by Francis Ray
“Let her go,” Alec said, his voice deadly quiet.
“Now why would I do that?” Floyd laughed, an evil, croaking sound. “Like the man said, I’m in control. Time to die, cop.” He pointed the gun at Alec.
Cupping her balled fist, Celeste drove her elbow as hard as she could into the man’s stomach and yelled, “Pancake!” Celeste and the other hostages flattened themselves on the floor.
With a grunt, the robber staggered backward, then straightened with a snarl and aimed his gun at Celeste, who was on the floor in front of him.
Fear and adrenaline pumping through him, Alec pulled the 9mm from the small of his back and fired in one smooth motion. The man fell backward. Gun still drawn, Alec stepped past Celeste and the other hostages. Kicking the gun from the man’s lax fingers, Alec crouched down. Despite the single bullet hole in the man’s chest, Alec checked for a pulse. None.
“All clear!” Alec shouted, and pushed to his feet.
The words barely left his mouth before the front door burst open. His brothers rushed inside, followed by other policemen. The hostages scrambled to their feet and ran for the front door.
Adrenaline still rushing through his blood, Alec saw Celeste being hugged by his brothers near the store’s entrance. In five long strides, he reached her. Fury and fear riding him, he jerked her out of Rafael’s arms. “What the hell do you think you were doing? Don’t you ever—” was all he managed before he crushed her to him. “Don’t ever.”
Celeste held him just as tightly. “I knew you’d save us,” she said, her body trembling as much as her voice.
“Thank you,” croaked a young male voice. “You saved us.”
Alec reluctantly released Celeste. Three former hostages, two men and a woman, stood there. They all were looking at Celeste.
Alec’s arm tightened. She’d been foolishly brave. He wanted to tie Celeste to him and make sure she remained safe.
Celeste smiled up at Alec. “I told the person next to me that my fiancé would come for me and to flatten like a pancake when I gave the signal.”
“She knew you’d come,” the woman said. “We passed the word to each other while he talked on the phone.”
The vice around his chest eased. “Fiancé?”
“Yes,” Celeste said firmly, then straightened. “I need to call my family.”
“Already done,” Simon said. “I told them you’d call as soon as you could. Be prepared for the television cameras.”
“Television cameras. Oh, my goodness!” She turned to Alec. “How do I look? Mother will disown me if I don’t look my best.”
Patrick chuckled. “Only a woman.”
“And she’s all mine,” Alec said. Curving his arm around her waist, he led her outside, his brothers flanking them. They were met by the flash and glare of cameras, reporters clamoring for a statement. Celeste, Alec, and his brothers kept walking to Brianna, Maureen, Helen, Brooke, and her husband, who had arrived. The other hostages weren’t so inclined to ignore the media. Even the teenager, sitting in the back of an ambulance, seemed to have recuperated enough to talk to reporters.
Alec didn’t care. He had all he needed.
“I’m never going to forgive you,” Celeste said.
Since she was naked in his arms and in his bed and they’d just made love for the second time, Alec figured he wasn’t in too much trouble. He kissed her forehead, grazed his fingers over the tattoo at the base of her spine. Fifteen minutes ago his lips had been there. “You looked beautiful.”
“My mother said I should have combed my hair.” Raising up on her elbow on his chest, she gazed down at him. “I told her it was my fiancé’s fault.”
He arched a brow. “I might forget a lot of things, but not being a fiancé.”
“I can see you’re the type of man who will forget birthdays and anniversaries.” She walked her fingers up his chest. “I’ll have to put the dates in your day planner.”
“So when did this happen?”
She took his face in her hand. “The moment after I read the note you left. I was coming to remind you.” She momentarily closed her eyes. “Waiting for you to come, I clung to that note, to your love. You’re the one thing I can’t do without. I refused to think I wouldn’t live to see you again.”
