Echoes

by Angela Verdenius

  But it had been worth it. Pushing to her feet, she stepped over Boof into the kitchen, dropping the keys onto the bench. Taking out a clean bowl, she opened a can of sardines and prawn in jelly, scooped it into a clean bowl and placed it on the floor for him.

  He might have pretended scorn just minutes ago but right now he was happily slurping it down.

  Leaving him to his breakfast, Ella stripped off her clothes and stepped into the shower. The hot water beat deliciously down upon her. Muscles she hadn’t used in a long time ached decadently, thighs twinging a little.

  With a small smile she soaped up, rinsed off, shampooed and conditioned her hair. As the fragrant bubbles were chased down the plug hole by the water, she stretched luxuriously. She’d spent the rest of the night sleeping in Ryan’s bed, securely cradled in his arms. He’d woken her twice with hungry kisses, firm hands, taking her first with tender desire, the second time with fiery passion. Both times he’d left her panting, wrung out, so deliciously spent. Her heart so full.

  She knew he’d been reluctant to let her leave but she’d insisted. Boof was waiting for her and she had things to do. If she wanted to eat, she had to shop.

  In the doorway, Ryan had looked over her head at something she hadn’t been able to see, but then he’d dropped his eyes back to her, smiled slightly, leaned down and kissed her before ordering quietly, “Wait a minute.”

  It was as she’d waited in his doorway that she remembered there was a bodyguard somewhere watching her at all times. Which meant they’d seen her enter Ryan’s house and not leave all night.

  Great. Walk of shame. She’d actually blushed a little. Ryan had cast her an odd glance when he returned, but then amusement had quirked his lips slightly.

  “Stop it.” She lightly slapped his bare chest.

  Ryan actually laughed, a low rumble that was a little, well, rusty, as though he’d never laughed much. Probably hadn’t, she thought. But rather than tease her, he’d reached down, slid his hand under the hem of her shirt and into her pocket, plucked out her keys and threaded two keys onto the key ring. At her raised eyebrows, he’d handed the keys back to her. “My house keys.”

  “Oh.” She was suddenly a little flustered.

  “My home is your home.” His eyes had lingered on her face. “You can come and go as you please. Move in.”

  Oh boy, not going to touch that last one. Not yet.

  “Well…thanks.” Ella had cleared her throat. “Um, I’d give you my keys but I only have one set on me so I’d not be able to get into my house.”

  Ryan had just smiled.

  “Okay, gotta go. Boof is waiting.” Turning, she’d quickly gone down the steps and beat a retreat to her car sitting in his wide driveway.

  Her last sight of him had been of a tall, broad-shouldered man leaning against a veranda post watching her drive away.

  Rubbing her hair dry, she knew she’d also needed some space to just absorb what had transpired between them. There was no doubts in her mind now, no fears, she wanted this - wanted them - but the night had been emotionally arduous. Time to recoup and regroup. Time to absorb the changes that had occurred, that affected her whole life.

  The future was suddenly bright, rosy, but they still had a ways to go. It would still take work, as with any relationship. It wasn’t just going to magically be perfect.

  Ella grinned wryly. She and Ryan were far from perfect.

  And there was still the spectre of those bastards and the underage girls to be sorted. Which reminded her, she had to check in with Rose.

  After dressing in a skirt and blouse topped with a thin cardigan, she slid into a pair of Mary Janes, bundled her hair into a loose bun and grabbed her shoulder bag. Taking out the burner mobile, she nibbled her bottom lip thoughtfully. Should she call Rose now? A glance at the clock and she debated. Rose was probably at uni today. She’d call her a little later.

  Locking the house, she got into the car, slid the key into the ignition just as the burner mobile rang. Only one person had that number.

  Looked like the decision was made.

  Winding down the window, she flicked it on. “Hi, Rose.”

  “Hey, Ella,” Rose replied. “How’s it going?”

  “Okay this end. I was debating whether to ring you now or later.”

  “Most times are good times to ring.” Rose paused. “Well, except at the dinner table. That’s never a good time.”

