License to Love: Holiday Box Set (Contemporary Romance)

by Kristen James

  “And found the CD.” Nick filled in the rest for her, but then he caught something in her expression, maybe hurt. He brushed her hair back from her face. “I didn’t mean to upset you.”

  “It’s not that.” She paused. “Not really... My mother’s seashell collection was broken all over the floor.”

  “I’m sorry, babe. That’s rough.”

  Nick could understand what it was like to lose a link to her mother. They fell silent while she lay on his chest with her arm around him.

  In the front seat, Adam was in the midst of an explanation to Herald about the CD that Cora had found at her father’s house. They’d gotten ready and jumped in the car so quickly that they hadn’t explained everything to him.

  Herald glanced back and realized Nick and Cora were listening too. “So if we find his car, we’ll find the CD?”

  “I’m betting he’s ditched that car by now.” Cora thought aloud. “But since he didn’t put any personal items in the glove compartment, I don’t think he would have looked in there. Maybe it was a rental.” Maybe, she hoped, the CD was still in the glove compartment or in a lost and found somewhere.

  “Our only hope is that he didn’t see the CD.”

  “Say we get it, then what?” Adam asked. “We need to all be on the same page.”

  “We’ll see what’s on it,” Herald said while turning to Adam. “Then you and I can copy it and go to the police if we find useful evidence. I’ll call the detective in charge of the case and see what new information has surfaced. Who knows, maybe they found the gun. Maybe they found some other evidence at the crime scene that vindicates Cora. After all, she’s a lot shorter than Keith . . . and Jerry’s blood was all over her. That doesn’t happen if you’re across the room.”

  “Great plan,” Adam said, “if we can find that car.”

  Why had she left it there? At the time, it seemed the best way to keep it safe. Now it turned out it was the best way to lose it or hand it over to Alexander.

  “Right. First things first.” Nick turned to Cora. “Do you remember the make of the car?”

  She searched her mind, annoyed that she didn’t take note of every detail. Admittedly, she was focused on a more important goal that day: rescuing her father.

  “Oh, yeah. It was expensive. Sporty, silver paint, and something new.”

  Nick glanced at Adam and said, “Sounds like Keith’s BMW, doesn’t it?”

  “Alexander did borrow it a lot.”

  Cora laid her face in her hands and rubbed her eyes. Maybe it was an easy break to know where the CD was, but Keith’s garage was one of the worst possible places to break into right now.

  “How will we get it back?” she asked them while Herald asked, “What are we up against?”

  “Guards, an alarm system, and surveillance.”

  Cora felt her lungs tighten. They were nearing town and she feared they were on another crazy mission. They could just run, but that would leave Jerry. She couldn’t pull him out of the hospital. “Look how it turned out before.”

  “We don’t have to sneak into the garage. That might be impossible.” Nick was still working through the details in his head and Herald turned around so he would be able to hear. “Okay . . . Adam watches the house and calls me when any of the vehicles leave, and we follow it. When someone leaves the car, I can hide in the trunk. Once they return to Keith’s, I’ll be in the garage and can search through the other cars.”

  “How will you get back out?” Cora exclaimed. “And what if they find you?” They’d kill him.

  “I’d have to wait till someone takes the car back out again. I can’t think of another way.”

  Herald remained silent in the driver’s seat. Adam glanced at Nick in the mirror, but he didn’t argue. She didn’t want to risk his life. When she met his gaze, and saw his determination, she knew he needed this. He wanted to bring them down. She needed to clear her father.

  Adam pulled over in town so he could get out and make his way to the Holloway property on foot. Herald jumped in the driver seat in case Nick needed to hide. They drove the other way, discussing the plan. Actually, Nick was planning and she was trying to think of another option. Adam called within the hour.

  Nick listened for a minute and then told them, “It’s our lucky day! Two vehicles left, including the BMW. We can intersect them on 34th.”

  Herald turned around and sped off.