He clutched her to him. “You’re braver than anyone I know. You helped me move on.” His forehead touched hers. “I want to start living in the present, not the past. I want to wake up with you, have you annoy me, thrill me, love me.” He lifted her head, pushed her hair from the face he’d love through eternity. His lips brushed gently across hers.
It was time.
“Just so I won’t be one of those husbands who forget, let’s make it official, because I plan to be the kind of husband a very special and courageous woman like you deserves. Celeste de la Vega, will you marry me?”
Her lips trembled, then firmed. “Yes. And just so you know, I plan to be the kind of wife a very special brave man deserves, and love you until you holler.”
His eyes darkened. “What if I make you holler first?”
Her dark eyes twinkled with sensual promise. “You can try.”
Hooking one arm around her, he sat up and glanced at the clock on the nightstand. “We have six hours until we have to catch the plane to Houston to meet your family.”
“What are we waiting for?” she asked, tumbling him back into the bed.
Determined not to let Max dumping her affect her business, Gina worked harder than ever. Finding that customers liked the gift ideas for their children, she expanded to baskets of fruit waiting in the staterooms of those taking cruises, a small fruit and cheese tray in hotel rooms, champagne—or chocolate-covered strawberries for those who didn’t drink—for couples celebrating a special occasion.
“Gina! Gina!”
Gina’s fingers paused over the computer keyboard as she finished the e-mail to a prospective client. The couple who described themselves as a “youthful sixty” were looking for a B and B for their fortieth wedding anniversary. Gina hadn’t hesitated to recommend Journey’s End.
She missed Max more each day instead of less, but at least she was learning to work through her pain. Oddly, it was Max who had taught her to be stronger, more self-sufficient, to be her own woman.
“Gina, I can’t get my pillow straight.”
She hit “send,” refusing to yell back to Robert that she was busy. He was getting pretty good walking on his permanent cast. His orthopedic doctor had advised non-weight-bearing for five more weeks. She’d give Robert another week—if she could stand him—and then he was out of her house. If it weren’t for the children, he’d be out of her life as well.
Perhaps Robert living with her was the reason for Max to end their relationship, and not the grand opening this weekend. Sophia had called her Sunday morning to let her know things were going well, the food a hit. From Max there was nothing. Neither of them mentioned his name.
Gina could keep on guessing or ask Max, and that was exactly what she planned. She was going to be as bold as Celeste in going after the man she wanted, but without the danger.
Shutting down the computer, Gina shuddered. She still got chills just thinking about the attempted robbery yesterday. The television camera had caught Celeste and Alec, arms wrapped around each other, as they left the convenience store with his brothers, then with the wives of his brothers, Brooke and her husband, and Rafael watching fondly. Gina had thanked God and shed a tear at the happy reunion. Celeste, like Maureen and the other women, had found lasting love.
Besides Celeste’s hair being a little mussed, she’d looked ecstatic and stunning. Her engagement to Alec had put that look on her face. They’d talked for a few minutes last night and this morning before she and Alec caught a plane for Houston. Alec had asked for a transfer to the Charleston Police Department so Celeste wouldn’t have to make the commute to Myrtle Beach.
Standing, Gina picked up her purse and went into the den. Robert vainly attempted to reach the pillow proppe
d under his leg. Walking over, she straightened his leg. “I’m going to pick up Ashton and Gabrielle.”
“What about the car pool?” he asked.
“Parent-teacher conference today,” she said. “I told you.”
He rubbed his thigh. “The pain medication must have made me forget.”
It was a lie. He took the medication at night to help him sleep; then he didn’t wake up until well after ten, which suited her. The less she was around or talked to Robert, the better.
“I’ll be back in a couple of hours.” She started from the room.
“Gina, have you given any more thought to our getting back together?” he asked.
She paused. “Robert, we’ve had this discussion. I don’t want to have it again. By the end of the week, you should have progressed enough to be on your own. The children have planned a farewell dinner for you Friday night, and afterward I’m taking you to your apartment or your assistant can pick you up.”
“You won’t give us a chance?” Robert almost whined. “If we made love, you’d see.”
