Accused

by Sharon C. Cooper

  “Okay, we need to move this meeting along. I want all of you to continue handling what I’ve asked you to do regarding Pisano, but we’re no longer working directly with the FBI on this case. I was never comfortable with our role, but even more so now since I think everything is not above board.”

  “You think Agent Griffith is shady?” Laz asked of the lead agent.

  “No, he and I go way back. I don’t know the rest of his team, but I trust Damien. He’s doing all that he can, legally, regarding the case. He wants Pisano behind bars.”

  Kenton didn’t care if Pisano spent the rest of his life behind bars or buried six feet under. He just wanted Egypt free to live her life without always looking over her shoulder, and he intended to do whatever it took to make that a reality.

  Chapter Thirty-One

  “Egypt, are you almost ready? We need to get out of here now if you don’t want to be late,” Kenton hollered up the stairs.

  “Okay, I’ll be right down.”

  They were heading to the fundraiser, and Egypt couldn’t wait to see how everything turned out. The night before, she and Kenton were part of the volunteer team that had helped decorate the new, state of the art community center. By the time they had finished, the place had resembled the gala’s theme—A Night at the Oscars. The committee had thought of everything. A red carpet, a roped off area for the paparazzi, movie posters and even several ten-foot Oscar statues were a part of the decor.

  Excitement filled her. She sat on the bench at the foot of the bed and slipped into her four-inch strappy sandals. This would be the first time she attended a formal event with a man, and not just any man—her man. The last few weeks with Kenton had been some of the best in her life. They’d fallen into a comfortable routine and moved through their lives together as if they’d been dating for years. They were still vigilant about her safety, but they hadn’t had any trouble with Franklin, and from what the guys could determine, Egypt still wasn’t on Pisano’s radar. She hoped it stayed that way.

  “Okay, I’m ready,” she mumbled and took one last look in the full-length mirror, liking what she saw. The silk, black strapless gown hugged her breasts and cinched at the midsection where a band of crystals circled her waist. Kenton was going to swallow his tongue when he saw how high the deep split went and exposed her left leg. Egypt never thought of herself as a tease, but she couldn’t wait to see her man’s reaction.

  Grabbing her purse from the bed, she headed down the stairs. “Kenton?” she called out when she didn’t see him.

  “In here, babe,” he said from the powder room. Moments later, he appeared. Egypt’s mouth went dry. Big, strong, and powerfully built, the man looked like a cover model for all things tall, dark, and sexy as hell.

  They stared at each other, and Egypt liked what she saw. The perfectly tailored, black tuxedo jacket with satin lapels, molded around his muscular frame, highlighting his wide shoulders, and huge biceps. Her eyes slid lower and didn’t stop until she reached the shiny black wingtips.

  Talk about a total package. Jeez, can the man get any hotter?

  Apparently, she wasn’t the only one entranced. His heated gaze traveled the length of her, and a wave of desire spread through Egypt’s body like a tsunami about to make landfall. The appreciative looks he often bestowed on her never got old.

  “Damn, baby. You were definitely worth the wait.” He reached for her hand, lifted it above her head and twirled her around slowly as he examined the gown. “You look so damn good. We should skip the event. I’d rather take you upstairs, throw you on the bed, and let you show me what’s under the dress.”

  Egypt pulled her hand free, took a step back and pointed at him. “Don’t even think about touching me. We’ve been late too many times because of you stripping me out of my clothes and pinning me against a wall. Not tonight.”

  Kenton chuckle. “You have to admit. We had fun.”

  “You’re right, but we also ended up late. So don’t get any ideas. You’re going to have to wait until we get back to see what I’m hiding under all of this silk.” She strolled to the hall closet and pulled out her long, dressy coat.

  “Before we leave, I have something for you.”

  Kenton took the coat from her and set it across the back of a chair. Egypt’s heart started racing when he pulled a small velvet box from his pants pocket, and he held it out to her. She eyed him warily. They weren’t at the stage in their relationship for him to be giving her a ring, but any gift in a little black velvet box would be too much.

