Ultimate Sins by Lora Leigh

about the money,” John told her. “I’ll take care of everything.”
    John didn’t see what Crowe did in the stormy blue-green depths of her eyes or in that stubborn curve of her chin: determination to take care of herself. Over the years, she’d never asked anyone for a damned thing. If he wasn’t mistaken, though, a hell of a lot of people in this county hadn’t minded asking her for favors.
    Especially favors that would get them out of trouble with Wayne Sorenson.
    â€œI appreciate the offer, John, but I told you, I’ll take care of it.” There was no hiding the firm refusal in her voice. “I won’t be a charity case, especially to the brother I’ve only just found. He would have had to hide the cash here in the house; it’s the only place he would have been assured of being able to check on it daily.”
    â€œWe’ll see then.” Her brother nodded, his gaze gentling as he stared back at her. “If it’s in his rooms, I promise, I’ll find it.”
    Watching Amelia, Crowe found it impossible to understand how a man could be as cold and cruel to his child as Wayne had been to Amelia. She was so delicate that even understanding how she had endured the many “punishments” was an impossible feat.
    â€œI’ll show you up to the suite.” She glanced at Crowe again before heading to the doorway. “I’ll get clean linens if you’ll show Crowe the basement entrance.” The suggestion was made in a less-than-steady voice as she paused at the doorway and glanced back at him, her eyes dark, wary. “Good night, Crowe, and thank you for checking up on me.”
    He inclined his head mockingly, letting her see in his gaze the knowledge that he she was running from him.
    â€œI have to go away for a while, Amelia,” he told her, watching as she paused, her back still turned to him. “I’ll be gone for about six weeks. When I get back, be waiting for me.”
    The soft, dark strands of her hair brushed below her shoulders as she turned back to him. “I stopped waiting for you a long time ago, Crowe. A very long time ago.”
    His teeth clenched, grinding furiously at the sudden flash of something filled with pain and bitterness that flashed in her eyes.
    â€œSee you soon, fairy-girl,” he promised.
    Heat flooded her face at the intimate name, and a hint of anger tightened her lips, but she didn’t say anything more.
    Turning, she all but ran from him like a frightened doe in hunting season.
    Crowe restrained his chuckle, well aware of John’s scrutiny and the disapproval in his gaze.
    â€œCome on, I’ll show you the way out,” John growled as he rubbed at the back of his neck. “How the hell did you get past that horde out there if you came in another way?”
    It really wouldn’t have mattered how he came in; he could have done so without the journalists being aware of it.
    â€œI’m just good like that,” he claimed as John led him from the kitchen.
    And through the dining room to a narrow hall at the back of the house.
    â€œI just bet you are,” John muttered under his breath.
    Crowe pretended he didn’t hear the comment, though he had a feeling John knew better.
    Just as Crowe knew better than to believe that John didn’t know about the training Crowe had in the military. And that the training would have ensured his ability to enter the house without being seen.
    Opening one of the hall doors, John stepped inside long enough to flip the light switch and brighten the rough-lumber steps leading to the basement.
    This feature was not part of the plans sent to the county after they begin keeping such records, though. Crowe knew it wasn’t, because Crowe had gone searching for the house plans during those first weeks, seven years ago, when he’d begun secretly seeing Amelia.
    The rough drawing submitted after Wayne’s father purchased the