Scent of Danger Read online

  Dear Lord, please help me find my sister. Please keep January safe in Your care. Amen.

  “You’re different tonight,” Connor whispered in her ear, his hot breath causing her face to flame.

  Maya’s eyes widened. Apparently, she wasn’t a good actress. Had he already figured out that she was a fake?

  “Good different or bad different?” She looked into his hazel eyes, framed by a black mask. He reminded her of somebody. Probably a movie star. Even his scent seemed to be… luxurious. Most likely, some very expensive cologne.

  “You look nervous. Are you worried about what my father said?”

  She recalled the senator’s reaction to her appearance. “It’s not what he said. His words welcomed me here. But for a moment, he seemed surprised and irritated to see me.” Her breath quickened at Connor McNamara’s proximity. “Your mother more than made up for it.”

  Everything about the senator’s wife, from gray hair to warm attitude, seemed to be authentic, which was rather refreshing in the world of fake smiles and plastic beauty. Betty McNamara was also the only one at the charity event who’d chosen not to wear a mask.

  “That’s my mom, all right. But my father was happy to see you, too. He’s probably just concerned about you hurting me. You’re rumored to change your affections frequently.” Besides understandable confidence, Connor’s eyes held kindness and even some hidden pain in them.

  She could look into his eyes forever... Wait! Where had that come from?

  What was wrong with her? She wasn’t here to fall for January’s… well, who was he to her sister? According to her twin, they were just friends. But according to the tabloids, their relationship was much more than friendship. Maybe her sister only considered him a friend, and he was interested in more? Maya tensed as she followed McNamara’s lead. The thought was more disappointing than it should’ve been.

  “I thought January was in rehab again,” a muffled whisper reached her as they passed one of the couples on the dance floor.

  So that might be the reason for the senator’s reaction to her appearance. He’d expected January to be in rehab, and instead she might get drunk at the event he’d organized and cause a scene.

  Maya’s shoulders slumped forward. She made herself pull them back. Her sister’s frequent trips to rehab had weighed heavily on Maya’s consciousness. She knew January had been drinking to forget that night years ago when they both had been so close to dying.

  “Are you all right?” McNamara’s concerned voice brought her back from her memories.

  “Of course.” She stretched her lips in a smile. “Why?”

  “You look worried. Even more worried than two days ago.”

  Maya registered that new information. “Really? Hmm. What was I worried about?”

  “You tell me. You said that you were tired and might take a vacation. Somewhere in the Caribbean. Or Europe. You don’t remember? January, have you been having blackouts?”

  “No. I just changed my mind about the vacation.” Maya glanced around the room again, wishing she’d seen her attacker.

  Tiny hairs on the back of her neck stood up. Her instincts told her she was being watched. But then, many eyes seemed to be on them now. After all, she was dancing with the senator’s son.

  He made a turn, and she clung to him. But so far, she hadn’t fallen, and that was already an accomplishment.

  Used to her police uniform and T-shirts and jeans, she’d never worn anything like this hugging red gown and felt exposed. She shivered under the bright lights.

  “Are you cold?” His voice was concerned. “Would you like to leave?”

  “No.” She stepped on his foot, and his smile became strained.

  “Sorry. Must be too many cocktails.” She giggled, trying to imitate her sister.

  There was a puzzled expression in his hazel eyes, as if he was trying to figure out something. January had mentioned that he was a former cop. Of course he’d noticed the difference between her and January. Or had he?

  The music stopped. Maya had enjoyed dancing with Connor more than she had a right to. But now the dance was over. He’d leave her in a moment. She looked longingly in the direction of the exit. How much longer would she be able to keep up this charade? Besides, her feet were killing her. And the feeling of being human bait made her stomach clench. Maybe showing up here like this wasn’t a good idea after all. She’d just wait for the Austin Police Department to start looking for her twin.

  Somehow, that didn’t seem enough. Maya felt a sting of guilt again. Her sister had done so much for her.

