“Are you the hostess for tonight?”
“I am.”
“Then you have two couples waiting.” His dimples winked as he nodded toward the front door.
“Oh. I’m on my way.”
The night moved even quicker than yesterday. Customers still stopped and chatted with her. Most offered their condolences and shared memories, unaware that she didn’t know the man they spoke about. That was okay. She’d always wanted a big family, and these people made her feel welcome.
Dave waved as he went to the kitchen. A few minutes later, Hector walked up front. He carried a hamburger to the far corner of the patio. Guilt swept around her shoulders like a heavy quilt. She had so much. Even before inheriting a dime, she had a roof over her head and a good job. Yet, Hector, who had so little, smiled and worked hard to send money home.
No way could this man be involved in a murder. Yet she’d suggested Linc add him to the list of suspects.
“Good evening,” a male voice behind her drew her attention.
“Hello. Welcome to The Cage.”
Brown eyes smiled down at her. The corners of his mouth turned upward, flashing perfectly straight teeth at her. His tailored brown slacks and open collar beige shirt highlighted his tan skin. Taller than Samantha, he tilted his head sideways, and looked down at her before abruptly turning his gaze to the ceiling.
“Please, God. Let this woman be Samantha Anderson.”
“I am.” She laughed and recognized the voice from their phone conversation. His English accent was charming. “You must be Dylan Smythe.”
“And this is my lucky day.”
“Please, let me show you to a table.” She led the way to a quiet spot.
“You’ll join me, won’t you?” He took her elbow as if he were escorting her instead of the other way around.
“Yes. Give me a few minutes.” She glanced around, not wanting to over burden the staff.
“Take your time. Allow me to buy you a glass of wine, your choice.”
“Thank you.” She headed for the bar only to find Linc watching.
“I need two glasses of Pinot Noir.” She cursed the heat rushing to her face. Linc's eyes bored into hers, they were icy and dark. Was he jealous?
“Two?” His lips barely moved when he asked the question.
“Two,” she repeated with her sweetest voice. She waited as he poured the wine then shoved them across the bar to her. “Thank you.” Smiling, Samantha rejoined her guest.
“Allow me.” Dylan stood and held her chair.
She appreciated that he didn’t launch right into a sales pitch. He seemed to be sincerely interested in her situation, asking questions about her job in Texas and her plans for the future.
“Have you always worked with your father?” He turned the conversation to him.
“Always, I started fresh out of college.” He leaned toward her. “Even though I came to discuss business, I find myself unable to hold a financial thought. You are quite distracting.”
“Thank you. In all fairness, I should tell you that someone else is interested in buying the business. Truth be told, I’m not in a hurry. When the will is probated, I’ll decide what I want to do.”
“Just remember we’re prepared to pay the full amount of the property appraisal. No haggling. No bargaining. Obviously, we don’t need the house, but we’ll add it to the price. It will be refurbished and then put on the market.”
“Let’s say I sold it to you. What exactly do you plan on doing with The Cage?”
“We might spruce the place up a bit, but there are no firm plans for this building.” He lifted his wine, cupping the glass as if he held a small treasure, and watching her over the rim. “Just remember that the offer won’t be on the table forever.”
“Well,” she laughed in an effort to tamp down her temper. “That sounded like a threat.”
“Not at all. I just don’t want you to miss out on a good thing. Because we’ve hit it off so well, I’ll throw in a bonus for not putting the property on the open market.”
This was a man used to getting what he wanted. Attitude oozed from every pore. Why she didn’t trust him was a mystery, but she felt uncomfortable under his scrutiny. Dylan spun the wine glass slowly between his fingers. Holding it to his nose, he inhaled deeply, before taking a sip.
“How do you know about the appraisal? It only came in this morning?” Samantha couldn’t believe that Ham would have shared the information with anyone.
“A man in my position has his sources.” He leaned across the table closer to her. “It behooves me to know the facts before my competition, so I can beat them to the punch.”
