Fixing Justice (39 page)

Carmen must have sensed that there was something on her mind because she eventually came right out and asked her what was up. “Are you okay, honey? You seem awfully quiet. “

The lonely road leading into the desert zoomed by as Tori sat quietly wondering just what to say. Carmen had been sweet to her from the moment she’d arrived on the scene. Fiercely protective of and devoted to the Justice Brothers and the colorful cast of characters who came and went from the Villa, Tori knew she could trust the woman completely. Carmen was the sort of person who didn’t suffer fools gladly and was at the heart of it a true and loyal friend.

Turning a sincere smile on the woman who glanced over while driving the nearly deserted road, Tori felt a surge of emotion at the thought that one day, probably soon, she’d have to say good-bye to her. If she was expecting, there was no way she could remain at the agency and even if she wasn’t, the situation between her and Draegyn had become untenable. In that cold, harsh light it became obvious what she’d have to do.

“Oh, I’m fine. Just tired, that’s all.” Remembering the packages she’d tossed in the backseat she added, “Too many dressing rooms and too much walking.” Her answer seemed to satisfy Carmen and for the rest of the drive she made a real effort to cheerfully engage in their companionable chit-chat.

She was gathering her bags from the back seat of Carmen’s car when Cameron and Lacey pulled in right behind them in one of the compound’s electric carts. “Hola!” Lacey announced as she bounded from her side of the cart. “I’m glad we ran in to you two.” She said smiling broadly as her new husband appeared quickly by her side with a similar smile brightening his dark, good looks.

“It’s good to have you guys back,” Tori told them in earnest. She hadn’t known them for very long but even so it was hard not to be affected by the joy and happiness of the newlywed couple. Seeing their love reflected in each look and with every gesture made tears sting her eyes.
If only
, she thought wistfully.

“I still can’t get over the fact that you two are married,” Carmen told them as she hugged each one in turn.

Laughing, Cam grabbed his bride’s hand and raised it to his lips for a quick kiss. “Well, when you hear our news, you’ll be even happier that we’re man and wife.”

Carmen’s face leapt with joy as she clapped her hands excitedly and gasped, “Oh my God! Is it what I think? Oh Lacey, honey! Is it true then?” Bemused, Tori smiled and waited, wondering what news could possibly elicit such a reaction.

“Yes!” Lacey cried gleefully. “We’re pregnant!” Touching her belly gently she grinned, misty-eyed, into her husband’s beaming face. “Almost four months.”

Boom! The thud of Tori’s heart dropping into her stomach almost had her doubled over and retching on the spot. Holy shit. What were the odds of such an ironic coincidence?

“Have you told everyone?” Carmen wanted to know.

“Yep,” Cam said proudly. “We found out before the wedding but wanted to wait until after the honeymoon to let the cat out of the bag.” One of his big hands joined his wife’s where it stayed pressed against her middle.

Putting a hand up to her mouth like she was telling a secret, Lacey made an adorably shy face saying, “I’m starting to show already so there was no use in delaying the announcement.”

“Wow,” Tori muttered through lips numbed by shock. “I’m so happy for you both. When are you due, Lacey?”

“September” came the reply as both parents-to-be answered in unison.

It was unavoidable that Tori would quickly do the math in her head and conclude that if she was pregnant, she was looking at a Christmas birth. It was all too much for her to take in. Gathering her many packages and bags, she hastily made her good-byes after congratulating the happy couple once again and ran quickly to the quiet and privacy of her apartment. Now her mind really was made up even if her heart resisted.

“G’morning Tori. How’re ya’ doing today?”

Alex’s chipper mood got a wry smile out of her. She would need a vat of coffee and a super-size bearclaw covered in sticky sweetness to wring that much morning cheer out of her. “I’m good, boss. And apparently so are you. Why so upbeat this morning?”

“Oh God,” he chuckled. “Is it so unusual for me to be pleasant in the morning? Better work on that, huh?”

Deciding now was as good a time as any to have the serious discussion with Alex she knew was necessary, Tori took a deep breath and crossed her fingers. “We need to talk.”

“Sure, sure,” he said. “Yeah, in a bit, okay? I have something I need you to do first.”

“Oh,” she said surprised. “What’s up?”

“Let’s sit down,” he said, directing her to pull up a chair. “First of all, this is a don’t shoot the messenger moment, okay?”

Tori shrugged. What else could she do? “Um, sure?”

“Drae’s back.” The rushing sound in her head felt suspiciously like the precursor to her fainting dead away. She wondered if the numbness in her hands and the heaviness in her legs was the result of all the blood in her body zooming south. Whatever it was, she didn’t like the feeling. Unable to move, she lifted doleful eyes to Alex but said nothing. She wasn’t sure of her ability to say anything coherent making silence her new best friend.

“Are you okay? You seem a little pale.”

She shook her head ever so slightly, first to indicate yes and then a shaky no. Things just kept going from bad to worse. The concern etched on Alex’s face eked into her awareness. “I’m fine,” she bit out. “Sorry. You surprised me.”

“No, don’t apologize.” He waited her out, his eyes never leaving her face. It took her a good minute or two to get herself together but once she did, Tori folded her hands neatly in her lap to disguise their shaking and looked back at him. “Better?” he asked. She nodded jerkily and schooled her expression to one of feigned indifference. She knew he could see right through her but pride dictated that she not crumble.

