True love, second chances…

and a covert mission!

With her family mired in legal trouble, Ainsley Colton turns to her ex, ace attorney Santiago Morales. Soon, Santiago asks for help in return…going undercover as husband and wife to expose a dangerous scam. Working alongside him reminds Ainsley of what can never be. This scheme should be hazardous only to her heart—but when the stakes ramp up, “till death do us part” becomes all too real.

LARA LACOMBE earned a PhD in microbiology and immunology and worked in several labs across the country before moving into the classroom. Her day job as a college science professor gives her time to pursue her other love—writing fast-paced romantic suspense with smart, nerdy heroines and dangerously attractive heroes. She loves to hear from readers! Find her on the web or contact her at laralacombewriter@gmail.com

Also by Lara Lacombe

Ranger’s Justice

Ranger’s Baby Rescue

The Ranger’s Reunion Threat

Colton’s Covert Baby

Colton K-9 Bodyguard

Enticed by the Operative

Dr. Do-or-Die

Her Lieutenant Protector

Pregnant by the Colton Cowboy

Colton Baby Homecoming

Discover more at millsandboon.co.uk

Colton’s Undercover Reunion

Lara Lacombe

www.millsandboon.co.uk

ISBN: 978-0-008-90524-8

COLTON’S UNDERCOVER REUNION

© 2020 Harlequin Books S.A.

Published in Great Britain 2020

by Mills & Boon, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF

All rights reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. This edition is published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, locations and incidents are purely fictional and bear no relationship to any real life individuals, living or dead, or to any actual places, business establishments, locations, events or incidents. Any resemblance is entirely coincidental.

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This one is for my mom,

who helps make it all possible.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

About the Author

Booklist

Title Page

Copyright

Note to Readers

Dedication

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

About the Publisher

Chapter 1

Ainsley Colton closed her eyes and let the soothing sounds of ocean waves wash over her.

Deep breath in. Exhale.

Again.

Her muscles relaxed as she repeated the breathing exercises, and gradually, she felt the knots in her stomach ease.

She wasn’t normally one for meditation. But with all the stress in her life, she was willing to try anything if it meant staving off a stomach ulcer, or worse.

“You’ve got to find some way to unplug,” Dr. Bleaker had said. She’d looked up at Ainsley during her last visit, dark brown eyes serious behind her gold wire-rimmed glasses. “I mean it, Ainsley. These headaches, your stomach pain—all the tests show there’s nothing wrong with you physically. Which means these issues are due to stress. Are you getting enough sleep? Are you exercising at all?”

Ainsley had bit her tongue to keep from laughing at the doctor. She knew the older woman meant well, but seriously? Her father had been shot and her brother Ace was the prime suspect, thanks to an anonymous email someone had sent to the board of her family’s company, Colton Oil, that said Ace wasn’t a biological Colton. Normally, something like that wouldn’t matter, but there was a small clause in the bylaws of the corporation that stated the CEO of the company had to be a Colton by blood. Her father, never one for subtleties, didn’t hesitate to oust Ace when the DNA test confirmed that Ace was in fact not a Colton. Her father had been shot soon after his decision, and there were a lot of fingers pointing at her brother.

As the corporate attorney for Colton Oil, she was right in the middle of the legal issues surrounding the company’s change in leadership. And as a sister and daughter, her heart had been bruised and battered by the events of the past few months. Ace might not be her brother by blood, but she’d grown up with him. He’d always be her family. It pained her to think of how he must be feeling right now, especially after the things their father had said and done to him. And Ace couldn’t have shot Payne. As for the old man, she loved him, too. He wasn’t perfect, but he was her dad. Payne Colton was such a force of nature, she couldn’t imagine the world without him in it. If only he’d wake up from his coma!

“I mean it, Ainsley,” the doctor had said, interrupting her thoughts. “I know you’re busy. But if you don’t make time for your health, you’re going to wind up with an ulcer or a heart attack. Don’t work yourself to death. You’re only thirty-seven. Your best years are still ahead of you.”

Ainsley had smiled and thanked the woman, then hurried back to her office to deal with the latest crisis. But as she’d washed down her fifth antacid of the day with a gulp of stale coffee, she’d been forced to admit Dr. Bleaker was right. She did need to find a way to relax.

So she’d done a little research and decided meditation might be a good option. She didn’t have time for yoga classes or a gym membership. But she could carve out fifteen minutes a day to listen to ocean sounds and breathe deeply.

Her cell phone vibrated on her desk, a soft buzz she registered over the meditation soundtrack. She cracked one eye open and stared at it, considering. Should she—?

No, she decided firmly. This meditation stuff wasn’t going to help her unless she actually took it seriously. That meant no interruptions. It was only fifteen minutes of her day—the world could wait.

The buzzing stopped. Almost immediately, she heard the muted ring of her secretary’s office phone. Someone really wanted to talk to her. Oh, well. Candace would take a message.

Deep breath in—

The door opened, making her jump. “Ms. Colton?” Candace sounded deeply apologetic. “I know you don’t want to be disturbed right now, but your brother is on the line and he says it’s an emergency.”

“Which brother?” Ainsley kept her eyes closed, tried to stay focused on her breathing. I’m on a beach, she told herself. If only that were true!

“It’s Asa,” Candace replied, using Ace’s birth name rather than the nickname his friends and family had adopted.

Ainsley’s eyes snapped open, all thoughts of relaxation disappearing between one heartbeat and the next. “I’ll take the call,” she said, forcing her voice to remain calm. She got to her feet and nodded at Candace, fighting the urge to lunge for the phone that sat on her desk a few feet away. “Thank you.”

Candace nodded and backed out of the room, closing the door quietly behind her. Ainsley swore softly as she stepped over to her desk and picked up the receiver.

“Ace?”

“Ainsley, thank God! Why aren’t you answering your cell?” He sounded flustered. Ainsley felt her muscles tense all over again. So much for meditation, she thought wryly.

“Never mind that. What’s going on? You told Candace it was an emergency.”

“It is! The police are here. They say they have a warrant.”

