He squinted at her. “I want to know what they wanted. You were laughing and flirting.”
“I wasn’t flirting. I’ve known Jacob for years. We went to high school together.”
“They like you. They weren’t just being friendly.”
She sealed her lips and then clasped her hands on her lap and exhaled. She didn’t understand Tazer at all. He acted like he didn’t care and then he did stuff like this.
“Forget it. What was that text all about that you sent to Parker yesterday?”
So this was what this was about. A control thing? Okay, I can do this. I can tell him I don’t need them texting me, and checking up on me.
“It was nothing. I’m fine now and have been for over a month.”
“Parker cares about you and worries. He was just trying to be there for you,” he said. Not that “we” care about you, but Parker does. Was he saying that he didn’t care about her and only Parker did? Men were so confusing.
“I know that. I know he’s there for me if I need anything, but I can take care of myself and I’m doing fine. I’m busy with work and have a lot on my plate right now.”
He exhaled and looked away from her then back at her.
“You’re still doing some modeling at that boutique?”
She swallowed hard. She was doing more than some. God, he was going to maybe be angry when he saw the calendar.
“Yes, and sometimes I work at the boutique in Cambridge and other times in Charlesburgh.”
“You like it then?”
“Yes.”
One of the waitresses brought over their salads. She was surprised that Tazer was eating a salad but it did have sliced steak on it.
She took a sip from her tea and then reached for a piece of chicken off of her salad.
“God, I’m starving,” she said without thinking and began to eat.
“Why is that?”
“I totally skipped lunch. It was crazy at work and Ken was so demanding at the photo shoot,” she said and then took a bite of her salad.
“Ken? Who is that?” he asked. She felt her chest tighten. Damn, she was rambling. Oh well, they were going to find out soon enough how much more modeling she was doing now.
“He’s the photographer for the catalogue my boss has been working on. He basically decides what position I’m in and where the photos take place. It’s a lot of stress sometimes but it’s fun. I like it,” she said and took another sip of tea.
“Sounds like you’re doing a lot more modeling than you told any of us.”
“So?” she said to him.
“So, does your dad know about it? What are you modeling in?” His eyes roamed over her top and then to her eyes. “Things like that?” he asked.
“Sometimes,” she said and looked away as she took another bite.
“We need to know about these things. You never gave Parker any work schedule or anything.”
“I don’t need to, Tazer,” she replied.
“How can we watch over you and ensure that you’re safe if we don’t know where you are and who you’re with?”
He was being paranoid and she wondered if it had something to do with his line of work or maybe recent cases he helped with. She heard that Lynch and he had headed out to Texas to help with something.
“I don’t need watching over.”
She saw him open his mouth and then it appeared like he bit his cheek to stop himself from saying what he wanted to. She put down her fork.
“You’re paranoid. This isn’t some foreign country. I’m not in any danger. I’m just working and trying to pay my rent, make a living and be happy. I don’t need bodyguards. You guys don’t need to waste your time,” she said and he started to speak when his cell phone rang. He glanced at it, holding her gaze with a firm expression.
“Now. Shit, okay, give me ten.” He disconnected the call. She leaned back, knew the routine. They were always being called off to some mission or problem and situation that needed their expertise. It was just another indication of where their priorities lay and how she couldn’t fit into their schedule even if they really wanted her in that way.
“I have to go. I don’t want to leave this conversation this way, but I can’t wait. You are not a waste of time. We’ll talk about this again. Make sure you text Parker your work schedule.” He stood up and before he left he paid Rita. Rita waved and smiled and then looked toward Eliza, giving her a half smile then a sympathetic look. So even Rita saw what Eliza did. That these Hayes men were too busy with their lives and set in their ways to even try to include Eliza Grace in their lives.
It just wasn’t going to happen. Maybe she should take up Ryan’s invitation to hang out together at Spencer’s?
* * * *
“You didn’t have to leave. We could handle this,” Lynch said to Tazer as Tazer walked into the office in their house.
“I was with Eliza Grace.”
“Doing what?”
“Having lunch.”
“She let you take her to lunch?” Burker asked, looking shocked.
“Of course not. I made it happen.”
“What made you do that?” Parker asked him as he gave his brother that look. Parker was all over Lynch and Tazer for holding back their feelings for Eliza Grace but there was shit going on. Dangerous stuff and they didn’t have the time to entertain the attraction. Their nerves were shot, they were paranoid about things and pretty upset over the last few cases they were asked to work on.
They had men they used to serve with being found tortured and killed when they went on some secret investigations for a private investigative firm. They wanted answers but as they pushed for them red flags came up everywhere and dead ends. Someone was trying really hard to cover up these killings. It was all connected to some organization trying to lure young women into organized prostitution. At least that’s what they thought. So seeing the after effects of the things that were done to these women in pictures and at crimes scenes had them desperate to protect. It was getting to be impossible to not claim Eliza Grace despite her insecurities and denial of her affection toward them.
If they could only figure out why she held back and kept her distance.
