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He hadn’t counted on being caught, but it happened, and he damn sure hadn’t counted on going to jail for a simple fuck. But he had, and considered it nothing more than adding to the résumé of his life. But finding out she was the mother of the child he’d been sent to snatch left him reeling, and it had been all downhill from there after he got caught.
He thought he’d seen and done it all until federal marshals drove him through the gates of this prison. This was serious shit, and hard to tell who was more dangerous—the inmates or the guards.
He was sorry all the way to his soul that he’d ever laid eyes on Lindy Sheets, and even sorrier that he’d been duped by the big story she’d spun. It was a toss-up now as to how long he had left to live.
He’d talked to the feds. Told them everything he knew and knew that if the gang found out, they would never let it pass. The feds said they would protect him, but they couldn’t. Not even in here. He wasn’t safe. If the big boys wanted him gone, they would find a way to make it happen.
***
Rusty had eaten, rested, and then at Liz’s invitation gone with her to the spa down on the third floor. Liz had one of the hot tubs reserved, and after her initial shock at seeing the number of fading bruises on Rusty’s body, they settled in and were enjoying the bubbling jets of hot water.
“This feels wonderful, Liz. Thank you for coming with me,” Rusty said.
Liz grinned and gave one of Rusty’s dangling curls a gentle tug. “Of course. Selfishly, I’m loving this, too, because I never do this alone. I do not mingle in a tub of water with total strangers.”
“Aunt Pat doesn’t enjoy hot tubs?” Rusty asked.
Liz rolled her eyes. “Mom doesn’t enjoy catering to tourists. She’d rather be one, walking the streets in Paris or London.”
Rusty grinned and changed the subject. “So, catch me up. What have you done with yourself since college?”
“Wasted an entire year of my life here with Mom and Dad,” Liz muttered.
Rusty glanced at her, and then looked away. “You don’t know how fortunate you are to still have them.”
Liz blinked. Rusty was an adult but technically an orphan.
“Shit. I didn’t think,” Liz mumbled.
Rusty shrugged. “It is what it is. And we both grew up as the ‘only child,’ so there’s the reality of no siblings for backup when life happens.”
Liz sighed. Rusty had just handed her a reality check.
“I have a degree that lends itself to being an event planner. If I was smart, I would be interning with the one here, but that would mean showing up for work every morning and working all hours. And Mom is already so miserable here that I let her dissatisfaction color my decisions. Instead of using my degree, I’ve become her companion and ‘best friend.’”
“Do you have a significant other?” Rusty asked.
“I date Michael Devon. He’s the son and heir of the other big real-estate developer in Jubilee. Marshall Devon owns Hotel Devon, which is Dad’s biggest rival here in town. However, Michael and I had a fight the other day, so for the time being he’s on my shit list.”
Rusty laughed, but she was thinking of Cameron as Liz kept talking.
“Dad’s other competition in Jubilee comes from Jack Barton, who rents tiny cabins and campsites about two miles outside of town. I know nothing about his family.”
“But there must be some good-looking locals who are single,” Rusty said.
“I don’t see the point of meeting or falling for some hillbilly. I would never live that kind of life. I guess I am my mother’s child after all. What about you? I know you work for the government at the national level, but exactly what do you do?”
“Oh, I’m just a paper pusher,” Rusty said, and changed the subject. “I saw some really interesting shops as I was driving through town. I can’t wait to soak it all up. I know you’re probably bored with all of that by now, but I’d love to take you and Aunt Pat out to lunch sometime. Maybe in a day or two. I need time to settle in and get my bearings.”
Liz beamed. “I love going out for lunch. Do you have a dislike for any certain foods?”
“No. I’m game for pretty much anything. You pick, and make sure it’s something your mom will enjoy. I don’t want her suffering with the masses on my account.”
Liz giggled. “Deal. We’ll run it by Mom later.”
Rusty sighed and leaned back in the water.Problem solved.
Chapter 7
