Double Down

by MB Austin

  “Kiss me.”

  “I don’t want to push you into anything you—”

  Celeste pressed a finger to Erlea’s lips. “Kiss me.”

  Erlea put two fingers under Celeste’s chin and gently raised it, leaning in toward her. She stopped just shy of touching her mouth to Celeste’s, still afraid the incredible pull she felt was one-sided. Celeste’s fingers running through her hair at the base of her skull, pulling her in to make a perfect fit of their mouths and then their bodies, erased all doubt.

  Erlea opened up to her, riding the high of Celeste’s hunger. She slid a hand down Celeste’s back to the curve of her hip and snugged her closer, sinking her weight so she wouldn’t topple them both. Who was humming? Must be her—Celeste’s little noises were more like moans, increasing in intensity as the kiss deepened. A harmony to her melody.

  A clattering from the kitchen tugged at Erlea’s awareness, an irritation. But Celeste stiffened in her arms, pulled Erlea’s head back with a gentle tug on her hair that only felt erotic, not painful. “No,” Celeste breathed.

  Erlea searched her eyes, trying to see beyond the desire on the surface. “Are you okay?”

  “No. I want so much more.” Celeste shuddered. “And I’m not ready. I need to be me again. I can’t do this—not now.”

  She looked so anguished that Erlea wanted to hold her, to make it better, to convince her to take a chance. But instead she stepped back, gently removing Celeste’s hands from her hair and holding them in the space between them. “Okay. I’m not going anywhere.”

  “I’m sorry,” Celeste said, rubbing her thumbs across Erlea’s knuckles. “I really am so attracted to you. And I want to get to know you, to spend time with you. Not just in bed. But—”

  “You’re not ready. I get that. No need to apologize.”

  Celeste nodded, and Erlea still felt the pull between them. “I should go check on Maji,” Celeste said, but she didn’t move.

  “Yeah,” Erlea agreed. But if Celeste didn’t stop looking at her with those eyes, they’d surely be kissing again any second. Erlea wrenched her gaze away, stepped back, and picked up her guitar. “I’ll play for you soon.”

  She heard Celeste make her good-byes with Imane, then both doors clicking shut between the rooms.

  Imane came out and took the seat near where Erlea sat, strumming without noticing the tune. “What did you do to her?”

  “Kissed her.”

  Imane laughed. “Finally. Wait, should I leave?”

  “No. She’s not coming back.” At least not tonight. “Could you stay with me awhile?”

  “Uh-oh. Don’t tell me you’re sorry.” Imane paused. “Was it bad?”

  “No. It was perfect. Worth waiting for.”

  * * *

  From her favorite box seat, Maji watched Erlea fly toward the wall, singing as she went, and come back to the stage in a soft landing that fit the music almost perfectly. When Dave slipped into the seat next to hers, she looked at him sideways. “I’m officially cleared to work again.” Three days of sitting around was more than plenty. “You can stop checking on me.”

  “Great news,” Dave said, keeping his eyes on the rehearsal. “But I came to check on this. Pretty cool.”

  Imane called lunch and the dancers began to disperse.

  “That’s it for a while,” Maji said. “Any updates?”

  “Yeah,” Dave replied. “Hey, look—she’s going again.”

  Maji watched as Erlea found her placement, ran for the wall, and moved through the air while singing a cappella. The wall didn’t fall away as usual, and she bounced off it, flailing back to the stage.

  While Imane rushed over to her, Dave raised both arms like the barrel of a rifle and sighted down them to the spot where Erlea had hit the wall. “Winterbottom’s a criminal genius.” He mimed firing a shot and laid his imaginary rifle down with a smile. “At least he thinks he is.”

  “No fucking way,” Maji said.

  “Yes fucking way,” Dave replied as Erlea limped offstage with her arm over Imane’s shoulders. “Romero fed the National Police the idea that Echeverra is staying on the island to see his daughter perform just once before he heads off to the peace talks. Aguilar wants to nab him on opening night, and Nigel suggested they shoot her down during the finale.”

  “And I suppose Romero wants to catch them all in the act?” Maji asked.

