Teagan grimaced. “I want to know who benefits if Mia dies.”
Hauk shoved his fingers through his hair. Neither of them wanted to consider Lucas’s reaction if something happened to Mia. “Does she have a will?”
“Yeah. Most of her property is connected to her business, which she makes monthly payments on.”
“The loan she got from Lucas?”
“Yeah, although I don’t think she knows that yet,” Teagan said.
Hauk made a choked sound of surprise. “So if she dies he gets everything?”
“Not everything,” Teagan corrected his friend. “She has a traditional loan on her new office building and house. Plus, the land that belonged to her father will go to a charity that helps foster children.”
“Ah.” Hauk studied Teagan’s tense features. “What do we know about the charity?”
“Not enough. I’m going to do some digging today.”
There was a pause before Hauk nodded his head. “I think it’s a good lead to follow.”
Teagan narrowed his eyes. “Do I hear a ‘but’?”
Hauk stepped toward him. “What’s the real reason you’re staying in Houston?”
“I’ve just told you—”
“Teagan.” Hauk’s expression was suddenly hard with warning.
Teagan swiftly considered their options before muttering a low curse. Hauk might not possess Lucas’s ability to read people, but he obviously sensed that Teagan was trying to hide something.
“I know you found another note,” he at last confessed.
Hauk jerked in surprise. “How . . .”
His words trailed away as Teagan nodded toward the computer at the end of the table.
On the screen was an image taken of Hauk as he entered the building an hour ago. He was wearing a soft cashmere coat over his suit, and his blond hair was ruffled from the wind.
More importantly, he was hastily shoving a white piece of paper in his pocket as he flicked a wary glance toward the surveillance camera that covered the front of the building.
“Shit. I was afraid I might have been seen.”
Teagan rose to his feet, not a bit happy his friend had tried to keep the latest threat from him.
He got Hauk’s desire to go Lone Ranger on this. Whoever was stalking him had made it a personal fight and Hauk wanted to be the one to solve the mystery.
But Teagan wasn’t going to let the stalker prod Hauk’s pride into doing something stupid.
“Where did you find it?” he demanded.
Hauk’s jaw clenched, his body tense with a fury that smoldered just below the surface. Whoever was leaving the notes had been screwing with Hauk’s mind for weeks, and it was clearly wearing on his nerves.
“In the trunk of my car.”
Teagan’s brows snapped together. The stalker had the cojones to break into Hauk’s car?
“How?”
Hauk lifted a hand. “I don’t know. I haven’t had a reason to open the trunk for a couple of weeks, so it’s impossible to pinpoint where or when it was put there.”
Shit. Teagan scrubbed his hand over the bristle of his shaved head. “Have you read it?”
“Yeah.”
Of course he had. Teagan gave a shake of his head.
“Max specifically told you not to disturb the note if you got another one.” He sent his friend a chiding frown. “He’s going to kill you when he finds out you might have destroyed potential evidence.”
Hauk’s lips twisted in a humorless smile. “He’s going to have to get in line.”
Teagan grimaced. He hated the knowledge they were at the bastard’s mercy. Unfortunately, until he made a mistake, there wasn’t a thing they could do to stop him.
“What’d it say?”
“My day of retribution is coming.”
Chapter Twenty
Lucas sat at the kitchen table, his laptop open in front of him although his gaze remained locked on Mia as she scurried through the suite like a butterfly caught in a windstorm.
It’d been that way since she’d wiggled out of his arms earlier that morning and insisted they had to go to the grocery store. Lucas had urged her to remain in bed and call for something to be delivered. If she wanted to expend her restless energy he had a much better way than slaving away in the kitchen.
Mia, however, had been insistent, and within a couple hours they had the cabinets and fridge full, and a huge pan of homemade lasagna and garlic bread filling the air with a tantalizing aroma.
