Forgotten Sins

Chapter 11

Josie mumbled to herself, her head bent over the figures laid out on her desk. Her head ached. She needed to get dimmers on the lights in her office. The room was almost perfect with the thick desk she’d chosen to match the chairs. Prints of famous Western oil paintings lined the walls.

Although it had taken her all day and several pots of coffee, she’d found one of the problems in the Larson Corporation file—a mistake in the revenue figures. How freaking high had Billy been the last year while doing the corporation’s books? This was malpractice and not some minor math mistake. She’d have to meet with the client soon.

She tugged her gray skirt smooth. Thank goodness she’d had a change of clothing and makeup bag at work.

A blond head poked in the door. “I’m heading home, boss.”

Josie glanced up and forced a smile for her secretary. “Home or out for some fun?”

Vicki grinned and stepped inside. She’d removed her blue jacket to reveal a sleek black dress. “Out for some fun. Want to go?”

Not in a million years. They might be about the same age, but Josie felt decades older. “No, thanks.” Until Shane picked her up. While she still didn’t trust him, he could keep her safe from whoever was after him—and thus keep Tom safe. The two men who’d tried to attack Tom’s house would’ve killed him, and she couldn’t let that happen. She focused on her secretary. “I think I’ll work late.”

Vicki shrugged a curvy shoulder. “I figured.” Her thickly mascaraed eyes widened. “Was that cop mad earlier or what?”

“That’s an understatement.” Detective Malloy was no dummy. The story of how she’d gone willingly with Shane had sounded ridiculous, even to her ears. But there wasn’t anything the detective could do, absent taking her into custody. Which apparently he wasn’t ready to do. Though she wouldn’t be surprised to find herself under surveillance. The cop had even more questions about the two men Shane had left trussed up for the police. Because apparently they weren’t cooperating with Malloy.

Vicki wrinkled her forehead, concern glimmering in her eyes. “So are you really staying with Tom Marsh? I mean, now that your husband is in town?”

Josie shifted in her chair. “I didn’t tell anyone about my husband because I’m getting a divorce.” All she needed was a guilt trip from her secretary. “A clean start seemed like a good idea, you know?”

Vicki nodded. “Yeah, I get that. Though staying at Tom’s now is kind of risky, boss.”

Josie rolled her eyes. “Eavesdropping on the detective?”

Vicki giggled. “He was yelling at you. It was hard not to eavesdrop.”

Yeah, Josie had lied to the detective. Was that against the law? She needed to Google “false statements to police officials.” Wasn’t it a crime only if they were federal agents instead of county officials? “I’m not staying with Tom any longer. Have fun tonight, Vicki.” Happy hunting.

Vicki nodded and then glanced to the side. “Hi ya, Tom.” She winked at Josie and headed toward the elevators.

Tom nodded absently and stalked into the room to drop into a guest chair. A rip marred the work shirt which he filled quite nicely. The guy was religious about using the building’s gym. “Are you sure you’re all right?”

Josie nodded. They’d had this discussion via telephone several times during the day. “Yes. I told you, Shane left town.” The lie fell easily from her lips. Growing up in foster care, she’d learned to lie early and well. Just to keep people happy. “Detective Malloy is setting me up somewhere safe until we know for sure.” Another lie.

Tom kicked his legs out, crossing scuffed work boots at the ankles. “Why are you at work?”

“I can’t hide. Plus, I need to fix these books.”

Tom’s grin brightened the room. “I’m pretty sure that didn’t come out right.”

Josie laughed, her shoulders relaxing for the first time that day. “Good point. I didn’t mean that, and you’re above accountant jokes.”

He shrugged. “It was an easy one. Sorry I couldn’t be here earlier—rough day. I’m bidding on three different jobs right now.”

“I know what you mean about having a rough day.”

Tom glanced at his watch, a frown settling on his handsome face.

“Do you need to go, Tom?” He had to go. Shane would be there soon.

Tom frowned. “I have a meeting with a pain-in-the-ass client who might want to build a fast-food restaurant, but I don’t want to leave you alone.”

“Why is he a pain?” Josie stretched her neck.

Tom flushed. “She. She’s a pain.”

“Oh?” Josie bit back a grin. “Is she flirting with you?”

“Yes.” Tom cleared his throat. “The woman is all hands.”

“Do you like her?”

“Maybe.” His eyes warmed. “Though I’ve been waiting for you.”

Josie shrugged, unease filtering down her spine. “I’m a mess. Don’t miss out on something because of me.”

Regret flashed in his eyes, followed by humor. “Good enough. So, when will Malloy be here?”

“He’s on his way.” She hated lying. “Also, Johnston’s office is just down the hall. He’s always the last to leave.” Which was usually the truth. But today he’d gone to meet with the board of directors of the biggest bank in town. Gaining the bank as a client would be huge for the accounting firm.

A phone buzzed. Tom grabbed his cell from his pocket, reading the screen with a frown. “Okay. I have to go. Call me tonight so I know you’re safe.” His smile didn’t reach his eyes.

Darn it. She’d really screwed up his life. The guy had been knocked out last night. Josie sighed. Why couldn’t she have fallen in love with a great guy like Tom?

“I’ll call. Good luck with your client.”

He nodded and hustled toward the door, running into Daniel.

“Hey. I was just going to head to your floor and see if you wanted to go for a drink,” Daniel said. He’d shucked his fancy coat and had rolled his monogrammed shirt up to the elbows. Even his Burberry tie looked askew.

Tom shook his head. “I have a meeting with a client. Plus, we have a basketball game tomorrow night.”

Daniel rolled his eyes. “Drinking doesn’t affect my game, Sally.”

Tom snorted. “See you tomorrow.” He hurried down the hall.

