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    Once, Again
    Once, Again
    Once, Again
    Ebook264 pages4 hours

    Once, Again

    By Emily Mims

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    About this ebook

    FIRST IN HIS HEART

    The survivor of a brutal attack, Misty Martinez has just come home to San Antonio to put her life back together when her little brother is framed for selling drugs. Her father insists she help, but to clear her brother’s name and find the real culprits she must go undercover, joining a band and posing as the girlfriend of the wealthy widower and owner of the nightclub where her brother worked.

    Alex Navarro is sensual, compelling...and arrogant and embittered, unable to return Misty’s love, as his heart still belongs to his dead wife. Yet their attraction is there, undeniable, mutual, all-consuming. A choice might be made to find pleasure in a moment, but something sweeter begs to be tasted. This love is like the redemption Misty is seeking for her family—difficult, dangerous, and the only thing that can destroy the demons of the past.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherBoroughs Publishing Group
    Release dateFeb 25, 2016
    ISBN9781944262150
    Once, Again
    Author

    Emily Mims

    The author of over thirty romance novels, Emily Mims combined her writing career with a career in public education until leaving the classroom to write full time. The mother of two sons, she and her husband split their time between central Texas, eastern Tennessee, and Georgia visiting their kids and grandchildren. For relaxation Emily plays the piano, organ, dulcimer, and ukulele for two different performing groups, and even sings a little. She says, “I love to write romances because I believe in them. Romance happened to me and it can happen to any woman—if she’ll just let it.”

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      Book preview

      Once, Again - Emily Mims

      FIRST IN HIS HEART

      The survivor of a brutal attack, Misty Martinez has just come home to San Antonio to put her life back together when her little brother is framed for selling drugs. Her father insists she help, but to clear her brother’s name and find the real culprits she must go undercover, joining a band and posing as the girlfriend of the wealthy widower and owner of the nightclub where her brother worked.

      Alex Navarro is sensual, compelling…and arrogant and embittered, unable to return Misty’s love, as his heart still belongs to his dead wife. Yet their attraction is there, undeniable, mutual, all-consuming. A choice might be made to find pleasure in a moment, but something sweeter begs to be tasted. This love is like the redemption Misty is seeking for her family—difficult, dangerous, and the only thing that can destroy the demons of the past.

      ONCE, AGAIN

      Emily Mims

      A Texas Hill Country Romance

      www.BOROUGHSPUBLISHINGGROUP.com

      PUBLISHER’S NOTE: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, business establishments or persons, living or dead, is coincidental. Boroughs Publishing Group does not have any control over and does not assume responsibility for author or third-party websites, blogs or critiques or their content.

      ONCE, AGAIN

      Copyright © 2016 Emily Wright Mims

      Smashwords Edition

      All rights reserved. Unless specifically noted, no part of this publication may be reproduced, scanned, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of Boroughs Publishing Group. The scanning, uploading and distribution of this book via the Internet or by any other means without the permission of Boroughs Publishing Group is illegal and punishable by law. Participation in the piracy of copyrighted materials violates the author’s rights.

      ISBN 978-1-944262-15-0

      To all those who have learned to live and love again

      CONTENTS

      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

      Chapter 15

      Chapter 16

      Chapter 17

      Chapter 18

      Epilogue

      About the Author

      ONCE, AGAIN

      Chapter One

      A brisk February wind puffed in Misty’s face as she stepped onto a busy downtown San Antonio sidewalk. Turning north she headed toward Navarro Corporation’s headquarters. In her briefcase was a folder that could change her brother’s life.

      She’d first met Alex Navarro during his campaign for a Texas congressional seat. Tall and broad-shouldered with a solid, muscular build, he wore his thick, dark hair, square jaw and chiseled cheekbones proudly. Comfortable in his own skin, he was smooth and charming, smart as a whip, quick with a smile and a handshake, and he seemed sincerely concerned about the issues.

      But that was years ago. Before his wife was murdered. To this day, Misty still gagged when she recalled pictures the assailant posted on the Internet of a pregnant Leigh Anne sprawled across the carpet with a bullet hole in her forehead.

      The San Antonio gossip mill, usually a rich source of information and speculation, had been surprisingly quiet about Alex after the tragedy, instead concentrating on his brother Lalo’s romance with Miss Santa.

      Misty entered the tall, modern building and found a directory posted in the lobby. She looked twice for Alex’s name but couldn’t find it. Curious. She saw a listing for Restaurant and Nightclub Management on the seventh floor and figured she’d start there. The elevator quickly carried her to a wide lobby where a flamboyantly dressed young man sat behind a massive desk in an otherwise deserted reception area.