Resigned to the fact that he wasn’t going to convince Mia to return to bed, Lucas was surprised to discover a strange sense of satisfaction in sitting down with her to eat a meal that she’d cooked for the two of them. It was . . . comforting. Like they were a real couple just enjoying a lazy day at home.
They were just finishing lunch when Teagan sent him a text that said he was sending an e-mail that would help in their investigation. Lucas had rolled his eyes at the vagueness of the text, but knowing Teagan wouldn’t be sending anything unless it was important, Lucas had called Max to ask him to come over.
Ten minutes later the sound of a buzzer echoed through the suite and he hurried to open the front door before Mia could do it.
The security in the building was top notch, not to mention the fact he had hired a full-time guard to keep watch on the door, but nothing was perfect. He wasn’t going to take any chances with the woman he loved.
“Max,” he murmured as he stepped back and waved in the tall, blond-haired man. “Come in.”
Max shrugged out of his coat and tossed it on the hall table, revealing his black slacks and white cashmere sweater.
Lucas had chosen a pair of jeans and a pale blue sweater. Mia had a far more casual style when she was away from work, and he was determined to make her feel comfortable.
The last thing he wanted was any reminder that they’d been raised on opposite sides of the river.
“Damn,” Max breathed, heading straight for the kitchen. “Something smells good.”
Mia was instantly on her feet, eager to do something. “I made lasagna and garlic bread,” she said. “Do you want some?”
Max offered his most charming smile. “I wouldn’t say no.”
Lucas heaved a mournful sigh. “Be careful, Mia,” he teased. “The men of ARES are like strays. Once you feed them they’ll never go away.”
She sent him a frown. “So I’ve noticed.”
Max pulled out a chair and took a seat at the table. “Don’t listen to him, my dear. Lucas has always been selfish.”
“Because it’s my lasagna and I don’t share,” Lucas informed his friend, taking his own seat.
“See?” Max demanded. “Selfish.”
Mia rolled her eyes. “Is it a rule that all men must stay perpetually twelve years old?” she demanded.
“A rule?” Max arched a brow. “Actually I believe it’s a law. What do you think, Lucas?”
Lucas pretended to consider the question. “Yep, it’s a law,” he finally announced.
“Good grief.” Without warning Mia gave a burst of laughter. “I’ll get you some food.”
Both men watched in silent appreciation as Mia buzzed around the kitchen to pile a plate with more food than any one man could possibly eat.
“I like her,” Max announced in low tones.
Warmth flooded through Lucas. “Me too.”
Still speaking in a soft voice, Max glanced toward the nearby laptop. “What did Teagan find?”
Lucas shrugged. “He promised to e-mail it to me, but I haven’t received anything yet.”
“He’s not coming back to Shreveport?” Max demanded in surprise.
“Not unless we need him.”
“What happened?”
“He didn’t say, but I’m guessing it has to do with Hauk,” Lucas admitted, knowing the only thing that could keep Teagan from being in the thick of the action was worry that Hauk might be in danger.
“Thanks,” Max murmured as Mia set the plate in fro
nt of him, along with an ice-cold beer. “Does he need me to come back to Houston?”
“No.” Lucas was acutely aware of Mia frowning as she sat on a stool next to the breakfast bar. “He said Rafe was coming in today.”
“Good.” Max dug into his food.
Mia, of course, wasn’t so easily satisfied. “If you need to go—”
“No,” Lucas interrupted. If Hauk was in immediate danger Teagan would have asked them to come back.
Mia grudgingly conceded defeat, and a silence filled the kitchen as Max swiftly polished off the enormous amount of food. At last finished, he settled back in his chair with a deep sigh.
“This was delicious,” he complimented Mia. “I can’t remember when I last had a home-cooked meal.”
Instantly Mia was hopping off her stool and moving to collect the empty plate.
“I should make some chocolate chip cookies,” she said as she headed toward the sink.
“Mia, relax,” Lucas commanded.