Daniel rubbed his clean-shaven jaw, glancing at Josie. “You’re working late.”

She lifted a shoulder. “I’m trying to keep up with you. Rumor has it you got the school district account on the golf course.” Apparently playing golf with the superintendent led to business.

“Yes. A lot of business deals are made on the golf course.” He frowned.

“I don’t play golf.” Especially with men. Life sucked.

Daniel exhaled, exhaustion dimming his eyes for a moment. “So you don’t play golf with the guys. Many women own businesses in the area—join the chamber of commerce and meet some. Join women’s groups like the PTO and meet some. Use what you have, Josie.”

Why was Dan giving her ideas? She lifted both eyebrows. “That’s actually good advice.”

He shrugged. “I like the playing field level. Simple as that.” He turned on his Italian loafer and disappeared from sight.

Interesting. Maybe Dan didn’t suck as much as she’d thought. Josie grabbed her calculator, adding and reading the figures on the spreadsheet before her for Agers Hardware. Why wouldn’t they match up? She bit her lip, grabbing the rest of the file from the bottom drawer.

Her door closed.

She hissed out a breath, pushing back from the desk. “Shane. I didn’t hear you.”

He shrugged. “Good. Hopefully nobody else did, either.” A click echoed. He’d locked the door. Prowling forward, he stood next to her chair, his hands dropping to knead her neck. “There’s a patrol car out front, no doubt watching for me.”

Josie lowered her chin to her chest. Heaven. The man had magic fingers, and she should really move away. “Yeah. The detective didn’t buy my story.” She fought a groan as Shane worked out the knots in her neck.

Her thighs began to soften.

Warmth lit her abdomen.

She cleared her throat and pushed away, swiveling the chair to face him. “So, what now?”

Shane slid his hands into the pockets of well-worn jeans. A dark T-shirt covered his thick chest and brought out the deep gray flecks in his eyes. “Now I borrow your computer.”

With a shrug, Josie relinquished her chair, taking her notebooks to the other side of the desk. “What are you looking for?”

Shane sat, punching keys on the computer. “First I want to hack into my military records. Then I want to find my brothers.” He frowned, dark gaze shifting to her. “I had a dream. I saw them. Matt and Nathan—if I had to guess, I’d think they were both older than me. We were at some type of camp—maybe a military one?”

Intrigue sped up her heart. She’d never even known their names. “How old were you?”

Shane shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe eight?”

Josie wrinkled her nose. “A military camp at the age of eight? Seems young.” She cleared her throat. “When you had the nightmare about losing your brother, you yelled out the name Jory.”

Shane’s jaw hardened. “Jory. Yeah. Mattie mentioned that name in the dream.” Shane rubbed his chest. “Jory.” He turned his focus back to the computer.

Josie returned to her files, working through deductions for Fuller Labs. Her favorite client. Always paid on time, always kept good records. Since they had labs all over the United States, she’d been able to keep the client as she made the move to Washington. Why couldn’t all clients be this good?

She ordered a pizza and met the pizza girl at the elevator, bringing the large pie into her office and shutting the door.

Shane looked up and smiled. “Do I like pizza?”

How odd not to remember. Josie returned the smile, placing the box on the desk and flipping open the lid. “Yes. You like pizza with pepperoni and pineapple.”

Shane frowned, his gaze on the colorful pie. “Really?”

Surprising humor bubbled through her. “Well, kind of. You like pepperoni, and I always wanted pineapple, so we learned to compromise the first month of our marriage and order it this way.” She handed him a piece.

“Thanks.” He took a bite, slowly chewed, and then smiled. “All right. The combination works for me.”

“I remember.” She took a bite. They’d been happy as newlyweds. She’d moved into his apartment, immediately repainting the walls a homey tan with white trim. Away from the base, so they had privacy. “We got married in Las Vegas.”

He squinted, a smile playing on his face. “Just the two of us?”

“Yes.” She took another bite, the pineapple cooling the pepperoni on her tongue. It’d been two years since she’d enjoyed the combination of flavors. “You were on leave, and as a new accountant at the firm, I only had one day off.” The memories rushed through her, bringing both pleasure and the pang of eventual loss. “You bought me a dress.” He’d already taken her heart, but with the white dress, he’d stolen her soul. The white silk had been perfect, better than she’d ever dreamed.

He inhaled. “I can’t wait to remember that day. While my brain is fuzzy, my emotions are clear, Josie. I know I loved you.”

A tingle started at her heart and spread through her entire chest. She pushed the feeling aside. He couldn’t make such a claim without his memories. No matter how badly she wanted to believe him. Even if she did learn to trust that the love was real, he’d still left her alone. She cleared her throat. “So how’s the research going?”

He gave a short nod, letting her off the hook. “Not great. But I’ll find what I need.”

“Good.” They needed answers before another attack came. Josie pushed the pizza box aside and grabbed the file on Agers Hardware, a small hardware store whose owners weren’t as good at record keeping as some of her other clients. Good thing she knew her job. She’d find the deductions the young couple needed to pay the IRS less.

Shane went back to typing. Hours passed. Finally, Shane looked up at her and frowned thoughtfully.

Did she have pizza sauce on her face? “What?”

He studied her, his eyes the color of a stormy sky. Not moving an inch, he kept his focus entirely on her, as if she were the only thing in his world. Tension thickened the air around him, his predatory stillness a warning that he’d soon lunge.

Memories assailed her. She’d forgotten the feeling of being everything. Her heart picked up its pace, and heat slid through her veins like a fine whiskey. Desire slammed into her abdomen. With just one look from him, electricity zipped through her body to pulse between her legs.

His nostrils flared. “I remember you.”