Boxed Set: Intercepted by Love (The Complete Collection): Books One - Book Six (46 page)

Book Five

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“Intriguing from start to finish!”
- Corissa Palfrey

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Dedication

Coach Chris Ferragamo

Cade arrested for attempted murder?

Andie clutched her chest as heart palpitations made her lightheaded. The police car carrying Cade drove down the street and disappeared around the turn. Gollie and Red kept up a chorus of growly barks from behind the fence, and her mother was standing there, holding Bret in one arm and waving the paternity test with the other.

The results said Bret was Cade’s baby. Andie palmed her head to see if the ground would stop rocking and rolling.

Her mother patted her back, trying to guide her back into the house. “Are you okay? Dizzy? You have to lie down.”

“No, there’s no way Cade’s guilty. This is all wrong.” Andie fanned herself and stumbled into the house. “There has to be something I can do to help him.”

“Did you even hear what he said? He broke up with you. He says you’re through, and he asked you to go home.”

“He’s under stress. He’s just saying that to make me go away.” Yet the way he’d turned away from her had an air of finality.
Andie, don’t come visit. It’s over. We’re over. Finished. Go home.
Those words stabbed deep, drawing blood. They hurt. Sure, but Cade was hurting, too.

“Listen to him,” Mom reiterated. “He told you to go home.”

“It’s because he doesn’t want my life ruined with his mess.” Andie couldn’t believe she had to fight her mother on this. “Besides, we can’t just leave the baby by himself.”

“Grrr …” her mother growled. “You are so hardheaded. Do you want your life ruined?”

“No, not at all. I need to figure this thing out for Cade.” She grabbed the car keys from the hook.

“Let the police do their work. In the meantime, you have to let Roxanne know that Cade’s not available for parental duties. After all, she’s Bret’s mother.”

“A horrible one. She’ll probably leave him locked inside a car because she forgot to drop him off at daycare.” Andie gritted her teeth and marched to the garage. “Let me go speak to her. Please hold onto Bret until I find her?”

“Of course.” Mom kissed Bret’s fuzzy little head. “I would never leave you to the wolves, would I? No matter whose son you really are.”

Andie left her mother cooing and fussing over Bret. Her head felt hot, and her hands were jittery. How had everything turned into such a mess? If only she could remember how she’d met Cade and all the things that had happened before her accident. Then she’d know if he could be trusted. If he could be believed.

First things first. She had to notify Roxanne about Cade being arrested.

Andie jumped into Cade’s Porsche and tore out of the garage. Her heart pounded like a tight drum, and sweat rushed over her body like a hot flash. She barely missed a pedestrian as she went flying out of his neighborhood.

Roxanne had a lot to answer for. She must have known Cade was the father all along. How could a woman not know? And Cade? Ugh. What to believe? He claimed the only time he’d slept with Roxanne was New Year’s Eve, but Bret was obviously full term, which meant he had to have been conceived earlier.

Lies. Lies. Lies. Andie’s head swirled. What would be the point of Cade lying? So he slept with Roxanne twice. Was that a deal-killer? Unless it had been an ongoing affair. How much did she really know about Cade? Was she being foolish or was her judgment impaired because of her concussion?

No matter. Cade needed her help and he’d been nothing but kind and understanding, as well as hot and hunky—not that his looks and status meant giving him a pass on lying. Ack. She’d figure it out later.

Andie squinted for the road signs and hooked a turn, last minute, onto a curvy road. If Dick and Cade were father and son, then wouldn’t their DNA be similar? Could it be that Dick was still the father? Except the report had said 99.99% that it was Cade’s. But wait. There was no name on the report, just gobbledygook about samples and markers.

Where had her mother gotten the DNA samples? Was it from the laundry or yuck, gross. Had she dug through the wastebaskets for the used condoms? Ewww!

Andie missed a red light as a loud horn blared.
Sorry!

Okay, okay. Not the condoms. Maybe Cade should flush them despite what the plumbers say, to keep them from nosy mothers. Except her mother was a prude. She would never touch them.

Fine. She could have gotten the samples from the laundry. If Dick’s blood or bodily fluids had somehow gotten on Cade’s clothes, it could still be possible. Maybe Dick had cried on Cade’s shoulder, or Cade had gotten into a fight with Dick. Maybe he punched him in the nose and bloodied his fist. That had to be it.

