by Jane Drager
Ordinary buildings surrounded her, mainly brownstones intermingling with small shops. Since she stopped in the middle of the block, she had no idea what street, but at least, she hadn’t wandered into a slum—if Manhattan had a slum.
I desperately need a tissue. She had forgotten to pack a few in her new clutch purse so she sniffed and gave a discreet wipe of her nose. Somewhere in her brain, the image of a newsstand formed. She had passed one but couldn’t remember where. Looking behind her and down the street, she spotted the green-painted wooden structure positioned at the last corner and retraced her steps.
The vendor had a full display of pocket-sized necessities. Tissues were among them.
Grabbing a pack, she sniffed while reaching into her purse for money.
“Keep them, lady.”
Lifting her gaze, she met the kind eyes of an elderly man. “Excuse me?”
He nodded toward her hand. “I said keep them. You look like you just got jilted.”
Blinking away more tears, she nodded, thanked him, and retraced her steps up the street before stopping to rip open the packet. Several tissues later and vision somewhat cleared, she scanned the area for a cab, and her breath froze. A pearl-white SUV sat at the corner, illegally parked alongside a hydrant. Eric’s jalopy wasn’t around nor was any sign of the black sedan.
So, the SUV is following me, after all. She was in the mood for a good fight, even at the cost of ruining her new dress and heels. Of course, the driver could easily force her into the vehicle and abduct her to God knows where. But her parents hadn’t raised her to be a coward. She wanted to punch someone’s face, and the SUV driver made for a good start.
With a quick glance for oncoming traffic, she jaywalked to the opposite side of the street and marched in the vehicle’s direction only to watch the SUV squeal away from the curb and around the corner. Tinted windows prevented any visual of the interior. Whatever happened to the laws restricting the use of tinted windows in the driver’s area?
If she wasn’t wearing high heels, she’d chase the vehicle to kingdom come. Chest heaving, more in anger than exertion, she neared the street corner as the SUV turned left onto the next street. Probably going around the block to sneak up again. But the vehicle was so incredibly beautiful, how could he hide?
For the third time, Deems called. Frustrated at an evening shot to hell, she was ready to give him a piece of her mind. Removing the phone from her purse, she answered. “What?”
“Lauren, please, honey, I didn’t know! You only called him Jo-Jo!”
Oh. How stupid of me. Jo-Jo was a family name, given as a toddler. Sighing, she pinched the bridge of her nose.
“Lauren?”
The sound of Deems’ pleading voice weakened her knees. With a lump choking her airway, she staggered toward the brick-face on the corner building.
“Please let me talk to you, sweetheart. Don’t deprive me of how fabulous you look in your dress.”
Sweetheart? Her insides melted from the word, and tears streamed down her cheeks. Self-doubt flooded her. How much of Deems’ words were true? Can I even trust him? She fell back against the bricks on the building and immediately felt the dress snag on the mortar.
“Lauren?”
Oh, God, how I want to believe. The experience with Jo-Jo had filled her with so many questions. Had she done something to cause him to leave? Why had he embezzled money when he performed so well as a car salesman? Was their engagement a total sham from the beginning?
“Lauren—please!”
But Deems was so different. Without trying, he’d swept her off her feet and made her feel loved. He accomplished more in such a short time than Jo-Jo had ever done in their years together. How could she even compare the two? She sucked in a shuddering breath. “Deems—” Her voice cracked. She couldn’t utter another word if she tried.
“Let me come to you, honey, okay? Stay where you are.”
Where the hell am I? She blinked to clear her vision and searched for a street sign. Ninety-Eighth and Park. “I definitely walked too far.”
“Just stand where you are. I’ll swing by in a cab.”
She had no desire to move, even though she looked like a hooker waiting for a client to pony-up her fee. The wolf-whistles were unreal. Men hung out of passing car windows, drooling, and arms begging her to come-hither. One car, full of women, stopped and invited her to join their party. I don’t hear this shit on the streets of Arendtsville.
