Better as a Memory (Begin Again Book 2) Read online

  “What are you doing?” Bruno asked. “I told you to get moving.” He gestured toward the house.

  “I am moving.” Cain smiled menacingly. “In the direction of my choosing.”

  He acted with swift precise movements. His hand wrapped around Bruno’s wrist and yanked. The gun went off, a bullet hitting him in his side. The pain burned through him, but he fought through it. The fight was quicker than it seemed. Bruno was sprawled out on the back yard unconscious. His gun laid firmly in Cain’s grip.

  Cain glanced around the yard quickly and then bolted toward the boat house. The gunshot would alert everyone and they’d come running soon to see what the commotion was about. He couldn’t be there when they arrived. He rushed to the nearby speed boat and started it. He saw movements from behind him, but he was already well on his way across the lake before they could reach him. Gunfire could be heard in the distance. They were trying to shoot him, or the boat, he couldn’t be sure. Either way it was a near thing.

  He was already bleeding from the wound he received fighting with Bruno. Cain couldn’t afford any more wounds. It was a battle to stay focused on his escape. If he lost consciousness he was a dead man—a sitting duck for Carlos Garcia to swoop in and take back to torture for information. He refused to give the bastard any kind of leverage, and allow the man to murder another innocent.

  Not that Cain was innocent. He’d done a lot in his life he wished he’d done different. A flash of dark hair burnished with caramel highlights, and ocean blue eyes flashed before him. Why was he thinking about her now? She was never far from his thoughts. He wanted her more than he wanted anything. He’d had one night with her, and in truth it would never be enough. It had to be though. She deserved more than what he had to offer.

  His life was wrought with danger and he refused to bring it to her door. No, she was far better off not knowing who he was and how much he’d grown to care for her in a short time. One night and she’d become more essential to him than his own life. It’s why he left without a word. She might not see it that way, but he’d been protecting her. What she didn’t know wouldn’t hurt her.

  Cain steered the boat toward the dock. He stopped beside it and killed the engine. He tied the rope around the post and hopped out. The pack he hid with his gear was by a nearby lake house. He didn’t know who the house belonged to. He knew it was rarely used. That was what made it a good place to stash it. He checked his surroundings making sure there would be no surprises. There was nothing and no one around the lake. The summer season was ending and most of the houses were closing up for winter. That would make things easier for him. No one around to report his whereabouts and he could get out of town without incident.

  His breathing became more ragged with each step he took. “Fuck and Damnation,” he swore. “I have to keep moving.”

  The house was a few more yards up the hill. He cleared the hill and leaned against a tree to catch his breath. He turned and froze. There was a light on in the house. No one came to the lake house this time of the year. Who could be occupying it? This would complicate things. He didn’t have time to wait for them to go to bed for the night. He had to leave the area right then. There was no choice. He had to try to be as quiet as possible and grab his bag without them noticing. Easier said than done. Cain hobbled toward the back porch. The back pack was stashed underneath it. He pushed a board aside and reached in to pull it out. The pain from the actions sent him reeling backward. He hit his head against the porch as the back pack came forward with him.

  The ground spun underneath him. He’d been doing so well up until that point. Now he couldn’t see two steps in front of him. Hell, he might actually pass out. Breathe Cain, breathe. The ground kept moving no matter what he did and he fell fully to the ground.

  A door creaked open and thuds filled the air as the occupant of the house stepped down the porch. “Who’s out there?”

  Shit. He knew that voice. Maybe he was hallucinating. He glanced up and met her gaze in the moonlight. “Are you real?” He winced with pain and clutched his arm around his waist. The wound may be worse than he’d thought it was.

  His dream woman froze and stared down at him. She frowned as she studied him. “You’re hurt.” No shit. She was observant. Not her fault, don’t take it out on her. She leaned over him and brushed the back of her hand over his forehead. “And you’re burning up. Come on let’s get you inside.”

