All I Want Is You (Kimani Romance)

by Girard, Dara

  He looked around to consider his options. It was easy to separate the tourists from the locals—the tourists looked happy. He spotted one fat guy on his third beer sitting with two younger men. One guy looked half-asleep while the other guy with a knife tattoo looked as if he could go many more rounds. No, he wasn’t a candidate. He couldn’t picture Venus talking to him. Gerald shifted his gaze and saw another guy. He was thin and looked as if the world was about to collapse on him. He could sense his desperation from across the room. A fresh-faced woman sat beside him. He knew the type. The strong, I’ll-stay-by-your-side type of woman whom men could depend on. She turned and spoke to the man in a low voice, and both of them kept glancing at the general store across the street.

  Was there trouble there? He had to find out because people in trouble always wanted a solution, and that would be his trump card to get the information he wanted. Gerald strolled over to their table and held out his hand. “Hi, folks, I’m Michael Dodds and I’m here to invest in small businesses around town. Could you tell me who owns that store across the street?” He saw the man’s face come to light and knew he’d hit on the right angle.

  “I do,” the man said. “I’m William Hostie and this is my wife, Treena Ikes.”

  “Mind if I join you?”

  William eagerly grabbed another chair and gestured to it. “Please sit down.”

  “So you’re thinking of investing, huh?”

  “Yes.”

  Treena watched him as she took a sip of her drink. “What made you decide on here? Not many people are interested.”

  “Wherever there are tourists, I hear the sound of money.”

  “Me, too. I have lots of plans for my store that I could tell you about.”

  “I’d be happy to hear them. I’ve had a chance to look around. The town has a pretty impressive craft fair.”

  “Comes every summer. We have lots of craftsmen around here.”

  “I heard that JD Rozan has property close by. Is he looking to invest, too?”

  He saw Treena’s eyes narrow with suspicion and knew he had to tread more carefully, but her husband’s face changed, reflecting a completely different emotion—hate. “He doesn’t care about this place.”

  “That’s not what I heard.”

  “He likes to pretend that this town matters to him because of his grandparents’ land. But he’s not attached to it like the rest of us.”

  “That’s funny. I thought he was helping a local woman get established here.”

  Treena leaned forward. “Why are you so interested in what JD’s doing? That’s no concern of yours.”

  Gerald smiled. “I don’t want to step on anyone’s toes. JD’s got some big contacts along the East Coast, and let’s just say I wouldn’t want to get in his way. I like to know how things are run before I jump.”

  “You don’t have to worry about JD,” William said. “And yes, there’s a woman at the Rozan place, but she’s not one of us.”

  “Why not?”

  “She keeps to herself. Sort of strange. Isn’t that right, Treena?”

  Treena took another sip of her drink and remained silent.

  Gerald knew he’d lost her support. Fortunately, he still had her husband, and instinctively he knew he could get whatever he wanted from him, as long as he swung the promise of money in front of him. Gerald pretended to look at his watch. “I have to go, but this has been nice. I’d like to talk to you some more about your business.” He handed William his card, but his wife took it instead. She didn’t trust him, but that was fine. Venus had run out of time.

  Monica hesitated when she first heard the knock on her door. She didn’t receive visitors. She looked through the peephole and saw Treena. She opened the door. “I didn’t know vets made house calls for small pets,” she said in a light voice.

  Treena didn’t smile. “I didn’t come about Baxter. I have to talk to you.”

  Monica stepped back and allowed her to enter. “Sure.”

  Treena glanced behind her then stepped in and closed the door. “This is probably none of my business, but I don’t trust him even though William does. You may not be one of us, but you mean more to this community than any stranger does.”

  Monica frowned. “What are you talking about?”

  “I’m sorry. I know I’m babbling, but I’ve just never been part of something like this before. I might be blowing it out of proportion.”

  Monica sighed, trying to be patient. “Blowing what out of proportion?”

  “There’s a man who at first was talking about JD, but I caught on that his real interest is you.”

  Monica froze. “What does he look like?”

  “Medium height, brown-skinned.” She frowned. “Unremarkable really. Nothing about him stood out.”

  Monica began to relax. That didn’t sound like Anton, but obviously he’d put someone on her trail.

  “What has he been saying?”

  “Just asking about your business, and he’s been seducing William with promises of investing in new or struggling businesses. We certainly need the money and at first it sounded all right, but there was something about him I didn’t like. He tried to hint that he knew how JD did business and then started asking about you.” She flexed her fingers. “I don’t know why you’re here, but I just thought you should know. If he’s an ex-husband or something, I can call the cops.”

  Monica doubted Drent’s cousin the sheriff would do anything to help her. “Thanks. I know what I need to do.”

  “Maybe you should call JD and—”

  “No,” Monica said quickly. “I can handle this on my own. Don’t worry. I’ll just need you to do one thing for me.”

  “What?” Treena said, frightened.

  “Look after Baxter for me. Just for a couple weeks.”

  Treena’s fear disappeared. “Okay. Are you sure you don’t want to—”

  “I’m sure. What did he say his name was?”

