by Francis Ray
“Elisa, please listen to your father,” his wife, Ellen, pleaded, her eyes brimming with tears. Unlike her husband and daughter, her petite frame barely reached five feet. Always neatly groomed as befitting a woman of her status, she wore a prim blue suit. “Think of your career, your reputation.”
“You’re thinking of your own reputation.” Elisa’s eyes were wild. “Daddy couldn’t wait to leave California and take this position. You deserted me again.”
“Elisa, that’s enough,” Dr. Thomas ordered. “You know we had no choice. It was the only way to save you.”
“I don’t need saving. All I need is Ryan.” As quickly as the anger had come, it disappeared. “He’s just playing hard to get.”
Dr. Thomas’s throat felt tight. He’d give his life to help her. How had they made so many mistakes? “Baby, your mother and I have talked. You and she can take an extended vacation anywhere you want to go. You can work on your book.”
“I’m not interested in writing a book.” Arms folded over her chest, she glared at her father. “You made that up. I don’t see why I can’t resume my practice.”
“You know why,” he said, his gut churning in remembrance.
Elisa waved a careless hand. “He shouldn’t have said those hateful things to me.”
Her mother went to her. “We could go to London, then take the train over to Paris, the ferry to Italy.”
“I’m not leaving Ryan,” Elisa said dismissively. “Not while that chubby nothing is after him.” Her eyes went cold. “He went to her house last night.”
“Oh, Elisa. Please,” her father pleaded. “Can’t you understand that this will only lead to more trouble, and this time I might not be able to get you out of it?”
“Oh, I understand. You’ve never been on my side. Never,” she said, her voice rising with each word.
“Elisa,” her mother said, tears shimmering in her eyes. “We love you.”
“No you don’t, but that’s all right because Ryan does.” Elisa ran from the room. She didn’t slow when her parents tried to call her back.
She got to him.
Simon would have sworn he had his entire attention on the heated basketball game between his team, the Sharks, who were competing against the Dragons in the thirteen- to seventeen-year-old division, but when Maureen walked into the gym with Jason, he immediately saw her. In a sleeveless white dress, she looked as elegant and as desirable as she had Sunday with her hair tossed by the wind, laughter in her beautiful eyes.
He still found it hard to believe that he’d held her, kissed her, felt her tremble in his arms. She waved and he waved back.
“Dunlap, keep your eyes on the game.” There was no heat or accusation in the head coach’s request. A twenty-year veteran of the Charleston PD, Bobby Frost had a stocky build with an abdomen that hung over his belt from too many late-night meals, beers at the favorite hangout of his station, and a minimum of exercise.
“Have you ever heard of multitasking?” Simon asked, watching until Maureen and Jason took their seats in the bleachers above them.
“She’s out of your class.” His eyes on the game, Frost walked the length of his players on the bench.
Initially, Simon hadn’t known she was wealthy and, when he had, it hadn’t mattered. He was interested in the woman, not her bank account. He had no intention of letting her money get in the way. Thankfully, it didn’t bother her that she had more money. He had a sneaky suspicion that her age was the culprit. He didn’t think of her as older, he simply thought of her as the woman he wanted. “That shows you don’t know very much.”
Bobby, being a smart man, let his gaze wander from Maureen’s to Simon. “You lucky son-of-a-gun.”
“I think so.” Simon gave his attention to the game and saw Miguel Williams hogging the ball again. No matter how much they’d talked about sportsmanship, nothing seemed to stick.
The seventeen-year-old had been sent to the program in an attempt by the judge to give him another chance to go straight, to see that the gang he led would only lead to imprisonment or death in a cold, dark alley. Someone was always tougher, more vicious. Gang members would turn on you faster than a rival. “Pass the ball,” Simon yelled.
Miguel went for a layup and missed. The other team took possession of the ball. “Stay on your man. Stay on your man!” Simon yelled. They tried, but the Dragons were too fast. Their best scorer faked out Miguel, passing the ball behind him for his teammate to score.