      May I help you, ma’am?

      I’m Misty Martinez. I’m here to see Alex Navarro. This is his office?

      The young man’s eyes widened. Y-yes, it is, but—do you have an appointment with Mr. Navarro?

      Actually no. But I’m an attorney with Harrington, Harrington and Riley and I’m here in an official capacity to see Mr. Navarro about an important matter. Would you tell him that I’m here? Or better yet, just show me to his office.

      The young man turned around and looked helplessly at a closed door on the far wall. Uh, Miss, I—let me ring Mr. Navarro. He punched a button on his phone. Mr. Navarro? There’s a Misty Martinez here to see you. He paused. Misty Martinez. She says she’s with the Harrington law firm and she’s here in an official capacity.

      Misty heard an ominous rumble on the other end of the line and the receptionist’s eyes widened. Sir, I—He hung up the phone. He… he says he’ll see you.

      The young man ushered Misty across the room and opened the door to a sleek, spacious office that was dominated by a massive pecan wood desk.

      The man sitting behind the desk was so different from the Alex Navarro she remembered, she would have passed him on the street and never recognized him. Do not stare, Misty told herself as she looked at him, hoping her stunned horror was not written all over her face.

      Eyes that had been so warm and smiling and full of life now looked like two holes burned in a blanket. His face was heartbreakingly thin, and once-healthy tanned skin hung from his cheeks in sallow folds. Deep lines bracketed his forehead and his mouth, and hair that had been dark and artfully cut was now streaked with gray and pulled back in a careless ponytail.

      A loose collar and a baggy sport coat emphasized a weight loss, which had to be more than forty pounds. Geesh. Alex was two years younger than Misty, but at thirty-four he looked fifty.

      His expression was almost hostile as he waved her toward the chair across from his desk with a hand that she would have sworn trembled. So to what do I owe the honor of this visit?

      I don’t know if you remember me, I’m—

      I know who you are. What brings you here in an ‘official capacity’? Gone was the charm she remembered; his face was impassive as he stared at her from across his desk.

      An arrest made two nights ago at one of your nightclubs. El Rio Rojo.

      Ah, yes. The busboy with the satchel of drugs in his locker. My father and I were down there for hours. I promise you, El Jefe was not amused.

      Neither was my el jefe. That boy is my brother and my father’s convinced Kirby is being framed. My father hopes you can get me in the door of the club to do some investigating. He’s sure I’ll find out something that will get Kirby off the hook.

      Alex’s eyes narrowed. I thought you said you were here in an official capacity.

      I am, Misty lied smoothly. I take care of a lot of my father’s legal business.

      Sure. Alex eyed her knowingly. And what do you think?

      I honestly don’t know what to think. I haven’t really looked through the folder of what my father feels sure is evidence of Kirby’s innocence. He just brought it to me and asked if I would come to you for help in clearing my brother.

      Why would he do that? We’re not friends.

      Alex, my father is desperate, and he’ll do anything to clear Kirby, including having me presume upon a long-ago acquaintance. Is there any way in the world you would be willing to help me?

      No.

      Just like that?

      Just like that.

      Why not? I’m not asking for much, really. Just some kind of entry into the club. I’ll take it from there.

      What part of ‘no’ don’t you understand?

      "What part of ‘why not’ do you not understand?"

      Alex’s eyes were lifeless as he turned them on her. I have neither the time nor the inclination.

      Not even to help a young man who could be innocent?

      Not my brother. Not my problem.

      Well, he is my brother, and if the situation was reversed and you came to me I sure as hell would help Lalo. Misty raised her chin a little and looked Alex in the eye. Damned if she would let him see the defeat she felt. Never mind. I didn’t think you would help, but for Kirby’s sake I had to try. She rose swiftly. I’ve taken up enough of your time. Thank you for talking with me.

      You know Lalo?

      I’ve shared a lunch or two with him and Gina, she said. Nice guy. A lot nicer— Misty felt her face turn red, and she turned to head toward the door.

      Just a minute. She turned around as Alex rose from behind his desk. Standing, he looked even thinner. Misty revised her weight loss estimate to a good fifty pounds. Do you really think your brother’s innocent?

      I don’t know, but I told my father I’d try to find out.

      Alex ran a hand across the back of his neck. I’ll do this much. We’ll look at the evidence over dinner tonight. If we find enough in your father’s folder to vindicate Kirby, I’ll see about getting you into the club.

      We don’t have to do dinner, Misty said quickly. I have the folder with me now.

      You gotta eat, right?

      She nodded.