  “You and who else is going to make that happen? I don’t think I can move.”

  He’d come this far, and he should be more willing to aide her in her plan to help him inside, but he didn’t want to endanger her. If he stayed by her side he’d be doing that. He left her three months ago to save her from a situation like this one. What kind of hypocrite would he be to put her right in the middle of it all now? Cain was human enough to admit he was glad to see her. He’d never thought to lay eyes on her again. Now she was here before him and just as beautiful as he remembered.

  “Quit being a baby and stand up.” She shook her head. “You can do it.”

  Well when she put it like that… Cain stood up and wobbled on his feet. She stepped beside him and braced him as he walked up the steps. They made it inside and to the living room before he fell again. This time at least he landed on the couch.

  “What happened to you?” she asked.

  Blood stained his shirt. Not that he could tell it was blood against his dark blue shirt, but he knew he’d been shot and the dark stain was clearly a result. “Nothing I can’t handle. The pack outside go get it. I have a phone inside. I need to contact someone for an extraction.”

  She put her hands on her hip and glared to him. “I’m not here for you to order me around. How are you hurt? I can help.”

  She probably could. Except he didn’t want her to. He’d researched her and had extensive knowledge of her credentials as a doctor. She was one of the best emergency doctors in the country. He could trust her with his life. The problem was he didn’t trust her in his general vicinity. “I need one thing from you. Go get my pack.”

  “You’re an asshole.” She rolled her eyes. “If it’s so important to you get it yourself.”

  He leaned forward and winced as the pain shot through him again. He fell back against the couch. If she didn’t get his pack he was stuck in the lake house with her. There had to be a way to make her see reason. “I think I liked you better before.”

  “Ditto.” She glared at him. “You were much more fun when you weren’t being a dick.”

  His lips twitched into a smile. He adored her. “Please get my pack.”

  “No.”

  “Why the hell not?” His mouth fell open in shock. “I asked nicely.”

  She sighed. “You’re not going anywhere. It’s clear you’re injured.” She rushed to the other side of the room and grabbed a bag. “Take your shirt off.” She came back to his side and set the bag down.

  “As much as I’d love to get naked with you—” He couldn’t resist teasing her. Cain knew she had something else in mind, but she looked so damn beautiful when she blushed, in pleasure and in anger. He wanted to see her cheeks stained a pretty pink “—I’m not in any condition for that kind of fun.”

  She didn’t say a word, only glared until he complied. So she was going for the no nonsense approach. Cain could appreciate it. His injury was smarting, and a doctor should look at it. He reached down to pull his shirt up, but couldn’t get it past his chest. The pain coursed through him and he slumped back from the exertion.

  “Here let me.”

  She pulled out a pair of angled scissors and cut the shirt away. He stared down at his ruined shirt and frowned. “Well that’s one way of handling it.”

  “It’s efficient.” She stared at the bullet wound in his side. “The good news is the bullet went clean through, and the injury isn’t serious. It’s more or less a flesh wound. I’m going to have to dress and clean it though to prevent infection.”

  “Are you now?” He raised an
eyebrow. “You see gunshot wounds often?” Of course she’d have to have seen some—an E.R. doctor had to deal with numerous situations. She didn’t even flinch at the sight of the hole in his side.

  She pulled out items from her bag and set them aside. “More than I’d like.” She worked in silence after that until his wound was cleaned and covered. “You’re going to need something else to wear. I will grab one of my father’s shirts for you. He keeps some things here. I’m also going to get a glass of water and then I want you to take these.” She pulled out a bottle of pills and set them on the table. “You’re burning up and I’m afraid the wound might get infected. Your fever needs to be managed. If it worsens you’ll need antibiotics and I didn’t come prepared to handle anything serious.”

  He hoped it wouldn’t come to that, but he planned on being gone before she had to worry about his condition. She left the room before he could say another word. When she came back she had his pack, a black t-shirt, and a glass of water. She held the water in front of him and said, “Here drink this.” Cain set the water on a nearby table, taking the pills could wait until later.

