“Cut the crap, Blair. I know why you’re here.”

She shook her head in frustration; this was not going the way she’d planned. “Lucas—”

“I’ll make this simple for you,” he said, not concealing his anger. “If you’re here to ask for my help, the answer is no.”

“That’s unfair,” she cried. “You haven’t even heard what I have to say.”

“I’m not interested.”

“My brother’s innocent. He didn’t murder that girl.”

“Sounds like the D.A. has an airtight case.”

“I know you can poke holes in everything he has.”

Lucas’s eyebrows shot up. “Really? So you need a cutthroat attorney? That’s what you called me, isn’t it? A cutthroat attorney putting criminals back on the streets for big bucks and personal gain.”

Her cheeks grew hotter and she gripped her hands together. “Yes, I said that,” she admitted. “And at the time I meant it. I had my reasons for feeling that way….”

Blair realized her hopes were dwindling fast. “Blake and I are twins,” she said. “We’re closer than most siblings.” She took a deep shuddering breath. “I can’t let him be convicted of a crime he didn’t commit. Please help me.”

Dear Reader,

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your many letters and e-mail messages concerning The Truth About Jane Doe and Deep in the Heart of Texas. I’m so pleased you enjoyed the books.

Straight from the Heart is a story about Lucas Culver, Jacob’s brother in Deep in the Heart of Texas (published in August 2000). He was a strong character in that book and my editor and I felt he would make a great hero. So my job began: finding the perfect woman for Lucas.

Lucas is an outgoing, well-liked defense attorney who truly believes that everyone is innocent until proven guilty. I had to find a woman who was his complete opposite so I’d have something to write about! The heroine is Blair Logan, a courageous, straitlaced assistant district attorney; she’s dedicated her life to putting criminals behind bars. How these two people come together in a quest for love and truth—that’s what this book is about. I hope it will keep you turning the pages.

From my heart to yours, I give you Lucas and Blair’s story. Enjoy.

Sincerely,

Linda Warren

Thanks again for the many letters. I love hearing from you. I can be reached at P.O. Box 5182, Bryan TX 77805 or you can e-mail me at LW1508@aol.com.

Straight from the Heart
Linda Warren

I dedicate this book to my parents.

When I think of my dad, I remember his big heart,

his wonderful sense of humor and his belief that I could do

anything. He’s the reason I had enough courage to try my

hand at writing. Ever since I can remember, I have loved to

read. Whenever my dad saw me reading, he’d say,

“Girl, you always got your head in a book.” One day,

just to get my attention, he added, “You should be reading

those encyclopedias I spent so much money on, then

you’d be learning something.” After that, when he saw me

reading, I’d say before he could, “No, Daddy, I haven’t

read those encyclopedias yet.” It became a standing joke

between us. Then one day, out of the blue, he said,

“Girl, you’ve read so many books, why don’t you

write one?” That’s how the dream began.

Sadly, before my dream could become a reality, my dad

passed away. But when a senior editor at Harlequin called

to say she wanted to buy my first book, I could almost hear

his voice. And I said, before he could, “No, Daddy, I

haven’t read those encyclopedias yet, but I’ve learned

something. Hard work pays off. Just like you taught me.”

So I dedicate this book to my father, James Siegert.

And to my mother, Mary Siegert. When I think of my

mother, words fail me. She was the center of our family,

always there for her children, and since I was the only girl,

we had a close relationship. When Alzheimer’s took her

mind, it was the biggest heartbreak of my life.

She passed away while I was writing this book.

She is at peace now and she is with my dad and

she remembers. Momma, I love you—always.

And to the other mother in my life, my mother-in-law,

Faye White, who breaks the stereotypes about

mothers-in-law. Thanks for the love and support.

And a special thanks to Gil Schultz, the investigator, and

Laurie Siegert, my lawyer niece, who answered all my

questions with patience and understanding.

Any errors you find are definitely mine.

CONTENTS

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER TWELVE

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

CHAPTER NINETEEN

EPILOGUE

CHAPTER ONE

BLAIR LOGAN HELD her breath as the jurors filed into the jury box. She studied their faces, trying to gauge their state of mind. Their solemn expressions told her nothing. Look at me, she begged. Let me know you’re on my side. But the jurors’ attention was focused on the judge. That wasn’t bad and it wasn’t good. She folded her hands in her lap and waited.

“Madam Foreperson, have you reached a unanimous verdict?” the judge’s voice rang out.

The foreperson stood. “Yes, we have, Your Honor,” she answered and handed a piece of paper to the bailiff. The bailiff took it to the judge, who read it quickly and handed it back.

“Will the defendant please rise,” the judge said.

Hector Raye, along with his attorney, Lucas Culver, got to their feet.

“What is your verdict, Madam Foreperson?” the judge asked.

“On the count of the indictment—murder in the first degree. We find the defendant guilty.”

Yes, yes, yes, ran jubilantly through Blair’s mind, but nothing showed on her face. She didn’t even blink at the rumble of noise and voices behind her. She was good at hiding her emotions.

“Quiet,” the judge ordered and banged his gavel. “So be it. Sentencing will be in two weeks. The jury is dismissed.” The gavel banged again.

Blair got to her feet and put papers into her briefcase with methodical movements. Outwardly she was cool and reserved, as always. Inside she was ecstatic. She had finally beaten Lucas Culver. She was determined that he wouldn’t beat her again. She felt like jumping up on the table and doing a dance of victory, but she would celebrate later.

As the guards came to escort Hector back to his cell, he suddenly jerked free and began to fight them. It didn’t take the guards long to restrain him.

“I’ll get you, bitch,” he screamed at Blair. “I’ll get you.”

Blair’s jubilance vanished in a wave of nausea and she had to take several deep breaths. She knew she had to get out of the courtroom and fast.

Lucas was taken aback at Hector’s outburst. He did his best to believe in his innocence, but he’d never liked the boy. He’d taken over the case from a colleague who had become ill. It was a bad situation, but he didn’t regret his decision to help Jim Tenney. The case was known as an open and shut, and there was very little he could do to throw doubt on Hector’s guilt. The loss didn’t sit too well with him, though. But in light of Hector’s behavior, he was thinking that maybe it wasn’t a bad verdict.

He’d looked at Blair during the disturbance, and her creamy white skin had paled. Of course, it was hard to tell with Blair, since she always wore that cool facade, but he knew Hector had gotten to her.

He picked up his briefcase and turned at the same time as Blair. They came face-to-face. She had dark hair, almost black, pulled back in a knot at the nape of her neck, giving her a stern, businesslike appearance, but he was mesmerized by her eyes. They were the most gorgeous blue he’d ever seen, clear and bright like a summer sky, and they seemed to look right through him. She had made it very plain on more than one occasion that he was not on her list of favorite people.

“Congratulations, Counselor,” he said, his lips curving into a slight smile.

“That’s one criminal you won’t be putting back on the street,” she replied sharply, unmoved by his smile.

Lucas sighed. “Why do you always feel that it’s my goal to put criminals back on the street?”

“Because it’s what you do—represent vermin.”

“Have you forgotten that everyone’s entitled to a fair trial—even people like Hector Raye?”

“You live with your ethics and I’ll live with mine.” With that, she whirled around and headed for the door.

Someone was going to shake Blair Logan one of these days, and it just might be him, Lucas decided.

Blair was receiving congratulations from her assistants when Lucas emerged from the courtroom. Out of the corner of her eye she saw him hugging a blond woman. Jennifer Walker, Judge Barrett’s clerk. Lucas must be dating her, Blair thought idly. She’d heard the rumors about Lucas. He changed women the way most men changed their shirts. And the women didn’t seem to mind. Lucas was known for the affable breakups and lasting friendships with his lady friends. Well, they were welcome to him. His dark good looks and charming smile did nothing for her.

Why did he make her so angry? Because he’s an arrogant man, she told herself. And arrogant men seemed to have that effect on her.

All thought of Lucas left her as she spotted her brother, Blake, standing to one side. Being twins, they had the same dark hair and blue eyes, but they were different in so many other ways. Blake had been the wild one, always in trouble. She’d been the quiet, studious one, always striving for excellence.

She walked over to Blake and he smiled at her with an impish grin that didn’t quite reach his eyes. Something was obviously bothering him, but she had no idea what.

“Hi.” She smiled, and stood on tiptoe to kiss his cheek. Blake was six feet tall and she was only five foot four. “What are you doing here?”

Blake lived in London and he was home for a brief visit. She hadn’t expected him in the courtroom today; she assumed he’d be spending time with their parents.

He grinned again and rocked back on his heels. “I just came to watch my baby sister in the courtroom.” Having lived in London on and off for sixteen years, his voice now had an attractive English intonation that still surprised her whenever she heard it.

Adjusting her purse strap, she said, “We’re the same age, Blake. We’re both thirty-two.”

“But I’m three minutes older.”

“Big deal.”

“It is,” he said. “I’m older and male and…” His voice trailed off, and she knew exactly what was on his mind.

“Blake—”

He interrupted her. “When they told Dad he had a son, he probably thought all his prayers had been answered. Little did he know I’d be nothing like him.”

Growing up as Sam Logan’s son hadn’t been easy for Blake. In fact, it had almost been a nightmare, with Blake rebelling every chance he got. In his teens, he was uncontrollable, and their parents sent him away to boarding school in England, hoping a change of environment would help him. It was the first time Blair and Blake had been separated, but the miles hadn’t diminished the bond between them.

They’d always been close, but Blair was the stronger one, protecting and shielding her brother from their father’s wrath whenever Blake did something stupid. That happened plenty of times. Blake seemed bent on a course to upset their father and Blair was generally caught in the middle. For someone she considered mild and loving, Blake sometimes had an obstinate side she didn’t understand.

Blair glanced at him now. “I thought you’d gotten over all that.”

He shrugged offhandedly. “I have, but seeing you in the courtroom today, I couldn’t help thinking how proud Dad must be of you and how disappointed he must be in me.”

“Oh, Blake, I—”

“Evan wants to see you.” The district attorney’s secretary came up to her, cutting her off in midsentence.

“Tell him I’m on my way,” Blair answered, knowing Evan wanted to talk about the trial. For once, it was good news.

Blair quickly kissed Blake’s cheek again. “I’ve got to run. We’ll talk tonight after dinner.”

As she hurried down the corridor to the underground tunnels that connected many of Houston’s downtown buildings, Blair thought about Blake and wished he’d come home to the States to live. Maybe that would mend the rift between father and son, but she knew it was only wishful thinking. Since Blake’s rebellious youth and his decision not to go to law school, things hadn’t been the same in their family, and she didn’t think they ever would be again.

Blake worked as a journalist, but he spent a lot of his time at a school for delinquent youths in London, helping and teaching troubled teenagers. It wasn’t the future Sam wanted for Blake, but Blake was good with kids and he seemed determined to steer them away from drugs, drinking and rebellion. Blair decided not to think about her father’s reaction. She’d concentrate on spending quality time together as a family.

It was a short walk from the criminal-courts building to the district attorney’s office, a walk that gave her a chance to clear her head. She tapped on the district attorney’s door and entered when she heard Evan’s “Come in.” Evan Holt was of medium height and almost completely bald. He stood in the middle of his domain with a golf club in his hands. He was an avid golfer and had a small putting green in his office. He studied the ball in front of him, then glanced at the cup some distance away.

“I’ll be right with you, Blair,” he said, and swung the club. When the ball rolled in, he turned to Blair with a triumphant smile. “Well, you did it. You beat Culver.”

“Yes,” she answered. Evan was reputed to know everything that went on in the courthouse…sometimes even before it happened.

Evan moved around his desk and sat down. “You did a great job. Though I must say, clients like Raye aren’t usually Culver’s style. When Jim Tenney was handling the case, I figured we’d be able to put ol’ Hector away for a long time, but when Culver took over, I was worried he’d use some of his theatrics to get Raye off.” Evan picked up a pencil. “Never understood why Culver took the case at all.”

“I heard that Tenney’s an old friend, and when he had to have emergency heart surgery, Lucas stepped in to help him out.” Blair repeated the rumors, although she was reluctant to give the man that much credit.

Evan rested back in his chair. “You don’t like Culver, do you?”

