Unlock the Truth (28 page)

“Yeah, it’s hard to read them when you’re doing eighty miles per hour,” Dena said, and laughed. “But I got a chuckle out of that one too.”

Zeke frowned. “Did you notice what Cyril’s ad said?”

“Something about West Coast Citrus being family owned and operated and him being a longstanding member of the community.”

“Going for the family values aspect,” Dena said.

Zeke narrowed his eyes again and waited until the waitress left. “The company is family owned, not family operated. The farming is contracted out through management firms, same as Three C’s.”

“We know that, but the general public doesn’t.”

Zeke pulled a few notes from his wallet and slid them into the black folder. “We’ve got a one o’clock appointment over at the function room. Got any ideas on what we should do?”

Dena smiled. “Consult with Steve. Not waste money on a billboard. Put our money where it will work best. I’ll call him as soon as we get back to Three C’s.”

On the walk to the other building, Dena had to almost run to keep up with Zeke’s long stride. She could feel the anger emanate from him. He usually didn’t get this steamed up. Cyril was an ass, but Zeke knew that. Maybe things had finally gotten to him, and he’d reached his breaking point.

“When did you plan on telling me?” he asked, and his voice sounded cold.

“Tell you…?” Every tiny cell in her body had her on hyper-alert. Tell him what? Why was he angry with her? She thought Cyril was the problem. What had they just spoken about? Steve and advertising and—

“I went to Brennan & Associates this morning. I signed with Steve.”

Dena sucked in a breath. The pulse in her neck bounded, her stomach churned and she thought she might lose her lunch. It seemed everything had sped up except her brain, which had gone into slow motion.

“I trusted you, Dena. I never thought you’d lie to me.”

“I didn’t, Zeke. Well, yes, I did, but it was more of an evasion than a lie, it was about—”

“I know what it was,” he snapped back.

Dena froze. He did? She didn’t. What was it about, why had she lied to him about Carli in the first place? This man before her would have understood. He would have cared.

“You didn’t quite trust me. You made love to me, but you held a piece of yourself from me. Did you wonder if I’d murder you in your sleep?” he asked, and his voice dripped with sarcasm.

Oh God, no. He thought, maybe…yes, he thought
—

“Zeke, I trusted you. Remember I said you were innocent in Carli’s case that first day we met. Remember?” Tears started to fall down her cheeks and she couldn’t hold them back. “I would never have made love to you if I didn’t think that—”

“Then why, Dena? Why the lie?”

“Because…I needed to be here…I couldn’t take the chance that you’d turn me away.” She sniffled as more tears welled up in her eyes, and she rooted through her purse, found a tissue and her sunglasses. “It was, I don’t know, self-protection, maybe. I sensed there were clues here. I still do. I was sure if I revealed my true identity—”

“Yes, you’re right about that.”

He’d come to that conclusion quickly. But she knew he’d had the whole morning to think about things. Her heart pounded, and she prayed he understood. They stood and faced each other on the sandy road that led to the function rooms. Neither spoke. The sun beat down on their uncovered heads. A trickle of sweat ran down the side of Dena’s face and mingled with the tears that had escaped beneath her sunglasses. She didn’t look away, didn’t wipe the tears.

“You’re right. I would have sent you packing—”

“I know, I know. You’d have thought I was a nut case.”

“Yes. I definitely would have dismissed you.” He pressed his lips tight and stared toward the distant mountains.

“I know,” she whispered. “And that’s okay.”

“It’s just that, well, my anger, it’s because on the long drive home I got thinking and—”

“You wondered. It’s only natural.” She touched his arm but he pulled away. Not that she could blame him. She’d lied. Now it was up to her to set it all straight. Even if it hurt, even if she had to reveal herself stark naked and hurting, she had to be honest now. “You thought maybe I’d come here with the notion that you were guilty. That I played you, wanted to trap you.”

“It would have been awfully risky.” His mouth crooked into a slight smile. “I mean if you’d believed that I was guilty.”

“My point exactly, I might be spontaneous and a newfound risk-taker, but I’m not that silly.” She sniffed loudly, rummaged in her purse for another tissue, and blew her nose. “I’m so sorry, Zeke. I’ve come to care about you, deeply, but five days ago you were a stranger. Lying doesn’t come easily to me, but in the case of my sister, I was willing to risk anything.”