Simon called time-out. “You want to do the honors or do you want me to?”
“I’m tired of talking. You’re on,” Bobby said. “I hate to say it, but I’m not sure that one can be saved, and I don’t want him dragging down the other players who are trying so hard.”
Simon agreed to a point, but he wasn’t ready to give up on the brash kid just yet. He’d come from a good home. Both parents were hardworking, honest people. Neither could understand why Miguel wanted to be a thug. Miguel was the last player to reach the coaches.
“Miguel, there are five men out there,” Simon said.
“None of them were open.” Blowing hard, he caught the towel thrown his way and wiped his sweaty dark-chocolate face.
“I saw differently. Take a seat. Will, you’re in.”
“What?” Miguel protested, throwing his arms out wide. “I’m the best player you have!”
“Not from where I’m sitting,” Simon said.
“I’ve never been benched,” Miguel said, his voice carrying.
“Even the best are benched. Take a seat,” Simon told him. Miguel slammed his towel to the floor. Simon ignored the tantrum and gave his players instructions. “We’re a point behind with less than two minutes remaining. Let’s pull together and win this one.” Simon stuck his hand out. One by one, the players stacked theirs on top, then they ran back out on the floor.
They played hard and they played as a team. When one of the Dragon players missed a shot, Will was there to grab the ball. He one-armed the basketball to a teammate who was running back up the court. He caught the ball and shot from twenty feet out, hitting nothing but net just as the buzzer went off.
The Sharks went wild, jumping and shouting. The coaches were enveloped with hugs.
“Congratulations, Simon,” Maureen said.
The noise around him faded. “Thanks. Glad you could come. You, too, Jason.”
“Where are your manners, Dunlap?” Bobby asked.
“Maureen Gilmore, Jason Payne, meet Bobby Frost, the head coach of the Sharks and sergeant in the Burglary division of his precinct,” Simon introduced.
“Pleased to meet you,” Maureen said. “You had me worried.”
Bobby laughed, showing a gap in his front teeth. “That was our first win in three games. What a way to do it.” He turned to the grinning young man who had made the pass. “Way to go, Will.”
“How about we celebrate with pizza?” the good-looking young man asked with a grin. Cheers went up.
“Sorry, payday is a week off,” Bobby said with obvious regret.
“I got it,” Simon said. “Before you hit the showers, I want you all to meet Jason Payne. He works part-time in Mrs. Gilmore’s antique shop.”
Miguel snickered. Jason hunched his shoulders. A look from Simon had Miguel straightening up. There were various calls of “hi” and “man” from the other players.
“Hit the showers,” Simon ordered. “We leave in fifteen minutes.” All the Sharks except Miguel raced from the court. Bobby followed.
Simon hoped he wouldn’t have trouble with Miguel. Chastising him in front of the other players who, unfortunately, thought he had it going on because of his wild rep, would only make the surly teenager more rebellious. “Maureen, do you and Jason want to join us?”
“I don’t want to impose,” Maureen said.
“You wouldn’t be,” Simon insisted. “Please.”
She turned to Jason. “Would you like to go with them?”
“Not particularly. Some of them go t
o my school.” Jason worked his shoulders. “I don’t want them …” His head lowered.
Simon realized the teenager was concerned with them learning the reason behind Jason working for Maureen. “When they get a look at Maureen’s Beamer, they’ll think you’re lucky to work for her,” Simon said.
“You’re an employee, as Simon said.” Maureen briefly placed her hand on Jason’s thin arm. “That’s all. I’d like to go, if you don’t mind.”
He frowned. “You won’t go if I don’t want to?”
“No, I won’t. I promised you pizza afterward and I always keep my promises,” she told him.
“I don’t want to go,” he said.
“Then we won’t.” Maureen turned to Simon. “Congratulations again. Good-bye. Let’s go get that pizza, Jason.”
