Slow Burn (19 page)

“Not at all. As long as you understand that
this is my show.”

“Deal. I’ll be in your office in ten
minutes.” Ron glanced at the hospital entrance one last time, then
took off.

CHAPTER 10

“You’re sure you don’t need a ride?” Matt
Kirkland asked Ashley one last time. They were standing in the
hospital emergency room’s parking lot, a few feet from his rented
car.

Ashley nodded. “A friend of mine will be here
shortly to pick me up.” The way she saw it, poor Matt had his plate
full—his father’s unstable condition and his mother’s emotional
state—without acting as her chauffer too.

She jerked her chin toward the car, where his
mother sat with her eyes closed. “Take her home, Matt. She needs to
rest. But if you need help with anything, don’t hesitate to call
me, okay? I’d be glad to help.”

A grateful smile touched Matt’s mouth. “I
don’t know how to thank you, Ash. If you hadn’t been there for
her,” he glanced at his mother with eyes full of pain, “or called
the police when you did, the bastard would have killed him.” He
squinted, fighting tears. “He’ll pull through this, you know,” he
blurted out. “Dad is a fighter.”

Her throat closed as she too fought tears.
Matt wasn’t yet ready to face the reality of his father’s
condition. Despite their success in draining the blood on the
surface of the brain, removing the clots and repairing the vessels,
the surgeon was brutally honest about Uncle Jerry’s prognosis. His
other injuries were too extensive, and there was the age factor.
The chances of a full recovery were slim.

“I’m sure he’ll pull through this,” Ashley
murmured, not sure what else to say to ease his pain. She had known
Matt most of her life and had even introduced him to his wife,
Lorraine. At six-feet-two and three-hundred pounds, he was a bear
of a man, but inside he was a softie, a real sweetheart. Losing his
dad would devastate him.

Ashley tugged his sleeve to draw his
attention. “Remember what I said, Matt. Call me if you need
anything.”

Matt rubbed his thick nape and nodded. “I
have to fly back to San Diego on Monday, but Lorraine is coming
tomorrow. She’ll be able to keep an eye on Mother.”

“That’s wonderful.” His wife was a registered
nurse. “Tell her to call me when she gets in.”

“I will.” He glanced at his mother one last
time. “I’d better take her home.”

They hugged briefly, then Ashley watched the
younger man lumber around the car to the driver’s seat. She waved
at them, waited until the car disappeared out of sight before she
dialed Ron’s number.

“Hey, it’s me. Can you pick me up now?”

“Babe, I can’t,” Ron said jerkily. “Can you
wait for, uh, thirty minutes…an hour tops?”

An hour? He was out of his mind. Why was he
breathing heavily? “Ron, I’ve been up since five this morning. It’s
now,” she glanced at her watch, “four o’clock in the afternoon. I’m
tired and just want to go home.”

“Sorry about this…can’t be avoided. We are…,”
there was muted grunts and curses. “Can I call you back?”

Ashley scowled. “Where are you? What’s going
on?”

“Chasing a scumbag who refuses to talk to
us—” The rest of his words were cut off by the loud barking of a
dog.

“Ron, if you’re too busy—”

This time, she was interrupted by what
sounded like a shriek, followed by thuds and muffled curses. “Ron?”
There was silence. “Are you there, Ron?” Silence again.

Her stomach dropped as panic slammed into her
like a de-roofing windstorm. It was the telephone conversation with
Kirkland all over. “Ron? Answer me, damn it!”

All she heard was the wild beating of her
heart. Her knees threatened to cave under her, and her body shook
with the force of her fear.

“Ron.” Let him be okay. “Ron?”

“I’m here, babe,” he said, breathing heavily.
“We got him,” he added with a triumphant chuckle.

“Good,” Ashley said with relief even though
she had no idea what was going on. Thank goodness, he was okay.
“Sounds like you’re busy. I can catch a taxi and meet you at my
place later.”

“No.” His voice was firm. “Wait for me inside
until I get there, Ashley. There’re things we need to discuss.”

She had needs too, like thoroughly analyzing
what was happening to her. Why the thought of Ron getting hurt
almost stopped her heart. “We can discuss them later. Right now I
must—”

“Damn it, Ashley. There’re things that you
must be aware of before you step foot out of that hospital.”

