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And a small part of her wondered how someone who so obviously had everything they could possibly need in life found it necessary to buy a young girl from a broken country. Maybe, just maybe, Jessie hadn’t missed out on much by being poor.
“Aren’t you coming?” Spence surprised her by impatiently barking.
“I’m sorry,” she flushed, trying not to openly gawk as they stepped inside. She knew the marble floors under her feet were worth more than her entire life’s earnings. Earnings that were gone, she reminded herself, so maybe there was something to be said for not keeping all your money under a mattress.
Still, there was a coolness to the mansion that she didn’t like. It wasn’t that the place was physically cold, but rather it lacked the warmth of a home. Everything was so white, so pristine. She couldn’t fathom curling up on a couch to watch television here. The late-night popcorn fights she used to get into with Harmony would never happen in a place like this.
There was no joy. No laughter.
“Spence, it’s good to see you again,” a stocky man with salt-and-pepper hair joined them in the sitting room. His smile didn’t reach his eyes as he shook hands with Spence. His lack of surprise over Spence’s appearance told Jessie that word had traveled quickly.
“I think you’ll be happy with your purchase Mr. Coleman. She’s really quite exquisite. There’s a bit of fire lurking under those eyes,” Spence commented.
If he hadn’t been talking about a human like she was a horse, Jessie might have felt sorry for him at the disdainful look he got from Mr. Coleman. As it was, Jessie wanted to grab the girl by the hand and run like hell out of this place, consequences be damned.
Jessie told herself that more good could be done in the long run if she bided her time and let Gabe handle things the right way. She wondered, though, if it was rational thought that kept her rooted to Spence’s side… or fear.
Either way, she couldn’t get that girl out of her mind as she settled Spence in for the night. The image of those eyes heaping accusations at her feet was seared into her brain. Once Spence was snoring soundly, Jessie changed into jeans and a t-shirt. She was still pulling her long blond hair into a ponytail as she told the guard at the door where she would be if he needed her.
O’Malley’s Irish Pub was on the approved activity list, and for that Jessie was eternally grateful. She needed the normalcy of hearing Danny’s lilting Irish folk. It was a typical St. Louis building—dimly lit, with an exposed brick and wood interior. From the flags hanging inside and out to the support beam painted orange, white and green, the place left no doubt as to its Irish heritage. Jessie smiled at the fiddle hanging on the wall and the clock of three men standing in their underwear arm in arm that was affectionately known as “Three Drunk Micks.” They made her feel like she’d come home.
“The prodigal daughter has returned,” Danny declared jovially as he appeared from the crowd to hug Jessie.
“Good to see you,” Jessie eagerly returned the hug. “Play me a happy song tonight.”
“What’s a pretty girl like you so sad about?” he smiled warmly before patting his pockets. “I almost forgot. I have something for you.”
He pressed a key into her hands.
“What’s this?”
“I was told you’ll find it in the pages of a book. Our friends seemed to think you’d know what that meant.”
“I think I do,” she nodded slowly. “Thank you.”
“No worries. You’re just in time for the first set. Come on, I’ll shove someone out of their seat.”
“Hey Danny.”
“Yes love?”
“Could you tell our friend I need to talk to him?”
“That I can do,” he nodded solemnly.
Jessie accepted the seat Danny cleared for her. The music began, wrapping itself around her as it always. She stared at the key in her hand, running the possibilities through her mind. It was the key to his Plymouth.
Chapter Eleven
Jessie tried to let the music carry her away, but the image of the blond girl vied with the key for her attention. There wasn’t much she could do about the girl until she spoke to Gabe. The key was most likely intended as her method of escape if things got bad. He’d probably stashed the Plymouth at the address in the book. She still hadn’t figured out the phony ZIP code. Her best guess was that the numbers were a pass code of some sort.
She clutched the key in her hand, its presence making her feel more connected with Gabe. Instead of soothing her, being at O’Malley’s only seemed to make her more restless. She missed Gabe. She didn’t want to go back to her gilded cage. It all sucked and that was making her cranky.
She stood suddenly and marched over to the bar to order a shot of Tequila. That got the attention of a college kid next to her who ordered them another round.
“That is, if you think you can handle two shots,” he smiled charmingly.
She gave him a crooked grin and licked her salted wrist before tossing the liquid fire down her throat. She arched her eyebrow as she sucked on the lime. He responded in kind even as the bartender poured another round.
Jessie wasn’t sure how she got home. She vaguely recalled Vance showing up and pulling her away from a protesting crowd. The ride was a little fuzzy.
“I’m perfectly fiiiine,” she protested when he slung her over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes.
“Uh-huh,” he deftly unlocked the door.
“I’m so lucky to have you.”
“I know,” he dropped her unceremoniously on the bed.
“You’re a good man… don’t worry, I won’t tell anybody,” she put a finger over her lips to indicate it was their little secret.
“Get some sleep, Jessie.”
“Can’t sleep,” She argued. “I’ll see her eyes. She hated me. Harmony hates me, too. I bet Gabe hates me. Do you hate me? You don’t, do you?”
