She smiled, truly delighted. “Reed, this is great.” She handed him the rest of her dessert, too full to finish.
He took it, licking at the drips before they could fall. “So you’ll be my date?”
“Sure. I have plans that afternoon, but we can head over around five-ish if that works for you.”
“Five-ish, it is.” His phone rang, playing several notes of “Sexy and I Know It” before he silenced the ringtone and shoved it back in his pocket.
“Wait. Take that back out.”
He stiffened.
“Come on. Let’s see.”
Rolling his eyes, he grabbed it, holding it out to her.
She laughed as she stared at a handsome bearded man with huge broad shoulders, flipping Reed off in the picture. “That’s what I thought I saw.” She laughed again. “Who on earth is this?”
“That’s Joey, my ex-partner and best friend.”
“He looks like quite a character.”
He grinned. “That’s definitely a word for him. He insisted this song be his ringtone. I haven’t gotten around to changing it yet, but I need to.”
She chuckled as they continued their stroll and Reed finished off the rest of her ice cream. “What is it that you and Joey did for the NYPD?”
“We were special unit detectives. Joe and I worked deep cover in a secret operation for seven years.”
“Sounds exciting.”
He bobbed his head from side to side. “It had its moments.”
“I take it the secret operation’s over.”
“For the most part.” He turned them around, starting them toward his truck. “This way, Lucy.”
Lucy followed at Reed’s side.
“We should head back,” he said. “I don’t know about you, but I have to get up early—another flight in the morning.”
She wrinkled her nose. “San Francisco?”
“How’d you guess?”
“That must get old.”
He shrugged. “At least we’re staying for three days this time—big convention.”
“Any more hostile takeovers to worry about?”
“Nah. I’ll be doing a lot of sitting and standing around.”
“Looking tough and intimidating the whole time.”
He huffed out a cocky laugh. “Of course.”
She smiled, loving that Reed was relaxing more and more around her. “Don’t you like working the big premieres and stuff?”
“I’m keeping a low profile for a while. Joey and I had some complications in New York.”
Frowning, she slowed her pace. “Like what?”
“Our cover was blown. Staying away from countrywide broadcasts is a good thing for the time being.”
She stopped. “Are you in danger?”
“No. And I’d like to keep it that way.”
She studied him, worrying for her new friend.
“I’m fine, Bella. It’s just a precaution. Why invite trouble if it’s not knocking on your door?”
She nodded, but she was going to be keeping an eye on him.
Reed’s phone rang again, playing the same ringtone.
“Do you need to get that?”
“Nah. I’ll call him later. He can complain about his day after I get home.”
She grinned as they approached the pickup. “Lucy, come.”
Lucy trotted over.
“Up you go.”
Lucy hopped in and lay in her spot up by the cab.
Reed secured the gate. “She’s got that one down.”
“She’ll forever see your truck as one of her beach mobiles.”
They got in and drove back to their neighborhood in silence as the breeze blew through the window. Bella glanced Reed’s way, studying his profile in the play of shadows. He wasn’t Mr. GQ, but he comforted heartbroken women in parking lots, which was far more important than nice suits and silk ties.
He pulled down their road, then into his driveway. “Home sweet home.”
“Here we are.” She got out as he shut off the engine.
Reed followed her, letting down the back for Lucy. “Out you go, Luce.”
Lucy jumped down and headed toward the house.
“And she’s off for the door,” he said.
She smiled. “Have fun on your trip.” Reaching around him, she pulled his phone out of his back pocket and put her number in his contact list. “If you find yourself falling asleep, don’t be afraid to call. We’ll chat and I’ll keep you awake.”
He smiled. “You may be sorry you did that.” Taking the phone back, he held it up. “Smile.”
She bent down and hugged Lucy, grinning up at him.
He pressed the button and glanced at the shot. “That should do it. And no middle finger.”
“I’m not a middle finger kind of girl.”
“Classy Bella.”
