by L. M. Heidle
“Who’s calling?”
“His son.” Two words that tasted like dirt coming out.
“Hold please.” There were several clicks as the call was transferred. After fifteen minutes on hold, I was close to hanging up.
“Trayton, this better be good. I had an ace-high straight flush.”
“Don’t worry, I won’t keep you from your precious game. Got the info you wanted.”
“Let me call you back.” Click.
Five minutes later he called on probably another guard’s cell. “Who was it?”
“The man killed, Bob Silvery.”
“That doesn’t make sense. Why would he involve me?”
“Bob created a fake mark named Tim and gave Larry a lavish story about how this guy wanted not only himself but Larry dead as well. Bob didn’t care who Larry hired, but Larry wanted the best, which is where you come in. Bob played on Larry’s ego, knowing he’d want to see a man threatening him killed up close and personal. He told Larry where Tim would be, effectively setting you up, because Bob was ready and waiting. I scanned Bob’s computer and he transferred $2.5 million into Larry’s account from an off-shore account in the Cayman the morning it happened, the other $2.5 million once the job was done according to the emails.”
“Who attacked us then?”
“His cousin, probably in retaliation for Bob.” I squeezed the stress ball I was holding as I paced my office. If he didn’t believe this, I had no other cards up my sleeve, and not only Eddie would be in trouble. If my dad found out Eddie was behind this and I was helping him, family or not he’d make me pay.
“Any other family?”
“No, Larry killed them all. From Bob’s computer, the vendetta started shortly after.”
“Well, I guess that’s that.” Click. I let out a long breath. I can’t believe he bought that.
I shot a quick text to Eddie letting him know it was done. All I got was another ‘K’ text. I just lied to my very dangerous father for him, and I couldn’t even get a thank you. No matter, I no longer felt guilt. In some weird way I guess that was my closure.
I was in the middle of my Calculus homework when my phone rang. “What’s up, Uncle Vito?”
“An interesting call from your father.”
“How is Daddy dearest?”
“Complacent.” Good, he truly did believe the story. “Told me a very interesting story.” I tapped my pencil against the book as I distractedly listened.
“Oh yeah. Was it good?”
“Very. A little unbelievable, but he was satisfied with it.”
“Good. Glad to hear it.”
“Son, you made the right choice.” Hearing that from my uncle meant a lot and calmed my nerves. “And don’t forget to call your stepmom tonight.”
“I won’t.”
“Alright.” Click. Obviously saying goodbye was not a priority for the men in my life.
I finished up my homework before calling Vivian. She picked up on the second ring. “Honey, I was just thinking of you.”
“Good things I hope.”
“Always. It’s actually about Isabella.” I groaned. “You remember her? You guys dated in high school didn’t you?” Screwed until we couldn’t walk? Yes. Dated? No, much to everyone’s dismay.
“Ah no, but I remember her.”
“Well anyway, she’s getting married.” My brief moment of relief that she wasn’t trying to set me up with her was shattered with her next statement. “Got me thinking about you.” Here we go. “You need to settle down and meet a nice girl.”
“Viv, I’m twenty-two not thirty.”
“Still, you should be looking. I can’t believe you haven’t met someone down there.” A smile graced my lips as I thought about Alex. “There’s a lady at the club, Francis. She’s a dreadful woman, but she has a sweet granddaughter that’s twenty. Maybe when you come home for a visit you can meet her.” The hope in her voice was so palpable that I almost told her about Alex, but I wasn’t ready to share her.
“Don’t start playing matchmaker.”
“I’m not. One more friend wouldn’t hurt now would it?”
I shook my head, she had an answer for everything. She also had a way of getting me to do whatever she wanted, so I needed to talk to Alex sooner rather than later. When I saw my future, I saw her, but there was a lot we had to talk about first.
“What have you been up to?”
“Oh so much. Trying to keep busy since your dad’s gone. I’m heading three different charities this summer, and I’m on the board on four more.”
