Lucky Streak (Lucky 2)

He started by sending his father to the garage, instructing him to clean up the boxes and make room for Amber’s car inside. She knew it was busywork, but it kept the older man away from the people and chatter inside, which clearly overwhelmed him. Before Clara could join Edward, Mike asked her to make tea for all the guests, sending her to the kitchen, far from the garage. Clara enjoyed taking care of people and hurried to please Edward’s son. Gabrielle, clearly fascinated by the other woman, offered to help.

And though Amber preferred to stay with the men and find out what had happened to Mike’s famous snowboarding cousin, she didn’t think Mike would want her intruding. “I’ll help Clara and Gabrielle in the kitchen,” she said, turning to leave the Corwin men alone to deal with their family issues.

“Amber, wait.”

At the sound of Mike’s voice, her heart picked up rhythm. “Yes?” She glanced back over her shoulder, meeting his gaze.

“Would you mind sticking around?” He gestured to the family room where his cousins had settled into their own seats. “You’ve got a clear head and I think you might be able to help.”

His words caught her by surprise. “Of course I’ll stay.”

“Thank you. I figure that as a concierge, you’ve dealt with situations and people that were harder than this,” he said, winking at her.

They both knew that as a cop, he could handle people and situations as well as she could.

He wanted her by his side, she realized, warmth filling her as she walked over to him.

“Jason, how big an issue do you figure the press will be?” Mike asked.

“If they find me? Pretty big,” he said, clearly unhappy with the prospect. “I literally paid someone to sneak me out of the place I was staying, took a flight without prebooking…anything to stay under the radar.” He kicked back in his seat, propping his feet on the ottoman in front of him.

“Our cousin is like a rock star,” Derek told Amber, teasing Jason.

Like his cousin, Jason had the Corwin good looks with his blue eyes and brown hair. But he distinguished himself with a scruffy beard and longer hair. Yep, Amber could understand the rock-star comparison.

“Don’t listen to him. Snowboarding isn’t a sport that gets all that much media attention, but the count-down to the Olympics has already started. When the positive drug test is released, all hell is going to break loose,” Jason said.

Mike groaned and ran a hand through his hair. “Okay. But hiding out here may not be the best idea.” He went on to explain about Amber’s situation, and the reasons they couldn’t afford media scrutiny.

“Mind if I ask why you’d bring her to Edward’s when he hates visitors? Even I’m going to be an intrusion and I’m family.” He glanced at Amber. “No disrespect intended.”

“None taken,” she said.

They all knew how Edward’s mind worked.

Mike grit his teeth, realizing his cousin didn’t know everything. He drew a deep breath. “Because Amber is my wife.”

Jason’s gaze traveled from Mike to Amber and back again in obvious surprise. “You’re married?”

Amber remained silent and glanced at Mike, waiting for him to reply.

“We got hitched in Vegas. It’s a long story. Let’s just get back to your problem. I think I have a solution.”

Jason frowned. “Okay, but I want details later.”

Derek, who’d been quiet until now, snorted.

“What was that for?” Mike asked.

Derek glanced at Jason. “That was a snort of disbelief. As in good luck getting anything out of him.” He tilted his head to Mike. “He’s not saying much.”

Amber shifted from one foot to the other. “Can we not talk about me later, when I’m not in the room?” she asked wryly.

Jason laughed. “Sorry, sweetheart. That was rude of me. I’m just jet-lagged and shocked by my cousin’s news. I’ll make a better impression next time.”

Mike rolled his eyes. “Can we get down to business? Jason, I suggest we sneak you out of here. You can stay at my apartment in Boston. Nobody will look for you there.”

“That’s brilliant!” Amber squeezed his hand only to find both Jason’s and Derek’s eyes on her.