Nightclub Surprise

by Michelle Love

  Ori sighed. “Yes, okay. If it’s what you want.”

  “It is, mio caro. I hate that you have to see me like this.”

  Ori propped herself up on an elbow and looked at him. “Maceo, I know you didn’t do this, but I wouldn’t have blamed you if you had. If I had had the chance to kill that man, well, maybe I would be here instead of you. But I know you didn’t.”

  He stroked her face. “Non ci sono abbastanza modi in questo mondo per dire si mostra quanto ti amo.”

  Ori smiled. “That’s beautiful; what does it mean?”

  Maceo pressed his lips to hers. “There are not enough ways in this world to tell you how much I love you.”

  Ori felt tears prickling her eyes. “Ti amo, Maceo. Ti amo.”

  She straddled him, her naked body lit by the small window, her hands slipping between his legs to stroke his thickening cock. Maceo smiled lazily at her as she brushed the tip up and down her warm, wet sex before impaling herself slowly onto him, pushing her hips against his.

  Maceo stroked her body as she rode him gently, never taking her eyes from his. Soon they were both sweating and groaning, driving each other towards their climax before collapsing into each other’s arms.

  “Promise me something,” Ori said, as their time together drew to a close. Maceo kissed her gently.

  “Anything, mi amore.”

  Ori looked up at him, her eyes serious. “Don’t ever lose faith, will you? In your innocence. In the future. In us.”

  Maceo smiled at her. “I promise, and the same goes for you. You and me.”

  “You and me,” she said.

  It was only later, when Alex was flying her in his private jet up to his house in Vermont, that Ori allowed herself a few tears. She couldn’t help feeling as if she was abandoning Maceo when he needed her the most, but he had been adamant.

  “The worst thing I can imagine is something happening to you,” he said, “Alex will keep you safe.”

  Ori knew Maceo was aware of the small crush Alex obviously had on Ori, but still trusted his friend to take care of her. Ori too knew she could rely on the big man, and that he would not take advantage of the situation.

  How can you be so sure? A small voice inside her piped up, but she batted the thought away and tried to get some sleep.

  Benoit Vaux woke to the news of Maceo’s arrest and immediately made plans to fly to New York. He called Seth, who told him about Alex taking care of Ori. “Maceo could really do with the rest of us being there for him,” Seth said in his soft Canadian accent, and Benoit agreed.

  But no sooner than he had ended the call, then Alex himself called him. “Benoit … I hate to do this, but have you been seeing someone? A blonde woman called Shiloh Holt?”

  Benoit’s heart began to pound. “We saw each other for a while, but she’s in Africa now. Why?”

  Alex hesitated. “I just rechecked the website—the one with photos of Viola and Ori. There’s a new photograph, Benoit …”

  Benoit looked up the address Alex gave him, and his heart froze. It was a photograph of Shiloh, her blonde hair flowing down her back, walking through the arrivals area of a foreign airport. Underneath, the caption read Nightfall.'

  “Jesus,” Benoit hissed, his emotions swirling. There was something else about the image he couldn’t quite get a handle on, but he listened as Alex calmed him down.

  “Look, man, unlike the photos of Viola and Ori, she’s not injured in any way, but I thought you should know. She’s on this crazy’s radar now.”

  Benoit was silent for a long time. “Who the fuck is doing this? And why not come after the four of us, not the women we love?”

  “I’m trying to rack my brains to find out who would do this, who we might have pissed off.”

  “I think this goes beyond just pissed off, Alex.”

  “Yeah.”

  Benoit sighed. “Look, I was going to fly to New York, but now I think I had better go to Africa and make sure Shiloh is safe.”

  After he had hung up, he studied the photograph of Shiloh closely. There was something about her demeanor and the way she carried herself.

  When it came to him, he pushed back his chair and strode to his office door. “Genevieve, book me a flight to Nairobi—as soon as you can.”

  Kate Garcia glanced over at her client as they sat in his bail hearing. The DA on the other side smirked at her; Kate knew him well. She had been at law school with his younger brother. Smug bastards both of them, from a rich family.

