Undercover in Six Inch Stilettos
Page 20
“I had to clean up my act. I’m going home, Cyndi.”
“Home?”
“To see my mom.”
The tears came without warning. “I’m so happy for you, Jade.”
The younger woman leaned down to hug Cyndi. “Do you think my mom will still recognize me?”
She reached up and pushed a stray strand of hair behind the younger woman’s ear. “Absolutely. A mother always knows her own child.”
“I heard about Lola.”
Cyndi’s eyes watered up again. “I know. I’d almost convinced her to go back to Hawaii, but then Johnny…that rotten bastard.”
“She was a sweet girl. Everyone loved Lola. She’s part of the reason I decided to go home. I don’t want to end up dead next time.”
“I’m so glad, Jade.”
She nodded to Jason and flashed a grateful smile at Cyndi. Jade then gathered her composure and headed out of the room. At the door, she stopped and turned. “Someday I hope to have a husband as amazing as yours, Cyndi. Knowing you has shown me that there’s another life out there I was meant to live. I’m forever in your debt for what you did to stop them from harming other girls. I wasn’t the first, but I am so glad to be the last.”
“Take care, Jade. Keep in touch, I can’t wait to meet that man you are going to find.”
Without another word, Jade exited the room and Jason moved to her bedside. Pushing the blankets out of the way, Cyndi patted the bed beside her. Jason perched gingerly on the edge, looking uncomfortable.
“It’s okay, J.J. You aren’t going to hurt me. I am achy, but nothing’s broken or bleeding.”
He reached up and touched her cheek. “I can’t believe I almost lost you.”
She took his hand in her own. “But you didn’t. I wasn’t going without a fight. You can always count on that.”
“I know, but it never should have gotten that far. I am such a stubborn ass sometimes. If I hadn’t gotten jealous…”
“It’s all right, J.J. I think I would have been really upset if you hadn’t gotten jealous. I was pretty hot on stage, you know.” She smiled and patted his hand. Jason laughed, but his eyes were smoldering.
“Yeah, I know. Too hot. I wanted to jump up there and take you right on the floor. Then I realized, if I was feeling that way, then all those other guys must have been too. That’s when I lost my focus. I should have left when you did, instead of sticking around trying to prove something.”
“There was no way you could know, J.J. I worked there for months, and I had no idea the sort of operation they were running. Never had anything out of the ordinary happen until Roxy faked that seizure. I figured Johnny knew more than he was saying, but not that much.”
“Well, I can’t ever go through that again. Thinking I had lost you forever…” Jason dropped his head, refusing to look at her.
“You didn’t lose me, and we cracked the case. They can’t hurt any more girls ever again.”
He looked back up at her with a half-smile. “That’s true. You were pretty awesome as a crime fighter.”
She laughed. “Yeah, it was fun while it lasted, but I am done for a while. How’s Harper?”
“You know, getting spoiled by her grandparents.”
“Good. I can’t wait to see her tomorrow.”
Jason looked at his watch. “I’m heading over to pick her up in a few minutes. I brought you your laptop in case you were bored. I know how hard it is to sleep in the hospital.”
“Thanks, J.J. You’re the best.”
He leaned in and kissed her on the forehead. “I love you.”
“I love you too.”
She watched as her husband left the room before working her computer out of its carrying case. It had been days since she checked in with her girls. It was early, barely eight in the evening, but if she were lucky she might catch one or two of them.
The computer hummed as she entered the social networking site and sent out her usual greeting.
Cyndi: It’s eight o’clock…do you know where your husbands are?
Five minutes passed before anyone responded.
Angela: Cyndi! How are you?
Cyndi: Achy, but living.
Jessy: I hear you are quite the hero!
Cyndi: I wouldn’t say hero…
Diana: It’s all over the news the way you broke that slavery ring wide open.
Jessy: A local hero, all right!
Cyndi: It was pretty scary out there in the woods, but I have to say, the rest of it was fun.
Angela: LOL I knew it!
Jessy: Are you planning on doing it again?
Cyndi: I don’t know. It was exciting, dancing at the club, but it put my family—my daughter—in harm’s way. It might be best if I leave the crime fighting to J.J.
Diana: Well, at least someday you can tell Harper about the night you went undercover as a crime fighter. It might buy you a few cool mom points when she is an angry teenager!
Cyndi: We’ll see about that later. LOL Hey, girls, I am pretty beat. I think I’m gonna log off now. Don’t forget about that dare you all are supposed to be working on.
Angela: All right, lady. You get some rest and take care of yourself.
Diana: Talk to you in a few days.
Jessy: We are proud of you! Talk to you soon.
As the computer logged off, Cyndi considered the last twenty-four hours. She’d sort of enjoyed the whole Murder, She Wrote experience. Playing undercover spy was a bit of a turn on, especially knowing Jason was a part of it. They might have to engage in a little role playing when she was feeling better. Hopefully, those six-inch stilettos were still in her car.
Acknowledgments
Thank you to my husband for always inspiring me and continuing to believe in and support me even when dinner is a little late and the laundry still needs folding. Another big thank you to Allie for everything you do to help me make my writing dreams come true. And to everyone in the Limitless family, so much appreciation goes out to you for bringing this story back to life.
About the Author
Carolyn LaRoche grew up in snow country but fled the cold and ice several years ago. She now lives near the beach with her husband, their two boys, two finicky cats and one old dog. When she is not at the baseball field cheering on big hits and home runs, she is busy teaching science to unwilling teenagers.
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