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    Prevailing Winds
    Prevailing Winds
    Prevailing Winds
    Ebook251 pages3 hours

    Prevailing Winds

    By Laura Harner

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    About this ebook

    Two years ago, Jamie Mainwaring and Remy Remington had nothing in common except missing boys and a blazing hot mutual distraction. When the case was over, so were they. Although they went their separate ways, life—and death—keep the men connected.

    After another deadly tragedy touches both their lives, the men say what they believe must be their final goodbyes—only to have their worlds collide once again. This time they end up in Las Vegas, one man for work, the other to try to mend a very personal pain.

    Although Jamie and Remy once excelled at mixing business with pleasure—this time, the stakes are much higher—they’ve got forever on the line. When they discover Jamie’s case has an unexpected connection to Remy’s son, they must put everything aside to find Toby before the young man makes a decision that will change all of their lives. One thing is positive, time is running out.

    This is the final installment in the Separate Ways Series. The books should be enjoyed in the following order:
    Continental Divide
    Oceans Apart
    Moving Mountains
    Prevailing Winds

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherLaura Harner
    Release dateJul 24, 2014
    ISBN9781937252878
    Prevailing Winds
    Author

    Laura Harner

    Laura lives on waterfront property in Arizona because she's always wanted to be an oxymoron. She once enjoyed hobbies such as gardening and travel—now the characters in her head compel her to tell their stories, so she writes. (It doesn't actually help quiet the voices—but it keeps the folks in the white jackets at bay.)She shares her home with an ever-revolving cast of characters—some of whom are actually real—and is living her dream of building her own version of the Willow Springs Ranch.With over fifty published novels and novellas, Laura is an international bestselling author of erotic romances, romantic suspense, urban fantasy, and Highland romances. Her books can be found at all major online retailers.Connect with her online at:http://lauraharner.com

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    • 2/5
      After reading the first book in the Separate Ways series, I was excited that there were three more books in the series, but like the two previous books this last book in the series left me disappointed. Each book seemed to destroy both leading characters that I found so interesting in the first. The two main characters Remy and Jamie were interesting at first but their growth as human beings just left me cold. This last book in the series didn't answer anything that the first book made me wonder about. It felt undeveloped. The story line was boring and I found myself uncaring about what happened. The last section was to me the only good thing about the book. It at least gave some insight into the lives of the two lead characters.

    Book preview

    Prevailing Winds - Laura Harner

    Dedication

    We made it! It’s been a long and often painful journey, but for me—and I hope for you—Remy and Jamie were worth every laugh, tear, and sleepless night. This book is dedicated to those who have been with me from the start, and to those who joined along the way.

    For you my wonderful readers and friends, including Ange, Tiffany, Lis, Will, Becky, Phoung, Tracy, Donna, Vastine and Carol, Zam, Silvia, Mary, Chris R., Danny, Angel, Kerry, Mary, Elaine, JR, Grace, Dawn, Amanda, Tom, Tracey, Beverly, Christy, Sharon, Krystal, Helen, Chris, Michelle, Joanne, Robyn, Kymber, Mary, Neil, and so very many others who have loved these men and this series. Thank you for your words, your encouragement, and the not-so-subtle reminders to hurry up and write! Most of all, thank you for your trust. I love you all.

    A special thank you to Jae Ashley, Will Parkinson, Havan Fellows, Lee Brazil, Tom Webb, and Kymber Morgan. Your help is greatly appreciated.

    Acknowledgements

    The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of the following wordmark mentioned in this work of fiction:

    American Express: American Express Marketing & Development Corp.

    Bellagio: Mirage Resorts, Incorporated

    Cabbage Patch Doll: Original Appalachian Artworks, Inc.

    Celine Dion’s My Heart Will Go On: TCF Music Publishing, Inc., Famous Music Corporation, Fox Film Music Corporation, Ensign Music Corporation, Blue Sky Rider Songs

    Chanel: Chanel, Inc.