  “All rise for Judge P. Richards, presiding.”

  The judge made his way in and sat down. “I understand the prosecution has something to say at this time?”

  Kate glanced over at the DA quickly.She didn’t know what they were playing at. Maceo looked at her, but she shrugged. Your guess is as good as mine.

  “Your Honor, we would like to ask the court for a postponement of this bail hearing in light of the new evidence we are just receiving.”

  Kate was up. “Objection, Your Honor. What new evidence?”

  “That’s for me to ask, Ms. Garcia,” said the judge mildly, then looked back at the DA. “Let’s have it.”

  The DA glanced at Maceo quickly. “We feel certain Mr. Bartoli is a flight risk and today we have come into some information that he had already been planning to return to Italy once his bail was set.”

  Maceo looked confused and shook his head at Kate. She stood. “Your Honor, my client knows nothing about these plans.”

  “So this itinerary and flight plan are nothing?” The DA held up a sheaf of papers, then presented them to the clerk of the court.

  Maceo bent his head towards Kate. “I made no such plans. Someone’s framing me.”

  “So it would seem,” Kate murmured. “And that gives me pause. I don’t think it would be a bad thing to postpone bail. Something about this is hinky, and I don’t want you vulnerable.”

  Maceo nodded. “Understood.”

  Kate stood.

  “Your Honor, the defense has no objections to the postponement of bail.”

  When Maceo had been returned to the prison, he and Kate sat in the interview room, hot but weak coffee in front of them. Kate fixed him with a long stare. “Maceo, someone is trying to frame you for Janek’s death. I want you to tell me everything about yourself; where you were born, who your parents were, where you went to school, were friends with, weren’t friends with. Who you’ve fucked. Everything. Something is rotten here, and I want to know what it is.”

  Maceo nodded. “Me too, Kate, me too,” and began to tell her the story of his life.

  Lisander waited for Gerard Greg to be available. Greg’s very nervous P.A’s eyes had widened when she saw who was demanding to see her boss. Lisander tried to smile at her but it came out as a grimace, and he saw her flinch just as Gerard Greg opened the door and ushered him into his office.

  The man was elderly, Lisander saw, but there was still the spark of great intelligence and wit in his eyes.

  “What can I do for you, Mr. Duarte?”

  Lisander sat forward. “Mr. Greg, I am here regarding my friend and your client, Maceo Bartoli. I am concerned about his legal representation.”

  “What are your concerns?” The man’s tone was mild, but wariness flashed in his eyes.

  Lisander cleared his throat. “Ms. Garcia seems very young to be taking such a big case.”

  Gerry smiled. “If that’s your concern, you have nothing to worry about. Kate is one of the best lawyers I’ve ever seen—and I’ve been doing this for nearly fifty years. Don’t let her youth fool you.That one is a killer when it comes down to it. If you’ll pardon the metaphor.”

  Lisander wasn’t satisfied, but the older man would not give way, and eventually Lisander stalked out of the office, cursing under his breath.

  Kate Garcia was walking into the building, talking on her phone. She saw him, and to Lisander’s amazement, grinned at him. She came to a stop in front of him.

  “Yeah, I’m with him now. S
ee you in a few.”

  She ended the call, dropping her phone into her bag, and gazed up at him, scrutinizing his face. Lisander suddenly felt guilty.

  “Look, I … ”

  Kate grabbed his arm. “Come with me.”

  She marched him out of the building and down the block, Lisander just going with it. They went to a small bar where Kate ordered two whiskey sours and some chicken wings.

  “I don’t eat during the day,” Lisander said, desperate to regain some of the control in this situation. He had to admit, being bossed around by this little firecracker was kind of a turn-on.

  Kate scoffed, “They’re not for you, big guy. Get your own.” She took a sip of her drink. “So, you think I’m a little young to help your friend beat a murder rap?”

  Ah. Gerard Greg had ratted him out. Lisander took a deep breath in. Honesty was the only way to go. “I do. Which is no reflection on your abilities, Ms. Garcia.”

  “Kate. And I’m confident in my ability to defend Maceo. What specifically is your concern?”

