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“Because I didn’t want to disrupt your life. But now…my board of directors will understand my desire to give my company to my child. It will make things easier for you.”
“You have other family members,” she pointed out.
“And who do you propose I give it to? The person who’s stealing from me or the person who killed my son or maybe the person who’s being paid only to come to work and drink?”
Silence enveloped the room.
Emory’s explanation should’ve helped. Maybe it would when she got past the pain of betrayal. Why hadn’t her mother told her? If she’d lived, would Carolyn Girouard have ever told Renee the truth? She pulled open the door and raced down the hall. She didn’t stop until she slipped into her car. Collapsing in the front seat, she let the tears fall that she’d been holding at bay. Now not only was her future in doubt, but her past was, also.
Hawk stared at the closed door. “I don’t think that went too well.” His statement fell into the quiet room.
Emory sighed. “She’s a levelheaded woman. One of the best I’ve ever met. What we unloaded on her caught her off guard.” Emory’s eyes narrowed as he studied Hawk. “But I wonder? Is there something between you and Renee? Her reaction when I announced I wanted her to marry you seemed rather intense. Is there something I should know, Hawk?”
Damn, Hawk thought. The cagey old fox saw things others didn’t. Hawk was surprised that Emory hadn’t caught on before now about the relationship between Renee and him, but they had taken pains to keep it quiet. Too bad Emory had such a blind spot about the rest of his family. Or maybe he didn’t and that’s why he wanted this marriage to happen.
“Yeah, there’s something you should know.” Hawk slipped his hands into the back pockets of his slacks. “Renee and I have been seeing each other.” He wasn’t going to reveal the depth of their relationship. He didn’t want to think about the Heaven he’d experienced in her arms.
Emory smiled. “Then this request I’m making of you won’t be any hardship, will it?”
How could Hawk tell the old man that they had broken up when Renee had started talking about marriage? He’d already made that mistake when he was a cop going to law school, and he didn’t want to fall into the trap again. Renee hadn’t been able to live with his bad attitude toward marriage and had broken off their relationship. He hadn’t spoken to her since their parting argument two months ago.
“No, it won’t,” he lied. “I’ll make arrangements for us to get the marriage license.” Hawk picked up the birth certificate and put it back into the briefcase.
“I don’t think any of my family will be thrilled. That’s why I’m counting on you, Hawk. I’m going to call my lawyer, have my will changed. I can sign it after I watch you two get married.”
“Then I need to go find Renee and see if I can convince her to apply for the license today or tomorrow,” Hawk murmured, thinking out loud.
“There’s a charity reception we’re holding on Saturday night. That might be a good time to announce your marriage.”
Hawk wondered if he could talk Renee into marrying him. She didn’t seem to be taken with the idea.
“Hawk, thank you.”
“You don’t have to thank me, Emory. I want your company to continue to survive and grow. It won’t happen with any of your relatives at the helm.”
Emory closed his eyes. “I know.” Defeat rang in his tone.
As Hawk walked out of the hospital, his thoughts were of Renee and this marriage. Whether or not she wanted to marry him, she was going to need him. Things were going to get rough. The reaction of Emory’s family—his sister Eloise, her husband Thomas, their son Todd, and Emory’s late brother’s daughter Stacy—would be explosive. They were jackals waiting for the old man to kick the bucket so they could pick the bones dry. He didn’t doubt each of them had plans about what to do with the money Emory would leave them. He’d heard talk among them about selling the company. Yes, Renee was going to need help.
When Emory confided to him about Renee being his daughter, Hawk had been shocked. Emory’s attitude toward Renee when she came to work for him now made sense. When Emory had asked him to marry Renee, Hawk hadn’t been able to deny the old man his request. Emory had been a lifeline for Hawk since he’d been a teenager. Any success in his life had been because of Emory’s support. He couldn’t walk away from the old man’s need.
Even if Emory hadn’t asked him to do this favor, Hawk would’ve thought of some way to protect the lady, because she was going to be in danger.
Renee’s hands shook so badly she couldn’t get the key in the ignition. Grabbing her purse, she slipped out of the car, locked it and started walking across the parking lot toward the city park and zoo. Maybe she could outwalk her thoughts.
The early spring day was perfect, with flowers blooming in the cultured gardens and the smell of honeysuckle in the air. She wished she could appreciate the beauty, but her mind kept replaying the stunning revelations of the morning.
She stopped by a bench and sank down on it. Emory Sweeney was her father. Not Francois Girouard—the man who’d raised her, loved her, picked her up when she’d fallen off her bicycle—but Emory Sweeney, the brash president of Texas Chic. Emory was an extravagant, outspoken maverick who’d made his millions in the sixties through a chain of retail stores, selling Texas chic apparel before it became popular.