“Is that so?”
“And I always get what I want.” There was that pearly smile again.
“Why do I think you just threatened me again?”
“I never issue threats.” His eyes narrowed. In the blink of an eye, his personality had changed from flirty and gracious to menacing.
“It sounded like one to me.” Her first impression of him being friendly had been way off base.
“Maybe we got off on the wrong foot. I certainly didn’t mean to upset you.” Dylan leaned closer, lowering his voice. “It’s just that you surprised me, by not accepting my offer.”
“The other buyer will take an interest in this restaurant. The crew here meant a lot to my grandfather.” The uneasy feeling in her stomach worsened.
“I can’t imagine why you’d care. It’s like money falling from the sky — a grandfather who didn’t give a damn about you leaves you something worth millions of dollars, which I can turn it into cash.”
“You seem to know an awful lot about me.” She recoiled at Dylan’s knowledge. Nana was a very private person and Samantha couldn’t believe she’d shared that information with anyone. “What you don’t know is that talking down to me isn’t a way to get me to do business with you.”
“If I were you, I’d take the money and run.” His eyebrows rose as if to make a point.
“But you’re not me. You were probably born into money. I wasn’t, and I understand the concerns of the people who depend on this place. It’s their life and their livelihood.” She pushed her chair back and started to rise. Surprising her, he too stood, moving close to her.
“Don’t be unreasonable, Ms. Anderson. I don’t like being told no. It makes me unhappy.” His fingers closed around her wrist.
“I suggest you take your hand off me. Now.”
“Don’t, and you’ll wear it in a cast for the next eight weeks. That will be after they dig it out of your ass.” Linc's voice was low and menacing, his tone deadly.
Samantha glanced over her shoulder. The look on Linc’s face said he wasn’t joking around. He had a gleam in his eyes as if he was enjoying himself.
“This isn’t any of your business.” Dylan’s shoulder’s stiffened, but he released her.
Linc put on hand on her hip and moved her behind him, inserting himself between her and Dylan. She could almost smell the testosterone oozing from both men’s pores as they faced off. Linc had the height and weight advantage, but it didn’t look like Dylan cared. She opened her mouth to speak, but Dave walked up.
“Sir, I’ll have to ask you to leave.” Dave’s voice was low. “Consider the wine on the house. If you’re not gone in fifteen seconds, Hector will call the police.”
Samantha stole a glance in Hector’s direction, and sure enough he held the phone, poised, and ready to dial.
“Wine? This swill isn’t fit for consumption.” Dylan stepped back, folded his napkin, and then dropped it on the table. He dusted his hands against each other as if he had dirt on them. He casually walked out as if nothing had happened.
Linc’s arm slipped around her waist. “Arrogant son-of-a-bitch. I should’ve cold-cocked him.” He turned to face her, raising her wrist up for inspection. “Did he hurt you?”
“No. He scares me a little. He’s determined to buy both of Charlie’s properties, and I find that strange, don
’t you?”
“Damn right, I do. I’ll see what I can find out about him.”
“And his father.” Samantha added.
“Your grandmother is still with Smythe senior, isn’t she?”
“No. He left because of business. I’ll make sure she knows about Dylan’s visit.” A stress headache settled at Samantha’s temples. “Thank you for stepping in.”
“You can thank me later.”
Samantha lifted onto her tiptoes and kissed him. “Count on it.”
****
Linc licked his lips, enjoying the brief kiss and wishing he had a second one, but she’d turned and walked to the front. She caught his gaze and motioned for him to join her and the two men wearing dark suits. Suits, Linc immediately recognized as law enforcement.
“Good evening,” he said, joining the discussion.
“Linc Hawkins, this is Detective Norman and Detective Bell.”
“Working late?” Linc shook their hands.
“We never sleep.” Detective Norman’s pulled his jacket back revealing the badge clipped to his belt. “Is there somewhere we can talk privately?”