Her head seemed fuzzy, like she couldn’t really apply herself to logical thought. Being brain-injured sucked. Andie blew out a breath. The only blood Cade had gotten on his clothes belonged to the gangster he’d saved from the train. He’d been covered in the guy’s blood. Bret was the son of some unknown mugger?

No, no. Too coincidental. Impossible odds. She swerved over the centerline and looked back in her rearview mirror only to see a guy shaking his fist at her.
Ooops!

Champion driver she was not. Her tongue stuck to the top of her mouth, and her heart did flip-flops as she careened down the street and screeched to a stop in front of Declan’s Beverly Hills condominium.

Holy canola oil! Cade could have gotten Declan’s blood on his shirt when he broke his jaw. Could it be the baby was Declan’s?

With no parking spot in sight, Andie double parked. She pushed out of the car, narrowly missed hitting a bicyclist with the door, and stormed into the lobby.

A doorman greeted her. “Who would you like me to page?”

She could barely speak, what with her pulse exploding and the jitters zinging her nerves. “Dec-clan R-reed. His w-wife is here.”

The man’s eyes narrowed, and he looked like he swallowed a prune. “Sure. Let me call him.”

Wonder how many women claimed to be his wife? Humph!

A moment later, while Andie rocked nervously on her heels, the doorman hung up the phone and keyed a code into the private elevator. “Good luck.”

“Sure, thanks,” Andie muttered. The door opened with a loud chime directly into Declan’s apartment.

“Andie, what brings you?” Declan said through clenched teeth. “You told the doorman you’re my wife?”

“Yes, I figured you wouldn’t turn me away.” She looked over his shoulder. “I’m glad Roxanne’s here, too. Cade’s been arrested.”

To their credit, both of them appeared shocked with the classical expressions: raised eyebrows and wide eyes. Roxanne’s jaw dropped, and Declan winced when the wires held his jaw shut.

Declan led Andie to the sofa. “Sit, tell us what happened. What did they arrest him for?”

“They claim he tried to murder his mother.”

Roxanne emitted a tiny gasp, and her hand flew to her mouth. Her eyes tilted sideways for a split second before coming back to stare straight at Andie. “That’s horrible. How?”

“They have nothing on him, of course.” Andie didn’t want to give away any information. “Except there’s this thing about blood type that doesn’t make sense.”

“They found blood somewhere?” Roxanne asked. “Is his mother okay?”

“She’s alive.” Andie scooted closer to Roxanne to catch her reactions. “We have to clear everyone who’s been in Cade’s house. My blood type is A, and I wonder what yours is, Roxanne?”

“I’m a B.” Roxanne’s upper lip curled. “Can’t pin anything on me.”

“Declan?” Andie prodded. “How about you?”

“I’ve nothing to hide,” Declan said through clenched teeth. “I’m B, too, and I don’t even know Cade’s mother.”

Andie swallowed hard. The baby’s blood was B and Cade’s was O. Did having Declan’s blood type mean the baby was his? Or was there something about dominant and recessive? Ugh. Why, oh why, had she failed biology?

“I hardly spoke to Cade’s mother,” Roxanne said. “I haven’t seen her since I moved out. She seemed fine then.”

“She absolutely wasn’t fine. She overdosed that day you moved out. I’m wondering where she got the drugs.” Andie drilled Rox with as steely a gaze as she could muster.

“Oh, my. I had no idea.” Roxanne’s eyes popped too wide to be truly surprised. “I was at work. She was supposed to be watching the baby, not scoring drugs.”

“Unless you supplied it to her.”

“Why would I do something that stupid? That’s my baby she’s supposed to be taking care of.”

“Oh, so now you finally remember your baby.” Andie couldn’t help jeering at the world’s worst mother.

“Wow, what’s going to happen to the baby?” Declan looked at Roxanne.

“That’s what I’m trying to figure out.” Andie couldn’t help sneering. If indeed the baby was Declan’s, then both Roxanne and Declan had pulled off a big heist, pretending not to have known each other.

“I’m working full time.” Roxanne shrugged. “I thought the agreement was for Cade to take care of him.”

