Queen of Diamonds (Aces & Eights Book 4)

by Sandra Owens

  Unlike Rand, everything had been against Tyrone from his first breath. A drug-addicted mother, a nonexistent father, in and out of foster care, and that was just for a start. Yet Tyrone had somehow believed in himself, had managed to avoid the drug scene, and through hard work and study had landed a full scholarship at one of the most prestigious schools in the country. Against all odds, they’d become best friends, the rich boy and the boy who’d moved into Rand’s dorm room with only two pairs of cheap pants and three white dress shirts with the Walmart tags still on them.

  Tyrone had both impressed him and fascinated him. Despite not having much in common, they’d eased into being friends. Tyrone was funny, and his impersonations of classmates and celebrities would have Rand laughing so hard his stomach hurt. Over time they’d opened up to each other, learning they had one important thing in common that brought them even closer. Neither one of their mothers put her son first in her life. Rand’s cared more about her social life and impressing her peers, and drugs came first for Tyrone’s.

  Rand’s major was business and economics, and he would go to work for his father as soon as he graduated. Tyrone’s major was criminal justice. He wanted to join the FBI, often talked about doing his part to make the world a better, safer place.

  Then near the end of their first year Tyrone’s mother had called, panicked because she owed a dealer money that she didn’t have, and the dealer had threatened to kill her. She had a brother who lived in Philadelphia who’d agreed to let her stay with him for a while, and Tyrone planned to take her there.

  Rand had driven him to the bus station, but he’d had a bad feeling and had tried to talk Tyrone out of going. He’d offered to give Tyrone the money to wire to his mother, but his friend had refused.

  “I won’t be able to pay you back,” Tyrone had said.

  Rand had responded that he didn’t have to.

  “I’m not your charity case.” There had been anger in his friend’s voice, so Rand had let it drop, something he would always regret. Two hours after arriving home, Tyrone had been shot and killed, along with his mother.

  The world had lost a beautiful soul, a young man who would have made a difference. After hearing about his friend’s death, Rand had sat in their dorm room, in the dark, as one question churned in his mind. What kind of difference would he make in the lives of others working for his father, his only goal to make more money? Didn’t they have enough? The next day Rand changed his major to criminal justice and, in homage to his friend, joined the FBI after graduation. Although his father had been disappointed, Rand had never regretted his decision.

  Life had been great. He had a job he loved and a wife and daughter who were his world. Then his little girl died from the flu. The fucking flu, something he’d never thought to worry about. One day she’d been fine, the next morning feverish, and two days later she was gone.

  His marriage hadn’t survived the heartbreak, and he’d lost everything important to him. The breakup of his marriage had hurt, but he could recover from that. It was losing his daughter that he couldn’t come back from.

  On Sunday Kinsey followed the hostess through the restaurant. As soon as Rand saw them approaching, he stood. He was dressed in a blue button-down—the sleeves rolled up—and black pants. His eyes tracked her approach, and he had that killer smile on his face. What else was a girl’s heart to do but flutter at the sight of him looking sexier than any man should?

  “You look lovely, Kinsey,” he said as he pulled out a chair for her.

  “Thank you.” If you melt in a puddle at his feet, Kins, I’ll never forgive you.

  She’d spent an hour trying to decide what to wear, finally choosing a white sundress and white strappy sandals. The all white against her olive skin and dark hair was an eye-catching contrast, and the outfit was sexy without being trashy. Based on the appreciation in his eyes, he liked her choice.

  “This is nice.” She glanced around the room. “I’ve never been here before.” Lush green plants in pots on the floor and flowering plants in hanging baskets gave the place a tropical atmosphere. The tablecloths were pale rose, the floors a rich, dark wood, and the large window next to their table framed a spectacular view of the Atlantic Ocean.

  “I’ll admit that I was half-afraid that you’d cancel.”

  She peered over the top of her menu. “Would you have been disappointed if I had?”

  “Heartbroken.” He tapped two fingers over his heart.

