“I’ll make this brief. Remember I mentioned the Texas Hold’em tournament? Well, Jules and I are flying to Vegas, so we can get in a little gambling before the fun begins.”
“Nana.” Sam shook her head. “You know absolutely nothing about this man. He could be a crazed killer.”
“My darlings, people our age don’t get ‘crazed’ over anything. Besides, he’s a perfect gentleman. And he’s interested in buying The Cage.”
Linc stared at the cell. What the hell was Ruth doing out peddling The Cage to the Smythe company?
“Nana, you’re on speaker. Linc and I are going through some of Charlie’s files.”
“Hello, Linc. Are you taking good care of my granddaughter?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Linc, I understand you’re interested in buying The Cage. Surely you understand that it’s not personal. I’m just looking out for Samantha’s best interests.”
“I understand completely.” He understood just fine. He understood that her interference could cause him the damn restaurant.
“Excellent. Samantha, Jules’ son, Dylan, will be in touch with you in the morning. He’s sweetened the pot by offering to buy the restaurant and the house. Isn’t it exciting?”
“I can’t do anything legally yet; besides, I have an offer.” Sam squirmed in her chair.
“Better to get as much out of the property as you can, and this company has money. I have to run. Love you.”
“Damn,” Sam muttered under her breath as she punched the button to end the call. “I’m sorry. She doesn’t mean to start trouble.” She stuffed the phone back in her purse.
“No problem.” Linc did his best to not show his irritation. He picked up a file and glanced through it.
“Thanks for being so understanding.”
“You might find this interesting.” He handed her a manila folder. “It’s Charlie’s medical receipts and a few lab reports.”
“You were very chipper when you got here. I’m sorry my grandmother ruined your good mood. Why were you so pleased?”
Her eyes invited him to stay. “I got a great report from the doctor today. Two more weeks and she’ll release me.”
“Your face lights up when you talk about going back to work. You really love it, don’t you?” She leaned back in her chair, curiosity filled her eyes.
“It’s who I am.”
“Tell me. I’d like to understand.”
Oddly enough, he wanted her to know how important his job was to him. “It’s hard to describe. A lot of people know the definition of loyalty, duty, respect, honor, and integrity, but sometimes they don’t really believe in them. My father is not only a believer, he lives by those principles. I guess I carried those beliefs with me to the military and then the FBI.”
She tilted her head. “Have you always known what you wanted to do with your life?”
“Yeah. I started preparing long before graduating from high school. After I earned my criminal justice degree, I joined the military, and was recruited by the bureau and sent to Quantico. I’ve travelled a lot while on assignment, but California — close to family — is home.”
“You never know where you’ll be, where you’ll sleep, or if you’ll sleep. Or if you’ll live through the day. Right?”
“That’s a bit of dramatization. Occasionally we find ourselves knee deep in alligators, but that’s life.”
“You love it. The danger, the demands it puts on you. Don’t you?”
“It’s all I ever wanted to do.”
“If you could bottle your enthusiasm and sell it…they’d have to turn recruits away. I can’t imagine wanting to put myself in harm’s way. But your face lights up when you talk about returning to work. Your voice fills with passion and excitement.”
Her expression of interest made him feel like he could conquer almost anything. He saw pride in her eyes, and was both pleased and a little astounded.
“I believe you do.” He resisted the urge to pull her from the chair into his arms. He wanted to know more about her. “What about you? What do you want to be when you grow up?”
“Oh man, now you’ve put me on the spot. My career path hasn’t been as glamorous as yours.” She looked away as if lost in thought. “I envy you. Having always known what you wanted to do with your life, that’s impressive. I don’t remember giving much thought to a career. I was the class nerd, the geeky kid who was good with numbers. I wound up in accelerated math classes. I attended Baylor University and graduated with an accounting degree. Not very romantic, is it?”
“Charlie said you were a big shot at some financial company. He was very proud. He loved to brag that you got your smarts from him.” Sam rolled her eyes, confusing Linc. “So, are you a big-time stock broker? I could use some solid tips on building my portfolio.”
“Charlie exaggerated,” she scoffed. “I’m a loan officer at a bank that has been struggling. I worry I’ll get caught in the next cut…” She stopped talking and leaned back in the chair.
Linc marveled a reality spread across her face. “You never have to worry about a cutback again.”
“Oh my God,” she said with a giggle. “You’re right. I just realized, I won’t have to set my alarm. Or get up at five to miss the morning traffic.” Tears filled her eyes. “No more money worries.”
“But if I need help balancing my check book, I can come to you, right?” Linc couldn’t handle tears. If she cried, he’d pull her out of that chair into his arms.
“That I can do.” She laughed at his question.
“I’ll keep that in mind. On occasion, you’ll find me scratching my head over some expenditure that I don’t remember.”
“I have a feeling you keep everything in your life under control without anyone’s help.”
“One more reason I need to steer clear of you,” he said feeling way too comfortable with her.
“Me? What does that mean?” Her eyes widened.
“When I look at you, I don’t see that nerd you referred to. I see a beautiful, strong, sexy woman. Damn it, Sam. I want you. You know it, and I know it. But there’s no future in it, for either of us. But especially for you.” Damn, he wanted to take her right here in the restaurant. He pushed away from the desk, turning for the door.