  “Makes the case against Aguilar and Perez really solid,” Dave acknowledged. “Plus, don’t you want to see a solid case against Nigel?”

  “Not if he kills Erlea in the process.”

  “We’re working on that. Thinking some costume modifications, along the lines of that jacket you wore at Real Cartuja.”

  Maji glared at him. “No. What if the sniper takes a head shot? Or hits her in the vest, but she’s injured. This is her career and her life, Dave. She’s a civilian, for Chrissake.”

  “I hear you. What if we could sub their sniper for one of our best?”

  That would help. But so many things could go wrong, using a civilian as a moving target. Erlea had enough trouble with the flying bungee without that kind of stress added. “That helps on our end. But Erlea is a wild card, and it’s not fair to ask her. Use me instead.”

  Dave laughed at her. “What are going to do, lip-synch?” When her silence made it clear she wasn’t joking, he added, “No, Rios. This is your first time back in the field, and you’re banged up already. I’m not risking you.”

  “Dave, I respect that you are team lead on this op. But if you put Erlea in danger, I will go over your head. And Cohen will tell the colonel I’m ready.” At least, Hannah had better.

  “Look, I don’t like risking a civilian any more than you do. I’ll run it by Command myself, get clearance to use you.” He frowned. “And please don’t bother Cohen right now. I heard she lost her wife recently.”

  “No. Ava’s sick. That’s all.” It had to be. “They’ve been through this before.” Maji stood. She needed to call Hannah. No, that would get Hannah in trouble and if Ava was in the hospital again, she didn’t need any more trouble. “I have to find Celeste.” Before she caught her flight.

  “Hey,” Dave said, grabbing her arm. “Maybe I misunderstood.”

  Maji shook him off. “Damn right you did. And now I have to get my head clear on this.”

  “Rios,” Dave said, starting to follow her. “Where you going?”

  “Marina. I need to hear for myself.” She looked back at him. “Just give me an hour.”

  Dave nodded. “An hour. Don’t blow your cover.”

  Maji called Celeste from the car park as she climbed on Reimi’s bike. “Call Bubbles right now. And stay there. I’m coming to you.”

  Celeste was waiting in the cockpit. When Maji flipped her face screen up, she told her, “Your friend Bubbles’s number just keeps going to voicemail.”

  Maji swung herself over the rail and climbed down into the cabin, whacking the helmet on the low ceiling as she tugged it off her head. “Try Ava’s line.”

  Celeste dialed and put her phone on speaker. An automated voice intoned, “This number is no longer operable. If you need a provider—”

  Maji swayed and caught herself on the counter. No. Ava would never quit practice. Maji tried to dial, but her hands shook. She gave her phone to Celeste. “Try Bubbles again.”

  This time the phone rang twice before a man’s voice answered. “Maji?”

  “Yes,” was all Maji could manage.

  “Hey, it’s Rey Martinez.” Bubbles’s husband. “La Bubbles is out cold. It’s been like that all week. Losing Ava is crushing her. I’m doing what I can, but…Wait. You are off duty, right?”

  “No,” Maji said. And then it was all she could say, over and over. She felt Celeste against her, drawing her head to her chest.

  Celeste kept speaking with Rey, her voice low. Maji couldn’t make the words fall into order, make sense. Nothing made sense anymore. Maji closed her eyes and shut the world out.

/>   * * *

  Celeste left Maji below deck to speak with Dave in the cockpit. “Thank you for coming. I didn’t know who else to call.”

  He nodded. “I got her. Could have avoided this if I’d fucking known they were family.”

  “How did you not? Ava was very dear to her. How big is this company you two work for?”

  “Big. Rios and I only met once before. And it’s the kind of work where you don’t want the guys thinking you got your job due to any kind of favoritism.”

  “I don’t think I like security work,” Celeste muttered. “Medicine has enough politics.”

  “Yeah, well. Is that your taxi?”

  Celeste spotted the cab on the drive, heading for her dock. “I could stay here, delay my job start.”

  Dave shook his head. “I got her. And I’ll tell the others. You go on.”

  “I’ll call her when I get settled in.” It felt like much too little to Celeste.

