LITMIR.BIZ

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apparently didn’t know what to say to that, so Dillon changed the subject. “How about some coffee?” He approached the back door, examining it closely. “I’m sure the cops would appreciate it on a cold night like this.”

      He’d no sooner said the words than the sirens could be heard. Sure enough, the police were more than willing to swill coffee as they gave the house another examination. To everyone’s surprise except maybe Dillon’s, nothing seemed to be missing.

      Still, the police wrote up the incident as a simple break and enter.

      One young officer held his hat in one hand while cradling his coffee in the other. “With a house like yours, in this neighborhood, a burglar would be in heaven.”

      Another policeman confirmed what Dillon already knew. “They came in through the kitchen door.”

      “But how?” Virginia didn’t seem unsettled by the whole affair—she seemed furious. “My doors are always locked.”

      “They picked the lock somehow.” The cop shrugged. “Leave your floodlights on tonight. In fact, you should get a timer to turn them on as soon as it gets dark. And put in an alarm system, as well. A woman living here alone—”

      Disgusted, Dillon interrupted. “I’ll see to it tomorrow.”

      Virginia frowned at him, but kept her peace. Dillon’s position, his reason for being with her, had already been explained. Since then the cops had been giving him a wide berth.

      The policeman nodded. “Yeah, well, we’ll patrol through the neighborhood the rest of the night, ma’am. You should be safe enough. Very seldom does a perpetrator return once he knows he’s been discovered.”

      Dillon didn’t agree, and he told Virginia so as soon as the officers had left. “You shouldn’t stay here.”

      “Now, don’t start, Dillon. I’m tired and I want to go to bed. I’m not about to start uprooting myself tonight.”

      He paced, trying to think while she glared at him, looking her most imperious. “What is the matter with you? You’ve been entirely too high-handed this evening and I’ve about had enough!”

      He should have known she’d get her back up and make this more difficult than it had to be. “Virginia, has it escaped your notice that you’ve been threatened twice in the same day?”

      She rolled her eyes. “I’ve had car trouble and a simple break-in. That’s doesn’t exactly add up to a life-or-death situation.”

      He clenched his fists tight, fighting for control. It seemed he fought that particular battle more since meeting Virginia than he ever had in his entire life. “How do you think the guy got inside?”

      She shrugged. “He picked the lock.”

      “There’s no evidence of a forced entry. What if he had a key?”

      Her eyes widened and she took a step back. “What exactly are you saying, Dillon? You think someone I know is trying to hurt me? Who?”

      He should probably have admitted his suspicions that he thought Cliff might very well be the one harassing her. But something held him back. Despite all her bravado, all her indignation and affronted pride, she was still a woman, soft and vulnerable. From what he knew of her, Virginia had never had an easy life, and she’d never had anyone to love her. To find out now just how big a scoundrel her brother could be might well devastate her. He couldn’t bear that.

      To his shame, though, he had another reason for hesitating. The possibility that if he forced the issue, she might blame Wade for threatening her. To Virginia, Wade would be a much more likely suspect. Her brother had accused him of embezzlement, and he’d been fired. Didn’t that give Wade motive enough, in her mind, to want revenge? If he convinced her the threats were real, would it backfire on Wade?

      Wade could end up being accused not only as an embezzler, but an assailant as well. And then, if Virginia thought Wade was guilty, she would let her guard down. The real assailant would have a clear field. It was too risky. And if Virginia got hurt because he was preoccupied with his brother…

      Impulsively, he put his arms around her and pulled her close in a careful hug. She resisted, holding herself stiff in his arms until he said, “I’m sorry. I know I’ve been on edge tonight. But Virginia, at least give me the right to worry about you a little, okay?”

      She smiled up at him. “If you insist. But it isn’t necessary. I’ll be careful. I’m not an idiot.”

      “I know.” He kissed her and didn’t want to stop kissing her. Her lips were warm and soft and she tempted him. He opened his mouth over hers, gently moving, savoring her taste. She made a small sound deep in her throat when his tongue licked over her bottom lip.

      Cursing inwardly, Dillon set her away from him and reached for his coat. “Will you be all right tonight?”

      He could tell by her expression that she wanted to ask him to stay; pride would keep her from it, though. And this time, he was glad. In less than twenty-four hours, everything had changed. His plans thrown into turmoil, he had to adapt. False accusations of embezzlement were no longer the only issue, and took a back seat to Virginia’s safety. This new threat was much more tangible, much more immediate.

      He felt responsible for Virginia, whether she liked it or not, and he’d do his best to protect her, even while helping his brother. If he had to be ruthless to accomplish both goals, so be it. In all fairness, he gave her one last chance to do things the easy way. “Why don’t you take a vacation? Disappear for a while until things calm down?”

      “What things? You really are overreacting.”

      His hands fisted at his sides. “This wasn’t a simple break-in, Virginia.”

      “Of course it was—”

      “Nothing was taken, damn it! How do you explain that?”

      She shrugged. “It’s like the police said. We probably interrupted the burglar.”

      He grabbed her arms, his patience at an end. “What if you’d walked in here alone? What if I hadn’t been with you? Do you think whoever it was would have run?”

      She stared at him blankly, her lips parted in surprise at his vehemence. With an effort, he eased his tone.

      “This is what I do, honey. I know what I’m talking about. To be safe, you should get out of here for a while. Go to a motel. I’ll join you Thursday, just as we planned.”

      She rubbed his shoulder as if to soothe him. “I have responsibilities here, Dillon. And the police really don’t seem to think there’s anything to be alarmed about.”

      Dillon drew a deep breath and released her. “Surely the company can survive without you for a few days.” Without having to worry about her being threatened and with free run of her office, he could not only get the information he needed to absolve Wade, but most likely nail the bastard who was harassing her as well. All he needed was a little time.

      She began loading empty coffee cups into the dishwasher, and when she glanced at him, a gentleness had entered her eyes. “I like you, Dillon, and I want to spend time with you. But one long afternoon will have to be enough for now. Don’t ask for more. My first priority will always be running the company—you know that.”

      Only, it wasn’t her company, it was Cliff’s. And Dillon had a feeling Cliff had gotten tired of sharing it with her.

      Her stubbornness knew no bounds; she wouldn’t relent. He closed his eyes a moment, accepting the inevitable, knowing what had to be done, knowing his options had just become severely limited. From the moment he’d involved himself in this mess, he’d felt equal parts protective and possessive of her. He wouldn’t let anyone hurt her. He’d protect her despite herself. Never mind that she’d probably despise him for it. Her hate had been guaranteed from the first.

      He had one more day, Wednesday,

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