Pretty Dangerous

by Emery, Lynn

  “Hi MiMi. Don’t pretend you’re not home. I saw the curtain move,” Roderick said quickly.

  “I don’t have to. This is my house, and I don’t have to open the door. I can just let you stand there looking stupid,” MiMi yelled back.

  “C’mon, honey. Remember what we had,” Roderick called back.

  “You’re right to use the past tense, Roddy.” MiMi glared at the door with her arms crossed.

  “Listen, I talked to your parents and they understand. Your mother suggested we talk things out,” Roderick said.

  “I’ll just bet she did,” MiMi muttered. The phone rang. In no hurry, MiMi strolled to the kitchen to answer it.

  “Don’t make me yell through a closed door. Your neighbors will call the police.”

  “Bye Roderick,” she called over her shoulder. She picked up the cordless handset, then regretted not checking the caller ID. MiMi hissed at the strong contralto voice on the other end of the line.

  “Miliana Elise Landry, you let Roderick in. He deserves an apology for the way you’ve treated him,” her mother said.

  “Apologize?” MiMi sputtered. She held the phone away from her to gape at it. “I was in a third world prison because of him!”

  “That’s right, Miliana Elise. Tell the entire city at the top of your lungs.”

  “Mother…”

  “Your father spent a fortune to settle the matter and keep the scandal from crossing borders. No one knows, and including your employer. If you still have an employer,” Mrs. Landry said, her voice cut through the handset like a honed steak knife.

  Trust her mother to score several points in one deft move. MiMi swallowed the string of curse words that bubbled up her throat. “I appreciate what daddy did for me, although he let me sit in jail for a long time. I do still have my job,” MiMi replied tartly. She almost added “As if it’s any of your business.”

  “Don’t get an attitude with me,” Mrs. Landry shot back. “Of course you had to wait. The authorities weren’t going to simply let you go because he said so. Don’t be ridiculous. Now I’m going to tell Roderick that you’ll let him in.”

  “He called you? Are you kidding me? What a big baby.”

  “Stop being vindictive and let him in,” Mrs. Landry said.

  “You can’t order me around like I’m a child.” MiMi stomped one foot and pursed her lips at the phone.

  “Of course you have a right to be upset. But at least give him a chance to explain and apologize. Your father did silly things when he was young. That didn’t stop me from realizing he was the right man for me. Think of Sage’s future.” Her mother’s voice softened to her “I’m on your side” tone.

  “I can’t believe you think Roderick is father material after the stunt he pulled.”

  “MiMi, I know you smoked marijuana several times in college. And was Jack Crown father material?” Mrs. Landry, her voice sharp again.

  MiMi’s mouth had opened wide to argue the comparison between Jack and Roderick. The defense froze on her tongue. Score another set of points for team Pauline. “I get it, mother. We all have faults; we all make mistakes.”

  “Precisely, now open that door and don’t wake up Sage with silly theatrics.”

  “How did you know…” MiMi blinked at the phone.

  “I’ll call later. Goodbye.” Mrs. Landry hung up as if confident her command would be obeyed.

  “The woman knows what goes on in my house as well as I do,” MiMi mumbled as she hit the off button.

  She went back to the front door. Roderick’s tall frame could be seen through the beveled glass, a dark shadow against the bright sunshine around him. He waited patiently, no doubt assured by her mother things were fine. MiMi huffed in frustration, but after a few seconds she snapped the locks and yanked opened the front door. Roderick looked too good dressed in a dark gray suit, soft blue dress shirt and silver tie.

  “Progress,” Roderick said with a grin. “Now the big question; will you let me cross the threshold?”

  “The bigger question, will I knee you in the groin,” MiMi snapped. “You’ve got a nerve, pleading your case to my parents and then coming over here.”

  “I owed them an apology, MiMi. They were worried sick, and it was all my fault. Totally.” Roderick grew serious. “I can speak from right here. I don’t blame you one bit for…”

  “Oh just come in,” MiMi cut him off. She stood aside as he walked past and then closed the door. Her charm school, sorority debutante manners kicked in. “Would you like some iced tea or coffee?”

  “Decaf if you have it,” Roderick replied. “I’m cutting back on caffeine. It’s not good for you.” He followed her and sat on a stool at the kitchen island, elbows resting on the black marble as if he belonged there.

