Starfish Island Read online

  “Would you like some iced tea?” Cecilia offered.

  Nicole felt woefully underdressed, self-conscious in her jeans. Cecilia and Katrina were dressed in pants and sweaters, and Katrina’s raspberry V-neck cashmere clung to her curvy figure. Cecilia’s warmth made Nicole think she’d imagined the shadow on her face when she opened the door, but then she explained in a low voice, “I thought you might be Victoria. We had a disagreement earlier, and she left abruptly.” Cecilia turned to Katrina and said, “Katrina, I’d like you to meet our new neighbor, Nicole Alexander.”

  Katrina gave her a guarded appraisal, and judging by her expression, Nicole apparently came up short. She extended her hand, which glittered with a diamond that was large enough to poke your eye out, lightly grazed Nicole’s fingers, and withdrew.

  “I’ve heard a great deal about you, Nicole,” she purred. “I’m familiar with your paintings. You know, one hangs in Michael’s bedroom.” She winked. “How does it feel to inherit a fortune?”

  Nicole smiled. “Nice to see you again. I feel quite fortunate that I inherited the estate and didn’t have to marry into it.”

  Cecilia broke in eagerly. “One of the wisest decisions Caroline made was making Nicole her heir.”

  “Yes, but I understand a husband does come with the estate,” Katrina said pointedly, watching Nicole from under lowered lids.

  “Where did you hear that?” Cecilia asked.

  “It’s the hottest tidbit out right now,” Katrina said. “With that much money, I’d think you could find a husband on your own.”

  “Katrina!” Cecilia protested.

  Katrina laughed. “It’s a joke, Cecilia. Nicole can marry anyone she wants, as long as he’s not spoken for. By the way, when will Michael be back?”

  Nicole felt her cheeks burning. Katrina Lewis lacked subtly, making her claim clear enough.

  Anger simmered in Cecilia’s eyes, but Nicole knew that good manners would require her to shift the conversation. “Nicole, we need to get together and plan the party we want to hold for you.”

  Nicole smiled, disappointed that she wouldn’t be able to bring up the subject of the Greys and that strange note in Grandmother’s pocket. But she wouldn’t discuss it in front of Katrina Lewis, a woman she didn’t like.

  As Cecilia made plans, Nicole found herself relaxing. The fears that had seemed so real at home dissolved like smoke in this friendly atmosphere. Even the presence of Katrina, who watched her every move but didn’t take part in the conversation, couldn’t lessen her relief.

  The sound of a male voice coming from the terrace interrupted their short period of easy conversation. In walked Greg Templeton, clad in golf shorts and shirt. “I’m sorry to intrude on you ladies, but I left my sweater here the other day when I stayed to talk to the lovely Victoria.”

  He must have snuck in around the back. As Nicole well knew, having used it, the Edwardses had a working doorbell.

  For a moment, Greg’s eyes met Nicole’s in a direct challenge before quickly acquiescing. Cecilia seemed a bit flustered as she introduced him to her other guest. Katrina stopped languishing in her chair and sat up straight at the sight of the handsome stranger, and acknowledged the introduction with a smile and flutter of her eyelashes as she extended her hand. She actually shook his hand, holding on longer than necessary—not that odd little brush she’d done with Nicole.

  “Here’s your sweater,” Cecilia said, her voice crisp.

  She’s nicer than I would be. He had, after all, barged into her house. Greg just wouldn’t give up.

  Nicole thought back to the last conversation she’d had with him in the parking lot. Walking away, he’d called out, “I’ll see you later, darling,” so that Michael would hear him, and he’d laughed when Nicole glared at him. But the long kiss between her and Michael had sent him off, tires squealing.

  Greg was now refusing to leave gracefully, his face turning a bright red as he turned to Nicole. “I don’t intend to lose you, Nicole. Why are you refusing me a second chance?”

  She found it hard not to just blurt out, “Because I don’t love you and don’t trust you.” Instead, she said quietly, “Please just accept that it’s over.”

  He took her hand and held it in a vice-like grip. “For the last time, marry me?”

