No Escape

by Heather Lowell

  Chapter 8

  Los Angeles, California

  Saturday night, February 27

  “Don’t get too involved in the game. The pizza should be out soon,” Tessa said to Kelly above the din of arcade games and teenage chatter.

  “I’m just a beginner, so my games only last a few minutes,” Kelly assured her. She turned and headed for the bank of full-sized games about twenty feet away from the table where Tessa and her brother sat.

  “She’s really nice,” Kevin said.

  “Yes she is. I want to thank you for giving up your Saturday night to help me out. Kelly’s had a really tough time lately, and I wanted her to have some fun,” Tessa said. She’d been working hard to gain Kelly’s trust, and in the last day seemed to have made some progress.

  “Wait until I tell the wrestling team on Monday that I spent the weekend with two hot older babes,” Kevin said with a grin. A lock of light brown hair fell across his forehead as he turned to watch Kelly’s progress.

  Tessa laughed and resisted the urge to smooth the hair out of her brother’s eyes. She had been the closest thing Kevin had to a mother for the first few years of his life, so it was hard for her to think that he was practically grown-up now. Still, he was a great kid—how many sixteen-year-olds would help their sisters out on the biggest date night of the week?

  “Kelly’s only two years older than you are,” she told him.

  “Maybe. But she’s got a look sometimes that makes me think she’s a hundred,” Kevin said. “Other times she’s just like any other girl in my high school.”

  Tessa nodded at his perception. “Like I said, it’s been a tough month for her.” She hesitated, not wanting to draw Kevin too far into the ugliness of the case. “Something really bad happened to Kelly, and I’m trying to help her through it,” Tessa finally said.

  “I’m glad she’s got you on her side. You helped me through some bad times when no one else was around.”

  “Thanks,” Tessa said past the lump in her throat. “I knew what it felt like not to have a mom, especially when Paul wasn’t around either. I never wanted you to go through that.”

  “So you moved back in with our father and the stepmonster to take care of me.” Kevin said, referring to his mother with an irreverent grin. He loved his mother, but wasn’t blind to her failings. “That’s sisterly dedication above and beyond the call of duty.”

  Kevin’s mother, Lana Olsen, had been a nineteen-year-old rising fashion model before meeting Paul Jacobi less than a week after his first wife’s sudden drowning death. Her subsequent marriage to him, acquiring a new stepdaughter, and Kevin’s birth eight years later hadn’t kept Lana from pursuing a highly competitive and international career.

  Since no one else had planned to do so, Tessa returned home from boarding school at the age of sixteen to take care of her newborn brother. She’d been the focus of Kevin’s world until he’d turned six, and his mother had found her first hints of wrinkles and gray hairs. Though she was still a stunningly attractive woman in high demand as a model, Lana decided to retire and take up the position of mother for the first time in her life. She’d been at the top of her field for too long to deal well with being passed over for the top assignments because she was in her thirties.

  “I still remember the yelling and fighting after Mom finished her last contract,” Kevin said, as if reading Tessa’s mind. “She didn’t understand why she couldn’t come back home and pick up as if she’d never been gone.”

  Tessa thought over her words carefully. While Kevin was very blasé about their dysfunctional family life, Tessa was always careful never to criticize Lana in front of him. “She wanted what was best for you. We all did.”

  “Yeah, right. Is that why she moved across the country with me and Dad when I was six, and made it clear that you weren’t welcome in her new home?” He looked at her with cynical blue eyes that were a mirror of his father’s.

  “She didn’t think our relationship was healthy. She and Paul wanted me to have a chance at a normal college life in Virginia.” Tessa almost choked on the words.

  Kevin sneezed, though Tessa distinctly heard the word “bullshit,” buried in the act. At over six-four and 225 muscled pounds, Kevin had his mother’s looks and stunning physique, but he’d inherited Paul Jacobi’s keen mind and biting sarcasm. No one could fool the kid about what was really going on, even when he was six.