Blair shrugged in a nonchalant manner. “I don’t know much about him. All I know is I don’t care for lawyers like him.”

“Your father’s a lawyer like him.”

Blair’s eyes narrowed. “What are you getting at, Evan?” She knew he had something else on his mind besides the Raye trial. She’d worked for Evan for six years and she was well acquainted with his tactics. He’d skirt an issue before getting to the point.

Evan leaned forward. “I was thinking about the Easton case and your father’s involvement.”

There was not a flicker of emotion or movement on Blair’s face, even though the name Easton sent chills down her spine. She stared Evan straight in the eye. “My father was his attorney, that’s all.”

Her father was a well-known defense attorney in Houston, in Texas and beyond. As his daughter, she was expected to follow in his footsteps—as was Blake. After Blake’s defection, as her father called it, Sam Logan focused all his efforts on his daughter. He wanted her to work for his firm, but she couldn’t because she and her father had different points of view on the law. He defended criminals and it was her goal to keep them behind bars.

This caused more than a few arguments—with Sam insisting that her perspective was oversimplified. She knew her judgment and reasoning was colored by the past, but that didn’t make her wrong. It only made her more strong-minded, more—

“I heard there was a disturbance in the courtroom.” Evan’s words broke in.

“Yes.” Blair forced her thoughts back to the present. “Raye wasn’t pleased with the verdict.”

“Are you okay?”

“Yes.” She looked at him with guarded eyes. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

“You don’t have to be so tough, Blair. I’m well aware of what happened to you.”

“It was a long time ago, and like you said, I’m tough. I can deal with it.”

“Blair…”

She stopped him. “If that’s all, I’ve got a mound of paperwork waiting for me.”

Evan watched her for a moment, then said, “No, that’s not all. I brought Todd Easton up for a reason.”

God, she knew that. Evan never did anything without a reason. She waited, wishing that name didn’t make her feel so afraid.

“I wanted to inform you of something that’s about to break,” he said slowly. “Bonnie Davis’s family has hired a detective to find the second boy involved in her rape and murder, through new DNA testing. We’re hoping to make an arrest.”

Blair’s eyes widened. “But the police never could identify him.”

“Yeah. I was newly elected then, and I really wanted to find him. Skin from two different people was found under Bonnie’s fingernails. That really bothered me, but I never could link another boy to the murder. I always wondered why your father didn’t pursue it. It could’ve helped Easton.”

“I’m not privy to my father’s cases, and I really don’t like to talk about Todd Easton.”

“I’m sorry,” Evan said quickly. “I didn’t mean to upset you.”

“It doesn’t,” she said, and they both knew she was lying. She drew a deep breath. “But I would like to prosecute this guy when they catch him.”

Evan shook his head. “I don’t think so, Blair. You’re too closely involved.”

“Maybe,” she admitted. “But I hope you put him away for a long time.”

“I intend to.”

“I’d better go,” Blair said, backing toward the door. “I’ve got a lot to do.”

Evan stood. “Great job today.”

“Thanks.”

Blair closed the door, leaning against it as if she needed the support. Why did Evan have to mention the past? Why did he have to bring up Todd Easton? Ever since Raye’s outburst, she’d been trying to keep the memories at bay, but now they seemed to come rushing back.

She was sixteen years old and looking forward to spring break. She was going to Cancún, Mexico, with her friend and her friend’s family. Her father had just finished a difficult case. A business acquaintance of his had a son who was accused of murdering and raping a fifteen-year-old girl, Bonnie Davis. It was a certainty that Sam Logan would get the boy off, but Todd Easton was found guilty. The Easton family was very upset, especially Todd. It had been a long, hard trial and her father, mother and Blake went on a cruise to get away from the reporters and the Eastons. They wanted her to go, too, but she’d already made other plans.

Everyone had said that Sam Logan was losing his magic touch. It was one of the few cases she remembered her father ever losing; at sixteen, though, she didn’t really think about such things. She was just eager to leave on her trip. Her family had left that morning, and Blair was waiting for her ride. She’d heard a noise downstairs, grabbed her suitcase and hurried to the front door. As she reached the bottom step, she saw the housekeeper tied up. Before she could move, Todd appeared from a doorway holding a gun. His eyes had a glazed, wild look, and his face was red. He asked her where her father was. She told him he wasn’t home, that he’d gone on a cruise. Todd had laughed cruelly and said that was just as well, because he knew of a better way to get even with Sam Logan. He was leering at her and she knew what he had in mind. She dropped the suitcase and ran up the stairs—but he was faster. He caught her at the top, began to hit her with the butt of the gun… Over and over he drove the gun into her face, her stomach, her chest. Then he started to tear at her clothes. She didn’t have much strength left, but she started to fight. Her efforts stilled at the sound of sirens. Todd didn’t hear them. He was too engrossed in hurting her.

The police burst into the house. They’d been on Todd’s trail since he’d broken out of prison. Although she was floating in and out of consciousness, she heard them yell at Todd to drop the gun. The next thing she heard was gunfire and Todd fell on top of her…dead.

She woke up in a hospital. She had a concussion, a cracked skull, broken jaw, a fractured arm and several broken ribs. Her parents and Blake immediately flew home from their cruise. It was weeks before she was able to leave the hospital and by then she was scared of her own shadow, of everything around her. Her mother wanted her to see a psychiatrist, but she refused. She could handle it by herself, she’d insisted. But the trip back to health was long and arduous, and at times she didn’t want to go on. She forced herself to face life and not give up. She’d refused to let Todd Easton destroy her emotionally. And she made it. Yes, she’d made it. She had gotten her degree and was practicing law, putting criminals like Todd Easton away.

She knew that sometimes she went overboard, like today with Lucas. Lucas had a way of getting to her with his handsome face and devil-may-care smile. He was a lot like her father, same charisma, same magnetism. Maybe that was why she resented him and his representation of criminals. But today…today she’d finally triumphed over Lucas. Yes! She’d beaten him and his fancy tricks in the courtroom. And that felt good—really good.

Pushing away from the wall, she headed for her office. She wasn’t going to think about the past, her father or anything that would ruin her mood. She wanted to enjoy this moment. She entered her office, kicked off her heels and slipped out of her navy-blue suit jacket. She undid the first three buttons on her white silk blouse. Next she took the pins out of her hair and shook it free to her shoulders.

To alleviate the tension, she started to dance, something she loved to do—ever since she was a child and had taken ballet lessons. It always lifted her spirits. She whirled gracefully around the room singing, “I won. I won. Whoa-oh-oh. And it feels so-o-o-o good. So-o-o-o good. Oh, oh, oh, yeah.”

LUCAS HURRIED out of the courthouse. He had just enough time to stop by his office before his date with Jennifer. He’d been dating her for a month and she wanted to make dinner for him tonight. That bespoke an intimacy he wasn’t ready for. He didn’t know if he ever would be. His brother, Jacob, had been after him to settle down. After all, he was now forty-two, but he just could never take that final step. When he got married, he wanted a strong, passionate marriage like his brother’s. But the odds of that happening were getting slimmer and slimmer. He was too much like his father, he’d concluded, and he knew the feelings he had about his father were the reason he was still single.

His father had been a policeman who worked long hours—or so they’d believed until they discovered he’d been spending a lot of those hours with other women. The secret came to light when his mistress shot him with his own gun after he decided to end the affair. The news devastated his mother, and she died one week later from a massive heart attack. He’d been only fifteen years old, but he’d never forgotten the hurt, pain and disillusionment in his mother’s eyes. He was never going to hurt a woman like that—never. Until he found a woman he could stay faithful to, he planned to remain single.

For some reason he thought of Blair Logan. She was different from the other women he’d met—mainly because she hated his guts. But she’d enjoyed beating him today. Blair would never let her emotions show, but it was no secret that she’d been gunning for him for a long time. He was sure this victory was a big deal for her. That should annoy the hell out of him, but it didn’t. In his younger days, he would have been angry at the loss. Younger days! Good Lord, now he was thinking in terms of younger days. What the hell was wrong with him?

Lately he’d been feeling a restlessness, a dissatisfaction with everything in his life, and he found himself questioning everything he’d ever done. He was displeased with both his personal and his professional life. He’d worked for Harris and Harris for the past fifteen years and he’d never had any complaints until now. Clive and George Harris were brothers, and now their sons were also attorneys who’d joined the firm. Lucas knew that in the near future he’d probably be working for them and he didn’t like that. He was the reason quite a few clients chose Harris and Harris, and everyone knew it. Lucas’s salary was raised every year in appreciation, but now he wanted more. He wanted his name on the door. He wanted everything that came with his years of experience and he wasn’t willing to settle for less.

Then again, he’d made enough money and invested it wisely. He could retire and move to Austin to be near Jacob and the family. Hell! He shook his head in frustration. He’d spent all his adult life practicing law and he had no intention of giving it up so easily. The restlessness was getting to him, that was all; so was losing this case. He should have never taken it in the first place. Clive and George had advised against it, but he couldn’t let Jim down. Jacob had taught him always to stand by your friends and he had, and he refused to have regrets about that. He just wished he’d felt more confident of Hector’s innocence. That restlessness again. Good thing he’d scheduled a vacation. He needed one to make some decisions about his life.

“Hey, Culver,” a voice called.

Lucas turned and saw Roger Collins, an old friend of his brother’s, coming toward him. Roger was in his forties, a police detective who’d worked a lot of cases during his career—some Lucas had been involved with.

They shook hands. “How you doing, Lucas?”

“Fine.” Lucas smiled.

“How’s Jacob?”

“In love and happy.”

“If anyone deserves happiness, it’s Jacob,” Roger said solemnly.

“I’ll second that.”

“How many kids does he have now?”

“Five,” Lucas said. “They had another girl a few months back.”

“That’s great…just great.”

“Yeah.”

Roger changed the subject. “Well, I heard Blair stuck it to you today.”

“I wouldn’t call it that,” Lucas responded mildly.

“You just hate to lose.”

“Yes, it’s one of those annoying flaws of mine.”

“I also heard Raye wasn’t pleased with the verdict.” Roger looked at him carefully.

“No, he wasn’t. He caused an ugly scene.”

“Is Blair okay?”

Lucas’s eyes narrowed. “Why wouldn’t she be?”

“Evidently you haven’t heard what happened to her some years back.”

“I don’t guess I have.”

“It was sixteen years ago, so you were probably away at law school.” Roger went on to tell him about Blair and the attack by Todd Easton.

“You know, I vaguely remember reading something about that incident—mainly because it was Sam Logan’s daughter. Hell, I knew she was Sam’s daughter, but I never connected it to the attack.”

“She’s had a rough time. I hope this hasn’t upset her.”

Lucas grinned. “Sounds like you’re pretty fond of Blair.”

Roger grinned back. “You could say that, but Blair doesn’t let anyone get too close to her. I keep trying, though. Think I’ll check on her.” He glanced at his watch. “Damn, I have to be in court in five minutes. I’ll catch her later. I’ve got to run. Tell Jacob I said hi.” With that, he dashed into the courthouse.

Lucas stared after him with a puzzled expression. He now understood Blair Logan a little better. No wonder she was so cold and detached. He’d never dreamed she’d had this kind of trauma in her past and was a little surprised he hadn’t heard anything about it before. He hoped Raye hadn’t caused her any more stress. Still, it was none of his business, he told himself, walking resolutely toward his vehicle.

He threw his briefcase into his Ford Expedition and got into the driver’s seat. But he didn’t start the engine. He kept thinking about Blair. Maybe he should reassure her that Hector was just talk and she had nothing to worry about. No, he told himself again. She wouldn’t thank him for his concern.

Concern? Was he concerned for Blair? Yes, he was, he had to admit. He’d always thought Blair was strong enough to handle anything. Could he be wrong? Could her strength only be a facade to hide her fear and pain?

Without a second thought, he climbed out of the car and headed to the district attorney’s office. He had to tell her that Hector wasn’t a threat to her.

And Blair Logan was going to eat him alive.

IT DIDN’T TAKE Lucas long to find Blair’s office. The door was open a crack. He pushed it a fraction to see if she was inside. He stared in disbelief. Blair, a Blair he’d never seen before, was dancing around the room singing under her breath. Her dark hair was loose around her shoulders, her eyes sparkled and her face was enraptured. God, she was beautiful. So feminine, so enticing…

She held her arms out and her hips swayed gracefully. She’d had ballet lessons, he decided. It showed in every seductive line of her body.