  She met his gaze with a cool, steady look, and Lisander suddenly wondered if she was this assertive in bed. Her caramel hair fell in waves past her shoulders, and her warm honey-colored skin was smooth and clear. The swell of her breasts under her blouse was intoxicating, and Lisander felt his groin tighten.

  “Mr. Duarte?”

  Damn. She has caught him staring and was grinning. “Mr. Duarte, is it because I have boobs? Because I assure you—hell, Beyoncé assures you, girls run the world.”

  Suddenly Lisander burst out laughing, an unusual sound even to his own ears. He shook his head. “You are like no one I’ve ever known,” he admitted with a wry smile.

  Kate’s chicken wings arrived, and she fell on them, offering him one despite her earlier declaration. Lisander shrugged and took one. “Let me guess,” Kate said, wiping her mouth. “The women you’re used to are a) pin-thin models with all the personality of the undead, or b) praying mantises who see dollar signs.”

  Lisander’s mouth hitched up in a smile. “That’s a very jaded view of the world.”

  “I speak as I find.”

  “I’m beginning to see that.”

  “So, apart from my relative youth, what’s your objection to my representing Maceo?”

  Lisander sighed. She had him beat. “Look, I’m sorry. I overreacted. Maceo is my brother … there is no way he killed Tyson Janek, even if he was threatening Ori. Maceo doesn’t work like that. He would have done everything he could to protect Ori, but by the book, building a water-tight case.”

  “Mr. Duarte, you don’t have to sell that to me. I believe Maceo is innocent. But I also believe someone close to him or Ori is setting him up.”

  Lisander was shocked by this. “Why would they do that?”

  Kate shrugged, and he realized that although she behaved casually, she was gauging his reaction to her statements. Smart girl. Lisander took a slug of his drink.

  “Kate, ask whatever you need to; I don’t have anything to hide. Any questions you have, feel free to come to me. I can tell you this—it’s none of his closest friends.”

  “Ah, the infamous Midnight Club,”

  Lisander rolled his eyes. “That name is about 20 years old. Hopefully we’ve all matured past it.”

  Kate shrugged. “You know, I kind of like it.” She smiled at him. “The way Maceo talks about his brothers’ … makes me wish I had siblings. He loves you all.”

  Lisander felt sadness settle over him. “Kate, I just ask that you do everything, everything, to help him.”

  Kate, her own face serious now, nodded. “I promise, Mr. Duarte, there is nothing I won’t try to get Maceo free.”

  Lisander went back to his hotel room, his mind whirling. Who the hell would set up Maceo, of all people? Maceo, the fun one, the easy-going one, with more charm than the rest of them put together?

  His mind flitted to the many, many women—and their husbands—who Maceo had slept with over the years. He vaguely wondered if Maceo had been entirely faithful to Ori … but banished that thought almost immediately. The way they were together—Lisander, as well as Alex and Benoit, had never seen Maceo so wiped out by love. No, he was sure, Maceo was reformed. But, yes, maybe someone from his past or an ex-lover.

  Lisander’s mind went back to Kate Garcia. He would still need convincing that she could help Maceo, but he now had confidence that she would try anything. He felt bad that he’d gone to her boss. I should apologize. He called the concierge and asked him if he could arrange for some flowers to be sent to her.

  He allowed himself a small fantasy that Kate Garcia would be so grateful that she would immediately come to his hotel suite to thank him. He imagined unbuttoning that blouse of hers and letting her honey-skinned breasts fall into his hands, taking their nipples into his mouth.

  Lisander sighed. Really, man, you’re thinking about sex at a time like this? He couldn’t help be attracted to the young lawyer, though. He just hoped she would see Maceo through the roughest time of his life.

  Benoit strode through the hotel lobby. Nairobi was sweltering, but all he could think of was seeing Shiloh—confronting her, actually, he thought. If he was correct in his assessment of the photograph, then not only was Shiloh in serious danger, but she was hiding something from him. Something huge.