I listened to her go on and on about the different charity events and the guest lists for the next hour. Randomly saying uh-huh and sounds great. “Well, sweetie, I need to get off here. Your dad is supposed to be calling.”
I almost said he wasn’t my dad, but I knew she hated how we fought. “Alright. Have a goodnight.”
“Do you want me to tell him anything?”
Go to hell. She probably wouldn’t be too happy with that sentiment. “No, I talked to him earlier today.”
The excitement in her voice was unmistakable. She’d never given up hope we’d be close. “Oh, you did? How wonderful.”
“Yeah, but I’ll let you go. Love you, Viv.”
“Love you, too, Tray boy.” One day I’d get her to stop using that ridiculous nickname. I hung up the phone after another round of goodbyes and took a shower before crawling into bed. Dealing with my family was exhausting.
ALEX
Friday night was finally here. I’d been dreading and impatiently waiting for tonight. Trayton, Kass, Mark, and I were going to the movies tonight. I tried to play cool all week when I talked to him, but inside I was bouncing like a kid who’d found the candy stash.
I probably tried on twenty outfits before giving up and putting on jeans, knee-high boots, and an off the shoulder shirt. I pulled my hair back into a messy ponytail and did minimal makeup. I heard the doorbell ring and my heart skipped a beat. “Get it together, Parker. It’s just a movie.” I grabbed my leather jacket and walked into the living room to find Mark and Kass sitting on the couch, but my attention instantly diverted to Trayton as he walked toward me.
Trayton leaned down kissing my forehead. And the butterflies are off to the races, folks. “You look beautiful.”
I smiled and pulled on his jacket. “You don’t look so bad yourself.”
“Is that a compliment from the great Alexandria Rose?”
“How did you know my middle name?”
“I have my sources. I plan on knowing everything about you before too long.” My heart stopped, I wasn’t ready for the family talk. He must have seen my hesitation because he squeezed my hand. “Only when you’re ready, Alex. I’ll never push for anything.” The sincerity in his eyes let me know he was talking about more than talking. I blushed slightly as I put my forehead to his chest.
“You guys are disgusting. Can we go sometime tonight?” I turned my head to glare at Kass, but the smile on my face kind of negated the glare.
Trayton put his hand on my lower back. “We’re ready.” He linked our hands and led me to a Lexus SUV.
He opened the passenger door for me, but I didn’t get in. My eyes roamed over the very sexy charcoal SUV. “Whose car is this?”
“Mine.”
“Wait, I thought you had a Mustang and the bike.”
“I have this, too.”
“Oh.” How in the world could he afford three vehicles? I half-listened to Kass and Mark as I studied Trayton. There was so much I didn’t know about him, but then again there was a lot he didn’t know about me. I was lost in my head imagining all the different ways he’d react to my past that I didn’t even realize we’d made it to the movies, or that Trayton had opened the door for me. I jumped when he lightly touched my arm.
“Sorry. You ready?”
“Yeah.” I took his hand as he helped me out. “Look at you being a gentleman again.”
He bowed. “I try.” He pushed me ag
ainst the SUV as he closed the door and took my mouth. “But only in small doses.” My head spun as he took my lips again and again.
“Whoa, it’s getting hot out here.” Kass fanned herself. “You guys do realize there are kids here, right?” She could barely contain her laughter at my mortification.
Yep, completely wasn’t thinking about our surroundings. I glared at Tray and accused, “This is your fault.”
“What? How’s this my fault?”
“Because it is.”
He pulled me close. “Well, if I’m going to be in trouble then I should make it worth it.” His eyes glinted with mischief, making me pull away and back a step toward Kass.
“Ah, I’m pretty sure we should get going.” I took a couple more steps back, almost tripping on the curb. “That movie should be starting.”
“Actually, Mark checked, and the movie we wanted is sold out. We picked a different one, but it doesn’t start for an hour. We figured we could go across the street for something to eat.”
Never taking his eyes off of me he answered, “Sounds great.” I made the mistake of looking at Kass to tell her it sounded like a plan when I was suddenly lifted into the air and thrown over his shoulder.
