by W L Knightly
Bay’s temper flared, but he tried to control himself. “You should really think hard before you pick a fight with me.”
“What? What are you going to do? You wouldn’t hurt me. I’m the mother of your little boy.”
Had she seriously gotten that comfortable? Bay felt like he’d been slipping on her discipline. She had been away from him for too long. He glared down at her. “Do you ever wonder what happened to my own mother, Lila?”
“Not now,” said Rose Marie as she stepped up to the bed, her dark brown eyes hard on Lila. “You both need to mind your tongues. I’m sure that Lila here wants the best for her child, the same as you do. I’m sure she’s going to close her mouth and try to sleep, being thankful that she and her baby are both safe.”
Lila’s face paled, and she looked away from them both.
“I’m going out to make a few calls,” Bay said. “I’ll be back in soon. Will you look after her?”
“You know I will.” Rose Marie had always been so good to him and tolerable with Lila.
He left the room and went down the hall to a small lobby on the end. He dialed Lane’s number.
“Hey, sorry I called at a bad time,” he said when he answered. “I just had to tell you about the call I got.”
“Let’s hear it,” Bay said. “I’ve had a stressful day, so I hope it’s good.”
“Oh, it’s good. I found out that Emily Johnson had a sister.”
“What? How come I’ve never heard of her before?” Bay had studied the case, and he knew that Darek had searched for enough clues that a sister would have been found at some point.
“She was a minor at the time of the murder,” Lane said. “I’m guessing that child services probably had something to do with it. They will take precautions to protect children who have already been in a bad home when something horrible happens. If she had a sister murdered and the service had already formed a case, they could have stepped in.”
“Makes sense, I suppose. Do we have a photograph?”
“Not yet, but I’m working on it. When I hung up with you earlier, I called Kenneth Warner. He’s going to text me when he finds something. He’s been really cooperative, but only because he wanted Gough’s name cleared.”
“Good luck with that,” said Bay, feeling amused. “What are the chances that we know this girl?”
“I think she could be the girl Max was seeing,” Lane said. “Maybe our theory is right. As soon as I find a photograph, we’ll know.”
“Then you’ll let me know. I need to stay here with Lila.” He wasn’t going to leave her unless they found Mia. Even if she was a pain in his ass.
“Yeah, I’ll let you know. How’s the wife?”
“She’s a brat, which I usually appreciate, but today, it’s wearing on me. I just wish she’d settle down and sleep for my son’s sake.”
“Son?” Lane asked.
Bay grinned ear to ear. “Yeah, it’s official. I have a son. So, you should look out. He’s going to rule the fucking world someday.”
“Congratulations, man. That’s got to be great news.”
It was nice to have someone to share the news with. “Thanks. Have you talked to Darek about the girl?” asked Bay. He wanted to be the one to tell him.
“No, not yet. I wanted to tell you first.”
“If you don’t mind, I’ll fill him in,” Bay said. “I have to call him.”
“Well, tell him I said hi. I’m about to get the last boxes ready for Nona’s aunt. I’m going to stay here tonight and get it done.”
“Hit me later if you hear anything.” Bay ended the call and looked out at the afternoon sun while he contemplated calling Darek. He was already in a shitty mood, so he might as well get it over with.
Darek answered on the first ring. “Yeah?”
“Don’t sound so glad to hear from me.” He hadn’t expected to be the first one to call since their scuffle, but that was the way it had played out, and he didn’t have much choice.
“Sorry, I’m in the middle of typing up a report. Fudging one is more like it. If you called for an apology, you’re not getting one. I still don’t agree with what you said, so if you called to say it again, save your breath.”
“Yeah, well, I’m not either,” Bay said. “You push me; you get hit. But that’s not what I called about. I had to tell Lila what happened to Mia, and now she’s in the hospital, so I want you to kick it into high gear.”