“Wait, back up.” She put her fingers to her forehead and began to massage the spot above her right eyebrow. “Where is here?”

“My condo,” Ace said, his tone making it clear this should be obvious. “I came back here after a while. The police are here with a dog and a warrant. What do I do?”

“What are they looking for?” she asked, already walking around the desk to grab her purse from the bottom drawer.

“I don’t know yet,” he said. “No one’s answering my questions.”

“Just stay out of the way,” she said. “I’m heading there now. I’ll be there in a few minutes, and we’ll get all this straightened out.”

“Hurry,” Ace commanded. He was clearly stressed, and she couldn’t blame him. She’d be flustered, too, if the police showed up at her door with a K-9 and told her they were going to search the premises.

“I will. Keep your mouth shut,” she instructed. “Tell them I’m coming and you’ll answer questions once I’m there.” With that, she hung up the phone and rushed to the door. “I’ll be out for a bit,” she said to Candace as she walked past the secretary’s desk. “Clear my schedule for the afternoon, please.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Candace called after her.

Ainsley opted for the stairs, descending as fast as she dared. She was sure the police had their legal ducks in a row—it was highly unlikely they’d risk an illegal search, especially on a member of her family, and given their relation to an MVPD sergeant—but she still wanted to get to Ace quickly. He was already jumpy and freaked out over the events of the past few months, and the last thing she needed was for him to say or do anything that might be interpreted as incriminating.

“Hang on, Ace,” she muttered as she climbed behind the wheel of her car. “I’m coming.”

It didn’t take long to get there. Ainsley opted for the elevator, not wanting to arrive out of breath. As soon as the doors opened, she stepped into the foyer of Ace’s condo and glanced around, looking for her brother.

She found him pacing along the far wall of the living room, in front of the stretch of windows that overlooked Mustang Valley. His hair was mussed, and as she watched, he lifted a hand to run through it in a nervous gesture.

He turned on his heel, caught sight of her. Relief flashed across his face, and for an instant, Ainsley felt ten feet tall. It meant a lot to know that her older brother had called her for help, even though technically he wasn’t her brother anymore. Regardless, she was going to do everything in her power to prove he hadn’t shot their father.

“Hey guys, she’s here!” he yelled, alerting the officers to her arrival.

She crossed the room and hugged Ace, feeling the tension in his body as she did. “Did anything happen since we last spoke?”

He shook his head, his brown eyes troubled. “I got out of the way, like you said. They’re searching in the bedroom now.”

“Did you say something, Ace?” a man’s voice called out. Ainsley and Ace both turned to see Spencer Colton walk out of the bedroom. He stopped when he saw Ainsley. “Hey there,” he said, offering her a nod.

Ainsley lifted one brow. “Spencer,” she replied, greeting her cousin. “Or should I say, Sergeant Colton?” She put a bit of extra emphasis on his last name, and he ducked his head.

“I know it’s awkward,” he said, walking over to join them. “But I’m here in a professional capacity only.”

She and Ace weren’t close with their distant cousins, but it was still unorthodox that a family member should be here serving a warrant. She decided to let it slide. If there was an issue, she could always bring it up later.

“May I see the warrant?”

A hurt look flashed across Spencer’s face, as though he couldn’t believe she would doubt his motives. “Of course,” he replied. He pulled a folded packet of papers from his back pocket and passed it to her.

Ainsley began to flip through the papers, scanning to find the information she sought. “A gun?” She looked up at Spencer. “That’s what you’re hoping to find?”

He nodded, just as Ace interjected, “I don’t have a gun!”

Ainsley placed one hand on her brother’s arm, silently instructing him to remain quiet. “What’s the basis for issuing this warrant?”

Spencer shifted on his feet. “I probably shouldn’t tell you this, but…” He shrugged. “Seeing as how you guys are family.” He leaned forward and lowered his voice. “We got a tip from someone who said Ace confessed to shooting his father and stashing the gun in his closet.”

“That’s ludicrous!” Ace said loudly. Ainsley tightened her grip on his arm, her nails digging slightly into his skin. He snapped his mouth shut.

“What’s her name?”

Spencer started to shake his head. “Now you know I’m not supposed to—”

Ainsley merely arched her brow and stared him down. Spencer sighed. “All right. Given that Chief Barco approved me working on this case and it could otherwise be a conflict of interest… It was a woman named Destiny Jones.”

Beside her, Ainsley felt Ace draw in a breath, preparing to defend himself. She gave his arm a little shake, and he backed down. “Did she say how she knows my client?” She deliberately used formal language, to remind everyone this wasn’t a social call.

Spencer glanced at Ace, and twin spots of color appeared high on his cheeks. “She, uh, said it was during an encounter of a personal nature.”

“She’s lying!” Ace yelled. He shook off Ainsley’s hand and stepped forward, bringing him closer to Spencer. “I don’t even know a woman named Destiny!”

Spencer held up a hand, palm out to try to diffuse Ace’s reaction. “No judgments, man. But we had to check it out.”

“So I guess anyone can call you up and spread lies about me, is that it?” Ace threw his arms out in disgust. “This is such a crock of—”

“That seems pretty thin,” Ainsley interjected. “How’d you get a judge to sign off on this?” She lifted the warrant, handed it back to Spencer.

“We had enough to get us in the door.” His lips pressed together in a thin line. Clearly, her cousin was done talking.

Ace shook his head, still fuming. “Yeah, well, you’re not going to find anything,” he said. “That woman, whoever she is, is lying.”

Seeming sympathy flashed in Spencer’s blue eyes. “Between you and me, I hope so. But I still have to do my job.”

“Spencer?” A voice called from the bedroom. “We need you back here. Looks like Boris has found something.”

Ace sucked in a breath. Spencer shook his head slightly, then turned. “Coming.”

Ainsley waited until her cousin had left the room. Then she grabbed Ace’s arm and dragged him over to the foyer, as far away from the bedroom as she could get.

“You need to be straight with me, right now,” she said, tugging his shirt for emphasis. “What are they going to find in your bedroom?”