How could it be true? As she thought further, little pieces of memory seemed to come together. The discrepancy between her birth date and her parents’ wedding. Renee had assumed that Francois had been her father. And then there were no pictures of him holding her as an infant. The pictures only started after she was three. Her mother explained that fact by saying they were destroyed in a fire.
Thrown into this mess was Emory’s request that she marry Hawk. The dynamic, handsome man had every female at Texas Chic vying for his attention whenever he showed up at company functions or visited Emory. He was the dangerous male who sent their blood racing, but Renee knew he had vowed never to commit to one woman after his disastrous first marriage and ugly divorce.
Marry a man who despised wedded bliss? When hell froze over, she vowed.
But there was something else to consider. She was pregnant and Hawk was the father. She took a deep breath. She had eventually planned on telling him, but she hadn’t yet come to terms with her situation. She wanted this baby, but hadn’t decided how she was going to deal with single motherhood.
Now it appeared she wouldn’t have to. But darn, she didn’t want to be like an unwanted rash that he’d acquired. And that’s what she would be. They had talked about marriage before or, correction, she’d talked about marriage after they’d made love, but he’d grown remote and said he didn’t want to go in that direction. As Renee had dressed that night, he asked why she was upset. She glared at him, asking if he had just wanted to have sex. He hadn’t responded. She told him she wouldn’t be available any longer.
She hadn’t spoken directly to him since that night two months ago. Whenever he showed up at Texas Chic offices, she made sure they didn’t cross paths.
Would the child look like his father? Would Hawk welcome the news? Did it even matter? Suddenly she was going to have a husband, a baby and gobs of money. It was a dream situation that should bring joy. But all she felt was trapped. She felt she was on a runaway train and she couldn’t get off until she reached the final destination, whatever that was.
“I was wondering where you disappeared to.” Hawk’s voice jerked her out of her thoughts.
She hastily wiped the moisture from her eyes and tried to get her emotions under control before she faced him. “I needed to clear my head before I got into my car.”
He sat down beside her, and his gaze probed hers. It appeared he wanted to say something, then shook his head and looked out into the park.
“Emory wants to announce our marriage and the news that you’re his daughter at the reception he’s holding Saturday night.”
Shock raced through her. “I haven’t decided if I can go through with this request. It’s ridiculous. I don’t need you to protect me. If I’m really Emory’s daughter, he can afford to hire an army of security guards.”
“True. But Emory wants to drive home the point to his family that they will lose their company if anything happens to you.”
“What’s your motivation? Why do you want to do this?” she demanded.
“Your safety.”
“Oh, please.” She fell silent for a moment, then the doubt popped into her mind. “You think someone would come after me?”
“I do. Emory’s family wants his money. You being named the heir would mess up their plans.”
“I can’t believe—”
Hawk’s hand shot out and he grasped her chin, forcing her eyes to his. “Believe it, Renee. I was there when Emory’s son was kidnapped. All the indications pointed toward someone close to Emory being responsible for the tragedy. The kidnapper knew too many things about David’s habits and schedule. It wasn’t just a lucky break that they caught him alone.”
Renee’s heart broke. Emory kept the last picture of his son, his sophomore-year school picture, on his desk.
“We want you to be safe.” When she didn’t respond, he added, “You didn’t have trouble with the idea of marrying me the last time we talked.”
She wanted to throw her purse at him. “You did.”
“This isn’t about me. It’s about you.”
She wondered if her safety was really his main concern, or did the change in her status to wealthy woman have anything to do with his change of heart? But that didn’t make any sense. From his actions, Hawk had never been interested in Emory’s money. “Then why even mention I’m his daughter?” she asked.
“Because Emory wants to be sure you’ll get the company. I also think he wants everyone to know you’re his child. Looking death in the eye makes you see things differently.”
She raised her brow in skepticism.
“That’s my guess.”
Too many feelings were bouncing around inside for her to know what she felt. Hawk wouldn’t marry her because he loved her, but he would marry her to protect her? Somehow she didn’t buy it.
“Renee, why don’t we go and get a marriage license? If you can think of a better way to address the problems that are sure to crop up, then we can consider it. But if we have the license, then we’ll have that option.”
A sick feeling settled in her stomach. “I don’t think things are as dark as you paint them. Besides, the problem will be solved if I just tell everyone I don’t want Emory’s company.”
“Don’t be foolish.”
Anger raced through her. She stood. “I’ve done that before, haven’t I, Hawk? I guess my actions will be consistent.”
As she walked away from him, she heard him mutter a curse.