  Belle set the pack on the other side of the room out of his reach. “You can have this tomorrow after you’re rested. Here put this on.” She tossed the shirt next to him on the couch. He lifted it and slowly pulled it over his head. Cain winced with pain, but managed to get his arms through the sleeves and smooth the shirt over his stomach.

  “When did you become so bossy?” he asked. “I don’t remember that about you.”

  “You don’t know me. How could you?” She raised an eyebrow. “We had one night and we didn’t exactly exchange information.”

  They hadn’t, but he knew who she was, Belle Brennan. The daughter of Senator Brennan, and the one woman he’d thought about laying it all on the line for. “I knew enough.” At least he thought he had.

  “Really?” She snorted. “You must not need to know much before taking a woman to bed. I’ll leave you to rest.” She turned to leave.

  “Only with you,” he replied. “Don’t go, Belle.”

  She stopped in her tracks. “How is it you know my name, but never felt the need to share yours with me? Mr. Mysterious, it doesn’t exactly seem fair.”

  Cain was drifting off. He was having a hard time fighting it. The pain and the excursion to escape was taking its toll. “Better that way. Protects you.”

  “Bullshit,” she said. “But I won’t fight you on it now. Get some rest. You’ll need it if you’re going to heal.”

  She spun on her heels and left him alone. He wanted to call her back, but it was for the best she left. If he stayed around she’d be in danger. With her out of the room he could get to his pack and make the call for someone to come get him. In a matter of hours he’d be out of her life again.

  Chapter 2

  Belle headed toward the living room to check on Mr. Mysterious. She would seriously have to make him tell her his name. This secret bullshit was beyond old. When she entered the room she expected to see him on the couch convalescing where she left him. Was he? Noooo. The moron had to try and move, and ended up sprawled out on the floor passed out near his backpack. What was in the damn bag that was so damned important? Was it enough to make his injuries worse? If he wasn’t already wounded she’d maim him further to make a point. Calm down and breathe. It would not do her or him any good to give into the urge to kick him. As great as that would feel it wouldn’t help anything—well it would give her some satisfaction. Jerk deserved to be kicked while he was down.

  No, he didn’t. He hadn’t done anything wrong. The jerk hadn’t promised her anything other than a night of pleasure, and he more than delivered on his deal. It would be wrong to hold his disappearance against him. Even if she had been hoping to see him again, and more than because he was the best lover she’d ever had. Her stay at her parent’s lake house was to get some much needed rest and figure out her next move. Her next move would be to find out who Mr. Mysterious was and grill him for information. He might not owe her anything, but she would get the answers she needed regardless.

  She sighed and leaned down to check on him. He was still burning up. Had he taken the medicine she’d left for him? Did she really have to open the bottle and hand him the pills to swallow herself? Stupid man—apparently he was his own worst enemy. She’d have to treat him like a moron or he’d never get better.

  “Hello dimwit,” Belle bellowed as she shook him. “Was sleeping on the floor all night as comfy as it looks?”

  “Ooh hmmm,” he mumbled and rolled over. His lips parted slightly as he moaned in pain. “Where am I?”

  His eyes remained closed. As if he could tell where he was without looking. She shook her head and stared down at his prone body and tried to decide what her next move should be. He had to be moved and it would be easier to do it with his cooperation. His wound needed to be checked. She didn’t have the equipment for stitches. The truth was he should really go to the hospital. Why she hadn’t insisted on it the night before she didn’t know, but now she would have no choice but to do it.

  “You need to wake up,” she insisted. “I’m not equipped to take care of you.” He didn’t move. Damn it she’d have to do something to aide him. “You’re leaving me no choice. I’m going to have to call for help.”

  “No.” He opened his eyes. “Don’t trust anyone.”