“No one hates you, honey. Try to get some rest. It’ll be better tomorrow.”
“Why is my bed spinning?” she frowned after a moment of silence.
Vance’s only response was his chuckle. It was the last memory Jessie had of the evening and it drifted in and out of her hazy brain as she tossed and turned.
Her alarm the next morning seemed particularly cruel. Still, she did its bidding and stumbled from her bed to rake a brush through her hair and splash some water on her face before dressing for yoga. She’d nearly made it to the door when she remembered deodorant and backtracked.
She tossed some toast at Spence on her way out the door, too hung over to care if it made him angry.
“You know I’ll be out of this cast eventually, right?” he called after her. She waved without turning around in response. She’d deal with him later.
Jessie was grateful to Vance for setting her alarm, but would have appreciated a little more time to get there. As it was, she skidded into class halfway through the first sun salutation. She tossed her sunglasses beside her mat with the tennis shoes she kicked off, rushing through the first two poses to catch up with the group.
She barely noticed the disapproving arch to Harmony’s eyebrow. She was too preoccupied with the rich laughter coming from the far corner of the room. Her heart hammered in her chest; she recognized that laugh. It had been nearly a week since she’d seen Gabe. Man he looked good.
“Mr. Adams, when I said you could observe, I assumed it meant you wouldn’t disturb the participants,” the seventy-year-old woman who led class admonished. Jessie ducked her head to hide her smile. She knew the petite little hippy just might be the one human on this earth that could bring Gabe to his knees.
“Maybe Mr. Adams would like to participate. There’s a mat open next to me,” Jessie offered helpfully.
“Don’t think I didn’t notice your tardiness,” she admonished.
“Sorry.”
Gabe made a face at Jessie and she made one back.
“Alright then. Mr. Adams, Jessie will show you what to do as we go along.”
“You sure you’re up to this?” he murmured with a grin as he kicked his shoes into a pile with hers. “Looks like you had a rough night.”
“I can handle it… can you?”
“It’ll be a breeze,” he rolled his head, stretching his neck.
“Uh-huh,” she moved to stand behind him, aligning his body for the first pose as the class began their second salute to the sun. For one entire round, she moved in concert with his body, hers over his as she taught him each pose. The deep breathing she was doing had little to do with yoga and a whole lot to do with his proximity.
For a few delicious moments, they were the only two people in the room—at least, as far as Jessie was concerned anyway.
It was over before Jessie was ready, but she grudgingly moved back to her mat to perform the next sequence beside Gabe. She was torn between enjoying his struggles and losing herself to her own routine. Nothing cleared her mind quite like yoga.
When the instructor pulled him back into a proper downward dog, Jessie decided wholeheartedly to just enjoy the show.
“Oh yeah, I can feel the difference there,” he was saying in a strained voice.
At one point the woman shook her head in disgust and instructed Jessie to help him again. “Don’t be so easy on him this time.”
“I will be merciless,” Jessie solemnly promised, breaking her own warrior pose to help Gabe align his.
“I miss you,” he breathed in her ear as she leaned in to him. She paused, her eyes brushing his. How could she possibly tell him how much she missed him too? He nodded, the small smile that tugged at his mouth telling her he understood.
“I need to talk to you.”
“That’s why I’m here.”
“I didn’t expect Danny to see you so soon.”
“He was worried about you,” his lip twitched. Jessie rolled her eyes and repositioned his hips for him.
“I’m pretty sure I won that contest,” Jessie informed him in a whisper.
“I’d hate to see the other guy.”
“I hate you.”
“I love you, too.”
“You guys are going to get in trouble,” Harmony admonished.
“Sorry,” Jessie shrugged.
“Can we get out of here?” he implored.
“Come on,” she scooped up their shoes.
“Don’t forget these,” he grabbed her glasses.
Jessie wanted to touch him. It was crazy how much. Instead, she slid her tennis shoes back on and plucked her sunglasses from his hand.
“Did you get the key?” He asked as they ducked into a private corner of the gym.
“Yeah. Thanks. What do you know about some guy named Coleman? Lives in Ladue.”
“Is he a customer or a player?”
“Customer.”
“Doesn’t ring a bell. I’ll look into him. Do you have any more than that on him?”
Jessie gave him the address and a description after glancing around nervously. “Gabe, we delivered a girl there yesterday. Promise me you’ll get her back.”
“I can’t promise.”
“Yes, you can. I know you can get her back.”
“It’s more complicated than that.”
“No, it’s not. Either you go get her or I will. I need to know she’ll be okay.”
“Why?”
“She looked at me like I was the one that did that to her… because I stood by and let them.”
“I still can’t promise anyone will do anything about this one girl. Not if it’ll risk the rest of the operation.”
“But she matters. Right?”
“To you and to me, sure.”
“What aren’t you telling me?” Jessie frowned. Something in his answer triggered warning bells in her mind.
“I’d rather talk to you alone… somewhere where we can really talk. Do you think you could meet me on the roof of Spence’s building tomorrow night at 9?”
“You’re scaring me.”