  “Yeah, I reckon. Listen, I can’t apologise enough for what happened.”

  “I told you, it’s not your fault. Sooner or later the feds were going to pick up on us.”

  Ella sighed.

  “We’re lucky we lasted as long as we did. And you know…”

  “We should have gone to them earlier?”

  “I feel a right dill.”

  Ella frowned. “You did what you felt was right, Rose. Like I did. I don’t regret it.”

  There was silence for several seconds before her friend said, “Me neither.”

  “How’s it going? How are the feds handling this?”

  “They’re being nice abut it. Also, I don’t see a guard but I know I’m being tailed. They told me.”

  “Tailed? How quaint. Also, that paints a very disturbing mental image.”

  “They can’t tail me like that, I sit on my tail. All the time, remember?”

  “Yeah, but you can do wheelies in that wheelchair. Impressive wheelies.”

  Rose laughed.

  Ella relaxed, resting one elbow on the window sill. “So, apart from wheelies and tailing, how’s it going?”

  “Not too bad. I’ve been working with a couple of feds, giving them the information I have. They have my computer, downloaded everything I had including the tracking of where I go on the web for info.”

  “The Dark Web.”

  “Not a nice place.”

  “How do you do it, Rose? I never thought much about it before, but it’s a grim place.”

  Rose paused briefly. “Let’s not go there, okay? I’m fine. I get through it. But to be honest, it’s good to be able to hand that stuff over to experts who can delve into it and leave it more mentally together than I’ve done a time or two.”

  “I’m sorry.” Guilt tugged at Ella. “I should have helped you.”

  “Are you kidding me?” Rose snorted. “You’d have left great honking footprints all over the web, Dark or not. Nah, she’s cool, Ella. I know what I’m doing, I’m okay. I’m still finding out things and handing it to the feds, things I find in Dad’s study, things I overhear.”

  Ella idly watched Mrs Featherstone walk down her garden path to pick up the newspaper lying on her lawn. “How close are we to finishing this?”

  “I’m not sure. I found something today. I’m going to meet Fran and Carlson at a little café, give them what I have. Have a nice cup of coffee and some cake, shoot the shit-”

  “Shouldn’t that be ‘shoot the breeze’?”

  “Trust me, its shoot the shit. Carlson is a hoot.”

  Ella grinned. “Is that a crush I’m hearing?”

  “The man’s hot. He has a gun, a badge, and a bulge in his trousers that makes me want to climb out of my chair and into his lap.”

  “That’s even more disturbing.”

  “Me climbing out of my chair?”

  “That you’d actually tell me all this.”

  “Hey, girl’s got to get her jollies where she can.”

  “You are so bad.”

  “Thank you.”

  “You think that was a compliment?”

  “You think it wasn’t?”

  They laughed.

  Suddenly, something Rose said hit Ella and she frowned. “Overheard? You’re overhearing your father talking about this club?”

  “I heard him talking to one of his cronies. I was on the landing just outside. He didn’t hear me because I had the wonky wheel on my wheelchair fixed so I can skim around in silence now. He had the study door cracked open the tiniest bit so I stopped and l
istened.”

  “Cripes, Rose, you have to be careful. What if they’d opened the door?”

  “I’d have burst into tears and told Daddy dearest that my leg hurts.”

  “You don’t have feelings in your legs!”

  “I know. So that’d certainly cause a stir and sidetrack him, wouldn’t it?”

  “Oh geez.” Closing her eyes, Ella pinched the bridge of her nose.

  “Chill out, sister.”

  “Rose-”

  “It’s all good.”

  “Argh!”

  “Change of subject. How’s Boof?”

  “Doing fine. Subject changed back. Do not take such dangerous chances and-”

  “Subject change! Met a man yet?”

  “You can’t just-”

  “Can. Did.”

  “Rose-”

  “Oohh, look! Gotta go. My taxi’s here to take me to meet my lover-boy and share intimate secrets with him.”

  “Oh boy.”

  “I’ll ring again. ‘Bye!” Rose hung up.

