Michael’s right hand went to his hip, pulling back his jacket. A pearl-handled pistol hung at his belt. “Careful.”
Every muscle in Hez’s body trembled with rage. He wanted to smash in Michael’s face or even pull his own gun and see just how fast Michael could draw—but the rational part of his brain kept his hands at his sides. He glared at Michael. “Get off my property, pond scum.”
Michael chuckled and stepped back slowly toward his truck. He opened the door and got in, then turned back to Hez. “Do the smart thing, Counsel.” He shut the door and drove away.
Chapter 23
Savannah pulled into the driveway of their soon-to-be-together home and smiled. The sight was just what she needed after a day of interviewing applicants to replace Jess, followed by a meeting of the board of trustees. Lights sparkled through the prisms of the big front window in a welcoming burst of color. Lights glowed from the folly as well, which drew her gaze out toward the dock stretching into the waves with the sunset glimmering on them.
Hez had thought of everything, and she wished Simon could be with her to see it—though the thought of a romantic evening alone with Hez made up for it. She hated the armed-camp atmosphere that strained their relationship with her nephew. She feared he’d be awkward with her tomorrow morning when she got him after Michael had appeared as a rescuing hero.
She bounded up the steps with an anticipatory smile and opened the door to the mouthwatering aromas of garlic, butter, and seafood. “I smell shrimp bisque and crab cakes.” Her voice faltered when she saw Hez’s ashen face. “What’s wrong? Is it Simon?”
He stepped nearer to take her hand. “I have something I need to tell you. I think we’d better sit down.”
She eyed the envelope in his hand. Was it about the adoption? Had they lost?
He led her to the sofa and tugged her down with him onto the cushions. “Michael showed up an hour ago.” Hez raked his hand through his hair. “I knew something was up, but I couldn’t figure it out. I never expected anything like this.”
“You’re scaring me. What is it?”
“There are pictures.” He swallowed hard and tried again. “Michael was so determined to stop our adoption petition that he hired Martine to help him blackmail us. He brought pictures of me with Martine and demanded we drop our suit or he’ll use them in court.”
Pictures? Hez’s extreme reaction told her more than his words, and all thoughts of a romantic dinner vanished. He would never betray her, never. She clung to that belief. “I need to see them.”
“I’d rather you didn’t, babe. Some of them are fake and th-they look bad.”
She held out her hand. “Now.”
The first picture showed Martine, shoes in one hand against a beach background, gazing up at him with an adoring expression. Savannah focused on Martine’s proprietary arm around Hez—like she had a perfect right to embrace him. Even worse, his arm curled around her trim waist. Savannah forced herself to the next picture and recognized the setting of it too—the Seabreeze Saloon. She winced at the half-empty mojito in front of him.
She shot an accusing glare his way. “Is this fake?”
He shook his head. “No, but I haven’t touched a drop of liquor since I started AA.”
She held on to the thin shred of hope that he hadn’t and went to the next picture, also at the bar. Martine, eyes closed, kissed his cheek. He didn’t seem to be objecting. Savannah flipped to the next picture, one at the door of a motel room. A seductive smile on her face, Martine led him through into the darkness inside. Pressure squeezed Savannah’s heart, and she struggled to pull in oxygen. She didn’t want to see the next pictures, but she forced herself.
The lurid photos of Hez and Martine in bed slammed into her brain. The last thing she saw before she shut her eyes against the onslaught of pain and disbelief was the birthmark on his bare hip. There was no mistaking the irregular star shape. Bile churned in her chest, but she managed not to vomit.
Hez’s voice pushed past the roaring in her ears. “Those last pictures never happened, Savannah. I promise you. Look at me.” His voice held pain.
She forced her lids open. “If those are the only faked photos, were the other ones real? You let her kiss you, you had your arm around her? You met her at a bar?”
“I didn’t touch a drop of alcohol, I swear.” His blue eyes begged her to believe him. “She was providing information about the case, and in every instance, she instigated inappropriate behavior, but I thought it was worth the risk if I could find Hornbrook. Then you and Simon were kidnapped, and I thought if I could talk to her client, I could find you.”
He massaged the bridge of his nose. “I thought she was just flirting like she always does. It’s never meant anything—sheacts that way with all men. I had no idea she was on Michael’s payroll and was providing blackmail pictures.”
“You went to a motel with her, Hez. How was that ever okay? Didn’t you see for one second how she manipulated you? Didn’t the alarm bells ring even once?”
“Your lives were in danger! I realized it was a peculiar meeting place but went anyway, hoping it would lead to finding you. I swear to you those last pictures are fabricated. They’re completely fake.”
She wanted to believe him when his voice vibrated with passion and outrage, but how could she when the last pictures... She gulped and couldn’t bring herself to see them again, so she shoved them at him. “Explain how Michael faked your birthmark! How would he know you had one?”
“I don’t know how he faked that, but I know he did because this never happened.” Desperation tinged his words. “I—I hadn’t noticed the birthmark, but I would never do this, Savannah. In your deepest heart, you know I love you more than my own life. From the first moment I met you, I’ve never been interested in another woman. Not once.”
Anger and hurt raged for control of her emotions, and she didn’t know what to believe. “I can’t talk to you right now. I’m going for a walk to decide if I’ve been wrong all this time about the man I love.” Her voice wobbled, and she lurched to her feet and rushed for the door.
She didn’t want to admit to herself she’d used the wordlovein present tense. If his betrayal ended up being true, it would rip the heart right out of her.
