“Of course not! No matter what my personal feelings are, I can’t support any violence against Mr. Valentine.”
It wouldn’t be violent if Byron had his way. Dickhead wouldn’t even see it coming. Byron excelled at a neat and clean hit—in and out the door in under ten minutes. It was a generous way to go, considering all the suffering he’d caused.
“Who’d you have in mind?” Byron could offer her one of his private guards or recommend some other names if she preferred.
She sucked in a breath. “You.”
Byron gaped at her. It was a bit like asking the fox to guard the henhouse. He’d never expected her to ask him for protection—“taking out the trash,” so to speak, was an altogether different matter.
He found it strangely moving—Jane trusted him with her safety.
“Why me?”
“Police protection is out of the question. I can’t go to the authorities without revealing too much about my situation.”
“Why not call your knights on shining motorcycles?”
Byron had met Jane at Hades, the diner owned by the Four Horsemen Motorcycle Club. Jane was the Four Horsemen MC’s attorney before she’d even met Byron. The bikers had taken a real shine to her. While the brothers might work outside the law on occasion, they were vigilantes who helped little old ladies cross the street and such. This situation would be right up their alley.
“I thought about it.”
“And?”
“The Four Horsemen have a terrible track record when it comes to staying out of trouble.” Some years back, the club had gone through a RICO trial. It’d nearly busted the motorcycle club apart. “You, on the other hand, have literally gotten away with murder. The FBI has never made a case against the Dixie Mafia.”
The unspoken “yet” at the tail end of her sentence hung in the air. If Thorne had his way, Byron would be cooling his heels in a supermax for the rest of his short life.
“Me guardin’ you is a good idea, but it’s a temporary fix. I can’t watch your back forever, darlin’.”
“I want you to keep me safe while I do some research.”
“What kind of research?”
“I have a plan, which isn’t illegal, per se, but it’s definitely unethical.”
“You had me at unethical.” He grinned. “Do go on.”
Jane tilted her head to the side. She was probably deciding what she could reveal and what she had to keep secret. They were on the razor’s edge of violating her client-attorney privilege with Valentine.
“I’m simply engaging in due diligence. Should a client of mine be charged with another crime, I want to be aware of all the facts.”
Damn, Jane surprised him. She was downright devious—how striking. Byron loved this new side of her.
“The recent murders were sophisticated with hardly any evidence, and you’re bettin’ Valentine wasn’t always so particular.” Byron filled in the blanks because she couldn’t say it. “You’ll make an anonymous tip and the feds will put your monster in the cage for you, all squeaky clean and legal.”
Jane didn’t comment. “I need protection while I work.”
“I’d be doin’ you a favor?” Now they were gettin’ to it. He lived for negotiations.
“No, this is business and I’ll pay you a fee.”
“But I don’t want your money.”
“Why not?”
He spread his arms wide. “Look around you, darlin’. I’ve got everythin’ a man could want. The last thing I need is more cash.”
“Then what do you, um, need?”
Byron licked his lips. “So many things.”
When it came to Jane, he couldn’t help himself. She was a challenge and wouldn’t be won over with big gestures or pretty words. He’d have to work his ass off to get her, but he knew she’d be worth the effort.
And he wanted her more than any other woman he’d ever pursued. Maybe because he hadn’t been able to turn her head. With his good looks and family fortune, women not only noticed him—they pursued him, flirted with him shamelessly, and a few bolder ones had tried to seduce him.
Not Jane—from day one, she’d been indifferent, rebuffing him. She was so calm and cool, Byron wanted to stoke her fire and make her burn for him.
He hated to contemplate the psychology of his attraction, but it also had something to do with her innocence, her innate decency. On every level, Jane was way out of his league.
“Your insinuation wasn’t subtle. I should’ve known you’d make some lascivious offer.”
“We’re both single adults, so it ain’t out of bounds. We are both single, right? You datin’ Ted Bundy too?”
“Ted Bundy’s dead.”
