Forever Alexa (Book Four In The Bodyguards Of L.A. County Series)

by Beauman, Cate

  By day, they sat next to each other at the breakfast table or on the couch when Livy insisted they watch movies snuggled together, but he no longer slept in their bed. The nights were endless while she lay alone with their daughter, worrying about Abby and her little girl’s safety and the uncertain future she had with Jack. Any progress they made at rebuilding a life together had come to a screeching halt. Any hope she’d allowed herself to feel was unraveling. They had come so far only to lose it all again. It crushed her heart to stare at the man she loved while he looked at her as a client. For surely that’s what she was now—a ‘principal’ under his protection. She lifted her chin against the pain and started past him to the stairs.

  He snagged hold of her arm. “How you holding up?”

  “Fine. I’m fine.” She reached for the charm on her necklace and immediately dropped her hand.

  Jack held her gaze, studying, and nodded. “Good. Tucker should be ready in a couple minutes.”

  “Good. Great.” God this was painful.

  “Our flight is booked for tomorrow—ten AM.”

  “We’re all packed.”

  “LA or bust.”

  She gave him a stiff smile, then nibbled her lip, drowning in discomfort. “I, uh… I should say goodnight to Livy.”

  “Yeah, sure. Be careful tonight. Listen to Tucker.”

  She didn’t want Tucker; she wanted him. More than anything, she needed Jack to wrap her in a hug and tell her everything was going to be okay, but he didn’t. “Thanks. I will.” She turned for the stairs, struggling to hold back her tears. Crying was a useless indulgence that would change nothing. She stepped over the threshold into the kitchen, and her despair instantly vanished into delight as she watched her little girl chattering away with Grammy while they worked on a twenty-four-piece puzzle of the Disney princesses. “Look how well you’re doing, Ms. Smarty. You almost have all the edges together.”

  Livy glanced up and gasped. “Mommy.”

  She smiled at Livy’s sheer astonishment. “Kinda silly, huh?”

  “I want to play dress up too!” Livy got out of her chair. “Grammy, let’s have a tea party. I want my princess dress.”

  “Wait, sweetie.” Alexa crouched in front of her eager daughter. “I can’t play dress up with you right now.”

  Livy’s face fell.

  “I’m sorry, honey. I want to stay home and play. You have no idea how much, but I have to help someone very special to us.”

  “Who?”

  “Auntie Ab needs me.”

  “Auntie Ab.” Livy brightened. “Bring her here. I miss her very, very much. Where did she go?”

  “She had to leave for a while.” Alexa hugged Livy tight, relieved that her little girl didn’t seem to remember the traumatic moment at the rest stop. “I miss her too—very, very much. She can’t come here right now, but hopefully soon. Will you stay here and be a good girl for Daddy and Grammy?”

  “Yes.”

  “I want you in bed on time. We have a busy day tomorrow.”

  “We’re going on a plane to see my puppy. I miss Mutt, and Kylee too.”

  “You’ll see them both in the afternoon.” She kissed her finger and touched Livy’s nose. “Have fun, sweetie.”

  “You know,” Carol said as she stood, “I think Livy and I are going to be princesses and have a little party after all—a going away party.”

  Livy jumped up and down. “A party! I have to be a princess now, Mommy.”

  Alexa gave her sweet girl another hug. “Okay. I love you. I’ll be home not long after you’ve gone to sleep.”

  “Okay. Daddy will leave my light on. He doesn’t sleep with us anymore.”

  Alexa winced inwardly and met Carol’s knowing eyes. “Daddy will leave your light on. I need to go.” She stood.

  “You be careful tonight, honey.” Carol hugged her.

  “I will. I wish there was another way.” She shrugged helplessly, hoping for Carol’s understanding. “I have to do this for Abby.”

  “I know you do, and so does he.” She gestured to the ceiling. “He’s afraid for you. He loves you.”

  Alexa nodded, not so sure anymore.

