We flew across the water at two hundred twenty-eight knots. I checked in with the coastguard for any updates and to share our location.
“I want you to stay.” I glanced at Raquel. “At my place.”
She looked away.
“I made you feel uncomfortable earlier,” I said. “You’re only my prisoner in the bedroom.”
She laughed. “Say that and you may never get rid of me.”
“Maybe I want that.” I surprised myself as much as her, apparently.
Raquel blushed and I found it disarming. “It’s a big thing you’re doing, Astor. Letting me stay at your home.”
I waved that off. “I just wanted to put that out there. That I like having you.”
“Thank you, I appreciate it.”
“It’s cheaper than a maid,” I joked.
“Very funny. Though I’m not averse to playing a topless maid if that floats your boat.”
“Is there such a thing?”
“You know there is.”
“I’ve never given it any thought.”
She shook her head, amused, and then changed the subject. “I hope Ruben makes it.”
I shifted gears as we hit the waves. “He’s in great hands.”
“So you’ve met Ruben before today?” she asked. “You’re at the center a lot?”
“As much as I can be, yes.”
“My man of mystery is opening up.”
Reaching out, I rested my hand on her inner thigh and she placed her palm on my hand. The connection felt good. I was opening up and now all I needed was for her to do so, too. She was still so guarded.
Our gazes scanned the ocean and now and again Raquel raised the binoculars to take a better look.
“Over there!” She pointed east.
Turning sharply, I directed the boat toward what looked like an orange canoe and at the same time called our location in to the coastguard.
“Oh, God,” Raquel was seeing what I saw.
A rush of dread hit me when we neared and I realized the canoe was upside down. “Hold the wheel,” I shouted.
“Are you going in?” Raquel sounded panicked. “You need a life vest.”
“I need to get under there.” I leaped up onto the edge of the boat and dove into the ocean. When I hit the water the chill felt like knives stabbing my flesh. I swam swiftly towards the canoe.
The sea rose and fell with a dangerous swell. No wonder she couldn’t get back, the tide was fierce out here and those dark clouds were ominous.
After grabbing the side of the canoe I drew in several deep breaths and sank below the water, bracing myself for possibly finding a drowned girl as I swept my hand along for where a body could be.
Surfacing, I sucked in air. “She’s not here.” I flipped the canoe right side up. “She’ll have a life vest on.”
Raquel pointed urgently. “Over there!”
A freak wave rolled me upward and then lowered me and I saw the girl floating with her life jacket on…and she looked unconscious. The engine thrummed behind me letting me know Raquel was close behind.
“Astor,” she called out. “I saw a fin.”
I spun round to look at her. “Shark or dolphin?”
“Get in,” she was panicked. “Get in the boat.”
“What kind? It makes a difference.”
“I don’t know.” She looked freaked. “I think it’s a shark.”
I tried to follow her line of sight but the swell prevented me seeing pretty much anything other than a bob of orange. “I can reach her.”
“Oh, my God, there’s another one.”
“You know that thing we’re working on with you?” I called up.
“What thing?” she yelled.
“That sense of adventure.” I wiped water out of my eyes. “Now’s a good time for it kick in.”
She called after me, something about a life vest but it was hard to hear. With broad breaststrokes I closed in on the woman who was pale and still. As I got closer I noticed she was Japanese, and she looked like a teenager. Relieved we’d found her, I allowed myself to glance around for any sharks. I sent out a prayer they’d not dived beneath us.
A trickle of blood flowed down her brow. Maybe she’d hit her head on the canoe. Maybe fatigue had caused her to drop her paddle and she fell in trying to grab it.
Whatever the reason, we had to get out of the water now.
Sharks picked up the scent of blood, one part per million.
“We’ve got you,” I told her. “Hang on.”
Raquel moved the Allure up beside us. She leaned over, reaching for the girl’s shoulders. She pulled her up as I pushed the young woman until she rolled onto the boat.
I hoisted myself onto the deck and scrambled to make sure our patient was in the recovery position. She was already stirring, about to regain consciousness.
I tried to stay focused. “Call the coastguard. Tell them we need medics ready.”
Raquel made the call. I wrapped a silver heat blanket around her as Raquel hurried into the driver’s seat. She steered back to shore as I checked our girl for any more serious injuries.
Though Raquel was pushing the speedboat to its limits, the ride back felt excruciatingly long. I hated each second we were losing. Our patient was slipping in and out of consciousness.
Emergency services were waiting when we pulled up to the dock, immediately taking over the girl’s care. Raquel and I stood side by side, watching them wheel her into an ambulance.
We watched it pull away and for several minutes neither of us spoke a word.
Staff at the center let me shower in Garcia’s office bathroom. It took me half an hour to feel warm again as I blasted hot water over me. The shower was pretty shabby and I made a mental note to do something about it. Although it was a renovation Garcia would probably decline because he wanted all the money going to the animals.
I borrowed some of the spare clothes that he kept here, but his shoes didn’t fit and mine were still drenched. Not that I cared…I was still too concerned for that girl and her recovery.