  “You didn’t have to buy me anything.”

  “I know, but I want you to have these.” He flipped open the lid, and the pair of sparkling, diamond stud earrings, sitting on top of satin lining, twinkled under the bright lights.

  Her breath stalled in her chest. “Wow. Those are gorgeous.” Egypt fingered the stones. She wasn’t up on diamond sizes, but they were larger than the 1/2 carat gems she currently had in the second hole in her ear. “Kenton, these are too much.”

  “Nothing is too much for you. I also had them…detailed.”

  “Detailed? What do you mean?”

  “Don’t be mad, but I had Wiz to outfit the set with a tracking device.”

  “Like what Journey has in her watch?”

  He nodded, and Egypt prayed she never ended up in a situation like the one Journey had been in a year ago. “Why would I be mad? This is the most beautiful, and thoughtful gift I’ve ever received. Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome, but just so you know, I didn’t get them so that I can track your every move…” He stopped speaking and held up his hands. “What I mean is, the tracker is just a precaution. Unless you’re in danger, missing, or something like that I promise I won’t stalk—”

  “I know,” Egypt said softly, her hand on his chest.

  Overwhelmed by his kindness, she tried focusing on her breathing to keep from crying and ruining her makeup but struggled. Her heart swelled and threatened to explode into a million pieces at how much she loved this man. The lavish gift was a sweet gesture, but then to enhance the jewelry in order to ensure her safety meant…everything.

  “You have no idea how much this means to me…how much you mean to me. I’ll never be able to thank you for all that you’ve done.”

  “Sweetheart, there is nothing I wouldn’t do for you. Always know that,” he said with conviction and brushed his lips across hers. “I love you. I love you so damn much it scares the hell out of me.”

  Egypt’s heart split open, and she couldn’t hold back the tears. “I love you, too.” She sobbed and lunged into his arms, hugging him tightly around his neck. “I’ve loved you for so long. You just don’t understand. I never thought I’d have someone in my life who made me feel the way you do.”

  Kenton pulled back and kissed a few of her tears. “I feel the same way. I absolutely adore you. The earrings are just a small token to show you how important you are to me. Now stop crying before you make me cry.”

  Egypt laughed, still a little overcome with emotion. “Now I have to go and fix my makeup.”

  Kenton swiped at his eyes. “Yeah, me too,” he teased.

  “You’re so silly, but God, I love you.” Egypt kissed him hard and then hurried back upstairs, taking the earrings with her.

  A lightheartedness washed over her, reminding her that she could have all that she’d ever hoped for. If anyone had ever told her that she would ever be this happy, Egypt wouldn’t have believed them. Now she felt like anything was possible, and she couldn’t wait to see what joys the rest of her life brought.

  *

  Kenton stood in the hall mirror adjusting his bow-tie, thinking about Egypt’s reaction to the gift and his profession of love. He liked seeing her smile and could even tolerate her tears if they were happy ones, but it was disturbing to know how much she missed out on. No one should have to walk through life without someone to love them. Sure, Nelson had been there for her as a protector and to guide her, but Kenton couldn’t im
agine how hard and lonely it must have been for her not to experience love.

  She deserves so much more. He planned to spend the rest of his life making up for what she missed out on.

  His cell phone vibrated in his pocket, and relief flooded through his body when he saw that it was Caleb.

  “Man, where the hell have you been?” Kenton snapped. “You have your wife worried sick, and I’ve been calling you for the last two weeks.”

  “She le-left me,” Caleb slurred, his voice raspy with emotion. “My wife took…”

  When he didn’t continue, Kenton glanced at the phone screen to see if the call had dropped, but it hadn’t. “Hello? Caleb, you still there?”

  “Took…kids and…never com…”

  “Caleb, you’re breaking up. I can’t understand what you’re saying. Where are you?” Again, nothing. “Caleb, you still there?”

  “Yeah…”

  Frustration clawed through Kenton. “Caleb? Can you hear me? Where are you?”

  “Corner…ba…”

  “Corner bar?” Kenton asked.

  “Yeah…Cor…bar.”

