Strictly Confidential. Terri Reed

pale blue eyes: why was her only daughter talking to a man suspected of shooting his uncle?

      Colleen gave a slight shrug as if to say “so what?” Her mother would understand how little stock Colleen took in the rumor mill. So often she’d proven the gossips wrong when she’d investigated a story.

      She turned her gaze back to the man standing beside her. The knowing look in his dark eyes made her sense he’d somehow interpreted the exchange between mother and daughter correctly.

      “Your mother is protective, no?”

      His words confirmed her thoughts. “Yes. I’m her only daughter and you’re basically a stranger, even though you’ve been in town off and on for over a year now. Still, even your aunt Lidia doesn’t seem to know you well.”

      She studied him, liking his dark wavy hair and the aristocratic lines to his jaw. His soulful eyes could be hard and demanding yet turn so charming and compelling that her heart pounded with a rapid beat.

      He’d said he was an accountant. He certainly didn’t come across like any number cruncher she’d ever met. Superhero, Holly had said. Determination to uncover his secrets slid into place. “What is it exactly you do for the European Union again?”

      A slow smile tipped the corners of his mouth upward. “I’m gathering information to bring back to Europe on the feasibility of opening a branch of the E.U. Bank in Colorado Springs.”

      “What kind of information?” She’d heard her father and Max talking about how they’d yet to see any results from Alessandro’s work.

      “Information that will further transatlantic economic integration and enhance the flow of investments as well as trade between the E.U. and the U.S.”

      “That sounds like a party line to me,” Colleen stated as her reporter’s instincts kicked into gear. “Does such information include art?”

       “Scusi?”

      “I’ve heard from sources that you’ve taken an interest in the museum. And its new curator,” she commented, thinking of the brunette he’d been talking to when she walked in.

      She hadn’t missed the way they’d stood close together, as if they were involved romantically. Perhaps that was why he’d been hanging around. Why did a bubble of disappointment lodge itself in her chest?

      He arched a brow. “Really? You are checking up on me, bella? I’m flattered.”

      A heated flush flamed in her cheeks. “People talk. Especially about a mysterious newcomer.”

      “Is that what I am to you, bella? Mysterious?” His dark eyes probed her as if he wanted to see deep inside her where she held her own private thoughts.

      She rubbed at the sudden goose bumps prickling her arms. “I think you’re a man with much to hide.”

      “For you, cara mia , I would gladly tell all my secrets.”

      “Yeah, right.”

      Not for one second did she believe him, but his smooth-as-silk tone and roguish smile still made little butterflies take flight in her stomach.

      She lifted her chin. “I’ve heard that Italian men are dreadful flirts. You are very accomplished, indeed.”

      He chuckled, a deep sound that penetrated all the way to her heart. “What a delight you are, Colleen.”

      Unaccountably pleased by his words, she sought to bring some reality to the situation. “I doubt my brothers would agree with you,” she replied as she caught sight of her two brothers standing side by side, glaring at them.

      She smiled. They both shook their heads, clearly indicating they didn’t approve of the person she was talking to.

      Alessandro followed her gaze with his own. “Ah, the protective Montgomery brothers.”

      “What can I say? Do you have family besides your aunt Lidia?” she asked, needing to turn the conversation back to him.

      There was a story here. She wanted to unravel the mystery of this intriguing man so he’d no longer hold any appeal for her. Besides, she’d promised Holly.

      “What is family? Only those whose blood you share? Or those who stand by you in time of need?”

      She wasn’t sure how to respond to that, but she saw something flicker in his eyes, something dark and painful, and she fought the urge to reach out to him. She had no experience in offering comfort to anyone, let alone to a man who was not family.

      “Family can be both of those things. Family comes through connection. Whether through blood or friendship. Or through the bond of faith.”

      His expression softened. “Ah, sì . Faith. You believe deeply in God, no?”

      “Yes. Very deeply.”

      “Because you were raised to believe.”

      “I was raised to believe, but that’s not why I believe.”

      “Tell me, then, why do you believe?”

      “Because without faith in God there is no hope.”

      “So is that what keeps you going, even when you investigate the travesties of the world? When you report about an abused wife whose life has become a nightmare at the hands of the one man she should trust? When you report on the drugs and the crimes perpetuated by evil men? Is it hoped that God will deliver justice? Where is the justice for the victims?”

      Surprised by his passionate words, Colleen laid a hand on his arm. “God is faithful all the time,” she said simply. “I don’t understand God, can’t fathom why the bad things in life are allowed to happen. All I can do is put my faith in the only One who does know.”

      Alessandro covered her hand with his. The warmth of his palm against the back of her hand made her toes curl inside her pointed black sandals. “I admire your steadfastness,” he said.

      His admiration was pleasing, not to mention the tender expression in his dark eyes. If she weren’t careful, she could get used to having him around.

      A commotion near the entrance interrupted the moment and common sense rushed in. Colleen extracted her hand. Having him around? What was she thinking? Obviously, she wasn’t.

      She didn’t have time for such things. She needed to stay focused on her job.

      Raised voices drew her attention. She turned to see Fire Chief Neil O’Brien push past the burly doorman.

      “I’ve a right to be here, just as everyone else does,” Neil said, his words slightly slurred.

      “Not in this condition, you don’t,” the doorman replied and made a grab for Neil’s arm. Neil dodged and continued forward, his gaze scanning the crowd, obviously looking for someone.

      He looked even more haggard and worn than he had the last time Colleen had seen him, at the fire station when she’d confronted him about his gambling debts. His hair was mussed and his brown eyes bloodshot. A generous amount of weight had settled around his middle.

      Colleen guessed his gambling was getting to him. She felt bad for his pregnant wife, Mary, and thankful that she wasn’t here to witness the spectacle her husband was making of himself.

      Neil drew up short when he met Colleen’s gaze. He pointed a shaky finger at her. “You.”

      Not one ever to run from a challenge, she stepped forward. “Chief O’Brien.”

      “Because of you, people are saying I had something to do with the hospital fire. I told you I didn’t. But you couldn’t leave it alone.”

      “I don’t for a second believe Lucia was negligent that day. My instincts tell me you’re hiding something and I’m going to prove it. And if what I wrote in my article cast suspicion elsewhere, then so be it.”

      Colleen was aware