  What the hell did he mean with that statement? She didn’t have time to delve into the inner workings of his mind. There were more important things at stake. Well at least he was alert enough to talk. This was progress, albeit it was slow, but it was finally going somewhere. She could work with it, and make him help her move him to the couch. “Then you need to help me help you.”

  “What do you want from me?” He quirked one eye open. “Can’t you leave me here? I promise I’m comfortable.”

  Belle doubted the veracity of that statement. She’d had the opportunity to lie upon the floor previously and it was far from comfortable. “Don’t think you can fool me. I practically grew up in this lake house. It was our home away from home while I was growing up.” Her parent’s vacationed at the lake house every summer. At least when her father wasn’t too busy with something else—Belle was often left to the care of a nanny while her parent’s gallivanted around the world. The lake house remained one of her favorite places and a sanctuary when she needed one.

  “Figures,” he muttered. “You’re a masochist. You want to inflict more pain on me by making me move. Is this some kind of revenge?”

  If he’d been privy to her thoughts earlier he’d know how true his statement was. She wanted to let him off the hook. Honestly she did, and she would. After he told her everything. Until then he’d be at her mercy. She required him to stick around long enough to give her something from him. A bit of details that would help her move forward with her life, and make the decision she’d been putting off until he dropped in on her again.

  She snorted. “I don’t hold grudges. Though if anyone deserves me to, it’s you. Come on, quit delaying the inevitable.”

  Why did he have to come back into her life and disrupt it? Maybe she should be thankful, but she was having a hard time grasping onto that feeling. He came into her life for one night and then disappeared. He was the reason she was at the lake house. Perhaps fate was trying to tell her something. Whatever it was Belle wished it would clue her in. This wasn’t how she envisioned her forced vacation. She never thought she’d see Mr. Mysterious ever again, and then he practically fell at her feet.

  He rolled over to his side and winced. “I might need help sitting up.”

  She’d been waiting for him to ask. He was so stubborn. This was a side of him she’d not seen on that one night. He’d been smooth, charming, and resourceful. Belle shivered at the memory of his expert touch, and then brushed the images aside. This wasn’t the time to go down memory lane. He was injured. She leaned down and offered him her hand. When he gave her his she yanked up until he was in a sitting po
sition.

  “I’m going to need a minute before I can move anymore.” His breathing was labored and his face flushed a bright red. “How long was I on the floor?”

  “I don’t know.” She shrugged. “How long did you wait after I left before you attempted to sneak out into the night? Without a word again I might add.”

  That appeared to be a specialty of his. It churned bitterly in the pit of her stomach. He liked her enough to make love to her, but not nearly enough to stick around to see her face in the early morning light. If he hadn’t been injured he’d have been gone again without a word. It pissed her off that he kept doing it to her. She should hate him. Why couldn’t she grasp on to that feeling and hold it tight against her? No, she secretly hoped he’d want to stay with her.

  “I knew it. You are holding a grudge.”

  She shook her head. “Life’s too short to do that. I have bigger and better things planned then considering what you might or might not do to harbor any ill will.” Besides, she fell a little bit in love with him months ago. She’d never want him to come to harm, but she did want more consideration from him. “So how long did it take?”

  He glanced away from her. It must have been immediately for him to refuse to look her in the eye. After a few moments he replied, “As soon as you left the room.”

  Confirmation for what she already suspected. It didn’t surprise her one iota. He’d been hell bent on removing himself from her life once again. Damn irritating man… “Are you ready to move to the couch now? I need to check your bandages.”

  “I think I can do it myself.” He grunted as he stood up. His whole body shook from the exertion, and tiny beads of sweat formed on his forehead. With slow precise movements he made his way to the couch, and sat. “That was harder than I thought it would be.”

  “That happens when someone puts a bullet into your body. Do you want to tell me what happened?” She didn’t want to think about how he could have died. If she stayed in doctor mode she’d be able to function enough to care for him. Otherwise she might become a bumbling mess. “And I want to know your name. That’s not negotiable.”