  She jerked her hand away. “No! Are you crazy? I’ve told you a hundred times, we will never be married. You never deserved a first chance, and you showed how little you loved or valued me when you slept around. I can’t make it any clearer than that.”

  He leaned in close to her and whispered, “I won’t give up. One way or another, I will have you.”

  ~ ~ ~

  Later, as she walked back to her house with the sun just beginning to sink in the sky, Nicole wished she hadn’t been so quick to say she didn’t mind walking.

  She picked up the pace, hands in her pockets. A sudden rustling made her jump, and her heart skipped a beat. She fought an overriding panic as she walked along the path. What’s the matter with you, Nicole Alexander? You’re letting your imagination get the better of you.

  Then she heard it, the loud snapping noise of a branch breaking, clear indication that there was someone or something in the bushes. It’s only an animal. I won’t run. I won’t be afraid.

  Suddenly, a hand reached out and grabbed her. When Nicole screamed, a second hand came down over her mouth and dragged her toward the bushes. She bit down on the hand, jerked away with all her strength, and managed to free her mouth long enough to draw a breath and scream again.

  Nicole pushed against her attacker and freed herself. She broke into a run, tripping, nearly falling, as darkness crept over the path and made it hard to see. In the distance, she could see the lights of her house. The place she’d feared an hour ago now seemed like a refuge.

  Her heart raced as her feet carried her as fast as they could. She ran across the patio, stumbled up the steps, and pushed open the French door, slamming and locking it. As she turned, she saw a dim figure standing on the path; judging by its stature, she guessed her attacker was a man.

  She raced across the library and looked out those windows, but the man was now nowhere in sight. She dabbed at the small cut on her lip where his ornate ring had crushed it against her teeth, then checked all the windows and sank into a chair, shaking.

  Chapter Thirteen

  MICHAEL STOOD BEHIND his desk in his New York office, staring out at the expansive view of the Manhattan skyline.

  Sebastian, his blond hair tousled, was putting his papers in order before he left for the day. His expression seemed anxious when he looked up at Michael. “You need to take a few days off. You’re driving yourself too hard. You won’t be good for anything if you’re tired and worn out. Take the new lady in your life sailing.”

  “I’m not tired,” Michael said, brushing his hair back. “I love this company and don’t begrudge the time I spend making it a success. One thing is for sure, though, I’m worried.”

  Sebastian’s eyes widened in surprise. “What is it you’re not telling me?”

  “I’m worried about who hacked our computers. It has to be an inside job, which means it’s someone I trusted and call a friend, as much as I don’t want to believe that.”

  “I don’t think there’s any more we can do at this time. We have to be patient. The trap is set.”

  “So we wait and see who makes a mistake,” Michael growled. “Cecilia called today; my sister, who’s always in control, sounded tense and scared. I changed my plans and have a late-night flight back home. This trip seems to have crawled by. At times, I thought it would never end.”

  “Did something happen to Cecilia?” Sebastian’s face filled with barely-contained anger.

  “Cecilia’s fine,” Michael assured him; the look on his friend’s face hadn’t gone unnoticed. “It’s what happened to Nicole, actually. I think she’s in real danger, and I have no clue why. I wish I had the answer; then I’d know what to do about it.” He slammed his fist on t
he desk.

  “Seems you’re quite taken with the lady.”

  “Before she died, Caroline had me investigate Nicole. I discovered that she’s intelligent, talented, has a great laugh, and there’s no deceit in her personality. I’m looking forward to getting to know more about her,” Michael said matter-of-factly.

  Sebastian laughed. “Does she know you snooped into her personal life?”

  “I told her, and she took it well. She didn’t throw me out, and she’s still speaking to me.”

  “Congrats, I hope everything works out. Don’t forget I’m available for tips on romancing a woman.”

  Michael smirked. “If you weren’t such a good friend, I’d throw you out the window.”

  “What did Cecilia say to bring on your morose mood?”

