Caught and Caged: A Dark Mafia Romance Read online

  “That wasn’t my baby,” Ethan said sharply.

  “That isn’t what I heard.” Daniel’s voice was more growl than anything. “There was a fatality, right?”

  “From an engine fire. Unfortunately, the driver didn’t get out in time.”

  “It was your vehicle.”

  “Where did you hear that?”

  “Easy, Daniel.” Korbin rested a hand on Daniel’s shoulder. “I’m afraid I’m responsible for that rumor. I take it I’m wrong?”

  “You sure as hell are,” Ethan ground out. “The cops tried to pin the accident on me, but they couldn’t. Same thing with the vehicle’s ownership. I don’t even know what kind of car it was.”

  “Then how did you know about an engine fire?”

  “Damn it, word gets around.”

  Made uncomfortable by the tension between Daniel and Ethan, she looked around for someone, anyone to talk to. When she’d decided to try to educate herself about where her stepfather’s money came from, she’d clung to every bit of information she could get, but he wouldn’t reveal anything important in a public setting. Telling Daniel he was wrong when it came to aspects of the fatal accident was as close as he ever got to exposing what he was thinking.

  Hoping he wouldn’t notice, she studied Daniel. He’d moved out of Korbin’s reach and had fixed his gaze on Ethan. Something, anger from the looks of it, escaped from his guarded expression. No doubt about it, one of his buttons had been pushed.

  After an awkward moment, Korbin said something about the possibility that interest rates were going to be lowered. Instead of adding his opinion like she thought an investment counselor would do, Daniel stayed silent. Her unease kicked up. If the man wanted nothing to do with Ethan, why was he there? Maybe he needed a stiff drink or three. She supposed she could get him one, see if he’d acknowledge her existence. Whoever was catering tonight’s event had set up a liquor bar at the back. Three attractive young women were taking and delivering orders. They wore identical black dresses so tight she wasn’t sure the seams would survive. Plunging necklines and short hemlines left little to the imagination.

  When two of the women reached the bar at the same time, the bartender whispered something to them. They stood unmoving long enough for Lainey to take note of what might be reluctance on their part, then they headed toward her group.

  “Gentlemen,” a tall blond with dangling gold and silver earrings said, “what can we offer you?” Her gaze held on Daniel.

  “Yes.” The other hostess addressed Korbin. “We don’t want you thinking you’re being ignored. We apologize for being occupied delivering orders to guests who arrived before you did. We’re free now. At your disposal.”

  “Accept their apologies,” Ethan said. “Otherwise they’ll worry, with reason, that they haven’t been living up to their obligations.”

  That was Ethan all right, lording it over anyone he considered his inferior. Her teeth clenched, Lainey waited to see how Korbin and Daniel handled things. Looking as if he could care less, Korbin told the woman who was looking up at him that he’d take whatever whiskey was on hand.

  “What about you?” the blond asked Daniel. “You strike me as a man who prefers brandy.”

  “What makes you say that?” Ethan snapped. “Don’t ever prejudge a man’s preference when it comes to liquor.”

  Wincing, Lainey clenched her teeth to stop from telling Ethan he didn’t need to get involved. The blond kept smiling, but her flared nostrils said something else. She was intimidated, maybe afraid.

  “Beer,” Daniel said.

  The blond nodded. “Oh? Ah, of course. Any particular brand?”

  “Nope.”

  She glanced at Ethan, then stepped closer to Daniel. Her smile widened while her eyes remained guarded. “I’ll make sure it’s nice and cold—and if there’s anything else you need now or later…”

  Daniel went from barely acknowledging the woman to giving her his full attention. “How old are you?”

  “What? Nineteen.”

  “Too young to be serving alcohol.”

  When the woman ducked her head, Lainey was put in mind of a child trying to explain why she’d been out after curfew.

  “I don’t think it matters,” the blond muttered. “It’s a private party.”

  “Is it what you want to be doing?” Daniel pushed.

  “Of course,” she said after a silence that went on too long.