She took a huge gulp of air, and before he could get a word in she continued.

“I care about you, Zeke…I really do…I would never deliberately hurt you.” She swiped at her eyes with her fingers and took another deep breath. “I’m so sorry that I lied to you, and I know I should have told you before we got involved, but I got so caught up in making love that I forgot all about having lied.”

A change came over his face. It seemed to lighten for a few seconds and she knew he’d gone back to that heated moment in the office. He turned away for a moment then spun around. He held his arms open.

“Come here,” he said, his voice rough with emotion.

Dena fell into the warmth of his embrace and sniffled against his shirt. He held her tight, rubbed the flat of his hand up and down her back. The tenseness eased and left both of their bodies, and yet they didn’t kiss.

“I understand, Dena.”

She searched his face, his eyes. “Do you…do you forgive me?”

“Yes. I’m a stickler about lying, it makes me crazy. I have to admit that. But, if I’d been in your shoes I’d have done the same.”

He pulled her tight again. After a few moments he whispered against her hair that they had an appointment to keep. She smiled and slipped her sunglasses back on. He took them off and wiped beneath her eyes with his thumbs.

“Mascara,” he said, and replaced the glasses.

A well-dressed woman stood in front of the open French doors, looking in their direction. She held a clipboard and an appointment book. Dena swallowed hard, smoothed her clothing.

What the woman would think of their heated discussion and then their embrace, she had no idea, but she didn’t care. Zeke clasped her hand and walked them forward.

She’d been forgiven.

Chapter Nineteen

The three-way telephone consultation with Steve went well. Zeke sat back in his office chair and smiled at Dena who had her head down. She muttered and made notes on a legal pad.

He’d forgiven her that initial lie, or evasion. Given the circumstances he might have done the same thing. Yet it still surprised him. He’d always been considered by friends and family to be the keeper of the truth. He hated lies of any kind. In his job they’d be cause for dismissal.

Dena had assured him that she’d intended to tell him before things took an intimate turn in their relationship, and he did believe that. That night had been a spontaneous moment for both of them. He smiled at the memory. He hadn’t been thinking too clearly himself. So, yeah, he could see how that could have happened.

Dena and Steve had bounced ideas off of each other, and the questions, ideas, half-sentences, the way they had completed each other’s sentences, had left his head spinning. He’d played the part of listener. They were the idea people.

“Let me read this plan back to you,” Dena said, and looked up at him.

“Please do. I’m sure I didn’t catch half of it.”

He was far too practical in his thinking. He knew that. Everything was either black or white, very few shades of gray, and until recently, no color. Dena was all color. Hell, she was a rainbow. An exotic rainbow after a rainstorm.

“What?” He blinked and forced himself to pay attention. “What did you say?”

She laughed and shook her head at him. “I’ve confirmed the reservation for the function room at the Polo Club. We’ll hold the event a week from Saturday. Manny has assured me the frames will be done well in advance.”

“Even with the chili cook-off this coming Saturday?” Zeke asked and frowned. He hadn’t mentioned his houseguests yet. Maybe they would change their minds. It would be a hell of a busy weekend.

“Sure. That’s a total no-brainer.”

She was so beautiful. Her face was aglow with passion, and he could tell she loved her work. She’d brought so much into his life in these few short days. He wondered how he’d fill that life when she left, for she would leave. They all did. He twisted his mouth into a grimace. It was his fault. He’d never been capable of truly loving anyone. He was a standoffish bastard he supposed. A woman could only take so much of that. She looked up, caught his scowl.

“Is anything wrong?”

“No, at least not with the plans, they’re amazing.”

“Well, what then?” she asked. “Anything you want to talk about?”

Zeke forced a smile. “No. I was just thinking of the past, my mother, what she’d think of all this. And she’d love it all, by the way, especially what you’re doing for Manny.”

“Good. I want Manny to keep most of his artwork to sell later. I’ll showcase two of his large canvases.”

“And he’s willing to donate those?” Zeke asked.

