by Tee O'Fallon
“Sounds good,” Dom said, and let it go at that. As much as he was itching to probe Jack about the logistics of getting weapons inside the hotel, he didn’t want to push too hard too soon. He’d seen more than one op spiral down the crapper due to overeagerness.
Together, they took the elevator to the main floor. There they parted company, and Dom headed down the street to his Explorer. He drove back to Manhattan and pulled over to call Gray with an update.
He hadn’t been surprised that Jack had dug up the details concerning his friendship with Gray, but it also meant he’d have to exercise caution and no longer go to Gray’s apartment in person. The last thing he wanted was to put Alex and Nicky in danger.
The call went right to voicemail. When he heard the beep, Dom said four words. “We’re still a go.”
Those words were code meant to inform Gray that his first hit was a success, and that they’d actually managed to trick the Pyramid into believing that Jimmy Gonzalez was dead. Un-fucking believable.
He maneuvered the Explorer back onto the street and headed for his apartment. Working for Daisy would be yet another complication. One he didn’t need but couldn’t avoid. Not only was it essential to the success of this operation, but no way in hell was he about to leave her unprotected with Jack in the picture.
Jack had made it clear he wanted Daisy in his future, which was a good thing, as it meant he wouldn’t hurt her. But Dom couldn’t, in good conscience, allow her to shack up with a homicidal killer. And he couldn’t shake the feeling that there was something off about Jack’s interest in Daisy. Despite the bogus termination, he was still a New York City detective, and as such had a professional obligation to protect her from the Pyramid. And Daisy wasn’t just anyone. She was more than an obligation to him. How much more, he didn’t want to admit.
This part of the plan had worked out perfectly. He could further his UC role by working with Jack every day, with the added benefit of keeping an eye on Daisy.
It was a win-win. Although he seriously doubted she’d see it that way.
Chapter Twelve
Daisy’s heels clipped on the sidewalk as she walked the two blocks from her favorite pastry shop. The colorful orange print scarf she’d tied around her neck had come loose and fluttered in the breeze. She stopped in front of a store window, using her reflection to settle the scarf into a loose wrap style. The fabric played off the natural copper highlights in her hair and went perfectly with the pumpkin-colored slacks, silk blouse, and sweater she’d worn.
Pleased with the look, she was about to turn and be on her way again when another reflection caught her eye. A man was watching her from across the street. She wasn’t in a bad part of town, but this early—seven o’clock—the sidewalks weren’t crammed with people as they would be thirty minutes from now. She pretended to fiddle with the scarf again to buy some time. She couldn’t be positive, but he reminded her of that creepy guy who’d come to see Jack at the shop. The one who’d made her skin crawl.
With her heart beating just a little faster, she eased her hand into her pocketbook until her fingers closed comfortingly around the can of pepper spray. After making another show of readjusting her scarf with her free hand, she turned around and looked both ways along the street. But the man was gone.
She continued the remainder of the trek to her shop, feeling like a paranoid idiot. If that guy hadn’t creeped her out so much, she probably wouldn’t have thought twice about the reflection in the store window.
But I didn’t imagine it.
Someone had been watching her. But it was probably just a local guy waiting for one thing or another before starting his day.
Once inside the shop, she set her pocketbook, the bag of pastries, and the newspaper she’d purchased onto her desk. She sat and began flipping through her calendar. Two days to go until the opening, and the shop was swamped.
She set the pastries aside to wait for Alex. The two of them had agreed to meet early at the shop to catch up on things. They called it their “just-girls-pinkie-pact breakfast,” a monthly event. No boys allowed.
Glancing at the newspaper, she noticed the headline. Shooting on the West Side. She scanned the article that detailed how a man had been gunned down by an unknown assailant and died soon after. The shooter was still at large.
Another story on the front page detailed the Piazza’s grand reopening, including the prestigious program for the evening. The night would start out with a speech by Christopher Shane, followed by many of New York City’s upper social echelon and political circles. Daisy would be on the guest list, and she looked forward to wearing that brand-new, full-length beaded red gown she’d grabbed on sale at Nordstrom. And speaking of dresses, she still had to choose something pretty for her date with Jack tonight.