  “He loves you to the moon and back. His eyes have their sparkle back—or they did. And they will again when you get home to California and put this business behind you.” She gave her another hug. “Go on now. Livy and I have a date.”

  She nodded, met Tucker in the hallway, and they left.

  “We’ll be in the vans recording everything. The surveillance vehicles are already in place,” Detective Canon said on the other side of the divider while a female officer secured a wire on Alexa.

  “I think you’re all set.” The pretty, brown-eyed blonde smiled at her. “Go ahead and put your shirt back on and we’ll make sure.”

  Alexa pulled the snug yellow top on, then buttoned her sleeveless blouse, stopping just below her breasts. She smoothed her shirt down with cold, clammy hands and shuddered out a long breath as she met Tucker’s eyes over the privacy screen.

  “Placement’s good, Detective.” Officer Detrick said as she scrutinized Alexa’s chest, turning her from side to side. “Can’t tell it’s there.” She surprised Alexa when she pulled her into a hug and patted her down. “Can’t feel it, either.”

  “Good. Is the mic picking this up?”

  A man across the small room gave Detective Canon a thumbs up. “Crystal clear.”

  “Alexa, come on over and we’ll review this one more time.”

  She nodded and pressed a hand to her unsteady stomach. If she made it through the evening without losing her dinner, she would be amazed. The anticipation was becoming unbearable. If only Jack were here to make her laugh. He always knew just what to say.

  “Excuse us for a second.” Tucker took her hand and pulled her aside. “How you holding up, champ?”

  “My stomach’s a mess.” She sighed and rolled her eyes.

  He gave her fingers a gentle squeeze. “I’ll be close by tonight, along with several other officers. They’ll be eating and drinking among the patrons and strolling through the park. You won’t take a breath we don’t know about.”

  “I know. I’m just…” She glanced down. “I just wish…” She shook her head, then she met Tucker’s calm eyes. “It doesn’t matter.”

  “It’s better that he isn’t here. You need to focus on staying safe and playing this out with Steve-O. You have to push everything else to the back of your mind.”

  “You’re right.” But vanishing Jack from her thoughts was easier said than done. He’d been her rock through this entire ordeal. She had never needed him more than now, and he was nowhere to be found. “I’m worried—really worried. I have to get this right. We’re leaving in the morning. What if I don’t get enough to help Abby?”

  “You’ll get what you can, then it’s time to get you and Olivia out of here and back to California. This situation has the potential to get dangerous the longer it goes on.”

  “I know.” She hated that she was abandoning her sister for the second time. Abby was supposed to be with them when they went back to LA.

  “Let’s finish this so we can get home.”

  “The coward in me wants to turn tail and leave right now.”

  “We can. You say the word and this is over.”

  “No.” She shook her head vehemently. “No. This isn’t about me. Tonight is for Abby. Someone set this nightmare in motion for my sister. If I can end it…” She huffed out a determined breath. “I’m ready.”

  Tucker’s eyes narrowed as he studied her. “You’re one hell of a woman, Alexa Harris.”

  Despite her nerves, she smiled.

  “Let’s do this.”

  Bolstered by Tucker’s confidence, she gripped his
fingers tighter and nodded. “Okay.”

  Hand-in-hand, she and Tucker joined Detective Canon, along with Officer Detrick and a buff, bald man Alexa had never seen before.

  “Alexa, this is Special Agent Jerrod Terron from the FBI. He’s one of our taskforce members. He’ll be working with us tonight.”

  The agent held out his hand. “Ms. Harris, we appreciate your willingness to help.”

  Alexa returned his handshake. “I’m doing this for my sister.”

  “I’m familiar with your sister’s case. We’re doing everything we can to bring her home.”

  Alexa’s brow winged up as she digested the agent’s load of bull crap. “Are you sure about that? It seems to me everyone’s more interested in arresting Zachary Hartwell than they are in helping the victims in this ordeal.”