“I can’t.” She rinsed off the plate before putting it into the dishwasher and turning to meet his worried gaze. “I’ve worked since I was ten years old. Just sitting around is making me nuts.”
On the point of suggesting they rent a movie, Lucas was distracted when his computer gave a loud ding.
“At last,” he breathed, leaning forward to pull up the e-mail that had just hit his in-box.
Max moved his chair to see the screen while Mia leaned over his shoulder.
“What is it?” she demanded, her voice edged with raw frustration.
It took a tense moment for the e-mail to load, the three of them barely daring to breathe.
“What the hell?” he muttered, peering at the screen in confusion.
At first he couldn’t imagine why Teagan had sent them the video of Vicky Fontaine perched on top of Tony. They already knew that they were lovers. Then Lucas’s brows arched as the woman reached into her purse and tossed something onto Tony’s chest.
Curious, Lucas clicked on the next file Teagan had e-mailed, his brows drawing together at the fuzzy image. It wasn’t until it at last began to clear that he realized it had been taken from the previous video.
But it had been enlarged so all that was visible was the square piece of paper she’d put on Tony’s chest....
“It’s the picture they found on Tony when he died,” he breathed, clearly capable of making out Mia’s dark hair as well as the threat that had been written across her face.
Mia’s hand landed on his shoulder, her fingers digging painfully into his flesh, although he doubted she was aware of what she was doing.
“My picture,” she breathed.
Lucas nodded, reaching to hit a button on the keyboard that allowed him to zoom out enough to show the female lying beside Tony in the bed.
“Vicky Fontaine,” he growled. “She gave the picture to Tony after they had sex.”
“Why?” Mia questioned. “Why would she want me dead?”
Lucas surged upright. Vicky Fontaine was at the center of the mystery. Now they at last had the proof they needed to confront her.
“I intend to find out,” he assured Mia.
Max nodded as he moved to stand at Lucas’s side. “I’ll drive.”
Mia studied the two of them with a stubborn expression. “I’m going with you.”
Lucas stiffened. Why was he surprised? He should have expected Mia to want to be in on the action. She seemed to have no sense of self-preservation. But he still found himself caught off guard.
“No way,” he snapped before he could find a more politically correct way of urging her to stay at the penthouse.
She planted her fists on her hips and leaned forward. Never a good sign. “That’s not your decision.”
He swallowed a sigh. “Mia, there’s a good chance this woman has tried to have you killed more than once. Now you want to waltz into her house like nothing’s wrong?”
Mia refused to back down. “She’s not going to do anything with the two of you with me.”
“I’m not willing to take the risk.”
He thought he heard Max mutter a word beneath his breath. Something that sounded remarkably like “idiot,” but Lucas’s focus remained on Mia’s flushed face.
With a visible effort she swallowed her angry words and instead forced herself to try and use reason with him.
As if he could be logical when it came to keeping her safe.
“The only time I’ve been in danger is when you weren’t with me,” she smoothly pointed out.
His brows snapped together. How could he argue? She’d been alone when someone had tried to run her off the road.
And again when someone had tossed drugs into her coffee. If he hadn’t been out front with Max, no one would have dared to enter the house.
“That’s not fair,” he muttered.
She shrugged. “It’s true.”
“Fine.” He nodded toward his friend. “Max can stay with you.”
“No way,” Mia snapped. “You aren’t going to see that witch alone.”
“Mia—”
“You can take me with you. Or I’ll go on my own.” Mia met him glare for glare. “You choose.”
Max loudly cleared his throat. “That’s what they call a rock and a hard place, my friend,” he said.
Like Lucas didn’t already know that Mia had his balls in a vise? Turning his head, he sent his friend a frustrated frown. “Thanks a lot.”
Max shrugged as Mia circled around his rigid body.
“I’ll get my coat,” she said.
* * *
In the end, they’d decided to take two cars. Max in his SUV, and Lucas and Mia together in his car.