  “How many cars does one man need?” Cora asked. “Wait, forget that. We’re just lucky he decided to take the BMW out.” Relief washed over her as she realized that Nick didn’t need to endanger himself with his original plan. He’d just have to try to break into the car without getting spotted.

  A few minutes later, they spotted the white Avalanche and BMW and followed the cars at a safe distance, with both Nick and Cora crouched down on the floor in back seat.

  “I think they’re pulling over up ahead. Good, a parking deck,” Herald announced.

  He turned and parked on the other side of the level, watching in his rear view mirror as several men from each vehicle got out and left together.

  “Wonder what they’re up to.” Nick lifted himself to peer through the back window.

  “I’d like to know too, but let’s just find that CD and run.”

  “I like that idea,” Cora agreed. “I’ve put all of you in enough danger already.”

  Nick squeezed her shoulder. “You didn’t, Cora.”

  She met his gaze, understanding. He had a look of steel determination in his eyes.

  Herald made a sweep past the vehicles, making sure no one stayed behind to watch them, and then parked several spaces down.

  “Do you still have a key?” she asked him. It had just occurred to her that maybe he could let himself in instead of breaking into the car.

  “Thanks to Adam.” Nick slipped out his door and crept toward Keith’s vehicles.

  “Oh, no!” Cora grabbed Herald’s shoulder and pointed through the back window. “I think that’s Terrance, and he’s headed our way.”

  Fifteen

  Herald used the mirror to watch behind them. “I can’t see Nick. I don’t know if he sees what’s going on.”

  “My view’s blocked too.” She wanted to sit up or open a door to see, but that would endanger Nick. The CD didn’t seem worth this risk now. “What is he doing? Does he see Nick?”

  “No. Just be ready in case something happens,” Herald said. She wasn’t sure what she would do. “He’s leaving...and smoking. He must have forgotten his cigarettes.”

  She breathed again.

  “Where’s Nick?” she asked, daring to look. Herald turned his head, and then the door handle clicked.

  The door swung open and Nick slid into the car. “Go!”

  Detecting the urgency in Nick’s voice, Herald hit the gas too hard and squealed the tires. He slowed down, clearing this throat while glancing in the rear view mirror. Cora wondered if they should have involved him in this. It was a little late to change that now.

  “I see Terrance coming back with someone else.” Herald eased off the gas as Nick and Cora both hit the floor. “A couple men are running to the BMW. Did they spot you, Nick?”

  “They might have noticed someone behind the car, but I grabbed the bag and relocked the car before they were anywhere near.”

  “Did you get it?” she asked, hugging him when he nodded. Nick held the bag out for them both to see. Cora removed the CD and found “Back up” written on it in her father’s handwriting.

  “Shoot! Get down.” Herald’s whisper stopped her before she could look at the key or note. “Someone’s smoking by the exit. Could be one of them.”

  Nick yanked Cora on top of him and pulled the blanket over both of them. They lay absolutely still. Cora could only hope that the blanket covered them completely. She couldn’t breathe in the sudden heat, but she toughed it out for a long minute.

  She was so thankful they were together.

  “We’re clear, but stay down.�
� Herald instructed. “I’m not sure if that man was with Keith or not, but there’s no point in taking chances.”

  Nick pulled the blanket away from their faces, keeping an arm around Cora. When he stretched up for a soft kiss, the night before flashed through her mind. His small smile and suddenly hazy eyes made her wonder whether he was thinking about it too. “We did it!” he whispered.

  “Okay, we’re clear,” Herald said.

  They pulled themselves onto the seat and quickly scanned the cars around them. Nick stretched out his long legs, called Adam, and then set up a meeting place at a busy intersection. When they arrived, Adam jumped in the front passenger seat.

  “We got it,” Cora said. She took the note out and handed it to Adam. “Take a look at this.”

  “I know this handwriting. Aunt Angela wrote this.” Adam looked up at Nick, and Cora saw the confusion on both their faces.

  “Angela?” Cora nodded as she pulled out the other piece of paper she’d put into the bag. “This has a yes by her name.”