“Certainly.” Linc led the small group to Charlie’s office. He pulled Leo’s two chairs inside the tiny space. “What can we do for you?”
Detective Norman eased down with a slight grimace. He had the look of a seasoned member of law enforcement. His stomach was a tad too large, and his brown eyes had gone a little dull. Bell on the other hand, was bright eyed and almost arrogant as he turned the straight back chair around and straddled it. His eyes didn’t hide the excitement he had for his job.
“When’s the last time either of you saw Sylvia Parson?” Norman asked without answering the question.
“She hasn’t reported to work in two days,” Linc answered. “We’ve left messages, but she hasn’t returned any of the calls.”
“The staff has been skittish since my grandfather died and left The Cage to me. We thought she’d taken another job.”
“Why are you looking for Sylvia?” Linc was ready for them to get to the point.
“Oh,” Bell said. “We’re not looking for her. She’s dead.”
Sam gasped and reached for Linc’s hand. He twined his fingers through hers. Her voice barely a whisper, she said, “Oh my God. What happened?”
“Look,” Detective Bell said. “We know your story —” he glanced at Sam —” And yours. So don’t try to tie the two deaths together. There is no open case on Charles Pearson.”
“So you did a little homework before showing up here. Why are you here?”
Detective Norman leaned forward and placed his hands on his knees. “We’re investigating Ms. Conner’s homicide.”
Linc blew out a breath. This was too much of a coincidence. Of course, he’d think Sylvia’s death might have something to do with Charlie’s. “How can we help?”
“You can start by answering a few questions. Then we need to speak with your employees. Here or at the station. Their choice.”
“Some have already gone home. One comes in right after closing.” Linc released Sam’s hand and jotted names and phone numbers on a pad. “These people aren’t on the premises now. If you’ll hang on, I’ll get their home addresses.”
While he pulled the information together, the detectives asked Sam questions. It was obvious to them that she knew very little about Sylvia. Linc passed the completed list to detective Norman.
“If you’re finished with Ms. Anderson, she’ll be needed to help close the restaurant.” Dave was perfectly able to close up shop, but Linc wanted to speak to the detectives alone.
“Yeah, that’s fine.” Detective Bell stood. “Ms. Anderson, if the staff asks questions, tell them nothing except that they need to stick around.”
Sam opened her mouth and Linc waited for her to argue, but she didn’t. Instead, she nodded and left the room.
“You said homicide. What happened?” Linc asked.
“Cause of death hasn’t been determined. Her car was found with her inside. Somebody had beaten her up.” Detective Norman shook his head. “The bastard has serious aggression issues.”
“And you don’t think two deaths tied to this restaurant could be related?”
“Doesn’t look like it to us.”
****
Linc felt the pull of a long and busy night as he turned out the last bank of lights. He’d spoken with the detectives before they left, learning that Sylvia’s body had been found inside her car by a city park employee. On the surface, it didn’t appear that her death was connected to Charlie’s.
He joined Sam, who had been staring out the back toward the ocean for the past few minutes. He slid his arms around her waist and dropped a kiss on her neck. She leaned into him, sending the day’s troubles to the background. The outside lights cast the night in an odd backdrop. Water slapped the shore and rushed over the sand, but with no moon, he could only hear where the sound had come from. He knew Sylvia’s death had been on Sam’s mind too.
“I’ll call Sylvia’s parents in the morning. See if there’s anything we can do. I hate to admit it, but I knew nothing about her personal life. If she had a significant other, she never mentioned it to me.”
“I hope they find whoever did this.”
“Me, too.” Linc took her hand, walked her to the front door, and held it open for her. “I’m hoping you’re staying with me.”
“I am. I packed my flannel gown in case I get cold.” She went to the kitchen and returned carrying a small overnight bag.
“You won’t need it. I’ll make sure you stay warm.”
“I’m counting on it.” Her smile was a promise of things to come.
“Let’s go home.” He intended to help her forget the bad news at least for a while.