“I was making a joke.”
“I’m not laughing, and I’m not dating Valentine or anyone else.”
“Don’t get so touchy. Instead of money, all I’m askin’ for is a shot with you—a real shot. No more makin’ up excuses to see you. No more bullshit—just you and me.”
She scowled. “I won’t be blackmailed into having sex with you.”
“I said a shot, not a sure thing. There’s a big difference, and besides, I’ve always loved a good chase. Why shoot fish in a barrel, you know?”
“Don’t ever say the ‘f’ word again.”
“All I’m sayin’ is, you keep shuttin’ me down before I get a chance to woo you, right and proper.”
“Woo me?”
“Yes, woo. A man’s gotta woo a woman.” Damn, am I the last ladies’ man on the planet? What happened to winin’ and dinin’?
He’d like to take her out for a fabulous meal, go dancing, maybe even a romantic moonlight stroll afterward. And then take her to bed for a couple of days.
“You want to…date me?” She frowned, as though the concept was foreign.
“For starters. I ain’t sayin’ you gotta take me home to meet your daddy, but I don’t want a one-night stand either. It’ll be a recreational, respectful relationship—albeit a short one.”
“Relationships aren’t fun—they’re a hassle.”
“Because you haven’t had one with me.”
“What if I don’t like you after I’ve given you a shot?”
“I know you will, because I’ve never disappointed a lady. However, in the unlikely event you aren’t interested, I’ll back off. What do you say?”
An eternity passed before she nodded.
Byron felt like pumping his fist in the air but held himself in check. A lesser man might worry about an upcoming fight with a serial killer, but Beauregard had taken down armed men who were as vicious as himself. He sure as hell wasn’t scared of some freak who attacked defenseless women.
“I have a few ground rules. One, you don’t leave my side until this over.”
“I don’t know….”
“That’s non-negotiable. I take your safety seriously and so should you.” In the meantime, he’d try to convince her to let him handle this problem the mobster way. If anyone had a reckoning coming, Oscar Valentine did.
“Fine, I suppose you might be useful in more than one way.”
“Oh, darlin’, you don’t know the half of it. I’ve got plenty of skills, and you ain’t seen nothin’ yet.”
“I was referring to your people skills.”
He winked. “Me too.”
Jane shook her head. “First, I need to drive to work and get the case file. I’m going to take some vacation days until this is resolved, and I’ll need to drop by the apartment and pick up some clothing for our road trip.”
“You can fill me in on the details later.” Byron stood. “I’m drivin’ you to the office, so I’ll have my Escalade brought around.”
Byron walked off with a spring in his step. This was going better than he’d hoped. Jane needed his help—she was staying in his home, under his roof. He’d play the hero, put the bastard away, and get the girl too.
Sounds like a damn fine plan.
Chapter Seven
Jane was relieved
the long trip to Dallas was a silent one.
Before she talked to Georgia, she needed to gather her thoughts.
Byron had attempted to start a conversation with her a couple of times but stopped when she gave him short, clipped answers. They rode in his big black Escalade. Like some sort of jungle cat, the engine rumbled and purred as they drove—it reminded her of the man himself. There was something predatory, dangerous about Byron, and that was comforting. Byron was more than a match for Valentine.
He sang “Devil Inside” by INXS along with the radio, tapping on the steering wheel. Despite the dire circumstances, he was in a good mood, and it irked her.
Jane was hardly ever in the mood for company, especially not this morning. An introvert to the core, she needed a lot of alone time. Last night, she’d tossed and turned. Every time she’d closed her eyes, Jane found herself back in the dark room, pressed against the doorway, bargaining for her life. When she was awake, she’d agonized over the decision she had to make.
Walking away and keeping her client’s secret was the proper professional course of action—yet, she couldn’t go through with it. Valentine had murdered a half-dozen women, probably more. If Jane kept her mouth shut, he’d go on to kill others, and she couldn’t live with herself if she stood by and let it happen. Her guilt over helping Valentine skirt a murder charge also weighed on her conscience—she’d been partially responsible for putting him back on the streets.