  “Then it’s a good thing I’m here. I’d hate to know I was the reason for your broken heart.” Every time his lips curved up in a smile that was just short of wicked, she wanted to sigh. He was dangerous. To her, for sure.

  Their waiter appeared. “What can I get you to drink?”

  “Kinsey?” Rand said. “Would you like a glass of wine?”

  “A pinot grigio would be nice.”

  “A club soda with lime for me,” Rand said.

  “What’s good here?” she asked after the waiter left.

  “Everything. I particularly like the salmon with the citrus glaze, but their beef dishes are also very good.”

  She set down her menu. “The salmon sounds great.” They chatted about the view and the hot weather for a few minutes until the waiter returned with their drinks.

  Rand ordered the salmon for both of them, and when they were alone again, he said, “Tell me something about Kinsey Landon.”

  “Not much to tell. I recently graduated from the University of Miami. I worked part-time for Summer Fashions my last two years of school, and after graduation they offered me the position of junior buyer. That’s about it.”

  “I have a feeling there’s much more to you than that. What do you like to do for fun?”

  She shrugged. “Haven’t had much time the last few years for play, what with working my way through college.”

  “Unacceptable. You’re too young not to have some fun in your life.”

  “Maybe you could show me how to have fun.” He was easy to talk to, and she really liked that.

  “I could maybe do that.”

  There was a promise in his eyes, one that sent a shiver down her spine. To try to cool the heat building inside her, she took a drink of the chilled pinot and then sighed with pleasure. “This is delicious. Crisp with perfect hints of lime, lemon, and green apple.”

  He raised a brow. “You know your wines.”

  Pleased that he picked up on that, she smiled. “I’m learning. I joined a wine club last year. We meet once a month and focus on one wine or sometimes a particular winery. It’s fun.”

  “See, I knew you were holding out on me.”

  “If I tell you all my secrets right up front, you’ll get bored with me.” Like I have three brothers you might know.

  “I seriously doubt that.”

  The waiter delivered their meals, and Kinsey took a moment to appreciate the presentation. A thick piece of salmon glistening from the glaze sat on a bed of fresh greens, surrounded by grilled asparagus on one side and roasted red potato halves on the other.

  “This is too pretty to eat,” she said and then grinned. “But I’m going to anyway.” Money had always been tight for her and her mother, and they’d never dined in a restaurant of this caliber. Her usual lunches were yogurt or ready-to-microwave soups. She intended to enjoy every bite.

  “Your turn. Tell me about Rand Stevens and how you came to own a biker bar. I’m having trouble seeing that one.”

  “I blame Josh for that. He’s like a brother to me, and he was determined to buy the place when it went up for sale. I pretty much agreed just so I could keep an eye on him. Keep him out of trouble. It’s a rough crowd, as you saw for yourself.”

  His reason didn’t quite ring true, but she couldn’t put her finger on why. Maybe because he just didn’t look the part. She took a bite of her salmon, closed her eyes, and moaned. “Oh God, this is so good.”

  “Don’t do that.”

  She lifted her gaze to his. “What?”
/>   “Close your eyes and moan.”

  “Ah, that.” She took another bite and moaned, then said, “Oops.”

  He laughed, but the heat in his eyes could start a bonfire. “I love a woman who enjoys her food, but you’re killing me, Kinsey.”

  Good, because he was slaying her looking at her like he was. Before he thoroughly distracted her, she needed to ask about her brothers. “Who owned the bar before you and Josh?”

  The heat vanished from his eyes, replaced by wariness. Why was that?

  “Three brothers. Why?”

  “Just curious if they looked more like bikers than you do. Did you ever meet them?” She still wasn’t sure she wanted her brothers to know about her. If she told Rand her reason for asking, he might tell them about her.

  “Once, when we closed on the bar, and yes, they looked like bikers.”

  He was suspicious now, and she didn’t want that. “Maybe we should take you shopping, buy you some leathers and chains.”

  “Chains? That could prove interesting.” He waggled his eyebrows.