The youth didn’t move. “You meant it.”
“I don’t lie, and I keep my promises,” she told the teenager.
“But you want to go, I can tell,” Jason said, obviously puzzled.
“Yes, but what you want takes precedence,” she said patiently.
Jason looked from her to Simon. “You’re not going to say anything to make her change her mind?”
“I respect Maureen and her decisions,” Simon said easily. “I’d like for the both of you to join us, but the decision isn’t mine.”
“It’s mine,” he said slowly, as if finally realizing he had power. His shoulders straightened. “I guess we can go.”
“Thank you, Jason,” Maureen told him. “Do you need to call your mother and let her know you’ll be later than we expected?”
He shook his head. “She just started her shift. Unless my head is severed, I can’t disturb her.”
Maureen sensed his hurt behind the carefree words. “That’s because I told her I’d take care of you.”
“I guess.” He didn’t sound or look convinced.
“We’re ready,” one of the players yelled, as the team raced back.
“That has to be the shortest shower in history.” Simon held up his cell phone. “Who needs to call home?” Three hands went up. “A ride? My car can carry four more.” Seven hands went up.
“I can take two in my truck,” Bobby said.
“The other one can ride with us,” Maureen volunteered.
Simon shook his head as the players quickly called to ride with him or Bobby. “You guys are going to kick yourself when you see her car.”
Simon’s prediction proved true.
Maureen ended up taking three players. Two of them were in the same grade as Jason and taking summer courses. Arriving at the pizza parlor, Jason stayed with her, staring longingly at the other boys.
“Why don’t you join them?” Maureen asked as they went inside.
“They didn’t ask me. I’ll get us a table.”
There was nothing she could say as she watched him walk away. A warm hand on her shoulder had her lifting her head. She stared into Simon’s beautiful eyes.
“He’ll get there.”
“I’m more hopeful than I was last week,” she said, watching Jason spin a cheese shaker. “I just wish the road wasn’t so difficult or long.”
“It’s called growing up. Now, what kind of pizza do you want?”
“I forgot to ask.” She crossed to Jason. “What kind of pizza?”
“Doesn’t matter.” He spun the shaker again.
Maureen’s heart went out to Jason. The other boys were across the way, laughing at something Miguel said. He seemed to be the leader. She opened her purse and handed Jason a five-dollar bill. “Why don’t you select us some dinner music? Perhaps the others would like to help select.”
She didn’t look to see if Jason had taken her suggestion until she was at the counter. Jason and two other boys were flipping through the charts. Soon the booming sound of rap splintered the air.
“I might regret that decision,” she said softly. She ordered an extra-large beef pizza with a pan crust.
Simon looked at the blaring jukebox. “Your doing?”
“Afraid so.” As soon as their orders were taken, they went to sit in the booth Jason had picked out. Bobby sat on the other side. When the pizza was served, Jason and the two boys he’d been talking with sat at a table near the jukebox.
And he was grinning.
C h a p t e r
12
Midway up the walk of Traci’s house Tuesday night, Ryan stopped. The hair on the nape of his neck prickled. He tensed, peering into the shadows surrounding the house. Was Elisa or another threat skulking in the bushes?
A cat ran out of the boxwoods hugging Traci’s house and ran across the street. Ryan relaxed, then continued. Traci answered the door wearing an ivory silk halter dress that lovingly cupped her lush breasts and made his blood run hot.
His breath snagged. His mouth dried. It took a moment or two to work up enough moisture in his mouth to whistle.
She smiled. “Hello. Glad you like.”
“I like.” His arms went around her waist, pulling her to him for a heated kiss.
“Hmmm. You’re certainly doing a good job of making a believer out of me.”
He grinned like a fool. “About time. You ready to go?”
“Let me grab my purse.”
Ryan closed the door, enjoying watching the easy sway of Traci’s hips, her great legs. She got to him, and he was glad he didn’t have to hide it any longer.