  “Nicole stopped by the house, and Cecilia said she looked as if she’d lost weight; she had dark circles under her eyes and seemed distant, tense, and jittery. Cecilia had plenty of questions but couldn’t ask them with Katrina sitting there. Later, Nicole walked home along the beach path, and someone followed her. She called Cecilia and said a man had chased her. Cecilia said she’d tried not to sound afraid, but she could hear the fear in Nicole’s voice.”

  “Was she hurt?” Sebastian asked.

  “No, thank goodness, but she could have been—or worse.”

  “What’s going on out there? Break-ins? Assault? Any idea why someone would want to hurt her?”

  “Apparently, Chester volunteered to look around the grounds, see if the man was still around. Why the hell didn’t anyone call the police? The story detours here into the even stranger, if that’s possible. Twenty minutes later, Chester showed back up and said he couldn’t find any person or clues. But he sported the beginnings of a shiner and had a scratch down the right side of his face. Said he got it running into a low tree branch. Nicole said he needed help with his storytelling skills, but that Chester was so angry he could barely speak and she thought it wise not to bring up his pitiful lies.”

  “Has Chester’s behavior improved any, or is he still acting controlling and hostile?”

  “Sounds like he’s gotten worse. Nicole told Cecilia that she’d a talk with Rena, who was uncooperative and antagonistic. I wonder if the Greys are trying to drive her out on their daughter’s behalf. But they’re not stupid; they know that even if Lucia did marry Kirkland, she’d never have inherited a dime.” He shook his head, leaning back in his chair.

  “Sounds like you might not believe Lucia’s story.”

  Michael’s fingers beat against his desk. “At first we assumed the house had been ransacked and nothing stolen, which was odd. But it’s even odder now that we know what was taken: a bank withdrawal slip, an outdated will, and now a marriage certificate. Why would someone go to all that trouble for those things? What value do they have, singularly or together? And is anything else going to turn up missing?”

  The two sat in silence, lost in thought.

  Michael broke the silence. “Here’s something I forgot to tell you. Jake pulled Nicole aside at the Beach Club and discussed his theories with her. I can’t believe I kept my temper when I found that out. The only thing that held me back was knowing he just wanted to help.” Michael went on, filling Sebastian in on the details of the conversation and how his brother had ended up chasing someone who was eavesdropping on their conversation. “Jake apologized, and I surprised myself by telling him not to be so hard on himself. I might have done the same thing if I were him. I think he has a crush on her. I informed him that I saw her first, hands off. He knows there’s only room for one perfect person in the family, and that’s me.”

  “And some people think you’re arrogant.” Sebastian laughed.

  Michael smirked at him before continuing the story. “Jake didn’t get a look at the man’s face; said the whole thing caught him off guard. I wonder if it was the same man who followed Nicole home. Someone wants her out of that house, and they started the night she arrived.”

  “I understand why you’re so worried. It’s got me worried, and I’m not completely smitten with her like you are. Is love in the air?” Sebastian teased.

  “I didn’t think I’d ever get over how gullible I’d been and be able to trust again. Since meeting Nicole, though, I just want to take her and—”

  “Stop!” Sebastian held up his hand. “I know exactly what you’d like to do.” He smiled. “Sounds like she could use someone in her life right now that she can trust.”

  “Nicole would never use me that way; she’s far too independent. Besides, I want to be more than a bodyguard.” He imagined his fingers twisting in her soft, silky hair and shook his head. “I have to figure out a way to protect her without her knowing I’m doing it.”

  “I’ll help in any way I can,” Sebastian said. “I could come visit for a few days, give you a fresh perspective.”

  “Come out to the island for as long as you want,” Michael said. Good idea, too. A few days at the house, during which he’d throw Sebastian and Cecilia together every chance he got. He’d like to see his sister happy again. “It’s odd to think that this marriage of Lucia’s could be behind Nicole’s trouble,” he continued. “We don’t even know for sure that it ever took place. I grew up with Kirkland. Unless he changed a lot in the last couple of years of his life, he never would’ve married Lucia, or anyone else, without telling Caroline.”

