One Secret Night, page 9
part #3 of Ivy Avengers Series
One of Raith’s eyebrows rose higher than the other.
Her sister scoffed. “You’re a terrible liar. Call Mom.”
Autumn sighed. “All right. I’ll call her.” There was no avoiding it.
“Now.”
“All right,” Autumn snapped.
“If you don’t, I’m going to call you back. Over and over again.”
“I’ll call her. Geez.”
After disconnecting that call, Autumn sat on the chair near the sofa. She stared down at her phone for a while.
Relaxed against the sofa, a slight grin formed on his sexy mouth. He was enjoying this. She almost went into the bedroom to do this, when her cell rang again.
Mom.
Savanna had no doubt texted her or something and she couldn’t wait.
Autumn connected the call. “Hi, Mom.”
“Autumn Ivy, I’m so relieved to hear your voice. Why haven’t you answered my calls?”
She looked over at Raith, dreading the inevitable. Her mother had strong family values and never took kindly to her children going into radio silence. “I’m fine, Mom. I’m not twelve anymore.”
“You know I need to hear from all of my babies on a regular basis. Wondering where you are and how you are when you’re not in contact with anyone is terrible. How can you do that to your own mother?”
“Sorry.” Autumn smiled. “I’ve just been busy.” Chasing assassins and conspirators to murder...
“Lincoln told me about that man you met in Iceland. Is that who you’re with?”
They were going to find out eventually, anyway. Having a baby couldn’t be kept secret forever.
“Yes.”
“Then I’m going to worry even more about you. Lincoln said he lied to you about what he did for a living. He’s since done some more checking and discovered he’s a private investigator.”
“He is.”
“Lincoln doesn’t believe that. He said if you’re with him that you shouldn’t be. He’s trouble, Autumn.”
“He’s not bad, Mom.”
A long silence ensued and Autumn didn’t look at Raith to see his reaction to what she’d just said. Finally her mother said, “Bring him to the house so I can meet him.”
What? “Mother—”
“Bring him here so we can meet him.”
“I can’t. Not now, Mother.”
“Autumn, this is not up for negotiation. If this man is no good for you and you’re saying otherwise, I need to see for myself. We’re having a cocktail party this weekend. Saturday night. You be here for it or I swear I’ll have your father step in and send someone to get you.”
She’d do it, too. “Mother, I’m serious. I can’t get away right now.”
“Why not? What kind of trouble has this man gotten you into that you can’t come to a cocktail party at your mother’s?”
“You want me to bring him to California?” This weekend? Impossible. Raith would never go for it. Not only would a cocktail party at the Ivy mansion attract heavy media, he was in the middle of catching whoever hired Leaman.
“Yes.”
When Autumn didn’t respond, her mother said, “I mean it, Autumn, I’ll talk to your father.”
“Oh, I don’t doubt you would. All right. We’ll be there.” Or she’d be there. She couldn’t vouch for Raith.
She disconnected and met his no-longer amused look.
“I have to go to my parents’ this weekend.”
“You can’t go anywhere until it’s safe.”
He had never been to her parents’ mansion. Security there was as tight as the White House’s. “Well, then, you’re going to have to go with me.”
Raith leaned forward, forearms on his knees. “Go with you?”
“Yes.”
“To your parents’ house.”
“I-it’s more of a...a mansion, but yes.” Just imagining him there stressed her out. He’d be so out of his element. Then again...maybe that was exactly what he needed. Shake him a little.
He stared at her. “Can’t it wait?”
“I wish it could, but no. There is no such thing as waiting when it comes to my mother. Her dinner parties are very important to her. Her kids are even more important. She needs to see for herself that you’re someone to be trusted with one of her precious daughters.”
“Why? We aren’t really a couple.”
“Then I’ll just go, and I’ll stay there until you find whoever hired the shooter.”
Raith stared at her. “I didn’t mean...”
“It’s okay. I understand.”
“No, you don’t. We aren’t really a couple but we do have something going on.”
Did he think that? Did they have something going on right now? “Then I should feel okay with bringing you home to meet my parents.” And she didn’t. Especially since she was pregnant by said man. “And you should be able to attend dinner parties.”
“Not the ones held at a famous movie producer’s mansion.”
Suddenly the reality of how different his life was from hers weighed on her more than she could bear. As a person, he shared many similarities with her, but his livelihood wrecked all of that. He could never stand by her side with cameras flashing. It didn’t matter if she didn’t like the cameras, they’d always be flashing. And he’d always be hiding.
What would she do when she could no longer hide her pregnancy?
She could say it was Knox’s.
A choking sensation inundated her so strongly that she had to stand and go to the window. Hugging her arms, she began to feel scared. Her life was in a free fall. She had no control anymore. She couldn’t catch a flight to Milan or anywhere, and she couldn’t escape the fact that in less than a year, she’d have a baby to take care of, a baby she would have difficulty explaining. And in the meantime, she’d have to keep everything a secret.