  “Would you like something to drink?” The moment he asked the question was the moment he seemed to regret it, judging by the look in his eyes. He probably had someone else to spend time with tonight. Considering the glances women had sent his way, any of them would be happy to keep him company.

  “Unless you decide to give up drinking?” he continued.

  She warmed inside. He wasn’t trying to escape her. He was worrying about her sister’s alcohol addiction. “Coffee. Please.”

  “Coffee?” His eyebrow rose, but there was approval in his dark eyes.

  “I think I’ve had enough alcohol for today. I want to clear my head. In fact, I’m going to get some fresh air.” She gave him a smile.

  But could she flirt with January’s… well, whoever he was to her sister? Maya was always a straight-arrow person. Not that she was flirting, really. She had no clue how to flirt in the first place. She’d been shy as a kid, then as a teen, and years in the Rios Azules Police Department as one of the guys hadn’t helped.

  While Connor was getting her coffee, she stepped outside to the garden and took a lungful of fresh air. It was cool and slightly damp, and while she shivered, she was relieved to finally be alone. Her skin had crawled from multiple glances her way.

  As she peered into the darkness lightened by lanterns, her heart ached from worry about her sister. Where could January be? If she’d taken a vacation or had gone to rehab, she’d have told Maya, wouldn’t she?

  She took several steps in a well-lit walkway and hesitated. In spite of bright lanterns, with the dark trees surrounding the walk, she’d just made herself a possible target. Maya turned to go back inside. Every cell in her body was on high alert.

  Dear Lord, please help my sister. Please guide me in my search for her. Please keep me alive so that I can find her. Thank You, Lord, for all Your blessings. Amen.

  Something soft touched her shoulders, and she whirled around, ready to strike. Thankfully, she stopped herself in time, seeing Connor. He picked up his jacket she’d apparently thrown off and placed it on her shoulders again. She welcomed the warmth. But the scent of his cologne as she shrugged inside the sleeves made her slightly light-headed.

  He placed a cup into her hands. She breathed in the aroma, grateful, and took a sip of hot java. As she had the least seniority in the Rios Azules Police Department, it was usually her duty to bring coffee for everyone. It was nice to finally be treated like a lady. She steeled herself against the feeling. He’d probably taken lessons from his politician father. Being popular and friendly was in his blood, wasn’t it?

  “Thank you.” She took another sip, warmth spreading through her body.

  “You’re very welcome.”

  An unfamiliar feeling of being protected and cared for washed over her. The coffee turned sour in her stomach. It was a stolen feeling. That protection, that care was given to her sister, and not to her.

  She started walking. “You need to go back. Your father probably needs your help to entertain guests.”

  Judging by the attention from females, Connor was probably the main attraction of the evening. Not that she could blame them.

  “I was right. You’re very different tonight.” He studied her as he walked beside her.

  Her skin heated up under his intense perusal. She didn’t need coffee or his jacket anymore to warm up. She tried to imitate the intonations of January’s voice. “Really? How so
?”

  “You can’t wait to get away from the crowd. And usually you like to be the center of attention.”

  Busted! Maya preferred being a small-town cop and was out of her element now. She glanced at him from under her eyelashes, the way her sister would hopefully do. “Sometimes one gets tired of being the center of attention.”

  “That’s true.” Weariness in his voice showed that he was probably talking about himself as well. “I like the change in you. You usually seem to put up so much guard that I can’t get a glimpse of the real you.”

  Well, he wasn’t getting a glimpse of the real January now. Maya drained the rest of her coffee and tugged his jacket tighter around her. They strolled up to the porch.

  Should she call a cab and leave before her unknown attacker came after her again?

  A twig cracked in the distance, and her muscles tensed, her training kicking in. She peered into the darkness, ready to duck or drop to the ground at any moment. She regretted she hadn’t been able to bring her weapon with her as the guests were not allowed to bring guns on the premises. To make matters worse, on the lighted porch, she’d chosen the wrong place to be.

