by Brinda Berry
“I worry about all my friends, asshole. I’m worried about Emerson and Gabby. I’m worried about you. I’m worried about my employees who depend on me for their livelihood—which will no longer exist if I go to prison. It’s not exactly legal to hack into government systems. My guy who got the license info would shit a hard drive if he knew a lawyer might be informed of—”
“Didn’t the guy just run tags with the DMV? I mean, that’s done all the time, isn’t it...” I trail off and don’t bother finishing.
“Hell no. Are you kidding? Oh sure,” he says, honeyed sarcasm dripping from each word, “the FBI lets everyone have access to their tag numbers.” He levels a disgusted stare at me. “As I said, hacking into government agency files is frowned upon.”
My grimace at his scolding is sincere. We’re both under stress but I’m only focused on Emerson and her problems. It never occurred to me that Jordy rues the day he got involved.
I put up both hands in surrender. “Sorry, bro. Listen. I didn’t tell Yvette about my source. I told her that I’m fairly sure the FBI is watching Emerson. I’ve told her I want Emerson protected. If the FBI is breaking and entering to get whatever they want, that’s going to stop. I asked Yvette if that’s legal.”
Jordy stops monitoring my sales floor through the blinds and sits in one of my guest chairs. “It’s a big mess.” He leans forward and puts his elbows on his knees. “What does she think is going on? I’m trying to figure it out, but I’m no detective. I’m guessing this has to be linked to Emerson and what happened with her dad, but I thought that shit was over.”
A knock at my door has both of us jumping in our chairs. I look at my beeping phone, red light flashing for incoming calls that I’ve ignored, and turn to Jordy. “Don’t go anywhere,” I say.
I rise from my chair and quickly go to my office door. Pulling it open reveals Serena, one of my top salespeople, staring into the room at Jordy and back at me.
“What can I do for you?” I ask.
She grins playfully. “I wanted to make sure your phone is working and you’re okay. You didn’t pick up, so I called your cell and it went to voice mail.”
“Everything is fine. I’m a little busy. What do you need?”
Her face falls at my abrupt tone. “Mr. Cruise says he doesn’t want to talk with anyone except you to order his Bentley. I tried to help him, but you know how he is.” She glances at Jordy. “Sorry to interrupt.”
“No problem,” he answers, minus his usual smile for a pretty girl.
Serena lingers as if waiting for an invitation to come in.
I exhale for three seconds to give my voice a chance to lose the edge. “Tell Mr. Cruise I’ll give him a call later. That I have a family emergency.”
“Oh. Can I do something to help?” Serena takes one step into the room and pauses when my expression doesn’t warm.
“I’ll let you know if I do. Thanks.”
“Oh, okay.” Serena gives me a concerned glance before heading out and closing the door.
Jordy turns back to me. “She one of your exes?”
“No, man. She’s worked for me a couple of years. I don’t date my employees. Causes trouble for everyone.”
The silence in the room is thicker than Seattle fog with my statement. I shake my head. “I know what you’re thinking and it’s not like that.”
“Isn’t it? We all agreed that Emerson was off-limits. Now something’s going on and you are personally involved. I like her. I do. And I wanted to help her and her sister, but this is way out of your league or mine.” Jordy’s freak-out meter must hit a max reading.
“I haven’t done anything wrong. Listen, step back from all this if you need to. But I’m not deserting Emerson.”
“You know they never found all the money her dad must’ve made from his illegal activities. Maybe she’s keeping a secret for her dad. It’s understandable that a daughter—”
I’m out of my chair and around the desk before he can utter the next word. Rage blinds me when I grab the front of his T-shirt and haul him to his feet. My other hand fists at my side and I shake at the restraint it takes not to hit him. “You think Emerson would bring this sort of thing into her world? She’s not like that. You’re such a pansy-assed dick.”
Jordy never even flinches. He shakes his head in slow motion from side-to-side. “No.” The one word is definite. “Sorry, bro. I don’t think she’s like that. But the FBI doesn’t get involved when somebody steals their neighbor’s newspaper. I’m at a loss on how we can handle this.”