She laughed. “Robert, it’s over. There’s nothing there. The only reason you’re here is because you had no place else to go.” She adjusted the strap of her purse. “It’s your life to live it as you please, but there should be someone who cares about you besides Ashton and Gabrielle.”
“I’ve got lots of friends,” he snapped. “My assistant for one.”
You pay her, Gina thought, then decided to let it go. His life, his problem. “I have to go or I’ll be late.”
Going to the garage, she got into her car and backed out. Life had certainly changed. Robert had left to build a new life and chase women; he now wanted her to take him back.
Never.
There was a verse in the Bible that God would make your enemies your footstools. Robert wasn’t her enemy—at least not any longer. But his life apparently wasn’t what he wanted, whereas her future was brighter than she’d ever imagined. Each day she grew more confident, felt more in charge of her life. If the situations with Max and Gabrielle could be resolved, Gina’s life would be near perfect.
Parking at Ashton’s school, Gina went to meet his teacher. As expected, the caring and innovative woman in her early twenties praised Ashton’s academic and social skills. After picking him up from the after-school program, Gina went to get Gabrielle from her school a block over.
“Hello, sweetheart. How was school today?” Gina greeted Gabrielle when she opened the passenger’s door.
“Hello. OK, I guess.” Closing the door, Gabrielle set her bulging backpack at her feet, buckled her seat belt, and stared straight ahead.
“We had a fire drill,” Ashton said. “Our teacher said we were the quietest and best behaved of all the classes.”
Gina threw a worried look at Gabrielle and pulled away from the curb. “Did your school have a drill as well?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Gabrielle, you’ve been quiet the past week. You know you can talk to me if you have a problem,” Gina told her.
“What would I have a problem about?” Folding her arms, she stared out the window.
“That’s what I’m asking you,” Gina said.
“I told you already.”
Gina couldn’t let it go. There was something bothering Gabrielle. She didn’t cater to her father like she did when he first came back. “Are you worried about your father?”
“Please, just leave me alone. You’re always on my case.”
“Gabrielle, that’s not the truth.”
“Wow!” Ashton exclaimed. “Look at all those police cars.”
Gina looked. A strange truck and three police cars with flashing lights were parked in front of her house. Neighbors were on the sidewalk and in their yards gawking.
“Daddy?” Gabrielle whispered.
“He was fine when I left.” Gina braked sharply in the driveway. “Stay here with your brother until I find out what is going on.” Thankful for once that Gabrielle didn’t argue, Gina raced to the front door. Jamming her key into the lock, she went inside.
Raised voices greeted her. She rushed to the den, where all the loud voices were coming from. “What’s going on?” Besides Robert and his assistant, there were four policemen and a strange man in the room.
Everyone turned to her. One of the policemen approached. When he moved, Gina saw Kathy with her fisted hand clutching her blouse between her breasts. Robert looked ready to bolt.
“Who are you?” asked the policeman.
“Gina Rawlings. This is my house.”
“I guess what they say is true,” said the barrel-chested man in jeans and a long-sleeved plaid shirt. He looked about fifty, weighed at least 270, had a prominent nose in his light-skinned, unattractive face. “The wife is always the last to know. Robert and my soon-to-be-ex-wife have been having an affair for the past two months.”
“What?” Gina yelled, her gaze flickering between Robert and his assistant.
“Honey, no, you have it all wrong,” Kathy said, her face and voice frantic. One of the policemen kept her from going to her husband.
“I guess your blouse came open by itself,” the husband sneered.
“I— I wasted a soft drink on it,” she said, licking her lips. “You came in just when I was trying to dry it.”
Gina was enraged at Robert’s duplicity, but something the husband said caught her attention. “How did you get in my house?” she asked the man.
He pulled a key out of his pocket. “I made a duplicate of the one Robert gave Kathy.”
“You gave that woman a key to my house? You worthless bastard!” Gina shouted as she rounded on Robert.