“Nothing!” Ace whispered back urgently. “I swear to you, Ainsley, I didn’t shoot Dad. You know I didn’t. There is no gun in my room because I didn’t do it.” He met her eyes unflinchingly, his tone, his expression, everything about him absolutely sincere.

“Then what—”

“I don’t know!” he interrupted. She heard the edge of panic in his voice and her heart went out to him. He ran a hand through his hair again, causing the strands to stand on end. “But I can tell you this much—I don’t know a Destiny Jones. I haven’t been with a woman since—” he cut himself off, the tips of his ears going pink as he looked away. “Well, that doesn’t matter. What’s important is that whoever this woman is, she’s lying.”

“Why would a stranger lie about you like that?” Ainsley wondered aloud.

“I don’t know,” he said. He shook his head. “Maybe it’s a business thing? Someone trying to get back at me for something I did earlier? Or for money?”

Ainsley nodded slowly. That was definitely possible. Ace had a reputation as a ruthless businessman, and he had his fair share of professional enemies. Had one of them heard about the recent troubles over at Colton Oil and decided to make things harder on Ace?

She opened her mouth to respond, but before she could say anything, she saw Spencer walk out of the bedroom holding an evidence bag.

“Ace?” he called.

Ainsley and Ace returned to the living room. Her gaze zeroed in on the clear bag in Spencer’s hand, and her stomach dropped as she saw its contents.

Spencer lifted his arm, showing Ace the gun. “We’re going to need you to come down to the station and answer a few questions.”

Three hours later…

Ainsley sank into her desk chair with a sigh, feeling wrung out. She was tired, both from the events of the afternoon and her struggles to manage Ace’s reactions to everything.

Her brother had immediately and emphatically insisted the gun that Spencer’s scent hound, Boris, had discovered was not his. She believed him, but the police weren’t quite as willing to take him at his word. And why should they? A woman had called in a tip saying Ace had a gun in his closet, and lo and behold, they’d found it. It was a compelling piece of evidence, and possibly the weapon that had been used to shoot Payne Colton.

Except, it was all so very neat and tidy. Too neat, in Ainsley’s opinion. The more she thought about it, the more plausible Ace’s theory about a business or personal rival sounded. It was the perfect way to punish Ace for his steamroller business strategy, and she was willing to bet there were a lot of disgruntled souls he’d left in his wake as CEO of Colton Oil.

But as much as she wanted to help her brother, she was going to have to call in reinforcements. It wouldn’t be appropriate for her to handle Ace’s legal issues while still working for Colton Oil. Besides, she wasn’t a defense attorney, and after the discovery of the gun in Ace’s closet, her brother had now become the prime suspect in their father’s shooting.

“Don’t leave town,” Spencer had cautioned after he’d declared Ace was free to go.

“We’ll definitely have more questions for you later,” Detective Kerry Wilder, their adoptive brother Rafe’s fiancée, had added.

“I’m sure you will,” Ace had grumbled. “I’ve always been a suspect.”

Ainsley had managed to drag her brother away before his temper had flared again. She understood why he was so upset, but every time he got emotional it only made him appear more guilty.

“Stay here,” she’d told him, dropping him off at his condo. “I know the best defense attorney in the state. I’m going to call in a favor.”

“I don’t want someone else,” Ace had said. “I want you.”

“You can’t have me,” she’d told her brother. “This isn’t my specialty. Trust me, this guy is good. You don’t need to worry.”

“I’m worried as hell,” he’d grumbled. “But I do trust you.”

She’d been touched by his admission, once again feeling a spurt of pride at the fact that her big brother was relying on her. Now, in the privacy of her office, she allowed herself a little smile.

Her cell phone sat on her desk. She reached out and traced her fingertip along the edge, gathering up her courage to take this next step. She’d promised her brother the best defense attorney in the state. She owed it to him to deliver.

Even if it meant calling the man who’d broken her heart.

She took a deep breath and picked up the phone before she could change her mind. She’d deleted Santiago’s number years ago, but it didn’t matter. Her fingers danced across the keypad without hesitation, punching in the numbers she still knew by heart.

He picked up on the first ring. “Ainsley.” His voice was deep and smooth. A tingle shot down her spine and she closed her eyes, wishing he hadn’t answered so quickly. She’d wanted a few more seconds to compose herself, to prepare to speak to him again.

She cleared her throat. “Hello, Santiago. How are you?”

“Better, now that I’m talking to you.” He’d always been so charismatic. It seemed the years had done nothing to diminish his charm. “To what do I owe this pleasant surprise?”

Ainsley swallowed hard, pushing down her pride. Ace. She was doing this for her brother. “I need your help.”

“Of course,” Santiago replied. “Are you in your office?”

She frowned. “Yes. But—”

“Excellent,” Santiago said, cutting her off. “I’ll be there in five minutes.”

“You’ll what?” she exclaimed. But he’d already ended the call, leaving her with nothing but a dial tone.

Ainsley hung up and placed the phone on her desk, her thoughts a jumbled mess. He couldn’t be coming here. That wasn’t the deal. She’d bargained on talking to him only, giving him Ace’s information and letting him take things from there. She hadn’t intended on seeing him again.

And what was he doing in town anyway? He didn’t live in Mustang Valley. It was the only reason she’d been able to get over him after he’d broken her heart years ago. If she’d had to see him all the time, she’d still be pining for the man. His move to New York after their break-up had been a bit of a gift. She’d heard through the professional grapevine he’d returned to Phoenix, but she hadn’t expected to find him in the comparatively sleepy town of Mustang Valley.

She lifted her hand, brushing it over her hair. This was really happening. In a few minutes, Santiago Morales was going to walk through her door.

Would her heart be able to handle it?

Damn. She looks good.

Santiago pushed the thought aside and offered a smile to Ainsley’s secretary. The woman blushed prettily and nodded before turning to leave. Normally, he’d take such a reaction as a compliment, maybe even an excuse to invite her to dinner. But now that he’d seen Ainsley again, he only had eyes for her.