“I know,” I say, releasing the grip I still have on his shirt. I step back and rub my face.
Jordy smooths his shirt and nods in resignation. “So Yvette is working on how to handle all this?”
“Yvette is on retainer. She’s going to talk with a friend of hers and see what we can do until they actually approach Emerson for questioning. They may be monitoring something and realize that Emerson doesn’t know anything.”
“What about the break-in?” Jordy asks.
“I don’t know. Yvette says that doesn’t make sense. If they did it, it’s an illegal search. With an illegal search, it’d be impossible to seize any evidence if they thought Emerson had something. She said it could be an agent who went against protocol and did this, but still...”
Jordy stares at the papers on my desk and shoves his hands into his jeans pockets. “I have to ask something.”
“Okay.”
“I asked you not to tell her that I know everything about her dad. You haven’t told her about my involvement or that the SUV guy is FBI?”
“No. I said I wouldn’t.”
“Yeah. Well, people who sleep together talk about all kinds of things.”
“We aren’t sleeping together. You can’t keep this stuff from her forever. She’s going to find out. She needs to know the FBI is watching her. Maybe if she knew—”
He points at me. “You tell her and Emerson will quit. Think about it. She’ll be pissed that I lied about everything when I offered her the job. She’ll never trust me—or you. She’ll do whatever she has to do to survive. She was working as a stripper before just to pay her bills. You’ll lose her if she finds out you’ve kept my secret.”
The question causes me to swallow hard. My pulse quickens, generating an itchy heat under the collar of my shirt. I pull at the tie that feels like a noose at the moment.
“I’ll have to tell her sometime and make her understand. I need to wait for the right time.”
Jordy’s mouth tightens. “Your call then. I hope you change your mind. It’s not about me. I’d regret losing her as a friend, but if she hates me for doing what’s right, legal, and moral...then she does. But I know what you’ve been through and I see what’s happened between you two already.”
Jordy’s stand on his legal and moral actions pisses me off since he chooses the things that fit into those categories depending on his mood.
“I need to get going.” Jordy checks his cell and moves toward the door. “I’m done traveling for a while and can help with this cluster-fuck.”
“What’s next with this? Any ideas?” Hope is a desperate emotion, flaring to life at the most ridiculous times. I’m looking at a guy who can hack into government systems. A guy who makes video games for fun. I’ve always admired Jordy’s ability to be creative and outside the box. Even now, I’m banking on him to come up with something that will protect Emerson.
“We’ll think of something.” Jordy gives me a sympathetic smile. He walks over and peeks through the blinds on the window facing the parking lot. “I keep expecting to see an SUV out there with some dude spying on us.”
I move to stand beside him and peer through the opening in the blinds. What had begun as a sunny day is now overcast and dreary, matching my mood.
The muscles in my neck and back tense. “Oh yeah?”
“I think I imagined I’d swoop in and be her hero and undo how I’d messed up her life. I’d confess that I’m the one who fi
nked out her dad, she’d say she understood and ask that we put all that behind us and start new. We’d be friends. I don’t want to lose that friendship and I don’t want you to lose the girl. Lose the chance to be her hero. But this is looking real bad. I want you to know I understand what you see in Emerson. I also know you don’t know if you can handle this after losing Kate.”
“Neither one of us are the hero type.” I rest a hand on his shoulder. “You should go chill or do whatever you do when you solve your boy genius problems. I’m going to get some work done and catch up with Emerson later.”
I pull my phone from my pocket and check for a reply text from her. Nothing.
When she didn’t answer my call earlier, I assumed she was in class. But I’d expected something back from the text I sent before Jordy dropped by. I curse myself for being ignorant of her class schedule. It’ll be the first thing I remedy.
Jordy lifts a hand in the air when he walks to the door. He leaves my door open and I see a couple of my salespeople watch him exit the building. My part-time office manager, full-time mother hen walks briskly in my direction and enters my office before I can close the door.