  MiMi loaded the coffee brewer with a pod of gourmet decaf. “Right, but taking a toke of weed from some Dominican street dealer is completely healthy and safe.”

  “Ouch.” Roderick hunched his shoulders dramatically. “In my defense, I’d been drinking rum tiki cocktails on and off most of the evening. So had you.”

  “Yeah, well.” MiMi sniffed. “I was on vacation after all.”

  “My judgment was a bit impaired, at least give me that much. We partied hard though, had a blast.” Roderick cocked his handsome head to one side.

  MiMi spun around to face him, hands on her hips. “Being in prison with hardened criminals cancelled out the fun part.”

  Roderick stood and came around the island. “Look, I effed up big time. But don’t forget I told the police and the prosecutor you had no part of me buying the weed. It was just a tiny amount anyway.”

  “My attorney made you tell the truth.”

  “Our lawyers planned it as a strategy. They figured the prosecutor and judge wouldn’t believe me swearing you didn’t know right off. So they decided to make it look like I confessed after I was backed into a corner.”

  MiMi gave him a skeptical frown. “Mr. Columba didn’t say anything to me about it.”

  “He didn’t because they wanted you to have a genuine reaction. Nobody watching could doubt you wanted to strangle me.” Roderick’s full lips tilted into a sideways smile.

  “I still might,” MiMi retorted. She turned away to break the spell of his hazel-eyed gaze. “Come to the DR, you said. It’ll be romantic, you said.”

  “I’ll say I’m sorry as many times as it takes for you to forgive me,” Roderick said softly. He sighed and went to sit on the stool again.

  MiMi felt a shiver down her back at the sound of his voice, smooth and sincere. His willingness to give her physical space added an extra touch. The man could charm women into agreeing that the sun rose in the west and set in the east. Was she being a fool for him? She avoided looking at him as she put artificial sweetener in her coffee and stirred. Then she sipped from the mug and sat down. MiMi decided to change the subject to blunt the power of his magic touch.

  “So, how much hell did your father give you when you got back?” MiMi said.

  Roderick let out a groan. “He’s docking my pay for the next three months to pay him back for the legal fees and bail. And I’m on probation at the company. He says I won’t be made CEO if I make one more ‘boneheaded move’.”

  “Three months to get back thousands? Wow.” MiMi mulled that over as she drank another sip of the strong Louisiana brew. Obviously he was being well paid. Of course he was, she thought.

  “Don’t worry. I had enough left over for this.” Roderick pulled a red leather box from his jacket pocket. He put it down on the granite countertop. “Open it.”

  MiMi blinked at the fancy gold logo embossed on the outside of it. He nodded when she looked at him. Then she lifted the lid. “Oh. My.”

  “Chocolate with no calories,” Roderick said quietly.

  “I, it’s… my goodness.” MiMi lifted the necklace from the midnight blue felt interior. A fourteen carat gold chain ended in an oval pendant set with chocolate and champagne diamonds.

  “Let
me put it on.” Roderick got up, carefully draped it around her neck, and fastened it.

  MiMi became mesmerized by sparkle. “It’s gorgeous.”

  “The colors are perfect for your beautiful cinnamon brown complexion. I’ll get Sage’s present. Wasn’t sure you’d let me in,” he quipped. Roderick dashed for the kitchen door before MiMi could speak.

  Not that she had words anyway. MiMi kept staring at the way the diamonds reflected light into a rainbow of colors. Roderick came back holding a huge chocolate brown teddy bear.

  “Roderick, you didn’t have to bring us such fabulous gifts,” MiMi protested. She caressed the pendant even as she spoke. “Sage adores teddy bears. I was going to start a collection for her. She’s going to be thrilled when she wakes from her nap. How did you know?”

  “Every little princess deserves the very best. Why don’t we take it upstairs? She’ll see it when she opens her eyes.”

  MiMi gazed at him. “Oh Roderick, you’re making it hard for me to hate your guts.”