Had it really been five years since their breakup? Five years since he’d left to chase his dreams in New York City, opting to prioritize his career over his personal life? In some ways, it felt like a lifetime ago. But standing in Ainsley’s office, watching the play of emotions on her face as he drew closer, it suddenly seemed like only a few hours had passed since he’d made his choice.

She looked different now. Her brown hair was shorter, falling to her shoulders instead of down her back. God, how he’d loved to wrap those strands around his hands! Her hair had always felt like silk on his skin, a soft caress that had driven him mad. Even now, just thinking about it gave him goose bumps.

Ainsley watched him approach, her blue eyes guarded and her delicate features arranged in a carefully neutral expression. Her skin was still pale, a testament to the amount of time she spent in her office. She sported some fine lines at the corners of her eyes, and he hoped they were from laughing and not frowning. He’d always wanted the best for her, had always wanted her to be happy.

Which was why he’d left.

He wasn’t husband material—never had been, never would be. It was something he’d always known about himself, and given his family history of miserable marriages, he wasn’t looking to take on that particular role.

So he’d left, before he could disappoint Ainsley with his shortcomings.

Santiago forced himself to smile as he came to a stop in front of her desk. His arms ached to embrace her, to have her fill the Ainsley-shaped hollow space in his soul that he’d lived with over the past five years. But he could tell by her apprehensive air that such an overture would not be welcomed.

“Ainsley,” he said. Just saying her name gave him a kind of relief. After he’d left, he’d done his best to push all thoughts of her to the side. He’d thrown himself into his work, and his efforts had paid off. He’d made a name for himself, first in New York City, then in Phoenix. Coming back to Arizona had never been part of his plan, but when the firm had called a year and a half ago, they’d made him an offer he simply couldn’t refuse.

So he’d packed his things and moved back to the land of sun. And Ainsley. He hadn’t expected to hear from her—after all, things hadn’t ended well between them. Even so, he couldn’t deny he’d felt a spark of hope when he’d seen her name on his phone screen. He knew it had taken a lot for her to reach out to him. And while he knew she had zero interest in seeing him again in a personal capacity, part of him wondered if they couldn’t find their way to being friends again.

“Hello, Santiago.” She didn’t offer her hand, so he didn’t either. It was clear she didn’t want him to touch her, and he always respected a woman’s boundaries.

She gestured to the seat behind him. “Please, make yourself comfortable. Would you like something to drink?”

“No, thank you,” he replied, lowering himself into the chair. He made an obvious show of studying her face. “You look wonderful,” he said simply.

If she appreciated the compliment, she didn’t show it. “Thank you,” she said flatly. She leaned back a bit in her chair, evidently conducting her own appraisal. “I’m surprised you’re in town,” she said. “What’s a big fish like you doing in such a small pond?”

Ouch. He tried not to wince at the barb. He hadn’t used those exact words, but that had been the gist of his argument when he’d left five years ago. “I can’t grow my career here,” he’d said, gesturing to the window to encompass Mustang Valley. “I’m not going to spend the rest of my life working on drunken assault cases and DUIs.” He’d needed to move to New York to take on the kind of high-profile cases that interested him. Given his childhood, he’d known marriage wasn’t in his future. He hadn’t enjoyed hurting her, but there had been no other way.

“I’m here on family business,” he said, running his hand down the length of his tie. But he didn’t want to talk about that just yet. First, he wanted to hear her story. “Why don’t you tell me how I can help you?”

Ainsley pressed her lips together, and he got the impression that calling him had been a last resort. Worry flared to life in his belly. What was going on? Was she in some kind of trouble? He’d assumed she’d called him on behalf of someone else, but in the face of her obvious reluctance, he had to wonder if he’d been wrong.

“You know I’ll help you,” he said quietly. He’d never stopped caring for her, probably never would. He’d made it clear when he’d left that he would always be there for her. And even though he’d never expected her to turn to him again, he was pleased that she had now.

She nodded, emotion flashing in her eyes. “It’s my brother,” she said finally.

Bit by bit, she told him the whole story. The email to the company’s board, the DNA test, her father’s shooting. And the gun they’d found today in Ace’s condo. He’d heard some of the details before, thanks to news coverage of the story. But she’d filled in several gaps in his knowledge and he realized how convoluted the whole thing actually was.

“He didn’t do this,” she said, leaning forward a bit. “I know it looks bad right now, but I also know my brother. He’s not capable of doing something like this.”

Santiago didn’t argue. In his experience, people were often very capable of doing shocking things, and often for less motivation that what she’d just outlined. But he wasn’t here to argue with Ainsley about the darker aspects of human nature. He’d only met Ace a few times before; he didn’t know the man well enough to form an opinion on the matter.

“So are you asking me to advise you?” She wasn’t a defense attorney, but he knew she could handle this case if she wanted to, especially with a little help.

She shook her head. “No. I’m asking you to take the case.”

He leaned back, considering. What he’d told her earlier was true—he was in town on a family matter. But perhaps he could kill two birds with one stone?

“All right,” he said slowly. “I’ll take the case.”

Relief flashed across Ainsley’s face. “Thank you. I’ll have a contract drawn up immediately. We will pay your full rate, plus expenses.”

Santiago waved this away. “I’m not worried about the money. There’s something else I need from you.”

Ainsley’s eyes filled with wariness, and he felt a wall go up between them. “Oh? What’s that?”

“You’re not the only one who has a sibling in trouble.”

Ainsley arched an eyebrow, silently inviting him to continue.

“It’s my sister, Gabriela,” he began. “She married a real piece of work. She’s been unhappy for a long time, and she agreed to try counseling. They went to this place called The Marriage Institute. It’s a few miles outside town—have you heard of it?”

Ainsley shook her head. “No,” she said. “Is it like a retreat of some kind?”

“That’s exactly what it is,” he said, relieved that she seemed to understand. “Gabriela and her husband Eric went, and after a week there, she agreed to sign some paperwork nullifying large sections of their prenuptial agreement, specifically the clauses regarding spousal infidelity and inheritance upon her death.”

Ainsley frowned. “That doesn’t sound right.”