“Don’t you dare swear at—”

“Yeah, yeah, fine,” he cut in. “Just don’t
leave the hospital without me.”

“Ronald Noble, if you interrupt me one more
time,” she warned, eyes narrowed. Of all the arrogant, impossible
men she’d ever known, he took the cake. Her eyes widened as the
realization hit her. Good Lord, she was falling in love with Ronald
Noble. That was the scariest and dumbest thing she could ever
possibly do. Ashley scowled. The heart, unfortunately, had no sense
whatsoever.

“Sweetheart? Are you still there?” Concern
laced his words.

A sigh escaped Ashley. He was also the only
one who ever called her sweetheart and sounded like he meant
it.

“I want to go home, Ron.” She knew she was
being unreasonable and childish, but it wasn’t everyday she learned
that she was falling for a man who had no chance in hell of ever
returning it. “If you’re not here in thirty minutes, I’m
leaving.”

“Of all the stubborn, misguided,
hot-tempered—”

She closed her cell phone right in the middle
of his tirade and threw it in her oversized bag. Her teeth sunk
into her lower lip. How had she let this happen? She thumped her
forehead with the heel of her hand and called herself every dumb
name she could think of. Then a sound made her to look up.

A stretch limo rolled toward her, then pulled
up at exactly the same spot Matt’s car had occupied a few minutes
earlier. She recognized the number plate right away. Vaughn “Ricks”
Doyle was the last person she wanted to see right now. As if on
cue, her cell phone rang.

Ashley fished the cell phone from her bag,
saw that it was Ron’s number, then pressed the button to switch off
the ringer. She would call him back later. Her gaze shifted to
Vaughn’s driver as he stepped out of the limo. This one was older,
taller and thinner than the one with Vaughn a few days ago, she
noted. In his ears were diamond studs. A memory teased her mind and
quickly disappeared. Then he looked up and their gaze
connected.

I know those eyes. Piercing. Gray.
Lifeless.
The thought crossed her mind as air rushed from
Ashley’s lungs. Something cold settled in her gut, and her
heartbeat took on an odd rhythm. She couldn’t remember where she’d
met the man before or explain the sudden urge to flee.

The driver smiled, and Ashley blinked in
confusion. Something was wrong with his face. Maybe it was the
artist in her, but the shadows and planes on either sides of his
face were at odds with each other. A brief and uncertain smile
crossed her lips. When the man walked stiffly to the back of the
limo to open the door, she sighed with relief. A short-lived one
because Vaughn stepped out, balloons and flowers in his hand.

“Ashley Fitzgerald,” Vaughn said, flashing a
grin. “What a surprise meeting you here.”

“Yes, it is,” she answered politely, then
gave his balloons and flowers a fleeting glance. She could feel his
driver’s gaze on her, giving her the willies. The urge to flee
intensified.

“Is someone ill?” The question was
perfunctory. She didn’t really care.

“A family friend.” He passed the balloons and
the flowers he was carrying to his driver then took her hand in
his. His gaze ran over her casual attire then settled on her face.
“What about you?”

“My uncle was in an accident.” The intensity
of his gaze made her uneasy. When he skimmed the pad of his thumb
over her knuckles, she barely stopped herself from snatching her
hand away.

“Oh, I’ve got the hankie you loaned me.” She
tugged her hand, forcing him to release it. Her cell phone vibrated
as she reached inside her bag for the handkerchief. She didn’t have
to look at it to know it was Ron. She ignored it, unzipped a pouch
and pulled out the washed and pressed handkerchief. She offered it
to Vaughn. “Thanks for letting me borrow it.”

Vaughn’s gaze volleyed between the piece of
cloth and her face. “You’re angry with me.”

No, I just don’t trust you.
A shiver
ran down her spine as he moved closer and invaded her space. His
cologne, strong and musky, clawed at her senses. For a brief
moment, she could hardly breathe. If only she could blink and make
him and his driver disappear. She took a step back and gave a brief
laugh to cover her reaction.

“Why should I be? You were kind enough to
stop and offer me help when you thought I needed it.” When he
accepted the piece of cloth, she smiled. “It was nice to see you
again, Vaughn. Take care.”