“It’ll be okay. That I will promise,” he kissed her forehead.
Jessie wanted to chastise him for making promises he couldn’t keep, but she wanted to believe this one too badly to do that.
“Is there anything else?” He brought the conversation back.
“I can’t believe I didn’t tell you this first,” Jessie was irritated with herself. “They’re keeping the girls in a warehouse off Vandeventer.”
“You’re sure?”
Jessie nodded, reciting the address she’d committed to memory. “It’s where we picked up the girl anyway.”
“I’ll send someone to check it out. Thanks.”
“I have no idea what I’m doing here.”
“You’re doing a great job.”
“I don’t think you’d tell me if I wasn’t.”
Gabe smiled guiltily and shrugged. “Are you okay?”
Jessie nodded.
“Not sure I believe you, darlin’.”
“It’s stupid.”
“What?” Concern etched his brow.
“I mean, I’m enjoying not having to work the streets anymore—don’t get me wrong… but I’m lonely. I want to go home.”
“You can walk away from this,” he reminded her.
“No, I can’t. Not now. I have to do what I can to protect these girls.”
“Be careful.”
“Are you guys just about done?” Harmony appeared at the door. “You’re drawing attention, you know.”
“Thanks,” Gabe scowled, but acknowledged that furtive glances were being cast their way.
“Tomorrow at 9?” Jessie couldn’t help reaching up to brush his cheek with her fingertips.
“It’s a date,” he caught her hand and kissed her palm.
With a small smile at him, she followed Harmony onto the street. The hateful sun mocked her and she hid behind her sunglasses again.
“I can’t believe you fell for a cop,” Harmony shook her head in disgust. “You used to be so practical.”
“I know,” Jessie didn’t bother denying it. “Grab a cup of coffee with me?”
“Can’t. I have class.”
“Okay,” Jessie felt deflated. The day loomed long ahead of her. “Have fun.”
“See you tomorrow morning, okay?”
She was happy to have been forgiven by Harmony, but it wasn’t really doing her much good at the moment. It seemed there was nothing to do but head back to Spence’s with two days to kill.
He was awake on the couch when she returned, a terse look on his face.
“You know I should kick you out on your ass for the way you treated me this morning.”
“I do,” she sighed and sank on the couch next to him. Everything in his body language said he was safe enough at the moment.
“Vance told me about your little binge last night,” a smile tugged the corner of his mouth. It was the first true smile Jessie could remember seeing on him; there was no trace of mocking in it.
“I rose to the challenge. That’s all.”
“Did you win?”
“Wiped the floor with them,” Jessie didn’t know if that was necessarily true, but it sounded good.
“Thata girl.”
“You want to play cards?” Jessie suggested after an awkward silence.
“Poker?”
“Nah… Rummy.”
“Sure. Why not?”
Jessie rooted through the bar until she found some playing cards. She curled up in the oversized chair across from Spence as she shuffled the deck.
“Your nose looks better.”
“Thanks. It hurts like hell today.”
“I forgot your pain medicine, sorry. You want me to get it?”
“Nah. It’ll just put me to sleep again. I like sitting upright for a while.”
“Let me know if you change your mind,” she began dealing the cards.
“Maybe you’ve just never really seen me before,” she studied the cards in her own hand.
“I know you better than you think,” he argued. “I know you work out obsessively to counteract your huge appetite because you worry about keeping up with the younger girls.”
“Ouch.”
“I know you spend every Wednesday night at O’Malley’s because of Danny. I personally think he’s some sort of a father figure to you.”
“Is that so?” She wondered why she was suddenly on the couch of Dr. Spence.
“I know Vance moonlights as your protector. I used to worry he had a crush on you, but now I think you two have some weird brother/sister thing going on.”
“I could see that,” Jessie gave in and played along.
“I know you like Bud Light, wine from a box and Blues—both the music and the team.”
“Impressive,” Jessie acknowledged. She had to admit she was surprised at his depth of knowledge. “Rummy.”
“That’s crap. Deal again.”
“Sore loser,” she gathered the cards to shuffle.
“I also know that you hate me.”
She silently slid the cards towards him to cut the deck.
“I’ve never thought that was fair of you. I took you in and gave you a roof over your head and you hate me for it.”
Jessie arched an eyebrow. She had a different view of things, but opening up a discussion along those lines wouldn’t do her much good.
“We’ve had a good run, you and me… haven’t we?” his pale green eyes met hers with startling honesty. She wasn’t sure how to respond.
“You’re in it pretty deep, aren’t you Spence?”
He opened his mouth to protest and instead tapped the deck for Jessie to deal. She wasn’t sure what else there was to say. How do you ask someone why they aren’t getting off the Titanic?
For as long as she’d known him, if Spence was in arm’s reach he was trying to get his hands on her. The fact that he was coherent and hadn’t propositioned her once was unsettling because it meant he had something weighing heavy on his mind. He seemed to know he was a dead man walking. She kept circling back to the same question—why didn’t he leave? Why did he still hand girls over to monsters if he knew it was doing nothing to save his hide?