“Now, Gina.” Robert held out one hand and tried to hobble backward without his crutches. “You know I couldn’t do anything with my leg broke.”
“Cowering from a woman.” The man stared at his scared wife. “If you want him, you can have him. If he hadn’t called the police and you hadn’t gotten in the way, his other leg would be broken.”
Robert tried to back up and stumbled. If the policeman hadn’t caught him, he would have fallen.
The man laughed. “You thought you were so slick trying to keep both of us on a string. You bet on the wrong man, Kathy. My cement business is thriving, but playboy here spends too much time running after women to make a profit.”
Kathy whirled on Robert. “Is that the truth? You said you were raking in the money.”
“What about you?” Robert yelled back. “You said you had filed for divorce. If you hadn’t asked me to carry you like some simpering teenager, I wouldn’t have tripped and broken my leg.”
“You should have been in better shape and not so clumsy!” Kathy shot back.
Kathy’s husband folded his arms and smiled. “Looks like there’s trouble in paradise.”
The woman swung back to her husband. “I don’t want him, honey. It was a mistake.”
“I don’t want you,” Robert said, looking smug. “Gina and I are getting back together.”
“Shut up, both of you!” Gina shouted. “You’re disgusting. I can’t believe you’re so morally low and crass to discuss your shoddy affair in front of us.” She turned to the policeman nearest her. “Please get them out of my house.”
“You want to charge him for breaking and entering?” the policeman asked.
“Yes,” Robert said loudly.
“No,” Gina said, glaring at Robert. “This is my house, and I say no. I want my key back.” She held out her hand.
“Sorry.” The man gave her the key. “We’re both better off without them. Thanks, and good-bye.”
“Honey, please!” Kathy cried, trying to catch up with her husband as he hurried out the door. The last policeman closed the door behind him.
“Gina, Kathy’s husband had it all wrong,” Robert said, trying to hop to her with one crutch. The other one was across the room.
Ignoring him, Gina went to the kitchen for a black plastic bag. Opening the wicker basket
where she kept Robert’s things in the den, she began stuffing his possessions inside.
“Gina, please. You have to listen.”
“I’d advise you to shut up, Robert, or I’ll put you on the sidewalk instead of taking you to your apartment.” Finished, she took her house key off his key ring and handed him his other crutch. Not once had she thought of changing the locks. “I know it’s a foreign concept, but think of the children for once, and keep your selfish mouth shut. You’ve decided to go home early. You love and thank them for all they’ve done.”
Gripping the plastic bag, she opened the front door and started for her car in the driveway. One of the police cars remained parked at the curb. She supposed he wanted to stay in case he received another call about a disturbance.
She spoke to the children as soon as she opened the back door and placed the plastic bag inside. Gabrielle was in the backseat with Ashton. Silently they climbed out the other side. “Your father is fine, but he’s decided he wants to go home. Right, Robert?”
“Yeah. I won’t be able to drive, so I won’t be around for a while,” he said.
“That’s all right.” Gabrielle pulled a silent Ashton closer. “Good-bye.”
“Good-bye,” Ashton said.
Robert’s surprised stare matched Gina’s. Neither child appeared unhappy to see him leave early. He had himself to blame.
“Get in.”
Sitting down, Robert maneuvered his left leg into the car and shut the door. Gina pulled off.
A short while later she stopped at the manager’s office of Robert’s apartment complex. Getting out, she placed the plastic bag on the sidewalk, then opened his door.
“Gina, please listen.”
“Get out, Robert.”
As soon as he managed to stand, Gina closed the car door. Going around to the other side, she got in and sped off.
Her anger hadn’t abated by the time she arrived home. At least the police car and the gawking neighbors were gone. Pulling into the garage, she let down the door and went inside. Her main concern was Ashton and Gabrielle.
She found them sitting side by side on the sofa. Gabrielle had her arm around her brother’s shoulder. Both looked scared. Gina’s temper spiked, but she controlled it and hunkered down in front of the children.