It was the secrecy that bothered her. She’d felt the same in high school. She’d hidden her true self and let perception become reality. But that had cost her happiness. She couldn’t live that way. She’d have to tell the truth about her baby’s father. She’d either do that or live a lie.
Raith’s hand on her arm startled her. Her whole body jolted.
“Something’s bothering you,” he said.
Dropping her arms, she turned. “I have to go see my parents. I can’t put it off. I’ve been out of touch for a long time.” Maybe the break from him would be good. But if she did go, it would be a permanent break. That made her look away.
“Is it really that important to you?”
Getting away from him? No. And yes. Seeing her parents, her mother? Yes, more so if he accompanied her.
After observing her awhile, he sighed and she could feel his tension. “All right, then I’ll have to go with you.”
She felt somewhat hurt that he’d go out of obligation rather than a desire to be with her, and then silly for caring. “Maybe it’s best if I went alone.”
“No. Not alone. I’ll go.”
Great, now she’d have to introduce him to her parents. They’d assume they were a couple. It would be different if he actually wanted to go. Dejected, Autumn started to walk away.
“Autumn.”
Stopping, she tipped her head back.
“Something else is bothering you,” he said.
Her heart thudded in earnest against her chest as she faced him. Had he guessed? “It’s just my parents. The timing for the party. That’s all.”
He walked to her and she could tell he wasn’t buying that. Damn, he could be a real P.I.
“It’s nothing,” she said.
He studied her for a while and then seemed to decide not to press her. Maybe because he suspected it had something to do with them. He was avoiding the issue as much as she was, only her avoidance involved more than the way she was beginning to feel for Raith.
* * *
Walking up to the front entrance of NV Advanced, Raith had difficulty staying focused on the unannounced meeting with Nash Ralston. The way Autumn refused to tell him what was on her mind plagued him. This heat between them sizzled, and the sizzle kept getting hotter. Her breasts bounced and her heels clicked on the concrete sidewalk, slender ankles, calves and generous portion of thighs teasing his senses.
Inside the lobby of the corporation, Raith took in all the green-and-black images of soldiers and the equipment they used, silhouettes showcasing the night-vision technology the company designed and developed. The lobby was busy today. People sat in three seating areas, with potted trees making the space less cold and sterile. A large group of military people waited to be checked in with security. A big meeting must be taking place.
Across the lobby and to the left of the front desk, Raith spotted someone he had not expected to see here. Kai Whittaker spoke to another man, both in suits and ties. He recognized the other man as Nash Ralston from the pictures he’d seen in his online search.
Taking Autumn’s hand, he tugged her so that she faced him. He put his arm around her waist and watched the men over her head.
“Kai Whittaker is here,” he told her.
She looked up at him, and he loved that she didn’t try to turn and see the man. “Why do you think he’s here?”
“He came to meet with Ralston.”
“That can’t be a coincidence.”
They’d just been to Kai’s office yesterday. The two seemed to be having an intense conversation. They had probably met in Ralston’s office to discuss whatever had brought Kai here. Had he come to confront Ralston on his own? Why would he do that? In public like this Kai was safe. But why tip his hat, reveal that he suspected Ralston had hired someone to kill him? He was paying Raith to take care of this. It seemed odd that Kai would come here, especially without telling Raith. What other secrets did Kai harbor?
Kai turned from Ralston and walked toward the exit. Ralston watched his retreat, mouth tight and eyes radiating anger.
Raith waited until Kai left the building and then led Autumn toward Ralston, who had turned and approached a secure door.
Raith maneuvered through the crowd of military personnel. “Mr. Ralston.”
Nash Ralston stopped and turned, looking from Raith to Autumn in question.
“We need a word with you.”
“Who are you?”
“Raith De Matteis and Autumn Ivy.” He took out the fake FBI badge he carried with him. He decided a little bit of a lie was best right now. “We followed Kai Whittaker here. We’re investigating him in connection to a case we’re working.”
“You’re investigating Kai Whittaker?” Ralston asked. “What for?”
“We can’t discuss the details of the investigation. We’d like to ask you some questions.”
Ralston eyed them both for several long seconds. Then he turned to the reception desk. “I need these two badged. Now.”
Raith and Autumn checked in with the security officer and were given visitor badges. Then Ralston led them through the door. They rode an elevator to the second level and walked down a long hallway that opened to cubicles surrounded by offices that took up all of the window space.
Ralston’s corner office was enormous and had a view of the city. There was a glass desk and black leather chairs both behind it and in front of it. The room contained a conference table that could seat fourteen, while a black leather sofa with a coffee table and two more chairs offered seating for less formal gatherings. A white bookshelf against the nearby wall was the only homey touch. Nash took them there. Autumn sat beside Raith on the sofa and Nash took a chair across from them.
“How well do you know Mr. Whittaker?” Raith asked.
“I’ve known him for years through business.”
“Would you consider it a friendly relationship?”
“He runs NV Advanced’s number one competitor. We get along.”
