Stupid Cupid

by Liz Hunter, Aka Mennen, Phyllis Campbell

Inwardly, he groaned. He didn’t. In fact, if he weren’t so worried about her safety, he’d have commended her on a great idea. But the truth was—she could get hurt, and he didn’t want to put her in that situation.

  “Well, do you?” Her voice rose as she glared at him.

  “No.”

  “So? Do you think I could pull it off?”

  He took his eyes off the road for a moment to glance at her. “Yes, I think you can do it.”

  The streetlight turned red, so he stopped the car. She placed her hand on his arm. When he met her eyes, she smiled. “Remember, my father and his FBI friends will be there helping.”

  He nodded. “I’m just worried about you. I couldn’t bear if anything bad happened to you.” His voice strained with emotion and he cleared it.

  “We’re not going to let Terrel win.”

  A tug pulled on the corner of his mouth and he grinned. “Good.”

  When the light turned green, he continued heading for Tina’s warehouse. A block away, Kenya pointed to the car by the gas station. “There’s Dad. Pull over.”

  Joshua and Kenya met her father and two of his FBI friends who were with him. Thankfully, the men were dressed in everyday clothes. The agent in charge carried himself well. Straight shoulders, an in-control lift to his chin, gave Joshua confidence that things would work out. She told them what they’d already suspected, and then explained to them about her plan.

  “No.” The blond agent folded his arms. “I won’t have you putting your life at risk. We have agents—”

  “But do your agents resemble Tina LaRousse? Do they know the fashion world like I do?”

  By the way his lips tightened, she knew she’d made her point. “Besides, I trust all of you to protect me. I believe this will work, but only if I go in as Tina.”

  The tall, blond agent nodded. “There are undercover agents posted all around the warehouse. I discovered two have already been working undercover as dealers for a few months now. If everything goes our way, we should be making several arrests tonight.”

  The short, rotund agent nodded. “If you see something that’s not right, get the hell out of there. No heroics on this one.”

  “All right,” Kenya said.

  Joshua breathed a little easier. Kenya stood beside him and he squeezed her hand. She presented him with a hesitant smile, and his heart leapt. At least she wasn’t throwing daggers at him.

  She glanced at her father and the agents then rested her warm gaze back on Joshua. “Well, I better get dressed.” She looked down at her clothes. “There’s no way Tina would be caught dead wearing this.”

  Kenya’s father hugged her and kissed her cheek. “Don’t forget to wear the bullet-proof vest.”

  “Okay.”

  Once Kenya’s father and the FBI agents walked toward the car to talk to Tina, Joshua took her in his arms. She stiffened for only a brief moment, but when she locked gazes with him, her body relaxed.

  “I’ll be watching every move you make,” he told her. “I won’t let Terrel hurt you again.”

  She gave him a tender smile. “Thank you for not talking me out of doing this. Terrel would have.”

  He chuckled. “I wanted to, God knows I don’t want you hurt, but it’s a brilliant idea.”

  She laughed. “Yes it is.”

  He picked up her hand and kissed her palm. “I want you to know how proud I am of you … and I also want you to know how much I care about you.”

  She arched a brow. “You mentioned before you were deeply in love with me.”

  He nodded.

  “That’s not a lie?”

  “You’re looking in my eyes now. What do you think?”

  Her smile relaxed, and a hint of a twinkle flashed in her eyes. “I think you’re either heavily sedated … or you’re deeply in love with me.”

  He laughed and hugged her tighter. “I’m intoxicated all right. Cupid’s arrow must have a different potion in it.”

  She pushed him back, moving her head so he wouldn’t kiss her. “Joshua. Don’t think I’ve forgiven you yet. I’m still wounded from your deception.”

  He frowned. “I’m sorry. I’ll give you more time then.”

  His hands moved down her arms, and he linked his fingers with hers. “Come on; let’s get you looking like Tina LaRousse.”

