“If you say so.”
Isabel was wired with tension that came at him in waves. When he gave her a reassuring squeeze, she relaxed a bit, and when they passed the smoking duo without incident, she relaxed some more, her fleshy curves pressing into his more intimately.
Yep, torture…
Nick eyed a garden arbor, wondering if he could guide her into there for a private moment, but he kept himself in check. Later, he promised himself. Later, he would have her any way he wanted her and then whatever spell she’d had him under for so long would be broken.
They rounded a corner and came in sight of the park. A fountain burbled near the small field house, and a half-dozen teenagers sprawled around a picnic table on its other side. Isabel’s steps quickened and Nick lengthened his stride to keep up with her. He was still too far away to see anyone clearly, but chances were that finding Louise wasn’t going to be this easy.
Equally certain that Isabel had her hopes high at the moment, he figured he’d better be ready for her crash of disappointment if nothing came of the encounter.
ISABEL SLOWED HER STEPS as they drew closer to the teenagers and she could see that Louise was not among them. Fighting disappointment, she kept her calm and stopped a short distance from the group.
“Excuse me, I’m looking for my sister,” she said as he drew closer to her. “Her name is Louise. Her friends call her Lulu.”
Nick started, then glanced at her sharply at this information but when she gave him a look, he let it go and turned his attention to the teenagers.
“Maybe your sister isn’t looking for you,” said a dark-skinned girl whose intricately braided hair hung over her shoulders.
They all laughed.
“Not funny,” Nick said. He recognized a couple of the kids. One was a runaway he’d videotaped. “Some of you know me, right? I can vouch for this woman. Her sister doesn’t need to be on the street. They can work it out.”
Isabel felt the shift in attitude and quickly took up where he left off. “Louise visited a friend in this neighborhood a few days ago. I was hoping she might still be hanging out around here.”
After retrieving the photo, she held it out, but no one would take it from her. One couple looked away, then actually locked lips and began making out as if she didn’t exist.
“I just want her to be safe,” Isabel told them. “I want her to come home.”
“We can’t all have what we want, now, can we?”
That from a too thin girl whose pale hair shone a strange shade of silver under the park’s mercury-vapor lights. Her face was caked with makeup that didn’t quite hide bruising. Was she running from the person who’d hit her, Isabel wondered, or had that happened out here on the streets? She imagined this, rather than Louise, might be the “new” girl.
Disappointed, she held out Louise’s photo to the girl. “I love my sister and I only want the best for her. Just look at this, please.”
The girl took it and stared for a moment. “She kind of looks familiar, but she hasn’t been hanging with us.”
“But you think you’ve seen her? Where?”
The girl shrugged. “I—I can’t be sure…maybe at Club Undercover. Mondays and Thursdays they have an early liquor-free gathering for underage kids.”
“Do you know the place?” Isabel asked Nick.
“Oh, yeah.”
Isabel’s hope renewed. “If you see Louise, would you tell her I’m looking for her?”
“You got some kind of reward?” one of the boys asked.
“Depends on how accurate the tip,” Nick said. “If any of you helps us find her, how does a C-note sound? Nick’s Knack—that’s my business up the block at the six corners.”
“I remember,” the black girl said. “Second floor over Annie’s Attic. You ever do anything with that video?”
“I’m making editing notes,” he told her. “And still shooting. I promise, when I’m all done I’ll spread the word and have a special showing for everyone who contributed.”
How had she lost control? Isabel wondered.
“Will there be food?” the thin girl asked, making Isabel swallow hard at the thought that she was probably hungry.
Nick said, “As much as you can eat.”
Isabel pulled a twenty out of her pocket the way Nick had earlier.
“It’s not much, but it’ll get you some fast food.”
She held out the bill to the too thin girl, who hesitated only a moment before snatching it out of her hand. She seemed ashamed, Isabel thought. She was only a kid, maybe fifteen, maybe younger. What were her resources if she couldn’t go home?
“Thanks,” the girl muttered, her eyes cast downward.
“Hey, what about me?” one of the guys said.
“I’ll share with anyone who’s hungry,” the girl offered.
Hot tears seared the backs of Isabel’s eyelids. Hunger was nothing to joke about.
Was her sister hungry? Had she run out of money yet? Louise did have a credit card, Isabel told herself. Surely she would have the sense to use it to buy food, if not to pay for a hotel room.
And surely she herself could figure out something she could do to help halt the problem, Isabel thought. She might not know anything about videos, but she was a writer, after all, considering all the press releases she created for her father.
As they reached the western edge of the park, Isabel said, “You have quite a rapport with these kids.”
“No big deal.”
“Yes, it is. It’s as if…they know you.”
“Some of them do,” he reminded her. “I’ve been on the street myself.”
“Videotaping them.”
Nick hesitated only a moment before saying, “Right. Videotaping them.”
They were back on Damen, heading for the six corners again.
“What now?” Isabel asked.
“Club Undercover.”
“But it’s not Monday or Thursday. No teenagers.”