Luckily, I recalled that I had a pair of shoes in the car, thrown in the back after a hike I’d taken a few weeks ago.
“How’s my superhero?” Raquel said, walking into Garcia’s office.
“I needed you out there, Raquel. You did great.”
“You did better.” She came over and wrapped her arms around me. “I’m only doing this so you’ll have body warmth.”
I kissed her forehead. “And that’s just me thanking you for saving a life today.”
“Do you think she’ll be okay?”
“We’ll call later. They’re taking her to Miami Beach Medical Center.”
“Not sure I like your brand of excitement, Astor.”
“You’ll get used to it if you stick around.”
“Thank you for today,” she said softly.
“We had a detour but we’re fine, right?”
“You’re the best friend a girl could have.”
Whether it was me coming down from the adrenaline rush or her comment describing us as only friends, I suddenly crashed with exhaustion. I stepped away from her and sank into a seat, taking a few deep breaths to center myself.
“You okay?” she said.
“Yeah, the threat of you diving in and gnawing on a shark was all too real.”
She tapped my arm. “You were brave out there, Astor.”
“Let’s get home.” I pushed to my feet. “Garcia’s jeans are so tight I feel like a 1980s rock star.”
Raquel’s laughter rippled over me, and as I laughed too, I felt intensely happy that we were going home together.
Then reason and reality caught up with me, crushing my post adventure high as I remembered who she was. “Raquel,” I said, getting her attention.
“Hmm?” She looked windswept and as pretty as ever.
“I have a new formula that needs perfecting. It’s missing an ingredient. Is that a project you’d like to help me with? I think
it could be a stellar creation.”
She turned her back on me and said softly, “Of course, Astor. I’d be happy to help you with that.”
ON THE WORKBENCH IN FRONT of me sat a marble bowl, ready for me to begin creating something new. Though after yesterday’s adventure on the high seas it was hard to concentrate—I couldn’t stop thinking of the young woman and the danger she’d been in.
Astor had risked his life for her and he’d not given it a second thought. He’d not even panicked when I’d warned him about the sharks. What kind of man did that?
A good man, surely. Certainly a man who was brave and decent. So far, everything I had seen about him highlighted his integrity.
Yet at the same time I sensed I was getting close to the razor’s edge of truth. Astor wanted me to help complete a formula…my formula. And if I did one second of work on Astor’s project all I’d risked would be lost to the House of Beauregard.
I had already implicated myself in some kind of corporate espionage, and what had started out as me searching for clues had turned all the more complicated because of our intimacy. The confusion I’d come here with was front and center in my every thought and emotion.
I had to act fast and think my way to a quick resolution. There could be no more intimacy. No more evenings cuddled up on the couch watching TV in his beachfront home as though we were a normal couple. Because if this hurt me any worse I’d be forced to walk away from everything.
I could do that, right?
Too restless to sit still, I slid off my barstool and reached for a couple of ingredients I had planned on playing with.
My phone lit up and I answered. “Hello?”
“Ms. Wren, you have a visitor.” It was Sarah, the receptionist.
“Who?” I asked.
“He didn’t give his name,” she said. “I have another call coming in. Can you come up to reception, please?”
She left me staring at my phone, wondering who it could be as I headed to the elevator and pushed the button.
I checked my watch. Astor wanted to meet just before noon and that time was looming closer.
When the elevator doors opened onto the foyer, I saw Damien sitting in the waiting room, leafing through a magazine.
When he saw me he shot to his feet. “How are you?”
“Fine.” I threw a reassuring glance at the receptionist. “What are you doing here?”
“I was in town and thought I’d swing by.”
“Is Embry with you?” I looked through the window toward the parking lot.
“No, she’s out in the field. There’s a hurricane in the Caribbean and it looks like it’s going to head toward Dunedin.”
I mused darkly that maybe the hurricane would suck her into the eye of its storm and do us all a favor. “So…why the visit?”
“I have something I need to talk with you about.” He gestured towards the door. “We can talk in the Beamer, if you like.”
“Here is fine.”
“Um…it’s best if we talk privately.”
“I don’t have long,” I said.
“Bit of a change from when you were your own boss.”
Yes, Damien, you asshole. I held my tongue.
“Anyway,” he said, “I won’t take much of your time.”
I followed him out and wasn’t surprised when he didn’t hold the front door of the building open for me. He merely went on ahead and climbed into his silver BMW. I rounded the car and joined him in the passenger seat. Astor opened doors for me all the time and it was something I never took for granted.
My gaze roamed over what had once been our car, looking for Embry’s things. The lemon and lime scented air freshener that was clipped to the rearview mirror assaulted my senses.
“You ready for the hurricane?” asked Damien.
“Yes,” I lied.
“Good, that’s good.”
“Is this about the shop?” I snapped. “I know you want it sold. I’m doing everything I can to work with the realtor.” It was a bit of a lie. I was helping as much as delaying.