“It feels so-o-o-o good. Oh, oh, oh, yeah,” she sang. She whirled around and came to a complete stop when she saw Lucas.

“OhmyGod,” she murmured. She quickly gathered her hair and twisted it into a knot. She reached for a large clasp that lay on her desk and fastened it to her hair, but several strands lingered around her face.

She inhaled deeply and demanded, “What are you doing here?”

She’d immediately collected her wits, her cool businesswoman demeanor back in place, but Lucas didn’t seem to notice. His eyes were on the opening of her blouse. Several buttons had come undone and her lacy bra was showing. Blair wore lacy things. He’d never have figured that.

“Your blouse is open,” he told her, and her cheeks turned a delicate pink.

She nervously buttoned her blouse to the top.

She was mortified that he’d seen her doing a victory dance, and she was desperately striving for some measure of respectability. But she feared she’d lost every ounce of that. Oh God, how had she let this happen? And of all men…Lucas Culver.

“If you’re through leering,” she said coolly. “You can tell me why you’re here.”

Lucas realized he had a silly grin on his face, but for the life of him he couldn’t stop smiling. “You know,” he replied, “it went right out of my head.”

“Then you can leave.”

His grin broadened. “You really enjoyed beating me today, didn’t you?”

He had guessed why she was making a fool of herself. Of course he would! How did she get out of this?

“A victory is always a…pleasure,” she answered, and the words sounded phony even to her own ears.

Lucas stepped closer, although the desk was between them. “If I’d known it would make you so effervescent, I’d have let you beat me a long time ago.”

“You didn’t let me anything,” she flared. “I beat you fair and square.”

Lucas held up his hands. “Okay, I concede.”

They stared at each other and Blair felt his dark eyes touching her in a way she usually hated when other men did it. But Lucas was making her feel warm and bubbly…and angry.

“What do you want, Lucas?” she asked abruptly. “And stop staring at me like that. I don’t like it.”

“It’s hard not to,” he said wickedly. “Especially after seeing…so much.”

“Get out of my office,” she said, her confidence beginning to shred.

Her words had no effect on him. “Don’t be so rigid, Blair. I’m only teasing you.”

She decided to take another approach. “I’m not used to being teased, so can we just forget about this?”

He lifted an eyebrow. “I don’t think so.”

“Okay,” she snapped. “Have your fun, but you’d better enjoy it because you’ll never, ever get another glimpse—”

“Of you being human,” he finished for her.

She bit her lip, not knowing what else to say, wishing he’d do the decent thing and leave.

He saw her nervousness and relented. “Okay, Blair, I’ll forget about it.”

“Fine,” she said ungraciously.

“I only came by to reassure you that you had nothing to worry about from Raye. He just has a big mouth.”

She glanced apprehensively at him. Surely he didn’t know. It had happened so long ago and ever since, her family and friends had been very protective of her feelings. The attack wasn’t a topic for idle conversation. She didn’t want anyone’s pity. “Why do you think I’d be worried?”

He watched her for a moment and he could see she didn’t want him to know about the past. So he gave in to her wishes. “He was my client and I feel responsible for his behavior.”

She breathed a sigh of relief. This she could handle. “You don’t have to be. I can take care of myself.”

“I’m sure you can, but I had to make the effort.”

“Well, you wasted your time.” That came out wrong, but she couldn’t take it back.

His eyes gleamed. “Believe me, I didn’t waste my time.”

“You said you were going to forget it,” she reminded him.

“Forget was the wrong word,” he said with a devilish grin.

“You’re very good with words. So don’t tell me that.”

“I promise no one will hear about your secret passion from me, but I can’t wipe it from my memory. I have a feeling I’ll remember it late at night when—”

She cut him off. “Goodbye, Lucas, and next time you plan on coming into my office, would you please have the decency to knock?”

She had to get rid of him. The tension was so thick she had trouble breathing. It was sexual tension and Lucas was very good at creating it. She hated his easy flirting, which created a fear deep inside her. Over the years she had forced herself to date, to come to grips with her terror, but it hadn’t worked. Men in any kind of sexual context—the very thought of sex—stirred a revulsion in her that she couldn’t control. She was beginning to wonder if she ever would.

With his hand on the doorknob, he said, “You have a thing about intimacy, don’t you, Blair? I was only going to say late at night when I feel…” He stopped, then added, “Hell, you were right. I did have something risqué in mind.”

Lucas grinned all the way down the hall. Roger was the wrong man for Blair. She needed someone to unlock all those emotions she had hidden away. Someone with passion and ardor. He suddenly stopped walking. He was thinking about himself. No, he was already involved with Jennifer. He didn’t need…but he enjoyed sparring with Blair—maybe too much, maybe not enough. She made his blood rush, kept him on his toes. “No,” he muttered aloud. “No way.” It wouldn’t be the first time he’d fooled himself about a woman.

AS THE DOOR CLOSED on Lucas, Blair picked up a paperweight and threw it. It bounced off the wall and landed on the carpet with a thud. Arrogant bastard, she thought, and immediately checked the door to made sure it was locked. She leaned against it and sank to the floor, drawing her knees up to her chin. How was she going to live this down? Lucas had seen her in a state she’d never allowed any man to see. And the way he’d gazed at her—as though she was an attractive woman he liked looking at. She could still feel those dark eyes heating her skin, her blood. Oh, no. Don’t even think it.

She gulped in some air and did the only thing she could. She started to laugh. After a moment, she sobered, wiping tears from her eyes. Despite the turmoil of this day, she could still laugh. That was good. Maybe Lucas was good for her. No, no, no, she told herself. She wasn’t going to be like every other woman in the courthouse—bowled over by his charm. She intended to avoid Lucas Culver. Like the plague.

CHAPTER TWO

LUCAS DROVE to his office to check his messages and finalize his plans for a long vacation with Jacob and the family. He couldn’t believe how much he missed the kids and he couldn’t believe how much he enjoyed being an uncle. It would be nice to have his own kids, but he didn’t see that in his future.

As he let himself in the side door of his office, Blair’s face flashed into his mind. A Blair with her blue eyes dreamy and her dark hair mussed. He shook his head, smiling. He had a feeling that picture was going to haunt him for days.

He sat at his desk dealing with messages, when his secretary, Joan, stepped into the office. At sixty, Joan was a stoic, unflappable woman, an invaluable asset. Her hair was blond with streaks of gray that didn’t bother her. She had a husband, three kids and a grandchild, yet she managed to handle all his affairs with effortless ease. She was better than a wife, or so his friends told him. She kept his life organized but didn’t nag or complain. At the moment, though, she seemed flushed and out of breath.

He lifted an eyebrow. “What is it, Joan?”

She leaned over and whispered, “Sam Logan is here to see you.”

Lucas frowned, thinking he’d heard her wrong. “What did you say?”

“Sam Logan. He wants to see you,” she whispered again.

“Why are you whispering? He can’t hear us.”

“I know…but I’ve heard all these stories about him and I’ve never met him. He’s very impressive in person.”

Lucas had heard the stories, too. Logan was overpowering in a courtroom. In college Lucas had wanted to be like him—a winning lawyer with the respect of his peers. These days Lucas just wanted to be himself.

Why the hell was Sam Logan calling on him?

Had Blair told him what had happened in her office? No, she wasn’t that kind of woman.

“What should I tell him?” Joan asked.

“Have you cleared my schedule for a couple of weeks?”

Joan’s eyes widened in shock. “Of course, but…surely you’re going to see him.”

“He doesn’t have an appointment, does he?”

“No,” Joan said slowly. “But it’s Sam Logan.”

“So what?”

Joan planted her hands on her hips. “Lucas Culver, what are you trying to pull? You know you’re going to see him, so why are you giving me a hard time?”

“I’ve just never seen you so flustered before.” He smiled mischievously. “If it’ll make you happy, send the man in.”

“Really, Lucas, sometimes…” Her voice trailed away as she left the room.

Lucas got to his feet and fastened a button on his dark gray suit. What a day, he thought. Sam’s daughter had just beaten him in court and he’d seen that same daughter in a state of undress. What next?

Sam Logan entered the office. He was solidly built, about five foot ten and weighed maybe one hundred and eighty pounds, Lucas surmised. He had dark hair, almost black, that was beginning to turn gray, and blunt masculine features. Nothing out of the ordinary, but there was something about Sam Logan that drew one’s attention. An unmistakable aura of power and strength…

Lucas stayed behind his desk instead of joining him at the door. He felt as if he could now meet Sam Logan on equal ground.

Sam walked over, and they shook hands. “Thanks for seeing me on such short notice,” he said, and sat in one of the leather wingback chairs. He was dressed in a tailored navy-blue suit, a pinstriped shirt and navy tie—impeccable in dress and manner.

Lucas glanced at his watch as he took his seat. “I have a few minutes between appointments,” he answered. “What can I do for you?”

Sam placed his fingers together in a thoughtful gesture. “I know we’ve never met, but I’ve watched your career over the years. You’ve become a great lawyer and I admire your work.”

Praise was the last thing he’d expected from Sam Logan, and he had to resist the urge to shift uncomfortably in his chair. But Sam wasn’t going to make him feel like a bumbling lawyer without any experience. A smile touched his face. “I find that ironic since your daughter just beat me in court.”

Sam dismissed the comment with a wave of his hand. “Any A.D.A. could have won that case.”

For some reason, Lucas didn’t like the way that sounded. Sam Logan made it seem as if he didn’t have any confidence in Blair. “Don’t underestimate your daughter,” he said more sharply than he’d intended.

Sam raised a dark eyebrow. “I don’t,” he answered. “Blair’s getting very good in a courtroom, but you and I both know that your heart wasn’t in the Raye case.”

Was that obvious to everyone? Lucas wondered. Was he losing his edge?

“However, I don’t want to talk about that case,” Sam said. “I want to talk about the future.”

That caught Lucas’s interest. What the hell did his future have to do with Sam Logan?

“You see, I’m thinking about retiring,” Sam went on, studying the end of his fingertips. “My associates, Derek Johnson, Frank Mann and Theo Barker, are also getting on in years. I have other attorneys, but they’re not measuring up. I need new blood, someone who can control a courtroom and maintain the prestige that is synonymous with my firm.” He raised his eyes to Lucas. “You’re the best I’ve seen in a long time. I’d like you to consider working for my company.”

“You’re offering me a job?” Lucas asked with deceptive calm; he knew there had to be more to this than a job offer. But what?

Sam nodded. “Yes, you can come in as a senior partner with a salary commensurate with that status.”

Few things in life shocked Lucas, but this one threw him right into orbit. Logan and Associates offering a senior partnership to a new attorney was unheard of. Like the old saying went—it had to be earned. Sam Logan had the best defense team in the state and no one entered that prized sanctum without paying some dues. So what was Sam Logan up to?

Lucas met his gaze. “How will your top guns feel about this?” It was well known that Sam called his best attorneys “top guns.”

Sam suppressed a smile. “You’ve heard about that?”

“Hasn’t everyone?” Lucas quipped. “And I’m not too eager to get involved with office politics.”

“I am head of Logan and Associates and I make all hiring decisions. Anyone who has a problem with that can leave.” Sam spoke quietly but with force, and Lucas didn’t miss the fire in his voice.

Before he could respond, Sam continued. “To be honest with you, my top guns, including me, have begun to lose some firepower. We need someone younger—someone like you.”

Lucas didn’t blink. There were more than forty attorneys in Sam’s office and some of them were very good. “I’m happy with my job at Harris and Harris.”

“I’ve checked into your job status,” Sam returned. “You’ve gone as far as you can go here. Even though you bring in most of the money, Clive and George are not going to promote you over their sons.”

“You seem to know a lot about me.”

Sam stood up. “I do my homework. You deserve prestige and everything that comes with it. Logan and Associates can give you that.”

Lucas also stood, thinking this day had turned pretty darn interesting. A job offer from Sam Logan… It didn’t make sense, and he still wasn’t buying a word out of Sam’s mouth. There was something else going on; Lucas knew it.