  Swearing beneath her breath, Ella turned the mobile off and dropped it into her bag. Rose took chances, she always had done, but that had been when no one was in the house. To linger outside the door when her father and an associate, both in the perverse club, were talking was a huge risk.

  She and Rose had trodden a dicey path before but had always been careful. With several of the club members having been taken in by the law it was getting dangerous. Was Rose getting too reckless? But then, overhearing info was too good an opportunity to let pass. She just hoped her friend was being careful. Really careful.

  To be truthful, she felt like she was sitting on the outside looking in, Rose still working with the feds while she…well, she sat safely on the other side of the country with bodyguards and yes, her own personal bodyguard in Ryan. No chances, no dicing with danger. After doing all the travelling, the planning with Rose, the meetings, the secret phone calls, she was down to sitting safely on the sidelines while her friend continued.

  Annoyance crept in, guilt, a feeling of being left out. Scowling, she slammed one hand on the steering-wheel, dropping her head back against the seat and swearing softly. She should be happy the feds were onto it, that they’d be able to catch every bastard, but she’d wanted to be the one to dob a certain few in. Two she’d succeeded in doing, but - “Argh!” She gave the steering-wheel another thump before abruptly turning the key in the ignition.

  What was done was done, couldn’t be undone. She just hadn’t thought it would affect her this way. How idiotic was that on her part? How selfish? What about those underage girls being used, disappearing, murdered? They took priority over her own revenge.

  “Shit.” Gritting her teeth, feeling even lousier, Ella pulled out of the driveway and onto the street.

  This wasn’t just about her anymore, she had to get used to it. She’d been one of the main cogs in the wheel, now she was a minor cog. Suck it up, Ella. The outcome outweighs your own ego.

  Sounded good. Still felt like shit.

  ~*~

  Driving to the shopping centre, Ryan contemplated how much things had changed so quickly yet seemed so long as well. From the moment he’d set eyes again on his Ella, he’d wanted her back in his life.

  He’d gotten his wish. His dream, really.

  He actually smiled. The night had been nothing short of miraculous, not just the sex, but the closeness, the sharing. Yes, most of the conversation had been hard, there was no arguing that, but it had been necessary. But after…that closeness…magic. Most importantly, his Ella had agreed to trying again. That was a gift he wasn’t going to destroy.

  However, regardless of how things had changed for the better, there were still, as Ella had pointed out, everyday things to do. Housework, shopping and gardening were there even for the most mercenary of men.

  Unless you were an utter pig, which Ryan certainly wasn’t. He liked things neat, tidy, everything in its place and that included the yard. He also found it therapeutic, something most men he knew disputed. Except maybe Aaron. But then Aaron, like himself, could be considered an oddity.

  Ryan didn’t care.

  One of the first things he put into his trolley was a carton of Diet Coke. Ella liked it, and he wanted to ensure she had things she liked in his ‘fridge to help her feel at home.

  He was on his way home when his mobile rang. Noting Aaron’s work number, he pulled over and answered. “Ryan.”

  “Aaron.”

  Ryan waited.

  “Richie is on Ella’s guard detail today. She got into her car, answered her mobile, seemed fine but when she hung up she wasn’t happy.”

  “Define not happy.”

  “Thumped the steering-wheel twice, swore, was plainly frustrated.”

  “Who was the call from?”

  “You know we tapped her normal mobile. This was a burner.”

  His eyes hardened. “Ella is still using a burner phone?”

  “Yes. So was her caller, who has already ditched the burner.”

  “Where did she go after the call?”

  “Shopping. Bought groceries, a newspaper and a magazine at the newsagent along with a couple of books. Drove home. Arrived alone, is still alone. Hasn’t made any calls.”

  “Unless she’s using the burner.”

  “Possibly. Richie could demand information but she could tell him a lie about who called, or she could tell the truth. Alternately, we can search her and the house to find it.”

  “I’m onto it.”

  “I can have him bring her into the office.”

  “No. I’m onto it.”

  “Your call.” Aaron hung up.