“What if I’m not looking that far out?”
His feet froze to the floor at her words. Turning around, his brain doubted what his ears had heard. “Now I’ll ask your question. What does that mean?”
“What if I don’t want you to go?” Her gaze shifted away for a second, but when her eyes met his, she almost knocked down his last reserve. “Would the world come to an end if we made love?” The desire on her face slammed into his libido. He was instantly hard and aching.
“I hardly think so.” He went to her, crouched in front of her, and then cupped her face in his hands. “Sam, you deserve so much more than I can offer. All I can offer is a right-now romance.”
“I had more than that, and it ended badly, so…” Her eyes flicked away from him. She pulled from his grasp.
“I’m sorry somebody hurt you.” He could almost see a wall go up. He had to give her a way out. “I don’t want to be the guy who hurts you again. Be sure this is what you want.”
“We should keep this uncomplicated. Go finish your run. I’ll call a cab when I’m done here.” She turned her body away from him and began sorting through folders as if he wasn’t there.
“I’ll call the cab and stay until you’re safely on your way.” He went up front, used the phone and waited until her ride drove into the lot. “Your ride’s here.”
“On my way,” she called out, emerging from the hall.
Linc waited until she’d locked the door and the cab had driven away. Then he jogged into the ocean, diving into the first wave. He swam through the darkness, put his therapy to the test, taking long strokes and pushing hard against the water. Stroking and breathing, he surged forward until his arms and legs ached. He turned around and swam back to s
hore, riding the shallow, late night waves. He walked onto the dry sand, shook his head like a dog, considered growling like one, and stood looking at the dim light in The Cage before turning and sprinting toward home. At least the intense exercise had eliminated the hard-on he’d taken into the water with him.
For a split second, she’d wanted him. What the hell was wrong with him? He should’ve taken her right then, right there in the darkness of the restaurant. Well, why hadn’t he?
CHAPTER 11
Leo opened the door to the storage closet and staggered into the hall. With no vents, the space might as well have been an oven. Sweat ran like swift rivers from his every pore and showed no signs of slowing down. Every inch of his body ached from setting immobile on the floor for so long. He moved through the dark into his office, collapsed into his desk chair, and took the first easy breath he’d taken in hours.
Samantha had almost caught him working on the second set of books. He’d had only a couple of minutes to put The Cage’s in the drawer, stuff the ones tracking the Smythe money into his briefcase and hide in that damn closet. A closet that hadn’t been built to accommodate a human body. With hardly any room to breathe, he’d wedged himself inside and pulled the door closed.
Leo stretched his arms toward the ceiling, hoping the deep indents of his briefcase where he’d held it squashed against his chest would go away. He pulled his shirttail up and mopped the sweat from his face.
He’d heard every word exchanged between Samantha and Linc. For a minute, he’d thought he’d have a front row seat while those two had sex in Charlie’s office. He didn’t give a damn who either of them fucked, but not while Leo hid in the closet about to smother.
If there was any good to being almost caught, he’d heard enough to know that Linc and Samantha were not going to quit digging.
Leo had never been much of a fighter, but he’d been good at bluffing. He’d bluffed his way through college by half studying. He’d bluffed his way into some of the biggest poker games in the United States by knowing when to bet or fold. He’d bluffed his way into Jen’s bed by promising her a life of luxury. No way was his current string of bad luck at the tables going to cost him his woman. He’d keep laundering money or whatever it took to keep her happy.
Finally, calm enough to walk, he left the restaurant and started the hike to his car parked half a mile away.
He had almost reached his destination when an approaching car stopped behind him. Whirling, he dropped his briefcase, the clasp popped open, and paperwork scattered. The wind picked up the pages and blew them across the pavement. His heart leapt to his throat as he fell to his knees, frantically grabbing and stuffing them inside the case.
“I’m so sorry.” Sylvia’s voice came from behind him. “I stopped to offer you help, not startle you.”
Leo lifted his head and saw the waitress standing over him. She ran into the street and began picking up his pages.
“No. Leave them. I’ll get them.”
“Nonsense. I caused this, I’ll help. Did your car break down?”
“I’m fine. Just go on about your business.” She didn’t respond, sending chills through his system.
Leo stood and faced Sylvia. A frown had darkened her face as she held pages in front of the headlights on her car. He rushed to her, jerking them from her hands. His mind was spinning. How much did she understand about what she was looking at? A strange calm washed over him.
“I’m glad you stopped. What are you doing out so late?”
“I played hooky from work to have drinks with an old friend. You won’t tell, will you?”
“Never.” Leo pretended to zip his mouth closed. “Not on pain of death.”
“You worked awful late. What’s up?”
“I was straightening up the mess from the break in and found some curious accounting files. I decided to take them home and try to figure them out.”
She nodded as if she understood. “I see.”
“Speaking of drinks, I’ll buy if you give me a ride. I’ll have somebody come after my car tomorrow.”
“Sure thing.” Sylvia walked to her car.
