by WL Knightly
Bay smiled. “Me too. Let’s go inside.”
He took her into the shop, and even though the rich aroma of coffee still lingered, he could envision what Mia said she wanted.
She gestured at an empty space. “Over here is where I want the counter. I think I want to see the street and the door, of course.”
“Of course.” Bay had listened to her go on for half an hour. “We had better get going, Mia. There are contacts to make. I got the name of one of the top factory owners, and he’s willing to talk to us.”
She walked with him to the door. “We’re really going to fill it up with my own designs, aren’t we?”
“Yes, that’s the plan. And a big sign on the front that says Mia in big bold letters.”
“In pink?”
“As pink as that dress you’re wearing.” He held the door open and then locked it behind them.
“No, not this pink, I haven’t decided which.” Her phone rang, and she answered it on the way to the car.
Bay was just glad she seemed to be feeling better. She had almost ruined her big day. He walked over to the car and unlocked it, but then his own phone beeped before he could shut her safely inside.
He had chosen the specific tone for the killer, and his first reaction to hearing it was to look around. There wasn’t anyone on the street paying attention to them. He got in his car and looked at the message.
Remember what I said?
Bay sighed. Refresh my memory, he typed. “Asshole.” He started the car and headed off to the event. The killer picked a stupid time to want to chat.
Once they were at the gala, Bay walked in with Mia on his arm and stopped at the front door. “I’m here with Ethan Cline.” The woman led them to the VIP section, and Mia beamed as she looked around.
“Thank you, Bay. This is going to change my life.” She gave him a hug before sitting down with Raven, Ethan, and his manager.
Bay shook Ethan’s hand and then Nate’s before turning to Raven. “Is Cinderella enjoying the ball?”
Mia wasn’t impressed and gave him a warning glare, which only amused him more.
“It’s a lovely party. Lovely company.” Raven looked across the table at Nate, then back at Bay. “For the most part. How are you, Mia? I love that dress. You look beautiful.”
“I love your dress,” said Mia. “I had wanted one, but my friend Heidi had one. I didn’t want to risk wearing it to the same event. She’s got better tits than me.”
Raven laughed, but Bay cleared his throat, and Mia shut her mouth.
“Thank you, Mia,” Raven said.
“It’s amazing what a little money can do.”
Raven smiled. “Isn’t it, though?”
“I do hope she’s earned it,” Bay said, glancing at Ethan.
“As a matter of fact, she’s decided she didn’t need your money.” Ethan gestured to Raven, who pulled two large stacks of bills from her bag. Nate nearly choked on his drink, but Mia let out a giggle.
“Thank you for the offer, though,” Raven said. “And for the use of your hotel. I checked out this morning, and I told that creepy guy, Lou, that he didn’t have to follow me anymore.”
Bay cleared his throat. “It’s really unnecessary to pay it back.”
“I’m not. I’m refusing to take it.” Raven smiled.
Ethan nodded. “I’ve offered her a position at my farm, and she’ll make enough to support herself.”
“That’s great,” said Mia. “You get to live on a farm with animals?”
“Actually, the animals are all gone, right, Ethan?”
“Yes, there aren’t any animals, but she’ll have a bed and breakfast to run.”
Nate didn’t have much of a smile for Raven anymore. “Those are a lot of upkeep, Raven. Are you sure you’re up for it?”
“Sure, she is,” said Ethan. “I’ve already set aside the money for the project. Did that this morning.”
Bay watched as the color drained from Nate’s face. “You did what?” he asked.
“I made sure the money was there for her to use for the project, plus a little extra for her work. I’ve given strict instructions to my attorney, so everything is all set.”
“You’re making a mistake, Ethan. You barely know this woman.” Nate gave Raven an apologetic look. “It’s nothing against you. It’s just I don’t know if he understands what this could do to him financially.”
Raven shrugged like she didn’t give a shit about Nate’s opinion.
Ethan was less ambivalent. “The farm is mine, and that’s how I want it run. She’s going to do a wonderful job.”
Nate sighed. “If that’s what you want.”
