Chapter Two

Marnie banged on her sister's door. When she didn't receive an acknowledgment, she used the spare key she had to let herself in. It'd been a week since she last heard from Rebecca, and while the two weren't as close as they'd once been, it was still unusual not to hear from her twin.

The thirty-five-hundred square feet house was far too large for one person, with six bedrooms, four bathrooms, two fireplaces, and a pool. Going through each room methodically, it was fast becoming clear her sister wasn't home. She headed upstairs to check and in Rebecca's bedroom, clothes were strewn all over the place. If she didn't know her sister as well as she did, she would've been afraid Rebecca had been robbed. Alas, no. Her sister was a total slob and it looked like the housekeeper had been let go. Again. Heading back downstairs, she sighed and began to slowly pick up trash. She filled the dishwasher and turned it on before vacuuming around the living room. It wasn't a lot, but more than Rebecca probably did.

Once the worst was picked up, she grabbed the full trash bags and headed into the garage. The blue waste collection bins were there, and she tossed them inside before opening the garage door. She dragged the bins past the red sports car to put them near the curb. Once that was done, she headed toward the resident mailbox panel to collect her sister's mail. Like she suspected, it was full of mostly junk mail with a few bills here and there.

She walked slowly back to the house, with the mail under her arm. Since it was late in the day, people were starting to arrive home from their workdays. A few waved at her, clearly thinking she was Rebecca. When she got back to the house, she laid the mail on a table in the foyer and then sighed.

"Where are you, Bec?"

The house didn't answer her, of course, but the doorbell chimed. Jumping a little at the unexpected shrill sound, she opened the door. A man was there. Big, muscular, and the epitome of tall, dark, and handsome. Deep-brown eyes assessed her coolly, his gaze caressing her face, then to her throat, down her chest and hips before leisurely traveling back up. Heat rose up in her cheeks. Male attention always made her uncomfortable, although she didn't know why. Maybe it was because Rebecca based how worthy someone was by their physical appearance.

"Miss Fox?" the man asked.

"Yes?"

He smiled at her, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "I'm here on behalf of Daniel Stephens."

Marnie blinked, waiting, but the man didn't elaborate. "Oh. Okay?"

He looked around. "May I come in?"

She might not know how to talk to men, but she wasn't stupid. "I don't think so."

The man's eyes narrowed slightly, anger radiating from his stiff posture.

"I don't know you," she added.

He gave a small nod, acknowledging her explanation. "Understandable. We could meet in a public place if it makes you feel better."

"Excuse me, but what is this about?"

If it was possible, his gaze grew even colder. His muscles tensed as he leaned down a little toward her.

"You can't possibly be this stupid," he murmured.

"I beg your pardon?" she asked, not sure if she heard him correctly.

"You should beg for forgiveness."

Marnie blinked, and it took a moment for her to realize what was happening. "Wait. I think I know what's going on. You have the wrong person."

"Pretty sure I don't."

"Pretty sure you do." No doubt this man was one of Rebecca's conquests. A shame since he was gorgeous, with lips she bet he knew how to use. Attraction aside, she had to protect her sister. "Please go away."

She went to close the door but his foot prevented that.

"I want you to stay away from Dan."

"Dan? Not you?"

His jaw hardened. "You can't even keep your men straight, can you?"

"Listen, mister, you—"

"Let me reiterate," he said, cutting her off. "Stay away from Dan Stephens. That means no texting. No calling. No blackmail. Absolutely no fucking. In fact, just forget about him."

She wanted to tell him the truth, but something told her he probably wouldn't believe an identical twins scenario. Even she had to admit it sounded like a bad movie plot. Once again, she had to clean up Rebecca's mess.

"Consider him forgotten," she said. Her capitulation surprised him so much he straightened, which caused his foot to shift enough so she could slam the door. "Just my luck. All the gorgeous ones are insane."

****

Reece stared at the door, hands clenched into fists as he tried to get his emotions under control. Rebecca Fox was even more beautiful in person, and his fucking libido decided to throw a Dirty Dancing kind of party. It pissed him off that she acted innocent, like she wasn't plotting a blackmail scheme. She had so many men she couldn't even remember them all!

A sense of purpose filled him. He might not be able to walk into the fucking firehouse, but he could certainly make sure this little cock-teasing bitch got what she had coming to her. Sure, Dan was just at fault as she, but Rebecca took it one step further in threatening to tell Anna the truth. What was her purpose? What was the endgame?

He walked back to his truck and sat for a moment behind the wheel, staring at the house. The curtains on the front window moved slightly, letting him know she watched him. Apparently, Rebecca Fox liked to play games. Very well, two could play that game. He hated liars. He also hated beautiful women who had no remorse in breaking up a marriage.