“No, it doesn’t,” he agreed. “But I looked at the documents and they appear to be solid, from a legal standpoint.”

“Why would she sign such a thing? Your parents were always vigilant about your inheritance terms. I’m sure they treated your sister the same way.”

Santiago nodded. “Believe me, they did. If anything, they were even more careful with Gabriela’s share once she decided to get married.” His family’s wealth went back generations, thanks to careful stewardship from his great-grandfather and then grandfather. His own parents had added to the layers of protection guarding their money, wanting to ensure their family’s future for decades to come. Gabriela’s engagement had come with a veritable forest of paperwork for her would-be husband to sign, all in the interest of making sure he couldn’t touch a penny of her share of the Morales fortune.

And then his sister had undermined most of it with a stroke of the pen.

“I think Gabriela was coerced into signing the paperwork,” he said, leaning forward. “I think this Marriage Institute is a sham, that they don’t really care about helping people at all. I think they take bribes from spouses and go to work brainwashing the unsuspecting partner until they agree to see things their spouse’s way. That’s the only reason Gabriela would sign those papers.” He shook his head, frustration rising in his chest the way it always did when he thought about what had happened. “I’ve spoken to some other people who attended the retreat. They all tell the same story. Gabriela isn’t the only one they took advantage of—there are several other people out there who noticed irregularities in their joint accounts that their exes never really explained. Missing funds that were probably used as bribes. My sister isn’t stupid. She was tricked. And I’m going to prove it.”

“How are you going to do that?” Ainsley asked. “I can’t imagine they’ll just let you poke around the retreat and ask accusatory questions.”

“They won’t,” he agreed. “Which is why I’m going there undercover.”

Ainsley frowned. “What do you mean?” There was a note of concern in her tone, and for a second, he wondered if she was worried about him getting into trouble.

“I’m going to pretend to be a client, there with my wife. We’re both going to offer them a bribe, then find out which person they decide to help.”

“Oh.” Ainsley visibly relaxed, apparently assuming she’d deduced his request. “So do you need me to draw up some sham paperwork that your fake wife wants you to nullify?”

“Nope.” Santiago shook his head, nerves tingling in his belly as he arrived at his real reason for coming to Ainsley’s office. “I want you to be my wife.”

Chapter 2

Ainsley stared at Santiago, certain she had misunderstood. Surely he wasn’t really suggesting she play his wife for his little sting operation?

“Excuse me?”

His green gaze didn’t waver. “I said I want you to be my wife. You’re the only one who I can trust to help me with this.”

So he was serious.

The initial shock faded as anger bubbled to the surface. The nerve of this man! To sit here in her office and casually suggest she play his wife, when he’d walked out on her five years ago, claiming he wasn’t the marrying kind! It was a cruel joke; even he had to know that.

She shook her head. “That’s not funny.”

“I’m not joking,” he said calmly. “I meant what I said, Ainsley. I trust you.”

“Find someone else,” she said flatly, determined not to let her emotions show.

“There is no one else,” he replied.

“Don’t you have a girlfriend who could do the job?”

He shook his head, opened his mouth to speak again. But she cut him off. “Hire someone, then.”

“It’s not the same,” he said. Santiago leaned forward, his expression earnest. “I know this is awkward.”

Ainsley snorted, and he had the grace to look embarrassed. “Believe me, I wouldn’t ask you if it wasn’t so important.”

“I still don’t understand why you can’t hire someone. I’m sure there’s at least one underworked actress in Phoenix looking for some extra cash.”

“I’m sure there is, too,” he replied. “But you and I have a history together. An intimacy that can’t be faked. The people running the retreat aren’t stupid. They’ll know in an instant if I bring an actress with me. But you…” He trailed off, tipped his head to the side. “You know me.”

It was true—she did. They’d met in law school and quickly become inseparable. She’d loved him with all her heart, had spent hours imagining their lives together, dreaming of what things would be like. She couldn’t have children thanks to a childhood surgery that had resulted in massive internal scarring, leaving her infertile. Santiago knew that, and he’d assured her that wasn’t a problem for him, that he didn’t want kids. Everything had seemed so perfect—their future bright. She’d given him years, only to be cast aside so he could move to New York and become a big shot.

A part of her had always wondered if he’d told the truth. Had he really left to chase his professional dreams? Or had he wanted to find a woman who could give him children, in case he changed his mind later?

It was a question that still haunted Ainsley from time to time. She’d had years to accept the fact that she would never be pregnant, never have a baby come from her body. There were moments she still grieved the loss of possibility, but she’d made her peace with it. If she ever decided she had to be a mother, she’d look into adoption. Perhaps Santiago hadn’t felt the same way. Maybe that had turned out to be a deal-breaker after all, despite his words to the contrary.

Eventually, Ainsley had decided it didn’t matter. Whatever his motivations, he was gone from her life. She’d tried to move on, and for the most part, she’d done so successfully.

But now he was back, pouring salt in the wounds he’d inflicted, wearing an apologetic smile and shrugging as if to say, “What can I do?”

Why did he have to look so damn handsome, too? His charcoal suit fit him to perfection, and his crisp white button-down was open at the collar, providing a tantalizing glimpse of his golden tan skin. She knew from experience how warm he was, how solid he felt pressed up against her body. How he could read her moods with just a glance, know exactly what she needed from him at any given moment. He’d felt like an extension of her soul, and when he’d left she’d felt like her world had shifted overnight, never to be the same again. And just like the earthquake that had rocked Mustang Valley a few months ago, Santiago’s departure had left permanent marks on her heart.

“Please, Ainsley,” he said. His voice was low, but there was a subtle note of anxiety that cut through her anger. “I’m not trying to hurt you again. But I need you.”

She knew how much the admission cost him. Santiago’s pride ran deep, and he’d always hated to ask for help. It was a big deal for him to admit he needed her now.

But he was also asking for a huge favor.

Ainsley sighed, considering her options. Like it or not, she needed Santiago. Or rather, Ace needed Santiago. If she refused to play a part in his undercover operation, he might very well walk out of her office and leave her and her brother high and dry. It seemed the only way she was going to be able to help Ace was if she pushed aside her feelings and helped the man who’d broken her heart.

