However, it had been different with Webb. His younger brother had been their mother’s pride and joy. Although she hadn’t married Webb’s father, because he, too, was a married man, at least he stuck around, giving her money and buying her nice clothes until he was killed in a hit-and-run. By this time Basil had moved out and began hustling. He took orders from those in the neighborhood, stealing everything from clothes and jewelry to electronic equipment. One thing he refused to do was get involved in narcotics and instead of wearing flashy clothes or buying an expensive car, he saved his money. His goal was to become a successful businessman. Hard work, determination and years of sacrifice had paid off when he opened Slow Wyne in a small building in a rundown section of L.A. All of that changed once he signed artists whose first albums went gold weeks after they dropped. He moved Slow Wyne from the ghetto to a downtown high-rise, becoming a major player in the music industry.
“What do you think now, brother?”
Webb rolled his head on his neck. “You should’ve never threatened her. She’s scared, Basil. And that means you can’t trust her.”
Sitting on the corner of his desk, Basil swung his imported leather-shod foot. “She’s not going to mess up.”
“I just hope you’re right.”
“I know you want me to drop this, but I can’t. And I do need your support.”
Stretching out his legs, Webb crossed his feet at the ankles. “Where is this coming from, Basil? When have I not supported you?”
A beat passed. “You’re right. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t apologize. Just get rid of the bitch.”
West Palm Beach, Florida
David Cole had to pry the cell phone from the hand of the young woman with a gun pointed at her head. He glared at her before setting it on a table out of her reach.
Her lower lip trembled. “Please...please tell him to put the gun down.”
David nodded to the man who’d pressed the barrel of a small-caliber automatic at Charlene Brook’s head. The threat to kill her if she didn’t call Basil had worked. However, what the duplicitous woman didn’t know was the gun wasn’t loaded.
“Can I go now?” Charlene asked.
Martin Cole rose from a chair where he’d sat in the shadows of the library during the telephone conversation. As patriarch he’d convened all adult male family members to discuss Ana’s exile. Missing were Joshua’s son-in-law federal circuit judge Christopher Blackwell Delgado, FBI special agent Gavin Faulkner and CIA special agent Merrick Grayslake. These three had taken an oath to uphold the law and what the men cloistered in the West Palm Beach library planned to do was break it.
He gestured to the man who’d held the gun on Charlene. “Get her outta here. And make certain at no time she’s left alone.”
Charlene panicked. “I want to go home.”
Martin’s expression became a mask of stone when he glared at Charlene. The talented sound engineer had everything going for her with the exception of self-esteem. Tall, curvy with a flawless café au lait complexion, chemically straightened, shoulder-length auburn hair and catlike light brown eyes, Charlene had been seeing Basil Irvine and her treacherous actions were unforgivable.
“My niece also wants to come home, but she can’t because of you. How twisted can you be that you set up Ana to be killed when she was nothing but good to you?” He waved his hand in dismissal. “Get her outta here,” he said to the P.I.
“What do we do now, David?” Timothy asked his uncle.
Light from a floor lamp spilled over David’s face, highlighting the thin scar running along his left cheek. “We wait. Ana’s in good hands with Jacob.” He frowned at Diego. “I still don’t like that she was forced into an arranged marriage.”
Joshua affected a smile. “Just think, little brother. If she decides to stay married, then you’re ahead in the wager.”
“Very funny, Josh,” David drawled. “You wait until you’re damn near close to ninety to become a flipping stand-up comic.”
“Easy, hermano,” Joshua said in a quiet tone. “Martin’s closer to ninety than anyone else sitting in this room.
Diego laughed, then sobered. “I don’t know what you old heads are talking about, but let’s get back to why we’re here. Ana being married to Jake is not an issue. I asked him to take care of her because I trust him with my life, Vivienne’s and S.J.’s. This has been hard on all of us, the women in particular. Even though Tyler’s home from the hospital, there is still the strain on Dana of having to take care of him and the children in her condition. Martin, I know you want them to stay here, but I’m willing to offer my house on Jupiter Island. I’ll also arrange to have a nanny and housekeeper to help Dana with the kids.”
Martin’s expressive eyebrows lifted a fraction. “You’ll have to talk to Parris about it. You know she loves having the grandkids around.”
“May I make a suggestion?” Matthew Sterling asked, speaking for the first time.
David stared at the man who’d been former army special forces and a professional mercenary. Matt had not only saved his life, but also Joshua’s. He’d cemented his tie to the Coles when his stepson married his niece. “Sure, Matt.”
Gold-green eyes shimmered in a face deeply tanned from the New Mexico sun. “I agree with Diego about sending Tyler and his family to Jupiter Island. But you should also consider sending Parris and Serena along with them. That way they can become Dana’s support group. You don’t want her to have that baby before its due date.
“And we already know Irvine was sleeping with that girl whose body was found in the desert, and also who has been feeding him information as to Ana’s whereabouts. The next thing is springing the trap, and we all know when it goes down Slow Wyne may end up with a few casualties.”
“I don’t care who lives or dies in the carnage,” David snarled. “I just want my daughter home.”
“When and where do you want me to hold the press conference, Dad?” Jason asked.