“It is.” Ethan raised his glass and took a swig. “Now, let’s stop all this business talk. I want to have fun before I have to take the stage.”
Bay knew just what Ethan was doing. He was getting his ducks in a row to make sure Raven and Noah had a place to go in case something happened to him. Bay hoped nothing would.
He looked at his phone, but there was no reply message from the killer.
Chapter 21
Darek
“I’m so sorry we’re running late,” said Lizzy as she grabbed her purse from the backseat. “I know your friends are waiting.”
“It’s okay,” Darek said, getting out of the car. He walked around to help her. “They’ll be fine.”
“I have to admit I’m a little nervous to meet Ethan Cline. I loved that one song he did.” She snapped her fingers. “You know, the one about ‘my baby gone and left me, something, something sunset lonely under alibi skies’?” She made a face. “I don’t know the words.”
Darek chuckled. “The good news is, I don’t think he’s going to expect you to sing it.”
“Come on,” she said, giving him a nudge. “You don’t think he’ll appreciate my rendition?”
“I think you became a detective for a reason,” he said, throwing his arm around her waist.
“Oh, that bad, huh?” She rolled her eyes.
They walked across the lot to the door, and Darek asked for their table.
“Right this way, sir.” The woman led them close to the stage, where Ethan would be performing, and Darek felt his blood drain from his face when he saw Raven and Ethan sitting together.
Mia and Bay were situated to Raven’s left, and to Bay’s left were their seats, waiting to be filled.
Lizzy plastered a big smile on her face, one Darek could tell was clearly forced. “Hello,” she said, making eye contact with the other ladies, including Raven, and then the men. Darek waited for her to sit and pushed her chair forward.
He sat with her and noticed Raven looking away, but Ethan was staring right at him, offering him a smile and a hand across the table.
“It’s good to see you again, Darek.”
Darek nodded. “Likewise. This is Elizabeth McNamara. She’s my partner, as well as my better half.”
Ethan nodded. “It’s good to meet you, officer.”
“It’s agent actually. I’m with the FBI.”
Ethan’s smile faded a little. “It’s nice to meet you, agent.”
She giggled and offered her hand. “You can call me Lizzy.”
“Lizzy. Thanks for coming. You know Raven?” He waited for Lizzy to nod, and then he waved a hand in his manager’s direction. “This is Nate Avalon. He’s my manager.”
“It’s good to meet you,” Lizzy said. “Mia, you look lovely. Pink is your color.”
Mia’s cheeks turned a shade paler than her dress. “Thank you.” She leaned into Bay and took his hand.
A familiar face caught Darek’s eyes as Max waved from across the room. He wasn’t dressed like security, other than being in all black and carrying his badge. As he walked over, Bay’s back stiffened, and he sat up a bit taller. Mia held on to his arm, and her eyes turned down to the table in front of her.
“How’s it going, man? Lizzy?” He nodded at the two of them, and Darek smiled. “This is another one of my fellow
officers and ex-partner, Detective Maxwell Smith. I believe he’s providing security for this event.”
“That’s me. I’m here to keep you all safe. If you see any suspicious people, let me know. I’ll throw them out for you.” Max gave a chuckle.
Bay’s eyes did not leave Max, and he looked like a rabid dog that wanted to sink his teeth into Max and spit him out. Darek couldn’t get him to go away fast enough.
“Mia, it’s good to see you here,” Max said. “I hope you’re having a good time.” He looked her up and down and licked his lips.
Mia didn’t speak, and an awkward hush fell across the table as Bay cleared his throat. “We’re having a wonderful time, detective.”
Darek spoke up. “I’m sure we all want to have a good time.” He got to his feet, and about that time, Max turned to Mia. “If there’s one thing Mia knows, it’s a good time.”
Bay got to his feet so fast, his chair nearly turned over, but Nate reached over and grabbed it.
“Easy,” said Darek. “This isn’t the time or the place.” Raven looked across the table at Lizzy like she wanted to do the same, and Darek’s tensions rose. “Go, Max.” He didn’t want one fight to spark another one. Ethan reached over and took Raven’s hand, and she turned her face to his shoulder and looked away.
