Strong and Sexy (Sky High Air #2)(67)

“The dead body again,” Dani said helpfully. “In my office.”

“Right. And then the…”

“Concussion. Which led to the someone trying to make me look crazy to the police.”

Eliza turned to Tony. “This is where we come in, apparently.”

Tony looked at Eliza, and then together they both burst into laughter.

Shayne frowned. “What the hell is so funny?”

Eliza had to lean on her brother, but finally she wiped away her tears of mirth and sniffed. “Oh, God. It’s beautiful, really.”

“What? What is beautiful?” Dani demanded.

“Your ridiculous need to prove yourself all on your own, without family or friends or help of any kind, has finally come back to bite you on the ass.”

“I don’t have a ridiculous need…” Dani trailed off when Tony lifted a brow. “Okay, maybe I do. A little. It’s just that you guys never wanted to include me.”

“Oh, no,” Eliza said. “You’re not putting this on us. I’m drunk, but not that drunk. From day one you looked down your perfect, surgery-free nose at us. Face it, Dani. It wasn’t that we were too good for you, but that you were too good for us.”

Dani just stared at them, letting the words sink in. Was that—could that be true? Really?

Eliza sighed, and as a waiter passed behind her with a tray full of drinks, she nabbed two and handed one to Dani.

Dani stared at it. “I can’t.”

“See? Too good for us.”

“No, it’s just that I overindulged earlier.” Had she disliked Tony and Eliza just because they’d had money? Had she distanced herself as if she was too good for them? She’d certainly had the fiercely independent thing down by the time they’d come into her life…Oh, God. Was this all her fault? “So this has nothing to do with your dad’s money?”

“Did you by any chance see how many zeroes are on the end of our trust-fund accounts?” Eliza smiled, and it was surprisingly free of cynicism and sarcasm. “I don’t think you’ve ever really looked, but let me tell you what. We have enough, Dani, more than enough, without what was set aside for you.”

She could only stare at them. “So you don’t care if I go after it.”

“Nope. And here’s the kicker,” Tony said. “We don’t even care if you’re really crazy.”

“But hey, as long as you’re here,” Eliza added, “you could come in and pretend we’re all one big loving family, and yell ‘surprise’ when your mom gets here. That would be nice.”

“She already had a party,” Dani pointed out.

“Yes, but this is your mother. She likes multiple parties.”





Chapter 23




B ack in Los Angeles, Shayne walked Dani to her door. He had a sinking feeling in his gut that this was it, that when he said good-bye here, she was going to walk out of his life.

“Thanks for the flight,” she said, turning to face him. “It was almost painless.”

The “almost” hung in the air, while the pain she’d just professed not to feel sat in her eyes and grabbed him by the throat. “Dani, you sure you don’t want me to come in?”

“Not necessary.”

Just down the hall, Alan’s door opened, but instead of Alan, a pretty brunette came out, straightening her slightly crooked clothes with a silly little smile on her face.

“Oh,” she said in surprise and pulled up short. “Dani.”

Dani blinked. “Reena?”

“Reena…from your work Reena?” Shayne asked.

Dani nodded, her eyes on the woman. “You…and Alan? But…” She looked blown away. “But…when?”

“We met when he brought you pizza that night, remember? And then you turned him down for another date, so that left him free.” She lifted a shoulder. “And I needed a pick-me-up.” But she softened. “You’re not mad, right?”

“I’m not mad. Of course I’m not mad.” Dani glanced at Shayne, then back at Reena. “I’m just…”

“Surprised? Yeah, well, other people have stuff going on too, Dani. Other people get lonely, have needs, too.”

“I know that.”

“Do you? Because it seems like sometimes you don’t.”

“Reena—”

“No, never mind.” Reena rubbed her eyes. “I’m sorry. I just don’t want this to be a problem.”

“It’s not.”

“Okay, good. Then I’ll see you at work.”

“Wait.” Shayne glanced at Dani, who was looking a little shell-shocked. “Wait up.”

Reena looked him over. “I know you. You’re the rich pilot. Not sure which karma god Dani kissed lately, but she’s on a roll.”

Shayne asked, “You think nearly getting killed, several times now, is on a roll?”

Reena’s smile faded as she turned to Dani. “Can you believe I nearly forgot? Did they catch the shooter?”

“No,” Shayne said. “Nor the person who was in her office. The one who caused her concussion and five stitches.”