"Hey, watch it. That ham hock of yours can do some damage."
"Your head is too hard for any injury to be life-threatening," Jack assured him. "So, tell me. Why the zone out? Fantasizing on company time? I know Rose has sent me there on more than one occasion."
"It wasn't a fantasy, and it sure as hell wasn't about Rose."
"I should hope not." Jack laughed. "So, not a fantasy. Spare me the details, but just what did you get up to this morning? I thought you only met for breakfast."
Alex wasn't about to tell Jack how close he had come to grabbing Dani and ducking into the bakery's bathroom. It had been a near thing, but the thought of getting arrested for public indecency was just enough of a deterrent.
"Let's just say Dani has a way with words and leave it at that. Now, tell me, was there a reason you needed to beat on my head, or was I just your mid-morning entertainment?"
"Right." Jack suddenly turned serious. "What I'm about to tell you is strictly need to know. That means you and me, no one else. Especially not Rose or Dani."
Jack was the easiest going guy he had ever known. It was rare for him to get this serious, it made Alex sit up a little straighter and pay extra close attention.
"Not a word, I promise. What's going on, Jack?"
"Drew is going to be out of the country for the next week or so."
"Okay, and this is a problem?"
"You know he has an extensive car collection." When Alex nodded, he continued. "What you don't know, what no one but me knows, is that he races. And I don't mean organized indy or stock car. I'm talking crazy, dangerous, no rules, no holds barred shit."
Alex had heard about those races where it was literally survival of the fittest, no stopping for dead bodies, you just drive over them and head for the finish line.
"How long has he been into that shit?"
"As long as I've known him." Jack paced back and forth. Then stopping in front of the window, pointed. "Harper House. It couldn't have been easy, an only child with a mother like that. And then when things blew up with Tyler, I don't know. It isn't a death wish; I'd tie him down and get him professional help if I ever thought that. But every now and then he needs to break loose, and those races are his way."
"How often?"
"Back in college, when money was tight, he'd take his old beater out every other month or so. Usually when he'd hear about a race that was close enough to get there and back during the weekend. But he'd tapered off. In fact, this is the first time since we've been here in Harper Falls. I don't think I have to tell you what set him off."
No, he didn't have to tell him. Regina Harper and her vendetta against Tyler Jones had reached a new low yesterday. Alex and Jack had dealt with some of the fallout, but it must have driven Drew crazy knowing he wasn't welcome—he couldn't comfort his woman because she wasn't his.
"Poke your head in his office when you get the chance," Jack said. "It looks like a cyclone hit. I've got cleaners coming in tomorrow. Other than some hard drives, the place is a total wash. I just want to make sure it's fixed up by the time he gets back."
Alex noticed Jack didn't say if he got back, though the thought must have gone through his mind every time Drew took off. The man's head was messed up. There was no anticipating what that would lead to.
"He must be good. You have to be to even enter those races."
"When we were first starting out in Los Angeles, Drew got some jobs as a stunt driver. He could have made a living at it. Have you ever seen Underground?"
"Of course," Alex said. The movie had been huge about five years ago. That summer you couldn't go anywhere without some kind of advertisement touting it as the biggest blockbuster in a decade.
"In every big chase scene, Drew was behind the wheel of one or more those cars."
"That amazing. I've never seen driving like that, even knowing how they edit and use special effects. It's damn impressive. I don't have to tell you he knows what he's doing."
"Stuntmen die, Alex. With every precaution taken, state of the art equipment, billion dollar budgets, every now and then, those guys still die. What Drew does has no script. No one's watching his back out there, wherever he is. If anything, those bastards are trying to make him crash."
"So, what can we do?"
"Nothing, that's the worst part." Jack looked at Alex, his blue eyes bleak. "If something were to happen, I probably wouldn't find out for several days. So I just wait and try not to worry too much."
"I can see why you don't want Dani and Rose to know."
"I couldn't ask Rose not to tell Tyler, and I'm sure Drew wouldn't want her to know. Though he's convinced she doesn't care, I don't want her to know because I'm positive she does. The fewer people who have to spend the next week worrying, the better. I only told you because, well, you know."
Ya, he knew. Alex walked over to Jack and clamped a hand on his shoulder.
"Can I just add without getting too mushy? If you need to talk or just hang out, don't hesitate. We can even do a sleep over. I've got plenty of empty cots."
"Jesus, what are we twelve?" Jack grinned, grateful to Alex for breaking the somber mood. "But thanks, man, really."
Alex watched as Jack left, heading down to the gym to work off some of his worries the only way he could, and even though he hadn't said it, anger. How could you not be mad when your friend was deliberately putting himself in needless danger? There had to be a better way to vent, one that didn't leave other people afraid for your safety.
Alex went back to his paperwork, then remembered. He had meant to ask Jack about the sweepers he'd sent to Tyler's place. Christ, and then they were going to Dani's and Rose's. It seemed impossible to imagine Regina Harper authorizing the planting of illegal listening devices. Who did that kind of thing?
