Body Rocks [The Andersons 3] (Siren Publishing Classic) (19 page)

“Or Foxy,” Walsh said, winking at Samantha. “How is the mother of all volcanoes?”

“Cranky, ’cause you haven’t picked up the phone for a while.”

“She’s cranky! Not as cranky as me. The last time she called me, the sly ol’ fox reversed the goddamn charges. Carla, my wife, hit the roof when she saw our phone bill. I thought we’d have to remortgage the house to pay it. Oh, I’m glad you think it’s funny,” Walsh said to Richards, who broke with tradition and laughed out loud.

“Hell, Frank, Jess has been an Anderson for God knows how many years, and yet you still call her Foxy.”

A deep cough sounded right behind Daniel and an even deeper voice said, “Excuse me, sir. Can Steve and I have a word?”

Daniel turned around, suddenly finding himself hemmed in by the two men standing almost on his toes. He hadn’t even heard them approach. Obviously they aced at tailing.
Tailing?
An idea popped into his head, but he quickly rejected it. He didn’t have goose bumps, and the hairs on his arm were flat. No, whoever these two men were, they were not the ones who’d been following him. Besides, why would they? He didn’t know them, and he was certain they sure as hell didn’t know him. Then it dawned on him.
My stalker’s somebody closer to home
.
Real close.
But who? And why did his long-dead brother come to mind?

Richards unglued his butt from Walsh’s desk and stood. “Samantha, Daniel, this is Detective Nick North,” he said, gesturing to the raven-haired, brooding man, “and this is his partner, Detective Steve South.”

As with the compass points, South was the complete opposite of North, with blond hair and an easygoing smile. Daniel wasn’t the jealous type. He just didn’t like the way that South directed that easygoing smile of his at Samantha. Not that he could really blame Samantha for returning the smile with one of her sexy-as-sin ones. She was, after all, extremely pissed with him.

“I’m very pleased to meet you,” Samantha said with another smile.

North responded with a polite yet terse nod. South, on the other hand, took Samantha’s proffered hand. Daniel didn’t like the way that South held onto it for a moment longer than necessary. “North and South? I bet you two get ribbed a lot for that,” he said. “Is there an East and West, too?”

“Sir, it’s important,” North said, ignoring Daniel. Not that he could blame him, either. He was acting like an ass.

Richards flashed a rare and brief grin. “When isn’t it with you, Nick? My office.” He made his apologies and purposely strode away, North and South following in his shadow.

“Don’t be fooled by Nick’s testiness or Steve’s sunny disposition,” Walsh told them. “Nick can be a real softie. And Steve’s a real hard-ass at times.”

“And a very nice ass it is, too.”

Walsh laughed at Samantha’s comment. Daniel didn’t find it remotely funny. “So, Frank, tell me about Sam. What was my brother like?”

“Yes, please do tell all.”

Daniel ignored the sneer underlining Samantha’s tone. Carrick had been a part of his life without him even realizing it, and he wanted to know about his brother, what he was like, and what made him tick. What he couldn’t ignore was the knowing that as soon as they left the station, Samantha was going to tear strips from him. Something he utterly deserved.

Samantha was beyond furious as she flung the station’s door open and strode across the parking lot to the VW, not caring if Daniel was behind her or not. She’d asked for no secrets between them, and yet he’d kept the biggest, most important one of all from her.

“Baby, wait!”

She whirled around. Daniel managed to halt his running steps before he collided into her. The mint of his toothpaste puffed into her face as he caught his breath. Now that she knew Daniel and Sam Carrick were brothers, the similarities between them were startling and so obvious. She hurt all over, not just in her heart, and when the amber flecks in Daniel’s eyes began to glow, she pushed him away. “Don’t call me baby!”

He moved forward again and held up his hands, pleading. “Sammy, I know you’re angry—”

“You have no idea! Now get away from me before I knee you.”

Daniel heeded her warning and moved back to a respectable and out-of-knee-range distance. “Let’s go home, and I’ll explain everything there.”

“What’s to explain, Daniel? You didn’t want me to know that Sam’s your brother. End of story. And my home is in Silver Creek,” she added, wanting to hurt Daniel as much as he had her. She turned and walked the short distance to the VW.