  “Seriously?” Daniel spun toward Ethan who stood with his arms resting on his belly. “Did you ask your hostesses’ ages before hiring them?”

  “Why would that concern you?” Ethan demanded. “The young lady is offering you enough to satisfy most men. I’d think nothing else would matter.”

  “Our host is right.” Korbin planted a hand on Daniel’s shoulder. “We’re here to admire some of the finest automobiles in this part of the country. The last thing I expect you to be interested in is how our host conducts his business. Besides, I dare say Ethan didn’t personally handle the hiring.”

  Judging by how Daniel tensed when Korbin touched him, Lainey wouldn’t have been surprised if he pushed the older man’s hand off him. Instead, he shrugged.

  “There you go,” Korbin said. “Let this engaging creature get you a beer. Then we’ll see if we can talk Ethan into letting us sit behind the wheel or wheels.”

  Not bothering to pretend she wasn’t interested in what was going on beneath the surface, Lainey watched as the two women wove through the crowd on heels taller than any she’d ever worn or wanted to. The way they leaned toward each other, Lainey had no doubt they were carrying on a whispered conversation.

  This wasn’t the first time Ethan had brought a roomful of powerful men and attractive hostesses together. The way the hostesses conducted themselves, she was certain they understand they were here to be ogled and pawed.

  In effect Daniel had asked the question she’d been wanting to—were the women here willingly? And if not, what compelled them?

  Even more to the point, why did Daniel care?

  Chapter 2

  Korbin hadn’t adequately prepared Joe Risinger for seeing Lainey. Given what he knew about Lainey’s mother, he’d expected her to be attractive, but where Megara Crowl was regal at forty or however old she was, Lainey was stunning. Athletic to the core with toned arms and legs. Exactly what he didn’t want, but needed.

  “So,” Lainey said, “what do you think of Ethan’s collection?”

  Joe stayed close to Ethan’s step-daughter so hopefully he could engage her in a private conversation. What he hadn’t expected was for it to take place near a deep red, immaculately restored 1967 Ford Mustang. Not long ago the classic vehicle would have held his attention. Tonight, however, it only added to his emotional upheaval.

  “He’s poured a lot of money into his toys,” he answered.

  She chuckled, the sound low and throaty. Her smile revealed perfect teeth and appraising eyes. “Yes, he has, Daniel.”

  Daniel. The first name that had come to mind when he’d been forced to introduce himself to a member of the family he loathed with every fiber of his being. He longed to force Lainey to acknowledge who he really was and what had brought him here. To make her beg for forgiveness. To bring her to her knees.

  Tonight was harder than he’d anticipated. Being close to Ethan’s damnable vehicles twisted his heart and made his shoulder where the new tattoo had been placed burn. The cars were perfect, everything the one his brother had driven on the last day of life hadn’t been.

  “My turn,” he said with anger threatening to break free. “What’s your favorite? When you ask to borrow one, which do you prefer?”

  Eyes closed, she shook her head. “You don’t know Ethan Crowl. If you did, you’d understand he doesn’t let anyone drive one of his babies.”

  “You’re his daughter. Surely that gives you privileges.”

  “Step-daughter. And I don’t know what you mean by privileges. So, tell me why you became a stockbroker or
whatever you call what you do.”

  “You care?”

  “Sure. You make me think jock, football, I’m guessing—unless you aren’t as macho as you look.”

  Was she flirting? He hadn’t expected that. Hell, he hadn’t given thought to much of anything beyond getting his plans where she was involved underway. He’d accepted Korbin’s offer to introduce him to Ethan and Lainey. Getting inside this big ugly place had been the first step. If he accomplished his reason for going on living, he’d thank those who played a role in the process, but right now he didn’t trust anyone, not even Korbin.

  “I played my share of football, but there’s a hell of a lot of competition and not many slots at the pro level.”

  “So you decided the next best thing was to find a way to spend your life counting stacks of thousand dollar bills?”

  “It sounds like you don’t think much of people who do things like that.”