Instead of bothering Jack, Alex decided to call it a day and go see Dani. He could find out if she or her friends had been bugged, and then take her out to dinner. They needed to talk and he would rather do it on a full stomach. Depending on her reaction to what he had to tell her, it might be some time before he felt like eating again.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
"I'M A LITTLE freaked out, Alex."
Dani kept her voice down, looking around the crowded restaurant to see if anyone was watching them. They were trying a new place for dinner—new for them. Love Will Find A Whey had been open for over a year, but the idea of a place that used cottage cheese in all their recipes had left it off Dani's to try list. However, Rose and Jack had raved, so when Alex asked her to suggest a spot, she mentioned this one. She hadn't expected it to be so busy on a Wednesday night, but most of the tables were full and people continued to arrive.
"It doesn't make sense for my place to be the only one where Jack's people found bugs. And in every room? The noises I make in the bathroom are hardly snoop-worthy."
"We'll have to do something to change that," Alex teased.
He wanted to keep it light, but it was hard when he knew that someone had been in Dani's home. They'd found twelve high-tech, state of the art listening devices—pricey and new to the market within the last few months. According to Jack, they were placed by someone who knew what they were doing, and in all likelihood, never would have been found unless someone had the know-how and equipment to do so.
Alex didn't want Dani to know just how worried he and Jack were. He had been on his way out of the office when Jack stopped him. The men sent to check for bugs had just finished at Dani's loft and called with their findings. Jack came to tell Alex the moment he hung up. They had spent the next hour trying to figure out who could be behind it.
Dani had no known enemies; all the work she did was above board, as transparent as glass. Which could mean only one thing. It had to be about him. They couldn’t bug H&W. The security was too high, and the place was swept every week. Dani's was the only other place that Alex spent any significant time. Though Alex did arrange for his sister's place to be checked out. Lila needed to be watched, for her own safety and Alex's
piece of mind. She wouldn't like it so he wouldn't tell her.
As for Dani, well, she was going to have him around a lot more than usual, which meant she needed to know even more than he originally planned on telling her. It had become about a lot more than just why he hadn't been willing to spend the night with her.
"Look, I know that you and Jack must have a theory."
"Dani—"
"And even though I'm not a big security expert like the two of you, I've been around. I need to know what's going on, Alex. I need to be prepared." She took a breath the plowed on. "I mean, am I in danger? Should I be worried about my parents, my brother and his wife and kids? Well?"
"I thought I'd give you a moment to get it all out."
The waitress arrived at that moment to take their orders. Maybe eating out wasn't such a good idea. Alex had thought to give Dani a bit of time to process finding bugs in her home; a hot meal, some light conversation. He should have known that she would want to jump right in, questions blazing.
"Don't patronize me, Alex. That, and lying straight out to my face are major no-nos."
Alex thought about his conversation with Tom. Men and women don't tell each other everything—they shouldn't. But that wasn't what Dani was saying. No outright lies. She couldn't handle him looking straight at her and not being truthful. That sounded better, less confusing. That he could do.
"I was always planning on keeping you in the loop, Dani. But not here. As soon as we're alone I'll tell you everything I know. Unfortunately, at the moment, that isn't very much."
"Everything?" she asked, her deep emerald eyes looking directly at him. Their message was clear—no bullshit. "Promise?"
"I promise."
And that was that. The rest of their meal was spent talking about inane subjects, the kinds of things all couples talk about. And though Alex could tell Dani was still worried, by the time they left the restaurant, most of the tension had left her shoulders and her smile was natural—unforced.
"I'd like you to spend the night up at H&W, with me."
They had just gotten into Dani's car. She'd been ready to head to her place, talk for another hour, get him into her bed for the first time and then watch him walk away—again. Alex's invitation threw her. It was sudden, unexpected. And she didn't know what it meant.
"Stay the night? As in, you and me, in the same bed, stay the night?"
"Why don't we talk about that when we get there. If you want to come?"
"Oh, I want to come," Dani assured him. "I just need to stop by my place and pick up a few things."
Dani didn't speak the rest of the trip. It wasn't as though she expected him to take back his invitation. But the implications were potentially huge, and she couldn't help running the reasons for his sudden change of attitude through her brain. By the time she pulled into the H&W parking lot, she had tied her thoughts in great big, tight knots. She would have been better off not thinking. Good luck with that. Her brain rarely shut down for long, it wasn't going to take a break when so many questions were still unanswered. Luckily, some of her curiosity was about to be satisfied.
Alex was right behind her. He pulled his bike to a stop waiting until she rolled down her window.
"You can park in the garage. Except for a few of Drew's cars, it's usually empty at night.
Dani drove in after Alex, her eyes widening with surprise. To call this place a garage was a gross understatement. With just a quick glance she could tell this was not just four walls to store their vehicles. It looked more like a car's equivalent of a luxury hotel.
"Are they kidding?" Dani exclaimed, turning in a circle, trying to take it all in. "Who padded walls?"
"If you park too close, you won't bang up your door getting out."
"And is that air I feel?"
"Climate controlled," Alex grinned. "Drew is hardcore serious about his cars. Well, not just cars. He has a couple of classic bikes I'd give my eye teeth to own. I'm fortunate to have a very generous boss—he lets me take them out whenever I want. I've been trying not to abuse the privilege."