    Cinderella, Disney, Disneyland, Sleeping Beauty: Disney Enterprises, Inc.

    Circus Circus: Mandalay Resort Group Corporation

    Coke: The Coca-Cola Company

    Dan Post: Dan Post Boot Company

    Dior: Christian Dior Couture, S.A.

    Dr. Phil: Peteski Productions, Inc.

    Dumpster: Toccoa Metal Technologies, Inc.

    Excalibur: New Castle Corp.

    Glenlivet: The Glenlivet Distillers Limited

    Goodwill: Goodwill Industries International, Inc.

    Interpol: International Criminal Police Organization

    Jack Daniels: Jack Daniel’s Properties, Inc.

    Jeep: Chrysler Group, LLC

    Kevlar: E. I. Du Pont De Nemours

    LAX: Los Angeles World Airports

    Led Zeppelin: Joan Hudson, Robert A. Plant, James P. Page, & John Baldwin

    Luxor: Ramparts, Inc.

    Macallan: Macallan Distillers Limited

    Mack Truck: Mack Trucks, Inc.

    Mandalay Bay: Mandalay Resort Group Corporation

    NASA: National Aeronautics Space Program

    Nissan Maxima: Nissan Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha DBA Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.

    Phoenix Sky Harbor (International Airport): City of Phoenix

    Queen Mary 2: Carnival PLC

    Rat Pack: Frank Sinatra Enterprises, LLC

    Ruger: Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc.

    Sensodyne: Glaxosmithkline LLC

    Shell: Shell Trademark Management B.V.

    Sterno: Sterno Group LLC

    Sunday Times: Times Newspapers Limited

    Trump Tower: Trump, Donald J.

    Walgreens: Walgreens Co.

    Chapter One

    For the third time in his life, Jamie found himself on the wrong side of the airport security line while his cowboy stayed behind. Bloody hell. He didn’t sodding think he could do this again and survive. He needed to get out of Phoenix, but the truth was, he didn’t have the foggiest idea where he wanted to go. Glancing down at the ticket in his hand, his stomach plummeted at the thought of returning to London. There was nothing there for him. Where exactly did one go when there was nowhere else to run?

    I’ve made such a goddamn mess of everything.

    With his pulse thundering and his throat tight, Jamie resisted the urge to turn around, even though the weight of Remy’s gaze was a physical force pressing against his back, squeezing his heart. Resolutely looking straight ahead, Jamie passed through the scanner before retrieving his belongings from the industrial tub nearly as gray as his mood. He slipped back into his shoes and reorganized his carry-on bag.

    Two years ago in New York, by the time Jamie worked up the courage to beg Remy to stay, the cowboy had been long gone. In Grenada, Jamie had said good-bye on his terms, but he’d still risked a look at Remy’s back as his ex sauntered through the crowded airport. This time, everything about his departure felt unfinished—yet as unbearably final as watching Remy and Toby toss dirt on Miggy’s casket. Swallowing back the urge to breakdown and have a good cry, Jamie steeled himself to do what needed to be done, so he could have the closure he needed. He closed his eyes briefly to gather strength, then turned to face the man who would always own his heart.

    Remy stood just on the other side of the security barrier, hands tucked into the front pockets of his jeans, shoulders slumped forward, deep lines etched around his eyes and bracketing the unsmiling mouth. When their gazes locked, Remy’s chin raised and his lips parted slightly. In that moment, Jamie saw a man whose world had completely unraveled, who needed comfort, a friend, someone to help him through the loss of his one true love. God forgive me, but I can’t be that man and survive with my heart intact.

    Then Remy mouthed the words guaranteed to haunt Jamie for the rest of his life.

    Please don’t go.

    With a sense of self-preservation bordering on panic, Jamie tilted his head and smiled slightly, then waved farewell before turning to walk deeper into the departure terminal of the Phoenix International Airport.