  A young couple appeared from the walkway, and her muscles relaxed.

  “Are you afraid of something? You seem to be tense tonight.” Connor stepped closer to her.

  Her pulse increased. She gave him a bright smile, trying to imitate her sister again. How did January manage to have such an effortless, natural smile in her photos?

  “I’m just tired. It was a long day.” She looked at her tiny elegant watch, decorated with crystals, also borrowed from her sister. “It’s one o’clock in the morning.” She brought her palm to her mouth, as if to cover a yawn. “I guess I’d better call it a night.”

  “I’ll drive you home, okay? You valet parked, didn’t you?” Connor asked.

  She nodded. January had given her the key to the apartment and to her convertible, and now they had come in handy. Maya wasn’t used to driving her twin’s large vehicle, especially in Austin traffic. But she didn’t have much choice. She couldn’t show up in her old though energy-efficient small car.

  “But how are you going to get home?” she asked.

  “Don’t worry about me. I’ll take a cab.” He made a call for the convertible to be brought in.

  They headed toward the parking lot. Feeling like a sitting duck, Maya increased her pace. They walked side by side, and a weird feeling crawled inside her heart. So that was how it felt to walk with someone who seemed to be interested in her. No, not in her. In her sister. Maya swallowed a lump of disappointment. There was nothing new there. Since they’d been teens, guys had seemed to be interested in her only to get closer to her twin.

  January. Her sister had adopted her middle name as her only name early in her modeling career. Of course. A young model couldn’t be associated with a huge scandal.

  An alarming thought made Maya stumble, but Connor’s strong hand steadied her. His touch made a spark shoot up her arm. Dismissing the ridiculous reaction, she shifted away while her mind whirled. Her sister’s disappearance couldn’t be connected to the events that had happened so many years ago, could it? The sound of the shot still rang in Maya’s ears, and even though it was only a memory, she winced.

  “Are you all right?” His eyes narrowed. “If it’s something I can help you with…”

  She caught a movement behind the tree they were passing, but it was too late. She’d been too distracted by her thoughts, the need to play somebody else, and Connor’s presence.

  She wasn’t prepared for the attack.

  Chapter Two

  The element of surprise let one of the men in dark suits and black masks grab January. The other man took a swing at Connor’s head. But Connor anticipated it. So he lifted his arms at almost same time the guy’s right fist moved in his direction. The initial strike was successfully blocked.

  As Connor shifted into a fighter’s stance, in the back of his mind, he quickly registered a tattoo, Inga, on the man’s right wrist and a massive golden ring with the letter I on his right index finger. He also committed to memory a small heart-shaped birthmark near the attacker’s left ear.

  Connor threw a punch, aiming at the guy’s square jaw, but it was blocked.

  The assaulter’s brown eyes narrowed. “We only need the girl. You can get out of here.”

  The former cop in Connor paid attention to any traces of accent or peculiarities of speech but found none. “I’m not leaving without her.”

  His opponent sneered. “It’s your choice.”

  Quick calculations flashed in Connor’s mind as he blocked the hit to his solar plexus. He could allow the next strike in order to draw his opponent out and get an opening for a hit. Or he’d have to take down the man’s defense. The latter idea seemed to be a less painful one. Pretending to lose ground, Connor shifted back, preparing himself for the attack.

  But then he glanced in January’s direction, worried about her. She was twisting in the guy’s arms, obviously desperate to get free. The distraction cost Connor dearly. His blockage of the man’s strike to his liver was slightly late and not as successful as the other ones. Pain almost blinded him, but he didn’t give his opponent the chance to finish him off.

  With his left hand, Connor struck the man’s forearm. Right after taking down the defense, with his right hand, Connor punched him in the stomach with as much force as he could. The man crumpled to the ground.

  Even though the fight lasted only seconds, it gave Connor a significant rush of adrenaline. Grateful for the training and practice he’d received while being a cop, Connor turned to rescue the scared beauty along his side.