  “Yeah,” Dave said. “She’ll want to know you’re safe. Don’t be surprised if she doesn’t answer her phone for a few days. Just keeping leaving messages.”

  Chapter Nineteen

  Maria handed the empty cookie tin across the balcony rail to Celeste. “Jordi devoured them. I did manage to get one myself. Delicious.”

  “I have a few left. Come for a cup of tea?” Celeste could see how these neighbors had become chosen family for Erlea. After only ten days of friendship, she wanted to adopt them.

  “I would love to, but I’m getting the house ready for Jordi’s colleagues.” Athena hopped up and balanced on the rails. Such a natural athlete. “You are welcome to join us for dinner.”

  “Thank you, no. I am meeting friends tonight myself.” Celeste loved being able to say that again. “Have you heard from Beatriz lately?” It felt odd to call Erlea by her given name, but Maria insisted.

  “Not for a couple days. Why don’t you call her? I’m sure she’d love that.”

  “Oh no, I don’t want to intrude. I’m sure things are getting very tense so close to opening night.”

  “Well, at least send her a picture of Athena. That’s how I remind her she has a home here even when she is on the road.”

  So Celeste took a short video of Athena racing around after the red dot. She added the message, Why does she love chasing the dot when she never catches it?

  The phone rang moments later. “She loves the hunt,” Erlea said, “and that you play with her. Thank you. Jordi says you are a natural with cats, that Athena only visits them now.”

  “I didn’t mean to steal her,” Celeste replied. “Or interrupt your rehearsal.”

  “A welcome break. Nico is on everyone’s last nerve. Everything must be perfect, and we lost another crew member yesterday. How do you like my place?”

  Celeste hesitated. She loved it. As Barcelona apartments went, it was large, with two bedrooms and an office. The light was good, the street noise low, the kitchen well-appointed. But best of all were the orderly shelves of books, the paintings by artists she’d never heard of, the array of instruments by the composition table. And the roof garden. Plus that lovely, peaceful bathroom full of plants. The only thing missing was Erlea. “It feels like you.”

  “Uh-oh. Did I leave a mess?”

  “No, silly. It’s wonderful and I love it.” Too much, Celeste. “How is Maji doing?”

  “I’m concerned. Can I call you after we wrap today?”

  “Sure. Catch me before eight.”

  “You’re going out?” Erlea sounded genuinely pleased. “Good for you.”

  Celeste went into Erlea’s bedroom to change for her evening out. Her small wardrobe of dresses hung next to Erlea’s clothes. She put her face to one of Erlea tops and inhaled, sneezed, and laughed at herself. The remnants of smoke clung to it, but also Erlea’s scent.

  Celeste kept the shower short, not letting her thoughts dwell on Erlea as they often did while she lathered and rinsed, thinking of her strong and graceful musician’s hands. When she stepped out and toweled off, Athena waltzed into the large basin and started licking the drops of warm water.

  “You are so strange,” Celeste told her.

  Athena only purred in response.

  It was the first thing Celeste recounted on the phone to Erlea, who made a purring sound. “Maybe it tastes like you.”

  Even over the phone, Erlea’s voice warmed her through. Celeste cleared her throat.

  “Sorry,” Erlea said. “I retract that. I want you to feel at home there. I won’t do that again.”

  “I am not fragile, or so easily scared off,” Celeste assured her. “And you have a good purr. Not as good as Athena’s, but then, no one is petting you.”

  She heard Erlea sputter and Imane laughing in the background. “Hey. I’m drinking here. Nearly sprayed beer out my nose. And it’s the only one I get today.”

  Celeste chuckled. “Well, don’t waste your ration. Is Maji there with you, too?”

  “No, just Imane. And I am not putting her on speakerphone,” Erlea replied, her voice climbing. A door swooshed and clicked. “There. I locked her out on the balcony. Where she is making very childish faces. I wish Maji was here, but she is all work since her friend died.”

  “How so?”

  “Well, she spends hours in Dave’s room and working out. I’ve never seen someone exercise so much. During our Aikido hour, she is very focused, no joking.”