Is that how he saw her? That worked for her. Better than trashy Bella and her prostitute mom. “Thanks again for everything, for being just what I needed tonight.”
“No problem.”
She nodded, snagging her bottom lip with her teeth. Typically, she ended an evening out with friends with a hug, but as she thought of the way he’d held her tight, letting her rest her head on his solid chest, it didn’t seem like a good idea. For the first time since she’d dumped Linc, she felt the click she’d mentioned to Dad. She wasn’t so sure she wanted that type of click with Reed—not when she was enjoying the simplicity they had going on between them. “Good night.”
“Night.”
She let Lucy and herself inside, waved, and shut the door, turning to her puppy. “I don’t know about him, Lucy.”
Lucy wagged her tail.
She crouched down, giving Lucy a good rub. “He’s pretty cute, huh?”
Lucy gave her a kiss.
“Aw, thank you.” She hugged her and pressed a kiss to her neck. “I’m going to go put on my pajamas, and we’ll have a cup of tea. You and I are going to have a long conversation about our buddy next door.”
~~~~
Reed locked up for the night and kicked off his shoes as he dialed Joey’s number.
“How was the chocolate cake, Chef McKinley?”
“We didn’t get around to cooking,” he said as he went upstairs and flipped on the light in his bedroom. “We went to the beach for ice cream instead.”
“Sounds like a date.”
“It wasn’t a date.” He sat in his ratty office chair and opened his laptop. “She was upset. One of the kids she works with at the children’s hospital died today.”
The line stayed silent.
“What?”
“Nothing.”
“She was crying.” He rushed up from his seat and began pacing as tension started squeezing his shoulders. “What was I supposed to do, grab her hand, yank her into a cooking class, and drill her about her father?”
“She’s a beauty, boss. Those kinda looks are dangerous for any man.”
Tonight her tears had been lethal weapons. “I’m not worried about it. We have a job to do.”
“If you’re not worried, I’m not worried.”
“Let’s keep it that way.” Why was this bothering him—Joey’s insinuations; his inability to take Bella’s hand and drag her into a class and question her about her father? Not even a year ago, he would have been able to overlook her heartache. The job would have come first, but tonight his objectivity had been compromised by an unfamiliar need to soothe and comfort.
“I got the phone records,” Joey said.
He clenched his fingers around the phone, already knowing Joey had something he wasn’t going to like. “And?”
“And your dream neighbor’s in deep. She definitely has ties to the mafia. Right in fuckin’ Bensonhurst. You’d think she’d be a little more careful, ya know?”
Reed sat again, trying to equate teary-eyed Bella with the organized crime, and couldn’t. “What the hell are you talking about?”
“I was looking through the phone num
bers. A Brooklyn number kept popping out at me, so I checked on it.”
“What did you get, Joe?”
“She’s frequently in contact with a woman named Luisa De Vitis.”
“Should that ring a bell?”
“Mrs. De Vitis uses her maiden name for business. Asante—”
“Asante? As in Dino Asante, Patrizio’s consigliere?”
“You got it, boss.”
He walked to the window, staring out at Bella’s pretty porch. “What the fuck?”
“Luisa’s running her own beauty place in Bensonhurst. Small—upscale. Looks like they’re just about to open a new building.”
“If Bella’s in contact with Nicoli’s old people, how is she not dead? Killing Bella would be the next best thing to Nicoli.”
“Maybe Nicoli made some sort of deal with them. He might’ve paid them off or something.”
He shook his head. “That doesn’t sit right. Alfeo would’ve taken the money and had her murdered anyway. He wants revenge. That’s no secret. I’m sure the contract on his little brother extends to Nicoli’s daughter as well.” Clenching his jaw, he turned away from the cozy scene outside. “Let’s keep a monitor on that.”
“You’ve got it. So what’s next with the bombshell?”
“We’re going to a wedding on Saturday.”
“Things are moving right along.”