  Kenton hadn’t been to the Corner Bar in years. At one point it had closed down, but a few years ago someone else had purchased it. Kenton paced the length of the short hallway, trying to make out what else Caleb was saying.

  “Caleb, I can’t understand you. Sit tight. I’m coming to you.”

  “She left. What am…to do?”

  “I’ll be there soon.” Kenton disconnected the call and dropped the phone back into his pocket, hoping Caleb wouldn’t do anything crazy.

  “Is everything okay?”

  Kenton turned. Again, a tug of arousal hit him at the sight of her in that dress. And the way she was standing, one hip cocked as if posing for a photo, he could see all of her shapely left leg and most of her firm thigh.

  He shook his head. “Damn, that dress though… Hopefully, I won’t have to kick some horny, bastard’s ass tonight for looking at you too hard.”

  “Ha! There will be plenty of dressed-to-kill women there. I doubt you’ll have to worry about anyone looking at me.”

  “I disagree. Sometimes I don’t think you realize the impact you have on the male species.” He placed a kiss on her cheek, and her familiar scent engulfed him. “But let’s get out of here before I lose control and have my way with you. Oh, and we need to make a little detour.”

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Thirty minutes later, Kenton’s truck bounced and rocked side to side as he drove over the gravel and crater-sized pot-holes of the Corner Bar’s parking lot. Since only three cars sat in the lot, one being Caleb’s, they had their pick of spots.

  Kenton pulled into a space a few slots down from the front door, and his gaze swept their surroundings before shutting off the engine. The Corner Bar used to be his and Caleb’s stomping ground when Kenton first moved to Atlanta. The little hole-in-the-wall bar had never been fancy, but now the brick, run-down building with glass block windows and a red door, was in drastic need of an overhaul.

  “I should’ve had one of the guys pick you up from the house and take you to the fundraiser. I didn’t realize the place had gotten this bad, and you look too pretty to take inside this dump.”

  “Nope, you did the right thing. You’re my date for tonight.” She held his hand. “I’m going to the gala with you, and I’m leaving with you, and that’s final.”

  “You know it’s a serious turn on when you talk all big and bad.” Kenton leaned across the center console and placed his finger under her chin, pulling her close. His mouth covered hers and he drank in the sweetness of her lips. “I’m glad you’re here with me.”

  “Me too.” Egypt ran her thumb over his mouth, wiping away lipstick. “So what’s the plan?”

  “We go in here, I talk to Caleb and get him to let us drop him off at home. If that doesn’t work then…I’m not sure. I guess I can knock his ass out, throw him in the back of the truck, and leave him on his front porch.”

  Egypt shook her head and grinned. “Well, hopefully, the talking works. The other option sounds a little too caveman like.”

  “All right, let’s get this over with. Let me shoot Laz a quick text first and let him know we might be a little late. We should get there before they serve dinner though.” Kenton glanced at his phone and groaned. One bar. No wonder Caleb’s call kept breaking up. “My cell signal is weak. Check your phone and see if you have any service.”

  “Not much. Mine is bouncing between one and two bars.”

  “Okay, send a text to Ham or Dee and let them know that we’ll be a little late, and I’ll text Laz. Maybe one of our texts will eventually go through.”

  “Why do you do everything on your phone when you can just use your watch?” Egypt asked, cramming her cell phone back into her clutch purse.

  “The face of the watch is so small, and it’s too much of a pain to text folks. And before you ask, I only wear the watch because Chelsey bought it for my birthday, and insists I wear it. Plus, it looks kinda cool.”

  “Oh, alright. I was just wondering.”

  Once he finished, Kenton reached into the glove compartment and pulled out a 9mm.

  “Um, you don’t think you’re going to need that do you?” Egypt asked, concern in her voice.

  “Nope, but better safe than sorry.” His backup Glock was in his ankle holster, but since Egypt didn’t have her weapon, he felt a little more comfortable with both of his. Once he stored the gun in the back of his waistband, he climbed out of the truck.