  Detective Canon choked on his coffee.

  Tucker winked at her and glanced down in his attempt to hide his grin.

  Detective Canon put his cup down. “Alexa, we should run through the safety precautions one last time before you head over to the restaurant.”

  “Yes. Okay.”

  “There will be several undercovers planted around the restaurant, the parking lot, and the park. We’ll be monitoring your entire conversation from the vans. Make sure you leave the wire alone. Don’t fidget or call attention to the device. If for any reason you feel like something’s off, use your phrase—‘Is it hot in here?’—and Officer Detrick will interrupt the date. She’s your long-lost friend, Christina, from school. She moved away your sophomore year.”

  That wasn’t so much to remember. “Got it.”

  “It’s six-forty. You should head over.”

  After weeks of waiting for a moment like this, it was here. Alexa took another deep breath. “All right.”

  “You’ll do great,” Officer Detrick patted her shoulder. “Having a few nerves actually works in this situation. It’s a first date.”

  This was her only ‘date.’ Alexa gave the officer a small smile. “That’s true.”

  “Here you go.” Agent Terron handed her a set of car keys. “It’s the red Kia just outside. When the evening’s over, drive back, and we’ll debrief and send you on your way with Mr. Campbell. Remember, do not make further plans with this man tonight. Tell him you have to check your calendar and you’ll get back to him should he try to pursue a second meeting.”

  She nodded and looked at Tucker before heading for the door. It was show time, and she was as eager as she was terrified to begin. Under the layers of nerves was a burning desire for justice. She wouldn’t screw this up; she couldn’t afford to. Alexa stepped from the small, empty apartment two blocks from the restaurant, walked to the government-issued vehicle she would borrow for the next couple of hours, and got in. Pulling down the visor, she checked her hair and makeup. “Here goes nothing,” she murmured to herself as she started the car. “I’m going to kick ass for you tonight, Ab.” She flipped the visor back up with a snap, reversed out of the parking spot, and turned right on Boston Street. Within minutes she pulled into the large communal parking lot close to the Bayside Café and parked just a short walk away.

  She got out and scanned the cars around her as her anxiety built. Where were the surveillance vehicles? Where was Tucker? Who were the cops among the busy crowds of people milling about? Beads of sweat dripped down her back, and her hands trembled. “Stop,” she whispered as she looked down and closed her eyes. “Stop,” she repeated. This wouldn’t work if she couldn’t keep it together. She couldn’t worry about who was whom and who was where. She needed to focus on finding Steve-O and gathering information that would help Abby—period.

  Steadier and ready to begin again, she smoothed her skirt, straightened her shoulders, and headed for the beautiful old mill building that was the Bayside Café. Two men waited close to the door. One had to be in his early fifties. Surely that wasn’t Steve-O. The tall, thirty-something in khakis and olive green top with light brown hair and a handsome face glanced at his watch.

  Was that him? Was that Steve-O? The profile picture he’d used was so…vague; it was no help right now—and certainly that was the plan. Should she call out to him? What did she call him? Steve-O? What had she been thinking?

  The man in the kakis looked up. “Jenny?”

  Oh God. Oh God—this was it. She forced a smile through the fear. “Yes.”

  Grinning, he walked forward, took her hand, and kissed her knuckles. “You’re even more beautiful in person.”

  Her smile widened as her pulse continued to hammer. “Thank you.”

  “Should we get a table?”

  “Yes. Definitely.”

  He opened the door and pressed his fingers to the small of her back as she went in before him. She stepped with him to the hostess stand, her legs trembling. What had she gotten herself into? Why did she think she could pull this off? She’d never dated. Jack had been her first and last everything. They’d hit it off so naturally. He’d always made the moves, at least until she stopped being shy. She didn’t know how to do this. She wasn’t an eighteen-year-old free spirit; she was twenty-seven with a beautiful three-year-old waiting for her at home.