“Yeah. Just the way we want.” He closed his eyes, trying to forget the way Bella felt wrapped in his arms. “I’ve gotta go. Keep me up to date on any more calls.”
“Sure thing.”
He hung up and flung the phone on his bed, finding the rage that had consumed him for a decade rushing back to haunt him. “Goddamn.” He’d had a taste of a normal life. For a couple of months, he’d found a little peace. Now he was stuck in the thick of it all again. Bella was playing with fire by keeping in contact with the people in her father’s old life—or maybe current life—and for the time being, there was nothing he could do to stop it.
Chapter Ten
Bella gave a final stir to the homemade yogurt dip she was whipping up and poured it into the circular platter, being careful not to make a mess. Carrot sticks, broccoli florets, and grape tomatoes were doled into the small trays in an alternating pattern before she grabbed a spoon for the fruit salad she’d made and took the plastic wrap off the black bean brownies Lyla had shared a recipe for. Stepping back, she appraised her presentation in the center of the kitchen table and nodded. “I think that’s it. We’re ready for the girls,” she said to Lucy as she gathered the prep bowls and rinsed them in the sink.
Lucy stood, wagging her tail.
Drying her hands on a clean towel, she glanced at the clock. “They should be here any minute.” She bent down and straightened Lucy’s handkerchief, anticipating a fun, therapeutic afternoon for two of her favorite people. “Thanks for being a good sport about the nail polish remover. Painting your nails is one of their favorite things to do.” She kissed Lucy’s neck. “You’re a good girl.” She kissed her again. “The best.”
A car pulled up, and two doors slammed. Bella smiled and walked to the open front door, waving to Emilia’s aunt as she started backing out of the driveway. Her smile turned into a grin when she spotted her buddies running toward the house. She stepped out into the warm midmorning sunshine and hurried to meet them, crouching down and holding out her arms, eager for their hugs. “And who are these two beauties?”
“Bella!”
The girls moved faster, stepping into her embrace.
She gripped them tight and kissed both of their cheeks, finding the moment all the more special after losing Angela just a couple of days ago. Her dreams of changing lives through medicine had vanished when she couldn’t keep up with her classes, but being a support system for children in need of a little extra TLC was something she could do and loved to be a part of. “You two look wonderful.” She kissed them again, noting that Bianca’s hair was starting to grow in ever so slightly, and Emilia’s suture line where her hand had once been was looking better among the massive scaring covering most of her body, some of the worst of it on her face. “I’ve missed my girls.” She hugged the six-year-olds for a second time. “How are you doing?”
“My hair’s coming back.” Bianca pointed to her bald head. “But it’s probably gonna go away when I have another treatment.”
Bella nodded, not wanting to give Bianca false hope. “Probably, but it won’t stay gone forever.”
“Sometimes I think it will.”
“It won’t. I promise.” She slid her hand over Bianca’s peach fuzz. “Lucy has a couple of cool bandanas for you. They match hers.”
Bianca’s eyes lit up. “Really?”
She nodded. “Really.”
“I’m going to have another surgery on my neck.” Emilia pointed above her tracheostomy tube, where the contracture to her skin was still debilitating. “They’re going to give me more of a chin, and I’m gonna be able to move my head better, maybe like I could before I got burned.”
“That sounds wonderful.” She took Emilia’s hand, giving a gentle squeeze. “Lucy helped me pick out a couple of hair bows for you.”
She smiled. “Lucy’s a good girl.”
“Yes, she is.” She glanced over toward Reed’s place when he walked outside in a sleeveless T-shirt and sweat shorts, carrying car washing supplies in a bucket. Her pulse kicked up a beat as her gaze traveled over his well-muscled arms, remembering how good they felt wrapped around her. She focused on his face instead and the lenses of his sunglasses as she smiled and stood up. “Hey, neighbor.”
The girls looked his way.
He put down his stuff and walked over. “Hi.”
She caught whiffs of his shampoo as the breeze blew his damp hair. “How was your trip?”