  “What?” Nick scanned the list of Holloway family members. “What does this mean?”

  “I’m thinking the list is people who are involved in the drug operation or have knowledge of it. And that other note, well,” Cora paused, “Who’s tall and dark?”

  After a short, shocked silence, Adam said, “Alexander? Angela and Alexander?”

  “Wow.” Nick shook his head. “At least we’re finally getting some answers.”

  “You could say that,” Herald agreed, “This really ties some things together.”

  Cora shuddered, thinking of the time she spent with Alexander. It had all been a twisted game. Nick was right – Alexander had been setting Jerry up to get to her. The strange part was that he never touched her when he had the chance. He could have forced her. Instead he planned to have her witness Jerry’s murder to win her over somehow. He used everyone around him.

  As planned, they split up. Nick wanted to make sure the CD was safe, and it wouldn’t be with him and Cora. Cora gave the list and the CD to Adam and Herald to take with them. Herald wanted Nick to take the car. Before they left, Herald leaned toward the window and told Nick, “I advise dropping the car at the office and grabbing a cab or something. Don’t drive your own car, either.”

  “Don’t worry, we’ll stay smart.” Nick nodded and they drove away.

  “Isn’t there anything we can do? We’re just leaving them.” She watched through the back window as Herald and Adam turned to walk away.

  “People are looking for us, not them,” Nick reminded. “We can help by not drawing attention to them.”

  ***

  While watching their backs, Herald and Adam got into a cab and took a random drive around the city. They ended up at a library and quickly made their way to a public computer room.

  “Here we go.” Adam opened the CD and found five years of dated files full of account numbers and transactions. “Look at all these accounts... Keith was moving his money around regularly.”

  “Let’s copy those files.” He searched through the contents in his brief case and retrieved a flash drive.

  “Wait, look.” Adam pointed to a file name. Cora.

  Herald’s right eyebrow went up. “Open it. Maybe it can help us.”

  Silence ensued as the men read the long letter Jerry had left for his daughter. Herald simply whistled as he reached the end.

  Adam laughed. “Now we’re really getting somewhere.”

  ***

  After dropping off Herald’s Lincoln, Nick and Cora continued on foot. They decided to find somewhere out of the way where they could get lunch and make a plan of action. It was late afternoon, and they needed to eat.

  They slipped in the back door of a bar and grill and sat in the back. She leaned back in her seat, looking at him and trying to pretend for a minute that it was a normal lunch date. He folded his hands on the table, looking back at her. She had to appreciate his tone arms, and his lean and sleek build.

  His face warmed with a hint of a smile. “That was a lot of work for a first date.”

  She quietly laughed while rolling her neck to work out some of the tension. “But we’re coming to the end of all this, aren’t we?”

  He reached for her hand across the table. “Jerry’s safe, and we have the CD. Pretty soon we’ll know what’s on it.”

  “It has to be good. Why else would Jerry hide it like that?”

  The aroma traveling from the kitchen tickled her stomach, reminding her how much she liked to eat. When the waitress came, she ordered a seafood salad and Sprite, hoping the drink would help settle her stomach. She glanced around, nervous that someone would recognize her. People often did, if they watched the nightly news. She hoped she would still have a job after this. Just getting through it would be nice, too.

  “So what’s Angela like?” Cora asked while they waited for their food.

  His brow creased. “She is very obsessed with appearances. She has platinum blond hair that’s always done up, and wears lots of jewelry and perfume.”

  Thinking of the note, she asked, “And what about her husband?”

  “Michael. He’s the youngest brother; very ambitious, like Angela. Man, if he finds out she’s been sleeping with Alexander. . .”

  “Possibly sleeping with him,” she said. “Do you think it’s more complicated than that between them? Alexander and Angela both sound ruthless to me. Maybe they stole the money together, and it’s not really about sex or love.”

  Their food arrived, and both Nick and Cora forgot about talking while they ate. They needed to work on a plan but she pushed that thought away so she wouldn’t lose her appetite. Maybe Adam had found something useful on that CD.