Mia’s stomach was tied in a knot of nerves by the time they’d driven across Shreveport and turned onto the private lane that led to Magnolia Court. Thankfully the wrought-iron gates that protected it were open and they had no problem following the tree-lined driveway to park in front of the mansion.
Even draped in the chilly December rain, the house was stunning.
Built in the Tudor style, it had steeply slanted roofs and dark half-timbers with creamy stucco in between. There were mullioned windows and herringbone brickwork that made the place look as if it should be the home of a British aristocrat. The same Old World elegance had been lavished on the surrounding grounds, which were divided into gardens with handcrafted marble fountains.
Climbing out of the car, Mia joined Max near the covered porch as he released a slow whistle.
“Nice place,” he muttered.
Mia nodded. She’d been here a few times when she helped her father, but she’d never been inside the main house. Daughters of the gardener weren’t exactly on the guest list.
“It belonged to Vicky’s parents,” she muttered, ignoring Lucas’s searing gaze as he swiftly joined them. She understood that he wasn’t happy with her. But there was no way in hell she could sit at home and wait for them to find out why Vicky Fontaine wanted her dead. “She moved back here after her father died.”
Max nodded, glancing toward the sunken garden at the side of the house. “I’m going to have a look around,” he announced.
Mia sent him a startled glance. “You’re not going in?”
“I need to make sure I can call for backup in case the two of you don’t come out.”
Mia grimaced. “Oh.”
Max shifted his attention to Lucas. “And to keep an eye out for Detective Cooper,” he murmured. “He has the same video we do. Eventually he’s going to be knocking on Mrs. Fontaine’s door. If he finds you inside, he’s not going to be happy.”
Lucas nodded. “Keep your eyes open.”
Mia impulsively reached out to lay her hand on Max’s arm. They’d known each other less than a week, but she already felt as if he was one of her most trusted friends. She couldn’t bear it if something happened to him because of her. “Be careful.”
Leaning down, he brushed a light kiss over her cheek. “Always.”
He turned to casually stroll along the edge of the house, no doubt intending to do a thorough search of the outbuildings. She was discovering the men of ARES Security had a very loose interpretation of the law.
With a small sigh, she forced herself to turn toward the large house. Inside was Vicky Fontaine. The woman who potentially wanted to kill her.
It still seemed impossible to believe.
The aloof, arrogant woman seemed barely capable of dressing without a servant to help her. Could she really have tried to run her off the road? Or snuck in her house and put drugs in her coffee?
Mia gave a shake of her head, glancing toward her grim-faced companion. “Let me talk.”
“Why?”
“You’ll be able to read her better than I can,” she said.
That had always been Lucas’s gift. His ability to understand what people were saying with their bodies, not with their mouths. The skill would have given him a tremendous advantage if he’d continued on with his career as a diplomat.
He cocked a dark brow. “Read her?”
“You’ll know when she’s lying.” She stepped back, resisting the urge to press her hand against her stomach. It felt like someone had released a hundred butterflies inside her. “Besides, you might have a chance to look around if I keep her distracted.”
His eyes narrowed. “Now, what’s the real reason?”
She released her breath on a low hiss. There was no point in trying to lie. She was terrible at it.
“You can be . . .” She struggled for the right word.
“Arrogant. Bossy? Annoying?” he suggested.
“All of the above,” she agreed in dry tones. “But I was about to say that you’re intimidating. If Vicky feels threatened, she’ll call for her lawyer.” Mia deliberately paused. “Or the cops.”
“Fine.” Taking her arm, Lucas steered her toward the door. “You take the lead.”
Mia didn’t think for a second that she’d managed to sway Lucas. Like most men, he assumed he was always right. Which meant he had his own reason for letting her think that she was in charge.
Too nervous to try and figure out Lucas’s devious plotting, Mia squared her shoulders and prepared for the upcoming encounter.
The first hurdle was actually getting in to see Vicky Fontaine.