by Unknown
“Do you have problems with low self-esteem when you’re with her?”
Carla placed a hand on her hip. “What is your problem? I don’t have any issues with Tonya. So, she flirts, big deal. I’m not her.” She heard herself getting loud. Was she upset with Tonya for flirting with him?
He shook his head. “If I had walked out that door with that hot ass woman, you’d be pissed and you know it. My eyes are everywhere, Carla. I’ll be looking at you and past you at the same time. The evil looks you passed between Tonya and me were deathly. The one thing you knew for certain is I wouldn’t leave with her because I couldn’t not because I didn’t want to.”
She pinched the space between eyes. “This is baffling to me. Where are you getting this from? You and I have nothing between us. You’re free to screw any woman you want. I’ll call Tonya back and let her know you’re interested.”
“You’re getting upset. Let’s change the subject.”
“I’m not mad. It would never work with Tonya. She is a talker whereas you don’t know how to open up, Zach. You’re so closed and cold its scares me more than the person trying to kill me.”
He leaned forward and folded his hands. “You’re afraid of me?”
She nodded slowly. “Yes, at first I was but I’m not anymore.”
“What changed your mind?”
“It’s a number of things. For one, I like how you caught me when I fell out of that tree.” She put her hands on her hips. “You’d be a lot more likable if you’d open up, Zach. Talking about your work is out of the question but there are other subjects to talk about.”
He kept his eyes on her. “Ask yourself if you’d be willing to debate me in sports or politics? Looking at me, you wouldn’t think I had an interest in those.”
She lifted her brow and smirked. “No. I don’t see anything but coldness in you.”
He chuckled. “That is my intention. Ms. Parker, we should attempt to keep the peace until I’m gone in the morning. Now that you have home court advantage; do what you do and I’ll sit here and mind my business.”
Carla pursed her lips to keep her tongue from flapping. Politely she said, “Whatever you say, Agent Murphy.”
An hour later, Carla emerged from the bedroom feeling refreshed. Nothing healed the soul better than a clean body and fresh clothes. She even washed her hair knowing it would curl tighter to her head. It was worth it to get rid of the smell of the woods, and any bugs that had taken residence in her hair from the tree. The itching on her arms and legs eased after the hot shower also.
She passed the living room and saw Zach seated in the same position on the sofa but watching television. In the small kitchen, she took a package of chicken breasts from the freezer and stuck it in the microwave to thaw. Taking items from the cabinets to put together some dinner for them, she doubled the portions since Zach was a big man. The small portions of food she ate would not fill him up.
The microwave beeped. She took the chicken and placed it in the sink to clean and prep. Finished with the chicken, she stuck it in the oven and moved on to prepare the macaroni and cheese and made green beans as the vegetable. It was a hearty meal for summer, but she was starving after eating only fruit and yogurt.
With everything cooking, she took two beers from the fridge and went to the living room. “Can you drink?” She handed him a beer watching his eyes scan her over. The peach tank top and brown shorts showed off more of her body than she cared for a man to see. But after the way he looked at Tonya, she needed to see something in his eyes that he approved of what he saw.
Zach took the beer from her and cracked open the top. “One won’t kill me.”
Carla sat in the chair and crossed her legs. Her freshly shaved legs dangled inches away from him. She knew he got a whiff of the perfume she wore. She sprayed enough to be tantalizing but not overpowering. “If you want to freshen up before dinner be my guest. You might not have time to do it in the morning.”
He took a long swig from the beer. “Is that a way of saying I smell?”
She ran a finger around the rim of the beer bottle and smiled. “I didn’t wanna be rude and come out and say it, but I know how I smelled.”
He finished the beer setting the bottle on the table. Grabbing a backpack he hitched his chin. “Where is the bathroom?”
She pointed a finger over her shoulder. “Last door down the hall. There are clean towels on the shelf that won’t take off your skin when you dry off; I use fabric softener. Why don’t you mention that to whoever is in charge of cleaning the cabin.”