      I’ll pick you up at seven. Where can I find you?

      She scrawled her address on the back of her business card and handed it to him. Thanks, she said. I appreciate this.

      He looked at her, and something, just a glimmer of something lit his face and reminded Misty of the old Alex.

      Chapter Two

      He wanted to fuck her.

      Not help her. No way was he going to do that.

      He just wanted to fuck her.

      Alex sat down and pulled out the flask of Scotch he kept in his bottom drawer. He’d been about to slip a nip when the phone rang. He’d almost instructed Jules to tell Misty to make an appointment. But Alex had been curious.

      He remembered his opponent’s former campaign manager from a long-ago party, mostly because Leigh Anne liked her so much and had mentioned her later a time or two. But a man would have had to be blind not to notice Misty. She had the face of a Mayan princess; high cheekbones, full lips made for kissing, dark eyes fringed with thick lashes and glossy, long, dark hair that begged a man to knot his fingers in it.

      Her power suit had not quite hidden her tall, lithe body. But more than her gorgeous face and knockout figure, Alex had been charmed that night years ago by her wit and her intelligence. And in a political sea teeming with sharks, she seemed genuinely nice.

      None of which explained this sudden urge to rip her clothes off and bury himself inside her warmth.

      She had changed since he’d seen her last. The brilliant smile he remembered was muted. Maybe she was just unhappy about her father putting her up to this dead-end investigation, but Alex had become a good judge of character during his years in the courtroom, and he would have bet his last bottle of Crown Royal that there was more going on with Misty than irritation with her father.

      If he wasn’t mistaken she’d lost weight—not the forty-seven pounds he’d shed but definitely a few—and God knows why she’d cut off that mane of gorgeous hair and changed its color.

      She looked older and somehow tired, and he sensed wariness in her that had not been there before.

      But he still wanted to fuck her.

      Alex swore quietly and again put the flask to his lips, taking a larger draw than was prudent during business hours. But what the hell, he’d already accomplished everything on today’s to-do list; not exactly a make-work job but damn close.

      If he had any gumption, he’d ask for a transfer to the Navarro legal team where he would actually have to accomplish something. Or he could resign from the corporation altogether and go to work for one of the many law firms in San Antonio.

      But that would require caring.

      And bottom line: Alex didn’t care.

      Not about himself. Not about his job. Not about one damned thing in his life anymore, and he hadn’t since he’d walked into his home in Midland a year and a half ago and found his pregnant wife sprawled dead on the floor with a bullet in her head, put there by a madman out to destroy the life of his political opponent.

      So here Alex sat, doing what little needed to be done as the Director of the restaurant and nightclub division of Navarro, Inc.; slipping a nip here and there when the pain and the memories became too much.

      Alex was about to slip in another when his phone buzzed. Alex, El Jefe wants you upstairs in ten minutes.

      Shit. Did he say what for?

      No. He just told me to let you know.

      Alex clicked off without answering. He fished out the bottle of mouthwash he kept next to the Scotch and rinsed his mouth in the lavatory just off his office.

      He straightened his tie and removed the elastic band from the hair he hadn’t bothered cutting since… and ran his fingers through it a bit before returning it to the band.

      Another year or two and it would probably be white. Not that it mattered what he looked like anymore. His days as a camera-ready politician were long over, and he could have cared less if his salt-and-pepper hair cut into his sex appeal with the ladies.

      He’d buried the only woman he’d ever love and wasn’t trying to attract another.

      Not even the oh-so-fuckable Misty Martinez.

      *****

      His father and his younger brother were waiting in his father’s fifteenth floor office overlooking downtown San Antonio. Ernest Navarro, El Jefe to everyone who knew him, was on the phone firing off orders in Spanish to one of his construction supervisors, presumably the one building a high-rise in Monterrey. Lalo had his laptop perched on his knee as he scrolled through real-estate listings. Alex sank into the vacant chair beside Lalo and peered at the laptop screen. You in the market again? You just bought the Queen Anne a couple of years ago.

      No room for Gina at my place, and Gina’s condo doesn’t have room for me. We’re looking to move in together.

      That’s going to go over with Dr. and Mrs. Reyes like a turd in the punchbowl. And El Jefe and La Reina aren’t going to be too thrilled, either, with you planning to run for office.

      I don’t think either set of parents will mind. Lalo minimized the real-estate site and brought up the website of the classiest jeweler in San Antonio. I’ve narrowed it down to five. I’m going to let Gina make the final choice. He clicked on an icon and pictures of wedding sets filled the screen.