“Except Cade’s in jail,” Andie countered, then turned to Declan. “Where were you the day Cade’s mother overdosed?"

“I’ve no clue when it happened,” Declan blinked, giving off that too innocent not to be guilty look.

“The day I got out of the hospital. Ring a bell? I seem to recall that you had a meeting.” Which was why Cade had been able to drive her to his home. Thank goodness.

“Oh, that’s right. I had a meeting.”

“With who?”

“None of your business.” Declan crossed his arms. “Why are you here asking us all these questions?”

“Because Cade’s innocent of the charges.” Andie jutted her jaw and crossed her arms to mirror his belligerent attitude.

“And you think we had something to do with it?” Roxanne’s voice shrilled. “I’m sure the police wouldn’t have arrested Cade without good cause.”

“Maybe you planted evidence against him.” Andie gave her the gimlet eye.

“What’s my motive?” Roxanne screeched. “Huh? Why would I want to get rid of her? She’s the one who’d love to get me out of the way so she can take my baby.”

“Rox, what’s going on? I thought you were giving your baby to Andie.” Declan scratched his head, looking clueless, or was that a studied actor clueless look?

“Maybe she should give the baby to you, Declan,” Andie said in a lilting tone. “Would he, by any chance, be yours?”

“Mine? No way.” His eyes darted from Rox to Andie and back. “You introduced me to Rox. I’ve never met her before.”

“How can you be sure?” Andie’s breath hissed through her teeth, imitating Declan’s closed-mouthed tone.

“Wait, wait, wait.” Rox stood and huffed. “What are you up to, Andie? Coming here and making accusations. You’re the one who wants Bret all for yourself.”

“Bret is a sweetie, but I’m not a baby stealer,” Andie said.

“You’re not, except you want Bret so you can get Cade. Everyone knows you’re not his type. I mean, look at you. You’re trying to look hip, but instead, you look stupid. Paisley shirt, rainbow jeans, and what’s with the daisy headband and rose sneakers? The only reason he’s holding onto you is for the baby.”

“Rox, that’s not nice.” Declan sounded choked, but it could be his clenched teeth. At least he was finally coming to his so-called, beloved wife’s defense.

“What’s not nice is everyone using me.” Roxanne stomped her feet and pointed at Andie. “I’m sick and tired of people using me. You used me to get rid of Declan, and Cade’s mother used me to get what she wanted.”

“What? Get rid of me?” Declan narrowed his eyes, but Andie was faster.

She gripped Roxanne’s bony arms hard. “What did Cade’s mother use you for?”

“Why don’t you ask her? She’s the disgusting one. Ask her what she did while she cleaned bathrooms. I dare you.”

“Oh, I’ll get to her,” Andie said. “But I think you have a motive for killing her. You seem plenty angry about her using you.”

“I’m not the only one. Just the unwilling one.” Roxanne resorted to whining.

“Rox, you’re talking too much.” Declan cut in. “Whatever mess you got into, I don’t want to know. I don’t know you. I just met you, and I’m definitely not the baby’s father.”

Andie turned on him. “Oh, so you wash your hands that easily? What’s your game? You see, Roxanne, how he is? After he uses you, he brushes you away, like stray hairs on a comb.”

She reached over and yanked Declan’s hair, the pouf he wore on top of his cowlick.

“Ow, Andie, what the hell?” he yelped, sounding strained and constipated at the same time. “Have you gone nuts?”

“Not at all. Since I no longer have my starring role as Michal.” She picked up her purse and headed for the elevator. “I’m going to try out for a reality show with you as the chump I’m exposing.”

Andie turned the key and walked out holding strands of Declan’s bright red hair. Some even had the roots attached. Yes! Good enough for DNA testing.

“You’re not going to believe this,” Andie said to her mother as soon as she marched in the front door. “Declan’s blood type is B, and so is Bret’s. What if he’s the baby’s father?”

Andie’s mother stopped burping Bret, her hand raised in midair. “Declan? How’s he mixed up with all of this?”

“I caught Declan and Roxanne red-handed.” Andie palmed the side of her head. A weird burning sensation tunneled inside her brain whenever she thought too hard.