  She frowned. “I didn’t say that.”

  “Not in so many words.” He wanted to push to see how she’d react, but right now he was strung too tight to trust how he handled things. He shouldn’t be alone with her—and thoughts of the nightmare he still wasn’t sure he’d survive. “According to Korbin, Ethan and your mother have been married for a couple of years. You’ve had enough time to conclude Ethan’s well off. Not many people achieve the level of financial success he has.”

  “And your point is?”

  “Maybe I’m waiting to hear you say you admire him.”

  Her lips thinned. “Why do you care?” She held up her hand as if to ward him off which drew his attention to several faint, thin scars running up the back of her forearm. Her nails were short, no color. She wore a minimum of makeup and he was fairly sure that was her own hair color. Dark brown, she wore it long and straight, parted in the middle. The choker necklace served as her only jewelry.

  Determined not to stare at the choker and what he had decided it stood for, he brought his thoughts to her question. “You’re an adult. In your twenties, unless I’m mistaken.”

  “Twenty-three.”

  “Right. And you had your mother to yourself until Ethan came into your lives. You’re a grown up with a fairly new stepfather. That could be complicated.”

  “So I’ve heard.”

  “What about in your case?”

  He waited, then waited some more, but she didn’t respond. Instead, she followed the movements of the three young women catering to Ethan’s guests. Damn it, her body was speaking to his. Threatening to distract him. Maybe she didn’t give a damn about his reaction to her. It was possible she had so many male admirers she couldn’t be bothered contemplating whether Daniel Johnson should be added to the list. Enough women had called him a stud or variations of the word that the compliment, if that’s what it was, didn’t make an impact.

  Until a few weeks ago, life as a single man had been simple. Granted, his law enforcement career in Seattle sucked up huge chunks of time, but if a woman turned him on and she felt the same way, they fucked. Otherwise there was always another bed partner.

  Then his life had been blown to shreds. Burned up.

  “To clarify,” Lainey was saying, “this isn’t a topic I want to continue. I’m thinking Korbin had a reason for bringing you here that went beyond you getting some free beer. My suggestion—go back to him so he can introduce you to more potential clients.”

  “You don’t need financial advice?”

  For the first time her laugh was genuine. “Hardly. I’m a starving college student.”

  “Starving? You can’t get your stepfather to—”

  “I’m serious,” she snapped. “I have no intention of letting this conversation continue.” She frowned, nodded. “For the record, I support myself. I won’t have it any other way.”

  Why not?

  “Wait,” he said when she started to walk away. “I don’t want things to get off on the wrong foot between us. When Korbin told me who Ethan had married, I asked if he could introduce me to her. I’ve long admired her acting. Then he mentioned Megara Stanfield had a daughter. Why did your mother change her name to Crowl? I’d think she’d want to stick with the public persona that got her to where she is.”

  “You’ll have to ask her.”

  “I’m asking you.”

  She gave him another of her I don’t trust you looks. “Maybe because the name Ethan Crowl carries a lot of weight in southern California.”

  “Does it? I’m from Seattle.”

  It was on her lips and in her expression, her desire to dig out more about him. Determined to not let that happen until he was ready, he racked his mind for a way to change the subject. It didn’t take long.

  “What’s the story behind your necklace? You must feel it every time you swallow. A constant reminder of its presence—like a man’s touch.”

  He reached for the piece of jewelry. She stood there trembling a little.

  “No story.” Her voice was deep and throaty again. “I enjoy it.”

  “Just enjoy? Choker, right? Is it comfortable?”

  “Why would you care?”

  “Think of it as a compliment.”

  “Maybe I will,” she said, but he was sure she’d roll his words over in her mind looking for deep meaning. Perhaps putting pieces together.

  He’d find out before long.

  “Quite the collection, isn’t it?” a man asked. “I swear he has a new toy every time I come here. How are you, Lainey? Have you been to the dealership I told you about? Dropped my name?”

  “Hi Al.” She shook hands with a short, gray-haired man wearing a golf shirt and shorts. “No, I haven’t. I’m hoping my car holds up until I graduate.”