The way he spoke, especially the sarcasm in his tone, hinted of a tolerant relationship at best. His demeanor in the lobby, however, indicated the relationship was more complicated than he let on.
“What did he come here to talk to you about today?” Raith asked.
Ralston took a moment while he ascertained what they had seen. “Does he know you were following him?”
“No.”
Still, he hesitated. “He came here on a business-related matter.”
Ralston was clearly not willing to give a direct response. “What matter was that?”
“It’s classified.”
Raith didn’t believe that. “You didn’t seem very happy when he left.”
“I’m never glad to see Kai. He can be bullheaded about having his way.” Ralston glanced at Autumn. “Do you always let your partner do all the talking?”
“I’m a new agent,” Autumn said, crossing one of her sexy legs.
Ralston’s attention was drawn there. Then he looked at Raith with a lopsided grin. “Hard to believe she’s a federal agent. She belongs on the arm of a wealthy man.”
Ralston obviously preferred trophies over satisfying relationships. Raith caught Autumn’s narrow gaze as he talked as though she weren’t there.
“You’re married?” Raith asked.
“For eighteen years.” He said it as though it was a burden.
Raith waited for Ralston to catch on to why he had asked. It was a subtle barb. Ralston had insulted Autumn and he didn’t like it. Ralston sent a quick, unconcerned glance at Autumn and then turned to Raith.
“Why is it significant that Kai came to see me?”
“What kind of business deal are you working on with Kai?” Raith asked.
“I’m not working on any deal with him. We have no contracts in place between the companies. He asked about a specific project of ours.”
“What project?”
Ralston raised his brow in mock reproach. “Like I told you, it’s classified.”
“But you discussed it with Kai? How did he know about it?”
“He’s working on a similar project at his company.”
“How did he know about yours?” Raith asked.
“Kai has his ways, I suppose.”
What ways did Ralston think he had? Raith didn’t believe anything Nash said except that Kai had come asking about a specific project. That, he’d buy.
“Is there anything you can tell me about Kai?” he asked. “What do you know about him? As a business associate, you must be acquainted somewhat.”
Nash leaned back in his chair and put his forefinger alongside his mouth as he studied Raith. “He’s a ruthless son of a bitch.”
Raith found it interesting that Ralston had chosen that as his first observation. “In getting government contracts?”
“In everything. He’ll do anything to stay ahead of the competition.”
“Would he kill anyone?”
His brow raised again. “Do you suspect him of murder?”
Raith couldn’t tell if Ralston would like to hear that Kai had committed some heinous crime for which he was about to pay the ultimate price. He was, however, sure that Kai had brought the subject up during his visit.
“What about you, Mr. Ralston? What would you do to stay ahead of the competition?” Raith had asked to see what kind of reaction he’d get.
Ralston breathed a derisive laugh. “Not kill anyone. Kai, on the other hand? I wouldn’t put it past him.”
Ralston thought Kai was capable of killing someone. Was he only saying that because Kai was an adversary or was there some merit to it?
“I read about the shooting at Kai’s home,” Ralston said. “The news said it appeared random. Was it?”
“Someone put a contract on his head. What do you suppose he’s done to earn that?” Raith watched Nash closely.
“Someone contracted to have Kai killed?” He laughed genuinely, lowering his hand. “I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised.”
Or as glad as he seemed.
“Why do you say that?” Autumn asked.
Ralston moved his gaze to her, roaming it over her as though anything she said was a prop to her physical appearance. “As I’ve said, Kai is a ruthless son of a bitch. I can understand why someone would want him dead. He’s not much of a likable guy.”
“Do you want him dead?” Raith asked.
“Let’s just say that if I heard in the news he’d been killed, I wouldn’t attend the funeral. If you’re asking me if I’m capable of murder, the answer is no.”
“You could hire someone to do it for you,” Autumn said. She must have picked up on Nash’s condescension, because her tone was sharp.
“I’d still have to be capable of murder,” Ralston said.
“Who would want Kai dead?” Raith asked.
Ralston met Raith’s eyes for several seconds. “Any number of people. Employees or ex-employees. Have you spoken with anyone else in the industry?”
“No.”
“Then I suggest you start there.”
“He bullies other CEOs of weapons manufacturers?” Autumn asked.
This time when Ralston looked at her, it wasn’t to appreciate her female assets. “I wouldn’t know.”
Autumn cocked her head shrewdly. “There can’t be that many others like NV Advanced and DT, not for night-vision equipment.”
“Then I’m sorry I’ve been of no help to your investigation.” He shifted his attention to Raith. “But I do wish you luck.”
He’d love to see Kai go down in a fiery ball of destruction, but he couldn’t—or wouldn’t—reveal the true purpose of his and Kai’s meeting. It may have included questions about Kai’s shooting, but there had been more discussed.
Raith decided to switch tactics. “Garvin Reeves is a good friend of yours, isn’t he?”
Ralston sat straighter in his chair. It was obvious he hadn’t expected him to bring up Garvin. “I wouldn’t say good. We’re acquainted. Why?”