The bell on the shop door jangled. “Daisy, you here?” Alex’s voice filtered through to her office.
“Back here,” she yelled, then began clearing space on her desk. She took the chocolate croissants from the bag and set them on flowered paper plates with dainty flowered paper napkins.
“Good morning.” Alex smiled as she breezed in wearing an azure blue skirt and jacket outfit that made her eyes look even bluer. “Love the floral china.” She pulled out a thermos and two paper cups.
“Nothing but the best for my bestie.” She handed Alex a napkin and glanced at the clock, grateful they still had at least thirty minutes before Jack and Marjie arrived.
“So tell me what’s been going on.” Alex unscrewed the cap from the thermos, then poured them each a cup of steaming coffee. “How are the Piazza arrangements coming along?”
She watched Alex pour the coffee, thinking of how thoughtful Jack had been the other day bringing her coffee. The man really was a gem, he just wasn’t— Wasn’t someone else, she admitted on a sigh.
“Are you okay?” Alex stared at her from across the cup she blew on. “You seem preoccupied.”
“Huh?” She looked across the desk, only then realizing she hadn’t heard Alex’s question. “Sorry.”
Alex reached for one of the croissants. “I’m guessing you’ve got a lot on your mind. The only question is whether it’s because of the hotel opening, or something else. And since I know you better than you know yourself sometimes, I’d guess it’s something else. A man, perhaps? Which also poses another question.”
“What’s that?” She bit into a croissant, smiling as the rich dark chocolate filling hit her tongue.
The corners of Alex’s mouth lifted. “Why, which man, of course.”
Daisy groaned, dreading having to verbalize what was beginning to drive her insane.
“I’m right, aren’t I?” Alex set down her cup. “You and Dom clearly still have a connection. Both Gray and I saw the sparks between you two the other night. But you’re attracted to your new driver, and as much as you want to keep Dom in your past, you can’t.”
“You’re good, doc.” She picked up her cup. “That pretty much sums it up. Although,” she continued, grimacing, “there’s a bit more to it than that.”
“Uh, oh. What happened?”
“The other night after dinner at your place, Dom paid me an unexpected visit.”
“At your apartment?” Alex frowned. “That can’t be good.”
“It wasn’t.” She shuddered at the powerful jolt of awareness that shot from her belly to her breasts as she recalled the finesse with which Dom had touched her.
“You didn’t.” Alex gasped. “Did you?”
“No!” she practically shouted. “But we came frighteningly close, and before I knew it we were on the sofa and half my clothes were off and—”
“And what?” Alex leaned in, widening her eyes.
“And I kicked him out on his perfectly muscled ass.” She smiled smugly.
“Good for you.” Alex held out her raised hand, which Alex slapped with a hearty high-five. “I love Dom like a brother, but I’ll never condone the way he goes through women. I don’t think he gives them unreal
istic expectations or lies to them, though. There’s something deeper at work there. Personally, I think he’s afraid of them.”
“Seriously?” She couldn’t imagine him being afraid of anyone or anything. He exuded far too much confidence and physical strength to cower for any reason.
The unexpected words Dom whispered while they’d been dancing at Alex and Gray’s wedding came to her. Love hurts too much. That had been what he’d muttered, she was sure of it. Hard to imagine, but could Dom have been hurt by someone he’d once loved?
“Regardless,” Alex continued, “one-night stands won’t work for you, so you did the right thing kicking him out. And,” she added softly, “anytime you need to talk, I’m here for you. We girls have to stick together.”
“Amen,” Daisy said. “But right now the problem is Jack. I have a date with him tonight, and I’m thinking of canceling.”
“Why?”
She uttered a loud groan. “How fair would it be if I went out with Jack, knowing that all Dom has to do is look at me and I turn into a wanton pile of spineless goo who can’t keep her clothes on.”