“Tray, put me down!” He slapped my butt in response. “Kassandra, help me!” All she did was get her phone out to snap pictures as Trayton carried me across the parking lot. “Really, Kass? What ever happened to chicks before dicks?” She only smiled at me. I turned my head to Mark and pleaded, “Save me from this ogre!”
He slapped my butt again. “That’s for the ogre comment.”
Mark fought his smile, and I knew then he was never going to help me. “Sorry, bro code.”
“You guys are all evil!” I grumbled, which of course got me another slap on the butt. “Oh my gosh! Would you stop doing that?” Did he? Nope, he did it again, so I smacked his fine rear end as hard as I could.
I expected him to put me down when we got to the restaurant door, but this was Trayton. He carried me to the counter and asked, “Angel, what do you want?”
“For you to put me down.” I could feel all the blood rushing to my head making me lightheaded, or that could be the view I was staring at. He really had a very nice butt.
“What do you want to eat? There’s a line forming, so hurry up.” He was so full of it. Kass and Mark were the only ones behind us, so I continued to ignore him.
“Tray, she likes a #2 with sweet tea,” Kass supplied, making me glower at her.
“Thanks.” He turned back to the front, “I also need a #2 with sweet tea, please.”
“Put me down, Tray. You know you can’t get our drinks with one hand.” He didn’t say anything, but he did set me down.
I pinched his side as soon as my feet touched the ground. “Ouch! What the hell was that for?”
“Seriously? Let’s see, maybe for the butt slaps or hmm maybe the fact that you carried me like a sack of potatoes.”
He grinned his boyish smile, not at all ashamed. I would go as far to say he was proud of himself. I rolled my eyes, filled my drink, and stomped to a table.
Kassandra slid in across from me, and when I ignored her, she slapped my arm. “Oh stop. If that was me, you’d be laughing, too.”
“No, I wouldn’t, I would’ve helped you.” Not, I would’ve been laughing too hard and probably taking videos.
“Sure you would’ve,” she replied dryly as the guys sat down.
“Here ya go, angel.” He slid my tray over as he sat down. I tried giving him the silent treatment, but that ended the second he whispered, “Stop the silent treatment, or I’ll carry you back.”
I turned to face him, eyes narrowed. “You wouldn’t dare.”
“Try me.” He smirked, and I knew without a doubt he would. He took a huge bite of his burger as he watched me grit my teeth in annoyance, knowing he won.
I focused on Kass and Mark, asking, “So what movie are we watching?”
Mark replied, “Well, Tray should be thanking me. She wanted to watch some movie with I quote, ‘A guy who is so hot he puts other men to shame’.”
I turned my head to Kassandra, my eyes wide with excitement. “The one with Chris in it?!?! It’s already out? What I wouldn’t do for a night with that man.”
She nodded. “I know right!”
“See? I hurried and bought the tickets to the new Statham movie while she was swooning.”
The guy's fist bumped. “Nice, man!”
“Kass, maybe you and I should go to our movie. I wouldn’t want to intrude on their apparent bromance.”
“Yeah, that’s not going to happen,” Tray said.
I turned to face him and cocked my head. “And why is that exactly?”
He gave me a little smirk as he put his arm around me. “Because you’re with me tonight. If I have to watch a girly movie, then so be it.”
Mark choked on his burger. “Really, man? Keep talking like that, and I’m going to start making whipping noises.” Everyone laughed at him.
“Okay, let’s go watch Statham.” Like it’s going to be such a hardship, that man is gorgeous.
Tray linked our fingers together on the walk to the theater, leaning over to whisper, “I’m sure I could make you forget all about that Chris guy.” I’m sure you could, too. “Would you like me to tell you how I’d do it?” I whimpered. Luckily or unluckily—depending on how you looked at it, we were at the theater doors. “Saved just in time.” He kissed my neck before pulling me inside the popcorn-filled theater.
We’d just handed the attendant our tickets when Eddie and a few of his friends walked up. I hadn’t seen him since that night at the bar. I tried getting a hold of him a few times, but he was always too busy to talk.