Darek sighed. “I’m lucky every minute Max hasn’t pulled the rug out from under us both, so I need you to step up your game. I thought you were going to find a way to take this asshole out.”
“Did you hear what I just said? Lila, the mother of my child—”
“You mean your wife. Yeah, I know her. She looks a lot like her sister.”
Bay’s back stiffened. “Are you seriously choosing now to fuck with me? Normally, I’d be proud of you for the lack of heart, but you’re poking the bear.”
“Sorry, how’s Lila?”
“She’s okay. My son’s okay, too, but she’ll have to be on bedrest for the remainder of her pregnancy. I wanted you to know what was up. The minute you hear anything about Mia, I want a phone call. The sooner I can get this all behind us, the better. Lila’s not going to settle down until she has closure.”
“Noted,” Darek said.
“Well, that’s not the only reason I called. Lane got a call today from Otis Gough, Jr. He had something interesting to say about our Emily Johnson.”
“Don’t call her that,” Darek said. “She wasn’t ours like some kind of property.”
“Right.” Bay rolled his eyes. “But she did belong to someone. She had a sister. And for some reason, I didn’t know about it.”
“That’s impossible. If she had a sister, I’d know. Lizzy and I investigated her family. She was obsessed with it.”
“Well, she’s as good of a detective as you, I guess. Which means that you better go over your case files again. I won’t bother telling you who I think the girl is. I’ll leave that to your imagination.”
“I’ll pretend you’re talking about someone else.”
The line went dead, and Bay laughed. Darek had finally grown a pair.
Chapter 18
Lane
After the tape was across the final box, Lane got up from his knees and dusted off his pants. He had worked hard to get everything done. With any luck, he’d be home in another week and on with his life.
As if his future was calling, his phone rang, and the name on the screen read: Jennifer. He answered. “Please tell me it’s not another kitchen fire.”
“Not this time, boss. But we did have a fight in the bar. A lady punched a man over his girlfriend. Knocked his dentures out of his mouth, and they went across the room and landed on the other end of the bar.”
“Dentures?”
Jennifer laughed. “Yeah, they were in their eighties.”
“Wow. Once again, I’ve missed all the fun.”
“Nah, I’m lying. I just thought it might make you laugh.”
Lane smiled. “You’re good. And a true friend. I need a good laugh.”
“Ouch,” she said. “Did you just friend zone me? After all of the flirting we did last night?”
“Absolutely not. Don’t get the wrong idea. I mean, yeah, I should friend zone you, you’re my employee, but I just can’t help myself. Besides, you started it.”
“I did. I’m guilty.” She laughed again, and the sound was so refreshing to him, he wished he was there with her. “So, any word on when you’re coming home?”
“I just need to tie up a few loose ends, and then I’ll be back,” he said. “I know you can’t stand to be without me.”
“I can’t. It’s a lot easier with you around, and I think you need to heal.” Her voice had fallen into a sincere but sultry tone.
“Actually, I think you’re right.”
“Hey,” she said. “All kidding aside, I want to be here for you.”
“I know, an
d I appreciate that. I’d like that too.” He wanted her more than he could express. She was about the only good thing he had left in his life, other than his restaurant. Maybe they’d make a whole new life together.
“You know what’s strange?” she asked.
He sat up straighter. “What’s that?”
“I feel like I’ve kissed you before, even though I know I haven’t. Do you get that feeling too?”
“Like we’ve kissed?” he asked. “I guess I can see what you mean.”
They had spent some time flirting and exchanging photos on Snapchat. She’d even gone as far as showing him her tattoos and all of her piercings. That was a welcome surprise, especially since it meant he got to see her nipples. She had amazing tits, and he could feel his blood flowing just thinking about them.
“Do you promise to kiss me when you get back home?” she asked. “Or is it going to be an awkward, boss/employee kind of vibe?”
Lane knew he wanted to kiss her, especially if he was going to get to tongue those nipple rings. He had thought about it ever since she showed them to him. “Yes, of course. I promise I’ll kiss you.”