Aggie shuts the door and leans against it. “I called your mother.”
“Why’d you do that?” I lift my brow, trying to figure out what her problem is at the moment.
“What’s the family emergency that Serena is talking about?”
“Oh, that.” I wrinkle my forehead. “It’s a personal issue.”
“Dylan Alexander Mercado.”
“Yes?” I tilt my head to the side and raise both eyebrows. “You know, you people should be working instead of hanging around in my office.”
A fire truck siren cuts the tension in the air. Aggie rolls her eyes. “That’s an obnoxious ringtone.”
I glance at my cell and exhale. “I need to take this. It’s my girlfriend.”
“So, you’re okay? This personal thing isn’t life or death?”
“Not now,” I say with a grin. I hold the phone to my ear. “Hello, gorgeous.”
“Thank heavens!” Aggie waves a hand at me. “A girlfriend. Good.”
“Just a second,” I say into the phone and wait for Aggie to close my door. “Hey.”
“Hi. Sorry I missed your call earlier.”
“I guessed you were busy.” I wonder if she’ll expound on what she’s been doing.
“Crazy day. Three classes.”
I rock back in my chair and pick up my pen. Her voice is something like an aphrodisiac to my brain, like a mind-altering drug that puts me in the immediate mood for sex. I grin at the thought and suddenly remember why I grabbed my pen.
“What’s your schedule for the next few days? I realize you might have work, but I want to see you.” I pull a blank pad of paper to me.
“Babysitting for Jenny tonight. Long day tomorrow with a couple of classes and a lab,” she says in an odd tone.
I feel a brush-off coming, but she’s not getting her way. “We’ll make it work. I can help you babysit,” I offer. “Your place? What time?”
“Oh, no. I’m going to Jenny’s so the baby can sleep in his own bed.”
“What time?” I repeat.
“Ten o’clock.”
“Where does your friend work?”
She doesn’t answer for several beats. “She’s a dancer at Earl’s.”
“Oh.” Alarm bells ring in my head at the mention of the dump where Emerson worked briefly. “Okay. Want me to go with you to her place? Does she live in your complex?”
“No. But...I do need to see you.”
The tone of her voice does nothing to dispel my anxiety. I draw a winter tree on my blank pad. Its bare branches spread bleakly to the edges, and I add a raven. “Everything okay?”
“Sure. I want to see you and maybe tonight would be best.” We sit in silence for a few seconds as I wait for her to say more.
“Want me to come to your apartment after you babysit?” My mouth is dry and my chest tight. Something feels wrong, but I can’t put my finger on it.
“Gabby will be here and it’s hard to have privacy.”
“Want to come to my place?” I duck my head. Close my eyes. Consider leaving work to go to her now. “Wait. Malerie and Ace said they were coming over and asked if you might be around. I’m sure we could duck into my bedroom and avoid them.”
She’s silent for so long before she finally responds. “Could we go somewhere alone to talk? Maybe a hotel.”
The pen falls soundlessly from my fingers. I stare at my sketch and the way I’ve unconsciously written her name up the trunk. “I’ll pick you up at ten.” I clear my throat, hoping I don’t sound shocked.
“I’d rather you not. Gabby might see your car. Text the location and I’ll meet you. Leave a key at the desk.” Her voice shakes a little.
“I can do that.” Instead of feeling joyful about a hotel rendezvous, I’m uneasy and confused.
She ends our call without a goodbye.
Chapter Seventeen
Feel the Moment
Emerson
“Dang, girl. Who’s the lucky guy?” Jenny pulls on her long wool coat. “You should’ve said something. I could’ve asked someone else to watch Reed. Maybe Gabby. And I can’t believe you’re going out that late.”
She admires my skinny jeans and black button down shirt over a satiny tank. The twinkle in her eyes tells me I fussed a little too much.
I purse my lips. “No way. I love being with my baby boy.” I bounce Reed with one hand as I reach out and pull Jenny’s hair from the collar of her coat.