  Twelve

  “Ugh!” Kenya grimaced in the mirror as she stared back at her reflection. She and Tina LaRousse definitely had different tastes. Why, she wouldn’t be caught dead wearing this … yet that might be what happened if things didn’t go as planned tonight.

  She bit her bottom lip and ran her hand over the frilly dandelion blouse and white skirt. The floppy white sunhat complimented the outfit—so Tina probably thought since this was one of the designs in the designer’s warehouse. She, Joshua, and the FBI arrived at the warehouse early to get everything ready for the meeting. Thanks to the way they interrogated Tina, she spilled like a broken damn, telling them everything that would happen tonight.

  She took a deep breath then released it slowly. As long as she didn’t stand too close to Terrel, she might be able to pull it off. White netting hung on the front of the sunhat, helping to shield her face, but if Terrel came too close, he’d be able to tell her true identity even if she sprayed the horrendous scent on her body that Tina liked to call perfume.

  Footsteps echoed on the wooden floor mere seconds before a knock came upon the door.

  “Enter, if you dare,” she said.

  Through the reflection, the door opened. Joshua poked his head inside the room. “How are things coming?”

  She flipped the veil over the top part of her face and turned to give him a full effect of the costume. “Well, what do you think? Will I pass?”

  He scrunched his face and shook his head. “That’s awful.”

  “Yes, and to think Tina wore something like this at my engagement party.” She stuck out her tongue. “Sad, isn’t it?”

  “And women actually buy that crap from her.”

  She shook her head. “I bet only older women with no taste buy this.”

  He walked further inside and stood in front of her. Lifting the hat from her head, he touched the hair she’d wound so tight to try to conceal. “I like it better long.”

  “So do I.”

  His knuckles brushed her jaw before he bent and placed his lips on hers. The kiss was soft, and tender. He sucked her bottom lip and tingles shot through her body. Blast it all. He was doing it again, and she cursed her weak body for letting him. She broke the kiss before the heat spiraling through her body became greater.

  “Are you ready for this?” he asked.

  “I have to be. There’s no turning back now. If Tina doesn’t show for this meeting, then everything will go wrong.”

  “I agree.” He took her hands in a loose hold. “I’m going to be up in the rafters. Agent O’Donnell’s men will be scattered about the warehouse hiding. All they need is for you to show them the drugs and for them to turn over the money to you.”

  She nodded. “Sounds easy, huh?”

  “No. But I think you can pull it off.”

  His warm green eyes melted her, just as they had always done. When he was Eli, she couldn’t get enough of his hypnotic gaze, and as Joshua, she loved the way they sparkled when he smiled. It still didn’t seem real. This whole story still confused her. A small part of her heart argued with her brain to forgive him for being so distrustful with her. Seeing him actually care for her, and watching the pain in his eyes when he’d thought she hated him … that was her undoing. Why couldn’t she resist this man? And why couldn’t she stay angry? She did love him, whether Eli or Joshua, he was the man she wanted to be with … forever.

  She took a deep breath. “Wish me luck.”

  “Good luck,” he said before gathering her in his arms for another kiss.

  She stiffened her body, but as soon as his lips touched hers, a sigh escaped her throat. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she settled her b
ody against his. She’d always thought they fit together since the first time he held her. So perfect … so made for each other.

  Someone cleared their throat—and it wasn’t her or Joshua. She pulled away and swung her head toward the sound. Federal Agent O’Donnell stood in the doorway with his arms folded over his chest. A cheesy grin stretched across his mouth.

  “Excuse me for interrupting, but it’s time to get in our places.”

  Joshua nodded, kissed her one more time, and left the room with the agent. Even though her heart quickened from their brief, but passionate moment, it also dropped with each step Joshua took out of the office. Would she see him again after this was over? Would they both live through it?

  She ground her teeth and fisted her hands. Yes. She would not allow Terrel to win. Not this time.

  Turning back to the full-length mirror, she focused on her attire once again. Disgusting. But she did have to admit she looked like Tina. She snickered and placed the hat back on her head, adjusting the netting over her eyes.