  “Michael Dodds, and he’s staying at Aunt Mabel’s Bed and Breakfast. I found out from William’s clerk Donna ’cause her mother owns the place.”

  “Thanks.”

  “What are you going to do?” she asked as she anxiously watched Monica gather Baxter’s things.

  “I’m not sure yet.” Monica gave Treena a bag of Baxter’s favorite toys then attached Baxter’s leash to his collar and handed Treena the lead. “I really appreciate you doing this.”

  “I wish I could do more.”

  “You’ve done plenty.” Monica gave her a quick hug. “I’ll never forget it.”

  The moment Treena left, Monica began to pace. How had they found her here? She’d been so careful not to leave any clues. But that didn’t matter now. She’d made an error somewhere. She had to change her plans and leave sooner than she’d anticipated. She left JD a note telling him how much she loved him and that she had to leave. Then she packed a few things. She had to turn the tables. She could no longer be the hunted. She had to become the huntress.

  She had to get Anton’s focus off this small town and the people she cared about. Monica had to disappear and let Venus emerge.

  Gerald didn’t dream much. He’d been too disappointed in the past to believe in dreams. But as he lay on his bed in the quaint bed and breakfast, he let his mind wander to what he would say when he spoke to Venus. He knew he wouldn’t. He never let his targets see him. Otherwise, they would run again. But this target he wished he could talk to. She’d sent him on a merry chase he’d never forget.

  “Michael Dodds?”

  “Yeah?” he said in a lazy tone. The owner was probably calling him down for lunch or something. He turned toward the door then scrambled out of bed. Venus stood in the doorway. Tall, gorgeous, amazing. A grown man’s wet dream dressed in a form-clinging leopard-print top and black skirt, ending in spiked high heels. Her catlike eyes studied him. If this cat claws, he didn’t care about being mauled to death.

  “Are you Michael Dodds?” she said again, her voice a low purr.
>
  Gerald nodded, not trusting himself to speak. He didn’t care how she’d found him or how she’d gotten the key to his room. He didn’t want this moment to end.

  “May I come in?”

  Did she really have to ask? He absently gestured to a seat.

  She walked into the room. Gerald’s gaze dropped to the seductive sway of her hips and her long, sleek legs. She sat down. He licked his lips when her skirt inched up.

  “Anton sent you to find me?”

  “Yes,” he managed in a hoarse voice. He cleared his throat and tucked his shirt in his trousers. “It hasn’t been easy to find you.”

  She smiled. “I’m glad.”

  “Look, um…I hate to see it end this way, but—”

  “You’re just doing your job.”

  “Right.”

  “I want you to give him a message for me.”

  “What?”

  “Tell him it ends in New York.”

  Chapter 15

  Few things surprised Nikki Dupree. As an interior designer, she’d once worked for a professional, artsy couple who wanted to design everything around the color of their shih tzu and another client who didn’t want anything with a square shape. But that evening when she opened her front door and saw her sister standing on the doorstep, she was gripped in shock.

  “Nikki, I need to talk to you.”

  Nikki still didn’t move. It had been nearly two years since she’d seen or heard from her sister. She had always regretted how she’d let Delong put a strain in their relationship. He’d wanted it that way. He liked to keep Monica for himself, but he was gone now and they had a second chance.

  “Nikki?” Monica said, giving her a little shake.

  Nikki shook her head and opened the door wider. “Sorry. Come in. I’m just so— Where have you been?”

  “A lot of places, but I can’t tell you about it right now. I need your help.”

  “My help?” Nikki said, once again stunned. Her sister rarely needed anything and especially not from her. Monica’s life had been full of ease and privilege, but she’d never given her sister a reason to envy her. It was just how night followed day. Her sister was always generous and kind and gave to the family, but their lives were vastly different. Nikki had worked her way up to the position of international interior designer after starting out as a clerk in an exclusive furniture store several years earlier, but the challenge had been worth it.

  She led Monica into the kitchen, noticing how uneasy she seemed. She quickly poured her some grape juice and led her to a seat. “I’m happy you came to see me.”

  Monica began to relax and took the glass from her. “I didn’t mean to stay away.”

  Nikki sat down in front of her. “Then why did you?”

  “It’s a long story.”

  Nikki shrugged and tucked one leg under her, getting comfortable. “I’ve got all night.”

  Monica hesitated. “You may not believe me.”

  “I’ll always believe you. Besides, this is a night of surprises. So go ahead and tell me.”

  Monica told her sister about her dinner with Anton, how she’d ended up on his compound and how she had escaped. She shared how she’d changed her identity and lived as Monica Dulane for over a year. She was careful not to mention anything about JD. Nikki stared at her, dumbfounded.

  “You do believe me, don’t you? I know it sounds crazy, but—”

  “Of course I believe you. I just don’t know what to say.” She tapped the table. “I do know one thing. Anton needs to be taken out.” She bit her lip. “I think I could find someone who would—”

  Monica waved her hands. “No, I don’t need you to find a hit man for me.”

  “It won’t be any trouble and it won’t cost that much.”

  “Nikki, that’s too much of a risk.”