  Only the beauty was anything but scared. She jammed her elbow into her attacker’s stomach with such force that he doubled over. At the same time, she stomped on his foot with her stiletto, and he cried out in pain. He seemed to weaken his hold on her, and she jerked free.

  Admiration stirred inside Connor. Besides good looks, she had guts, as well. Just like Rose. Familiar pain reminded him that it was better not to go there.

  A knife flashed in January’s assaulter’s hand. Connor’s opponent rose to his feet and stumbled toward him, as well, apparently somewhat recovering from the hit. Clearly, the men weren’t going to give up easily.

  In a swift movement, she grabbed her high-heeled shoe and lifted it, as if intending to use it as a weapon. The guys turned in her direction.

  Using their distraction to his advantage, Connor slid behind the shorter guy with the tattoo and threw him onto the taller man armed with the knife. The tattooed guy screamed as the blade entered his flesh.

  Connor didn’t know if, besides knives, the men had guns, as well, and he preferred to leave before finding out.

  “Let’s go.” He snatched her wrist, and they sprinted in the direction of the parking lot where the valet was supposed to bring her car.

  She didn’t protest or whimper as she didn’t even stop to put her shoes on and ran barefooted. Media often portrayed models — and especially January — as spoiled and picky, but this girl was anything but. She also seemed to be a good runner. All that time on the runways must’ve helped.

  Connor didn’t sense movement behind them. But he didn’t let his guard down. The attackers might’ve decided to get a vehicle themselves. And outside the premises of his father’s estate, they probably wouldn’t have to worry about using silencers on the guns.

  The valet’s eyes widened as they ran up to him, but he handed the keys to January.

  “You drive.” She threw the keys to Connor.

  He caught them in midair. He climbed into the driver’s seat, grateful the top of the convertible was already up and he wouldn’t have to waste precious minutes on putting it up. Usually he opened the door for a lady, but this time he had to make an exception. The lady had already gotten into the passenger’s seat.

  He took off, peeling rubber. January had mentioned once that she’d never let anyone drive her
convertible. So it was surprising she’d let him take over.

  “Why did you let me drive? Because you were drinking?” he asked. Hmm, thinking about it, he didn’t sense alcohol on her breath. But the scent of it drifted from her hair and her skin, as if she’d… sprayed herself with it. Did she pretend to be drunk? Why?

  She leaned forward and opened the glove compartment. “That, too. And because I shoot much better than I drive.”

  His eyebrows rose. What did they teach in those modeling schools these days?

  He slowed down and nodded to the guards at the gates, who recognized him immediately and opened the gates. Minutes later, Connor and January were off his father’s land.

  As he guided the convertible along the dark road toward Austin, he was trying to find a logical explanation for what was happening. Why was she targeted? With tight security, how had the attackers gotten into the charity event in the first place? Judging by their bulky build, they’d probably passed as bodyguards for one of the VIPs. Still, it didn’t make much sense.

  Connor called his father and explained the situation.

  “I can’t believe something like this could’ve happened.” His dad sounded as incredulous as Connor felt. “I’ll take care of this.”

  “Thanks.” Connor disconnected the call and paid attention to the rearview mirror, worried they might be followed.

  There would be traffic once they were closer to Austin, which could make it harder to detect a tail. But so far, the road was fairly deserted. He relaxed his tight grip of the steering wheel.

  “Thank you for helping me tonight.” She smiled at him.

  How come he’d never noticed before how soft and shy her smile was? His pulse increased, a highly unusual reaction for him, even in the presence of an attractive female.

  “Don’t drop me off at the apartment.” Her voice was weary, but there was no twinge of panic to it.

  Impressed, he glanced at her. Her eyebrows were drawn together, but she was watching the rearview mirror calmly. She was taking this much better than he’d expected. Any other woman he knew would be hysterical right now. But not January.