    ****

    Remy pulled his truck into the drive, and after turning off the engine, he folded his arms across the steering wheel then leaned forward to rest his head. Funny how quickly life could change. Just a little over two years ago, he’d walked away from the first man who’d ever touched his heart, using his friend Miggy’s cocaine addiction as a convenient distraction. Since then, he and Miggy had covered a lot of ground…and ocean together. He never would have foreseen they’d end up partners in both work and in bed. Now Miggy was gone, and Jamie…walked away, leaving Remy just the way he’d always wanted to be. Alone. How fucking just.

    With his eyes closed, Remy conjured up Jamie’s confused expression at the recklessly whispered invitation. Thank god they’d been too far apart for the words to carry clearly. There was some small comfort in knowing, even now, Jamie was jetting his way back to London, to his own people. Perhaps he’d make peace with his brother and settle at the family estate. At least there he’d be safe and could find the happiness he deserved.

    The image of Jamie morphed into the recurring vision of Miggy’s death. Awake or asleep, it always started the same place. A flash frame of confusing images. Jamie impersonating Remy. Cortez’s gun rising to shoot Jamie. Miggy’s hand as his gun recoiled from the shots at Cortez. Miggy’s mouth opening in surprise as his body jerked. Miggy on the ground in a pool of blood. Maria in his gunsight, Jamie’s body her only protection against the cold-blooded murder in his heart.

    The door to the truck wrenched open, startling him from the dark place in his mind.

    Remy? You okay? Toby asked. The slight tremble to his voice showed both his age and his concern. It was enough to bring Remy back from whatever edge he’d been standing on.

    Not alone. He had a son. A son who’d just lost a man he’d thought of as his other father. Remy couldn’t forget that. He would spend the next however-the-hell-long it took to make things right in Toby’s world. He couldn’t give him back Miggy, but he could—he would—be the best father any college-aged guy could ask for. There was so much he needed to make up to Toby.

    Yeah, I’m okay, Tobes. It’s just been a helluva long day. Remy dragged himself from the cab of his truck and dropped an arm over Toby’s shoulder. Come on, let’s go inside.

    When Toby didn’t tuck in next to him, Remy stopped and took a good look at the young man. Like Remy, he’d changed his clothes after the funeral, and now wore a pair of deep indigo jeans. Despite the warm early evening temperature, Toby’s long-sleeved T-shirt and hiking boots looked like a layer of protection against the eventual temperature drop of a desert night. Although he didn’t exactly shrug away, the strap of a duffle bag hung from one shoulder and he didn’t meet Remy’s gaze.

    Toby? Let’s go inside, Remy repeated. The cup of airport coffee coiled in his stomach, ready to strike back.

    I have to go, Toby said, stepping out from under Remy’s arm.

    Go? Where would you go? Why would you go?

    It’s nothing. I might be back in a couple of weeks. We’ll see. Just something I—

    All thoughts of being a reasonable parent seemed to fly away on the desert breeze. Neither of them should be alone right now. They had grieving and healing to do. Together. As a family. How the fuck did he find the words to say that?

    For fuck’s sake, Toby. We just buried Migs a few hours ago, now you hit me with this?

    True to form, always about you, right, Remy? You laughed…

    About me? I laughed at what? Make sense, Toby. Please. Can’t you come inside so we can talk about this?

    You laughed today at his wake or whatever this was we had here. You already had your arm around Jamie and you were laughing with those cops.

    Oh, Toby…that’s just…just what people do at funerals. It doesn’t mean what you think. It’s just a part of…affirming life.

    Affirming life. Nice. Is that what you call fucking Jamie in Miggy’s bed last night, too? You couldn’t even wait until he was in the ground. You know what? I’m not going to do this. Not now. I’ve gotta go, someone’s— Abruptly, Toby broke off and stomped toward the garage. He punched in the code and the door rose, then he threw his bag into the back of his new Jeep Wrangler.

    Slow the fuck down, Toby. Goddammit. Talk to me. Where are you going? Who are you seeing?