“Right here, tomorrow afternoon. We’ll schedule it for noon.”
Jason looped one leg over the opposite knee. He missed his twin more than he could’ve imagined. There were times when they didn’t see each other for months, but he’d always been able to pick up the phone and speak to her. That had all changed because of a man and woman bent on revenge. Although he’d always eschewed violence he’d begun carrying a concealed firearm and wouldn’t hesitate to use it if it meant protecting his sister.
“When’s D-Day?”
All eyes were trained on Martin. “The last time I spoke to Simon he told me as soon as his people are in place he’ll let me know.”
“Let’s hope it’s soon, because Jake only has another three weeks before he has to return to work.”
Martin nodded. “I’ll let Simon know that.”
All conversation came to an abrupt halt with a soft knocking on the door. David walked across the room, opening the door. He spoke softly to the woman. “Thank you.” He closed the door and then turned to the occupants. “The caterers just sent word that everyone’s waiting for us to join them for supper.”
One by one the men stood up and filed out of the library where they’d sat earlier that year wagering which one of their children would marry first.
* * *
The heat and ocean breezes coupled with the gentle rocking of the boat lulled Ana into a state of total relaxation. She and Jacob had decided to go on a dinner cruise with ten other couples. The yacht, with a crew of eight, had set off late afternoon and was expected to return to Cannamore Cay around midnight.
It was the third week in July; five weeks since she hadn’t slept in her own bed and with each passing hour she felt as if she were losing a piece of herself. If it hadn’t been for Jacob Ana knew she would’ve gone completely stir-crazy. He’d helped her perfect her golf swing and whenever she was able to knock the ball into the hole it was cause for celebration. They’d traversed every mile of the island either on foot, by golf cart or jitney. The lagoon h
ad become their private swimming hole, the beach the perfect place to read or picnic under a beach umbrella.
Shifting on the deck chair, Ana turned her back to Jacob. Without warning a wave of sadness swept over her. She missed her family, her home and the annual Fourth of July family cookout. There were so many things she missed that she’d lost count. She went still when she felt a hand on her back. “Yes?”
“¿Es bueno, querida?”
“I’m just a little tired,” she lied smoothly.
Jacob pushed off his chair and came around to sit next to her. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
Ana adjusted her sunglasses and then turned to face him. She couldn’t see his eyes behind his dark lenses. “Yes. Why?”
Wrapping an arm around her waist, he kissed her ear. “You’ve been sleeping a lot lately. Is there something I should know?”
A smile trembled over her lips. “If you’re asking if I’m pregnant, then the answer is no.”
His eyebrows lifted. “Are you certain?”
“Quite certain.”
A beat passed. “If you were, would you tell me?”
There came another pause. “Of course I would tell you, Jacob. Why wouldn’t I?”
He blew out his breath. “I don’t know. You’ve changed, Ana. You say you’re too tired to make love, and when I suggest you see a doctor you claim you’re okay.”
“You don’t trust me, do you?” Ana asked.
“Of course I do,” Jacob countered.
“No, you don’t. If you did then you’d believe me when I say I’m not pregnant.”
He cradled her face in his hands. “I’ve been entrusted to take care of you, and that means I have to make certain you remain healthy.”
“I am healthy.”
“You’ve lost weight you can ill afford to lose, m’ija.”
“It’s the heat.”
Jacob gave Ana a long, penetrating look. She had an answer and/or comeback for everything. He hadn’t lied when he said she’d changed. When he’d first met Ana she reminded him of a helium-filled balloon. If he hadn’t held on to her she would’ve floated away. But now the air was slowly seeping out of her, leaving a mere shadow of the lively, feisty, teasing woman with whom he’d fallen in love. She may have looked the same outwardly, but something had transformed her. Lifting her effortlessly, he shifted her onto his lap.
He smiled when she curled into the curve of his body. Jacob realized this was the closest they’d been in weeks. They’d continued to share the same bed, yet it appeared as if they were separated by an invisible wall. Even their lovemaking had changed. It was more mechanical than natural, lacking in passion and spontaneity.
Combing his fingers through her hair, he pulled a curl. The shafts of sunlight played on the raven strands with reddish highlights. “What’s bothering you, baby?”
“What makes you think something is bothering me?”
“Don’t answer my question with a question, Ana. I know something is bothering you. We’ve spent practically every minute of every day of the past five weeks together, and I believe I know a little bit more about you than I did the day you walked out of that airport and into my life. So please, m’ija, don’t insult my intelligence pretending you don’t know what I’m talking about.”
“I want to go home.”
Jacob felt pain similar to what he’d experienced when shot with the pellet gun. He didn’t want to believe Ana wanted to go home and put herself in the line of fire. “Can’t you wait a little longer?”
“How much longer do you want me to wait? It’s already been more than a month.” Her words were monotone.
“A week.” He knew he was buying time, but it would give those in Florida time to execute the plan they’d concocted to ensnare Irvine in a trap of his own choosing.
“You promise?”
He shook his head. “I can’t promise, but let me contact Diego and ask if it’s safe enough for you to return, but with restrictions.”
Tilting her chin, Ana stared up at Jacob. “What restrictions are you talking about?”