Sensing Lucas’s hesitation, Sam reached inside his jacket and pulled out a card and gold pen. “My wife’s giving a dinner party tonight for our son, who’s home from London. Some of my business associates will be there. Why don’t you come and meet them? Maybe it’ll put your mind at rest.” He scribbled something on the back of the card. “This is my address. Dinner’s at eight.”

Lucas took the card and stared at the prestigious River Oaks address. A dinner party? Oh yeah, this was more than interesting. It was getting bizarre. He wondered if Blair would be there and how she’d react to him sitting down to dinner with her family. She’d probably throw knives and forks at him. Oh yes, this was bizarre.

“I know you’re having doubts,” Sam said. “But I don’t make offers lightly. Give this some serious thought. It could only help your career.”

Lucas’s dark eyes caught his. “Why are you so concerned about my career?”

“I’m not,” Sam admitted frankly. “I’m concerned about my firm and its future. The bottom line is numbers, and I believe you have the talent to bring in big numbers.”

Now they were getting somewhere. It all came down to money. Was that what all this was about? Lucas didn’t think so, but for the moment he had to go with what Sam was telling him.

“Think about it,” Sam added. “Come to the party, meet the team and then make your decision.”

Lucas fingered the card. “I have other plans.”

“Break them.”

“It isn’t that easy.”

“Yes, it is, Lucas,” Sam said. “If you want to play with my team, you’d better straighten out your priorities.”

“I don’t like being pressured,” Lucas said tersely.

Sam ignored the warning. “If you want to play in the big leagues, get used to the pressure.”

Lucas was about to tell him what he could do with his job offer, when Sam walked to the door.

“Think about it, that’s all I ask,” Sam said. “Dinner’s at eight.”

FROWNING, Lucas sat staring into space. Sam Logan was manipulating him—but why? Why would a man he’d admired for years suddenly turn up at his office, offering him the job of a lifetime? All he knew was that Sam’s offer had made him very curious. He wouldn’t be able to concentrate on anything else until he figured out what was behind this generous deal.

Could it have something to do with Blair? No, he didn’t think so.

Joan walked in with a piece of paper in her hand. “Well, well, well,” she said smugly. “A job offer from Sam Logan. Are you feeling very pleased with yourself?”

Lucas glanced up. “Are you psychic? Or were you listening at the door?”

She smiled. “A little of both.”

“There’s some ulterior motive here, and I’m going to find out what.”

“Has it occurred to you that maybe this is just what it seems to be—a great offer for a great attorney?”

“If I was naive, I’d believe that,” he said. “But I haven’t been naive since I was fifteen years old.”

“What are you going to do?” Joan asked.

Lucas picked up the card on his desk. “I don’t know, but I’m thinking of showing up at the Logan house for dinner.”

“Oh,” Joan said quickly, handing him the piece of paper. “Jennifer called and said she has to work late. She said to meet her at her apartment at eight-thirty, and she wants you to pick up some wine from that little shop she likes. I wrote the address down and the type of wine.”

He took the paper with an exasperated sigh. Jennifer was giving him orders. Why did that upset him? Because he didn’t like bossy women who wanted to control him. Oh hell, was he having a bad day or what? He wasn’t usually this touchy. Jennifer was trying to take their relationship to another level and he could feel himself backing off—as always.

“Thanks, Joan,” he said offhandedly.

“Lucas…”

He stopped her. “Don’t worry. I’ll let you know how it turns out.”

She bit her lip, then murmured, “You know, Lucas, I never thought I’d have to stroke your ego, but you’re an exceptional attorney. I’m sure Sam Logan recognizes that. So don’t do anything stupid.”

Lucas grinned. “Have I ever done anything stupid?”

Before she could answer, Lucas held up his hand. “Don’t answer that. I’d probably have to take the fifth.”

She laughed, shaking her head. “I’d better get home. I’ve got a family waiting.”

After Joan left, he sat thinking about this strange turn of events. He had to make a decision. Did he go to River Oaks or did he spend the evening with a beautiful woman—even if she was just a bit controlling? Blair flashed into his mind again, not the Blair in the courtroom but the seductive, dancing Blair. What was she like in her home, with her family?

He ran both hands through his dark hair. Why couldn’t he get her out of his head? She was just another woman, he told himself, but he had a hard time believing that.

Dammit, Blair, what are you doing to me?

He crumpled Sam’s card and threw it into the trash. He wasn’t going to get mixed up with the Logan family. He had enough problems of his own.

SAM LOGAN CHARGED into his office and sat in his high-tech office chair, lightly drumming his fingers on the padded arms.

Derek Johnson, Theodore Barker and Frank Mann followed him inside. Frank quietly closed the door. Frank was short, bald and stocky and always had a ready smile. “How’d it go?” he asked.

“What did Culver say?” Derek put in just as quickly. Derek was of medium height, with reddish-blond hair, and was known for both his temper and his finesse in a courtroom.

Sam shrugged. “Hard to tell with Lucas. He knows all the tricks—doesn’t let anything show on his face—but I have a feeling he’s not planning to accept the offer.”

“That bastard,” Derek growled. “Doesn’t he know when something’s being handed to him on a silver platter?”

“That’s just it,” Sam told him. “Lucas is doing very well where he is. He doesn’t need us, but we sure as hell need him.”

“That’s not true,” Derek answered. “I told you from the start that I could handle things. I—”

“Shut up, Derek.” Theo spoke up. Theo was tallest of the three men, with a thatch of curly brown hair and blue-green eyes. “You’re not Perry Mason, even though you think you are. If Sam doesn’t think you can handle it, then—”

Frank interrupted. “Okay, let’s just calm down and let Sam tell us what happened.”

Sam watched his three top attorneys, his gaze hooded. He folded his hands across his desk and began to speak in a slow forceful manner. “I am still head of Logan and Associates, and I make all hiring decisions without asking your permission. I’m only consulting you as a courtesy. If anyone has a problem with that, you’d better say so now so you can pack your things and get out.”

“Wait a minute, Sam.” Derek put up a hand. “I was only voicing my opinion…what I think is best for the firm.”

Sam’s mouth twisted wryly. “You know, Derek, I don’t remember ever asking you to take the responsibility for my firm.” He put a heavy emphasis on the word my.

Derek didn’t say another word.

“We either do this together, or I do it alone,” Sam added. “Your choice.”

“I’m with you, Sam,” Frank immediately said.

“Me, too,” Theo stated.

All eyes swung to Derek. “I was just questioning whether Culver’s the best choice, that’s all.”

Sam eyed Derek, his expression calculating. “If you have any problems with Lucas, we’d better get them out of the way now, because if we’re lucky enough to have him join us, I won’t tolerate any dissension among my staff.”

Derek glanced down at the desk, clearly struggling.

Sam got up and walked to the window, looking out at the glass skyscrapers of downtown Houston and the busy streets below.

Silence ensued.

Theo broke the stalemate. “Hell, Derek, why don’t you just admit it? You’re afraid Culver might outshine you in a courtroom. But this isn’t about you and your gigantic ego. It’s about the future of the firm.”

“I know,” Derek admitted grudgingly. “I’m behind Sam all the way.”

“That’s good to hear.” Sam turned from the window. “I just hope things don’t come to a head before I get Lucas on board.” There was a pause, then he added, “Damn bad luck to have Blake pay us this surprise visit.”

“You need to get him back to London, Sam,” Theo suggested quietly.

“I will, but first I’ll let him spend some time with his mother and sister.”

“We don’t have the valuable commodity of time,” Derek said.

“I’m well aware of that,” Sam muttered.

“Have you heard anything else?” Frank asked.

“Not a word,” Sam muttered. “Holt’s keeping a lid on everything until he’s ready to pounce.”

“Hell, Sam,” Frank said. “Your daughter works at the D.A.’s office. Surely you can get some information out of her.”

Sam’s eyes turned a steel blue. “I will not drag my daughter into this. Do you understand me?”

Frank’s brown eyes narrowed. “My God, you haven’t told her, have you?”

Sam looked away. “No. I need to have all my i’s dotted and my t’s crossed before I tell her. Besides, I won’t compromise her job.” His face was grim. “Everything depends on tonight.”

“What’s happening tonight?” Theo asked.

“I invited Lucas to the dinner party,” Sam answered. “If he shows, I know we have a chance of convincing him to accept the offer. If not…”

Sam let the words hang, and each knew exactly what he meant.

Finally Frank asked, “Will Blair be there?”

“Of course,” Sam snapped.

“I don’t think you’ve thought this through,” Frank said slowly. “After the day Lucas and Blair just had in court, do you think it’s wise to expect them to sit down to a friendly dinner? You know how she is about defense attorneys.”

“Dammit,” Sam clenched his fists. “This is all happening too fast. I haven’t had time to think about Blair and her feelings.”

The three men shared a secret glance.

“Well.” Sam slapped a hand on the desk. “Blair’s a mature adult woman and I know she can handle it.”

Theo gave a gruff laugh. “I don’t mean any disrespect, Sam. But do you actually know your daughter? She’s been trying to beat Culver for two years. It’s common knowledge around the courthouse—and so is her dislike of the man.”

“I know,” Sam said tightly.

“Again, I don’t mean any disrespect,” Theo continued, “but are you sure Culver is the right man for the job? After all, Blair did beat him today.”

“Have you ever seen him in a courtroom?”

“Not lately,” Theo murmured.

“Today was just a fluke. Raye was guilty, and everyone knew it, even Lucas, and though he wouldn’t admit it, he didn’t give this case his best.”

“Why do you say that?” Theo wanted to know.

“Because Lucas has this chemistry, especially with female jurors. You have to see it to believe it, but he can razzle-dazzle a jury better than anyone I’ve ever seen. I need that type of charisma on my side. Someone who can beat the odds and win.”

“Why didn’t he do that with the Raye case?” Derek asked.

Sam shot him a piercing glance. “Because he didn’t choose the jury. Tenney did, and Lucas didn’t get to establish that intimacy with them. Besides, Raye was guilty as hell.”

He paused, then asked, “Are you questioning my judgment?”

“No, of course not,” Derek was quick to say.

“I’ve researched this, and I know Lucas Culver inside and out. He’s the best, and we need him.”

“What about Blair?” Frank asked again.

“Blair will understand…in time.”

“Why don’t you just tell her the truth?”

“I can’t—not yet.”

“I hope you know what you’re doing,” Derek put in.

“I do. Everything depends on Lucas.”

BLAIR RUSHED from her office. She was running behind, and her mother hated it when she arrived late. She had just enough time for a shower and a change of clothes. Her mother also hated it when she wore business suits to her dinner parties. She was considering what to wear, when Lucas’s smile entered her mind—the smile that had lingered on his lips as he watched her dance…his dark eyes touching her in ways that… No, don’t think about him, she warned herself. Any decent man would have apologized profusely for intruding on such a private moment, but not Lucas. Oh no, he had to capitalize on it for his own pleasure. She wouldn’t think about him. She wouldn’t.

She had the whole evening ahead of her, an evening with her brother and family, and she refused to let thoughts of Lucas ruin it. If she hurried, she might have a few minutes alone with Blake before dinner. She missed their long talks and—

Blair came to a complete stop. Her briefcase dropped to the pavement and her purse slid from her shoulder. All she could do was stare at her car in growing horror. Across the windshield was scrawled in red lipstick, I’ll get you, bitch.

Her body started to tremble, and fear was on the verge of consuming her—a fear from the past, a blinding, helpless fear. No, no, no, she told herself. She would not allow Hector Raye to do this to her. He wasn’t going to manipulate her with threats. Summoning all her strength, she forced the fear away. She had survived worse than Raye, and she would survive this.

She retrieved her purse and found her cell phone. She dialed Roger Collins’s number, and he was at her side in less than ten minutes; in another five, he had the situation under control.

Evan Holt was notified and the police were taking prints from the car, prior to beginning their investigation. Blair just wanted to go home.

“Are you okay?” Roger asked for the third time.

“I’m fine,” she answered with a stiff smile.

“It has to be Raye’s gang trying to scare you,” Roger said, gesturing at the ugly words.

“I know, but I don’t scare easily,” she said with more bravado than she felt. Glancing at her watch, she asked, “How much longer do you think it’ll be? I have to be at my parents’ for dinner.”

Roger spoke to a policeman, then turned back to her. “I’m sorry, Blair, but this is going to take a while. We don’t want to miss anything.”