    Toby climbed into the driver’s seat, and with jerky movements, he put the key in the ignition, then fumbled through buckling his seatbelt. He put the Jeep in gear before he finally looked over at Remy. An angry red flush spread from his collar up his cheeks, and although his eyes held a bright sheen, there were no tears spilling from his light blue eyes. Thanks for everything, Remy. Maybe I’ll see you around sometime.

    Then he backed out of the driveway and out of Remy’s life.

    Chapter Two

    Jamie, darling. What a surprise to hear from you. How the hell are you?

    Jamie pulled his cell phone from his ear and studied the screen for a moment before putting it back. Yardley? Have you perhaps forgotten to take your medication today?

    The woman’s raucous laughter abraded his ear. So perhaps my call isn’t really a surprise.

    Yardley, there was no ticket for me at the counter. When you asked me to delay my return to London in order to escort Sonja Erickson back to her native country, I expected you to already have arrangements made for me to leave Oslo. Are you telling me there is yet another delay?

    I suppose that depends on what you mean by delay. Was there something in particular you had in mind to do upon your return to London? Yardley asked.

    Bloody hell. You know there wasn’t. Jamie wasn’t particularly upset with Yardley, despite his words. Merely moments after that devastating scene with Remy in the airport, his phone had vibrated on his hip, and he’d answered without looking at the readout, half-fearing, half-hoping it might be the cowboy. Instead it had been Yardley, the ever-faithful companion to Julia Forsythe, his former boss at the supersecret branch of Interpol. She’d begged a favor, and less than eight hours later, he’d been waiting at the curb outside the international terminal at the Los Angeles International Airport to open the door of a sleek black limousine.

    The elegant Dior sheath draped gracefully over a figure women thirty years younger would have envied. Perfectly manicured nails scraped lightly over his skin as she held out her hand, graciously allowing him to assist her from the limousine. The woman would have looked comfortable sitting in his late mother’s drawing room. Too bad she was returning to Norway in quiet disgrace. Drawing his attention back to the woman on the phone, Jamie focused on the words she spoke and those she didn’t. Particularly the silences.

    I trust you find the suite at the Continental suitable. With a little more time, I could have arranged—

    Yardley, Jamie’s tone warned his patience neared the end of its tether. The two-bedroom suite was extravagant, even by his admittedly snobby standards, but he knew a setup when he saw one.

    Lest you forget, I no longer work for the agency. Since I was already embarking on a bit of international travel, I didn’t mind the side trip to Oslo via Los Angeles, as a personal favor. Think of it as a bit of quid pro quo for the help you provided to Miggy. However, you should not assume that means I’m willing to return to the fold. I quite enjoy—

    He cut off at the loud knock on the door. Once again pulling his phone from his ear, he saw the call ended notice flashing.

    Bloody hell, he muttered. For a moment, he toyed with the idea of ignoring the summons, but gave in on a sigh. He would only admit to his curiosity within the confines of his mind—what bit of intrigue was Yardley standing in the hall waiting to spring on him this time?

    All he needed to do was listen, then demand his ticket. He could be on his way this evening. Headed back to… Ah, there was that sticky wicket again.

    With a sigh, he crossed the room. Just as he reached for the knob, the mechanized lock disengaged with a click and the door swung inward. For less than one-half of one-wild-fantasy-second, Jamie harbored a foolish dream that Colt Remington would come through the door, all arrogance and swagger. He swallowed the bitter disappointment and affected a polite indifference.

    Julia. Yardley. What a surprise, he said, an echo of Yardley’s words from the phone call. He realized now, they’d been ensuring his attendance at their rendezvous. Inviting the women inside was entirely unnecessary, as they’d already stepped through the doorway. Yardley pulled the door closed and then set the privacy lock. Jamie quirked one brow as Yardley walked through the foyer to the seating area and placed a rectangular black box the size of a deck of cards onto the coffee table. She watched it through two cycles of flashing red indicators, then met Julia’s gaze.

    We’re clear.

    Jamie clapped softly, allowing a small smile to curve his lips, although he doubted it touched his eyes. That was certainly a dramatic entrance, ladies. To what do I owe this…pleasure?