“All right,” she said finally.

Relief flashed across his face and the breath gusted out of him. Ainsley was a little surprised at his reaction—apparently, he hadn’t taken her agreement for granted.

“Thank you,” he said. He moved his hands as though he wanted to reach across the desk and touch her, but stopped short of the gesture. “I can’t tell you how much I appreciate this.”

“Don’t thank me yet,” she cautioned. “This plan of yours might not work.”

“It will. I know it will.” He got to his feet, all traces of vulnerability gone as his confident facade slipped back into place. “I’m going to call and make the appointment at the center. I’m hoping to get in this weekend, and the retreat lasts a week. Will that work for your schedule?”

Ainsley stood and made a show of checking her calendar, though she knew it would be fine. “All right,” she said. “I can clear some time.”

“Excellent.” Santiago smiled at her, flashing the dimples that never failed to make women sigh. “I will contact your brother. I should be able to make some headway on his case before our session at the center.”

“Use my middle name and your fake surname when you register us,” she said.

Santiago tilted his head to the side. “Grace Rodriguez?”

Ainsley nodded. “This place is close to Mustang Valley, so there’s a chance people working there might recognize the name Ainsley Colton. If you want this sham to work, you’d better use my middle name so no one questions our relationship.”

Santiago nodded. “Good idea. I was going to use a different last name, just to make sure no one connected me with my sister. That will also provide an extra layer of coverage for you as well.”

He turned to go, moving across the room with that smooth gait she knew so well. “Santiago,” she called, just before he reached the door.

At the sound of his name, Santiago stopped and looked back. “Yes?”

There was just one thing she had to know before he left. “If I had said no, would you still have taken my brother’s case?” Was this simply a quid pro quo arrangement? Or would he have helped regardless of her answer?

He didn’t hesitate. “Of course.” He studied her for a few seconds, his gaze probing. “I once told you I would always be there for you. I meant it.”

Ainsley sucked in a breath as a tingle shot down her spine. He’d said those words to her just before he’d moved to New York. At the time, she’d thought he was simply trying to make her feel better, to make it seem that even though he was blowing up her dreams of a future together, he still wanted to be friends.

Apparently, he’d been making a promise.

She nodded, her throat too tight to speak. Damn him! This would have been easier if he’d kept things transactional—a you scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours kind of thing. But he had to go and bring up his parting words, stirring up all kinds of emotions she’d thought were long buried.

Santiago’s expression changed, a knowing look entering his eyes. For a second, she thought he was going to come back, to embrace her the way he’d always done in the past when she’d been upset. But he stayed by the door, apparently recognizing it wasn’t his place to comfort her anymore.

He offered her a small nod. “I’ll be in touch.”

Ainsley tried to smile. “Great,” she replied, trying to sound casual. “I’ll clear my schedule starting on Friday for the next week.”

He inclined his head in a nod of acknowledgment. Then he turned and walked out of her office.

Ainsley waited until the door shut behind him before dropping back into her chair. Seeing Santiago again had been challenging—he was still handsome, still charming.

Still her missing piece.

She shook her head, dismissing the romantic notion. She didn’t need anyone to complete her. She was a strong, intelligent woman who had friends and family who loved her and a career she enjoyed. She wasn’t broken or somehow less than simply because she was single.

But there were times when she was lonely.

Once upon a time, Santiago had felt like her other half. He’d been her safe place, the person she went to when she had joys to share or sorrows to grieve. He’d always been there for her, a steadfast, constant presence that she’d thought would always be part of her life. When he’d left, she had mourned as though he’d died. It had taken years, but she’d gotten to the point where she didn’t think of him every day anymore, didn’t feel that hollow ache in the center of her chest whenever something reminded her of him.

Now that she’d seen him again though, she felt bruised. All her hard work, all the time and energy she’d put into moving on—it wasn’t enough. It was like the past five years hadn’t happened, and she was back at square one, feeling raw and vulnerable and exposed all over again.

Playing the part of Santiago’s wife would be a particularly ironic job since he’d left her because he hadn’t wanted to commit. In the weeks after he’d moved, she’d sometimes fantasized about him coming back, metaphorical hat in hand, realizing he’d been wrong to let her go. He’d get down on his knees and beg her to take him back, plead for her forgiveness and grovel for his shortsighted mistake. The fantasy had helped her feel better, even though she’d known it would never happen.

And yet, in a strange twist of fate, he’d returned. Although he hadn’t groveled, he did need her help.

At least this time, she knew the score from the beginning.

“It’s business,” she muttered to herself. “Only a business arrangement.” No matter how personal it seemed, she had to remember that she was playing a part. Yes, they shared a past. But they didn’t have a future together. She would do this favor for him, he would help her brother, and then they’d part ways and go back to their separate lives.

For a split second, she thought about backing out. Santiago had said he’d still help Ace even if she didn’t help him. Why put herself through the emotional wringer if she didn’t absolutely have to?

But she dismissed the idea with her next breath. If she didn’t help Santiago, she’d feel like she owed him for taking Ace’s case. At least this way, they were balanced. A few days of awkwardness was preferable to being indebted to Santiago.

And maybe in some ways this would be good for her. She’d spent so much time mourning what might have been, she’d lost sight of all the reasons why she and Santiago might not have worked out to begin with. All his annoying traits had faded into the recesses of her memories. Perhaps a reminder of his imperfections and bad habits was just what she needed to realize how lucky she was to still be single.

Ainsley straightened, warming to the thought. It was the perfect approach to take for this upcoming ordeal. Instead of focusing on what she’d lost, she’d think about what she’d avoided and what she had now. Best of all, it would help her keep Santiago at arm’s length, which was what she needed to do for both her heart and the purposes of his ruse. It would be a win-win-win all around. Ace would get the best defense lawyer in the state; Santiago would help his sister; and she would have a renewed appreciation for her life.

She took a deep breath, recalling her interrupted meditation session earlier in the day. Everything would go back to normal soon. She just had to get through this first.

