Samantha had started Alliance over five years ago. Several couples had met, married, and divorced their spouse, leaving as friends. So far, eighty percent of the couples they matched for love were still married. Only about twenty percent of the couples who married for money had endured past their contracts and had children, or were otherwise wed for life. The rest divorced as planned.
Samantha and Blake being among the twenty percent.
“I’ll invest half of it. Make sure I’m set later in life.”
“And the other half?”
“I’ve been thinking of opening a house for runaways. A place where every child can escape to and feel safe. A place for kids to go when they have nowhere else.”
If there was ever a time Gwen wanted to probe it was now. “That sounds like a lot of work.”
“Anything worthwhile usually is. There are a lot of homeless teens out there getting into all kinds of trouble just to keep food in their mouths.” Karen turned away, which signaled to Gwen that “sharing time” was over. “Besides, an ex-wife of a celebrity might be able to convince others to make donations to help with the kids. It’s worth a shot.”
Karen had a huge heart. “Let’s hope Michael’s background checks out then.”
Gwen’s phone rang, saving Karen from more questions.
“Hello?”
“What’s going on in the backyard?” Leave it to Neil to skip any “how do you do’s” and get right at the meat of things.
“I’m sorry?”
“Your backyard? The motion detectors are off the charts but nothing is coming up on the video feed.” Neil’s short tone and quick questions made it difficult to respond in a warm or friendly manner.
“We have new neighbors. They’ve craned in a Jacuzzi.”
“The people directly behind you?” he asked.
“Yes.”
The line was silent for a few seconds. “Neil? You still there?”
“I need you to step outside.”
“Why?” she asked as she left her chair and started walking toward the back door.
“I need to run a test.”
Gwen opened the back door and walked into the yard. “Has anyone ever told you you’re paranoid?”
“Most people avoid saying things to me that piss me off.”
She smiled. “I like annoying you.”
Neil laughed…well, more snort than laugh.
“Was that a laugh, Neil?”
The man rarely smiled, but when he did, her body went numb and she lost herself in his gaze. Too bad he wasn’t standing with her so she could see him instead of imagine him.
“There you are,” he said, not answering her question.
Gwen waved, knowing the camera had found her.
“Walk to the back fence.”
Gwen tiptoed and avoided sinking her heels into the soft grass.
“Are you there?”
“I am. Can’t you see me?”
“I need to readjust the equipment. Get a better angle.”
“I’m going back inside now.” The men in the yard behind them were starting to peer over her way. She waved, smiled, and returned to the house. “If you’re done…I need to get back to work.”
“I’m…I’m…How’s your leg?”
Gwen paused inside the kitchen and glanced at her foot. “It’s fine. Thank you for asking.”
“Good. Uhm, I’ll be there in an hour to check the cameras.”
She’d look forward to it. “Paranoid,” she told him again.
He snorted a second time and hung up the phone.
Chapter Four
I shouldn’t be here.
But damn he couldn’t stay away. He knew the static on the motion detector was most likely due to normal neighbor behavior, a passing cat, or even the wind.
Gwen was right. He was paranoid.
He couldn’t stop his paranoia any more than he could stop thinking about her, about the terror in her eyes as he pulled his gun and pointed it at her.
Getting close to an assignment, which is how he needed to look at Gwen…at all the Harrisons, made him weak. Distance…he needed to find it and keep it.
So what the hell was he doing driving to Tarzana to check on a woman who didn’t want or need his help?
Ignoring his own internal warning bells, Neil pulled into Gwen’s driveway alongside her car and frowned. Why did she insist on parking outside the garage?
Purposeful strides took him to the front door. He knocked twice and stepped back so Gwen or Karen could see him clearly on the monitor by the door.
Neither woman answered. He knocked again, this time louder and longer.
“Coming…”
Gwen opened the door a little too quickly and without enough effort to assure him it had been locked. “Oh, hi.”
She stood back, letting him in.
“Did you even look to see who was here?”
“You told me you were coming.”
“But did you look?” He moved past her, ignoring the floral scent of her skin that reminded him of spring.
She disregarded his question, confirming that she hadn’t checked. When she closed the door, she didn’t lock it.
I’m going to need a dentist if I keep grinding my teeth together.
As Gwen moved to leave the foyer, Neil stepped into her path and grasped her hand. Like a child, he moved her hand to the lock on the door and held it there. “Forgetting something?”
She smiled up at him and moved even closer. “I doubt anyone would attempt anything with you here, big guy.” Her pale blue eyes sparkled as she taunted him.
“Your brother asked me to keep an eye on you, Gwendolyn.”
She lowered her voice and twisted the lock under his hand. “I like when you use my full name, Neil. Makes me think you care.”
Any other woman and he’d flatten her against the wall, press his body to hers, and slide into her sultry voice and flirting eyes.
He released her hand and forced his eyes away from hers.
Damn woman!
“Where’s Karen?”
“Running errands.”
Gwen was alone…with the door unlocked and her car parked outside the garage. Why not just wear a f**king sign that said “I’m here. Come and get me”?
I hate this neighborhood. Too damn hard to manage. The neighbors are only feet away…cars driving by. No locked gates.
He worked his way to the back of the house and out the door. The camera positioned in the backyard had been strategically placed along an eave line. Without asking, he moved to the side of the house and tried the side door.