Alex pursed her lips, then a thoughtful expression came over her face. “Did you ever stop to consider that maybe Jack is just what you need to get over Dom? You gotta get back in the saddle, cowgirl. Give the guy a chance, but take it slow.”
“I thought of that.” She nodded in agreement. “But I still feel guilty as hell.”
“Maybe you’re putting too much pressure on yourself…and on this date tonight. Maybe Jack is only looking for someone to have a nice meal with. Not all men are expecting sex on the first date, so why not go out and enjoy yourself?”
Yeah, not all men expect sex on the first date. Dom did. And that wasn’t even a date.
She took a deep breath. “You’re right.”
“You go, girl.” Alex winked, then ate the last of her croissant. “And I have news as well.” She pressed a hand to her flat belly. Her face took on a dreamy, serene look. “I think I’m pregnant.”
Daisy gasped. “Oh my gosh. That’s wonderful news.” She came around the desk and hugged Alex to her. “I’m so happy for you.” Alex had wanted another child, and now her wish was coming true.
“Thank you.” Her eyes filled with unshed tears as she smiled. “Gray doesn’t know yet, and technically until I have the test, I’m not positive.”
“But you know.” Daisy grinned, nodding her head. “Don’t you?”
“I do. And I hope it’s a girl this time.”
Thirty minutes later, she walked Alex to the door and hugged her friend good-bye. “Call me when you know for sure, okay?”
“I will,” Alex promised. “And you call me tomorrow and let me know how your date with Jack went.”
“Will do.” She watched Alex walk to the curb and hail a cab.
Soon her friend’s slim body would swell with child, and she wondered if her own body would ever be blessed with the joys of motherhood. She vowed then and there that if she was lucky enough to have a family of her own, she would shower her babies with all the love that had been missing from much of her own life since her parents had died.
An image flitted through her mind of her and Dom sitting on the floor near a Christmas tree, two small children playing nearby. One with dark hair and eyes, like hers. The other, blue-eyed with sandy-blond hair. Like Dom’s.
She groaned and squeezed her eyes shut. “Don’t even think it,” she whispered, then spun on her heels.
Back at her desk, she set to work organizing her calendar for more Piazza deliveries, two anniversaries, one bar mitzvah, and one wedding. All for tomorrow. She tapped her pen on the latest invoices for the potted cycads and palm trees Andrew had selected for the Piazza. The black granite pots were enormous and had to weigh hundreds of pounds, and that was before they were filled with soil and trees. She hoped Jack really did bring his friend around this morning.
At eight sharp, the bell on the shop door jingled and Daisy heard voices. Jack’s, Marjie’s, and another man’s. She got up and walked down the short hallway to the showroom. The other male voice sounded familiar, and her heart skipped a beat. No. It couldn’t be. What would he be doing here? At the end of the hallway she stopped and her eyes went wide.
Her heart began beating furiously. Just when she’d vowed to exorcise him from her life, here he was. In her shop. Looking annoyingly gorgeous in jeans, a black T-shirt, and a navy blue overshirt rolled up to his elbows. “What the hell are you doing here?”
“Daisy.” As Jack unexpectedly kissed her on the cheek, she looked at Dom and could swear his jaw tensed. “This is my friend, Dom, the guy I was telling you about. You should hire him as a backup driver. At least until after the Piazza reopening. He has a CDL.”
“What?” Her mouth gaped as she stared first at Jack, then at Dom.
“The timing is perfect.” He placed his hand on the small of her back, drawing her forward. A tendon in Dom’s neck flexed. “You need a driver. He needs a job. And I need the help. Besides, don’t you two know each other?”
This can’t be happening.
Without answering him, she waved a finger back and forth from Dom to Jack. “How do you two know each other?”
“Jack’s an old army buddy.” Dom walked toward her, holding out his hand, a slight smile on his lips. “Good to see you again, Daisy.”
Numb, she automatically took his hand. Warm, strong fingers closed over hers as they shook. He held her hand an instant longer than necessary.