  “Put the bite on Ethan. He’ll get you what you want.”

  “I’m fine. How have you been?”

  Al rubbed his left knee. “Arthritis sucks. And you are?” He extended a hand toward Joe.

  “This is Daniel,” Lainey said before he could speak. “He’s a financial advisor. Came here with Korbin.”

  “Did you?” Al released Joe’s hand. “How do you know him?”

  “Golf.”

  “Golf?” Al repeated. “I keep hoping I can get back to it, but this damn thing…” He indicated his knee. “Don’t get old. I’m not surprised you managed to get Lainey to yourself. My recommendation—don’t try to impress her by talking about Ethan’s fascination with cars. They don’t matter to her.”

  “You aren’t into vehicles?” Joe asked Lainey.

  “I like this one.” She touched the Mustang with a forefinger. “Even I know a classic.”

  Al laughed. “There might be hope for her yet. Hmm. I have a thought.”

  “What?” Joe asked.

  “Today’s liberated women are as into speed as men. Take her to a race. That’ll get the adrenalin ramped up. Who knows what might come from her being around all that testosterone.”

  “Al.” Lainey playfully punched the older man’s shoulder. “You’re incorrigible.”

  “A smart mouth is all I still have. Daniel, have you heard, Ethan’s been known to sanction a street race or two. There’s an expensive, to say nothing of illegal, hobby.”

  Joe’s stomach wrenched. His vision darkened.

  “That’s something I’d never bet on,” Al continued. “I don’t know why Ethan does, but how he wastes his money is none of my business.”

  “I guess not.” Joe couldn’t force himself to say more.

  “What about you?” Al pressed. “You ever watch the stock events on TV?”

  “They really don’t interest me.”

  “I must admit I’m addicted. Even with all the safety features those speed demons have, it’s a dangerous sport.”

  “That’s what I understand.” Don’t lose it.

  “Ask Ethan what happened in June at one of his events. No, never mind. You’d be wasting your breath asking him what caused that car to catch fire. He insists it wasn’t his, but I’ve heard different.”

&
nbsp; “Was he driving it?” Joe didn’t recognize his own voice.

  “Hell no. He doesn’t have a death wish. Besides, he doesn’t have a young man’s reflexes which is why he pays someone to be behind the wheel.”

  “The June thing,” Lainey said. “From what I heard, the driver died.”

  Al shook his head. “You heard right.”

  “I’m sorry,” Lainey whispered.

  Sorry. Was that all she had to say?

  Damn it, she’d pay for her lack of compassion.

  “What did that Daniel Johnson character say?” Ethan asked as Lainey was getting ready to leave.

  “Not much. We only talked for a few minutes.”

  Ethan closed his hand over her wrist. Somehow, she kept from pulling free. There were times when her stepfather took no note of her comings and goings, but she’d sensed him watching her as the evening drew to a close. She wasn’t surprised to find him standing by the door.

  “What was the conversation about?”

  “I’m trying to remember,” she fudged. “Oh, he asked if you let me drive any of his vehicles.”

  “What did you tell him?”

  “That you’re protective when it comes to them.”

  “What the hell did you do that for?”

  “Why wouldn’t I?” Hoping to defuse him, she smiled. “It’s the truth.”

  His hold tightened. “Don’t,” he warned. “You know how I feel about keeping family business private.”

  “I didn’t make a deal of it. Al mentioned you’re into street car events. I didn’t know that.”

  “No big deal.”

  “One caught fire recently. Was it your vehicle?”

  “Who told you that?”

  “I’m trying—it might have been Korbin. Did you know the driver?”

  “Why would I? It’s obvious he didn’t know what he was doing.”

  “He died.”

  “Right. Too bad it happened.”

  You don’t care.

  “What?” Ethan demanded when she frowned. “I’m not saying I don’t give a damn he’s dead, but accidents happen.”

  “I guess.”

  “What?” Ethan pushed. “You have something on your mind.”