“Where?” Her voice took on a raspy tone that sent chills down his spine and made him hard.
“Where? I don’t know, the kitchen?” He smiled, knowing that wasn’t what she meant.
She burst out laughing. “Not the kitchen, silly. I didn’t mean where, as in a place. I meant where on my body.” She giggled, and Lane had to adjust himself.
“Pardon me. I guess I’m still an hour late to the party.” Lane didn’t know what was wrong with him. He and Nona had a good, adventurous to a degree, sex life, and it wasn’t like him to blush, especially after his romp at Night Heat with the waitresses, Sunshine and Buffy. But this girl made him feel young again, and he was certain by the sting in his cheeks that he had turned a visible shade of red.
“That’s okay by me, as long as you get there,” she said.
“You certainly know how to distract a man.” He couldn’t believe how hard his cock was. “You turn me on.”
“Are you turned on right now?” she asked.
“Very.”
“Prove it,” she said.
Lane wasn’t about to send the girl a dick pic, if that was what she was getting at. He knew better. With her being his employee, she could take him for everything he had. While he hoped that wasn’t her game, he didn’t want hard proof lying around for some trumped-up sexual harassment case. “How do you want me to do that?”
“Touch it,” she said. “I can tell by your voice if you do.”
She was incredible.
“Okay, so what are you going to do?” he asked.
“I don’t know, boss. What do you think I should do?”
“The same,” he said, reaching his hand into his pants. “What are you wearing?”
She giggled. “A black silk blouse and a tight, black pencil skirt. I also have my hair up and a small gravy stain on my hem where some barbarian spilled his food.”
Lane sighed. “You’re still at work?” His voice had dropped an octave with disappointment.
“Off the clock and in your office with the door locked. Did you know that this room smells like you? Makes me want to hump your chair.”
Lane belted a laugh. She was a wild child and just what the doctor ordered. “You make me laugh, Jennifer.”
“You can call me Jenny, you know? I don’t mind. Are you touching it yet?” The laughter in her voice matched his own.
“Not when you’re making me laugh,” he said, lying. His cock felt good in his hand, and it was the most attention it had gotten since he and Nona had been together. He listened to Jenny’s laughter, treating it like therapy to ease his wounded heart. “Talk to me, and I might.”
“I’m sitting in your chair with my feet on your desk like I’m somebody important.”
“And where are your hands?” he asked, closing his eyes.
“One is on this phone, while the other is playing with my nipple ring. It gives me tingles, just like your voice.”
“That’s where I want to kiss you,” he said, moving his hand from the base of his hard cock to the tip. “I want to tease you there and play with your rings.”
“That sounds like a lot of fun, Lane. If you kiss me, would you promise that you’ll let me see it?”
“I’ll let you do more than see it, Jenny.” He couldn’t believe what was coming out of his mouth. He was fucking around with his employee, and she was at work, in his office.
“Can I show you something? On video?” She sounded like she was up to something, and Lane couldn’t wait to find out what.
“Okay, sure. Call me back?”
“Yes.” She hung up the phone, and a moment later, his video chat came through. “Hey there.” He knew he probably looked worn out, with puffy eyes, and he hoped she wouldn’t be turned off by that.
“This is much better, don’t you think?” she asked. She’d placed the phone on his desk, and it was perfectly aimed at her breasts.
“Much better.” Lane couldn’t believe her, especially when she threw head back, closed her eyes, and began to moan. “Where are your hands?”
“Exactly where you think they are,” she said. “I’ll try not to ruin your chair, but I won’t make any promises.”
“Just for peace of mind, who is looking after the restaurant?” he asked.
“Pepe is on duty. I told him I had to make a long call to you. He’s good with it, and the door is locked.”
“You’re a terrible employee.”
“Perhaps you should punish me,” she said.
He watched her hand moving between her legs. He could catch a small glimpse of her fingers making their way inside her. “I will, just as soon as I get back.”