Max shrugged. “What? I’ve got a right to be here, Darek. No one’s going to do anything now, are they?” He glanced over at Lizzy and then to Raven.
Lizzy got to her feet. “Max, go.”
Max held his hands up, and Mia’s eyes filled up with tears.
Lizzy’s eyes narrowed. “That’s an order.”
Max nodded and took a few steps back as other people from the surrounding tables looked on. “Fine.” He shrugged. “What’s with you and Lizzy anyway? On or off? Someone’s been telling lies.” He shook a finger at Darek and then turned and left.
Lizzy looked after him, and Darek could tell that she wasn’t impressed with him. Probably because she’d been embarrassed in front of Ethan and Raven.
Then another familiar face approached. Lane walked up with a gorgeous girl on his arm. “Hey, Darek. Bay. Ethan. Everyone.” He smiled warmly.
“Lane, just in the nick of time,” said Bay, taking his seat. Mia wiped her tears, and Bay whispered in her ear. She promptly straightened up, having nothing more than a few sniffles here and there.
“This is my friend Nona.”
Everyone at the table greeted Nona and Lane as Darek introduced them.
“So, Ethan, are you ready to perform for us?” Lane asked. He was dressed in a sharp suit, and despite the fact that he’d been a pudgy kid, he had slimmed down as he’d gotten older and was in better shape than Darek was.
Ethan nodded. “I’m ready to get it done, man.”
Lane looked over at Raven and back to Darek with a confused look. Darek mumbled under his breath. “Don’t ask.”
“Raven, how are you doing? All healed?”
Raven held out her hand. The scar on her wrist was still a little pink but healed up nicely. “I’m doing okay. Thanks for asking.”
“Mia, as pretty as ever.” He smiled at Bay, who grinned back. “Nona is modeling here today, so I came to offer my support.”
“I have to go backstage and get ready,” said Nona.
“Won’t you join us, Lane? There’s room for more.” Ethan moved down a bit and pulled out the extra chair.
He kissed Nona on the cheek. “I’ll just be sitting here if you get a minute.” They said their goodbyes, and with a sweet smile for everyone, she left.
“Wow,” said Bay. “Nona is beautiful. Is she a model with Dos or with another agency?”
“Dos. She used to be with Jades. She’s been a friend of mine for several years now.”
“Just friends?” asked Darek, finding it hard to believe.
“Well, we’ve had our share of fun. We’re taking it slowly, being there for each other when we need someone. It’s been tough with me being so busy. I don’t really have any time for anything too steady. My mistress is my restaurant.”
“It was a lovely place,” said Raven. “The food was amazing.”
“I’m jealous I didn’t get to try it,” said Ethan. “I’ll have to stop in next time I tour there.”
“That would be in about two months,” said Nate. “Do you have seafood?”
“Only the best, fresh from the Gulf,” said Lane.
Suddenly, the lights went down, and everyone cheered as music filled the room. It rattled so loudly in Darek’s ear that he couldn’t hear Lizzy next to him.
“It’s so loud,” she said in his ear. She was smiling so big that it was almost as if she’d forgotten that Raven still sat across from her. The music faded as the announcer greeted the crowd and started listing the day’s festivities, starting with a show of some of the latest fashion trends, followed by their dinner and a live performance by Ethan to kick off the main event.
Dancers twirled on stage under lights flickering so fast, Darek felt like he was in a nightclub.
After their performance, the models came out. Nona picked up the rear with a lowcut number that was also so sheer, you could see everything she had. Bay and Darek exchanged a look and smiled.
Lane laughed. “Talk about leaving nothing to the imagination. That’s my girl.” He took a long pull off the drink the waitress had just placed in front of him.
Darek laughed, and Lizzy elbowed him. “Maybe I’m out of my element?”
“I think we both are, baby.” He turned his attention to Bay, who glanced at his phone and then looked around.
Darek took out his phone to check for any messages. He didn’t see any, so he decided to message Bay.