Reed gnaws two slobbery fingers and uses his other hand to grab my hair. “Ow, you little fiend,” I say and grab his wet hand. I kiss it repeatedly until he is distracted and releases my hair.
He gurgles, flashing tiny white teeth at me, then proceeds to gnaw on my hand.
“When will he stop cutting molars?” I ask. “He’s got a bite like a wolverine.”
“Soon, I hope.” She winds a scarf around her neck. “Bailey should be home before I am.”
“He was right to tell you to quit. What’s stopping you?”
Jenny gives me a threatening look. “Not you too. I’m only working the nights when he works his bouncer gig at Earl’s. Bailey won’t be in college forever. But right now, it’s extra money. Babies aren’t cheap.”
I give her the parent look I usually give Gabby. “Bailey says you’re being a giant pain-in-the—”
“No cursing.” She places her face at eye level to the baby. “Right, Reed? Tell Emerson to leave Mommy alone and that you need time with her,” she says in baby talk while giving me a side-eye. She stands and grabs her purse.
“Be careful,” I say. “Make Bailey walk you to and from the parking lot.”
“You know it. Be good, you two. Get lots of cuddling in.”
“Will do.” I chain the door behind her. The rattle of something against the wall causes me to press the baby closer to my bosom. The sounds of voices next door bleed through the wall and I bounce Reed while I pace the small living room.
I’m silly for jumping at every strange sound. Although Jenny’s apartment is across the way from mine in Building B, I circled the area several times in my car before parking in the next lot. I was certain no one followed me.
“Listen up, Dylan,” I say to Reed for practice purposes. Reed’s eyes round while he shoves a fist against his gums. “I can’t relax and enjoy being with you until I finish this semester of classes. So, we can have tonight and then take a break until I can be ready. If you can wait for me that long, then I’ll know you are serious.”
Reed pats my chest. “Mamamamama.”
“Mommy went to work.” I rub my nose against his. “What if I tell Dylan I need to work out some family issues and when I have my head clear, then he and I can... That’s a bogus excuse if I ever heard one. How about the truth? I’m dealing with some residual fallout from my dad’s illegal activities and maybe he could just back off and not be
all macho until I can resolve it. We can enjoy each other tonight and then if he could just wait for me to get my life together... I have to cancel tonight. That’s what I’ll do. Thank you, Reed. You are so smart. I am not ready with a plan. Stupid, stupid Emerson.”
Reed blinks heavily and places his cheek on my breastbone.
After a while, I lay him on the sofa so I can relax and thumb through a fashion magazine while he sleeps. He’s a good baby and happy as long as I stay beside him. Not that I’d be going far.
Reed’s hair swirls into a curl at the top of his head and I stroke the wayward strand. My cell pings with a text and I struggle to grab it from the coffee table before the baby wakes.
Toby: Hi Emerson. We need to talk.
Oh, Toby. I really like you. I do. But I have bigger issues than my stats class or your internship.
Me: I’m babysitting right now. What’s up?
Ping. The reply text appears on-screen.
Toby: I know. Open the door when I get there.
Well, that statement’s a little too bossy for me. I shake my head and chalk it up to the trouble with texting. Most everything sounds rude and abrupt.
Me: Can’t. Not at home.
Ping.
Toby: I know.
I suck in a breath and my heart punches against my breastbone. I read the text a second time. My hand moves in slow motion as I text my reply.
Me: I am not at my apartment.
A chill skates up my spine. Toby hasn’t been to my apartment. He doesn’t even know where I live. How does he know I’m not at home?
I bend and take more deep breaths, glance over at Reed who sucks two pudgy fingers into his mouth, and press my hands against my forehead. I’m overreacting and paranoid.
The cell pings with a reply. I switch off the sound on my phone.
Toby: You are babysitting. I know. I’m climbing the stairs and you should open the door if you want everyone to stay safe.
I study the display and steady my hand against my thigh. Reed murmurs in his sleep and I hold my breath.