  As the minutes ticked down to show time, she paced Tina’s office. Wringing her hands against her stomach, she prayed everything would go her way. She prayed the agents would catch the bad guys, and that she and Joshua would return home safe and sound.

  But unlike Eli, Joshua had a home. He wouldn’t be staying with her. Her nervous heart sank a little deeper. He would move back into the Montgomery Estate and take over as president of Montgomery Aisle. And she would continue to be the struggling designer.

  Would he still want her after this?

  He’d told her he loved her deeply, but was he just saying that because of everything she’d gone through to help him? She squeezed her eyes closed. Hope not.

  Voices carrying from out in the warehouse snapped her out of her thoughts. Taking a deep breath, she lifted her chin and sashayed out of the room, trying to imitate Tina’s walk.

  Along with Terrel, two men sauntered toward the rack of evening gowns Tina had designed. Terrel chatted with the men, motioning his hand in the direction of the dresses. The two men in suits wore stern expressions, while Terrel’s eyes appeared a little too far gone to be his regular self. Inwardly, she sighed. Looks as if he may have been snorting some of his own happy dust tonight.

  Terrel glanced up at her and acknowledged her with a nod. The other men looked her way and stopped. Her heart slammed against her ribcage. Did they know she wasn’t Tina?

  She cleared her throat again. “Good evening, gentlemen.” She poured on the sweetness in the same French accent Tina used. “I see Terrel has shown you my dresses.”

  The shorter men out of the two nodded. “Tell me more about your design, Miss LaRousse.”

  She stepped over to the rack of dresses and proceeded to tell how she designed the dress, what specific material she used and why. Lastly, she added the part they wanted to hear—the large seams along the hem—large enough to hold bags of cocaine.

  Although she focused on the two men, she did glance at Terrel every so often. His grin widened the more she talked. He didn’t suspect at all. If he did, he’d be wearing a scowl and have a gun to her head.

  Ease seeped through her stiff body, relaxing her if only just a tiny bit.

  Joshua had never loved any woman more, or had been more proud. Kenya pulled off a fine acting job. In fact, if he hadn’t known who she was, he would have guessed her to be Tina.

  What a special woman, and to think she was all his. He’d never dreamed this moment would happen. After five long years, his hopes faded. Kenya not only lifted his heart but made him believe in angels. She risked her life to save his. What better way to show her love? He would do all he could to make sure nothing happened to her. He intended to keep her by his side forever.

  Holding onto a steel beam on the ceiling, he watched the woman he loved, and the man he loathed. Joshua’s future was within grasp, and he couldn’t let his stepbrother take it away from him again. Those five years were too long.

  Across the room, he glimpsed an elbow of one of the agents. After surveying the floor more, he picked out a few more. Right now, swarms of more agents and police were surrounding the building. Terrel definitely wouldn’t get away this time.

  So far, everything had gone according to plan. After Kenya explained about her evening gowns, the two dealers inspected the dress, especially the hem. Terrel stood back with his arms crossed, his focus on the gowns instead of Kenya. There were only a couple of times the man tried to stand by Kenya, but she discreetly moved away as she pretended to be into the discussion about Tina’s designs.

  One of the men carrying a briefcase reached in his pocket, withdrew a small packet of white powder, and handed it to Kenya. She knelt in front of a gown, withdrew a needle, and began to unpick the hem. Within seconds, she demonstrated how to hide the drugs in the dress.

  Emotion grew inside Joshua’s chest. She gave him so much of herself, not only with her love, but with her actions. Never had a woman affected him this way. He swallowed the lump in his throat. God, he loved her so much. He couldn’t let anything happen to her.

  The moment he waited for all evening finally arrived. The two men with briefcases stood and gave Kenya a nod, smiling from ear to ear. She led them to the table she’d already set up for their deal. Chilling in a bucket of ice was a bottle of champagne, and beside it sat four empty goblets. She motioned for Terrel to do the honors. He took the bottle, popped the cork while the men laid their briefcases on the table, and snapped them open displaying the bundles of money.

