by Janet Leigh
Chapter 21
At 1500 hours, after shopping and eating a fabulous lunch at Sardi’s, where Ace knew just about everyone, we returned to Marco’s apartment. I didn’t think we were keeping such a low profile, but we had fun. Ace and I stood at the stoop surrounded by our packages. Where else were we supposed to get ready? We buzzed Marco, but no response. He was probably hoping we would go away. Ace hit all the buttons until someone let us in. I wondered how many serial killers had been buzzed in before us. We took the elevator up to the top, and Marco opened his door dressed in full racing gear with the exception of his helmet.
“Nice, very original,” Ace said. “No one will ever guess it’s you.”
“You didn’t expect me to go out and rent a stupid costume, did ya?” Marco stepped aside to let us enter.
“You could at least throw a mask on,” Ace said.
“I’m wearing my lucky racing baseball cap.” He grinned, plopping a red cap adorned with his sponsors’ logos on his head.
“I need to borrow a shower, and Jen needs to freshen up a little.”
Marco sighed and pointed toward a hallway. “You can use the guest bath down the hall on the right.”
“I just need to get something warm to drink,” I said. “It’s cold outside.”
“Must be that thin Texas blood running through your veins.”
“Was that a dig at my home state?”
“No, that was a dig at your bloodline.” He frowned as he used a state-of-the-art espresso maker like a pro.
“He’s just jealous, hon, because unlike our avaricious ancestors, yours actually tried to find the missing keys and took nothing for themselves.” Ace swished off toward Marco’s shower.
“I guess that’s why you guys have trust funds and I work for my brother.” I envisioned Marco’s grandfather carrying chests of gold while Aint Elma hoed her homegrown vegetables.
Marco handed me an espresso, and I slid onto a barstool at his kitchen counter.
Marco leaned against the dark granite counter of his immaculate kitchen. “Having to work for what you have is not a bad thing. It builds character. You value what you have, and you don’t take things for granted.”
“You sound like my mother.” I sipped my espresso. “Is that why you live here in SoHo and not Park Avenue?”
“I like the people here. They work during the day and keep to themselves at night. No one asks questions. I own the building, so I am able to keep my vessel safe. I don’t like being in the public eye. But I do like racing.”
“Does your key help you win races?”
Marco straightened up, avoiding my question. “You can use my room to change, if you like.” He reached for my empty espresso cup and set it in the sink.
I made him uncomfortable, so the key must have played a role, which meant he had it close. I gathered my purchases, compliments of the WTF, and paused for a moment before I went to his room.
“Marco, why do you think there is so much heat exchanged between us?” I asked.
He shrugged, and then an evil smile kicked up the corners of his mouth. “I’m not sure, but I bet the sex would be unbelievable.”
“Um.” I looked down and kicked some imaginary dirt around on his hardwood floors.
“Don’t worry, I can tell you have some confusion rambling around in that head of yours. I’ll try to keep my distance, at least for today.”
I smiled. “Deal, and thanks for helping us.”
He frowned. “I’m helping you and Gertie.”
“Right, well, thanks anyway.” I turned and power walked down the hall. Part of me hoped he might change his mind, and the other part kept aching for Caiyan. I didn’t know where I factored Jake into the whole scheme. Thinking about it made my head hurt. Is it possible to love three men at the same time?