Friday morning.

“More coffee?”

Santiago glanced up at the waitress, who stood next to the table holding a full carafe. “Yes, please.” He lifted his cup to make it easier for her to pour, then brought the brew to his face to inhale the fragrant steam. Bubba’s Diner wasn’t the fanciest place in town, but the coffee was hot and the pancakes were fluffy.

“You ready to order yet?”

“Another moment, please,” Santiago said with a smile. “I’m sure my friend will be here shortly.”

The waitress nodded and walked off to attend another table. Santiago glanced at his watch. Ace Colton was late.

He added a packet of sugar and a dollop of cream to his coffee, then stirred gently. Just as he brought the mug to his lips the door to the diner opened, setting a string of bells jingling.

Ace walked inside and stopped just past the threshold. Santiago threw up his arm and gave him a little wave, and Ace nodded.

“Sorry I’m late,” he said as he slid into the booth across from Santiago. “I had a rough night.”

He looked it, too, with his tousled hair, stubbled cheeks and red-rimmed eyes.

“I understand,” Santiago said, offering his hand. It was the truth—he hadn’t slept well either, but for different reasons. Seeing Ainsley again had been a shock to his system. He’d assumed the passage of time would have dulled his body’s response to her, but he’d been wrong. He’d spent last night tossing and turning, wanting nothing more than to go back to her office and lay her back on that wide desk of hers. Or the coffee table he’d spied in the sitting area. Or any flat surface, really. He wasn’t picky. He just ached to feel her again, to have her in his arms once more.

Ace shook his hand, pulling him out of his thoughts. “I remember you.” His gaze turned assessing. “You dumped my sister to chase your career.” He tilted his head to the side. “How’d that work out for you?”

Guilt speared Santiago’s heart, but he ignored the uncomfortable sensation. “Depends on your perspective,” he said, deliberately keeping his tone light. He wasn’t about to get into the details of his past with Ainsley with her brother, and especially not here.

Ace studied him a moment, and Santiago got the impression the other man was debating on staying or going. “Ainsley says you’re the best,” he said finally.

Pleasure bloomed in Santiago’s chest. It meant a lot to know that despite their past, Ainsley still thought highly of his professional skills and trusted him to defend her brother. “I’m glad she called me.” For more reasons than one. “I think I can help you.”

A look of relief flashed across Ace’s face. “I trust my sister’s judgment. If she thinks you’re good, I do, too.”

Smart man. Santiago knew from experience Ainsley had a brilliant legal mind. She’d had her pick of firms, but her loyalty to her family had led her to choose corporate law and Colton Oil.

“Ainsley told me about your situation. But I’d like to hear the details from you, if you don’t mind.” Santiago liked to hear his clients tell their stories firsthand, as often their body language and facial expressions told him just as much as their words.

Ace nodded, then started talking, pausing only to place an order for food and coffee when the waitress stopped by the table again. He told Santiago about the initial email and the board’s reaction, the DNA test and Payne Colton’s response to finding out Ace wasn’t his biological son. Ace tried to hide it, but it was clear from the anguish in his eyes that Payne’s actions had hurt him deeply.

He expressed shock over Payne’s shooting, and even more disbelief at the fact the police had found a gun in his condo yesterday.

“It’s not mine, I swear it,” Ace said, leaning forward for emphasis. “I don’t know where it came from, but someone must have planted it.”

Santiago nodded, jotting down notes on a small pad. “Does anyone else have a key to your condo?”

Ace shook his head, but then stopped and frowned. “The cleaning lady,” he said. “And maybe the property management company?” He sounded uncertain about the last possibility.

“Let’s start with the cleaning lady first,” Santiago replied. “What’s her name?”

Ace rattled off the information, and Santiago dutifully recorded her name and number. “Any security tapes?” he asked.

“I do have some cameras installed inside,” Ace said. “And I know the building has some security cameras.”

“All right. I’ll want to see the footage from your cameras,” Santiago said.

“I can email the files to you, but the police already looked at everything,” Ace said. He sounded discouraged. “They said they didn’t find anything.”

Santiago smiled. “They may not have found evidence of a crime, but I have a different set of criteria for evaluation.”

Ace considered that for a second. “I like it,” he said, nodding slowly.

“What about this source? What did the police say her name was again?”

“Destiny Jones.” Ace practically spat the name. “I have no idea who she is.”

“The police told you she said she’d seen the gun during an intimate encounter?”

“Yeah. Except I’ve never seen the woman, much less slept with her!”

Santiago tilted his head to the side. “This is only going to work if you’re 100 percent honest with me.” He had to know everything about Ace’s actions over the past few months, even the details that might be considered embarrassing.

Ace’s eyes widened. “I’m telling you the truth! I have no idea who she is. She could walk right up to me and I wouldn’t know her.”

“Okay.” He decided to take Ace at his word. The man didn’t appear to be lying; in fact, the whole time he’d been talking he’d seemed genuine and sincere. It was still possible Santiago was being played, but if that was the case, Ace Colton was a terrific actor.

“Any chance you know her by a different name?”

Ace shook his head. “How would I know that?”

Santiago took a sip of coffee. “I’m asking you if you’ve taken a woman back to your condo for personal reasons. Maybe someone you don’t know very well, or only just met? A professional, perhaps?” Ace looked aghast, so Santiago held up a hand. “I’m not here to judge you. I’m just trying to find out if this woman got inside your condo by pretending to be someone else.”

“That’s not possible,” Ace said flatly. “I’m not in a relationship, and I don’t need to pay for companionship. The only woman who has regular access to my place is the maid, and Maria has worked for me for years. I doubt she’d do something like this.”

“Fair enough,” Santiago said easily. “Let’s switch gears. Who found Payne after he’d been shot?” He hadn’t had time to pull the police reports this morning before coming to the diner. It was on his to-do list, but given the time crunch he was facing, he’d decided to prioritize talking to Ace and hearing his side of things. He wanted to gather as much information as possible before Saturday, when he and Ainsley had their appointment at The Marriage Institute. The two of them were going to have to share a room for the duration of the retreat, and bringing a pile of work was a surefire way to keep both his hands and his mind occupied.