CHAPTER 15
Linc was quiet during the short drive to his condo. Samantha understood he was shaken by Sylvia’s murder. The nerve in his jaw jerked, and she could see he was lost in thought.
He parked, came around and helped her out. His eyes scanned her face before he leaned down and kissed her. Softly, his lips covered hers. He pulled back and repeated the process, increasing the intensity and length each time.
“You’ve had a long day,” he whispered against her lips.
“So have you. So let’s see if we can figure a way to relax.” She wanted to ease his mind, take him away from reality, if just for a while.
“Good idea.” He clasped her hand and walked her up the stairs. Once inside, he flipped the deadbolt, and then pulled her into his arms.
Samantha led him to his bedroom, stopped and pulled his shirt out and over his head. She ran her hands over his chest, up to his shoulders and back down each arm, loving the way each muscle had tensed under her touch.
Linc removed her dress and stared approvingly at her breasts, before bending down and sucking her nipple into his mouth. The lace bra abraded her tender flesh, making her breasts swell and ache. Clothes hit the floor and without discussing it, they walked to his bathroom.
She turned on the water and waited a few seconds until it was warm. Reaching back, she grasped his erection in her hand. His sharp intake of air thrilled her, so she gave him a slight tug. His moan emboldened her even more.
“That’s a strong grip you have,” he whispered, his warm breath caressed her ear.
They stepped under the water, facing each other. Samantha ran her hands across his chest muscles, felt them tense, and paused at his abs as he shuddered under her touch. She traced the pattern of hair, walking her fingers down the thin line, lower and lower until she wrapped her hand around his erection, squeezing him tightly. His eyes darkened as he looked down at her. His expression was the very definition of longing.
She sank to her knees in front of him, dropping small nips and kisses on the way down. She licked the satin skin with the tip of her tongue, circled him before taking him in her mouth.
“Oh, Sam,” he moaned.
Samantha placed her hands on his hips,
pulling him closer, deeper inside her mouth, feeling him grow larger still.
“Stop,” Linc hissed through his teeth. “We’d better get out of this shower.”
She stood, running her hands up his body. She placed her hand over his racing heart. “Soap first.”
“Right.” He lathered his hands, quickly washing her and then himself.
“Out,” he commanded with a smile.
“Yes sir.”
He turned off the water, stepped out next to her onto the bathmat. He slid the soft towel over her body, following closely behind with his mouth, pausing to tongue first one nipple and then the other. She buried her hands in his wet hair.
Half dry, he backed from the bathroom to the bed while they were locked in a heated embrace. She tossed the tangled sheets to the floor and lay down with her arms open.
“Raise your hips.” Linc grabbed a pillow and slid it under her hips. “Comfortable?”
“About as much as a steak on the butcher’s block,” she whispered. He crawled between her knees sending chills of anticipation racing across the skin. Then she surrendered to the luxury of his mouth.
He explored, probed, and licked, bringing her closer and closer to a climax. She moaned as his hands dug into her hips, pinning her in place. The orgasm slammed into her, exploding stars inside her head. Her core vibrated, pulsated, and throbbed while his teeth pulled her further into total submission. Spent, she grinned like a fool.
“Hold that thought,” he said on a chuckle. “I’m going to try and keep that smile on your face.”
“You’re pretty damn proud of yourself.” She chuckled.
“I am for a fact.” He leaned over and kissed her belly button.
“You control my body as if you know exactly what to do and when.”
“And you don’t like that?” His right eyebrow lifted.
“On the contrary. I love it.”
“Good, hold that thought.” He took a condom from the nightstand and covered himself before settling between her legs again. He started at her thighs, slowly kissing his way up to her lips.
Her body instantly responded to his caresses. She needed to feel him inside her. Joined and sharing each other’s bodies. Samantha slid her hand down and guided him, never breaking eye contact.
Till The Dead Speak (Killer Affections Book 2) Page 14