  “That was a long time ago. You should just be happy that you had three people who loved you enough to fight over you,” Tessa said. She laughed when he shot her an incredulous look. “All right, I tried to put a positive spin on it. Anyway, let’s not burden Kelly with our family baggage, okay? She’s got enough to handle as it is.”

  “Don’t worry, I’m done rehashing ancient history. I’m back to being Kelly’s date for the evening.”

  “Good,” Tessa said, then waved Kelly over as their pizza arrived.

  “So where’s your date?” Kevin asked Tessa. She narrowed her eyes at him. “So where are your manners? Don’t you know better than to ask a woman over thirty why she’s flying solo for the evening?”

  “Brother’s prerogative,” Kevin assured her, then bit into a cheesy slice of pizza.

  “Do you have a boyfriend?” Kelly asked Tessa.

  “No,” Kevin said. “She broke it off with Mr. Perennial Grad Student about a year ago.”

  Tessa ripped a piece of pizza free. The topic of her last long-term relationship was still a sore one. She couldn’t believe she’d wasted four years of her life on a spineless guy who saw nothing wrong with being a professional student. At the age of forty.

  “I don’t have a boyfriend, Kelly. And even if I did, I’m not sure I’d call him that at my advanced age.”

  “Thirty-six isn’t that old,” Kelly assured her innocently.

  “I’m hardly thirty-three. Eat your pizza, child.”

  Kevin and Kelly exchanged a conspiratorial smile and laughed. Tessa chuckled, too. If nothing else, her dull love life could provide some entertainment for a young girl who’d had very little to laugh about recently.

  “I’ll leave you here while I drop Kelly off, okay, Kev?” Tessa stood next to the video game her brother was playing and had to practically shout to be heard.

  “Sure thing.”

  “I’ll be back in half an hour to pick you up—can you be out front?”

  “Sure thing,” Kevin said, without looking up.

  Tessa shook her head. “Come on, Kelly.”

  They made their way through the crowd to exit at the front of the building. Tessa steered Kelly around the side of the building and past the back parking lot. The restaurant had been so crowded earlier that she’d had to park her car in the overflow lot farther down the alley. When they reached the lot, Tessa saw that other patrons had blocked the entire row by parking behind her car and the vehicles next to it.

  “Great,” Tessa said. She walked around the front of her car to make sure there was no cement block or other item that would prevent her from pulling headfirst out of the parking spot. Kelly stood by the passenger door, waiting for it to be unlocked.

  Standing up from her crouched position, Tessa nodded. “Looks okay. Maybe you should stay out here to spot me in case I get too close to the fence post,” she said. Behind her she heard a powerful engine downshift as it slowed to a stop.

  When Kelly didn’t answer, Tessa looked at her across the hood of the car. The girl stood frozen with a look of horror on her face.

  Tessa turned around to see that a huge black Hummer had blocked her from being able to pull forward out of the spot. Her car was effectively boxed in. The driver’s side door of the Hummer opened, and Tessa squinted to see who was getting out.

  “Hey, can you move your car? I’m blocked in here,” Tessa said, straining for a casual tone as she saw the size of the man coming around the hood of the Hummer. He leaned casually against it. Something about the man’s body language and posture made Tessa’s heart skip a beat as
adrenaline poured through her.

  Recognition flared in an instant, and she abruptly understood why Kelly was frozen with fear.

  “Get in the car and lock the doors,” Tessa said sharply. “Now, Kelly!” She tossed her keys to the girl, who caught them reflexively.

  Sledge Aiken folded his arms across his chest and shook his head regretfully as Kelly obeyed the instructions. “Now why would you want to do that, darlin’? I just want to talk to you.”

  “Stay away from her.” Tessa hurried around the front of the car to plant herself next to Kelly’s locked door.

  “That’s not real hospitable. Especially when I came all the way across town to talk to sweet Kelly and clear up any confusion.”

  “She isn’t confused about being raped. Back off. Or do I have to get a restraining order?” Tessa asked. Her heart was pounding so hard and fast she was surprised the words came out steady.