Jerking her brain into gear, she pushed away from the building and stared at her phone. Not once had she mentioned where she was. How would Deems direct a cab? What if he—
Chest constricting, she glared at the white SUV inching toward her. Undeterred, she squared her shoulders and stood her ground, one fist gripping her purse and the other ready to swing. Her heart pounded wildly, but really, lots of people were around. One scream would cause a scene.
The vehicle glided alongside the curb and stopped. A second later, the passenger window lowered with a whirl.
Knees shaking, she peeked at the driver then shot back with a gasp. “Lou!”
He grinned, showing a set of bright, white teeth. “Evening, miss. Mr. Lambert will be along any minute.”
No wonder Deems hadn’t asked where she was. He already knew! Every single one of her muscles released all tension, and she clutched the car for support. “Why, Lou?”
“Why am I following you?” He leaned across the console. “The big man wants to keep you from harm, especially from Drummer.”
Deems again, protecting her. How can I not love that man!
A yellow taxi stopped alongside Lou’s door. Deems jumped from the rear seat, threw a few bills at the driver, and rushed around the SUV to wrap her in his arms.
She almost resisted, but his tender embrace offered her the comfort she craved and warmed her from the evening chill. She hadn’t remembered to buy a shawl to cover her bare shoulders. Her anger and walking raised her heat levels. Only as she waited for Deems had the chilly night air penetrated her bones.
Releasing her, he placed both palms on her cheeks. “You scared me by running off . If Lou hadn’t gotten stuck in traffic, he’d have been halfway home. Lucky for him, he watched you walk right past the SUV and followed.” A worried gaze scanned her face. “Are you all right?”
“No.” She felt like a wreck, had sore feet from walking too far in new high heels, and probably looked like a prize fighter with red eyes and nose.
He opened the rear door to the SUV. “Come on. Get in.”
They buckled seatbelts under Lou’s watchful eye. Deems immediately wrapped an arm around her and eased her head onto his shoulder.
The feel of his strong arm combined with the musk scent of his cologne compelled her body to melt with one big shudder. She stared at nothing in particular—the white leather interior of the luxury SUV and Deems’ polished shoes. Despite a struggle to keep her mind empty, silent drops of moisture tickled her cheeks. As soon as she’d spotted Mark Jordan standing next to Deems, she recalled the moment of entering an empty apartment, searching from room to room and finding only dust balls. Everything she owned, gone, even her late grandmother’s treasured costume jewelry. For days, shock consumed her, followed by outrage, and not knowing what steps to take next. When she uncovered the depletion of their bank account, she lost every ounce of self-control. She wanted to kill him, but Jo-Jo had virtually disappeared from the surface of the earth.
Deems handed her a handkerchief. She sniffed the musk before dabbing her eyes. “I’m sorry I ran out on you.”
He kissed her forehead. “I wasn’t sure what shocked me more—your leaving so suddenly or the slap you gave Mark. You almost snapped his neck.”
“I wanted to use a fist but too many witnesses.” She sniffed.
Deems nodded to Lou. “You know where we’re going.”
Lou shifted the car into Drive and eased into traffic.
She ran a hand along the plush seat. As smooth as a baby’s bottom. “T
his SUV is beautiful, Lou. Is it yours?”
“No, ma’am. Another company car.” His dark eyes twinkled in the rearview mirror.
She rotated her head to look at Deems. “Why’d you keep Lou’s surveillance a secret?”
His lips curled into a gentle smile. “I didn’t want any arguments. Keeping you safe and happy is my number one priority.” He dropped his gaze to the floor and sighed. “Lou discovered the black sedan following Drummer, the very same one that followed the Hispanic.” He shot her a quick glance. “I hired a private detective to keep an eye on Jan while Lou watches you.” With his gaze meeting hers, he traced a finger along her bare shoulder. “You’ve become very important to me, Lauren Howell.”
Pulling away, she frowned. “I’m not sure how I feel about all this secrecy.”