  Michael had known Kirkland well and knew that, on some level, Kirkland had been relieved not to be Caroline’s heir. He’d known his weaknesses; hell, he’d enjoyed them. And he couldn’t have borne the guilt of losing what his grandmother held so dear. Besides, he’d had his own money, a trust that had been set up to provide him with a monthly income.

  “Then you don’t believe the marriage story?”

  “I want to have it verified by someone I trust.” Michael got up and paced the floor. “If they were married, it’s a matter of public record. I’ll put a rush in to our investigator; if a record exists, he’ll find it. I’m going to make it a priority to find out what Lucia really wants. I found it odd that she introduced herself as Lucy—she always hated that nickname growing up. And I’d like to know who’s giving her expensive gifts...emeralds aren’t cheap.”

  “Zander!” Sebastian said. He reminded Michael about how inseparable Lucia and Zander had been growing up. “Didn’t you tell me he’s recently returned to the island?”

  “Back for some big deal, according to Tammy at Dockside. Said he left by himself, in a big hurry. Hmm…it’s interesting that people we haven’t seen in quite a while are coming back to town. A connection, perhaps?”

  Chapter Fourteen

  MICHAEL WALKED INTO his study and found Jake sitting in his favorite chair, intently reading his laptop; he didn’t look one bit happy.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “How was your trip? Victoria sent me an email,” he went on without waiting for an answer, his face flushed with embarrassment. “I’ve made it no secret that I like her. She’s a great girl, makes me laugh, and always champions the underdog. I confessed my feelings, and she informed me that I was old and boring.”

  “You’re kidding! What happened?” Michael looked at him in surprise. The whole family liked Victoria. She’d had a crush on Jake forever, but lately, Michael had begun to notice she wasn’t the same girl, trailing after Jake and making a complete nuisance of herself, for which he’d always had endless patience.

  “Greg Templeton happened. I thought he wanted Nicole, but that was before I saw him flirting with Cecilia at the club. I wanted to put my fist in his face and tell him, ‘You’ll get my sister over my dead body.’”

  “What does that have to do with Victoria?” Michael remembered the moment when Greg had slithered up to him at the club and he’d wanted to beat the arrogance off his face.

  “I don’t know what his game is, but now he’s pursuing Victoria relentlessly, and unfortunately, they’ve become quite friendly. Every time I see them, he has his hands all
over her. He succeeded in winning her sympathy, told her the Edwards family had a grudge against him and made up some story about you beating him up and knocking him over a wall, leaving him to die.”

  Michael laughed. “Except for the beating and leaving him for dead, the rest is true. What self-respecting man admits to getting his butt kicked?”

  “He also told her that you tried to ruin his life once before but he bested you. Told her I conspired with you; seems we’re jealous. You turned Cecilia and me against him. So of course Victoria rallied to his side.”

  “I can’t believe this,” Michael said quietly. “I’ve had just about enough of Templeton.”

  “You know, you’ve never told me how you met that lowlife in the first place.” Jake looked puzzled.

  “You remember the Grahams, who moved away a couple of years ago? Greg had a hand in chasing them out of South Florida. They had a good marriage until they became friendly with him.”

  “What did being friends with Greg have to do with their marriage?”

  “Greg, in desperate need of funds, dug into Jim Graham’s background and produced a skeleton from his closet, which he used to blackmail him for financial information on a company he wanted to acquire. Instead of being honest with his wife, Jim hid everything from her and tried to deal with it on his own. You know a blackmailer’s M.O.; once they get what they want, you never get rid of them. Eventually, the secrecy and lies tore the Grahams apart.” Michael sighed and rubbed his forehead as if a headache was coming on. “The thing is, Templeton picked the wrong guy to blackmail. Jim couldn’t take the pressure of his marriage crumbling and doing Templeton’s dirty work, but he’s basically an honest guy, and Templeton never did get what he wanted. But you’ve got to give Greg his due, he’s slick and amoral. Finally, Jim called in the police and pressed charges, but Greg had destroyed all the evidence and managed to beat the charge.” Michael shook his head. “The next time I saw Greg was when he showed up looking to reconnect with Nicole.”