“I really have to go.”

Roger looked at the car and shrugged. “Tell you what, I’ll drive you to your parents’.”

“Thanks.” She smiled slightly. “But I need to have my own wheels. Could you drive me to a rental agency?” She thought of Roger as a good friend, but she realized his feelings for her went much deeper and she didn’t want to encourage him. But right now, it was hard not to let him take over and protect her.

“I don’t think you should be alone. You never know who’s waiting out there. I’d feel better if—”

She stopped him. “I’m not alone.” She opened her purse and showed him the small handgun. She’d had it for years, and Roger had actually given her shooting lessons.

“I’d forgotten about the gun,” he said. “Still—”

“No.” She stopped him again. “I’m not letting Hector Raye and his gang frighten me with threats.”

Roger shook his head. “I’m just worried about you, that’s all.”

“I know.” She shifted her purse strap higher on her shoulder in a nervous gesture. “You’re a very good friend.”

“Blair, I could be—”

“Are you driving me to the rental agency?” she interrupted, knowing what he was about to say and not wanting to deal with another emotional upheaval. Not at that moment, anyway. She’d have to talk to Roger in the near future about his feelings for her, and she wasn’t looking forward to it.

“Your wish is my command,” he answered.

“Great,” she said with a sigh, and they started toward his car.

“I think I’ll give Lucas a call and let him know what his client’s up to,” Roger said.

Blair grabbed Roger’s arm. “No, please don’t call Lucas.”

Roger frowned. “Why not? He should know what Raye’s doing.”

Blair took a deep breath and tried to explain. “I just can’t deal with Lucas Culver anymore today.” The words sounded stupid to her own ears, but she was hardly going to tell Roger that she couldn’t face Lucas.

Roger’s frown deepened. “If that’s the way you want it.”

“It is,” she told him, hoping he’d leave it at that. He did, and Blair was grateful. If she never had to see Lucas Culver again, it would be too soon.

CHAPTER THREE

WITHIN MINUTES she was in a rental car and on the way to her apartment. She’d told Roger she wasn’t afraid; now all she had to do was to convince herself of that. She purposely kept the horrid message out of her mind as she showered, dressed and headed to River Oaks. She had learned that trick years ago and it had saved her so many times.

She drove up to the big gates and saw that Horace was on duty. Horace was the groundskeeper and handyman who had worked for her father for years. Tonight he was manning the gate, which meant there were other guests besides family. She waved and drove through. Usually a code had to be punched in for the gate to open. Her family had moved here after the attack, and an up-to-date security system had been installed for their safety. The large two-story chateau-style house had been a haven during the healing years, and it was always a pleasure to come home—even though she knew there was still tension between her father and brother. How long could her father keep blaming Blake for not becoming a lawyer?

She drove to the garages and used her remote control to open the door for her parking spot. Since she was more than fashionably late, she planned to sneak in through the kitchen so her mother wouldn’t see her. She felt as though she was fourteen again and trying to put something over on her mom. Greta, the housekeeper, met her at the kitchen door. Greta wore her black uniform with the white frilly apron, which confirmed that tonight was a formal occasion.

“Miss Blair, what are you doing coming in through the back door?” Greta chided.

Blair held a finger to her lips to silence her.

“I see you, Blair,” Ava Logan called from the kitchen. “So you can stop trying to sneak past me.”

Blair smiled at her mother, knowing it was useless even to try to fool her. She hadn’t been able to do it in thirty-two years and she wasn’t going to do it now. She gave her mother a hug and a kiss as Ava meticulously placed hors d’oeuvres on a silver tray. Hors d’oeuvres she had made herself, Blair knew. Her mother was a gourmet cook and either supervised or did most of the cooking.

At sixty-two, Ava Logan possessed a timeless beauty. Her hair, a golden blond that now came out of a bottle, hung in a pageboy around her dainty features and emphasized her light-brown eyes. She wore a peach silk dress, presently covered by a white apron. Blair was always amazed at her mother’s ability to remain cool and collected in times of stress. Her mother’s calm had been invaluable to her after the attack. Her father thought he was the backbone of the family, but it was her mother with her gentle ways and dedication to family that held them together.

“I had a busy day at the courthouse,” Blair said in her own defense. She didn’t plan to tell her parents about the message on her windshield. It would only worry them and they’d worried enough about her. Besides, tonight was a night for fun.

“Yes, I heard.” Her mother glanced at her. “Congratulations, darling.”

Before Ava turned away, Blair caught a glimmer of something unexpected in her eyes. Apprehension? But why?

“Mom, is everything okay?” Blair asked tentatively.

Ava slowly removed her apron and placed it carefully on the counter. “We have a houseful of guests, good food and wine, so what could be wrong?”

Her mother’s words sounded forced.

“I don’t know. You tell me, because you’re acting strangely.”

“It’s nothing.” Ava dismissed her daughter’s concern with a shake of her head. “It’s just that your father has to turn every party into a business meeting. I was hoping we could have only family tonight.”

That didn’t ring true, because she knew her mother enjoyed parties and cooking and everything connected to them. And she was used to her father springing extra guests on her. So what was going on? It was increasingly clear that her mother was nervous about something.

“Who’s here?” Blair asked as a way to get some answers.

“The Johnsons, the Manns, the Barkers and Calvin, Natalie and Tiffany,” her mother answered.

That didn’t give Blair any clues. Her dad’s business associates were frequent guests. Natalie was her father’s sister, and Calvin her husband. Tiffany was their daughter. Calvin was also the firm’s accountant, so their presence wasn’t out of the ordinary. Besides, they were family.

“How’s Tiffany doing?” Blair asked. Her cousin, a year younger than her, was going through a bad divorce.

“Still bitter.”

“I’m sorry.”

“So is Tiffany, but Nat felt that company might cheer her up.”

Poor Tiff, Blair thought. After five years of marriage, she’d come home one day to find her husband in bed with another woman. Joel, Tiffany’s husband, had seemed like a nice guy, but apparently he wasn’t satisfied with just one woman. He had hurt Tiffany very badly.

Blair was thankful she’d never have to deal with a situation like that. Years ago, she’d decided she didn’t care for men all that much, so the odds of her getting married were very slim. She knew she had a problem in that area, but it was her problem and her business.

Oh, God. She closed her eyes for a second. She didn’t want to be a frigid old maid. She needed to get out more, resolve those emotions that were tied to the past. Suddenly she remembered Lucas and his charming smile and— She quickly opened her eyes. Why couldn’t she stop thinking about him?

“You look beautiful,” her mother was saying. “I’m glad you didn’t wear one of those dreary suits.”

Shaking Lucas from her mind, Blair glanced down at her dress. It was deep blue with a square neck and cap sleeves that showed off her neck and long slender arms. The hem came two inches above her knees and showed more leg than she liked, but in her rush, she’d grabbed the dress at random. She didn’t want to be later than she absolutely had to.

“Darling, promise me something.” Ava’s concerned voice caught her attention.

“Sure,” Blair answered immediately.

“Don’t let your personal feelings get involved tonight. Be an adult and—”

“Hey, sis,” her brother interrupted as he came into the kitchen. “You’re finally home.”

She hugged Blake, still thinking about Ava’s odd request. She had no idea what her mother was talking about and she didn’t have time to figure it out.

Ava wrapped an arm around each of them. “My two children both at home. I can’t tell you how good that makes me feel.”

“Me, too,” Blair and Blake chorused, then laughed.

“I wish you’d stay home for good, Blake. London’s so far away,” Ava said plaintively.

“Now, Mom, don’t start.” Blake sighed. “You know that’s not possible.”

“But Blake,” Blair started, then stopped as Blake raised a hand.

“No pressure, ladies. Besides, we have a family member who’s desperately in need of our attention. Tiff can’t stop talking about Joel and the divorce, and it’s really more than I want to hear. She only drops that subject long enough to talk about—” Blake looked hesitantly at his mother, then at Blair.

“What?” Blair asked. He was hiding something from her; she’d sensed it earlier and now she was sure of it.

“Nothing.” Blake shrugged and took her hand. “Let’s join the guests.”

Blair trailed behind him into the living room and Ava followed. “I’ve brought reinforcements,” Blake announced, and glanced warily down the hall.

Everyone was acting strangely, Blair decided as she spoke to Meg Johnson, Nancy Mann and Beth Barker. She hugged her aunt and Tiffany.

“I guess Blake’s tired of listening to me,” Tiffany said.

“Never mind Blake.” Blair smiled at her beautiful cousin, who had pale blond hair and green eyes. As a young teen, she used to envy Tiffany’s hair because she’d heard that blondes had more fun. But now she was satisfied with her darker coloring.

“How’re you doing?” Blair asked sympathetically, giving her cousin another hug.

“Terrible,” Tiffany admitted, swirling wine around in her glass. “But I’m sure Blake’s already told you that. You two used to tell each other everything, and I’m sure that hasn’t changed.”

“A little,” Blair had to confess, and noticed that Blake kept looking toward the hallway leading to her father’s study. Was he nervous about seeing their dad? Their father was obviously holed up in the study with his cronies.

“But I’m feeling much better since I met that gorgeous hunk your father invited,” Tiffany said, smoothing a hand over her slim hips. “Oh, yes, I’m feeling much better.”

“For heaven’s sake, Tiff,” Natalie spoke up. “Remember your manners.” Natalie’s dark hair was now almost completely gray, but her blue eyes were as vivid as ever. Blair had always been told that she resembled her father’s sister, and she knew she had the Logan hair and eyes, but she had her mother’s dainty features.

“Mother, I’m entitled to some fun,” Tiffany reminded her.

“Just be careful. This man’s a complete stranger and we know nothing about him.”

Voices in the hall put an end to the conversation. Blair wondered who Tiffany was talking about. All the men gathered in her father’s study were married. Had he invited someone else? Her mother hadn’t said.

“Remember your promise,” Ava whispered as the men entered the living room.

Blair’s eyes swung from her father, to Derek Johnson, to Frank Mann, to Theo Barker, to Uncle Calvin—and settled on the sixth man. He was dressed stylishly in a dark brown suit, light brown shirt and darker tie. He was smiling devilishly at her, and everything in Blair exploded with a rage she hadn’t felt in a long time. How dare he! How dare he come into her home! What was Lucas Culver doing here?

She hadn’t even realized she’d spoken the words aloud until her father put an arm around her shoulder and answered, “I invited him, sweetie.”

“You invited him?” Blair repeated in an incredulous tone. “You invited Lucas Culver to dinner?”

Blair’s reaction didn’t surprise Lucas. He’d expected it. He not only saw her anger, he felt it. There was pure fire coming from those beautiful blue eyes and it was aimed directly at him. He’d seen Blair out of her element earlier, but this Blair was completely different. She was woman—all woman—from the dark hair hanging around her shoulders to the high heels. Her blue dress magnified her eyes and clung to her curves—curves that drew his eyes like a magnet.

He’d always considered Blair a petite person, but her legs were long and shapely and had his full attention. He was losing it, he told himself. The woman was furious at him, and he was mentally undressing her. Yep, he was losing it.

“Now, Blair, be reasonable,” Sam was imploring.

“Reasonable?” Blair pushed out of his arms and stared at her mother. “You knew,” she cried, then pinned her gaze on Blake. “And so did you.”

Ava and Blake had the grace to look ashamed, but it didn’t mollify Blair in the least. “No one thought to tell me. No one considered my feelings.”

“Blair, darling, don’t make a scene,” her mother begged.

“Okay, Mother,” Blair snapped. “I’ll leave, so you can get on with your party.” Having said that, she turned and stormed out of the room.

Voices followed her. “Jeez, what’s got her so riled up?” Tiffany said.

“I told you, Sam. I told you,” her mother declared.

Blake caught her in the kitchen. “Sis, don’t leave, please.”

“Why is my kitchen all of a sudden Grand Central Station?” Greta asked, putting the finishing touches on spinach salads.

“We’ll be out of your way in a sec,” Blake told her.

“Elsa and I will be in the dining room,” Greta said as she and the maid loaded salads onto a tray. “So talk all you want.”

When they left, Blake pleaded, “Try to understand.”

“All I understand is that you let me walk in there without any warning,” she said angrily. “In the old days you’d never have done that to me.”