  Chapter 6

  For the next two weeks, Roderick’s campaign to court MiMi had gradually chipped away her resistance. Small gifts arrived every few days, like her favorite flower-pink roses. One day he sent a lovely silk scarf. Then came a sterling silver charm bracelet that included Sage’s birthstone set in one of the charms. She didn’t have to guess how he knew what she liked. He had the blessing of her parents. She didn’t protest when he left some of his things at her house, including in her home safe. They were like a family already. MiMi suspected their mothers had coached him on how to impress her.

  On a Saturday afternoon, MiMi sat across from Willa in Mama Ruby’s kitchen. She wore the necklace and the charm bracelet. Willa’s adoptive mother stirred a large pot of her famous gumbo, but they both knew she was all ears to their conversation. Willa’s eleven year old daughter, Mikayla, played with Sage in the den at the other end of the open floor plan. Willa’s father had excused himself to “let the ladies have some girl talk”. He really meant a basketball game was on and he didn’t intend to miss it.

  Willa leaned over, voice lowered to a whisper. “Let me get this straight. The guy who got you locked up in a Caribbean prison came over to your house. You two have a quickie while the baby was sound asleep. All is forgiven because he bought you an expensive piece of jewelry.”

  “Well don’t make it sound cheap and slutty,” MiMi mumbled.

  “Uh, there’s no way to not make it sound cheap and slutty. You literally rolled over for him. I thought you’d given up the gold digger game,” Willa replied and sat back.

  “He didn’t buy me,” MiMi snapped. “We talked about the incident and he apologized, plus he explained a few things. Some friend you are, thinking the worst of me.”

  “You accepted his gifts after he threw you to the wolves. The judge was perfectly willing to lock you up for years,” Willa said.

  “Lower your voice,” Mama Ruby whispered sharply to her daughter. “And I agree with MiMi. That was a terrible thing to say, calling her cheap and slutty.”

  “Her words, not mine,” Willa protested. “And why are you defending her behavior?”

  “Ametrine always says the Lord wants us to have a forgiving heart. I don’t think she should keep holding a grudge against the man if he’s truly sorry.”

  “The voice of reason speaks up.” MiMi gave Willa a frown of disapproval. “Roddy didn’t ‘throw me to the wolves’. He made it quite plain that I didn’t know he was going to buy weed. Besides, we’d both been tipping back a few too many rum punches that day.”

  “In other words, you may have drunkenly agreed to score,” Willa muttered. She ignored her mother’s sharp glance.

  “Nobody’s perfectly innocent. Besides, he’s been so sweet since.” MiMi turned her wrist to admire the shine of her bracelet. The tinkle of the pretty charms made her smile.

  “Hmm. Your parents want y’all back together I guess.” Willa sipped from a glass of diet cola.

  “Mother and Daddy happen to approve, yes. What?” MiMi looked at Willa.

  “Your parents are suddenly concerned about your love life. Sounds suspicious,” Willa replied, her tone heavy with what she left unsaid.

  “Of course they want the best for me and Sage. Daddy knows that Roddy comes from a good family. In fact, our fathers have worked together on several business deals. Daddy built three warehouses, and one housing development. Mr. Jefferson wrote the commercial insurance policies on the construction jobs.”

  “Uh-huh.” Willa got up to help herself to a still warm hush puppy.

  “Hey, save some of those for dinner. We’ll be eating in less than thirty minutes,” Mama Ruby scolded. She glared at her as she finished mixing the potato salad.

  “Umm-hum,” Willa said around chewing the buttery treat. “I don’t mean to be cynical…”

  “Oh no, not you,” MiMi shot back and rolled her eyes. “Anyway, I know what you’re going to say. Yes, my parents think we could form a pretty powerful business combination. You know how tough it is for minority owned businesses to get their share of contracts. All this backlash against set asides and affirmative action is to blame.”

  Mama Ruby lifted the large soup ladle “Yes, as if we’re anywhere close to making up for over four hundred years of not owning property. You know, Elton’s grandfather should have owned…”

  “Over ninety acres in West Feliciana Parish, but the white sheriff and the white judge lied about the deed. I know, mama,” Willa broke in.

  “Don’t forget what happened to my great grandfather. By rights our family should own another sixty acres in Pointe Coupee Parish.” Mama Ruby went on again to tell the family story of her ancestor. He’d become so successful, that envious local whites threatened to lynch him. “He had to leave everything behind to keep his family safe. Granddaddy said if it had just been him, he would have fought. But he had a wife and children to think about.”