His words turned her on, and she moaned, biting her lip to keep from getting too loud. She wasn’t the good girl he’d expected, and while he loved how she came on to him, he couldn’t help but think of what a naughty girl she was. He had hit the jackpot, and he couldn’t wait to get back to New Orleans to fuck her properly.
“I’m going to come,” she said. Then she released a much louder moan, and Lane pumped his hand faster.
“Fuck, me too.” His release came fast, and he somehow managed not to get it on the furniture. “Damn, I’m lightheaded.”
“I can’t wait until you come back home,” said Jenny. She picked the phone up and then leaned in and kissed the screen. “At some point, I need to talk to you about that wedding date.”
He got a text, and when he looked at his phone, he saw Kenneth Warner’s name and half of a sentence from a message, asking about the fax machine.
“That sounds good,” he said. “Look, I better go clean up. You’ve got me in a mess here.” He couldn’t deal with Warner like that. He would shower and see what the man wanted.
“Sorry, not sorry,” she said with a giggle.
“Definitely not sorry. Only sorry that I have to get off the phone with you. Call me back later when you close.”
“Will do, boss.” With that, she gave a sexy goodbye and hung up.
Lane hurried to his feet, wondering what had just happened. She had come on hot and heavy. While it was a complete turn on and they had talked more lately, he wasn’t sure he was ready for something with a younger woman.
Ready or not.
He went into the bathroom where he’d forgotten Nona’s toothbrush in the holder. He washed his hands and then stripped down to shower. He picked up Nona’s toothbrush and thought about throwing it away. But despite what he’d done, he put it back in the holder.
After a piping hot shower, which took up the next ten minutes of his night, he got out and dried off. Knowing he had more than one pair of sleep pants, he went to the bed where he’d left them and pulled a pair on. He had to add his things to his luggage for the trip home and wondered if he should just toss them in the trash.
As he was tying in his drawstring, he heard a noise. It was enough to bring
his head up, but then he didn’t hear anything else. He thought for a moment that he needed to check it out, but as the silence stretched on, he decided to let it go. He had let his overactive imagination get the best of him most of his life, but not tonight. He still needed to see what Kenneth Warner had messaged him about.
He went back to the living room, talking to Nona. “If you’re here lingering around and haunting me, I’m sure you’re pissed, but I still have needs.” He sat down and found his phone where he left it. There had been another missed call, so he decided to call it back.
Kenneth Warner answered. “Sorry if I bothered you. I’m going out with the wife, and I just wanted to tell you that I found the girl. I’m not sure if you’re going to know her or not. The photo is old, but the information is all there. I faxed it to that number you gave me.”
Lane knew that Bay wasn’t going to leave Lila’s side, which meant the fax would be sitting unnoticed at Bay’s house. “Oh, shit. Is there any way you could send it to my email?”
“I will later. My wife’s hungry for ice cream, but I can stop off on my way back home. It might take a while. Text me your email.”
“Do you have it on your phone?” Lane asked.
“No,” said the old man. “Should I?”
“You can just take a photo of the photo and send it to my email. If it’s faster when you swing by.”
“I don’t have a good camera, but I could email it. Send me your email.” The old man seemed in a hurry, and Lane didn’t want to keep him. “Look, I’m getting the stink eye from my beautiful wife. I need to go.”
“Have a good night.” The phone went dead, and Lane eased back in the couch. It wouldn’t be long until he knew who the girl was.
It had been an eventful night, to say the least, and he was excited. He went to Nona’s desk to get the laptop and turn it on. He wanted to check his email and wait on for the image.
“I’ll see much better on this,” he said to himself, bringing the thing to life. He was going to keep Nona’s computer, not wanting it to get into anyone else’s hands. She had lots of her personal photos on the damned thing, including nudes and lots of their flirty emails. Things Aunt Mary wouldn’t want to see.