  “I’m glad you’re still doing that together. Initially I thought it would help with your stress, but now I think she needs it more. I’m glad you are there for her.”

  “Oh, and she’s practicing my finale, the bungee number. But I don’t need an understudy, especially one who can’t sing.”

  Celeste pondered that. “She needs to feel that she is helping. Are you in any danger of panicking on opening night, not being able to perform the number yourself?”

  “No. Every day it gets locked into muscle memory more. But I let her because, like you say, she needs to.” Erlea took an audible sip. “And she is working daily with Santxo, too, upgrading security measures for concert nights.”

  “They haven’t caught anyone yet?” By now the Spanish police should have made some progress. “Someone shot at you, for Christ’s sake.”

  “Not yet. And they were trying to hit my father, not me. Still, I can’t think too much about it or I feel caged in here. I wish I was home with you.” The line went quiet, then Erlea asked, “How are you there? Do you feel safe?”

  “In your building, with the security and Jordi and Maria next door, yes. When I am at work, yes. On the metro and walking alone, I look over my shoulder a lot.” No point lying. “But I have a panic device and other measures Paragon helped me devise. Plus, my friends look out for me.”

  “I’m glad you have them. You deserve freedom and happiness.” Erlea paused again. “You really don’t mind the cat? I know you didn’t grow up with them.”

  “That’s true, but I always wanted one. My mother is allergic, med school was too busy, and Adrienne didn’t like them.” Celeste heard a little growl at the mention of her ex. “Anyway, Athena is great. I had no idea cats were so funny.”

  “Funny?”

  “Fascinating might be a better word. Such rituals, such a love of her routines. Sometimes Maria has to interpret, to tell me what cues I am supposed to pick up. Does she sit by the toy she wants to play with and just look at you?”

  Erlea laughed. “And then you have to play with her, yes. For a reward, you can give her a massage.”

  “Oh, she tells me when it’s time for that. I read half a novel the other night when she claimed my lap. And missed supper.” Celeste waited for Erlea to stop laughing. “But some things she does scare me.”

  “Such as?”

  “She climbs up to the roof.”

  “Well, she is a tiny jaguar. It is in her nature.”

  “It’s dangerous. Aren’t you worried she’ll get hurt?”

  “Of course. But keeping her locked indoors would
be cruel. She may be domesticated, but she is wild at heart.”

  Celeste considered that. “Are we still talking about the cat?”

  “Naturally. A cat is her own person. You want her to claim you, you must respect that.”

  “Do I want her to claim me? I mean, I am only here temporarily. This is still your home.”

  “It’s yours as long as you want it.” Through Erlea’s words, Celeste heard a banging. “I better let Imane back in. She’s going to grill me now.”

  Celeste smiled to herself. “Tell her we only talked about the cat.”

  “She won’t believe that. She’s too smart.”

  * * *

  Maji cleaned up after the morning Aikido session and stopped by Dave’s room to check in. “I’m heading back to the theater. One more time through the finale.”

  “Don’t hurt yourself overworking,” Dave said with a frown. “And did you eat any breakfast?”

  “I had a protein bar.” His room, in contrast, smelled of bacon and coffee.

  Dave waved her to the table. “Sit. Eat. You can rehearse when you’ve had something real.” He set a full plate in front of her and went over to the coffeemaker.

  “I’m not hungry,” she grumbled, dutifully taking a bite. It tasted fine, but her body rebelled. Good food was like the gorgeous weather, wrong somehow.

  “I know,” Dave said. He’d been very open with her, sharing his own stories of grief.

  “Two days to curtain,” Maji said, full up on sharing the personal, even if it did make her feel less alone. Work was easier to focus on. At least she could do something about it. “How do we look?”

  Dave sat and matched her bite for bite, talking around his food. “Nigel will be in the VIP seats, so no worries he’ll know you’re backstage. We’ll tell him you went home for a funeral.”

  “Clever.” Maji knew the cast and crew were aware that she was grieving. They’d been really sweet, especially Roger. She felt bad shutting Erlea and Imane out, but what could she really tell them? It was easier to keep to herself. “What about Nico, Erlea, Imane?”