“She was talking to Jacob and Ryan Paisley by her car in town. They were laughing and kissed her hello. Ryan kept looking at her body in the pretty little outfit she had on. She looked so feminine and petite and those guys are big guys.”
“What was her reaction?” Parker asked.
“She conversed. I asked her about it and she said she’s known Jacob since high school. That was the end of that,” he replied.
“You think they want to ask her out?” Lynch asked, looking down right pissed.
“Obviously,” Tazer said and then stood by the chair where Parker was.
“So what’s the deal with this guy Stolley?” he asked, changing the subject.
His brothers exhaled.
“He works the black market well. Sells everything from high priced jewelry and high end art to children,” Lynch said to him.
“Children?” he asked, shocked.
“Fucking real piece of shit. Don’t know why no one has taken him out, but it must have to do with the fact he hides well. No one ever really knows where he is,” Parker said.
“What does he have to do with the soldiers getting killed?” Tazer asked.
“Crosby and Lance tried to meet up with this Stolley guy in Austin. Seems they were onto some sort of prostitution ring where they can order certain types of women willing to engage in any activity. But they were looking for a certain young woman,” Parker said to him.
“Who was it?”
“Commander Lancaster’s daughter,” Lynch said, straight faced.
“Oh shit. He sent in Crosby and Lance to find her? She’s caught up in this prostitution thing?” he asked.
“Sure as shit seems that way. But they never got to the location of where she was being held, or if she was in fact at the location. Seems like a clusterfuck of an o
peration to me,” Lynch told Tazer.
Tazer ran his fingers through his hair.
“Who else is investigating this?” Tazer asked.
Burker leaned back. “It’s on the down low. The Commander is obviously embarrassed by this situation. But now that two retired Special Ops guys show up dead, it isn’t a secret. We got a call from Mick Flours. He’s been assigned as lead agent by the Feds. He’s ready to work with us,” Burker explained.
“Flours? Shit, that guy is such an anal asshole. Who the fuck put him in charge?” Tazer asked.
“Seems the Commander had some pull. He knows Mick Flours somehow and requested his help. He called him personally,” Parker told him.
“Wonderful, so who requested we assist? You would think the Feds, especially Flours, would want to come in, find her and take all the credit.”
“Crosby and Lance recruited a few friends of theirs to help out. They have all the current information and aren’t too keen on giving control over to Flours. They need us to kind of ease the way and also, to pursue a lead right in Tennessee. The others are all in Texas right now,” Parker said to him.
“Who the hell are the recruits?” Tazer asked.
“No one we know or have heard of. Parker and Burker are looking up all they can on them and I’m working on that location in Virginia that needs looking into too. We can leave in an hour if you say yes to the Commander and Flours’ request,” Lynch told him.
“The Commander accepted our fee?”
Lynch nodded. “I added in a little stipulation if this turns to shit fast.”
“Good. Send me what you have. I’ll call Commander Lancaster and then Flours.”
Chapter 2
Eliza Grace was a bit nervous as she rubbed her sweaty palms along the slim fitting dress she wore. A few months back, when Shelby was abducted and Eliza suffered a concussion, singing on stage and continuing her modeling seemed like a distant dream. The headaches she suffered from were few and far between now, but the fear she lived with remained full force, and especially at night. Missy Ann had been a good friend and it was her influence that had Eliza Grace taking this step tonight and achieving a goal she never thought she would ever have the nerve to achieve. One glance at the rowdy crowd and she knew this wasn’t like the little café she once auditioned for but never made it to the event because of the abduction. She swallowed hard. When she went for something she went all out. She was really reaching with this first on-stage performance. She must be losing her mind.
She gulped down the lump of emotion. She had bad luck, that was pretty damn obvious. Stemming from the first assault in college, that she never really recovered from, and then the assault on her at the apartment as men abducted Shelby. She shivered from the memories and also from the fact she couldn’t recall all the details. The doctor said it was her mind’s way of coping with the trauma she suffered and of course the attempted gang rape on her in college.
She took a deep breath and peeked through the side of the stage to see the rowdy crowd. It was jam packed. Summer vacation just began and Luther’s was the hottest place in Charlesburgh. Luther, the owner, had been so impressed with her audition. She came in on a whim while the band was practicing and then asked for an audition. At first he tried to be a little patronizing and even flirted with her but then she stood her ground and told him it was on her bucket list and that she really needed to take this chance. He asked the leader of the band and they of course looked her over and then gave a wink and said sure thing, honey. She had a feeling they didn’t think she could sing and their flirty comments nearly sent her running for the door. But once she started singing and belting it out, they were impressed. They apologized for not taking her seriously and then looked to Luther to offer her a chance to sing in front of the crowd on the busiest night. It was their way of seeing if the crowd liked her voice or hated it. She still couldn’t believe she was here right now, and making a dream a reality.
She felt a bit guilty about it too. Her cousins didn’t even know she was here, nor her friends, like Shelby Ann, Caroline and Missy Ann. Missy gave her such a hard time for duffing out on their plans tonight. But Eliza Grace needed to do this. It would build up that self-confidence, and help her to feel happy. She just didn’t feel happy about anything anymore.