“I’ll make a note of it,” he said walking down the hall.
chapter twelve
Zach let the spray of warm water splash over his face to relieve the tension. He couldn’t get rid of the feeling that something was off. Yezhov wasn’t one to lie down and take a beating. He didn’t believe he’d given up and returned to Russia to regroup. If anything, he’d call in reinforcements and push harder on the family until they gave up Tyrone and Phillip.
The Russian mafia is organized. Waiting around patiently isn’t a motto they live by. Tyrone and Phillip are sure to know they are marked for death for stealing and splitting up was wise. However, Yezhov would not rest until both men were found and stood before him.
In the years leading up to this point, Zach had infiltrated Yezhov’s organization. He saw firsthand how merciless the man is. It was a rumor going around his younger brother was cooperating with Russian police. The rumor turned out to be false, but Yezhov no longer trusted his brother or his loyalty to the organization and had him eliminated.
Zach soaped his hair with the shampoo that was on the edge of the tub. It was citrus smelling, and he quickly rinsed it out. Carla was more girly than he first thought. The smoky pink and purple hues of the bathroom with matching accessories were extremely feminine. He made sure not to splash the fuzzy pink toilet cover as he relieved himself over the toilet. The whole bathroom smelled like perfume to him. It came from the arrangement of perfumes sitting on the counter and dried potpourri scattered around in decorative dishes.
Zach’s sinuses were on fire until he stepped in the shower. His mind wandered to last night. He didn’t want to think about that. That was never to be revisited again. But, she had got him going with the way her clothes hugged her body giving him images of what he knew lay beneath that tiny tank top and short shorts. It didn’t help that she smelled so damn good.
He couldn’t shake that she’d been marked for death because of guilt by association. Her two boneheaded cousins honestly believed they would live carefree thinking they’d escaped the clutches of Yezhov. Apparently, they didn’t bother to read the fine print on the contract that stated otherwise.
Zach turned off the water and grabbed a towel to dry his face. It was soft just like her. He took a deep breath knowing if he didn’t protect her, she would be dead in a matter of days. He was the best man on the team, and Lowes knew that. He didn’t understand why he was pulling him from the detail with Yezhov so close in his reach.
Drying off the rest of his body, he dropped the towel in the hamper and took clean clothes from the backpack. Dressed, he left the bathroom. Zach paused in from of the bedroom door that was slightly ajar. His inquisitive mind had to see where she slept. He heard her in the kitchen and knew it was safe to snoop. He pushed open the door to get a look inside.
“She’s a neat freak,” he mumbled. The full-size bed just fit in the room and was made up with not a wrinkle creasing the cover. Unlike the bathroom, the bedroom was done in earthy tones of brown, gold and red. A large brown furry throw rug covered the hardwood floor. He stepped into the bedroom to look at the pictures on the dresser wedged in the corner. The three women posing together on a beach resembled each other. He assumed they were her sister and mother as their smiles were all the same. The other pictures were of women in USA uniforms. He didn’t see any photos of her with men, not even the ex-boyfriend.
Over his head was a shelf that held trophies and
ribbons. He reached for a trophy and heard her voice. “Did you find anything interesting?”
Caught red-handed, he shook his head and turned around to face her. “I wasn’t snooping. The door was open.” He cleared his throat. “You have a lot of trophies.”
“I told you I was good. These are only a few, my mother has the rest,” she said standing next to him. “You smell better, a bit girly but better.”
He put the trophy back on the shelf. “Hopefully it’ll wear off before I get on the plane.”
Zach read her body reaction as she stood next to him. He tilted his head and let his eyes fall on her behind. The hip-hugger shorts held her snug t-shirt in place under the wide black belt. The effect gave her slender hips prominence. He drew in a breath and scanned the rest of her body. He even found her natural hair sexy. The black mass of tight curls framed her small face. Now that she had makeup on, she looked a little older but she didn’t need it at all. Her lips were full, sexy and glossy, and her eyes under a flutter of thick lashes made his heart skip a beat.
“I have to check on the food. Feel free to keep snooping; I have nothing to hide.”