“Doesn’t matter. You can argue all you want, but I won’t change my mind. Eric’s into something bad, and the break-in at Jan’s apartment proves my point.” He eased her head back onto his shoulder. “Stay put. I’ve no intention of letting you go twice in one night.”
No man had ever treated her with such possession, as if she was beyond special. The thought filled her soul with a warm, fuzzy feeling. From as long as she could remember, she’d taken care of her own problems, and for the first time, Deems wanted to assume the role. Her brain argued to resist. Her heart convinced her otherwise. Giving in to the warmth of his body, she relaxed against him and slipped her hand under his jacket lapel. “You can explain how Jo-Jo became a colleague.”
His arm tensed around her shoulders. “I hadn’t any particular insight into Mark’s personal life, but I knew of his excellent track record at the car dealership.” He passed a palm along the length of his tie. “Our human resources department completed a thorough background check but, unfortunately, before the warrants were issued. Mark, of course, checked out clean as a whistle, and I hired him. Two weeks later, he reported for training.” After a brief pause, he sighed. “Human resources never found any financial problems, but Mark said his creditors—”
Huh? Brows high, she jerked her head from his shoulder. “What creditors? Jo-Jo was the most meticulous bookkeeper I’ve ever met. He had no debts.”
“How about illicit ones?”
Gaze focused out the side window, she chewed on her inner lip. “I suppose the possibility exists.” Penny-pinching Jo-Jo? The man was adverse to any loan, big or small. She shook her head. “No, he lied.”
“He cleaned you out for a reason, Lauren, and don’t forget the stolen money from the dealership.”
She couldn’t argue the point, but creditors? The man counted every dime between them and saved to the point of obsessiveness, but his habit accumulated a sizable saving account. No way had he kept so much money in the bank with creditors on his ass.
With her head again nestled against his shoulder, she toyed with his diamond-studded tie clip. “I’ve known Jo-Jo since high school, Deems. I don’t believe creditors prompted him to steal.”
“What then?”
“I don’t know. All I can tell you is his sudden change after I lost my job. I still don’t understand what happened. I’m disappointed and angry at a man I thought I knew.”
He kissed her hair. “As of tonight, I suspended him and canceled his return to South America.”
Her breath left in one big whoosh. Pushing on his chest, she jerked from his arm and met his gaze. “South America? That’s where he’s been?”
“Afraid so. On Mark’s initial interview, he jumped at the Argentina position, and now, I understand why. He had to escape from the country before his plans were destroyed.” His finger traced along her shoulder. “Mark returned for his six-month evaluation. In order to keep his job with High-Rise, he needs to repay your half of the money and do his time with the authorities.” He eased her back under his arm.
Wow. No wonder the cops couldn’t find him. South America. Of all places.
Lou glided the SUV alongside a curb and stopped.
Straightening in the seat, she looked around. “Where are we?”
Deems turned her head and kissed her nose. “On the way to meet you and Lou, I made reservations at one of New York’s many five-star restaurants. You dressed for me tonight and deserve the best dinner money can buy. I won’t let Mark rob me of a date with the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.”
Heat flushed her cheeks, for she had indeed dressed for him. She used part of her paycheck to buy dress clothes, even though she stopped in several shops to find something affordable. She returned the kiss but this time, on his lips. “Thank you. I need a trip to the ladies room to refresh my face.”
“I’ll save you some time.” He opened a flap on the back of Lou’s seat. “You look wonderful, but here’s a mirror. Are you still hungry?”
“I can eat an entire slab of beef.”
“Good, because I called in a favor.”
She checked her reflection. No makeup smudges. Not much she could do about her red eyes, except smile a lot. She finger-combed her hair and closed the flap.
Lou opened the rear door, and they stepped out. Deems shook Lou’s hand. “Thanks for watching her. We’ll take a cab home.”
“Have a good time, Mr. Lambert.”
