

She put on what he’d come to know as her let’s-do-this face. “So you’ll drive me to the Academy early in the morning?” Classes would start again tomorrow, but not for long. The students had a full week off for Thanksgiving.

Was she so eager to leave him? He should be relieved. He wouldn’t have to worry about examining his soul any longer without her there to tempt him. But instead of relief, he was thinking of how empty the house would seem without her laughter.

A frown tugged at his mouth, but Holt fought it. “Don’t worry. We’ll get you back in time. We can pick up Theo at my parents’ on the way.” Becca was camping out at his parents’ house overnight to help watch out for Theo’s safety. By tomorrow morning, he hoped he’d be heading to the jail cell that held Toxin to demand some much-needed answers, including what the guy thought he knew about Damian’s daughter’s disappearance.

* * *

The lace bra and panties Sara had packed for this occasion itched against her skin as she mingled during cocktail hour at the banquet. But the discomfort was worth it. The fancy undergarments, like the hair comb, gave her confidence and a much-needed boost of courage. Or maybe some part of her subconscious had wanted to feel sexy around Holt. She didn’t want to feel like second best anymore.

Executing a subtle wriggle, she was able to ease the friction. The elderly gentleman speaking to her barely noticed. He was too engrossed in his story. But beside her, Holt’s hand went to her elbow as if to steady her. Her skin heated at the contact, building to a simmer when he left his hand there.

“That must have been an intense situation,” Sara said when the vet with a chestful of ribbons paused. “Behind enemy lines with no way of communicating with your base.” She shuddered. “I can’t even imagine.”

“No, I don’t suppose you can.” The colonel glanced around at the other people gathered in the large banquet hall. “Most of these people can’t imagine, but there are a few here who know that kind of fear.”

“I, for one, am glad you fought on
our
side. Thank you.” Her compliment made the pale gentleman’s cheeks flame red against his white whiskers.

“If I were twenty years younger...”

She laughed, charmed by his flirtation. “I wouldn’t have a chance.”

“No, you wouldn’t,” he assured her with a wink. He looked at Holt. “And I would have given
you
a run for your money.”

“I don’t doubt it,” Holt said. Though he smiled, it was guarded. They’d been like oil and water lately, mixing but never quite merging. His cool gaze assessed her in a quiet but intense way that shot straight to her core. He could slip past her defenses so easily.

* * *

Holt trailed Sara and observed in bemusement. She seemed determined to personally speak to each person in attendance, probably trying to ferret out the killer from among those attending. He admired her defiant attitude. The simple elegance of her dress indicated a practical woman, but the flash of diamonds in her hair reflected an impulsiveness, a fiery sensuality, that would have grabbed his attention even if he weren’t watching her carefully for other reasons. Her ripe-berry lips were quick to smile or part on a laugh. She was so...
vibrant.

He wanted to unlock all her secrets. What would it be like to indulge himself, to let himself travel down the road he’d wanted to weeks ago, days ago, hours ago...hell, almost every moment of the past couple months? Instead, he’d chosen safety and run back to familiar territory. He’d claimed he needed to consider Theo’s feelings, but his son was obviously in love with Sara. Holt was reluctant to dig into his own feelings and discover why he still avoided taking Sara into his bed. All his reasons for avoiding her had been obliterated this weekend. He could no longer deny that either the old Sara was gone or he’d never really known her.

“See anyone who fits the bill?” Damian asked, his voice loud and clear through Holt’s earpiece. Holt almost jumped at the intrusion. Damian had planted himself in a car parked across the street from the venue. He was observing the people come and go, as was Noah from his post near the main doors.

Holt’s gaze traveled the room and he gave a subtle shake of his head, knowing Damian and Einstein could see him via the camera Einstein had set up. The crowd all seemed to be interacting as normal people would—and nobody had
psychotic killer
tattooed on his or her forehead. Toxin was a highly intelligent and patient man. He’d bide his time and calculate the perfect time to strike.

“Why would he mention this banquet, specifically? He’s got to have a target here.” Damian was hypothesizing out loud, and not about anything they hadn’t already discussed, so Holt didn’t speak.

Max’s voice came through the party line. “In a room this crowded, the guy could get close to anyone without looking out of place.” Holt spied Max across the room, his gaze sweeping the crowd.

As Sara continued to charm the people who came up to them, Holt watched for anything suspicious. His gut told him something wasn’t right.
Think
,
damn it.
What would Toxin do? Who would he target? Why would he want them at
this
banquet? Toxin had to know Sara would be protected at all times.

“Are you okay?” Sara asked him when they had a moment alone.

“Just thinking about Toxin, and whether he has something planned for us. For maximum impact, if he was going to do something dramatic, he would want his target to have some kind of meaning for you. Who in this room would that be?”

“You.” She said it in all seriousness, her eyes wide with concern. His heart rate continued to escalate and he wanted to capture her lips under his own and never let them go.

“No. He wants me to be an actor in this for a while longer.” Toxin had bonded with Holt on some abhorrent level. “It has to be someone he’d want to get rid of. Someone whose death would make Toxin a hero in our eyes.” His gaze landed again on the man who’d made no secret of his disdain for Sara. “John Rochard.”

* * *

He felt Sara go rigid beside him before she spoke. “Oh, no.” Her words were expelled on a rush of breath. “He’s here?”

He hadn’t been on the guest list, but, sure enough, John Rochard stood beside his father. Though Senator Patrick Rochard had been expected to attend, it hadn’t raised any red flags. The senator was a veteran running for re-election in a couple days.

Holt gripped Sara’s elbow. “Prepare yourself. Looks like he’s making his way to this side of the room.” It wouldn’t be long before John Rochard spied her and Holt together. A second later, Rochard’s gaze swept the room, then landed on Sara. As he took note of Holt’s possessive hold on her, his eyes lit up as if he’d found a hidden treasure.

“Didn’t expect to see you here,” Rochard told Holt as he sauntered over to them. He looked Sara up and down. “Or you. Guess they’ll let anyone in these days.” His chuckle was caustic.

“I thought we warned you to keep a low profile,” Holt said. They’d let him know that a killer had mentioned his name, and in an unflattering light. Toxin had basically threatened the man’s life, yet here he was parading around like a peacock.

“He’d be an idiot to attack me here. Not his style, anyway, is it?”

“No, but that doesn’t mean he can’t change his habit.” If he wanted to do away with Rochard badly enough, he’d find a way.

Sara licked her lips and searched the faces of the people passing by. Holt felt the tension radiating off her. He leaned over to whisper in her ear. “It’s okay. Rochard’s right. This guy tends to strike when there isn’t a crowd around.”