She pulled her hand from his. “You can’t work here.”
“Why not?” His voice was deep and rumbly, sending unwelcome shivers to her neck. “I need the money, and Jack tells me you’ve got too many deliveries for one driver to handle.”
Dom hadn’t moved, and he was too damned close for her to think clearly. She took a step back.
“C’mon, be a sport, would ya?” He shoved his hands into his pants pockets. “I really could use the paycheck.”
“He’s a hard worker, and I trust him.” Jack clapped him on the back. “So should you. Why don’t you two talk privately? I’m sure you guys can work this out. I’ll get started in the storeroom with those pots.” He left and headed down the hallway.
“Look,” Daisy said as she pointed her finger again at Dom, “I don’t know what the he—” She stopped when she noticed Marjie staring at her, brows raised and sporting an impish grin.
“What?” She glowered at Marjie.
“Nothing.” Her assistant threw up her hands and practically ran to the counter to stow her bag.
“Shit.” She instantly regretted her anger. It wasn’t directed at Marjie, and she’d behaved like a ranting fool. “Follow me,” she growled at Dom, then spun and stalked to her office.
She heard his uneven footsteps behind her and realized he was still limping. As soon as they got to her office she quietly closed the door, although what she really wanted was to slam it in his face. When she spun she nearly plowed right into his chest. He reached out to steady her, gripping her upper arms gently. His thumbs grazed the sides of her breasts, making her shiver with awareness.
“Let. Me. Go.” She gritted her teeth, and when he released her she went to her desk chair, grateful for the large piece of furniture between them. She crossed her arms, knowing it would be obvious that her nipples were standing at full attention. When he sat across from her, she lit into him. “I don’t know what kind of game you’re playing, but you can’t work here.”
He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. The simple movement flexed his biceps, tightening his shirt. Another annoying reminder of just how incredibly muscular he was, and how good it had felt to run her hands over the hard contours of his body.
“Why not?” he asked. “I thought we agreed to at least be civil to each other, so in the spirit of détente I’m coming to you for help. I told you, I got fired.”
“I still don’t believe it.” He was too damn honorable. Except when it came to her.
“If you think for one second that I’m going to hire you, you’re out of your freaking mind.” She sat back in her chair, not giving a shit if her nipples were as big as cherries. He’d never get his hands on them again, so let him see what he’ll be missing out on.
“I know this doesn’t make sense, me coming to you for a job. But I’m desperate. Not only did I get fired, but I’ll probably lose my pension, too.”
Daisy looked away, she had to. If she stared into his beautiful blue eyes a second longer she might start to actually believe him. And assuming he really did get fired with no pension in his future, he probably was in dire financial straits.
Oh, hell.
She might be a sucker, but she’d feel like shit if she didn’t give him the job. She really did need to hire someone, and fast, so why not him? Plus, as Jack had said, he has a CDL, and those don’t fall into her lap every day. But it was more than that, and she knew it.
As an eleven-year-old child she’d been on her own. Sure, she’d had a foster family to provide her with the essentials, but she fully understood what it was like to have nothing.
Letting out a loud breath, she shook her head, still in shock that she was even considering doing this. Still, there were questions that needed to be answered first.
Meeting his gaze, she said, “You once told me you’d been out of the army for nearly fifteen years.” One of the many things they’d talked about so long ago. “Have you and Jack been in touch all this time, or did you just happen to run into each other?”
“We only reconnected recently.” He leaned back in the chair, clasping his hands behind his head and stretching those long legs out in front of him. “I told him I was looking for work, and as an old friend, he said he might be able to get me a job with the company he was working for. I once did him a favor. This is his way of repaying it.”
Again Daisy found her eyes glued to his arms and the way they filled out his shirtsleeves so enticingly. All those bulging muscles were distracting as hell. It wouldn’t be easy having him around the shop every day, and if she hired him, she had to be prepared for that. And there were other things that had to be laid out on the table.