“Blair, it was a business meeting—an important business meeting. And frankly, we didn’t know how to tell you. You have such a short fuse these days.”

“Now it’s my fault,” she choked out, taking a long breath. “I hadn’t even realized it, but I came here tonight hoping Dad was going to say, ‘Great job, Blair. I’m proud of you.’ Instead, he invites Lucas to dinner. That’s like a slap in my face.”

“I’m sure it wasn’t intended that way,” Lucas said from the doorway. He knew he was taking his life in his hands, but somehow he had to make this right.

Blair quickly turned around, unable to look at Lucas. She didn’t want to talk to him—not now, not ever.

“Mr. Culver, I don’t think this—”

Lucas stopped him. “It’s all right, Blake. I just want to explain.” Lucas motioned for Blake to leave the room.

Blake hesitated.

Blair couldn’t see him, but she knew from Blake’s silence that he was deciding whether or not to leave. Don’t you dare, she was thinking, but the sound of his receding footsteps told her that hope was in vain.

“I’m sorry if my presence upsets you,” Lucas started, wishing he could ease her hurt, which surprised him since this was business and he shouldn’t care about her feelings. But he did.

Blair counted to ten and turned around again, staring down at her hands instead of at Lucas. “I find that hard to believe,” she said sarcastically.

Lucas noticed she wasn’t looking at him and realized he had some apologizing to do. He’d embarrassed her in her office today, and it was clearly still on her mind.

“Well, I am,” he told her. “And I’m also sorry for not knocking on your door today. As you said, common courtesy dictates that I should have.”

Common courtesy and Lucas Culver. The thought made her want to laugh. Courtesy had nothing to do with Lucas. He’d been through so many women he should be in The Guinness Book of Records. She frowned; why was she thinking that? This wasn’t about Lucas and his women; it had to do with respect and dignity, and everyone in her family was conspiring to deprive her of those—even Lucas, with whom she had no personal relationship. But his voice sounded sincere and she was so tired after this horrendous day and she just wanted to go home.

Slowly she raised her eyes. Lucas could see that the storm in their blue depths had calmed.

“What are you doing here?” she asked point-blank.

“Your father invited me.”

“Why?”

“He’s offered me a position in his firm and he wanted me to meet his associates.”

“What?” She blinked in confusion. “Let me get this straight. I beat you in court so my father offers you a job.”

“The offer didn’t have anything to do with the trial.”

“Really?” She raised a dark eyebrow. “I have a habit of forgetting that my life is very unimportant to my father. If you mentioned the trial to him, I know exactly what he said. Any A.D.A. could have won that case. Raye was guilty. Enough said.”

Lucas suspected that Blair had probably been striving all her life for Sam Logan’s approval, and today she thought she’d finally achieved it. Now he’d turned it upside down for her. God, he shouldn’t have come. He should be in Jennifer’s apartment, enjoying something a whole lot better than this hollow feeling.

He told Jennifer he had an unexpected business meeting. She’d been annoyed at first, but he’d promised to make it up to her. If he was completely honest with himself, though, he’d have to admit that Blair was the main reason he was here tonight. He was curious about Sam’s offer, but seeing Blair somewhere other than the courtroom was the big selling point. Now he’d hurt her, and that was the last thing he’d wanted to do. He had to resolve this.

“It doesn’t matter what your father said or didn’t say,” he told her. “You don’t need his approval.”

“You don’t know anything about me,” Blair muttered, and bit down on her lip to keep more words from tumbling out.

“I know what it’s like to seek approval from someone you love. I used to do everything I could to gain my brother’s approval. Then I grew up and realized it was always there. I just chose not to see that.”

“You don’t know anything about my relationship with my father,” she said tersely. “Any more than you know about me.”

“No, I don’t,” Lucas conceded. “And I regret my decision to come here tonight.”

“Then why did you?”

“Curiosity got the best of me.”

She frowned. “Curiosity?”

Curiosity about you, Blair.

“Yeah.” He rubbed the bridge of his nose. “I wanted to find out why Sam was offering me a job. It’s not like I campaigned for it.”

“Did you find out?” she asked quietly.

“No, I’m still in the dark.”

Besides his desire to see Blair in a different context, he had decided to accept Sam’s invitation because he couldn’t stand not knowing. He had to find out the truth, but he wasn’t any closer to that than before he got here. Derek, Frank and Theo were all enthusiastically backing Sam in saying that they needed new blood. Even Calvin, the accountant, had shown him some impressive figures and encouraged him to join the Logan team. They were feeding him a line of crap, and Lucas knew crap when he heard it. But why were they pursuing him? He still hadn’t figured that out, and now he didn’t really care.

Blair took a step toward him. “I’ll tell you why, Lucas,” she said cryptically. “It’s because you’re a cutthroat attorney like he is. You don’t care about the law or about human consequences—just the big bucks. That’s what my father admires. So congratulations, you’re in the big leagues.”

He was trying to be conciliatory, to apologize for a bad error in judgment, but her words angered him, and suddenly he’d had enough. As she started to walk past him, he grabbed her arm. “Someday, Blair, someday I’m—”

He stopped as he saw fear flash into her eyes. Was she afraid of him? That possibility took him aback. They stared at each other for a long, silent moment, and then Lucas saw the pulse in her neck beating erratically. Other feelings started to surface and all he could think about was touching it with his lips and…

Blair tried to say something, but for once, words stuck in her throat. His hand was still closed around her arm, his fingers warm and firm. She felt the heat as it rushed up her arm to various parts of her body, and she was experiencing all sorts of emotions that were threatening to overwhelm her. Emotions she’d only read about—and all because of a touch. How many other women had felt this way about Lucas? she wondered. She was well aware that it should be irrelevant to her, and yet the thought infuriated her.

She looked at his hand. “Let go of my arm,” she said coolly.

He saw the desperation in her eyes but didn’t relent. “I don’t think so,” he said just as coolly. “I’m not through. I’m tired of justifying my career to you—a career that I’m good at—and I’m also tired of having my apologies thrown back in my face.”

Blair didn’t answer. She couldn’t. She was too consumed with the new reactions that were tripping through her body.

When she remained silent, Lucas went on, “I’m not sure why your father invited me tonight. In hindsight, I see that I shouldn’t have accepted, but I’m sure he thought you were mature enough to handle it.”

Mature enough! The words jarred her already shaky composure and she felt like screaming. She was mature enough to handle the sexual banter between Lucas and her earlier that day. She was mature enough to handle Hector Raye’s threat on her life. She was mature enough to handle Lucas in her home. Or was she? No, she wasn’t that mature, answered a tiny voice inside her head.

Her head started to throb, and she touched her forehead to still the pain. She knew she was acting irrational, and she also knew she had to get away from him to sort through her emotions, regain her sanity.

Blair jerked her arm free, eyes blazing. “Hindsight is always twenty-twenty and I really don’t care why you’re here or why my father invited you, because I’m leaving.”

Lucas stepped in front of her. The woman just didn’t know when to quit and she certainly didn’t know how to accept an apology. “You don’t have to leave. I’m going.” He turned toward the door. “Tell your father thanks but no thanks for the job offer. Never mind, I’ll tell him on my way out.”

At the door, he looked back at her. She was rubbing her arm where he’d held her. Had he hurt her? God, she made him crazy and he was acting so out of character. The sooner he distanced himself from the Logan family, the better off he’d be.

“Are you all right?” he couldn’t help asking.

The gentleness in his voice made her answer more abruptly than she’d intended. “I don’t need your concern.”

Instant anger surged through him, and just as quickly it cooled. He was beginning to see that Blair had a spontaneous defense mechanism—her sharp tongue. It was just as Roger had said; she never let anyone get close to her. Well, she didn’t have to worry about him.

His dark eyes swept over her. “Don’t worry, Blair, you won’t get it again.” Without glancing back, he disappeared through the door.

Blair stood there trembling from so many emotions—new, alien emotions that she’d denied for a very long time. How did she deal with all of this? she asked herself as she unconsciously rubbed her arm. She didn’t know. She only knew that she was hurt and confused…and afraid. Not of Lucas but the feelings he engendered, feelings she didn’t want to experience.

Stay out of my life, Lucas Culver.

Please stay out of my life.

EVAN HOLT SAT at his desk studying the latest putter he’d purchased.

Carl Wright, his chief prosecutor, entered his office, followed by two detectives.

“Anything new?” Evan asked the lead detective, Mike Wilson.

“Logan was over at Lucas Culver’s office this afternoon and Culver had dinner with him tonight,” Mike answered.

“Dammit.” Evan slammed the putter onto his desk and got to his feet.

“What do you think that means?” Carl asked.

“He’s trying to recruit Culver—that’s the only explanation.”

“Why? He’s got his own team.”

“Sam knows we can handle Johnson, Mann and Barker, but Culver—that’s a whole different situation.”

“What do you mean?”

“Culver has a way of controlling a jury, and this case is all going to come down to the jury.”

“Don’t be so sure,” Mike said, placing a folder on his desk. “The DNA is a perfect match.”

Evan quickly leafed through the papers and a smile spread across his face. “This will be the nail in Sam Logan’s coffin, and even Culver won’t be able to save him. Logan should’ve tied up these loose ends sixteen years ago. Now I’m going to.”

“What about Blair?” Carl asked.

Evan closed the folder and sat in his chair. “Are you ready to make the arrest?” he asked Mike.

“As soon as you give me the word.”

“I want the element of surprise, so do it first thing in the morning.”

“Yes, sir,” Mike said, and left the room with the other detective.

“What about Blair?” Carl asked again.

“I hope Sam has the good sense to tell her before this breaks. If he doesn’t, I’ll let her know before it hits the press.”

“I don’t like hurting Blair,” Carl admitted.

“Well, you’d better put those feelings where I won’t see them,” Evan told him. “This case will be the hardest you’ve ever tried and you can’t let emotions sway your thinking.”

“I won’t, Evan. You know that.”

“I do, but having Blair in our office makes it difficult. She’ll have to choose between her job and her family. I guess we’ll see whether she hates defense attorneys as much as she claims.”

CHAPTER FOUR

BLAIR HAD a restless night. So many things were crowding in on her that she couldn’t sleep. She’d apologized to everyone at the party and said she had a headache and quickly left. She could see that her father was upset with her and her mother was worried. Blake begged her to stay, but she couldn’t. She had to leave.

Raye’s threat had her running scared, and her fear was making her act irrational. She’d been rude to her family and Lucas, and she hoped an apology would suffice. If that wasn’t good enough for Lucas, she didn’t really care.

Stop it, she said to herself. Stop blaming Lucas for everything. Her father had invited him, so he had a right to be there. And she’d told her father several times that she didn’t want to work in his firm. She was happy keeping criminals behind bars. So what was the problem? Lucas, she muttered aloud. He had such an odd effect on her and she wanted—

“What? What?” she shouted into the darkness. When she didn’t get an answer, she grabbed her pillow and headed into the living room to curl up on the sofa. What did she want from Lucas? He was always so pleasant, and that irritated her. He was always smiling, and that irritated her, too. He was very good-looking and that irritated the hell out of her. No man had any business being that handsome and charming. Was that it? Was she attracted to Lucas?

No! She sat up and tried to dismiss the possibility, but she couldn’t. Maybe she was attracted to Lucas—and maybe that was why she was always pouncing on him. Maybe that was why he made her so angry. No. She shook her head vehemently. It couldn’t be.

She lay down and tried to come to grips with her contradictory reactions. She didn’t know how to do that, but she owed Lucas an apology for her behavior—of that she was sure. He’d been nothing but pleasant, and she had literally come unglued. That wasn’t Lucas’s fault; that was hers.

All these years, she’d been trying to bridge the gap between her father and her brother—not understanding that there was also a gap between her father and her. That had become clear tonight when she’d reacted so violently to Lucas’s presence. He was right; she had been waiting for Sam Logan’s approval.

She groaned into her pillow, thinking this was a little too much soul-searching. Life was becoming too complicated, too fast, and all she wanted to do was sleep.