  “Adam hasn’t called or texted?”

  Nick’s head tilted. He reached for his phone. “Damn it. The battery’s dead, and my charger is in my car.”

  They both knew she didn’t have her phone. “We can buy another one or use a payphone.”

  “I should check in with Herald from a payphone and then we can pick up a charger.” He rested an elbow on the table and rubbed his forehead. When he opened his eyes to look at her hand, she realized she was tapping her nails. He tilted his head toward the door and then they both rose.

  The waitress walked by. “Are you ready for your check?”

  “We have to run.” He opened his wallet. “Here’s forty.”

  Outside it took a few seconds for their eyes to adjust to the brightness. They walked down the street, passing other businesses. Cora was looking in a window when she noticed the reflection of a vehicle behind them; it seemed to be moving at the same pace.

  “Slow down just a little,” she said. “Look at the glass over here and check out that white SUV. It’s been rolling slowly behind us.”

  Nick casually glanced at the shop windows to see the reflection. “You’re right. We’ve got a tag.”

  Cora’s heart pounded. “But how could they find us that fast?”

  He took her hand without answering. “Keep it slow, don’t act panicked.”

  The mid-day heat suddenly felt twenty degrees hotter. It didn’t make any sense that Alexander had found her so easily before, and now they were being followed.

  “An alley is coming up. Keep your pace. Maybe they’re following us to see where we’re headed.”

  “At the alley, run?”

  “Yup.” The alley grew closer...just a few feet ahead. She was already breathing like she was sprinting. Her heartbeat pounded clear into the tips of her fingers.

  Hand in hand, they bolted into the alley while tires squealed behind them. After leaping over boxes, they reached the other end of the alley and quickly turned onto the next street.

  At a store entrance, Nick pointed. “In here.”

  “No, look!” Cora gestured to another fast moving SUV, coming from the opposite direction. “They’ll trap us.”

  They sprinted across the street, dodging a honking car, and down another alley.

&
nbsp; “Good thing you’re fast.” Nick jumped up on a box and pulled her up by both hands. They scaled the fence and started off at full speed on the other side.

  “Okay, now let’s find somewhere to hide.” Nick slowed, scanning the shops up and down the street. Squealing brakes stopped them. The SUV barely missed a minivan as it came around the corner.

  “Run!” With only one option, they backtracked toward the fence while the SUV closed in on them.

  “Shit!”

  Another SUV pulled up on the other side of the fence, blocking their way. Two men jumped out: Nick’s cousin Terrance and a stocky twenty something.

  “Give up!” Terrance hollered from the other side as they reached the fence. “You’re blocked in.”

  The only way out was straight up the buildings next to them.

  “Nick?”

  His hand held Cora’s so tightly her fingers went numb. “I’ll get you killed if I pull my gun. Don’t do anything.”

  “But…” She looked into Nick’s usually warm eyes, and saw that they were blazing with rage.

  “Don’t hide your weapon, they’ll find it anyway,” Nick whispered gruffly. “We’ll find another way out of this.”

  The other SUV pulled up close and two older men stepped out while pointing handguns at them.

  “Hold out your guns and drop them.”

  Terrance and his partner were right up to the fence now. They had guns pointed at them from twenty feet away on both sides. Nick didn’t hesitate and Cora followed.

  “I’m glad you’re going to do this the easy way.” The men took them to the SUV, waved to the other vehicle, and started off. “Don’t move or talk, or she gets it.”

  She thought about trying to jump out the door, but that would put Nick in danger. And to think she had been worried about Herald and Adam.

  Nick sat steel rigid next to her. She had no idea how they’d get out of this… but, with the CD, Adam and Herald could talk to the police and get help.

  The men, followed by Terrance’s SUV, drove straight to Keith’s house and pulled into the multiple-car garage. Terrance got out of his vehicle first, opened Nick’s door while keeping his handgun pointed right at Nick. “Welcome home, Nicky. Come on in.”