Ashley pivoted on her heels and started
toward a bunch of trees to the left of the parking lot. She could
feel Vaughn’s eyes digging holes into her back. It wasn’t easy to
ignore his presence or his driver’s. There was an aura of danger
emanating from the two men, she just wasn’t sure she could trust
being in their company without showing her fear. It was funny how
she hadn’t felt threatened during their first meeting. Maybe the
alarming hungry look in his eyes now had something to do with it,
or maybe it was the driver’s presence.

“Ashley, wait up.”

Run.
Would she look ridiculous if she
did? Would it matter? Pride made her hesitate and stop.

“May I walk you to your car?” Vaughn asked
when he reached her. “It’ll give me a chance to explain this
misunderstanding between us. I think you already know that my last
name is Doyle.”

I don’t care,
she wanted to say. “Yes,
I do.”

He took her hand in his, again, looked over
his shoulder as though making sure his driver was still there. The
old man watched them with narrowed eyes. Vaughn turned his
attention to Ashley.

“I wasn’t trying to mislead you by using the
name Ricks,” he explained, his voice low. “Ricks is the name I used
most of my life until my father decided to recognize me as his son
and asked me to change it.” He shrugged. “I’m not saying this so
you can feel sorry for me. I just need to make you understand that
I didn’t set out to deceive you.” He flashed a smile, his fingers
brushing over the sensitive skin under her wrist. “I still tend to
think of myself as Vaughn Ricks, not Vaughn Doyle.”

Smooth, but was that why he lied? Somehow,
she couldn’t see this over-confident and pampered young man as an
unwanted son. And why couldn’t he stop pawing her? She tried to
ease her hand from his, but his hold firmed. Panic sliced through
her.

Quit acting like a ninny, Ashley. What
could Vaughn possibly do to you in broad daylight?
She glanced
around from the corners of her eyes. His driver might be only a few
feet away from them, but there were enough people around the
parking lot to hear her if she yelled for help. Besides, she had
taken enough self-defense classes to scratch and kick her way out
of any situation.

Heart thundering despite her silent pep talk,
her chin shot up. “Thanks for the explanation, Vaughn, but it
wasn’t necessary. I really must go.”

His fingers briefly tightened around
hers.

She tugged.

“I always insist on walking a lady to her
car,” he countered, his grip shifting to her elbow.

Annoyance coursed through her. She pulled her
arm away from his hand and took a step back. “Then you’re in luck
today, Vaughn. I’m no lady.”

For a brief moment, he appeared unsure of
himself, looking very much like a child playing grownup. Ashley
took the opportunity to add, “Besides, I didn’t drive here. A
friend dropped me off and he’s coming to pick me up in a few
minutes.”

His lips tightened. “I won’t be long in the
hospital. I could give you a ride if you like, maybe stop somewhere
for a cup of coffee.”

Did she have to spell it out that she wasn’t
interested in going anywhere with him? She wanted him gone. “My
friend and I are going somewhere special.” She gave him an intimate
smile as though divulging a secret, but unease filled her. “Thanks
for the offer, though. See you around.”

“How about dinner? You do eat.”

Ashley sighed. She must say something to get
rid of him. “That would be nice, just not tonight.”

“Good.” Then he totally caught her off guard
when he leaned forward and dropped a kiss on her cheek. “I’ll be
seeing you soon, Ashley. Take care.”

Ashley nodded, pivoted on her heel and
hurried away. She itched to reach up and wipe the feel of his lips
off her cheek, but she knew Vaughn and his driver were watching
her. When her phone vibrated, she opened it with the eagerness of a
puppy wanting a treat.

“Ron, when did you say you’d get here?” she
asked.

“You hung up on me,” he said in an annoyed
voice.

“Sorry about that. Didn’t mean to. Just tell
me when to expect you.”

“That’s why I was calling. I’m helping out
Kenny and won’t be able to make it for a while, but I promise to
explain everything when we meet. Did Matt make it from San
Diego?”

“Yes. Why?” She peeked over her shoulder, saw
that the limo was still there. Vaughn was gone, but the creepy
driver had his gaze on her. She hurried around the building.

“Can he drop you home?”

“Uh-hmm, sure.” She noticed that she was at
another entrance. “I’ll see you later, then?”

“Definitely. Sorry I couldn’t make it.”

“That’s okay.” As soon as she hung up, she
vigorously wiped her cheek where Vaughn had kissed her. She’d
probably have to scour her face to get rid of his touch. Grimacing,
she called for a taxi, gave her location then settled under a
nearby tree to wait.