  “Not those kind of chains, silly man. I noticed most of the men in the bar had chains attached to their belt loops that disappeared into their pockets. Weird, huh?” Hopefully she’d distracted him.

  “Ah, those. Their wallets are attached to the chains. Keeps them from being stolen.”

  “Guess they don’t trust their friends. Do you have a girlfriend or a wife tucked away? I should have asked you that when you invited me to lunch.” But it was hard to think around him.

  “An ex-wife and no girlfriend. You?”

  “Nope, no wife or girlfriend.” She loved making him smile. “Not even a boyfriend.”

  “I’m happy to hear that. Okay, next question. What’re two things you’ve always wanted to do but doubt you ever will?”

  She didn’t even have to think about it. “Skydive and attend a fashion show in Paris.”

  “Interesting choices. One’s daring and one relates to fashion, something you love.”

  “Exactly. Although I’m not sure if I’d have the nerve to jump out of a plane.”

  “I think you would. Ready to go?”

  “Yes. Thank you for lunch.”

  “My pleasure, Kinsey, believe me.”

  After he paid, he walked her to her car, keeping his hand on her lower back. Nothing had felt more right… that warmth from his palm seeping into her skin.

  At her car door he slipped his hands into his pockets and settled an intense gaze on her. “I’d like to see you again.”

  “I’d like that, too.” And for more than to learn what he knew about her brothers. He was fascinating, a mix of aristocrat, seriously sexy man, and old soul. She’d caught glimpses of pain in his eyes when he let his guard down, and she wanted to know what had put the sadness there.

  “I’ll call you.” He leaned down and brushed his mouth over hers.

  It was a brief kiss, nothing more than a feathering of their lips, but it told her one thing. She wanted more. He waited for her to get in her car, and as she drove away, she watched him in her rearview mirror as he stood, alone in the parking lot.

  “You’re a mystery, Rand Stevens,” she whispered as he faded from sight. “An irresistible one.”

  Back home, Kinsey grabbed the bag of birdseed at seeing Oscar come to a fluttering stop on her birdbath. As soon as she walked onto the patio, the macaw said, “Hello, pretty.”

  She smiled. “Thank you, Oscar.” He was the pretty one with his red head and tail and his blue wings. She and the bird had become good friends in the last few weeks. “And how is Oscar today?”

  “Naughty Oscar,” he said in a high-pitched voice that seemed like it should have been coming from an older woman and not a macaw.

  He always said that, making her wonder if he’d been such a bad bird that his owner had opened her door and allowed him to fly away. If so, that was just sad. It was obvious that he was used to being taken care of and wouldn’t be able to survive on his own. She’d never had a pet growing up. She had always wanted a puppy and would have promised to care for it, but she’d never asked, knowing money was tight. Oscar wasn’t the dog she’d longed for, but he was fascinating. Because of her job she was gone all day, so getting a puppy was out of the question. Oscar would do just fine as her pet friend.

  She’d watched the classifieds for a lost macaw, but no one was looking for him, nor had anyone who’d responded to her lost-and-found ad been able to tell her his name. Tomorrow she’d buy a cage and more food. Then she’d lure him into her apartment.

  “So, Oscar, I met a man. Want to hear about him?”

  4

  That afternoon Rand roamed around his penthouse apartment overlooking Biscayne Bay. He and Olivia had both fallen in love with the place the minute their realtor had walked them inside. They’d made an offer that same day and had moved in a month later.

  He’d lived here alone for the past year and had welcomed the solitude. It was his place to hide and miss Zoe. Where he shut out the world, avoiding anyone who wanted to offer him comfort or sympathy. He didn’t want their awkward words or hugs or pats on the back. There was no comfort to be found in a world without his little girl.

  But something was different today. The space felt too cold, too big for the emptiness inside him. For the first time he was lonely. He didn’t want to be lonely, much less thinking of a black-haired, smoky-eyed woman who made him want to join the living again.