"Unbelievable." Dani shook her head. Then she noticed the two cars towards the back, covered with what she assumed was the latest in outerwear for the discerning automobile owner.
"Can I take a peek?"
"Sure. Drew is protective but not anal."
Alex led her over to the first car and pulled off the cover with a flourish.
"Oh, my God, is that what I think it is?"
"Replicas," Alex told her, running his hand over the smooth, dark green surface. "The originals aren't for sale. This is the model Steve McQueen drove in Bullitt."
"I know. A 1968 Mustang GT 390," Dani breathed, obviously in awe. Seeing Alex's surprised look, she explained, "My dad loves that movie. I think I've seen it at least twenty times. Dad calls every time it's scheduled on TCM. But you said replicas. Does that mean…?"
Alex pulled the cover off the next car. Dani gasped.
"I can't believe it. A black '68 Dodge Charger R/T. Do you think Drew would mind if I got in and had you take my picture? It would make Dad's day—correction, week."
Laughing, Alex opened the Charger's door. "I'm sure it would be fine."
Dani practically bounced over but at the last minute hesitated.
"What's wrong?"
"I just don't feel right about doing this without asking Drew first. I know you say he's not crazed about his collection, but you never know. It's still early. I'll give him a call, just to be sure."
Alex almost stopped her but then realized calling Drew wouldn't give away where he was. He probably wouldn't even answer and it would go to voice-mail.
"Dani? What's wrong? Has something happened to Tyler?"
Drew's voice was so loud with concern that Alex was able to hear every word and he was standing ten feet from Dani and her phone. So much for voice-mail.
"Why would you think Tyler was hurt? And what on earth is that racket? Are you listening to a replay of the Indy 500 on surround sound?"
Dani glanced over at Alex and shrugged. He could tell that she was more amused than suspicious and he planned on keeping it that way.
"Do you mind if I talk to him? Since I'm pretty much in charge down here at night, it might be better for me to explain what we're doing."
"Sure." Dani handed him her phone.
Smiling, Alex greeted Drew in what he hoped wasn't too chipper of a voice. "Hey, boss. Sorry to disturb you but I was showing Dani your Bullitt cars and she wanted to check with you before taking a picture behind the wheel. I told her you wouldn't mind, but she wanted to be sure."
"Christ, I must have sounded like a raving lunatic." Drew closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "When I saw it was Dani calling, I couldn't think of any reason, except for Tyler being hurt or in trouble. I don't know why I would think any of them would call me. At the best of times, I'm hardly their favorite person, and now with my mother's latest stunt, shit, I don't know what I'm thinking."
"Drew." Alex tried to think of how to say what he wanted to say with Dani in the room. "You aren't driving, are you?" He motioned to Dani that Alex had been drinking. Not the cleverest of ploys, but the best he could come up with—short notice and all.
"My race isn't until tomorrow."
"Maybe you should just forget it this time, all things considered."
"Look, I don't know what crap Jack has been filling your head with, but I'm not on some suicide mission. I'm a damn good driver, I'll be fine. And tell Dani she's welcome to take all the pictures she wants. Now, I've gotta go. Tell Jack I'll be back on Tuesday." There was a pause. "And Alex, tell him not to worry."
Ya, like that was going to happen. Alex handed the phone back to a concerned Dani.
"He's out drinking? Do you think we should go and pick him up?"
Alex pulled her into his arms, sighing when her arms went snuggly around his waist.
"No, baby. Drew will be fine." I hope. "He isn't going anyplace tonight."
"So he's
staying over. Good, always better to get a room."
"Right. Now, Drew said he was fine with you taking your pictures. Get in the car and I'll play photographer."
Dani laughed when Alex raised her phone, ready to use the built in camera.
"Do you not know me at all?"
She opened the bag she had packed and pulled out what she called her party Canon. Smaller and perfect for moments just like this, it was as essential as a toothbrush and a change of underwear.
"I should have known." Alex smiled back. He took the camera, letting her give him a crash course. Since it was was basically an aim and shoot model, he didn't have any problems getting the pictures.
"Not bad," Dani said as they reviewed the twenty or so digital images. "Good focus, no fingers obstructing the lens. With a little work, you might have yourself a second career."
"I think it was more the model than the photographer." Alex looked over her shoulder, amazed at how photogenic Dani was. She looked fantastic in every picture. Beauty didn't always translate to film, but in her case, it practically popped off the surface.
"You could have been in front of the camera, instead of behind it."
"Wrong temperament." Dani carefully stored away what she considered one of her babies, and then turned back to Alex, holding out her hand.
"I could never stand for hours at a time having some egomaniac photographer barking orders at me."
"No, I can't quite imagine you putting up with that."
"Nope, I'm much better at giving orders than taking them." She gave him a provocative look. "Unless you're in charge and we're naked, then I'm more than happy to give over control."
"For a little while," Alex teased. "And I'm more than willing to do my part."
Alex took one last look around the garage, making sure they were leaving it as they found it, and then led Dani through the attached door, taking a right down the hall.
If Tomorrow Never Comes (Harper Falls Book 2) Page 19