He didn’t respond and left the bedroom. The woman was doing odd things to him that he didn’t like, and if she hadn’t moved first, he would’ve pulled her hard against him and kiss that fully, sexy mouth. He’d bet her lips tasted as satiny as the brown gloss that covered them.
She called after him before in a snappy tone. “Dinner is ready, so go straight to the kitchen.”
Zach sat at the counter and inhaled the aroma filling the kitchen. Whatever she cooked for dinner smelled fantastic. His eyes widened when she pulled the bubbling pan of macaroni and cheese from the oven followed by the roasted chicken breasts. She fixed a hefty plate of food and set it in front of him. He didn’t see the green beans on the stove but liked how they brightened the plate. She put a basket of warm cornbread muffins with butter on the counter and slid it over to him.
He picked up his fork and asked. “You eat like this and don’t gain any weight?”
Carla slid on the stool next to him and poured cold lemonade into tall glasses filled with ice. “I’m lucky that way. Anyhow, I’m hungry, and you should have a decent meal before boarding the plane in the morning. Airplane food is tasteless unless you’re in first class.”
He blew on the hot steaming cheese before shoving it in his mouth. The flavor exploded in his mouth. This definitely wasn’t his mother’s mac and cheese; it was better than his grandmother’s. “You shouldn’t have gone to the trouble.”
She chewed the food in her mouth slowly and glared at him with those sultry eyes. He sipped his lemonade feeling the heat roll off her. What did he do now? It didn’t take much for him to set her off. Was she waiting for a compliment? The food was excellent. She should know that since he was eating it.
Carla broke a muffin in half and buttered it. “You just can’t say it, can you?”
“Say what?” he asked with a mouthful of food. The chicken was so tender it melted in his mouth.
“Thank you. Does saying that make you less of a man or a G-Man?”
He conceded. “You’re right. Thank you for the meal. It’s great, and I appreciate the trouble you went through to prepare it.” The pretty smile curled up the corners of her mouth and lit up her face. Zach had to restrain himself to stay seated. Morning couldn’t get come fast enough. He had to get away from her before he broke ever rule in his book.
“See that wasn’t so hard. If you didn’t bark orders at me and talk to me like a person, you’d know I love to cook and have other hobbies that are fun. I’m a fun person.”
“That is not easy for me. Talking is not a strong point of mine unless I’m negotiating or manipulating with a person.”
“I’m not easily manipulated. And this ordeal will change me more than I think once it’s over.”
“I only see it making you stronger. I’ve had women come completely unglued on me. But you’re very strong, Carla. I have a feeling you’ll walk away from this with no scars.”
His gaze lingered on her eyes, and suddenly they welled with tears. Oh, crap! She’s crying. Patty said she wouldn’t do it in front of me. What had he said to make her cry? “What’s wrong? What did I say to make you cry?”
She got off the stool and went to the living room. He sighed and shoved the last of the food on his plate in his mouth before going after her. This is why he preferred not to talk to the people he protected.
Carla took a tissue from the table and wiped her nose. “I’m not that strong, Zach. I’m scared the minute you leave it will be the end for me. I lay awake at night because when I close my eyes I see that man’s slimy face. When I do fall asleep that whole damn nightmare runs in my head until I wake up in a sweat. What if I’d gone with him instead of staying with you? My mom and sister would be burying me.”
Zach didn’t know what to do with his hands. He wasn’t a comforting type of guy, so he shoved them in his pockets. “The agent replacing me will protect you from any harm.” He should bite his own tongue for that lie. He didn’t know anything about the agent replacing him or what her level of experience was. An agent who worked undercover in the organized crime field trained for years. His field office had not introduced a new undercover agent in years. Maybe this agent was part of the Cleveland FBI field office. He wouldn’t know anything about her until he met her in the morning.
She raised her brows. “I’m not putting my faith in her. I have to get my affairs in order starting tonight. I don’t want my family to wonder what to do with my stuff or have to fight the bank about my measly dollars.”