“But I know the owner,” Nick explained. “I do some video work for the club.”
“Oh. Then he’s a good resource.”
“You don’t sound too enthusiastic.”
“It’s late.” She was distracted, worrying about the kids and sensing danger everywhere. First the guys smoking, then the kids, then some guy who’d seemed to be a half block back for a while now—of course, he was likely just another guy from the neighborhood. “I’m a little tired, is all.”
“Ready to turn in for the night?”
The way he said it in that low tone made her flesh prickle and her mouth go dry. It set off alarms in her body…and in her head.
“Not yet,” she said breathlessly, imagining the demands he might make of her. As the hour drew near, thoughts of the night ahead grew more potent. “Not until we run out of leads.”
Certain that Nick was anxious for his damn trade-off, Isabel thought he should just wait for it.
She wondered how long she could stall him. Long enough that Nick would be so tired he would rather sleep than have sex? Probably not. He was probably pumped for it—looking forward to humiliating her, to settling their score.
And part of her thought she deserved it. She hadn’t had to be so cruel to him, she admitted to herself. But the practical part of her wondered how else she could have done what she’d had to do.
So she would let him have his revenge, if that would even out things in his mind.
And he would lead her to her sister.
A business deal, that’s how she would have to think of what she’d agreed to. The kind of deal she often found herself involved in for political expediency. Not that anyone else had ever demanded anything so personal from her.
But everything was a trade-off in politics and in life—at least in her life—it seemed. No matter how pure your motives were when you started out, you couldn’t get anything done unless you were willing to compromise. She heard her father’s voice in her head—he’d said those words or ones like them too many
times for her to forget.
So that’s how she would think of her night with Nick.
A compromise. Sensible. Businesslike.
But Isabel had to admit the thought of getting naked with the only man who’d ever held the key to her heart wasn’t feeling much like business. She got turned on by his touch. His voice. The way he looked at her. All of them were too devastatingly familiar. The night held disaster, she feared. She might stall him as long as she could, but, deep inside, a longing she’d buried for years was resurfacing. A longing that would get her nothing but more heartbreak.
They were moving along Milwaukee again before he interrupted her confused thoughts. “Lulu…why didn’t you tell me Louise went by a nickname?”
Realizing he sounded put out, she said, “I simply didn’t think of it.”
“How many more details have skipped your mind?” Nick asked. “The more information I have about the whole situation, the better.”
Right. He wanted her to spill. About her father.
Well, she would…in her own time…. When she was ready…maybe….
But only if she was certain Nick could be trusted to keep secret information that could ruin the man who’d once been the ruin of them.
THEY WERE TAKING HIM in circles and his nerves were definitely on edge. So far they hadn’t made him, but unless something happened soon, it was only a matter of time.
Only a matter of time until they led him to the brat, he reminded himself, popping a pill that would take off the edge.
That one would be the ruin of everything unless he stopped her. Surely he could talk to her, make her see reason. No need for her to make such a big fuss about things that really didn’t affect her directly. He would convince her that what she knew could stay between those involved.
Kids liked keeping secrets. She was just a little freaked out, was all.
With the right coaxing, she would come around.
She had better…
5
NICK WASN’T CERTAIN EXACTLY when he’d realized they were being followed. The guy hadn’t been overt, hadn’t gotten too close. He’d let others coming and going get between them. But for blocks now, he’d been there. He’d obviously seen a target in them.
More the fool was he.
No one was more street-smart than he himself was, Nick thought. Not that the guy would be aware of that. So, if he was out for easy pickings—Isabel’s backpack or his own wallet—the guy was in for a surprise.
Or might there be another reason for their being followed? he wondered. Maybe he needed to find out for sure.
“How much farther?” Isabel asked, her exhaustion, which was probably more mental than physical, clear in her plea.
“The club is just ahead at the end of the block.”
Nick glanced back casually, his gaze only touching the guy following them before he faced forward. Not too big or scary looking. Not too badly dressed, either—dark pants and shirt and a dark, billed cap pulled low to conceal his face.
Could be anyone.
Certain that he could take the guy, Nick looked for an opportunity to confront him on his own terms. Not long after, he saw it directly ahead.
Taking Isabel’s arm, he softly said, “Just do what I say and don’t fight me.”
“What are you up to?”
“This.”
He ducked into an alley, taking her with him and pulling her back out of harm’s way. He put a finger to his lips and indicated she should stay put as he prepared to spring in front of the guy who was following them and find out what the hell he wanted.
“Nick,” she complained in a whisper.
He put his finger to his mouth again. Then he prepared himself mentally. He was strong and fast, but, more important, he’d had enough street altercations to value the element of surprise.
The mouth of the alley became his entire focus. His body was on high alert—when he heard a noise from somewhere behind. The second he let his focus waver was a second too long. The guy who’d been following them crossed their path, and before Nick could even get a good look at him, he was knocked into by a big, soft body, one that reeked of alcohol and other strange odors.