“Okay, good. Now,” he said, “I want you to go talk to him.” At her quick inhale and the way her body twitched he held up his hand to silence any further reply on her part. “Tori. Go talk to him. Don’t pass go. Don’t collect two hundred dollars. Just grab a cart and go to his house. He’s expecting you.”

Now
that
got a reaction from her. “Oh for God’s sake Alex! Don’t I get a say in this? Frankly, I don’t give a shit that he’s expecting me.” She thought of plans A, B and C and knew she was being an unbelievable coward. This was what she wanted. To meet with Draegyn and let him know she had taken steps to fix their very messy, very unpleasant situation. She had to do this if for no other reason than to give herself a measure of peace. The last time her life had blown up in her face she’d lost everything through no fault of her own and eventually ran away, with her tail tucked between her legs.
Not his time
, she vowed. Another man had behaved like a swine and she’d be damned if she’d accept responsibility for the faults of another. Been there, done that.
Ouch.

“If it helps any, he looks like crap and this can’t go on Tori. I can’t have you two warring with each other.”

Fuck my life
, she thought fighting back the tears. He was right. The agency and the bond that joined the Justice Brothers came before anything else. She was the outsider and if that meant she had to cut her losses and go away, so be it. There wasn’t any way around it now that Alex had made it clear he’d had enough.

She stood on shaky legs. Looking anywhere but at her boss’s face. “I’m so sorry Alex. You’re right. Really, I am. Sorry, that is,” she mumbled nonsensically.

“Tori,” he scolded. “You have nothing to be sorry for. I just don’t want to watch two people I care about tearing each other apart.” He stood and pulled her into a brief hug. “You go talk to him. Keep an open mind, okay?”

What could she say? Keep an open mind? For heaven’s sake, didn’t he know about Draegyn’s tabloid tryst with the Hollywood actress? She sighed as a single tear escaped and drifted slowly down her cheek. Impatiently wiping it away, she turned a hollow smile on her boss. “I’ll go, Alex. Because you asked me to. But don’t expect too much. Some things aren’t easily fixed.”

“You have spirit, Tori Bennett. I knew the first time I met you that you were a woman of rare integrity. Now’s a good time to access some of that strength and put it to good use.”

Once again, Drae was pacing impatiently, waiting for Victoria to come to him knowing full well that he was being hopeful at best. He doubted she’d willingly appear on his doorstep – not without some serious pressure on Alex’s part.
Damn.
Why hadn’t he considered that before? The thought didn’t sit well with him.

He’d been up and prowling around his huge house for hours, shot full of restless energy after a sleepless night. Unable to relax enough to wind down and get some shut-eye, Drae had abandoned his bed well after two in the morning and dragged his jet-lagged ass to the living room where he lounged on the sofa, closing his eyes occasionally until snippets of his time with Victoria danced on his eyelids.

The clock ticked in a sort of slow-motion hell as he waited. How long he paced and watched for her appearance in the lane he didn’t know. Time had ceased to be relative. Drae was considering going and fetching her when he heard the approach of a cart, it’s low whirring sound growing louder and more distinct the closer it came. He put a hand over his heart to calm its suddenly erratic beating.

She’d come. He’d been figuratively holding his breath, fearful that no amount of coercion would force her to this meeting. His cage was being rattled, big time. One of them was fearless – and it wasn’t him. He had planned on greeting her on the porch but nerves kept him motionless for long moments as he struggled to find his equilibrium, giving her enough time to mount the stairs and tap softly on the front door.
Showtime St. John,
he thought. Don’t fuck this up.

Tori took her good, sweet time making her way to Draegyn’s house. After Alex’s direct request that she go and talk to the man, she’d gone back to her apartment to grab the legal documents. Instead of simply fetching the envelope she took a shower, styled her hair, and ripped apart her closet in search of something to wear.

Good Lord. For someone who imagined herself a nerdy tomboy, she certainly wasn’t acting like one. Maybe it was his harsh taunt about her ragbag wardrobe that made her take extra pains with her appearance, but probably not. No. In this instance it was a defense mechanism. One of those female impulses driven by jealousy and fear. The memory of Jessamyn Winters in all her stylish glory, clinging to Draegyn like a vine, shredded her confidence.

It was an unusually warm spring day as she climbed the wide wooden steps leading to Draegyn’s front door. It was like that in the desert. One moment it was mild and pleasant. And then there were times like today, when a sudden blast of heat reminded everyone where they were. Tapping lightly, three rapid beats against the hand-tooled wood, Tori pressed a trembling hand to her heart. She hoped she could keep it together long enough to get in and out with as little drama as possible. Clutching her big designer bag close, she took a few deep breaths and waited.

Nothing prepared Tori for what she saw when Draegyn finally opened the door. What a sight he made. She found it disquieting that he looked so
raw
. That was the only way to describe what she was seeing. It must have been several days since a razor touched his face, and his blonde hair was unkempt and much longer than she was used to, giving him a rugged air that had her nipples pebbling with alarming speed. Shit. Even looking like hell, he was still incredibly sexy.