  For months after Zoe had died and his wife left him, he would come back to this place each night and drink himself into oblivion. At first he was able to hide the extent of his drinking, but eventually it started to affect his performance. The day Rothmire, his boss at the time, called him out on it and gave him an ultimatum—clean up his act or get out—he’d quit cold turkey. As far as his fellow agents knew, he’d dealt with his daughter’s death. It was an act, one he’d perfected. He’d never be over it.

  He went into Zoe’s bedroom, something he used to do every day when he was drinking. Because being in this room—looking at her toys, the bed she’d slept in—sent an instant craving for alcohol straight to his gut, he’d avoided coming in here since getting sober. But today he needed to be close to her.

  He sat heavily on her bed and buried his face in his hands. Tears burned hot in his eyes, the ache in his heart a bottomless black hole that would never heal. When the tears dried up, he lifted his head and scanned the room, his gaze pausing on Baby Belle sitting on the dresser. He stood and picked up the doll he’d given his daughter after she’d fallen in love with Beauty and the Beast and had watched it endlessly.

  “You’re the best daddy in the world,” his three-year-old daughter had squealed at seeing the doll, and then she had smothered his face in kisses. He’d sat on this very bed at night, reading her stories to lull her to sleep. Olivia never had the patience to answer their daughter’s endless questions about the stories, but he’d loved that special time with Zoe. He smiled, remembering how inquisitive her mind was.

  Did Piglet and Tigger live with Pooh, Daddy? Pigeons can’t really drive a bus, can they, Daddy? Can I have a cat so he can wear a hat, Daddy?

  Realizing he was smiling, he reached up and touched his mouth, confirming his lips were curved up. It was the first time he’d smiled when remembering his little girl since her death.

  That evening, restless in his too quiet home, he picked up his phone, and before he could talk himself out of it, he sent Kinsey a text.

  R U home

  He only had to wait a minute for an answer.

  Yes

  Can I call you

  Sure

  “Hey,” he said when she answered.

  “Hey, yourself.”

  “I was thinking about you, and …” What did he want to say? That he’d smiled for the first time when remembering Zoe and wanted to share what a miracle that was? She didn’t even know he’d had a daughter. “Just that. Have a nice evening, Kinsey.”

  “Are you okay?�
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  It wasn’t like him to let his emotions show in his voice. “I’m fine. I shouldn’t have—”

  “If you told me you had a loaded pizza . . . well, excluding olives, I might invite you over.”

  He smiled. “You have something against olives?”

  “Yes. And I don’t know anyone who likes anchovies, so it should be a given that those are a no, too.”

  His smile grew wider. “No anchovies. I don’t get your aversion to olives, but I’m with you on the stinky fish things.”

  “So, are you saying you have a loaded pizza?”

  “I absolutely am.”

  “Then bring that thing over. It beats the frozen dinner I was going to nuke in the microwave.”

  That brought on a grimace. He’d never eaten one of those in his life. They couldn’t possibly taste much better than eating cardboard. “Text me your address. I’ll be there in an hour.” He congratulated himself on thinking to ask for her address even though he knew it.

  After hanging up, he called his favorite pizza restaurant and placed an order, then took a quick shower. Dressed in cargo pants and a Polo shirt, he headed out to pick up the pizza. He also brought a bottle of wine from home. Although he no longer drank, he kept wine and beer on hand, mostly for the Gentry brothers and their wives on the occasions when they stopped by.

  He knew he was skirting a line where Kinsey was concerned, but he couldn’t seem to bring himself to care. The first thing he should have done was report to Nate that someone was asking questions about him and his brothers. Although her questions seemed innocent enough, even wanting to know about the previous owners, who’d been undercover when they operated out of the bar, was cause for suspicion.

  Yet he just couldn’t see her as a bad guy. And if you’re wrong, Stevens? At best he’d get a stern lecture from Nate, and at worst he’d lose his job. And even knowing that, he still couldn’t bring himself to put her on the FBI’s radar. Maybe it was stupid reasoning, but he’d smiled over a memory of his little girl shortly after having lunch with Kinsey, and now the two were connected in his mind. Until and unless he learned otherwise, he’d consider her innocent of having ulterior motives.