A smile tilted the corners of his mobile. “House arrest.”
Her smile matched his. “Will I have to wear an ankle monitor?”
“Yeah, baby. Me.”
Ana tilted her head, dimples winking with the smile spreading across her face like the rising sun. “Thank you, mi amor.”
“You’re welcome, baby.” Jacob angled his head, brushing his mouth over hers. He held her closer, tighter, praying he wasn’t being premature in his promise to take her back to the States in a week. However, he would promise anything just to have the smiling, teasing, sexy, enchanting woman who made him look for the next sunrise.
It’d taken Jacob a while to conclude he and Ana had become friends without benefits before becoming lovers. They shared a bed, were able to talk about anything, disagreed to disagree and along the way he’d fallen in love with her. It was only when he communicated with Diego that he was reminded why he and Ana were together.
He glanced around the deck. He and Ana weren’t the only ones sharing a deck chair. Most the couples on the yacht were honeymooners unable to keep their hands off one another. The average stay of the resort’s guests was a week, while those with deeper pockets extended their holiday. Jacob didn’t know what Diego had told the resident manager but the very proper Brit was impeccably courteous at all times.
The sound of music flowed from concealed speakers, he recognizing the selection. “Dance with me, Princesa.”
Ana smiled. It’d been a while since Jacob had called her Princess. Now it was my love, darling, sweetheart or the Spanish endearment m’ija. She in turn had called him my love more than his name. And he was her love. She loved Jacob and was in love with the man who had become her husband in every conceivable way.
Moving off the chair, she floated into Jacob’s embrace. Sinking against his length, she lost herself in the man and the music. He’d promised her a week, a week wherein she would return from exile with a husband. So much for determining her own destiny.
Chapter 14
“I’m going to take a bath. Do you want to join me?” Ana asked Jacob.
He kissed the end of her nose. “No, baby. I’m going to take a shower.” The dinner cruise was nothing short of spectacular. The weather changed with rising wind and choppy waters and by the time the ship docked at the island the rains came, soaking everyone to the skin.
Waiting until she disappeared into the bathroom, Jacob pulled out his cell phone. He knew it was late, but calling was faster and less conspicuous than sending an email at this hour. Doubting whether Diego would be up past midnight, he decided to leave a voice mail.
“Hey, buddy. This is Jake. Ana wants to come—” There was a break in the connection, then Diego’s baritone.
“What’s up, Jake?”
“What are you doing up so late?” he asked, buttoning his damp shirt and dropping it on the floor. His shorts followed.
“I was on the phone with our people on the West Coast. Why the call and not IM?”
“Ana wants to come home.”
There came a pregnant silence before Diego asked, “Can you stall her?”
“One week, Diego. That’s all I can promise. After that all hell is going to break loose down here.”
“Has she gone off on you?”
Jacob shook his head, then realized Diego couldn’t see him. “Not yet. I have to admit she’s been pretty cooperative, but I’m not certain for how much longer. She’s changed, and it’s not good.”
“My cousin is a sweet girl as long as you don’t get on her wrong side. Someone should’ve warned Irvine before he went after her.”
“I’m hoping he’ll pay for it.”
“Don’t worry, Jake. He will. I know it’s a long time for Ana to be cut off from her home, so I’m going to call our folks and tell them to push up the timeline for D-Day. Start packing and keep your phone charged. I’ll call you before I send the jet to bring you back to
the States. If I’m not onboard, then Henri will escort you to Ana’s condo. I’d like you to stay there with her until it’s over.”
“I’ll have to stop at my place to pick up my firearm.”
“That’s not a problem. You know the Coles owe you for taking care of Ana.”
“No, they don’t. We Joneses take care of our own.”
“So, you weren’t kidding when you said you love your wife.”
“I adore her, Diego.”
“Does she feel the same about you?”
Diego’s question gave Jacob pause. Despite all of the endearments, Ana had given no indication she was in love with him. That no longer mattered. They were married and he had the rest of his life to get her to love him as much as he loved her.
“I think so.”
“You think so? Don’t you guys talk?”
Jacob smiled. Of course he and Ana talked, just not about their innermost feelings. “We have our own method of talking.”
“Whoa! That’s too much information.”
“Well, you did ask, amigo.”
“My bad,” Diego drawled. “By the way, Jason held a press conference where he revealed Ana was honeymooning with her new husband, and as a result of her marriage Serenity was not only relocating from its Boca Raton offices but also undergoing reorganization. Of course, there were a lot of questions he didn’t answer and that didn’t sit too well with the reporters. Gossip about the mystery man who’d gotten music’s ice princess to say ‘I do’ has become headline news.”
The realization of who he’d married hit Jacob like a bolt of lightning. Ana wasn’t only a member of one of the wealthiest black families in the U.S., but she was also high profile. He’d always lived his life under the radar and without mishap. He was a solider, a federal police officer and the husband of a very wealthy woman with a recognizable name and face. When had he ignored what had been so obvious from the very beginning? He and Ana were native Floridians that came from different worlds. The most pressing question was would she be willing to live in his, because he knew for certain given his career it would be almost impossible to live in hers.
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