  When they stepped into the dingy bar, the stench of fried food and spoiled beer greeted them at the door. Kenton glanced around, allowing his eyes to adjust to the darkness. The place was empty except for a bartender watching a basketball game, and Caleb. He nursed a beer at a small table in the back of the place.

  Kenton gripped Egypt’s hand tighter as they moved across the threadbare carpet and skirted around a couple of tables. The germaphobe in Egypt was probably cringing inside seeing discarded food, partially empty glasses and beer bottles littering the tops of tables. Kenton needed to make this conversation quick so they could get the hell out of there.

  When they were within earshot, he cleared his throat and Caleb looked up. He stood suddenly, then extended his hand to Kenton.

  “Man, good seein’ you.” His words were slurred, but Kenton could understand him better than he had earlier. “I shouldn’t have called. I’m…I’m sorry. Looks like I messed up your plans. Hi, Egypt.”

  “Hello.”

  Caleb leaned in to hug her, but Kenton stopped him with a hand on his chest. “Have a seat, man. Tell me what’s going on.”

  Kenton pulled out a chair for Egypt but shoved it back into place after realizing the plastic cushion was in shreds. After inspecting two other nearby seats, before finding one that was suitable, he waited for her to sit before taking the spot next to her.

  “Sorry, the place ain’t what it used to be. Y’all want somethin’ to drink?”

  “Nah, we’re good.” Kenton nodded at the three empty beer bottles on the table and the half-full one in his friend’s hand. “It looks like you’ve had a few. What are you doing here, Caleb? You should be at home trying to work things out with Dora.”

  “She left me!” he snapped.

  Egypt startled, and Kenton wrapped his arm around her shoulder.

  “I messed up. Lost a lot of money, and my wife wants nothing to do with me.”

  “I know you play poker and hit the tables sometimes, but I didn’t know you gambled enough to get caught up like this. How’d that happen?”

  “Don’t know. I was doubling my money and then… I just…I just started losing more. Checks started bouncing. Dora found out.” He shook his head and banged his fist on the table. “Dammit! How did I get myself into this mess?” He looked at Kenton, his eyes red and glossy. “I’m in deep, man. I owe…”

  “How deep?”

  For most of the conversation, Caleb had been staring
down at the table, until now. He looked at Egypt, for a little too long as far as Kenton was concerned.

  “Hey.” Kenton snapped his fingers. “Eyes over here.” When his friend finally made eye contact, Kenton asked again, “How deep are you? How much do you owe?”

  Kenton wasn’t in the business of loaning money, but for Caleb, he’d do almost anything. After the incident in D.C, when Santana and Quaid were killed, Kenton owed his life and any bit of happiness he’d found to Caleb. He was the person who brought him mentally and emotionally back to life.

  Instead of responding, Caleb took a long drag on his beer, then slammed the bottle on the table. He squeezed his eye shut and rubbed his forehead.

  Kenton glanced around again. Where they were seated, he could see the front door and most of the bar, except the hallway that led to the bathrooms. Like the outside of the bar, the inside looked every bit as worn and neglected. Missing light bulbs, smelly and the grimy walls had him wondering how the owners passed inspections.

  Movement across the room, in the right-hand corner, caught his attention. He straightened.

  What the hell…

  Kenton shook his head to make sure he wasn’t seeing things. Shrouded in semi-darkness was Agent Franklin looking like a bum who’d been sleeping on the streets for weeks. The full beard and the wool hat tilted to the side distorted his features, but Kenton was sure that was him.

  How had he missed seeing him? It was like he had materialized out of thin air. And what the hell was he doing there?

  “I made so many mistakes.” Caleb groaned, still holding his head and staring down at the table. “I have to fix this. I have to take care of my family.”

  Kenton said nothing, discretely watching Franklin over Caleb’s shoulder. The man was like a damn statue, holding his position and barely blinking. Then, almost imperceptibly, he moved his head as if directing them to the back hallway.

  Kenton’s hand balled into a fist, and his gut stirred. At that moment, Franklin slipped from his seat with the stealth of a ninja. He disappeared behind the wall that was blocking Kenton from seeing the back hallway.