  Yes, it was his call. His Ella, his problem. He was level-headed enough not to go into her house with accusations, he would ask for an explanation and assess her reply. He always worked calmly, coolly, and this was no different. He’d deal with her first as a client, then as his lover.

  Pulling into the driveway, he noted the open garage door with her car parked inside. Locking his car, he walked up the steps and knocked on the front door.

  Ella greeted him with mild surprise. “Hey. I didn’t expect to see you so soon.”

  “I didn’t expect to come so soon.” Removing his sunglasses, he slid them into his shirt pocket.

  Studying his face, she pursed her lips. “Hmmm.”

  He waited. There was no hint of guilt in either her stance or expression.

  “You’re annoyed about something.”

  He gazed calmly at her. “Not annoyed.”

  “Is this business or pleasure?”

  “Business first.”

  “Huh.” With a shrug, she stepped back. “Then by all means, let’s do that first.”

  Following her through into the kitchen, he saw her shoulder bag on the kitchen bench, the keys on the hook below the clock, and shopping bags half unpacked. No sign of a burner mobile.

  Folding her arms loosely, Ella leaned her hips back against the kitchen table and waited.

  Coming to a stop several feet from her, Ryan hooked his thumbs into the pockets of his jeans and planted his sneakers apart, adopting a casual stance as he surveyed her.

  She raised an eyebrow.

  Whenever he looked at someone for a length of time, however short, they’d invariably start fidgeting, looking away and avoiding eye contact. But not Ella, she merely arched an eyebrow in silent query. Almost a challenge.

  Cute.

  But not right now. “You’re using a burner mobile.”

  She didn’t hesitate, didn’t blink. “Yep.”

  “Someone spoke to you on the burner and you were upset.”

  “Frustrated,” she corrected. “Upset insinuates I was crying.”

  “Who was on the phone?”

  “Rose.”

  “What did she say?”

  “She was meeting two feds, Fran and Carlson, to share some things she’d found and some things she’d overheard.”

  “What things?�
�

  “No idea. She didn’t tell me.” There was a definite edge of something in Ella’s voice now.

  “Did you ask?”

  “No.”

  “Why the burner phone?”

  “Because we always use burner phones to talk. No one can track us.”

  “Your phones are now tapped for protection from anyone contacting you or attempting to trace you.”

  “True.”

  “It makes it difficult when you use a burner.”

  “Ah.”

  His gaze remained steady, his expression stoic.

  Ella rolled her eyes. “It’s a habit I’m really loathe to give up.”

  “Why?”

  “Because this protects Rose as well.”

  “She’s under surveillance.”

  “Yeah, but she doesn’t have her personal bodyguard sharing her bed, does she?” Her cheeks flushed a little as she added lamely, “Or, you know, a bodyguard to dob her in to you.”

  “Are you blaming a guard for doing his job?”

  “No. Doesn’t mean I don’t want to kick his arse.”

  Instinctively knowing she was telling him the truth, Ryan inwardly relaxed. “Where’s the burner?”

  “Oh, you mean the dobber doesn’t know?” Ella’s eyes widened in mock horror. “Oh, dear me. How shameful. I do hope you take them in hand.”

  He hid his amusement. “I’ll take you in hand in a minute. The burner.”

  “Promises, promises.” Straightening, she crossed to her bag and pulled out the burner mobile, returning to him to drop it into his hand before resting her hips back against the table and linking her fingers loosely in front of her.

  “You didn’t ditch it.” He looked it over.

  “Not yet.” Ella sighed. “Getting a bit slack. Unforgivable, really.” She gave her jaw a thoughtful scratch. “I will next time.”

  “There will be no next time.” He slid the phone into the back pocket of his jeans.

  “Is that so?” Her expression was distinctly annoyed.

  Ryan studied her as he took out his mobile and rang Aaron.

  His boss answered on the first ring. “Report.”

  “She has a burner. Gave it to me. Rose contacted her on it, Rose has information for Carlson and Fran which she didn’t divulge to Ella. Ella has a burner to protect Rose in case someone traces Rose’s calls. Ella is now aware that no more burners are allowed.”