She heard a noise outside the living room window and immediately sat up, her heart in her throat. Then she relaxed as she realized it was only the wind. She lived in a gated apartment complex, so there was no way anyone could get in without her knowing it. Still, she felt uneasy. She went into the bedroom and got her purse. Pulling out the small pistol, she carried it into the living room. She placed it on the end table within easy reach. If anyone had told her years ago that a gun would make her feel more secure, she would have laughed. But the gun gave her the extra bit of reassurance she needed to face her fears. No one was going to attack her again.

As she drifted off to sleep, her last thoughts were of Lucas. Tomorrow she’d apologize for her rudeness. Knowing Lucas, he’d accept and they’d go back to battling it out in court. Polite adversaries—that was all they could ever be.

LUCAS WOKE UP with a frown on his face—and the urge to strangle Blair Logan still on his mind. He was finished with apologizing to that woman and he was certainly finished with making excuses to her. As far as he was concerned, Blair could go to hell.

Running both hands over his face, he stumbled out of bed in his black briefs and headed for the kitchen. The strong smell of coffee pulled him forward. Thank God he used a cleaning service. He paid the woman extra to make his coffee. The coffeepot had a timer and coffee was ready at precisely six o’clock every morning. He wasn’t human until he’d had his first cup.

He poured a mug full, letting the aroma tantalize his nostrils. He picked up the mug and returned to the bedroom. Sitting on the bed, leaning against the headboard, he sipped at the black magic. Oh, yeah… After a moment, he tipped his head back, feeling his brain slowly come alive. Now he could face the day.

But the day wasn’t on his mind; last night was—and Blair. After leaving her family’s home, he’d driven around for a while, then planned to see Jennifer. He had thought he’d salvage something of the night. But he kept seeing Blair’s wounded face. He had hurt her, unintentionally, but still he’d been the cause of her pain. He didn’t like that. It left a bitter taste in his mouth and he had no desire to be with Jennifer or any other woman. So he drove home, determined to put the evening and Blair behind him.

But his first thoughts this morning were of her. “Damn you, Blair Logan, stay out of my head,” he shouted to the room. He got up, coffee in hand, and walked into the bathroom. He set the mug on the vanity as he stared at himself in the mirror. His dark hair was tousled across his forehead and he had a growth of dark beard. He drew one hand over the stubble and did a double take. He raked his hair back to look more closely at his temples. Gray hair! His hair was turning gray. Damn, when did that happen?

The absurdity of it hit him and he started to laugh. What the hell did he care if he had gray hair? But he was getting older, and he wasn’t any closer to settling down than he’d been ten years ago. That was what bothered him. He didn’t want to spend the rest of his life alone.

He left the bathroom, opened a drawer and pulled out a tank top and jogging shorts. He slipped into them, then hurried toward the front door. He ran two miles every morning, and he was going to run until all his frustrations were gone. Then he’d call Jennifer, apologize again, and tonight he’d deal with the rest of his frustrations. Assuming Jennifer was willing to help, of course… That was his plan, anyway.

And Blair? Well, Blair had her own problems and he didn’t want any part of them. It would probably take a team of psychiatrists to sort out her issues with her father. He stopped with his hand on the doorknob. Hell, that was one thing he and Blair had in common—he had issues with his father, too. They actually had something to talk about. He shook his head, ridding himself of that idea. He wasn’t talking to Blair. He wasn’t doing anything with Blair except forget he’d ever met her.

Dammit, Blair, stay out of my head.

WHEN BLAIR GOT to her office, she knew something was wrong. People were rushing through the corridors, phones were ringing and everyone was ignoring her.

“April.” She interrupted Evan’s secretary. “What’s going on?”

“I can’t talk now. I’ve got a million things to do,” she said nervously as she hurried off.

Must be some major new case, Blair thought, entering her office. She’d find out later. She put her heavy briefcase on the desk and sat down to study her calendar. Her parents hadn’t called this morning; neither had Blake. That was strange. She’d expected them to phone just to find out how she was. Especially Blake—she’d expected to find him on her doorstep. Maybe they were still upset with her for ruining the party and making a fool of herself. But most of all, she’d driven Lucas away. Her father wasn’t going to forgive her so easily for that.

She sighed; she’d call Lucas later today and try to make amends. It didn’t matter to her if he worked for Logan and Associates. She wasn’t sure why it had bothered her so much last night. Well, actually, she did know. So many things had happened yesterday, and Lucas had been the final straw, so to speak. Today her head was clear, so she could deal with Raye, Lucas and anything else.

There was a tap at the door and April poked her head around. “Evan wants to see you immediately.”

“I’ll be right there,” Blair responded, figuring that now she’d find out what was going on.

When she made her way to Evan’s office, she discovered that the room was full—every A.D.A. seemed to be present and Blair knew that something important was taking place.

“Ah, Blair,” Evan said when he saw her. “Come in.”

She smiled at the other A.D.A.s, but everyone avoided looking at her. Evan nodded and they filed out of the room.

“Have a seat,” Evan invited.

Blair sat down and glanced at the door. “Why’s everyone so…tense?”

“How are you?” he asked, ignoring her question.

She knew he must be talking about the message on her windshield. “I’m okay. They’re still checking out my car.”

“I’ll see that Roger stays on it. I won’t have my A.D.A.s threatened.”

“Thanks, Evan.”

There was a moment’s silence, then Evan asked, “Have you spoken to your father this morning?”

Blair gave him a puzzled look. “No. Why?”

Evan folded his hands across his desk. “I’ve got something to tell you and I’m not sure how to start.”

Blair laughed slightly. “That’s not true. You always know what you’re going to say before you say it.”

“This is a rather delicate situation.”

That made Blair nervous. This “delicate” situation obviously involved her father. She had no idea what it could possibly be, so she waited, knowing Evan would find the words eventually.

“There’s been a second arrest in the Bonnie Davis murder.”

Blair watched Evan closely, unable to see exactly how her father was affected by this. Since he’d been Easton’s attorney, he shouldn’t have any dispute with a second arrest.

“That’s great,” she offered. “But I’m not sure how this concerns my father.”

Evan shook his head. “You don’t have an inkling, do you, Blair?”

“No,” she replied tartly, tired of Evan’s cat and mouse game. “So tell me.”

“The private investigator the Davises hired did a very thorough job—better than the police ever managed. He found witnesses who’d seen the suspect with Easton and Davis. He found another witness who saw the suspect get into the car with Easton and Davis. And he got DNA evidence from the suspect that matches the skin under Bonnie’s fingernails.”

“Wow. Sounds like you’re not going to have a problem convicting this guy.”

“No, I don’t think so.”

Suddenly Blair felt a glimmer of excitement. There was a reason Evan was telling her all this. A reason he’d spoken to the other A.D.A.s before her. And that reason was probably why they seemed uncomfortable around her. Everyone wanted this high-profile case. She decided to get straight to the point. “Evan, have you decided to let me handle the case?”

She sat forward, on the edge of her seat, as she waited for his answer.

“No, Blair, you won’t be handling this case.”

She took a deep breath. “Well, then I don’t understand what’s going on.”

“We made two arrests this morning.”

“Two?” she echoed.

Evan’s green eyes caught hers. “Sam Logan and Blake Logan.”

Blair put a hand to her head in confusion. “I—I thought you said Sam Logan and Blake Logan.”

“I did,” came the chilling words.

She felt the color drain from her face. “What—what did you arrest them for?”

“I don’t think you’re following me.”

“I guess not,” she muttered, “because I’m completely lost.”

“We arrested Blake for the rape and murder of Bonnie Davis and we arrested Sam for obstructing justice, withholding evidence and probably a lot of other things we haven’t thought of yet.”

A tortured sound escaped Blair and the world spun away, leaving her suspended, alone and afraid. For a moment she was consumed by the horror of it all, but her mind quickly rejected what Evan was saying.

“No,” she moaned. “That’s not true.”

There had to be a mistake.

“I’m afraid it is.”

“No, it isn’t,” she said again, refusing to even contemplate such a thing.

“The evidence doesn’t lie. Haven’t you always believed that?”

“Yes,” she answered quietly.

But there had to be a mistake.

“The skin under Bonnie’s nails matches Blake’s DNA, and we have proof that Sam knew of his son’s involvement all along. He paid Easton to keep quiet—that’s why Easton never identified the other boy. Sam figured he’d get Easton off and both boys would be free and clear, but it didn’t turn out that way.”

For a moment nothing registered in her mind except the cream walls and the pictures of Evan’s children hanging there. Two girls and a boy—laughing, happy. Then everything started to spin. Evan’s concerned face, the pictures, the walls, they all spun around and around in her head until the truth exploded through the confusion with searing pain.

Blair still refused to accept it. “There has to be a mistake.”

“No mistakes.” Evan paused. “I’m just sorry Sam didn’t tell you before this broke.”

“Dad knew?” she whispered, the pain barely allowing her to speak.

Evan nodded. “Yeah, someone let something slip and Sam got wind of what was about to happen.”

Blair remembered the conversation she’d had with Evan yesterday. “You thought it was me,” she murmured.

“I didn’t know if you’d heard Carl or one of the others talking.”

“Everyone knows?”

“Just about, and in a way, I have to admire Sam for not telling you. It would’ve been highly unethical, considering your job. But Sam was getting all his affairs in order. He even tried to hire Lucas Culver, but Culver turned him down.”

Lucas? Lucas? Lucas?

So many things suddenly became clear in her throbbing head. Her father’s job offer. Lucas being invited to dinner. OhmyGod, what had she done? She’d been thinking about herself while her family was falling apart. OhmyGod, what had she done?

She swallowed and gathered the remnants of her sanity. “My brother did not rape or murder Bonnie Davis. I know him. He isn’t capable of a crime like that. And my father would never withhold evidence. He’s a tough lawyer, but he has ethics.”

“Well…” Evan inclined his head. “We’ll see what a jury thinks.”

She got to her feet, anger curling through the shattered fragments of her heart. “How can you do this? They’re my family!”

“I’m not doing it out of spite, Blair,” he told her. “I’m doing it for justice—the same thing you’ve always fought for.”

Blair closed her eyes as turbulent emotions threatened to overcome her. Her brother wasn’t guilty and there was no way Evan could make her believe otherwise.

“Still want to prosecute this case?” Evan asked arrogantly.

Her eyes flew open, her blue eyes burning him like a laser. “That’s cruel.”

Evan picked up a pencil and tapped it on his desk. “It might be, but you and I both know you have a choice to make. You can’t play both sides.”

Her eyes continued to burn. “You’ll have my written resignation in an hour.”

He laid the pencil down slowly. “It didn’t take you long to make that decision.”

“This is my family!” she shouted. “Do you even understand what that means?”

“Your brother committed a horrible crime. Do you understand what that means?”

She covered her ears with her hands. “Stop saying that!”

“It’s the truth, so you’d better start facing it because we’re going to prosecute this to the fullest extent.”

She removed her hands and tried to swallow the huge lump that had formed in her throat. After a moment, she asked, “Where are they?”

“In jail, of course,” was the quick response. “But I’m sure Johnson will have your father out in no time. Blake, that’s another matter. He’s a flight risk. I don’t know if I’m going to recommend bail.”

The lump in her throat became so large she couldn’t breathe. She struggled to maintain her poise. “He won’t flee. I promise.”

Evan twirled the pencil in his hand. “Are you asking me for a favor?”

“I’m asking you to be fair. That’s all.”

“I’ll give it some thought.”

“When can I see the evidence?”

Evan lifted an eyebrow. “Are you going to represent them?”

“No, but I want to see what we’re up against.”

Evan stared directly at her. “You’re not going to see a thing,” he said. “Blake’s lawyer is the only one who’ll be looking at the evidence. And I’d like to know who that is as soon as possible.”

“I’m sure you would.” She narrowed her eyes as something occurred to her. “How did you get Blake’s DNA sample?”

“Don’t worry, it’s all legal. You won’t find a loophole there.” Evan got to his feet. “I’m sorry it had to end like this, Blair. You’re a good attorney.” He shrugged, then added, “Gwen will take over your caseload. Be sure to talk to her about Raye’s sentencing.”

Blair didn’t say anything as she walked to the door. There was nothing left to say. Evan had made up his mind, and now she had to find a way to save her brother.

And her father.