Leo got in. Again, he clutched his faulty briefcase to his chest. She just sat there, looking at him. She knew. She’d seen too much.
“What’s wrong,” he asked.
“I don’t know where you want to go.”
He laughed, hoping it sounded real. “Get on the highway and take the Miller exit.”
“Got it.”
Sylvia dropped the gear into drive not knowing that tonight, drinks with her friend would be her last. She chattered like a fucking monkey while he decided where to dump her body.
****
Linc finished his workout, showered, and dressed. He’d spent the morning on the phone talking with the few people that he’d hoped Charlie might have confided in before his death, but his frustration had grown with each call. Nobody had even considered that the death might have been murder. Worse yet, not one person had information he could use.
He grabbed his shoes and made the trip down the beach to the restaurant. The crew had been on edge since Charlie’s death. One couple had quit, fearing an abrupt shut down and there were rumors of a waitress who had started job shopping. Linc understood. She needed to know whether or not she was going to have a job.
It came as no surprise when a cab pulled into the lot, stopped, and let Sam off at the front door. He’d kicked himself all night for not taking her home with him. Today’s cab ride meant she was either embarrassed or pissed.
He waited for her at the front door. “I would’ve come after you.”
“This way was easier on both of us.”
So she was pissed. “About last night.”
Her eyes narrowed. “It never happened.” She walked past him.
Linc had to clear the air. He’d hurt her and that had not been his intention. That thought was squashed when Maggie stopped them both. “We’re shorthanded. Sylvia is a no show.”
“I’ve been afraid we’d lose a few employees,” Linc said. “But not her.”
“You think she’s found another job?” Sam asked.
“Sylvia’s not the type to just quit. I’m guessing she’s sick or something came up. We’ll make do.” He paused and turned his to Sam. “I’m sorry. You’re the boss. What do you want to do?”
“I did okay the other night. I’ll take her spot.”
“You sure you’re up to it?” He hoped she’d take his challenge. He wanted her to learn how difficult the restaurant business could be. Maybe then she’d sell to him.
“Of course.” She glared at him. “We can’t shut the place down. Customers can’t show up and find the doors locked with no explanation; they might not come back.”
“It will cost you and the restaurant if you’re caught.”
“So you’ve said. I’ll risk it.”
That she cared about the business pleased him immensely.
She frowned up at him. “What’s so funny?”
Caught smiling, he scrambled for an answer. “How’s the twitch?”
“What twitch? I don’t know what you’re talking about.” She looked at him as if he were insane.
“Sure you do. Did it start before you arrived in California or after?” He’d spent years reading people and her tell had been easy to spot. She’d almost rubbed that eyelid off her face since arriving.
“Easy guys. Take your argument behind closed doors,” Maggie scolded them both.
“We’re not arguing.” Sam walked past him, without saying another word.
Maggie patted him on the back. “You two make the perfect pair.”
“Hush,” Linc growled. “You’ll give me nightmares.”
Sam waited for him at the bar. “I bow to your expertise. Tell me what you want me to do.”
“Crowd’s light.” He raked his hand through his hair. “All you have to do is ask Hector and he’ll stay. That way Dave can work out front. He can do everything I do.” Linc had to tell
her about his doctor’s visit. “Here’s the thing. I won’t be around much after the doctor releases me in a couple of weeks.”
A flicker of disappointment passed behind her eyes. “Oh, I get it. You’re reminding me that you won’t work here any longer.”
“Dave would make a great manager. He’s a rock, knows a lot about the business, and he loves this place.”
Linc sensed that she had something else on her mind. Maybe she wanted to talk about last night. Whatever it was it hung out there waiting to be said. She pulled in a deep breath, and Linc braced himself. He’d go back to work soon. It’s what he wanted. So why was he half hoping she’d ask him to stay?
“I’ll speak with Dave tonight.”
Her statement, the coolness of it, snapped him back to reality. Slice it any way he tried, she was right. “He’ll do a good job.”
“In the meantime, until I figure out what I’m going to do, I need your help. Can I count on you?” The corners of her mouth lifted slightly.
“Of course you can. If I’m anything, it’s dependable,” he said, feeling a sting he’d never experienced before. “You’ll want to talk to the staff. I’ll back you up.”
****
Samantha turned on a smile. Her heart weighed at least a hundred pounds, weighting her chest down. What had she expected? She’d sent him away last night and he appeared no worse the wear, while she hadn’t slept a wink. She needed to go home before she lost what pride she had left and dragged him to the nearest bed.
Most of the customers were outside on the patio having drinks, enjoying the beautiful weather. She and Linc took advantage of the opportunity to talk schedules and extra hours with the crew.
“Please believe me that nobody is closing The Cage. A change in ownership? Yes.” She glanced at Linc, who had leaned against the bar with Hector, Dave and Maggie standing close to him. “You could be reporting to a new manager soon. But I hope we can stick together and stay open. We’re shorthanded today and any extra time you can give us will be appreciated. We need your help.”
Linc stepped forward. “We always stick together.”
A chorus of “yes” and “you bet” filled Samantha with pride. Dave joined Linc by her side.
Till The Dead Speak (Killer Affections Book 2) Page 10