Any messages from you know who?
Earlier, Bay sent a moment later. Tell you later.
Darek looked up and gave him a pointed look as he put his phone away. Dammit. Darek didn’t like it when Bay had information and wouldn’t share it. Bay would lord it over him. It was just his way.
All of a sudden, a tall man in a sharp, plum-colored suit walked up and leaned down to say hello to Mia, who seemed excited to see him. “Marvin,” she said. “It’s so good to see you.”
The man leaned down and hugged her. His lipstick and eyeliner were nearly the same shades. “You need to come backstage with me, girl. You and your handsome man. I have a few friends I want you to meet later.”
“Thank you,” said Mia. Bay gave a nod and whispered something to her. A few moments later, Mia got to her feet, and then the man leaned over to whisper something to Ethan before they scampered off together.
“I’ve got to go get ready,” said Ethan, getting to his feet. “Will you be okay here, Raven? Nate is coming back with me.”
Nate had already gotten to his feet and was hitching up his pants like he was on a mission to the nearest salad bar.
“I’ll be fine,” said Raven, turning her eyes to Lizzy and Darek. “I’m a big girl.” She gave him a wink, and instead of a kiss, he patted her shoulder and headed off backstage.
The fashion show was wrapping up. Plenty of people were talking in the audience, but Darek hadn’t expected Lizzy to lean in and chat with Raven. “That was very impressive work you did with Noah.”
“Work?” She shrugged. “I just put him to sleep. Comfort does that.”
“Well, Wallace said you’re a likely candidate for guardianship. Your connection to Ethan Cline really impressed them, as well as his phone call.”
Raven didn’t seem surprised to hear about Ethan making a call, but it was the first Darek heard of it.
“That’s great news, right, Lizzy?” Darek asked, hoping she’d agree with him, which she sometimes refused to do.
“Yeah, it must be nice having friends who can do favors for you. It still doesn’t change the fact that you’re a walking danger to him. That won’t change, no matter where you go.” Lizzy’s cold tone had Raven leaning forward in her chair.
“I’m taking him someplace safe. It’s already b
een arranged.”
“Well, I say this with the utmost sincerity, but I really hope you two make a happy life together.”
“Thank you, Lizzy. And I wish the same for you and Darek.” The niceties were making Darek nervous. He smiled and looked up on the stage as the music faded and the announcer came out and thanked everyone. When he turned back to look at Raven, she had daggers in her eyes for him.
Chapter 22
Ethan
Things were a madhouse backstage, and Ethan wasn’t used to being a part of this much chaos. There were dancers and models everywhere, some topless, the others sweating from their performance so profusely, they were complaining of the heat and passing out water.
“All of these damned lights are going to kill me,” said Ethan. “If this backstage is any indication of what it’s like out front.” He looked around at the flurry of people, and Nate pulled him off to the side where Marvin led them.
“It’s cooler back here, I promise you,” said Marvin, with Mia on his heels.
Ethan walked to the back, and Marvin pulled them into his private room, where the air conditioning hit him in the face. “This is much better.”
“Okay, cowboy. Here are your clothes. And I’m going to get you wired to your microphone. Your track is ready too.”
“You’re lip-syncing?” Mia asked with wide eyes.
Ethan looked at Bay’s little minion and shook his head. “No, but my band wouldn’t fit on stage, and so I’ll use a backing track for their part. I’ll make sure to talk a bit, so people know it’s me. It’s an old trick in the business for this kind of thing.”
“Oh, well, that’s cool.” She gave a shrug.
Ethan still wondered what Mia’s sister thought about everything that Bay was doing for her. The two had a strange arrangement, and while it wasn’t Ethan’s place to judge, he thought it was pretty fucked up. He believed in being faithful and didn’t like open relationships of any kind. Those types of arrangements were trouble waiting to happen.
Marvin turned and offered a smile. “As much as I’d love to stay here and pour you into those tight jeans you’re going to wear, I’m taking Ms. Mia to the floor for some mingling. I’ll let you know when you’re at the five-minute mark.”