      Alex sucked in a painful breath and pointed to one set of rings. Take that one off and put another in its place, he said harshly. Those are the same rings Leigh Anne wore. I bought hers at the same damn store.

      Ouch. Sorry. Lalo immediately deleted the image and substituted one that was similar but not identical.

      El Jefe hung up the phone and turned to Lalo. So when are you going to pop the question?

      Barge ride Saturday night on the Riverwalk. Fancy dinner for two as we float down the river. I propose, she says yes and we pick everybody up at El Rio Rojo for dessert and champagne. Ren’s mariachi group has already agreed to serenade. Completely kitschy and completely San Antonio. Lalo looked sheepish. But I think she’ll like it.

      Miss Santa gets a Valentine proposal from her handsome co-chair. The city will love it, El Jefe mused.

      The city will love it after the fact, Lalo said firmly. No reporters and no photographers, Papa. I mean it. We’ll lose our privacy quickly enough when I announce that I’m running for City Council.

      That’s the damn truth, Alex murmured.

      Hijo, Lalo, even I’m not that crass, El Jefe protested. Besides, she might turn you down.

      Lalo’s eyes widened in alarm. You don’t think she’ll say yes?

      Lalo, Papa’s teasing, Alex said. She loves you and you love her. Bile filled his mouth. Just try not to love her too much.

      Lalo opened his mouth but their father shook his head. Alex, I have a couple of things I wanted to touch base with you on this afternoon. Have things settled down at El Rio Rojo?

      Yes, the lid is clamped nice and tight on the arrest. The few employees who even saw what happened know they’re toast if it gets out. The kid’s out on bail and obviously won’t be back. And his sister came to see me to get me to help prove him innocent.

      For a quick moment, Alex debated telling his father about Misty’s visit. Bringing it up would only cause El Jefe unnecessary concern and lengthen a meeting Alex didn’t want to be at in the first place. Besides, he didn’t intend to help the woman anyway. I think we’re good to go on the club.

      El Jefe looked like he wanted to say more on the subject, but rather than speaking he nodded his head toward Lalo, who said, Alex, I want you to reconsider serving on the displacement task force for the Offices of the East Side project. I’m almost through putting it together and we’re already meeting periodically. You’d be a valuable asset.

      I told you I wasn’t interested, Alex said sharply. I have nothing to contribute to that group.

      Yes, you do, Lalo argued. You learned a lot about people’s needs and how to meet them when you were running for Congress. You also made valuable contacts that would be useful.

      And doing something for others would help you take some of the focus off your own grief, their father added gently.

      Big whoop. These jokers are losing a house or a business. Talk to me when they’ve lost something really important, Alex said bitterly. Look, I get it that you’re worried about me. But that task force is the last place I belong.

      No, sitting at home staring at Leigh Anne’s picture and getting shit-faced night after night is the last place you belong, Lalo growled.

      Ignoring his brother’s jab, Alex said, Unless El Jefe orders me to as part of my job description, I’m not doing it. How about it, Papa? Is it part of my job now?

      El Jefe threw up his hands. Never mind. We just thought it might help.

      Alex looked from his father to Lalo. "Nothing’s going to help. When is everybody going to understand that?"

      He ignored the helpless look his father and brother exchanged as Alex walked out of the office.

      They didn’t understand.

      They both had the women they loved in their lives.

      Lalo was head over heels in love with Gina, and in spite of El Jefe’s wandering eye, his parents seemed to care for one another. Neither man had experienced the searing pain of having the woman he loved, and the child she carried, ripped out of his life.

      Alex started to go back to his office but checked his watch and headed for the parking garage instead. He had just a couple of hours to go home, get a shower and shave, and make it across town to pick up Misty for their date.

      He wondered what her real motivation was in seeking his help if she didn’t really believe her brother was innocent. She’d been cool and collected for the most part, but he’d picked up a hint of desperation when he turned her down. Pressure from her old man? Or misplaced guilt over her brother? Who knew? Who cared?

      But why not find out?

      For the first time since Leigh Anne’s murder he felt a glimmer of desire. Until today, even the thought of sex with another woman had him swimming in guilt and reaching for the Scotch bottle. But something about Misty Martinez reminded him that even a grief-stricken widower was still a man, and he hadn’t been with a woman for a long, long time.

      And he wanted to.

      God, he wanted to.

      Chapter Three

      As Misty got ready for her dinner with Alex her lips tightened when thoughts of her father and how he blackmailed her this afternoon came bubbling to the surface. He’d been all about saving his precious Kirby, Misty be damned. From the minute Rolando announced his second wife’s pregnancy, he had been over the moon about becoming a father

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