“Oh, goodness. You’re overtiring yourself. Remember, the doctor said you should rest your brain and give it an opportunity to mend.”

“No. I’m fine.” Andie extracted an envelope from her purse. “It sucks not being able to concentrate, but I have Declan’s hair in this envelope. We can send in for another paternity test.”

“I’m not following this at all.” Her mother resumed burping Bret. “What does Declan’s hair have to do with Cade’s baby? I thought I proved to you that Cade is Bret’s father.”

“Where did you get the DNA samples?”

Mom’s mouth widened, and she shook a finger at Andie. “It’s not hard to get Cade’s DNA. We live in his house. You only have to hunt around.”

Andie’s face heated, remembering the used condoms. “How can you be sure it was Cade’s?”

Mom tilted her chin up. “I dug in Cade’s hamper and found a jersey with some blood. Who knew football players got so bloody?”

“It’s a contact sport, Mom.” Andie shook the envelope with Declan’s hairs. “Remember when Cade punched Declan in the jaw? Some of Declan’s blood could have splattered on his clothes too.”

“It’s a long shot.” Her mother handed Bret to her. “Besides, this sweet darling looks nothing like Declan. What’s more important is who’s going to take care of him when we leave?”

Andie cuddled the baby. “I don’t think we can leave, at least not yet.”

“Not my circus. Not my monkeys.” Mom flapped her hands. “Your father needs us back home. Instead of pulling hairs from Declan’s head, you should have told Roxanne she needs to step up and take care of her baby. She might as well move back in because someone has to feed the dog, too.”

“I did give Roxanne the four-one-one.” Andie snapped her fingers. “But there’s another suspect. The dog walker. Have you seen her? She could have planted the heroin. Doesn’t she have a key?”

“True.” Her mother wiped her face. “She never talks much. Just comes in and out like a shadow.”

“What’s her name? Next time she comes by, why don’t you ask her to sit and chat? Have some tea or coffee. You’re good at that,” Andie reminded her mother of her nosy talents. “This is important. Someone’s framing Cade.”

“Maybe, but it’s not your job to figure out who.” Her mother raised her voice. “I’ll concede he’s probably not hurting his mother. But considering what I’ve seen so far, including all the stuff you don’t remember, I’m not sure I can give him the benefit of the doubt.”

“What other stuff that I don’t remember?” Andie narrowed her eyes. A memory of her mother’s disapproval flitted through her mind. “You’ve been hinting about me doing dastardly things with Cade. Spit it out.”

“The doctor said you’re supposed to remember things on your own.” Mother reached for the baby. “He’s asleep. Let’s put him in his bassinet.”

“There, there, little one. You’re so precious.” Andie kept ahold of Bret and rubbed his tiny little back. His sweet powdery baby scent was so adorable, just like Cade. Oh goodness, did this mean Bret was Cade’s son?

Her heart thumping with worry about what her mother knew that she didn’t, Andie walked to the bedroom and tucked Bret into his bassinet.

Mother followed, wringing her hands. “Cade isn’t exactly a boy scout. The wisest thing for you is to do as he says. Go home and forget about him.”

“Sorry. I can’t do that.” Andie jogged up the spiral staircase to the room she shared with her mother. Even if Cade hadn’t told her the entire truth, he was still her friend and a loyal one at that.

Andie found her tablet and woke it up. “You’re going to show me everything you’ve been hinting at.”

“Leave it alone.” Her mother pressed her arm. “The doctor said …”

“Forget the doctor. I have to prove Cade’s innocent, so I have to know everything there is to know about him. The good, the bad, and the ugly.” She swiped her tablet and selected the web browser.

“Don’t say I didn’t warn you.” Mother dragged suitcases from the closet. “I’m going to start packing. I’m sorry you’ll have to see what Cade did to your reputation. It won’t be easy going back home and facing everyone.”

Geez Louise. She made it sound as if Andie had been an axe murderer. Sheesh. Andie shut out her mother’s voice and typed her name and Cade’s into the search engine.

Half an hour later, she wished she hadn’t looked. Cade had a reputation for being a womanizer with party girls on each arm. He’d also involved Andie in a bizarre scene where she had supposedly given him oral sex in a cemetery while watching an outdoor movie screening of
Pet Sematary
. The images were grainy and murky, but it was definitely her, or someone who looked like her, who was bent over Cade’s lap.