And yet violating Valentine’s constitutional rights was wrong too. There wasn’t a correct answer to the problem, and it was maddening. Jane liked clearly defined boundaries and legal classifications, and this situation was a murky quagmire of moral questions.
Jane already knew this decision would haunt her for the rest of her life. Both choices were terrible, but she took the one which would be least objectionable. When weighing Valentine’s civil rights against the lives of future victims, she had to side with protecting people.
Jane was also concerned about her own well-being. After speaking with Byron this morning, she doubted Valentine would back off and accept her decision not to pursue a relationship with him. She was also worried about her legal career. If anyone found out she’d dug up dirt on her client and served him up to the authorities, she’d be finished as an attorney.
Maybe her father was right and she should be pursuing another aspect of the law.
***
Later, as Byron parked the car, Jane headed inside. When she reached the reception area outside of her office, Georgia pulled Jane into a big hug as soon as she walked in the door. Jane clung to her, and the embrace lasted a long time.
“Are you okay?” Georgia pulled back to see her face. “Last night’s phone call was weird and then I got your email sayin’ you’d be late, so I figured somethin else happened…,” she trailed off as Byron strolled through the door. “Oh, my.”
Jane tapped her foot peevishly. Byron reminded Jane of a peacock, always putting on a show. She’d seen women make a fuss over him for months—waitresses, secretaries, everyone but Jane succumbed to his charms, and he seemed to enjoy every single second of it.
“You remember Mr. Beauregard, don’t you, Georgia?”
“Of course I do.” She hustled over and shook his hand. “Nice to see you again, Mr. Beauregard.”
“Likewise.” He flashed a smile, showing a row of even white teeth.
“Can I get you anything? Coffee? Bottled water?” Georgia laid a hand on his forearm, probably because she wanted an excuse to touch him.
“No, thank you.” He took a step back, ending the contact. “Jane has to get some files and then we’ll be on our way.”
Georgia nudged Jane. “On your way where?”
A flush crept up her cheeks. She wasn’t self-conscious as a rule, but this was awkward. Georgia made it sound like they were having a fling. Although it wasn’t far from the truth, since she’d agreed to give him a “shot”—whatever that meant.
Jane didn’t feel like discussing it with Georgia. She hadn’t had a chance to wrap her brain around the implications. And she had enough to deal with without worrying about her love life.
“Mr. Beauregard and I are, er, working on a project.”
“Yep, we’re partners all right.” He nodded to Brady, who sat on a nearby couch with a coloring book. “And who’s this pretty girl?”
In her anxiety, Jane hadn’t even noticed Brady was in the office.
“I’m Brady.” Ringlets bouncing, she stood up on the sofa. Even with the added height, she only came up to his chest. “And who are you?”
“I’m Byron Beauregard, pleasure to meet you.” Byron shook her hand with mock seriousness.
“You’re handsome, like a prince in those movies.”
Ugh. Even Brady isn’t immune to his charms.
“Why, thank you, sweet pea. Oh, I like her.” Byron turned to Jane with a wide smile.
“I’m so sorry, the sitter was sick this mornin’, Jane. I’ve made other arrangements, but my neighbor can’t get here for another hour.”
“Don’t worry about it. I think you should cancel the sitter this week and keep her with you.”
Georgia frowned. “You’re a stickler for professionalism. Somethin’ is seriously wrong.”
Professionalism at her place of business was the least of Jane’s worries. Given recent events, she was relieved Brady and Georgia were safe in the office together. There was a security guard stationed in the lobby, along with video surveillance in case any of their clients got out of hand when a jury didn’t side with them.
“We’ll talk about it in my office.”
“Why don’t you ladies get to it then? I’m fine here.” Byron sat on the couch next to Brady, who handed him crayons so they could color together. He said something to her, and she cackled in delight.