Samantha realized she was acting immaturely, but still the drive back to Daniel’s was spent in stony silence. She and her brother Ross were the only Anderson siblings who could control the volcanic temper that they had inherited from their mother. Ramona and Matt always erupted first before common sense and rational thinking took over. On this occasion, however, Samantha neither cared nor wanted to control her temper. She was angry—incensed—and she felt betrayed. Betrayed by the one man she thought she could trust. She felt abused all over again.

Daniel made several attempts to engage her in conversation, but she turned to stare out of the window each time. She didn’t want to look into those glowing eyes of Daniel’s. She might just have the urge to poke her fingers into them.

Heavens, Daniel and Sam Carrick were brothers! Well, half brothers, but it was a minor detail as they were still related. She pondered if her brother Ross knew. He was engaged to Jessica, Daniel’s sister, and she knew her brother was extremely good at extracting information. Ross had learned from the best—their father.

Samantha also pondered on why her father, and indeed her mother, hadn’t said anything to her, to Ross—if by some miracle he didn’t know already—and to Ramona and Matt. Daniel and Jessica obviously had a right to know, but their families—the Andersons and the Ferrises—were so close and always open and honest with each other. Why remain silent on a matter, which, okay, was past history, yet was nevertheless important? She snorted. Open and honest? Not on this occasion. More like shut and guarded.

“Are you gonna sit there admiring that brick wall all day, or are you gonna come inside?”

At Daniel’s words, Samantha realized not only had they arrived at his house but that he had parked the VW under the carport and she was indeed staring at a brick wall, or rather the side of his house. And if he thought his manners of getting out of the car and opening the door for her would soothe her, then he would be waiting a long time.

Until, that is, she was in his bedroom and had begun to neatly pack her clothes into her suitcase. In all honesty, she didn’t know why she was packing. She had so many questions to ask, and only Daniel knew the answers.

“I love you, Sammy.”

The pink chemise she had worn that morning slipped through her fingers and puddled into an untidy heap at her feet. “I beg your pardon?” she asked, finally looking Daniel in the eye. The fact they weren’t glowing in a way calmed her temper.

“I said I love you, Sammy.”

Her heart pounded in delight at his admission, but she still said, “And you think that’s going to make everything all right between us?”

“It’s a start. Especially if you feel the same way.” Daniel shoved a hand through his dark-blond hair, ruffling it into an unruly mess. “Sammy, I’ve been a jerk. I should have told you, but there are reasons for why I didn’t.”

Samantha sat on the edge of the bed. “Okay, I’m listening. What reasons?”

He first picked up her chemise, folding it neatly and adding it to the pile in the suitcase. Then he got down on his haunches before her and took her hands in his. “Two reasons. Firstly, your mom asked me not to say anything. She and your dad had both decided not to tell any of you. She said it was nothing to do with you. The past was the past and it should stay that way. Personally, I think she was wrong with not telling you, but in a way, she’s also right. Sam’s been dead for thirty years, and even if they did tell you, it’s not gonna bring him back.”

“And secondly?”

“Because I thought if you knew Sam was my brother, you’d do exactly what you’re doing now. Leave and end what’s between us.”

She shook her head. “No, Daniel, I’m leaving because you broke your promise to me. You promised no secrets, and yet you kept this one from me.” She again shook her head. “Okay, I think I understand and agree with why Mom and Dad didn’t say anything. The past
is
the past and nothing is going to change that. But it’s ridiculous to think I would leave you because you’re Sam’s brother. It doesn’t make any difference to me whether he’s your brother, your cousin, or your aunt Fanny.”

“I know. But consider this. And this could be the reason for why your parents didn’t want to say anything. If Sam had lived, he would have married your mom, and you, Ramona, Ross, and Matt would have been his children. We would have been related in some way.”

“True, but it’s immaterial because it never happened.”

“But if it had, we’d be talking incest.”

“Daniel, you’re being ridiculous. It. Never. Happened. I’m Samantha Anderson. Got that?”