Andie swallowed bile as she scrolled through the blogs speculating about her as the small town librarian way out of her league with the professional football player. She searched for the time they met back in Itasca and found the viral videos of his dog having sex with her dog right in the middle of the university where she worked. A picture of someone who was supposedly her boss, Margo, was displayed prominently alongside an article about Cade defacing library materials, and another video showed Roxanne announcing to the world how Cade had gotten her pregnant.

Roxanne had sounded so confident, like she had nailed Cade to a tree. Could it be that Bret really was Cade’s after all? And everything that happened afterward was a lie? Maybe Dick really was covering up for Cade. Maybe Declan had nothing to do with Bret and Roxanne.

Urgh. Andie’s head ached, and her brain felt like burning snakes were wiggling inside. She rested on the bed and groaned. “You’re right, Mom. I shouldn’t have looked. I’m feeling nauseous and sick.”

“Now you know why we have to leave?” Her mother quickly and efficiently folded their clothes and arranged them in the suitcase. “You’re still suffering from your concussion. All of this is too much. You need to rest to allow your brain to heal. Besides, you don’t need this scandal with Cade. It gets worse and worse the deeper you dig.”

A heavy cloud sagged over Andie’s shoulders. Every muscle and bone in her body ached with weariness. She’d been running herself ragged the past few days. In fact, she hadn’t even been out of the hospital for a week.

Thoughts and images jumbled in her mind, and she couldn’t sort through any of it. It was one mess of spaghetti with bits of onion and mushroom scattered between. Perhaps her mother was right. She needed to recover from her brain injury. She needed to remember who she was and why she was here in Los Angeles. She needed a clear picture before she could help Cade.

“I can’t do this anymore.” Andie sat at the table and rubbed her eyes. “I’m so tired, and I can’t believe I did those things they’re gossiping about. I can’t believe that was me.”

Even worse. Why hadn’t Cade told her? She’d never given anyone head before and this public display was sure to have ruined her career prospects. Had she been drunk? Had he taken advantage of her? Or was she already in love even before her accident?

“The blowback from that incident is over, although people in our town might still be talking about it. What’s done is done. I told you not to look.” Andie’s mother gave her shoulder a squeeze. “You had your Hollyweird adventure, now it’s time to go home.”

Andie spied the ruby red slippers necklace on her night table. “I miss Dad. I really do.”

# # #

Cade’s head ached after spending the night in a noisy and smelly jail cell. Even worse, the other inmates hadn’t let him sleep, and each new one who came in ribbed him about losing the Super Bowl as soon as the others made it known that he was the LA Flash quarterback who’d screwed up.

However, nothing about his situation was bad compared to the pain and anguish he must have put Andie through. Telling her they were through, asking her to leave and go home was a desperate move to save her from his problems. She was too pure for him. Too caring and lovable, everything wonderful, with a loving family to go back to. He couldn’t drag her down his drain of dysfunction and ruin her life.

The hurt on Andie’s face when he’d told her to go away sliced through his heart. He’d had to turn away and not look back, knowing she was watching as the squad car drove away. This was the end. No more dreams and fantasies of having a normal life with Andie. Guys like him didn’t get to destroy other people’s lives, especially a woman as trusting and loving as Andie.

Hopefully, she and her mother had gotten in touch with Roxanne to take care of Bret and were on their way to the airport. This mess wasn’t theirs to clean up.

The lock clicked and the door to the cell opened. A prison guard said, “Prescott, you have a visitor.”

Great. About time.

He’d used his single phone call to ask his agent, Rob Cash, to hire him a lawyer. This entire scene smelt like trumped up charges, and any decent lawyer should be able to get him out easily. He’d also asked Rob to hire a security guard to watch the rehab and protect his mother, because while Cade was stuck in jail, the real killer would have more opportunity to attack.

The guard led Cade through a series of locked doors and unlocked the door to the visitation room. Ronaldo Silver sat there, smirking and looking supremely confident. What was he doing here and who had called him?

“You have fifteen minutes,” the guard said, leaving Cade shackled. “I’m right outside, so don’t try anything funny.”

