by Darcia Helle
Lauren slid her hand over Jesse’s bare chest. “Then I guess I’ve got a couple of hours. Any suggestions?”
“I think I can come up with a few,” he said.
Their lips met in a slow kiss, tongues exploring with a gradual build of passion. His hands traveled down to the small of her back. He pressed himself against her and she moaned softly.
She wriggled closer, enjoying the heat of his body. The feel of his hardness swelling against his jeans, against her, caused her desire to grow more urgent. His breath was hot against her neck. “I want you,” he murmured.
At 10:30, Lauren reluctantly got up from Jesse’s bed. As she gathered her clothing, she said, “I wish I could stay in bed with you all day.”
“Let’s do it.”
Lauren laughed. “You’re too easy.”
She pulled her sweater over her head. Jesse remained sprawled naked on the bed, watching her through sleepy eyes. “You sure you don’t want me to come with you?” he asked.
Lauren groaned. “You promised.”
“Just checking.”
Lauren went into the bathroom. She splashed water on her face and cleaned herself up, then emerged fully dressed. “I’ve got to go,” she said. “I’ll call you later.”
She leaned over to kiss him and, as she did, he pulled her onto the bed. “I still don’t like it,” Jesse said. “Be careful.”
“Don’t worry. He wouldn’t hurt me.”
“Yeah, well…”
“I know. I’ll be careful.”
“And don’t bring up my name. It’ll only piss him off.”
“Okay.”
“And don’t try to defend me if he says anything.”
Lauren kissed Jesse’s lips, then sat up. “I won’t say a word.”
“You’re lying.”
“I’ll see you later.”
“Lauren…”
“Don’t worry.” Lauren did her best to smile confidently. “He’s my father. I can handle this.”
“Uh-huh.”
“Stop it.”
“Call me as soon as you drop him off.”
“Yes sir,” Lauren said. “Anything else?”
“I love you.”
“I love you too.”
Alex stood by the window, dressed impeccably in a coal black suit. He had his back to Lauren. His leather travel bag and matching briefcase waited beside the hospital bed. Lauren took in the scene. For a moment she allowed herself to consider what might have been, had he been a better father. Or if the bullet had taken his life. Then she cleared her throat. “Hi, Dad,” she said.
Alex turned slowly. “I’d almost forgotten that I had a daughter.”
“Are you ready?”
“Where is your mother?”
Lauren briefly met Alex’s icy stare. “She hasn’t been feeling good,” Lauren said. “So I told her I’d pick you up.”
“She’s sick?”
“Yeah.”
“I expected her here last night,” Alex said. “She didn’t come.”
Lauren’s cheeks grew warm. She cursed her uncontrollable blush and looked away. “She’s been in bed.”
“I called. There was no answer.”
“She was probably sleeping.”
Alex glared at Lauren, a stony silence between them. Lauren resisted the urge to flee. She said, “Do I need to find a nurse, check you out?”
“It’s done.”
Lauren picked up the travel bag and briefcase, then stepped out into the hallway. They took the elevator to the lobby and walked side by side out to Lauren’s car. She popped the trunk and placed his things inside. Alex wore a scowl. Neither had said a word.
Once they’d settled into the car, a sudden claustrophobic tension threatened to swallow her up. She inhaled deeply, told herself to relax. “You look good,” she said. “How are you feeling?”
Alex watched her with appraising eyes. “I was shot and my only daughter can’t take the time to visit me. Or even call. Now suddenly she wants to know how I am?”
“Dad, let’s not start this.” Lauren stared straight ahead, determined not to let him rattle her. She pulled out onto the street, pressing harder than necessary on the gas. The sooner she got him home, the sooner she could escape him. Forever.
“So where is your mother?” Alex asked.
“I told you, she’s not feeling well.”
“Then where was she last evening?”
“Home, I suppose. Asleep.”
“And where were you?” Alex said. “I imagine you were occupied with your lover?”