“Yeah, but—”

“But what, Daniel? Don’t you think that Ross would have a different name if he was Sam’s son?” She shook her hands free and patted her chest. “I’m named in memory of Sam. Not Ross. He took on our father’s name, and has Junior for a nickname to boot.”

“So you don’t think it’s weird having a relationship with me knowing that I’m Sam’s brother, or half brother?”

She shook her head. “No!”

Daniel let out what sounded like a sigh of immense relief, and took hold of her hands again. “Oh, Sammy, I’ve been a jerk. Can we start—”

“Wait. I haven’t finished yet.” She exhaled a long, deep breath. “To reiterate, you’re Sam’s brother. So what? It doesn’t make a difference to what we have together, Daniel. The fact is, I believed our relationship was built on trust. And you let me down.” Daniel opened his mouth but closed it when she narrowed her eyes, silently telling him to shut up. “I trusted you, Daniel. Do you know how hard it was for me to do that after Mark?” He gave a remorseful nod but allowed her to continue. “When you found out I was a virgin, I thought you wouldn’t want me—”

Daniel did interrupt her then. “How the hell could you think that? Your admission only made me love you more, Sammy! I love the fact that I’m the guy you gave your virginity to. I was so happy, I almost pissed myself. But anyway, that’s beside the point.”

Samantha felt her lips twitch but wasn’t ready to let Daniel off the hook just yet. “No, it isn’t. Daniel, my virginity was my secret. And I found the courage to tell you. Why couldn’t you extend me the same courtesy and tell me about Sam? And don’t even think about saying ‘Because your mom told me not to.’”

“’Cause I’m a jerk and a coward,” he murmured with a despondent sigh. “I’m so sorry, Sammy. I never meant to hurt you.” He gently squeezed her fingers. “I don’t want you to go, but if you want to, then I won’t stop you. I just want you to know that I love you and that I have no more secrets. I swear on my life.”

A shadow flitted across his handsome face even as he spoke. She frowned. “Your life can’t be worth much, then,” she told him. “There is something else you’re not telling me. What is it?”

Daniel exhaled a deep breath through his nose. “Okay. It’s not a secret as such. Somebody’s following me. They have been for months. Here, now. Before, in Manila. Yellowstone. Not Silver Creek, though.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“You’ve been through enough. I didn’t want you to be scared. Guess I was trying to be your hero.” He smiled. “I don’t know who it is who’s following me. But I know it’s a ‘he.’ Don’t ask me how I know that, I just do. And that he is very familiar to me. Very close.”

“Sam?” Samantha offered with a small smile.

“Er, Jessica believes in ghosts. I don’t.” He looked her deep in the eyes, further melting an already-melted heart. “Give me a second chance? Baby?”

She loved his “baby” endearment almost as much as she loved him. Samantha wrenched her hands free and threw her arms around Daniel. He lost his balance, landing on his back, and she ended up sprawled over him. Not a bad place to be. In fact, it was a very nice place to be. She pressed a quick kiss to his lips. “I love you, too, Daniel. And I will give you a second chance. Just don’t let me down again.”

“I won’t,” he solemnly promised. He hugged her tightly. “I love you, baby.”

She pressed another kiss to his lips. “I’ll never tire of hearing you say that.”

“Good. I don’t intend to stop. I love you, baby.”

Being held tight and close in Daniel’s arms brought Samantha’s attention to the rather large matter of an erection in his sweatpants. Heat flared and moisture pooled in her pussy. One of those wicked harlot moments entered her head. She moistened her lips with her tongue. “I’m hungry.”

“Yeah? I can order pizza. I’m sure there’s a veggie option available.”

She gave him a coy smile. “Actually, I was thinking about what you said earlier. You know, fruit, yogurt, honey…” She let her sentence trail off, tempting him into grinding his hard dick against the hot, wet spot between her thighs.

“Oh, I’m up for that.”

“I know. I can feel how up you are.” He tried to act all angel-like, but couldn’t pull it off with the wicked grin spreading his delicious mouth. He rolled them over, then stood up and helped her to her feet. He nudged her back to the bed. “You get undressed, and I’ll go and get our feast. The wine, as well?”