“It doesn’t matter, Jacob.” She gave her head a hard shake before looking around the room as though searching for an escape. “It was a long time ago.”
“It does matter. Because he knew about you. When I woke in the hospital he was there. When we realized I’d lost that entire week, I knew I’d forgotten more than mission information. I asked him what I’d lost.” His fingers ached to clench into fists, and he ached to hit something when she stared back at him, her expression vulnerable and filled with uncertainty. “He never mentioned you.”
It didn’t change the fact that he’d lost those memories of her until she’d turned up in Deer Haven and confronted him with the truth. He’d forgotten her, when he knew to the bottom of his soul that she’d haunted him every day of the past six years.
“I waited,” she said, clearing her throat, looking down at her hands for long moments. “I was supposed to leave the next day, but I waited for nearly a week.”
She shrugged as though it hadn’t mattered, as though she hadn’t been hurt.
“I asked some of Rance’s staff if they knew Jake Rossiter.” Her head lifted, pride sparking in her gaze. “No one even knew you. Rance claimed he’d introduced so many people that night that he wasn’t certain.” She swallowed tightly, one hand lifting briefly, almost helplessly before she dropped it once again. “Sometimes, I wondered if you were a figment of my imagination.”
Jacob rubbed his hands over his face, frustration and anger tearing at him. They should have had time to learn about one another after she came to Deer Haven. Should have had a chance to figure this out before she found herself in danger once again.
She’d been betrayed, lied to, and he was going to have to jeopardize everything she may still feel for him now by revealing the information he had. When he got his hands on John Dillon and Rance Dougal, they might not survive the meeting.
“When Rance introduced me to John, about a week before I met you, I could tell he was trying to play matchmaker,” she said, causing Jacob to still and watch her closely. “John called several times in that week after you left, but even he claimed not to know Jake Rossiter.”
Jake Rossiter had been his cover name. The name, the background, all of it, just as much a lie as those told to her by Rance and John.
“Did either of them ask you about me once you returned to the States?” he asked her, because he knew both men, and they had damned sure known him.
Sallie shook her head. “No. And I didn’t mention you to them or anyone else again.”
She turned away from him then, stared around the living room for long seconds, her shoulders tense. Jacob doubted she knew it but he could see her expression through the dim reflection of the window across from her, and the naked pain on her face had him vowing to kill both men.
“I’ve spent so many years running, trying to figure out why,” she said, her voice almost too soft to hear. “I don’t even know what living is anymore.”
She wrapped her arms over her breasts, holding on to herself as though she’d never known what it was to hold on to anyone else.
Jacob couldn’t bear the sight of her, standing alone as though she were lost.
Moving to her he pulled her into his arms, ignoring the stiffness in her back as it met his chest.
“The running is over, Sallie,” he snarled, his lips at her ear, his arms crossed over hers. “It’s done here and now. Remember that. By God, accept it. You’re not running again.”
He let her go when she jerked away from him, watching her turn back to him, anger sparking in her face. He preferred the anger to that bleak, heartfelt pain.
“I should have left the moment I realized who you were.” The tears she refused to cry thickened her voice. “I should have never stayed, Jacob. I should have never let you become involved in this.”
His lips thinned in irritation for a moment. If she was going to keep on, he was going to paddle her bottom for believing she had to defend everyone else.
“I’m getting a little tired of your lack in confidence in me, sugar. Keep it up and I’m going to give you something to do with that pretty mouth besides doubting me.”
Her eyes narrowed on him, the pale blue color sparking with anger.
“I don’t doubt your arrogance in the least,” she snapped. “Or your stubbornness.”
She was a fine one to talk about someone else’s stubbornness. She had to be the most stubborn woman he’d damned well ever met.
“At least there’s something you don’t doubt.” He snorted, not even bothering to hide the fact that her statement amused him. “Keep doubting the rest of me and I’m going to spank that pretty ass of yours.”
Her face flushed, anger and arousal an intriguing mix in her delicate features. Damn, he could do her all over again. His dick was just as hard now as it had been before he’d fucked her.
“But if I remember correctly,” he continued, a fragment of a memory revealing itself. “You liked being spanked.”
Glaring at him, she crossed her arms over her breasts as though she thought she could hide the appearance of those tight little nipples from him.
“You’re an ass, Jacob.”
“And you’d rather run than face the past,” he accused her. “And before you bother to deny it, sweetheart, think about this. You could have come to me at any time and told me who you were. You opted not to.”
Her eyes widened, lips parting briefly as though in disbelief.
“I was supposed to know you’d forgotten the time you spent with me because of some damned explosion? Or that you were some super-secret spy for the CIA? For all I knew, for all I know, I’m just one woman among many.” She sneered back at him. “Get over yourself, why don’t you? You’re not God’s gift to all women and you’re damned sure not Superman.”
He grinned back her, making certain to inject just the right amount of mockery in the amusement. “Neither is your ex-husband or the bastards stalking you. They’re not even smart enough to find who they’re looking for when he’s right under their nose.”
That one amazed him. And oh yes, he knew exactly who they were looking for. Once Justice and Rancor knew where to look, who to question, all kinds of interesting information had made itself known.
“And you’re so certain whoever’s been attacking me is after you?” She gave the cutest little roll of her eyes. “Really? We were together for three days, six years ago. What would make anyone think I was more to you than a weekend fuck?”
If she wasn’t careful, she was going to get fucked again. The sound of that word passing lips that looked so damned innocent was making even his balls hard.
“I know, because Justice and his brothers have more contacts in certain circles than any one family needs. But since they’re on my side, I tend to be thankful for it.” He shrugged. “What he discovered was that somehow, the group I was investigating learned I’d spent the weekend with you. Once they regrouped after the explosion, they tracked you back to the States and put you on the run, hoping you’d lead them to me.”
She pushed her fingers through her hair in frustration, disbelief filling her expression.