Lauren stared at the traffic. She didn’t respond. Anything she said at this point would only serve to stir things up further. His mood was foul. He seemed to be looking for a fight. She needed to stay focused. Get her father home. That was her only objective.
“Ryder is a thorn in my side that I intend to have removed,” Alex said. “However, that does not explain your whereabouts or your blatant absence these past few days. Nor does it explain why your mother did not at least call me. Or, for that matter, answer the damn phone.”
Lauren slowed to a stop as the traffic light turned from yellow to red. She silently cursed the light, a string of every filthy word she could think of.
“A few people inquired about you,” Alex said. “I did not appreciate being placed in that position, having to make excuses as to why my only daughter is nowhere to be found.”
“You’ve been threatening to kill the man I love, yet you still expect me to come visit you?”
“Love?”
What was wrong with her? Why did he always manage to get the best of her, get her to say things she shouldn’t? She needed to clamp her mouth shut and keep it that way. A few more minutes and she could be rid of him.
She sighed, shook her head. “I’m not a child anymore. You can’t force me to do things your way.”
“True,” Alex said. “You are no longer a child. However, regardless of your age, you will always be expected to behave in a manner of which I approve.”
The light finally turned green. Lauren cut into the next lane and sped past a few slower cars. She wanted to lay on her horn, plow through everyone that didn’t move. She told herself to relax. She was doing this for her mother. Her mother was safe. Finally, they would both be free of this man.
“Mr. Ryder has things to learn,” Alex said. “Too bad, you know, as he had rather significant qualities. He could have gone far with me.”
“He’ll go far without you.”
“He’s a fool with no future.”
“That’s your opinion.”
“The only opinion that matters.” Alex smoothed his hair, adjusted his tie. “Now why don’t you tell me the truth about your mother.”
“I did. She’s sick. She’s in bed.”
“You’d better not be lying to me.”
“I talked to Gina.”
Alex stiffened and inhaled a sharp breath. “And?”
“She told me about the baby.”
“That girl needs to learn the value of silence.”
“You can’t force her to have an abortion,” Lauren said.
“I am not forcing her to do anything.”
“She’s carrying your baby, which is disgusting enough. But now you’re even refusing to support her through it.”
“Support her? I have no reason to believe that child is even mine.”
“You know it’s your baby.”
“That girl is a whore who seduced me.”
“Seduced you? Oh please!”
“The issue is none of your concern,” Alex said. “It will be handled and you will stay out of it. Do you understand me?”
Alex’s tone left no room for argument. Lauren fell silent. Her heart began to race as she turned onto the street she’d grown up on. At the top of the hill, her father’s prized custom-built colonial home stood out in the gray sky. Set back from the road, the hill sloping down beyond it, the place always looked serene. Looks certainly were deceiving.
Lauren pulled into the driveway and coasted to a stop. Her foot stayed on the brake, the motor running. “I’ll pop the trunk for you,” she said.
“You could start by shutting the car off,” Alex said.
“I can’t stay.”
“I think you can.” Alex reached over and pushed the gear into park. “Shut the engine off, Lauren.”
“I have to go to work.”
“I need help with my bag.” Alex’s cold stare bore into her. “Besides, I’m sure you’ll want to check on your mother.”
Lauren reluctantly switched off the engine. She’d carry the bag in, then make a quick escape. Alex used the remote on his key chain to open the garage door. His car was the only one inside. He gave Lauren a pointed look. “Your mother isn’t home,” he said.
“I guess not.”
Alex strode to the front door, unlocked it, and pushed it open. His posture was rigid, his jaw set. “Where would such a sick woman have gone?”
“Probably to the doctor.”
Alex’s eyebrows raised but he made no comment. Lauren set his bag and briefcase down in the living room. “I have to go,” she said. “I don’t want to be late.”
“The bag does me no good down here,” Alex said. “Carry it to the bedroom for me.”