He watched her switch gears. She went from crying to sitting on the floor at the coffee table scribbling quickly on pieces of paper. She rambled incoherently as she wrote. She was decomposing right before his eyes.
He lifted her to her feet and shook her by the shoulders. “Stop it! What are you gonna do next, write your eulogy?”
Her eyes widened. “That’s not a bad idea.”
Zach frowned. “What’s happening to you? Where did the feisty fight in you go?”
The tears returned to her eyes. “Why fight the inevitable, Zach? My cousins have me backed against a wall. I don’t have any money to skip town. Cleveland is not that big, and that Russian mobster will find me. Once the FBI determines it’s clear to cut me loose, that is when he’ll strike. You know damn well that’s why you’re off my case. They need you elsewhere because I’m doomed.”
“I already told you that I’m not off your case.”
Carla released a haunting chuckle. “Yeah while you’re off in Russia on a wild goose chase, I’ll be here. I see it now. I’ll be driving along, and suddenly I’ll lose control of my car on a long winding road. The crash site won’t be discovered for days because I’m lying in a rocky ditch hidden from view.”
“Sweetheart, your imagination is mindboggling. You have to learn to trust me.” Zach clenched his jaw to keep his cool. Her fears were more apparent than ever before. “Hey, why don’t we enjoy the meal you made and not think about this anymore tonight?”
She dropped her head to his chest and bunched his t-shirt between her fingers. The warmth of her tears seeped through to wet his chest. He gently pressed his hand to the back of her head and petted. Then he stopped, thinking she wasn’t a dog but a human and relying on him to comfort her. At a loss of what to say, he didn’t say anything but let her cry until she was ready to stop.
Patty told him sometimes women cried to cleanse their souls. Carla wasn’t crying to make herself feel better. Her wall of strength was crumbling, and he wasn’t equipped to offer her the comfort she needed. The best friend would be a better choice but bringing her in would mean putting her life in jeopardy too.
Man up! Zach’s inner voice screamed at him. He cupped her face and tipped it up until her red-stained eyes met his. “What do you want me to do?”
Carla moved from him and pushed her hair from her face. “Can you arrange for
me to see my mother and sister? I have to see them to say goodbye, Zach. They’re all I have in this world. When my dad left us for another woman, we leaned on each other for strength.”
“I don’t think that is necessary, but I’ll see what I can do.” He stared at her feeling her pain as tears ran down her face streaking her makeup. “Hey, it’s nice night out, why don’t we go for a walk?” This may be his worst idea ever. But, he had to know if going to Russia would be a waste of his time. If Yezhov were still in the area, he’d have eyes on Carla’s apartment and the moment he got word she was home, he would plan an attack.
Carla folded her arms across her chest. “Really? You want to expose me out in the open?”
“Carla, if I flush Yezhov from hiding, I won’t get on that plane in the morning. I’ll take him down here. You’ll be reunited with your family and I can close this book with a happy ending.”
She shook her head rubbing her arms as if cold. “No, I don’t want to go outside. I know I bitched about wanting to come home, but now I wish I was back at the cabin. At least there I was safe. Here I don’t have anywhere to hide. There are people in and out of the apartment building all the time, Zach. New people moved in last week that don’t seem right to me. How do I know they aren’t plants working for Yezhov?”
“Alright, you’re getting carried away. The people who live in the building checked out, Carla. There are no cameras hidden in your apartment, I checked for those while you were in the shower. You are completely safe here.”
“Why don’t I feel safe?”
A knock on the front door startled both of them. Carla looked at him and said, “Should I answer it?”
“Does your friend normally knock or does she let herself in,” he said reaching for his gun.
“Tonya will call my name and knock hard before letting herself in. She knows I sleep with my bedroom door closed. Besides, she isn’t home remember? And there is no loud music coming from her apartment to verify that.”
The knocking started again, and the hair on the back of Zach’s neck stood up. Something was up, and there was only one way out of the apartment. “This is what I want you to do. I’m going to get the door; you hide behind it.”