“Absolutely, he’s so excited he can barely contain himself. He’s got so much energy, he’s hopping around like—”

“Like you.” Zeke laughed and she flashed him that incredible smile.

“Yeah, I suppose so,” she said, and brushed a strand of hair from her eyes. “But, back to business. Debbie has a friend who is a reporter for
The Desert Sun
. I’ve arranged for him to interview you about the art fair.”

He hated interviews. He thought of the reporters that hovered after Carli’s body had been found. “I’m not sure…how about they interview you?”

She shook her head. “This isn’t about me. It’s about you and your public image.”

“It’s just that—”

“I know, I know. You aren’t a talker. I’ll school you on what to say. We’ll provide the interviewer with a press kit and there’ll be a Q&A sheet.”

“Q&A?” He shuddered.

“Suggested questions and answers,” she said. “It’s standard procedure.”

He gave her a tentative smile. “I can do that. If I know what they’ll ask in advance.”

“It will be the same for T.V.”

His eyebrows shot upward. “I have to go on T.V.?”

“Of course.” She walked over to him, put her arms around him from behind the chair and nuzzled the nape of his neck. She slipped one hand inside his shirt and stroked his chest.

Zeke shook his head. “I’ve never done this before.”

“You’ll be fine. We’ll get you one of the early morning radio shows too. They’re easy. It’s all done by telephone. You can sit in your kitchen in sweats while you discuss the event.”

He admired Dena and her enthusiasm and he’d come to trust her business acumen. How hard could it be? People do it all the time. He blew out a long breath.

“Okay.”

She wouldn’t steer him wrong. Besides he’d made that promise to his mother’s memory that he’d do everything in his power to reclaim the good name of Cabrera. So this was his chance. He reached up and pulled her around to sit on his lap.

“You’re the boss.” He kissed her forehead. “Whatever you say, I’ll do. But you have to walk me though this.”

“That’s what I’m here for. It’s why you pay Steve.”

He nodded. Did that mean she was going back to work for him? She was so good at her work. In a way she still worked for Steve, even though she was convinced she’d resigned, and he knew Steve would take her back in a flash. He’d said as much when they’d met.

Would she return to L.A. after the art fair? And why did the thought of her leaving him here to survive in the desert, alone again, bother him so much? He rubbed the knuckles of his right hand over his chest. He’d always been alone.

“You’re off the clock for now, right?” he asked.

Her brow creased. “Why?”

“So I can kiss you.”

She laughed and lifted her mouth to meet his.

****

Later that night, Zeke rolled over after making love. His heart pounded and his breath still came hard and fast. He pulled Dena snug to his side, slid an arm around her shoulder and she buried her head beneath his chin.

His hand wandered up and down her spine and occasionally splayed across her ass, holding one cheek like he was claiming it, branding it as his own. She was the most beautiful woman he’d ever known, inside and out. To do what she’d done in seeking justice for her sister’s murder went beyond sisterly love. And to want to find closure for her mother, a woman who he suspected had never been easy to live with, well that showed she was a good daughter.

She had so much energy and so much love to give. And her responsiveness, her sexual energy, matched her overall energy. She was as full of life in bed as out of it. He grinned. She’d kill him for sure if they kept up this pace. She ran her fingers through the tuft of hair on his chest and traced his nipples.

“Quit that,” he said, drew her closer and gave her a playful slap on the butt with his other hand. “I’m exhausted. You’ve worn me out, again.”

She reached down, took him in her hand and he stiffened.

“I don’t think so,” she said playfully.

He rolled even closer to her, inhaled her scent. He kissed her forehead. Then he shook his head. “Where on earth do you get your energy?”

Her eyes glazed over, and she gave him a sultry grin.
Uh oh,
he needed at least a ten minute reprieve. “Want some water or a soda?”

“Soda, please,” she said, sat up, and propped herself against the pillows.

He kissed her softly. How could she ever classify herself as the studious sister and Carli as the beautiful one? What kind of mother would ever have fed her such nonsense? He kissed her again, nibbled and sucked at her bottom lip until she squirmed.

He forced himself to break away, stared hard into her eyes. “Water,” he said. “I’m parched. Don’t go anywhere.”