“Wha’ the hell you think you’re doin’?” the drunk asked as he grabbed the front of Nick’s T-shirt and tried shoving him into the brick wall.
“Damn!”
Nick knocked the drunk out of the way, grabbed Isabel’s hand and shot out onto the sidewalk. It was too late. A group of noisy twenty-somethings emptied out of a nearby restaurant, blocking his view. He fought through them, but it was a losing battle. Somewhere on the other side, the guy who’d been following him and Isabel had been swallowed by some doorway or vehicle.
Turning to Isabel, who’d been muttering in annoyance at his manhandling, he said, “Vanished.”
“Who?”
“The guy who was following us.”
“Then I—I wasn’t imagining things.”
“You knew and you didn’t say anything?”
“What about you?” she asked, sounding offended. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I wasn’t sure.”
“Or was it you don’t trust me?”
Isabel shoved him in the chest and tried to move past him, but Nick caught her and twirled her around to face him. He cradled her lightly in his arms. She was upset. And she had every right to be.
“Where do you think you’re going?”
“To find my sister.”
“I thought you couldn’t do it without me. I thought you needed me.”
He could see she was barely holding on to it. Even under the streetlights, he could see her eyes looked glazed, as if she were ready to cry. Damn, he couldn’t stand to see a woman cry! He wanted to pull her closer and crush her to him, but that might make her even angrier.
Instead, he tried to ease her mind. “Look, it’s not a matter of trust,” he said softly. “I’m just not used to consulting a partner, okay?”
Isabel swallowed hard and blinked. “Okay.”
Her eyes were damp, as were her parted lips. Full, tempting lips. It took every ounce of willpower he possessed not to kiss them and shatter the fragile truce.
“Let’s get over to Club Undercover and see what Gideon has to say.”
“Gideon?”
“The owner.”
“And personal friend?”
“Sometimes employer. I’m not sure Gideon has friends.”
“How sad.”
“How about you, Isabel?” he asked as they continued along the street. He swept his gaze over every inch of the vicinity but didn’t see the guy who’d been following them. “Do you have any friends? I mean real friends, not just political allies or socially correct acquaintances.”
“My college roommate—at least between men. Nora tends to concentrate primarily on whomever she’s dating. There used to be four of us who hung out together and vacationed together, but Cynthia got married last year, Jennie the year before. That changed things, but I guess that’s normal when you have someone special in your life.”
Which meant she didn’t, at least not at the moment. Now, why did that make him feel so great? he mused, turning her into the doorway of the club.
Isabel had already pulled herself together, so there was no hint of the uncertain woman he’d seen a moment ago. Spooky how she could transform herself on a dime, a talent she’d had even as a teenager, he remembered.
If he didn’t know her better, she might even be able to fool him.
ISABEL LET NICK GUIDE HER down to the dark, cavernous, smoky space, pulsating with loud music.
“Hey, Nicky, can I get you a table?” the attractive purple-haired hostess asked.
“Sweet of you, Mags, but I’m here to see the boss if he’s available.”
“I’ll find out.” Mags picked up her station phone.
“‘Nicky’?”
“Mags is very friendly,” Nick explained.
“I’ll just bet she is.”
How
friendly? Isabel wondered. Friendly enough to have been one of Nick’s options for the night if he wasn’t stuck with her?
Not that she gave a damn.
Before she had the opportunity to ask, Mags said, “He’ll see you. Go on in.”
“Thanks.”
As Nick swept her past the entryway of the club, Isabel barely got a glimpse of its huge video screen, dance floor and raised seating in the back. The music followed them but tapered off in intensity as they headed down a hall. Nick stopped at one of the doors and knocked.
As Nick entered the modern office, decorated with jewel-tone blue walls and black-and-chrome furniture, the man behind the desk said, “Come on in.”
Gideon was as dark as Nick was fair. His blue-black hair was long, smoothed back from his classically handsome face and curled slightly at the nape of his neck. Eyes the deepest blue she’d ever seen seemed to strip her down and inspect her carefully.
“Nick, good to see you,” the club owner said, though he was still staring directly at her as if he were trying to see through her disguise. “And this lovely lady might be…?”
“Isabel Grayson.”
Isabel started at the revelation of her last name and surreptitiously poked Nick in the ribs. “Can I speak to you a moment?” she whispered. “Alone!”
“One minute,” Nick said to Gideon as he stepped back into the hall with her.
“You told him who I was!” Isabel accused him angrily.
“You have to tell him everything you know if you want his help,” Nick said reasonably. “Yes or no?”
She glanced back inside. “Not if the price is too high. What were you thinking?” she admonished.
“That Gideon is the soul of discretion and what you tell him stays with him,” Nick promised her. “He has no use for the media other than to publicize his club—believe me.”
Isabel wanted to believe him. Wanted to believe this Gideon might be able to help. “I hope you’re right.”
“Trust me.”
What else could she do now that the cat was out of the bag? She nodded.
“Sorry,” Nick told Gideon as he strolled back inside, Isabel following reluctantly.
Improper Conduct Page 6