His eyes were firmly locked on Trayton even though he spoke to me. “Well, look who it is. I can’t believe you’re still slumming it, Alex.” Tray’s jaw clenched.
I had no idea where his sneering and condescending tone came from. “Eddie, stop. There’s no reason for this.”
He finally turned his head toward me. “I beg to differ. Has he told you about his past?”
Tray moved closer to him with clenched fists, but I jumped in front of him. I put both hands on his chest and pushed until he looked down. “Go. Let me handle this.” My eyes were pleading as I stared at him. “Please,” I whispered.
His eyes were still hard, but he finally gave in. “Fine, but I’m not letting you out of my sight.” He pointed to a bench about fifty feet away. I figured that’s as good as I would get without a major fight, so I nodded.
I waited to speak until everyone was out of earshot. “Eddie,” I hissed. “What are you doing?”
“I’m trying to protect you.” He put his hand on my elbow. “You can’t even begin to understand the type of man he is. Let me take you home.”
“You don’t know him.”
“Alexandria, there are things you don’t know about me, but by now you know you can trust me.” I nodded. “So trust me when I say he’s not the type of guy you want to be around.”
“Eddie, what aren’t you telling me? How do you know him?”
“I’ve told you from my past, but that’s not important. You may think you know him, but you don’t have any idea. He’s dangerous.”
Dangerous? An uneasy feeling took over. I may not know everything about him, but what I did know didn’t scream dangerous to me. He took me on a picnic, told me about his mother, and followed me home to make sure I was safe. I knew without a doubt he’d never hurt me, but Eddie was convinced I should stay away from him. “If you don’t leave with me, then promise you won’t be alone with him.” I’m not sure why, but I nodded. “I’m being a jerk because I love you, you know that right?”
“Thanks, I know you do. I love you, too.”
“Text me when you get home and Google him.”
“Okay, I will.” He gave me a hug and a kiss on the cheek before walking away. I took a deep breath as I focused on the upcoming movie posters decorati
ng the theater, trying to get the uneasiness under control.
Tray was at my side the second Eddie walked away, rapidly asking questions. “Are you okay? What did he say?”
“Yes, I’m fine.” I tried to smile, but it was probably more of a grimace. “I’m going to run to the restroom real fast.” I didn’t wait for a reply, I just booked it.
Kass came in during my minor freak out. “Tray sent me in here. What’s going on?”
“It was Eddie. He kept telling me I should stay away from Tray, that he was dangerous. I mean what if he is? I know a little, but it’s far from everything.”
She grabbed my hands in hers. “There’s really only one way to find out...ask him.”
“Google.” She looked at me like I was a few marbles short. “Eddie said to look him up. Why would he be on Google?”
“I don’t know, but we’ll find out after the movie. Let’s go enjoy ourselves. This could just be Eddie trying to get back at Trayton. You already know they have some kind of history.”
I doubted Eddie would do that, but I didn’t know how far their grudge ran. “Yeah, you’re right.”
“Everything’s going to work out.” She gave me a quick hug before heading for the door.
Tray was waiting just outside and stepped forward to grab my hand, but Kass, bless her soul, looped her arm through mine. This was one of those times that it was incredibly nice that she knew exactly what I needed, even if I didn’t.
“Let’s go, girly! We better not have missed the previews.” We skipped our way to the theater like kids. She sat on my right, with Tray on my left.
His breath against my neck sent sparks down my spine, and I had to fight not to lean into him when he whispered in my ear. “Alex, what’s wrong?”
I stared into his eyes and saw the turmoil, which only increased my worry. I didn’t want to think bad about him. Mostly because I knew I was falling for him, but the unknown is a very scary thing. Made even worse by the fact that my first instinct was to not trust. “Nothing, I’m fine. Now shh, the previews are my favorite part.” He grabbed my hand, intertwined our fingers, and gave me a kiss on my crown. Making my heart melt a little more. I was a horrible actress, so chances are he didn’t believe me, but he didn’t push just like he said.