  “Stevens,” Steve-O said to the attractive, raven-haired beauty behind the small table. “Party of two.” He stroked his finger down Alexa’s arm and sent their hostess a wolfish grin.

  Stevens? Was that his last name? What was his first?

  “Inside or outside dining tonight?” The woman smiled back, ignoring Alexa.

  Steve-O returned his attention to Alexa, as if she was the only person in the room. “Inside or out?”

  “Out is fine.” The cooling breeze off the water would be refreshing. She was burning up.

  “Out it is.”

  The hostess in her short black skirt and revealing red top showed them to the deck overlooking the harbor. “How’s this?”

  “Does this work, Jenny?” He smiled.

  The lights around the city were starting to wink on. Boats floated by on the bay. “It’s perfect.”

  “This’ll do. Thank you,” Steve-O said with a flirty grin for their hostess.

  “Enjoy your evening.” She set down two menus and winked. “Rachel will be your server.” She walked away with a little extra sway in her hips.

  Alexa barely suppressed an eye roll. Their hostess wouldn’t be so quick to sashay about if she had half a clue that a nasty snake slithered below the charming smile, neat khakis, and expensive polo of Mr. Stevens.

  “Are you sure this is okay?” He pulled out her chair. “The breeze is kind of brisk. I think it might rain later.”

  “Really, it’s lovely.” She pressed her lips together as she admonished herself. Eighteen-year-olds did not say ‘lovely.’ They said ‘cool’ or ‘awesome’—anything but ‘lovely.’ “It’s great,” she added. “Really great.”

  “Have a seat.”

  She smiled under her lashes and sat. “Thanks.”

  “No problem.”

  He settled on his side, and Alexa set the strap of her purse around the back of her chair. She scanned the tables around her and the brick walking path just feet from the deck. Her eyes locked on Tucker’s among the busy pedestrians rambling about.

  “—drink?”

  “Huh?” Alexa’s gaze shot to Steve-O’s.

  He smiled. “I said would you like something to drink?”

  “Sorry. Water. Water’s fine.” She needed to get his name. The police would be able to track him down if they knew his full name. “So, I don’t know… This is really embarrassing. I don’t know your name. I thought it was Steve or Steven, but that’s your last name.”

  He chuckled. “I’m Eric. Eric Stevens.”

  She smiled. “Eric.” Hopefully Detective Canon heard that loud and clear. They now had
a face and a name. Despite her nerves and doubts, Alexa was more determined than ever to pull the night off.

  Their waitress wandered over to the table. “Welcome to Bayside Cafe. I’m Rachel. Can I start you with a drink?”

  “The lady will have a water, and I’ll have a Bud draught.” He smiled at Alexa and took her hand as the waitress walked away. “I’m glad we could do this. When I saw your picture and read your profile, I knew we were going to hit it off.”

  And the curtain was officially up. It was time to get down to business. There would be few distractions now that their drinks were on the way. She consciously relaxed her shoulders and leaned her forearms on the table. “I was a little nervous. This is my first time doing the web-dating thing. One of my girlfriends had some luck, so I thought, why not?”

  “I’ve met a lot of really cool people online.”

  “I bet. I guess I was a bit hesitant to dive in though, because of the whole creep factor.”

  His brow shot up. “Creep factor?”

  “Yeah, you know, those creeps you read about in the newspaper that like to take advantage of women. It leaves a girl wary.”

  He held up his hands. “You’re in luck. I’m one-hundred percent creep-free.”

  She chuckled as her brain screamed ‘liar.’

  “So, you’re into photography?”

  “I am. I love it. I took a course in high school—my junior year. I’ve been obsessed ever since.”

  “I’m a fashion photographer.”

  “That’s what you’re profile says—pretty sweet.”

  The waitress was back with their drinks. Eric murmured his thanks as Rachel walked away. “Do you want to order anything?”

  She shook her head. “I’m good for now. Tell me more about yourself, especially your job. It sounds exciting.”