Georgia and Jane exchanged bemused looks. Neither of them expected the mobster to take a shine to the girl.
“I won’t be gone long,” she informed Byron.
“Take your time.” He waved her away as though unconcerned. “We’ll be waitin’ for ya.” Byron had a red crayon in hand. Brady grabbed him by the lapel and whispered a secret into his ear.
They got on like two old friends, and Jane couldn’t tell who was enjoying themselves more—Brady or Byron. She got the distinct impression he’d done this before.
As soon as Jane shut the office door behind them, Georgia placed a hand on her forehead and slipped down the wall in a fake swoon.
“Did you see him with Brady?”
“Yes, it was bizarre.” The mobster is good with children? My life is getting stranger by the minute.
“You don’t look impressed.”
“I’m not.”
“Oh, come on, don’t be so cool. There’s nothin’ sexier than a handsome man acting fatherly.”
“If you say so.” Jane shrugged.
“Come on then, tell me what’s goin’ on.”
Unable to keep it in anymore, Jane blurted out the essential details—Valentine’s admission of guilt, his love for her, and Byron’s new position as her bodyguard—while Georgia listened in slack-jawed silence.
Although Jane failed to mention her plans. She didn’t want to endanger Georgia’s legal career, and she’d be tainted by this case if anyone found out what Jane had done. While she might go down in proverbial flames, Jane refused to take Georgia with her.
“Okay, I need to sit for a spell.” Georgia dropped down into a chair and scratched her forehead.
They sat in silence while Georgia pulled herself together. Jane knew exactly how she felt. Even though she’d had several hours to acclimate, she was still reeling.
“I knew the son of a bitch was guilty.”
“Yes, you did, and I didn’t even see it coming.”
“Oh, hey, no, don’t beat yourself up.” Georgia squeezed her hand. “Someone like Valentine spends years craftin’ a mask he shows to the rest of the world, tryin’ to hide the monster he really is.”
> “It still doesn’t change the facts—you weren’t fooled, and I was. You’ve got good instincts, and they’ll serve you well in the job.” If she survived this, Jane vowed to polish her résumé and at least take a look at other jobs.
“The part I’m still freakin’ over is when he said he’s in love with you, because....” Georgia shivered.
Jane sank into a chair with a sigh. “Right there with you.” Even thinking about his mouth on hers nauseated her. At least confiding in Byron and Georgia helped—now, she had a game plan and support.
“On the positive side, at least you’ve gotten closer to Beauregard.”
“Yes, apparently killers are very into me.”
Georgia giggled first and then Jane joined in. They both laughed until they had tears in their eyes.
“This is so messed up. What are you gonna do?”
“Nothing, because my options are limited.” Jane hated lying to her friend, so the words came out in a rush. “I can’t go to the FBI because of privilege, and I have a legal obligation to keep his confidence. Although I’m taking a few days off because I need some time away from here.”
“I totally get it. If anyone deserves a break, you do.” Then she clasped a hand over her mouth. “Holy cow, I just realized it—this is the Buried Bodies’ Case.”
“Exactly.”
Georgia bit her lip. “I shouldn’t be saying this, but someone like Valentine didn’t start killin’ a couple years ago. If you investigated, I bet you’d find other victims—ones he didn’t dispose of so carefully.”
Of course, they’d come to the same conclusion.
“And then make an anonymous tip?” Jane couldn’t even look her in the eye—the shame was unbearable. “I’d be subverting the judicial process.”
“Yes, but these are extenuating circumstances.”
Jane couldn’t let herself off the hook so easily. “We present the facts, all the evidence, and the jury decides—one theory of the crime triumphs. It isn’t perfect, but I’d be perverting justice and betraying a client in the process.” Her stomach churned, and she could barely get the words out. Jane had never been so mixed up in her life. Neither decision felt right. More than anything, she wanted Jed’s guidance, but she wouldn’t drag down his career too.
Blood in the Water (Dixie Mafia Series Book 2) Page 7