Lauren’s stomach twisted into a tight knot. Her mother had left the note propped on her father’s pillows. The last place she wanted to be was upstairs with him when he found it. She hadn’t stopped to think about how suspicious he would be when her mother didn’t show up at the hospital to get him. Or to visit him last night. She and her mother had been so happy to have finally made the move, neither had truly thought this through. Why hadn’t she listened to Jesse?
Knowing it was useless to argue and would only raise her father’s suspicions if she refused, Lauren swallowed back her anxiety. “I’ll run the bag upstairs,” she said. “You’ve got lots of mail on your desk, if you want to sort through it.”
Alex said nothing. He stood in the foyer watching as Lauren grabbed his bag and lugged it up the stairs. She hurried down the hall, dropping it inside her parents’ bedroom. The envelope caught her eye, with her father’s name scrawled across the front in black ink. Her mother had kept the note brief. She’d placed it on the pillow and they’d shared a sense of relief. They had both succeeded in escaping. Or so they had thought. She would succeed at nothing if she didn’t get moving.
Lauren spun around to leave and was startled to find her father behind her. His eyes had been on the note as well. He said, “A note from your mother.”
“I guess.” Lauren swallowed past a lump in her throat. “I’ll leave you alone to -”
“You’re not going anywhere.”
Alex strode to the bed and grabbed the envelope. He moved with remarkable quickness, considering he’d recently been shot and had surgery. Lauren had a crazy urge to run. Like she was a criminal. The glare in her father’s eyes told her that she wouldn’t get far.
Alex offered a cold smile. “Let’s go down to the living room and read this together.”
“I really think it’s better if you read it alone,” Lauren said. “I have to get to work. I’m already late.”
“Work can wait.”
Lauren’s heart thumped wildly as she trudged down the stairs with her father close behind. He steered her into the living room. “Make yourself comfortable,” he said.
Once Lauren was seated, Alex tore open the envelope and slid out the note paper. Her mother had used her fancy stationery. Red roses bordered the edges and her name was embossed in gold on the top. She’d left the remaining sheets and matching envelopes behind.
Alex scanned the words, his expression barely changing. He’d always been a master at concealing emotion. Lauren sat rigid, twisting her ring, wishing she’d listened to Jesse.
Alex blew out a heavy breath. He crumpled the letter and tossed it onto the coffee table. “Where is she?”
“I don’t know.”
“Do not lie to me again.”
Alex stepped closer, until he was hovering directly over Lauren. His presence was not at all diminished by his injury. She forced herself to sit straight and meet his icy blue glare. She said, “I don’t know where she is.”
Alex glared until Lauren finally looked away. His voice was strangely calm when he spoke. “I will find her regardless of what you do or do not tell me,” he said. “However, if you make this harder than it needs to be, you will both regret your choices.”
“It doesn’t matter where she is,” Lauren said. Her voice managed to hold a confidence she didn’t feel. “She got a restraining order yesterday. You can’t go near her.”
For a moment Alex stood perfectly erect, perfectly calm. His eyes narrowed, his body tensed. “That’s impossible,” he murmured. “I would have known.”
“Maybe you don’t have quite as many connections as you thought.”
Suddenly Alex whirled around, sweeping his good arm across the fireplace mantle. Porcelain and crystal flew against the walls and carpet, smashing into hundreds of pieces. “Was this your idea?” he asked.
Lauren focused on her breathing. She wanted to scream. She told herself to simply get up and leave. But she knew it would not be that easy.
“That bitch!” Alex stormed across the room. He yanked a crystal lamp from an end table and smashed it against the wall. “You call her and tell her to come home this instant.”
Lauren stood on shaky legs. She moved two small steps toward the foyer. “I’ll talk to her.”
“Sit down! You aren’t going anywhere.”
Just then the front door slammed shut. Jesse strolled into the living room. He glanced briefly at Lauren, then focused on Alex. He said, “I guess you didn’t hear me knocking.”
“What the hell are you doing in my home?” Alex said.
“I’ve been waiting for Lauren,” Jesse said calmly. “She’s late.”
“Get out!”
Jesse took Lauren’s trembling hand. “No problem.”