  “There are subtle ways to do it. I had a client whose ex-husband was making her life miserable. Her brother took care of it and he never bothered her again.” She tapped her chin, pensive. “What was his name again?”

  “I have my own plans for Anton.”

  “Plans? How can you have any plans? The guy is a lunatic. Anything you think you can do will be risky. Are you sure it was him who found you again?”

  “Yes. He sent someone to Georgia to find me. I even met him.”

  Nikki’s mouth fell open. “You talked to him?”

  “Yes, I wanted him to know that I was on to them. I had to redirect their attention from the town to keep certain people who are important to me safe. That’s why I’m here.”

  “What do you want me to do?”

  “Anton’s coming to New York because I sent him a message through the guy he had trail me that I’ll be here. He won’t be able to resist the challenge, but I can’t meet him alone. I need to be seen so that people will start talking about Venus’s return and draw him out. I need to know of any high-profile or high-society charity events or parties I can attend.”

  “There’s a small, intimate gathering this weekend for the visiting Nigerian ambassador, the current recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize. He’s being honored for his unfailing dedication to making the voice of the poor worldwide heard. I think he’s some kind of literary genius.”

  Monica shook her head. “Too humanitarian. Anton wouldn’t show up.”

  Nikki told her of five other events, and Monica chose two of them.

  “Do you think you can get me in?”

  “Have you forgotten that you’re Venus? It won’t be a problem. I know the organizers for both events and I’ll have no problem getting you invited as a VIP. All I have to do is say Venus is in town. What else do you need?”

  “I need you to come with me to my house. I have some clothes there and need to set up some things, but I don’t want to be alone.”

  The house was just as she’d remembered. A looming, palatial mansion with numerous windows accented with gargoyles, like a gothic castle. It had been one of Delong’s favorite locations when he was in the U.S. Monica passed by the front gate with ease, the guard staring at her as if she were a ghost. Her housekeeper fared no better. When Monica opened the front door, her housekeeper, Deidra LaSalle, screamed so loud that Monica feared the glass mirror in the hall would shatter.

  “It’s all right, Deidra, it’s only me,” Monica said while Nikki covered her ears.

  “You’re back!”

  “Yes.”

  She gripped Monica in a fierce hug. Although Deidra was a small, stocky woman, she had the strength of two men.

  “Deidra, I can’t breathe,” Monica said, imagining her ribs breaking from the smaller woman’s exuberance.

  Deidra released her and patted her face. She was a recent immigrant from Haiti and had been in the U.S. for only a short period, but she’d created a special bond with Monica the moment she met her.

  “We didn’t think you’d come back. But I know how much you loved your husband and you needed the time and space to grieve, so—”

  “Yes,” Monica interrupted, not wanting to talk about Delong. “I can’t take time right now to explain. I just stopped by to get a few things.”

  “Everything is as you left it.” Yes, she knew that Delong had everything set up so that things would run just as before after his death. She was well provided for.

  “Thank you,” Monica said as she headed to the stairs. “I’ll let you know if I need anything.”

  “I’ll let the chef know that you’re here, and should I get Howard?”

  He was the chauffer. “No, thank you, but dinner would be nice. Say around eight?”

  “Yes, Mrs. Price,” Deidra said then rushed away.

  Nikki looked around at the arch stairway and extravagant drapery. “This must be an expensive place to keep up.”

  “I can afford it.”

  “You don’t have to keep it as a monument to him.”

  Monica walked into her master bedroom. “I don’t plan to.”

  “Then what will you do?” Nikki asked as she stepped
into Monica’s grand bedroom with its white plush carpeting and a sculpture of a goddess in the corner. “You’ll have to change everything,” Nikki said, looking around the room with a slight frown. “You can’t live here again, Monica. It’s a museum. However, if you let me—”

  Monica opened the doorway of her walk-in closet. “Not now, Nikki.”

  Her sister sighed and let the subject drop. “What was living in that farmhouse like?”

  “Wonderful,” Monica said with a smile of remembrance.

  “How did you spend all those months alone there?”

  I wasn’t alone, Monica wanted to say, but she couldn’t think of JD right now. “I kept busy working on jewelry designs.” She stepped farther inside and pushed a button which rotated her clothing and brought specific items to the forefront.

  Nikki followed with awe, staring at the rows of shoes, accessories and designer clothing. “I could fit my apartment in your closet.”

  “Just help me choose something,” Monica said. She had to focus. She was in no mood to humor her sister.

  “What do you want to wear?”

  “Something striking.”

  After nearly an hour they finally selected the perfect outfit for the late-summer weather then went downstairs and enjoyed vegetable marsala and roasted potatoes out on the patio.

  Nikki set down her glass of wine. “Tell me what you’re going to do.”

  “The less you know the better.”

  “I hope you know what you’re doing.”

  “Me, too.”

  Nikki raised her glass. “To taking risks.”

  Monica raised hers as well. “To love.”

  Nikki began to smile. “I wondered about that. There’s something different about you. Are you in love?”

  “Yes.”

  “And you can’t go to him?”

  “No.” Monica sighed. “At least not yet.”

  “I hope he’s worth your secrecy.”