Picking up the purse, she came back. “Are you going to tell me where we’re going?”
“It’s a surprise.” He quickly discovered that he enjoyed keeping her a bit off balance, enjoyed seeing her eyes light up with happiness. He had a gut feeling that she’d had some tough times growing up and it hadn’t gotten any better after she married.
On the porch, he took her key and secured both locks. Curving his arm back around her waist, they stepped off the porch. They were midway to his car when the sensation of being watched hit again. He halted, scanning the street and shrubbery around them.
“What is it?”
“Nothing.” The last thing he wanted to do was worry Traci. This was his mess.
Placing one finger on his cheek, she turned his face to hers. “Ryan, what did I tell you about trust and honesty?”
“Get in the car and we’ll talk.” He quickly hustled her inside the automobile, then went around to the other side and got in.
“Well?”
“It’s probably nothing, but I feel uneasy,” he admitted and started the motor. A tire symbol appeared on the dash.
Muttering an expletive, he got out of the car. On the passenger’s side he saw the low tire. He resisted the urge to kick it. “This has got to stop.”
Traci joined him. Her gaze flickered from the tire to his angry face. “I don’t suppose the flat could have been a coincidence?”
“It could, but I don’t think so.” He turned in a full circle. “She’s probably watching.”
When he faced Traci again she wrapped her arms around his neck, sank seductively against him. “Don’t let her get to you or ruin our evening. Call car service to fix the flat, then we’re going out as planned.”
With her warm, lush body pressed against him it was difficult to remain angry. “Did I tell you how incredible you are?”
“No. I would have remembered.”
“You’re incredible,” he said, then kissed her, thinking only of the woman in his arms.
Simon had been thinking about a good-night kiss ever since he’d seen Maureen’s tongue flick a bit of crust from the corner of her mouth.
He wasn’t letting Maureen get away from him without a kiss. Offering to follow her as she dropped off the players and Jason had removed any suspicion from the boys at least. Bobby had nudged him in the side when no one was looking.
He hadn’t counted on seeing Ryan standing beside his car in front of Traci’s house as a mechanic changed a flat. Maureen stopped in front of her house, then hurriedly crossed the lawn to where Ryan waited by his car. Simon was glad he didn�
�t have to think of a plausible explanation for being there.
“What happened to your car?” Maureen asked.
“Just a flat,” Ryan answered, his gaze going beyond her to Simon. “Is everything all right?”
“Yes,” Simon replied easily. “Maureen brought Jason to witness the first win of the basketball team I coach. They joined us for pizza. I followed her home to make sure she arrived safely.”
“Thanks,” Ryan said.
Traci came out of her house to join them. “Hello, Maureen. Simon.”
“Hi, Traci. Were you two going out?” Maureen asked, a smile on her face.
“As soon as the tire is fixed,” Ryan told her.
“He won’t tell me where.” Traci smiled, folding her arms. “He also insisted I wait inside.”
Simon didn’t see any way he could hang around until they left on their date. He’d have to get that kiss another night. The mechanic shoved on the repaired tire. “I’d better be going. Good night.”
The disappointment on Maureen’s face went a long way to soothing his own. “Thank you for the pizza.”
“I’ll walk you to your car,” Ryan said.
“All right.” Simon had been a policeman too long not to know something was wrong. “What’s up?” he asked when they reached his car.
“I need the name of a discreet top-notch security firm.”
Simon tensed. “Is Maureen in danger?”
“No.” Ryan looked toward the chatting women. “I’m not sure about Traci.”
“You want to tell me what’s going on?” Simon asked.
Ryan blew out a breath and told him everything about Elisa. “The mechanic didn’t see anything off with the flat. Traci laughed, and thinks I’m being paranoid.”
“But you don’t?” Simon asked.
“No,” Ryan answered. “I’d feel better if I knew where Elisa was at all times.”
Simon gave Ryan the information he’d requested. “I’d seriously think about the restraining order.”