“She stays.”
“No way.”
Alex glared at Jesse, though he moved no closer. “This is family business,” he said. “Get out before I have you arrested.”
“Been there, don’t that,” Jesse said. “And I have to say it was better than when you had me jumped.”
“I do not find you humorous.”
Jesse gently nudged Lauren toward the door, his attention focused on Alex. He said, “You probably would have found me quite humorous had you seen me sprawled in the alley the other day. Or maybe you did?”
Lauren stepped backward, afraid to look, afraid not to. Jesse’s voice was so calm, so relaxed. But she felt the tension in his muscles. This could end horribly.
“Lauren, don’t do this,” Alex said. “You leave now and the outcome is on your shoulders. I trust you understand me.”
Jesse said, “The outcome will be that she’ll live happily ever after.”
Lauren squeezed Jesse’s hand. In the next instant they were out the door, breathing fresh, cold air
Alex followed them to the door. His jaw was set tight, his eyes narrow, drilling a hole through Lauren. He said, “Just remember, young lady, you have to live with this decision and all that it brings.”
Jesse ushered Lauren to her car. “Are you okay to drive?” he asked.
Lauren nodded. “Thank you for not listening to me.”
“No problem.”
“I don’t know what would have happened if you hadn’t come.”
“Don’t worry about that now,” Jesse said. “Let’s just get out of here.”
26
The bitterly cold rain came down in a torrent. Jesse dodged the puddles as he made his way across the parking lot. He stepped into his office, stripped off his dripping leather jacket, and hung it on the coat rack. He pulled his Glock from the waistband of his jeans and tucked it into the top drawer of his desk. He rarely carried his gun with him. However, recent events told him it might be
wise to keep a little protection around.
Yawning, he plopped into his chair. Too damn early. He hated getting up with the sun. But he was knee deep in this mess with Covington. Consequently, his paying clients had fallen by the wayside. He had actual work he needed to catch up on.
Two bottles of root beer and an hour of paperwork later, Jesse leaned back and stretched. Time to get out in the world. If he could finish up this case for the Walleston’s today, then –
Damn phone. He’d been enjoying the silence. The office was not yet officially open. Dawn wasn’t due for another hour. He groaned, irritated with the interruption. He’d ignore it if the damn noise wasn’t making his head throb. Deciding it was too early for business formalities, he answered with a simple hello.
“Ryder?”
“Yeah?”
“How long will it take you to get to The Harbor Inn?”
Jesse didn’t need to ask who it was. Dominic Forenzi’s grainy voice was unmistakable. But The Harbor Inn? “Why?”
“Room 211. You’ve got half an hour.”
For a moment Jesse sat holding the buzzing phone. The Harbor Inn. Not the type of place he’d expect Forenzi to hang out. Something was up. Could be that Forenzi was looking for a way out and wanted to meet someplace safe. Could be something else entirely.
Jesse retrieved his gun and tucked it back into the waistband of his jeans. He tugged on his still damp jacket and stepped out into the pouring rain. “Damn weather,” he muttered.
The windshield wipers did little to combat the large drops falling at a furious rate. Drivers slowed to barely moving in some spots, while in others cars sped past him practically hydroplaning across the highway. The trip to The Harbor Inn took twenty-seven minutes. The parking lot was crammed with BMWs, Mercedes, and Jaguars. All gleaming and looking as if they’d been driven fresh from the dealership. Jesse was forced to park in the back and jog through the downpour to the hotel’s entrance.
By the time he made it inside, he was drenched and irritated. The smell of fresh hot breakfasts from the hotel’s restaurant filled the lobby. His stomach rumbled. Now he was drenched, irritated, and hungry.
Outside room 211, Jesse stood quietly, listening. The local TV station’s newscaster announced flooded roads. No other voices. Nothing unusual. That didn’t necessarily mean a thing. Forenzi was, after all, expecting him. He sighed, wondering what he was getting himself into this time. Then he knocked firmly on the door.