Hand on the metal frame, she stopped Lou from closing the door. “You’re done following me, right?”
Both men glanced at each other, then her, and simultaneously said, “No!”
Chapter Twenty-One
After saying goodbye to Lou, Lauren took a moment to study her surroundings. She had absolutely no idea where they were, but the black double doors to the restaurant looked ominous, like an entrance to a forbidden castle. Brass lion-headed knockers hung on both doors while scrolled across the top, fancy gold lettering announced the name of the restaurant. “Les Amoureux,” she murmured and turned to Deems. “The words translate to Lovers. An odd name for a restaurant.”
Chuckling, he placed a hand on the small of her back and guided her toward the door. “The owner fell in love with the woman who showed him the property. They have three kids now.” He opened the door and waved her forward. “Shall we?”
Several couples waited in the wide foyer where a maitre d’ fussed with the computer on his pedestal. She and Deems approached.
The tuxedoed man glanced up and smiled. “Mr. Lambert, how nice to see you!” After jabbing a finger onto the computer screen, the maitre d’ stepped from the reception stand and crooked a finger. “Your table is ready, sir. Frederic was pleased as punch to hear you were coming.” He led the way through a dining room of dark brown and maroon in the direction of small oval booths positioned against the far wall. Pivoting the entire table, he waved them toward the center of the round, padded bench seat, waited for them to settle in, and then replaced the table.
Since they sat in such an intimate setting away from the kitchen and front entrance, she experienced an unusual sense of awe. For the first time, she looked at the man beside her and questioned whether she understood him at all. Obviously, Deems had connections, but to obtain a table at a five-star restaurant on a Friday night told more about the man than she imagined. How powerful was he in this huge city? She leaned close. “Do you come here often?”
“Not really.” He unbuttoned his suit jacket and draped an arm behind her. “I brought my mom and dad here when they visited.”
That piece of information hardly constituted the maitre d’ knowing him by name, but she let the comment pass. With a curious gaze, she scanned the dining room. All through college, she’d worked in some nice restaurants but never a five-star one. Nor had she ever dined in anything swankier than the local mom-and-pop establishment. But this place was fabulous. The tables were equally spaced, so settings remained intimate without fear of the next table overhearing the conversation. Every plate was individually carried—no trays or covered dishes—and then promptly whisked away when empty.
Soft music played from speakers overhead, mainly orchestration arrangements with violins and mu
ted horns. Scarce lighting prevented one from gawking at someone’s food. Male and female servers, dressed in tuxedos, wore crepe-soled shoes with movements like a whisper of wind.
Deems nudged her shoulder. “What are you thinking?”
Tearing her attention from her restaurant analysis, she met his gaze and smiled. “That maybe I should apply for a job at a place above two to three stars. These guys can make some serious bucks compared to the tips I make.”
The wine steward approached, holding a bottle of Bordeaux on his arm. “From Frederic, sir. His finest.” With a corkscrew, he extracted the cork and poured a small amount into Deems’ glass.
Deems sniffed then tasted. “Nice. Tell Frederic thank you.”
With the wine poured, another waiter handed them menus.
She nearly choked on the exorbitant prices.
Lowering his arm to hold the menu with two hands, Deems wagged a finger in her face. “You order anything you want, hear?”
She’d like to order him to put his arm back where it belonged, but the poor man couldn’t possibly eat with one hand all night. Her gaze traveled down the list of entrées. “I can get used to this kind of lifestyle, you know.”
“I hope you do…within reason, of course.”
He flashed a smile that warmed every inch of her skin.
After their orders were taken, Deems entertained her with stories about the trials and tribulations of city life, all geared toward making her smile and laugh. In one tale, he detailed his trip to Phoenix where the owners of a prospective high-rise refused to negotiate until he mounted a horse.
“A horse of all creatures.” Grimacing, he gave a short, stifled laugh. “Can you imagine a city boy like me on a horse?” He shot her a quick glance. “The animal scared me half to death. I thought he was huge.”