“Don’t get upset.” Damien looked uncomfortable.
“I have to go.”
He reached out and gripped my wrist. “This is important.”
I let out a frustrated sigh.
“Are you in a relationship with Astor Beauregard?”
Those kisses he’d witnessed at the polo match had hit the mark, apparently.
“We’re good friends.”
“Friends who fuck?” He held my gaze.
“That’s kind of private.”
“Look, I know what this sounds like but we have a history and it’s my job to watch out for you.”
Are you kidding me?
I didn’t say anything, though, just bit the inside of my cheek to hide my annoyance. I didn’t want to get into an argument. We’d already shared every bitter word we could think of and there was nothing left to say. More than anything I needed to stay focused because my own disaster was unfolding within those walls. I didn’t need Damien to complicate things more than they already were.
“I’m just gonna come out and say it.” He turned in his seat to face me. “Astor Beauregard’s a dangerous man.”
“You can’t be jealous,” I snapped.
“Of course, seeing you with someone else isn’t easy.”
My expression turned incredulous.
“This is coming out wrong.”
“It’s coming out just how you intended. Look, I have to go—”
“Embry’s dad was on the police force.”
I shot him an angry look. “What? Astor got a speeding ticket?”
“No, listen, we were talking about our store—”
“Our store?”
“I put up half the money.”
“Our money.” I wanted to get out of the car, but his hint that he knew something about Astor made me stay.
“A few days ago we were at Embry’s parents’ place. They have a house overlooking the water in South Beach. Her dad’s a big boater—”
“Sounds perfect.”
“It really is. We’re going to buy a home down the road from there.”
“A house overlooking the water?”
“We’ve already found something we like.”
“I’m so happy for you,” I said, glaring at him. “Get to the point.”
He rolled his eyes.
“I happened to mention you were now working for Beauregard, and her dad told us he knew him.” He lowered his voice. “Astor was sent to Havana when he was thirteen.”
I studied Damien’s face to see if he was enjoying this situation. Ironically, it had been Astor who’d warned me that Damien might not want me anymore, but he didn’t want anyone else to have me either.
“This is very personal—”
“I know.”
“Not sure what it has to do with you.”
“Well, if you’re considering a relationship with him.”
“You didn’t see me poking around Embry’s past.”
He let out a frustrated sigh. “Can I speak, please?”
I clenched my teeth, amazed at Damien’s arrogance.
He continued. “I’m sure there were extenuating circumstances, but according to Embry’s dad—”
“You know I hate gossip.”
“This is based on his personal account. He was one of the responding officers called to that big manor in South Beach—”
“Bridgestone? Well, isn’t that convenient,” I bit out.
“Astor shot his dad.” Damien dragged out a silent pause for emphasis. “He killed him, Raquel. Shot him in cold blood.”
My lungs struggled to inhale. “I don’t believe you.”
“Well, Astor probably looked like a good catch for a second there.”
“Don’t you even dare—”
“I didn’t have to say anything to you.” He turned his gaze toward the building. “But then I saw you kissing the guy at the polo match.”
“I’m
allowed to date.”
“Sure. Just not murderers.”
“Did he go to prison?” I tried to fathom why I was even asking such a question.
“Nope, which was kind of strange don’t you think? Turns out his mom knew the judge. Some weird family connection. I mean, he should have ended up in Juvi.”
“I want proof.”
“He was a minor so the records are protected.”
“That’s too convenient.”
“You can’t share this with anyone…especially not Astor. The last thing I need is for him to come after me. Things have changed between us, Raquel, but that doesn’t mean I don’t care about you.”
“You’re lying.”
“About caring for you?”
“About Astor.”
“Yeah, thought you wouldn’t believe me at first. Just don’t shoot the messenger, okay?”
Astor had never once shown any leanings toward violence. He was domineering, yes, but there was a kindness to him that I’d unraveled layer by layer.
Taylor’s words screamed back into my thoughts, “Something terrible happened in that house.”
“Damien, why would a boy do what you described?”
“I don’t know. But it was obviously intentional.”
“How do you mean?”
“The police were called to the house in response to a disruption before the gun went off. That’s all I know. Sounds like his parents were scared of him.”
I didn’t want to believe any of this. Damien didn’t have any real evidence.
He leaned forward. “How well do you know this guy?”
I shook my head. “I bet you couldn’t wait to deliver this news?”
“I should have taken Embry’s advice. She said you wouldn’t listen.”
“No, really, thank you for telling me,” I said dryly, my gaze returning to the building that hid so many secrets within.
“I think you should leave this place,” he said. “Open a new store. Nothing is stopping you.”
“Other than the money.”
“Take out a loan.”
“I have to go.” I opened the car door and swung my feet out. When I stood my legs shook from the strain of his words.
“Raquel,” Damien called after me. He had gotten out of the Beamer.
I spun on my heels and glared at him.
“Do you want me to help you with your stuff?” He took a step closer. “Help you clear out your desk?”
Perfume Girl Page 18