Renee pulled the High Point file from the accounts receivable filing cabinet. Emory had called the office late in the day and asked to see the account. She glanced around the empty office, peering into the shadows. The normally busy room took on a sinister feel. She tucked the file under her arm and walked into the hall. Although a few people were still in the building, a chill settled over her. She raced back to her office, grabbed her purse and headed toward the elevator. She hugged the file to her chest as she waited for the elevator. When it arrived, she breathed a sigh of relief.
When the elevator doors opened on the parking garage level, a car stopped before her, making her heart race. Hawk jumped out. “Why are you here this late?” he barked.
Relief made her light-headed. “Emory wanted to see this account.”
He continued to glare at her.
Irritation replaced the relief she’d felt. “I wasn’t aware it was in my job description to check in with you.”
He ran his fingers through his hair. “Renee, something could’ve happened.”
She wanted to tell him he was imagining things, but she recalled her uneasiness in the accounting office. “How did you know I was here?”
“I went back to your apartment to talk to you about us getting married.”
“You’re not going to let this idea drop, are you?”
“No.” There wasn’t any room for argument. When Hawk got that look in his eye, it was a sure sign that not even the Marines would be able to move him. “You ready?”
“I’m going to take this file to Emory tonight.”
Hawk nodded. “I’ll follow you.”
Too bad he wasn’t as diligent two months ago, when she’d walked out of his life, she thought as she headed for her car.
“Get down,” Hawk suddenly shouted.
His yelled command stunned her. He lunged for her at the same instant she heard a shot echo through the empty garage. A second shot immediately followed. She felt the sting in the side of her head, then staggered, falling against the closest car. A warm stream of blood ran down her neck.
Panic raced through her as she crouched with her back to the door.
Hawk crouched beside her. He examined her head. “We need to get you to the hospital.”
“Is the shooter still out there?” Her eyes scanned the darkness of the parking garage. She felt a trickle of moisture run down the side of her face. She touched it and came away with blood on her fingers.
“Just keep down, and I’ll get you out of here.”
She latched on to his words. He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and supported her as they ran toward his vehicle. She noticed the blood on his sleeve. He helped her slide into the front seat, then climbed over her, started the car and floored it.
“Your arm,” she murmured.
He glanced at her. “Don’t worry about me.”
She felt dizzy. She leaned back against the seat. She could’ve died or worse, her baby could’ve been hurt or she might miscarry. Secure in the knowledge that Hawk would take care of her, Renee relaxed. It was her last conscious thought.
When Hawk pulled into the emergency entrance of Herman Hospital, he breathed a sigh of relief. He had called ahead on his cell phone, and people were outside waiting for them. His tension shot up 100 percent when he glanced at her and saw that she was still unconscious. Leaping out of his car, he raced around and helped the attendants pull Renee out and place her on a gurney.
“What happened?” asked one of the nurses.
“Someone shot at her,” Hawk answered.
“From the looks of your arm, it appears you were in the way.”
“It’s minor.” Hawk tried to follow Renee but was stopped by the nurse.
“Let’s take a look at your arm,” the nurse commented.
Hawk wasn’t interested in getting the wound tended, but the nurse had a determined look in her eye that told him she wasn’t going to take no for an answer. He thought about flashing his badge, but knew he wouldn’t be any help to Renee in the E.R.
He nodded. “Afterward, you’ll check on the woman I brought in.” When she hesitated, he added, “I’m a cop.”
She didn’t look convinced until he produced his badge.
“You got a deal, Lieutenant.”
After his arm was cleaned and wrapped, the nurse went to check on Renee. Hawk couldn’t sit still. Adrenaline still raced through his veins.
Someone had tried to kill Renee. There was a slight possibility that what happened tonight was a random crime, but he didn’t buy that scenario. He had a feeling the crime had been directed at her. Emory’s fears were well-founded, and he was going to have to stick closer to Renee than her skin.
Needing to report the incident to the police, he went back to his car, grabbed his phone and dialed Houston PD and told the operator what had occurred, then asked for his ex-partner, Tony Ashcroft, who was now a homicide detective. In minutes Hawk would have to answer a lot of questions.
But then again, the police weren’t the only ones who wanted answers.
“I don’t know anything else, Detective Ashcroft,” Renee said to the HPD detective. Her head pounded.
The tall, athletically built man closed his notebook and slipped it into his pocket. He was thirty-five, with a youthful appearance that probably fooled a lot of people into believing that Tony Ashcroft was younger than his years. Yet, from the looks he exchanged with Hawk, Renee had the feeling that the detective wasn’t easily fooled.
“If you remember anything more, please contact me, Ms. Girouard.” He handed her his business card.
She nodded.
Ashcroft looked at Hawk. “I’ll call you later and let you know what we’ve uncovered.”