  “Yeah? And who’s going to give you one of them restraining orders?” Sledge had moved away from his car and toward Tessa. “I’ve done nothing wrong, I’m just here having a friendly word with the little lady. If she’s real nice, maybe I’ll give her another ride in my Hummer,” Sledge said with a feral grin.

  Tessa stomach turned at the double entendre. Kelly flinched and leaned as far away from the locked door as she could. When Sledge stepped closer to the car, right into Tessa’s personal space, her chin went up.

  It’s like dealing with a vicious dog, she told herself. Show no fear and convince the animal that you’re meaner than he is. He was big, but not as tall as her brother, so she refused to let him intimidate her with his size.

  “Step away from the car, or I’ll have you arrested by 9:00 A.M. tomorrow on rape charges,” Tessa said. “Think how that will play on the Sunday evening news. To say nothing of the Monday morning business shows, who will be talking about the diving stock prices of the companies whose products you’re endorsing.”

  Even in the dim light she could see Aiken’s face turn hard and bright red. “You’ve got nothing on me, you silly bitch.”

  Tessa crossed her own arms and leaned against the car with a bravado she did not feel. “I’ve got enough information in my files to haul you in anytime I want to question you further. Once that happens, it will only be a matter of time and digging before we come up with enough dirt to bury your sorry redneck ass.”

  Sledge stepped closer and towered over her. “Yeah? Files have a nasty habit of getting misplaced, you know?”

  Tessa caught her breath, more at the physical threat than the verbal one. Sledge turned his attention to Kelly, banging his fist on the window. “Girl, get your ass out of there right now. We’re going to have a talk.”

  Kelly said nothing, just looked out at Tessa with huge, pleading eyes.

  “Did you hear me? Get into my truck now,” Sledge repeated.

  “Don’t move, Kelly,” Tessa countered.

  “What the hell is going on here?” The masculine voice echoed in the quiet parking lot. Tessa had never been so glad to see her brother—ever.

  Kevin Jacobi approached the car and stopped, hands planted on his hips. He knew enough about body language to understand that Tessa was scared to death of the man towering over her.

  Tessa watched Sledge look over at the new arrival. She knew he was seeing well over six feet of honed muscles and bristling young attitude. What he didn’t realize was that Kevin was ranked at the national level in both football and wrestling, giving him the raw power and skills needed to take on a man of Sledge’s size. On top of that, Kevin had done years of close-quarters self-defense training with his father, ensuring that he could hold his own in a street brawl as well as on a wrestling mat. Tessa could have kissed him at that moment.

  Sledge turned toward the car again, dismissing Kevin. “Go on home, boy. This is a private matter that don’t concern you.”

  “You’re the one who needs to shove off, boy,” Kevin drawled.

  “Yeah, who’s gonna make me?” Sledge asked, spreading his arms wide and looking around.

  Kevin approached them, handing Tessa the red sweater that he’d run out to return to Kelly. He then pushed his sister behind him and went nose to nose with Sledge, crowding him into taking a few steps away from the car.

  “The ladies don’t like you. I suggest you leave,” Kevin said quietly.

  “Fuck off.” Sledge shoved at Kevin with his hands, but wasn’t able to budge him. He was a couple inches shorter than the teenager, but confident and arrogant enough to think that he could take him anyway.

  Kevin came back with a body slam, crashing into the older man’s chest with his own. While Sledge was off-balance, Kevin reached out with a foot and whisked his feet out from under him. The professional quarterback hit the ground hard enough to drive the breath out of his lungs.

  As Kevin dove onto the ground to continue the brawl, Tessa began looking around for something to use as a weapon. Kelly shouted and held something through a small opening in the window.

  “Here’s your cell phone, Tessa. I already dialed 911.”

  “Thank God one of us has a brain.” Tessa grabbed the phone, which had been charging on the dashboard during dinner, and held it to her ear. “I need you to look in the backseat, Kelly. I have a big, metal flashlight lying around somewhere in there.”

  Kelly leaned into the backseat and began patting around for the flashlight. Grunts and swear words came to her through the open window. “I don’t see it.”