    Jamie… Julia reached for his hands, her face a mask of pained sympathy. I’m so sorry to hear about your mother, but then to have your loss compounded by what happened to Miguel.

    For a too bright and shiny moment, Miggy’s body danced in the dim light of the courtyard before he collapse in a pool of blood. The crimson spilled in an ever-widening circle. Remy on the deck, his life dripping away. Jamie’s former lover Ryan in his own dance macabre.

    Jamie, Yardley said sharply, from closer to him than she’d been standing before. He wondered briefly if she’d called his name more than once. Come sit down, she said, hooking a hand around his elbow. The woman had to be in her early sixties, and you’d never know such a firm grip hid beneath her grandmotherly exterior. Of course with a mouth like a sailor and the ability to hack into any computer system in the world, Yardley was full of surprises.

    Consistent with Julia’s proprietary manner in any situation, she assumed the role of hostess and used the room phone to call for food, ignoring the other two while she placed an order big enough for ten people. With a roll of her eyes and slight shake of her head, Yardley sat on the opposite side of the table. She carefully opened her messenger bag and extracted a laptop computer and several file folders.

    Despite the few years in age separating the two women, they were like night and day in their appearance. Yardley looked like everyone’s dotty great aunt, especially when she donned one of her tropical-style shirts like the hibiscus and parrot-laden button front she wore now. At first glance, Julia Forsythe looked like an influential business executive in a navy power-suit, her short cap of silver hair styled to flatter her perfectly made-up face. It wasn’t until you watched her for a minute that you noticed a certain awareness of her surroundings and you realized she carried herself in a manner other cops would recognize as one of their own. Underestimating either woman would be a mistake he’d never make again.

    So this is to be a full-on press to entice me back? Jamie asked once Julia ended the call and joined him on the couch.

    Julia glanced at Yardley, and he waited while they apparently had one of their silent discussions. Yardley’s lips pressed together and her head tilted toward Julia, effectively ending their argument. Julia sighed and leaned back against the cushions and turned her face to his.

    No, Jamie. As much as you were an asset to our organization, I’m afraid too much has happened in your recent past to make you a good…risk in the field right now. However, since there is a significant paper trail via certain US law enforcement agencies tying us together, I thought it would be prudent to conduct a face-to-face debriefing.

    Yardley cleared her throat, drawing his attention. She was staring at Julia through narrowed eyes, the corners of her mouth turned down.

    Ignoring the interplay between the women, he turned back to Julia. You did not arrange for the three of us to meet in Norway in order to discuss Yardley’s information on Julio Cortez—or your concerns I might reveal the true nature of my role with your agency. The non-disclosure agreement is still in place. I call bullshit, Director, Jamie said quietly.

    "A lovely turn of phrase—so uniquely American. How is Remington? He must be devastated by his loss."

    Fighting to maintain his equilibrium despite the one-two punch Julia delivered, Jamie mirrored her feigned casualness. Leaning back against the damask pillows adorning the sofa, he crossed an ankle over his knee and smoothed the fabric of his slacks. "Remy is in considerable pain. Or he was yesterday, when I last spoke with him. Perhaps you should visit him next in order to offer your condolences in person."

    Perhaps, Julia answered with a tight smile.

    As much as I’m enjoying this lovely game of cat and mouse, why don’t you stop playing and tell me why you’re here?

    Yes, before I come over there and shake it out of you, Yardley added.

    I gave you the option— A knock at the door snapped Julia’s lips closed.

    This place must hold the world record for room service, Jamie muttered as he stood to answer the door. He left the women glaring at each other and quickly crossed the room. A uniformed bellmen waited with a full luggage cart, including the bag he’d left at the desk, in hopes he’d be on his way after a quick call to Yardley. Jamie started to reach for the bag, but Julia had followed and offered her own instructions.

    Pointing to Jamie’s bag, she directed it be placed in the bedroom on the left, and all the rest

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