  He hadn’t called ahead; he wanted to catch her unawares. Money changed hands at the reception desk, and then he was in the elevator to her floor. The hotel itself wasn’t luxurious but merely functional, and Benoit noticed signs of wear and tear as he walked to Shiloh’s room.

  He knocked and listened for her inside. Shiloh opened the door and rocked back when she saw him. She was wearing a pale yellow sun-dress, her skin already a little tan from the African sun.

  “Benoit … what the hell are you doing here?”

  Benoit smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “May I come in?”

  Shiloh hesitated for the briefest second then stood aside. “Please.”

  He walked into the tiny room. Shiloh shifted some of her stuff from the bed, and they sat facing each other. “Benoit, what are you doing here?” she asked again, and this time he reached into his pocket and pulled out the photograph from the website. He handed it to her.

  Shiloh glanced at the photo with surprise. “Who took this?”

  “We don’t know. But we’re pretty sure it was taken by the person who murdered Viola. Shiloh, this photo appeared on a website with two other photos, one of Viola, dead, one of Ori after she had been attacked. It’s a threat. I’ve come to take you home and keep you safe.”

  Shiloh was open-mouthed, her face pale. “Benoit …”

  “And then there’s the other thing,” Benoit said softly. He took the photo and traced the image of her, her hand on her belly, looking down at the minuscule bump. Benoit looked back up at her. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  Shiloh had tears in her eyes. “Because I didn’t want you to feel burdened or trapped. It was an honest accident, and I was going to deal with it and never tell you. But I couldn’t go through with the abortion. I want this baby, Benoit, but I do not expect anything from you.”

  “You think I’d abandon my child, Shiloh?”

  Shiloh looked away from his keen gaze. “You told me to come to Africa, Benoit. You made your position clear.” A tear dropped down her cheek and Benoit couldn’t help but brush it away with his fingertips.

  “Shiloh … perhaps I didn’t make things clear enough. I didn’t send you away. I wanted you to take this opportunity because it was the best thing for you.” He grinned suddenly. “If I had my way, you’d never leave my bed.”

  Shiloh looked up at him. “What?”

  “I’m telling you how I feel about you, Shiloh. But listen, I can see you’re upset, and I think I know why. Let me put your mind at rest. When it comes to us, I’m in, Shiloh. We’re a partnership. A team. You make me a better person. My heart is yours.”

  Shiloh looked pale and shaky. �
�And you’re not just saying that because … .” Her hand fluttered over her belly, and his big hand covered hers.

  “No. But I am excited about the future, for the three of us. I don’t know if we can work it out, but I’m willing to give it a try if you are?”

  His lips found hers then, and he felt her sink into his arms. They lay back on the bed and began to make love slowly, Benoit tracing his lips along the fine planes of her body, noticing, despite the baby, that she had a lost a little weight, her delicate limbs curving around his body.

  He gazed down at her as he moved inside her. God, this woman … he knew he was falling in love with her. He had never felt this connection before with anyone. A child? Benoit had been staggered to find himself excited at the prospect of being a father. Kids had never been part of his plan. But now, with this remarkable woman … yes. He hadn’t lied to her. He was in.

  Later they ate together, using room service. Benoit returned to the subject of the website. “I think it’s pretty obvious now that someone is targeting us. Ori’s been attacked twice now. We’re all scared that the next time it happens, she won’t be so lucky. Have you noticed anyone following you?”

  Shiloh shook her head. “But then I haven’t been particularly vigilant.”

  “Time to change that.”

  “Yes.” She ate in silence for a time. ’Benoit, what do you think I should do? I mean, I’d be sorry to leave here before I even started to make a difference.”

  Benoit nodded. “And why should you be driven out of the country by this coward? I agree; stay, be defiant, make a difference. The one thing I ask is that you let me provide you with security. Better safe than sorry. I know you don’t like to be around people all the time; they’ll be discreet.”

  Shiloh sighed, her body slumping, but she nodded. “Okay. I know you’re right. Benoit,” and she suddenly flushed. “What about you? Will you … come back and see me?”

  Benoit smiled and took her hand. “All the time. I wish I could be here permanently for you, but you know my work is in Paris.”