As soon as shed reached the police station shed called Jake. She was confident that as an FBI agent, he would know what to do. Her brothers had arrived within the hour with a lawyer in tow.
Theyd agreed to tell their parents after they had Colleen released. A terrific idea as far as she was concerned. Frank Montgomery would chew some hide inside and out as it was when he found out that Colleen had been arrested. At least this way they could protect Sam and Becca until Frank cooled down.
Thats what big brothers are for. Jake shrugged and grinned while adjusting his conservative red tie. He dressed the role of FBI agent nicely in a navy suit and black wingtip shoes. Getting our little sister out of scrapes is what we do.
I dont think this qualifies as a scrape, Adam said, concern clouding his eyes. As a doctor, Adam dressed more casually in tan pants and an oxford dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up.
Youre right, Jake agreed, his expression turning somber. This was a frame. Someones out to get you.
Colleen frowned. Who? Why? That doesnt make any sense. Though deep inside, a nagging feeling that they were right clamored for her attention.
Obviously someone disliked her enough to want to implicate her in Neils death. Her reporters brain raced toward possible reasons why someone would be out to get her.
Could her suppositions that the hospital fire, the Montgomery Construction fire and the Double V Ranch fire were all somehow connected be on track? The timing of the fires had been way too coincidental and too specific to the Vance and Montgomery families. Had her report on the recent increase in drug activity since the mayors shooting stirred some hornets nest? But whose? The mysterious El Jefe , who reportedly had been contacting Escalantes old contacts? No one seemed to be able to identify the new would-be drug lord in town.
I should have remembered to pick up my scarf when I left last night, she mused.
Hey, dont beat yourself up for something you had no control over, Jake said.
The door to the small windowless, mirrored room opened and Craig Smith, her lawyer, walked in. His pinstripe suit and shiny black shoes made him look professional, but his youthful face made Colleen jittery. She only hoped her brother was right when hed assured her that, though Craig was young, he was good.
Pushing up the wire-rimmed glasses that seemed to constantly be sliding down his straight nose, Craig said, Ive had a talk with the D.A. and he agrees that the evidence they have isnt enough to charge you with Neil OBriens murder.
So I can go? Colleen asked.
She couldnt wait to get home and start working on the OBrien case. And continue her research on Alessandro, the latter for purely professional reasons. It had nothing to do with the fact that the Italian man intrigued her. She had to stay objective and report just the facts, no matter what her own personal feelings were.
Which, where Alessandro was concerned, were confusing.
She liked him, yet didnt completely trust him. But not for any real reasonshed exonerated him in her mind from the attempt on Mayor Maxs lifebut she knew he was keeping secrets.
Anyone who kept their own child a secret had to be involved in something sketchy.
Craig said, Yes. I would advise you not to leave town, because at the moment, youre considered a person of interest in the case.
I dont have any plans to go anywhere. Colleen marched past the men and headed out the door.
Behind her she heard her brothers thanking Craig, but her gaze was captured by the tall man standing at the end of the hall, talking with Sam. Her heart plummeted. Oh, no.
She hurried toward the two men. Sam, you cant think Alessandro had anything to do with Neils death? she exclaimed as she skidded to a halt.
The tender smile she received from Alessandro sent her heartbeat into overdrive. No worries, cara .
Sam snorted. The man came to say you had nothing to do with Neils murder.
Colleen blinked. Really?
Warmth gushed through her like water from a broken dam. She didnt know what to think of Alessandros chivalrous actions. She gazed up at him, looked deep into his dark eyes, and for a moment the buzz of the police station dimmed.
Thank you, she murmured.
He gave a slight nod of acknowledgement before shifting his gaze past her, effectively breaking the mesmerizing hold hed had on her and leaving her slightly off balance.
Whats he doing here? Adam demanded from behind her.
Colleen rolled her eyes and grimaced. Her brothers were doing the he-man routine again.
Believe it or not, he came to defend your sister, Sam stated, clearly enjoying Colleens discomfort, if the smirk he gave her was any indication.
Heat crept up her neck. She could just imagine the expressions on her brothers faces. She didnt want to turn around and see the incredulity or the skepticism.
They would never believe Alessandro had come because he cared about her. Come to think of it, she didnt believe hed come for that reason, either. So why had he?
That was a question she was determined to answer. Along with several others. But first she had to get out of here and away from the stifling, protective cover of her family. Alessandro, would you be willing to give me a ride home?
What! Jake and Adam both exclaimed.
Colleen kept her back to her brothers and waited for Alessandro to respond. His dark eyebrows rose slightly as his gaze shifted back to her.
She held her breath, hoping hed say yes and wondering how shed live down the embarrassment if he said no.
FOUR
M amma mia! Hed stepped in a minefield by coming to the police station. But Alessandro couldnt seem to muster up enough panic as Colleens blue eyes bored into his. He knew if he agreed to take her home, hed alienate her brothers even more. And his cousin.
But it would sustain his cover as the playboy accountant.
Besides, he sensed there was more going on here than a simple ride. She obviously had something to prove to her brothers and if he could accommodate her, so be it.
It wasnt as though he had any romantic feelings, despite his admiration of her. He had no plans to go down that particular path again.
Bella? Alessandro offered her his arm.
Relief shone bright in her gaze. She slipped her hand in the crook of his elbow. Thank you.
She turned to her brothers. Ill talk with you later.
You cant leave with him, Jake sputtered.
See ya. She tugged at Alessandros arm as she moved forward.
Amused, Alessandro could only give the three men glaring at him a shrug that said What can I say? She wants me. Ciao.
Colleen Montgomery, you come back here, Adam demanded.
Colleens steps quickened and Alessandro lengthened his stride. Bella , I think youve made your brothers angry.
Theyll get over it, she said as he pushed open the glass doors for her. She didnt let go of his arm as they stepped into the sunshine. Wheres your car?
There. He pointed to the small red convertible parked at the curb.
Her eyes widened and then she grinned. Cool.
You are such a delight, bella , he said as he opened the door for her to slide into the passenger seat. Her enthusiasm lifted his mood.
You are such a delight, bella , he said as he opened the door for her to slide into the passenger seat. Her enthusiasm lifted his mood.
He rounded the car to the drivers side and climbed in, then secured his seat belt and turned to her. Home?
Breakfast? Her blue eyes twinkled.
Ah. So there was more to this than a mere ride.
Whatever you wish, he stated.
He gunned the engine and sped away from the police station. In his rearview mirror he saw her brothers had come out the doors and were watching them drive away. The urge to put his arm around her shoulders was more than he could resist. Where to?
She glanced at his outstretched arm lightly resting across the tops of her shoulders. The Stagecoach. Of course.
With a grin, he drove through the morning traffic and turned onto South Cascade Avenue in the heart of downtown Colorado Springs. With over a half a million in population in the metro area, the town bustled with activity. Between residents going about their everyday lives and tourists come to enjoy the beauty of the town nestled beneath Pikes Peak, the downtown offered something for everyone.
For the avid reader, the stunning branch of the Pikes Peak Library District was within walking distance from countless relaxing reading spots. Many times over the years Colleen had spent time in one of the many lush parks, working on a story or sitting in a coffee shop among the thriving businesses and apartment buildings of the main thoroughfare.
After removing his arm from around her, Alessandro slipped the car into a parking spot in front of the charming red barnlike structure that claimed to serve the best apple pie this side of the Rockies.