  “Keep looking. It’s long and black—like the kind police officers carry,” Tessa said. She checked on Kevin, but he was still on top. She figured that meant he was okay for now.

  “Got it! It’s under my seat, hang on.”

  Kelly broke two nails tugging, but finally pulled it free. She tried to pass it through the window, but the flashlight was too wide. With shaking fingers she turned the key she’d put in the ignition enough to get power to the automatic windows again.

  Tessa grabbed the flashlight and held it like a weapon as she advanced toward the writhing, cursing mass on the ground. She heard a voice in her ear at the same moment that Kevin laughed triumphantly. He had Sledge Aiken in a wrestling lock, held from behind and basically immobilized on the ground.

  “Kevin? Are you okay?” Tessa asked.

  “Fine. This asshole is history,” he said, tightening his grip on Sledge’s arms and at the same time forcing the older man’s head down to his chest from behind. Sledge heaved and grunted a few times, but could not shake off his opponent.

  Tessa thought fast. Yes, Sledge was immobilized. But as soon as Kevin let him go, he could take another shot and really hurt someone. She’d be forced to bash in Aiken’s brains with the flashlight, and there would be a lot of explaining to do to her boss.

  “Yes, is this the 911 operator?” Tessa said suddenly. She watched as Sledge froze. “There’s a fight in the parking lot behind Game World. Someone just attacked a guy here, we need help. How long? Okay, I’ll stay on the line.”

  Sledge made another effort to throw Kevin off his back. “You’re breaking my neck, man.”

  “The police will be here in about four minutes,” Tessa said.

  “I can hold him that long. No problem,” Kevin said. “I’m not even sweating.”

  “Why don’t we forget about this little incident?” Tessa said, looking at Sledge. “That way, no one has to deal with the paperwork.”

  “What?” Kevin asked, surprised into loosening his hold.

  “How about you let go of Mr. Aiken, then he gets in his car and drives away. We forget this ever happened, and he stays the hell away from Kelly. Sound like a plan?” Tessa asked Sledge.

  “Fine. Whatever. Just get this dickhead off of me.”

  “Let him go, Kevin. We’re not going to solve this tonight.” Tessa checked Kelly to make sure the window was rolled back up and the door was still locked.

  Kevin stood and dusted his pants off with his hands. Normally, he’d hold a hand out to help his wre
stling opponent off the ground. Instead, he stood over Aiken with feet spread and arms at his side, ready to take the guy down again if he made a move toward Tessa or Kelly.

  Sledge pulled himself off the ground and wiped his bleeding nose with the back of his hand. With a wary eye on Kevin, he began to edge toward the Hummer. “This isn’t over. You can’t get off telling lies about me to the police. No one is going to believe that little slut, so y’all had best just keep your mouths shut.”

  Kevin took a step forward. “I’m going to say this real slow-like, so you understand. Go on home, boy. Git!”

  It might have been over a decade since Kevin had left Virginia, but the rhythms of the South could still come through in his speech. He spoke to Sledge in the same way he had addressed the sweet and stupid hound dog he had gotten as a boy.

  Sledge pinned Tessa with a glare. “You know what they say about paybacks—they’re a bitch. Bitch.”

  Tessa leaped forward to restrain Kevin. “Let him go. He’s just talking trash because he can’t do anything else. Let’s get in the car.”

  Kevin waited until Aiken’s taillights had disappeared. Then he opened Kelly’s door and helped her into the rear passenger seat. “I think you should lie down back here.”

  Kelly said nothing, just slid over and slumped low in the seat so she couldn’t be seen.

  “Good idea, Kev. I’m going to drive around for a while so we can all calm down.” Tessa met Kevin’s eyes. He knew she was going to make sure they weren’t being followed, but said nothing that would upset Kelly. Instead, he opened the front passenger window and adjusted the side mirror so he could watch the traffic behind them. He had no idea what was going on, but since he’d grown up as the son of the director of the FBI, he knew well the security routines that were routinely employed to ensure the Jacobi family’s safety.