“Pretty good.” He crossed his arms and uncrossed them just as quickly. “What do you have going on over here?”
“Some girl time with my very special friends. Reed, this is Bianca and Emilia.”
He held out his hand, giving each of them a handshake. “It’s nice to meet you.”
She smiled, finding him more than a little irresistible when both of the girls grinned. “Girls, Reed is my next-door neighbor and friend.”
“Are you gonna wash your truck?” Emilia wanted to know.
“You bet. It’s a beautiful day.”
“We’re gonna have facials and eat snacks and listen to music,” Emilia added.
“Sounds like quite a party.”
Bianca looked at Bella. “Can we paint Lucy’s nails?”
“I think her feelings would be hurt if you didn’t. I bought a couple of new colors you can choose from. She’s waiting for you.” She gestured to the doorway where Lucy patiently sat. “Should we go say hi?”
Emilia beamed. “It’s one of my favorite parts.”
Bella took both of the girls’ hands as she looked at Reed. “I’ll see you tonight?”
“Yeah. Five o’clock, right?”
She nodded. “Five o’clock.”
“Have fun.”
“We plan to.” She walked with Bianca and Emilia to the house, ready for her afternoon of pampering and pleasantries with the girls.
~~~~
Reed rinsed the suds from his truck, glancing toward Bella’s place as peals of laughter carried through her open French doors. Apparently facials, snacks, and music equated to a damn good time. He could imagine that was exactly the case with his neighbor in charge. Bella seemed to have fun no matter what she did.
He brought the hose around to the front of the vehicle, giving the grill and headlights a good spray, trying to get a bead on Bella Colby. They’d spent several hours together over the last couple weeks, yet nothing about her made any sense. She was nice—incredibly kind. Not even an hour ago, he’d watched her from his kitchen window, crouching down in cutoff shorts and a simple pink T-shirt, embracing two little girls, kissing their cheeks and talking to them while her eyes lit up with
unmistakable delight.
So what was up with the phone calls? Why the hell was she in contact with Luisa Asante, daughter of one of the Caparelli family’s most notorious captains turned consigliere? Rumors painted Dino Asante as a brutal bastard who wasn’t afraid to take care of his boss’s business—he’d just never gotten caught. And by all accounts, Bella was friendly with them. Joey had tracked three more calls to and from Bensonhurst while Reed had been away in San Francisco.
He shut off the water with a bad-tempered twist, staring at the drops falling to the ground as he struggled to figure everything out. She was high-end, living well beyond her means, but she had no debt, which wasn’t jibing, especially when she didn’t rely on the money in her savings account. She kept dangerous mafia ties, yet welcomed ill and disfigured children into her home for skin treatments and dog pampering parties. Lucy’s painted nails now made sense. Bella didn’t spend time on her puppy’s paws. The little girls she helped did.
How could this woman possibly be related to some of the most violent gangsters ever to walk the streets of Brooklyn? And why the hell couldn’t he get her off his mind? Ever since Tuesday night, he’d been thinking about the smell of her hair and the way her smiles made her impossibly more beautiful—details that had nothing to do with the investigation.
The long hug in the parking lot and walk along the beach had been messing with his head, which he had every intention of remedying on their “date” to Julie and Chase’s wedding. Bella wasn’t his girlfriend or lover. She was a means to an end. Tonight, he was going to turn up the heat. It was time to start working toward the answers he and Joey needed. By the time he dropped her off, he planned to have them.
Chapter Eleven
Bella tapped her foot in time with the music playing in the ballroom while she waited in line at the bar. The party was going strong, with several couples living it up on the dance floor now that the dinner plates had been taken away and the vanilla cream wedding cake served.
“What can I get you?” the older woman asked from behind the counter when the patron in front of Bella walked off with his beverage of choice.
“Uh, just a water, please—the biggest glass you have, if you don’t mind.”
“Sure thing, honey.”
Deceiving Bella: Book Eleven In The Bodyguards Of L.A. County Series Page 11