Cade adjusted his chains and sat, picking up the phone receiver. “Wow, news travels fast. What are you doing here?”

“Getting you a lawyer.” Ronaldo lifted an eyebrow and leaned forward. “I don’t trust the one Rob Cash hired.”

What made Ronaldo think Cade could trust him? Wasn’t he in cahoots with Dick on the baby passing deal?

“In that case, I’m taking the public defender,” Cade replied. “I know I’m innocent.”

“No way. That’s suicide,” Ronaldo said. “Whoever’s framing you is clever and determined.”

“Why should I trust you?”

“Because I’m your friend.”

“Didn’t look that way with you siccing Declan on Andie.” Cade all but growled.

Ronaldo thumbed his lip and shook his head. “Declan has history with her. As soon as he found out Andie was involved with the show, he wanted in. Besides, I was watching out for you. If she really was still hung up on Declan, then it’s better to find out now.”

“True, but what about the King David show?” Cade could see the logic of Declan, but not the entire farce of a show.

“What about it? It got Andie out to LA, and I got to have some fun with the creative types. Besides, I’m still trying to line up funding. After my aunt beat me up, she asked for a copy of the script. We might make a go of it anyway.”

Ronaldo was nothing, if not optimistic, always with a big scheme going on—delusions of grandeur.

Cade waved his hand. “Whatever. I just don’t want Andie to get hurt.”

“You need to get out of jail first.” Ronaldo crossed his arms. “Talk to the attorney. He’s really good. Owen Williams. He looks like one of those bumbling nerds, kind of pudgy and confused, but all the while, he’s getting information and solving your case.”

“Sure.” Cade shrugged and hunched his shoulders. What did he have to lose? It wasn’t as if Rob had gotten back to him with the lawyer yet. “Do you really think Andie has talent?”

“Do you?” Ronaldo tapped the tabletop. “That’s all that’s important, isn’t it?”

“She’s the most incredible woman in the world. Talented, warm, caring, and more than I deserve.”

“That’s good, but what does that have to do with getting you out of jail?”

Cade rubbed both sides of his face and sighed. “Nothing. I sent her away. Told her to go home.”

“Why? The entire King David show was designed for her. If my aunt decides to fund me, I’ll still need her.” Ronaldo also had a one-track mind. Didn’t he realize how much Andie had lost by coming out to California? She’d lost touch with her father who was paralyzed by a stroke, had her reputation ruined by that indecent photo, and now, she’d lost her memory because of a car accident. He should never have enticed Andie to Hollywood with the King David deal.

“I love her,” Cade muttered, finding it hard to breathe past the lump in his throat. “I can’t let her ruin her life for me.”

“Oh, that’s all well and noble. I should knight you right now, Sir Cade O’Chump.” Ronaldo huffed. “I’m betting she’s not leaving.”

“She has to. I broke up with her.” Cade’s stomach ground like pebbles caught in a food processor.

“You what? Oh, that’s rich. Just too rich. You find true love and you tell her to go away.”

“For her own good. Besides, her mother showed her a paternity report saying I’m Bret’s father.”

“Are you?” Ronaldo raised his eyebrows.

“Impossible. I only slept with Roxanne on New Year’s Eve, and Bret was conceived last November.”

“Maybe you forgot. I mean, you always had more than one woman. Maybe Roxanne was mixed in a threesome and you didn’t notice.”

“I always used protection.”

“Sure, sure, that’s what they all say.” Ronaldo chuckled. “The thing is, you don’t realize when you slip up, because if you did, you would have remembered to bag your boner.”

“Look, I didn’t slip up.” At least not with Roxanne. She was his agent’s sister and off-limits. At least until New Year’s Eve when a combination of champagne goggles and Roxanne’s full court press convinced him to give it a whirl.

Ronaldo tapped on the plastic. “Bud, or should I call you BD for Baby Daddy, I see you’re worried.”

“No. Not at all.” He hadn’t slept with any party girls since he’d met Andie, so he was in the clear. “No need to worry. I stopped partying after the Super Bowl disaster. So, who’s this lawyer?”

“Owen Williams, criminal defense. He’s a good ol’ boy. Prosecutors never see him coming. He looks like a bumbling fool, but he’s sharper than a prick on the tip of the Space Needle.”