  “How awful,” MiMi said, as if she hadn’t heard the story at least three times before. She shook her head. “At least his son was able to go back and get some of the land returned.”

  “Yes, made history in this state. So I know how your daddy feels about building something for the future.” Mama Ruby gave a sharp nod. She put the lid on the large gumbo pot.

  Willa’s daddy came into the kitchen. “Ruby telling y’all them old dusty family stories again.” He grinned at them all.

  “Children need to know our history, Elton. How else they gonna appreciate what we came from? I had a point, which is I understand why MiMi’s daddy wants her to have a man who’s got something.”

  Papa Elton’s thick dark eyebrows pulled together. “Oh yeah, we all know about them Landrys.”

  “Elton,” Mama Ruby said in a harsh whisper and jabbed him with an elbow.

  “I mean, uh, how they worked so hard. Ahem, let me see what’s going on with the game.” He scurried out before anyone could comment.

  Willa stared at her mother, a question on her smooth brown face. “Okay, so Mr. and Mrs. Landry are right to set MiMi up with this guy.”

  MiMi ignored the undercurrent. “Anyway, I don’t exactly have a pristine track record myself.”

  “Yeah, like being my husband’s mistress,” Willa said dryly.

  “Ex-husband,” MiMi protested. “Well almost, and you were glad to be rid of him. You said so like a million times.”

  “It’s the principle,” Willa said with a grunt. “Anyway, whatever. Chase the money if you want.”

  “I happen to like Roddy,” MiMi said with a scowl.

  “Okay.” Willa smirked when MiMi huffed with irritation.

  The doorbell of the kitchen door rang, cutting off their impending spat. Mama Ruby went into the alcove that led to their back patio. She came back smiling with Jazz and Baton Rouge Police homicide Detective Don Addison.

  “Look who showed up and brought company with her. We’ve got plenty so y’all come right on in.”

  “Hey everybody,” Jazz
said. “We ate a late lunch, but thanks anyway.”

  “Afternoon,” Don nodded. He looked around as though expecting to find something to confiscate.

  “I don’t care what you say, Jazzmonetta. Y’all make a nice couple,” Mama Ruby said in a stage whisper. She winked at Don. Then she bustled around getting bowls set out for servings of gumbo.

  Willa smacked her lips. “Very subtle, mama.”

  “Elton will probably eat in front of the television despite my nagging. So the children can eat in the den, and the grown folks can sit right here. That way y’all can talk.” Mama Ruby made it plain she would stick around to hear every word.

  “Sage can’t eat the gumbo, too spicy,” MiMi said.

  “I put aside a little pot for her and Mikayla before I added the pepper. Oh and no hot sausage for them either. I was raising children when you were in diapers, young lady,” Mama Ruby said.

  MiMi grinned as she gave Willa a sideways glance. “Yes, ma’am. I’ve been schooled.”

  “Anthony should be here instead of chasing some girl. This is family time.” Mama Ruby gave Willa a pointed stare.

  “He’s almost eighteen and has his own social life. Besides, he gives y’all plenty of attention. Good Lord, mama. And I thought I’d have trouble cutting the apron strings.” Willa rolled her eyes.

  “At least we have most of the family here. I include you, Officer,” Mama Ruby said. She beamed at him as though ready to call him her new son-in-law.

  “Mama, don’t start,” Willa mumbled.

  “I think it’s wonderful that Jazz is happy,” MiMi added. She laughed when Willa glared at her.

  “Y’all need to stop meddling,” Willa replied.

  “Oh like you haven’t?” MiMi retorted.

  “Hey, listen,” Jazz broke in.

  “MiMi is right, Willa. Your nose ought to be sore stickin’ it in Jazz’s business.” Mama Ruby winked at MiMi and turned to the stove again.

  “Let’s eat. Filling your mouths with food is a great idea right about now,” Willa said.

  Willa, MiMi and Mama Ruby launched into a spirited debate over who was the worst busy body. Each one tried to out talk the other to present evidence. Despite the intensity of their discussion, there was more teasing than real conflict. Jazz tried to break in several times. Finally, after about ten seconds, Don spoke up loudly.