Her eyes widened as she heard the song end, the crowd cheer so loudly even the leader of the band was shocked.
“What a crowd we have tonight. I love the energy, and I want you all to give a nice big Luther welcome to one sexy little lady who is making her debut here tonight at Luther’s. Let’s give a big round of applause for Eliza Grace,” he said and the crowd cheered so loudly as she made her way on stage, guitar in hand. The whistles, hoots and hollers started and Hank, the band leader and announcer, placed his hand on her shoulder and gave her a squeeze as he smiled.
“Knock their socks off, honey. You have the voice of an angel.” He winked and she smiled as she took her place in the front of the stage and the microphone.
She heard the comments about how sexy she looked and she ignored the comments from some of the rowdier men as the music began to play and she shivered with a bit of fear and nervousness that she might screw this up and maybe she wasn’t ready after all. But then once she started singing, and got lost in the lyrics and playing her guitar, the place grew quiet, and seemed to be listening to her every word. By the time she sang the last chord, the place erupted and she couldn’t help but to feel the tears in her eyes and a bit of tension release as she achieved one of her biggest goals. To sing on stage and for the audience to love her.
“Eliza Grace, that was incredible. They asked for three encores. Three,” Luther said to her as he gave her another hug and smiled wide.
She chuckled at his excitement.
“I appreciate the opportunity, Luther. Thank you for allowing me the chance to get up there.”
“Are you kidding me, doll? You were incredible and I knew they would love you. That’s why I gave you the opportunity,” he said and reached out and clasped her chin between thumb and forefinger.
She felt the instant fear at being touched and he held her gaze. Luther was older. Closer to her cousin Kenneth’s age, about thirty-six or so.
She lowered her eyes and he released her chin. He looked her over and smiled.
“How about I buy you a drink and we talk about schedules?”
She looked up, feeling shocked. “Schedules?”
He smiled and then placed his arm over her shoulder and guided her down the hallway and to the main area of the bar. “Sure thing, Eliza Grace. I’m going to put you in the schedule with the band. Hank already insisted on at least two sets a night, starting this Friday.” Her eyes widened and she couldn’t help but feel excited.
“Oh, and we need to talk about your pay. I’d say you’ll be singing full time within the month.”
“Wait a minute,” she said as they reached the bar. He ordered two drinks. A beer for him and a Malibu Bay Breeze for her. She hadn’t wanted to do this full time. She only wanted to give it a try and maybe sing on stage here and there.
“I’m not certain I can commit to a schedule, Luther,” she said and he handed her the drink and squinted his eyes at her.
“Don’t get scared or feel overwhelmed. I know you have the modeling job with the boutiques.”
“Yes, and that’s my full source of income right now. I can’t lose hours or pull out from the commitment I’ve made to Clarissa.”
He smiled softly.
“I understand that. I know Clarissa well.”
She was surprised. But then again, she really didn’t know Luther well at all.
“To your success and to making you more money, while making me more money,” Luther said and clinked their glasses together.
She was still concerned but then Luther gave her shoulder a little nudge. He licked his lower lip as he looked down into her eyes. She felt that bit of fear, an awareness that she needed to keep her distance and make this situatio
n all professional.
“I’ll work it out with Clarissa so you won’t lose any opportunities of work. We’ll plan your schedule as you feel comfortable. Okay?”
She nodded her head and then took a sip from the drink.
“So, what would you feel comfortable with? Maybe twice a week, Wednesdays and Friday nights, two sets each?” he pushed and she felt so sick to her stomach. She really hadn’t anticipated such a reaction to her singing. She was just trying to set some goals to achieve to build up her confidence, not decide on a lifelong career of singing in bars. Plus she really enjoyed modeling. It was just her, the photographer and the camera. She got lost in her role and in creating the scene the photographer or designer wanted to portray with her as the model. It was simple and it paid well.
“I’m not sure, Luther,” she said, lowering her eyes.
“My God, you’re so shy. But when you get up on that stage you shine. People are going to fall in love with your voice. I can really use your talent and bring in the younger crowds this summer. They can relate to you because you’re young, look barely twenty-one, yet sexy and classy. It’s hard to describe. Jeesh, listen to me carry on. I’m making you even more nervous,” he said and then took a sip from his drink.
I don’t even look twenty-one? God, no wonder Parker and his brothers want nothing to do with me. That thought surprised her. Why was she still thinking about them? It was obviously a lost cause. Then she felt guilty. She knew if Tazer or any of them saw her here they would flip. Hell, they were going to flip when they saw the calendar. She wasn’t ready for that confrontation. They weren’t the bosses of her and that was final. She wouldn’t be led along with their little touches and overprotective comments. What did they want her to do? Follow them around and beg for their true attention and a commitment? Hell no. She couldn’t handle that even if they did change their minds and like her that way. Jeesh. I need to focus. If she did start singing here twice a week she was going to have to do some major lying. But only to the Hayes brothers. She would tell her father exactly what she was up to.
Town of Chance: Believing in Love [The Dare Series 7] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Page 3