“The Colton Oil cleaning lady found him,” Ace said. “Her name is Joanne Bates. She’s worked for the company for the past five years. I don’t have her contact information with me, but I know Ainsley can get you her number.”

Santiago nodded. “Sounds good.”

The waitress delivered their food. Santiago asked Ace a few more questions between bites of pancakes and eggs, getting to know the man’s temperament. He’d done some online research last night and had learned from several industry articles that Ace had a reputation as a ruthless businessman.

“Have you ever double-crossed someone in a deal?”

Ace shrugged. “I’m sure it probably felt that way to some people, but I’m always careful to do things by the book. My actions are always legal, even though they might not be nice.”

“Can you think of anyone who would want to frame you for Payne’s attempted murder? Any enemies in your personal or business life who want to see you suffer?”

Ace took a bite of bacon and chewed, his expression thoughtful. “Not off the top of my head,” he said. “I’ve been thinking about it since yesterday, when the cops found that gun. Ainsley thinks maybe someone is trying to get me back for a business deal gone wrong, but I can’t come up with any people who would feel that way.” He took a sip of coffee and shrugged. “The people I deal with all know the score. I do what’s necessary to advance my company. They’re the same way.” A shadow crossed his face. “At least, it was my company.”

Santiago felt a pang of sympathy for the guy. It had to be hard, losing his job, his family, his identity all at the same time.

They finished up and Santiago signaled for the check. He had a lot of work ahead of him, and the sooner he got started, the better.

“Thanks for meeting me on such short notice,” he said as he signed the credit card receipt.

“Of course,” Ace said. “I appreciate you taking my case.”

“I’ll probably have some more questions for you,” Santiago said. “I know the police already told you this, but you need to stay in town. Don’t give them a reason to suspect you more than they already do.”

Ace nodded. “I know. I’m just tired of getting blamed for something I didn’t do.”

“I can understand that,” Santiago replied. “And I’ll do my best to prove you’re not the one who shot Payne.”

They stood and headed for the door. “Let me know what you need from me,” Ace said, shaking Santiago’s hand once they’d stepped outside. “Anything I can do to help you, I will.”

“Thank you,” Santiago said. “I’ll be in touch.”

They parted ways, and Santiago glanced down the street. The police department was only a few blocks away, at the end of Mustang Boulevard. The sun was bright, but the heat of the day had yet to settle over the town. A walk would help him organize his thoughts, so he set off in the direction of the one-story brick building.

He walked past a few storefronts, his mind ticking through options and making a mental to-do list. A kid on a bicycle careened toward him, so he stepped to the side to let the child pass. The move brought him up against the display windows of a jewelry store, and he was confronted by the sight of dozens of diamond rings, all sparkling in the sun.

Santiago’s stomach dropped as he realized he needed to buy Ainsley—and himself—rings. They were supposed to be married, after all, and married people wore wedding bands. But would she do that for him? Or was that taking things one step too far?

He remained rooted to the spot, indecision keeping him from walking away but also preventing him from going into the store. They would make a more convincing couple if they had wedding rings. If he’d hired a woman to play the part of his wife, he wouldn’t hesitate to supply the necessary prop. But Ainsley wasn’t just any woman. And this wouldn’t be just any ring.

Santiago shook his head, wishing for the millionth time there had been some way to preserve their relationship. But given his own dismal family history where love was concerned, he’d known his best option was to focus all his energy on his career and making a name for himself. At least he’d have some fulfillment in his life, even though legal briefs didn’t exactly keep him warm at night.

There had been times he’d questioned his decision. But in those moments of doubt, he’d only had to think of his parents and their seemingly permanent state of misery to know he’d made the right choice. His actions had paid off, at least professionally. He’d done well for himself career-wise. And he hadn’t lacked for company on a personal level. But he’d never truly connected with anyone the way he had with Ainsley. His relationships had been pleasant but superficial, and he’d been careful to ensure that the women he’d dated didn’t get the wrong idea about a future with him.

He simply wasn’t the marrying kind.

The men in his family were cursed when it came to marriage. He’d never met his grandparents, but his father had told him how unhappy they’d been together. And his own parents had made no secret of their disdain for each other. It was still a mystery to him why his parents had stayed together, but Gabriela had once told him she thought their mother and father wouldn’t separate because they hated each other too much to want to risk the other finding happiness with someone else. It made a sick kind of sense—they were locked in a self-destructive cycle, where punishing each other was more important than their own joy.

Growing up, Santiago had simply assumed he’d be alone. But when he’d met Ainsley in law school, he hadn’t been able to stay away from her. She was totally unlike his mother, her opposite in practically every way. Ainsley had taught him that relationships didn’t have to be prisons of misery, that both people could and should be happy together. And they had been, for a while.

But as the years had passed, Santiago had known Ainsley wanted to settle down. She’d made no secret of her desire for marriage, just as he’d been up-front about the fact that he wasn’t marriage material. When the job in New York had come up, he’d jumped at the chance to leave. Better to break it off while they still liked each other than let their affections wither and die because he couldn’t give her what she wanted most. No way was he going to follow in his parents’ footsteps.

He’d never thought he would be in the position of picking out a wedding ring. And yet here he was, standing outside a jewelry store and checking out the sparkling display.

A small part of him was curious about the process. Ainsley was the only woman in his life he might even imagine marrying, so it was somehow fitting he needed to pick out a wedding set for her. But not a diamond. Diamonds were significant—they meant commitment, a white dress, the whole nine yards. No, he needed something more subtle. Something that would look nice, but that wouldn’t send her mixed signals. He knew she wasn’t happy about doing him this favor, and he couldn’t blame her. He’d broken her heart five years ago, was lucky she’d even agreed to speak with him. Buying her a diamond ring and asking her to wear it would just be cruel, and he never wanted to hurt her.

Santiago peered past the window display, trying to see deeper into the store. Surely they carried more than just diamonds?

Only one way to find out. With a sigh, he pulled open the door and stepped inside.

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