LUCAS WAS SIGNING letters and finishing up some last-minute details. He had a hearing at the courthouse, then he was free for the rest of the day. He was looking forward to his evening with Jennifer. He’d gotten sidetracked by the Logan family, but he wasn’t making that mistake again. He’d told Jennifer about the job offer and she understood. He’d sent roses to show he was sincere.

Lucas glanced up as Joan burst through the door gasping for breath.

He stood immediately. “What’s wrong?”

“I…I…” She held a hand to her chest and took a gulp of air. “I…ran from my car… I had to tell you…what’s happening…”

“What?”

Joan collapsed into a chair. “Sam Logan’s been arrested.”

There was a long pause, then Lucas smiled. “Did you have margaritas with lunch again?”

Joan shook her head. “I only did that once and it was my sixtieth birthday and you don’t have to keep reminding me.”

“Well, you’re talking nonsense.”

“I am not,” she snapped. “Sam Logan’s been arrested and so has his son, Blake.”

The smile left Lucas’s face. “What the hell for?”

Joan spoke in a rush. “Years ago Mr. Logan represented Todd Easton for the murder and rape of a young girl. Mr. Logan lost the case and Easton broke out of jail and beat up Sam’s daughter for revenge. The police shot and killed Easton.” She took another breath. “There were two sets of skin under the girl’s nails, but they could never identify the other boy. Now they have. They say it’s Blake Logan and that Sam paid Easton to keep quiet.”

“Oh, God,” Lucas said, sinking into his chair. None of this made sense. “I met Blake last night and he seemed like a nice guy—clean-cut and decent.” He looked at Joan. “Are you sure about this?”

She raised her eyes to the ceiling, then got up and switched on the TV set in the corner. There, in living color, were Sam and Blake in handcuffs being escorted to jail. Reporters hovered around, throwing out questions that went unanswered. The TV reporter was giving an update of the events and it was pretty much as Joan had said.

“See?” Joan muttered, switching off the set. “So do you think this had anything to do with Mr. Logan’s job offer?”

The same thought had occurred to Lucas. “I’m not sure,” he admitted. “Sam has a very good team. Why would he need me?”

“Lucas Culver.” She sighed in annoyance. “You’re better than all of them put together and Sam Logan knows it. If you ask me, you’ll be getting a call from him.” She grabbed her side. “God, I’m too old to be running. I think I’m having a heart attack.”

“Don’t you dare have a heart attack,” he called out as she walked into her own office.

“Such sympathy,” she mumbled, closing the door.

Lucas sat there, stunned. But one thought kept invading his mind—Blair. How was she taking this? She and Blake were twins—this had to be hard for her. He straightened. Oh, God, Blair worked in the D.A.’s office. How in the hell was she handling that? Even as he asked the question, he knew the answer. He’d bet she’d already resigned. He didn’t know Blair well, but he knew her loyalty was with her family.

He went over last night’s events in his head. Did Blair know what was going to happen? Was that why she seemed nervous and edgy? Blair suppressed her emotions, so it was difficult to tell. But his heart ached for her and that threw him. The woman had done everything but scratch his eyes out, yet here he was feeling sorry for her.

God, what a mess.

But it wasn’t his mess.

By the end of the week he’d be with Jacob, Miranda and the kids. He needed that peace and the serenity Jacob was always talking about. He sighed. The older he got, the more he was becoming like his big brother. Maybe that wasn’t a bad thing, though.

As he signed the last letter, his thoughts returned to Blair. He told himself that he shouldn’t waste his time; she wouldn’t appreciate his concern. She’d already told him that. Then why in hell couldn’t he stop thinking about her?

Dammit, Blair.

CHAPTER FIVE

BLAIR TYPED her resignation, signed it and handed it to Evan personally. She then cleared her personal belongings out of the office and left. She went immediately to the jail, hoping to see her father and Blake, where she was told that her father had been released on his own recognizance and Blake was still being processed. She asked to see him, but they wouldn’t let her. They said he could only see his attorney. She started to lie and say she was his lawyer, but they knew her and her position in the D.A.’s office. Unless Evan specified otherwise, she knew she wasn’t going to get anywhere near him…at least not today.

Although she tried to keep her mind blank, she found it impossible. The whole thing was too horrible to push aside. She had to have some answers, and the only way to get those was to talk to her father. She called his office, but his secretary said he wasn’t there, so she knew the only other place he’d be was at home with her mother.

On the drive to River Oaks, she thought about that time sixteen years ago. Her twin brother had been rebellious and uncontrollable. He’d been drinking, doing drugs. But in her heart she knew he had not committed this crime. She knew him as well as she knew herself, and even on drugs he could not have done such a terrible thing. There had to be another reason his DNA matched the skin under Bonnie Davis’s fingernails.

Evidence doesn’t lie. How many times had she proclaimed those words, believed them religiously and used them to seal a case? Now she’d have to take a second look at what had been driving her all these years. Had it been justice or plain old revenge? No, she couldn’t think about that now. She had to concentrate on Blake and on finding out the truth.

She punched in the code at the gate and it promptly swung open. She recognized the other cars in the driveway: Derek’s, Frank’s and Theo’s. The partners were plotting strategy, planning how to handle the situation. She knew her father would not rest until Blake was free.

She drove to the garages and parked in her usual spot, then hurried through the kitchen, as she had yesterday. God, it seemed like forever since last night. So much had happened and so much was still to come.

Greta met her at the door. “Oh, Miss Blair, it’s awful, just awful,” she cried, wringing her hands.

“Where’re my parents?” she asked.

“Your mother took a couple of aspirin and went upstairs to lie down, and your father’s in his study with his lawyers.”

“Thanks, Greta,” she replied, and headed for her father’s sanctum.

She could hear raised voices, but as soon as she opened the door everything became quiet—too quiet.

Sam was sitting on the leather sofa by the French windows. He looked haggard and old, and Blair’s heart crumbled in agonizing pain. She’d never seen her father like this and for a moment she didn’t know what to do. Then she did what her heart dictated—she ran to him and wrapped her arms around him.

“Blair, darling, I’m so sorry,” he mumbled in her hair.

“It’s all right, Daddy,” she reassured him. “We’ll sort this out.”

“Blair.” Derek spoke up. “I don’t think it’s wise for you to be here. After all, you do work for Holt.”

Blair released her father and faced Derek. “Not anymore. I resigned.”

“Oh, no,” Sam choked out. “I never wanted that to happen. None of this should be happening.”

Blair took her father’s hand and held it tight. “Tell me what’s going on.”

His hand gripped hers just as tightly. “I’m so sorry you got hurt, but I was powerless to stop any of this.”

“Don’t worry about me.”

“I do,” he admitted. “You’re my daughter and I handled last night badly. I wanted to convince Lucas to take this case. I didn’t think about much else.”

“Let’s forget about last night,” she told him. “I understand now why you did what you did. I’m just sorry I ruined the evening.” She didn’t want to think or talk about Lucas, but she knew that she would…later. Right now she had to have answers. “Tell me what happened back then—and tell me the truth. I don’t need to be protected.”

“It’s not a pretty picture.”

“I don’t expect it to be, but I know Blake did not kill that girl.”

Sam gripped her hand with both of his. “He was there, Blair. He was there.”

She swallowed hard. “So? That doesn’t make him guilty.”

Sam shook his head sadly. “It makes everything a mess—a terrible mess.”

“Why was Blake there?” she asked, needing to hear the story but wondering if she had enough strength to listen without breaking down.

“He met Todd and the Davis girl coming out of a party. There was a guy outside selling marijuana and crack cocaine. Todd and Blake bought some, then they drove to that secluded park to get high. The cocaine made Blake sick and he ran into the bushes and puked his guts out. He said that’s when he heard the girl scream. By the time he reached her, Todd had already raped and murdered her.” Sam paused for a moment. “Blake didn’t know if she was dead or not, so he checked her pulse. She reached up and caught his arm, then she went limp. Blake ran down the street to a pay phone and called 911 for help.”

Sam stopped speaking, obviously having difficulty with his emotions, as Blair was. “When Blake returned, Todd was doing cocaine while the girl lay there dead. Blake told him he’d called the cops and they had a fight. When they heard the sirens, they both jumped into the car and drove off.” He took a breath. “Later, when Todd was arrested, I didn’t know Blake was involved. I didn’t find out until Todd almost killed you. That was when Blake told me everything. He was so worried about you, and the guilt was destroying him. I immediately sent him out of the country, hoping I could resolve things, but…”

Sam rose and walked unsteadily to the windows, shoving his hands into his pockets.

Blair took a breath, desperately needing it for what she had to say. “Evan says you knew about Blake’s involvement all along and that you paid Todd to keep quiet.”

Sam whirled around. “That’s not true! During the trial I didn’t know Blake was involved and I never gave Todd a dime. This is all Lloyd Easton’s doing. He claims I paid Todd and now he has Holt believing it.”

Blair swallowed, hating to say what had to come next, but she had no choice. “Evan isn’t doing this on the word of Todd’s father. He has proof. You can count on it.”

“My sources say Evan has witnesses that Todd came out of my house with large sums of money, but that’s just not true. I never met Todd at the house and I certainly never gave him money. Evan can’t prove that I did.”

Blair remained quiet, trying to deal with her father’s statement. She knew Sam Logan and his ethics. Even though his only son was part of this mess, Sam wouldn’t do what Evan was insinuating. Blair didn’t doubt his honesty or his integrity.

“I’m not lying to you, Blair,” Sam said in a low voice. “I should have come forward with what Blake told me after you were beaten, but I couldn’t. Todd was dead and you were struggling to survive. I didn’t see any reason to cause my family any more pain, so I kept quiet about Blake. Now Holt’s got me—and he’s got Blake, too.”

“We’re not giving up, Sam,” Theo said.

“I didn’t say I was giving up,” Sam said sharply. “I’m just stating the facts. Holt thinks he has everything all wrapped up, but this isn’t over by a long shot. Holt might have me on a technicality, but Blake didn’t commit a crime. He was just in the wrong place at the wrong time, and I know Lucas can make a jury believe that. I’ve got to see him and try to convince him to take Blake’s case. It’s our best chance.”

At the mention of Lucas, Blair’s head jerked up. Until that moment, she’d been sitting there in some sort of limbo, trying to understand what had happened all those years ago. Now she knew what she had to do.

“I’ll talk to Lucas,” she offered quietly.

Derek said, “I don’t think—”

“I can handle this,” she interrupted him, speaking to Sam. “Lucas responds much better to a woman. Especially when she’s apologizing,” she added with a wry grimace.

Sam didn’t say anything.

“No offense, Blair,” Derek put in. “Culver wasn’t exactly bowled over by you last night. In fact, he was more than a little put out.”

“And he’s known for his honesty,” Frank said. “When he finds out what we were trying to do, he won’t be too thrilled.”

“I can deal with Lucas,” she stated.

Sam looked at her. “How can you be so sure?”

“Because Lucas has a soft spot for women.”

“I thought it was the other way around,” Theo said with a laugh.

“This isn’t funny,” Blair snapped.

Theo held up a hand. “Sorry.”

“As I was saying,” she went on, “it’s common knowledge around the courthouse that Lucas has a hard time saying no to a pretty face. I hate to trade on that, but I will. Besides, I owe Lucas an apology.”

There was silence for a moment.

“Go ahead, Blair,” Sam said finally. “See what you can do.”

She went to Sam and hugged him. “Thanks, Daddy.”

“Honesty is a big thing with Lucas,” he told her. “Try not to forget that. I wish I hadn’t.”

“I won’t,” she promised, then asked, “Has Mom called Uncle Howard?”

“Of course,” Sam replied sarcastically. “He’s the first one she calls whenever anything happens.”

Blair heard the sarcasm, but she didn’t comment. The relationship between her father and her uncle was tense. Howard was her mother’s youngest brother and he remained an integral part of their lives, which Sam didn’t like. Howard was a sheriff in the Austin area, and he and Sam had different points of view on the law.

However, her mother and Uncle Howard were close. Having no children of his own, Howard was also close to Blair and Blake; Sam didn’t like that, either. But Blair loved Uncle Howard. He’d always been there for her, especially after the attack. He’d taken her to her grandparents’ farm, where Howard and Ava were raised, and given her an opportunity to heal, away from all the distressing realities of her life. The farm was special to her and Uncle Howard knew that, and she’d always be grateful for his big heart.

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