  That was it. The signal.

  Just like ants raiding a picnic, the agents ran out from their hiding spots, their guns raised and pointing at the dealers. “FBI—don’t move.”

  Terrel grabbed Kenya around the neck, withdrawing his gun from his pocket at the same time.

  Joshua’s heart froze, his breathing stilled. Sweat coated his forehead as the scene unfolded. The agents yelled at Terrel to drop the gun, but the crazy man screamed at them to back away. He pulled Kenya backward toward one of the exits. She gripped his arm and struggled, fighting his control.

  Joshua needed to do something. Anything. And sitting upon a beam like a damn cuckoo-bird wasn’t his idea of a hero.

  Terrel stepped closer his way. They were almost underneath him. Just as they neared, Kenya raised her gaze and met Joshua’s. She nodded before bringing her foot down upon Terrel’s instep. She lowered her elbow and plowed it into the other man’s groin.

  Doubling over, Terrel lost his grip on Kenya and she backed away. Terrel raised the gun toward her.

  Shouting Kenya’s name in panic, Joshua jumped from the rafters. Mere moments before he landed on Terrel, a gunshot rang through the air. Everything around him turned black.

  Thirteen

  Kenya’s head hit the floor, ringing filling her ears. Shouts lifted all around her—the explosion of a gun being fired.

  She rubbed her throbbing temple and glanced to where she’d pulled away from Terrel. The son-of-a-bitch was lying on the floor with Joshua on top of him. Both men were still as the scent of gunpowder hung thick through the air.

  A spot of red caught her eye seeping from the back of Joshua’s shoulder. Her heart dropped, but she found the strength to scream. “Joshua!” She scrambled on her hands and knees to him. Three other agents rushed to his side and turned him over. He lay still. Too damn still. Blood oozed from a ripped hole in his shirt near the shoulder.

  “Oh, God, no,” she sobbed, pushing people aside on her way to him.

  Beside her, an agent touched her shoulder. “I don’t think the bullet hit any major arteries. I think he’ll be all right if we can stop the flow of blood. We’ve called for an ambulance.”

  Kenya maneuvered her body beside his, gently laying his head on her lap, using the palms of her hands to put pressure on the wound. Her chest tightened and threatened to close. A large knot formed in her throat, and she couldn’t swallow. Tears blurred her vision and dripped down her cheeks. What have I done?r />
  She traced the pallor of his lips, his skin color matching dangerously close.

  “Hold on, my love. You’ll be fine.” Her voice cracked.

  Squeezing her eyes closed, she cursed her rotten timing. Why hadn’t he jumped later? Why had Terrel pulled the trigger at that exact moment? She bent her head over Joshua and pulled him close. A cry broke from her chest, followed by more.

  “Hold on. Don’t leave me.”

  Her body shook with sobs, an indescribable ache growing everywhere inside her. It hurt with every breath she took. Opening her eyes, she focused on him lying so still. So pale. She traced her finger along his cheek to his chin. A fresh dam of tears broke free. “I love you.”

  From outside, sirens roared through the night. Help was on the way. Soon.

  “You bitch.”

  Terrel’s voice grated on her nerves, and she glanced over his shoulder. Two agents handcuffed him and read him his rights. Her ex-fiancé glared at her as he struggled.

  “What in the hell are you doing looking like Tina? And why are you here with him?” He looked at the men beside him. “Joshua is the one you want.” Terrel motioned his head toward her. “He’s the one who killed Adam Montgomery. He’s the one who escaped a mental hospital.”

  O’Donnell yanked Terrel to his feet. “Shut up. I’m getting sick of your lies.”

  Kenya didn’t watch Terrel being dragged out to the police car; instead, she looked back at Joshua. She swallowed. “Hold on, my darling. You’re going to be all right.”

  The crowd around them parted, and two paramedics hurried to Kenya’s side. It took every effort she had to pull away from him, but she allowed the paramedics to do their job. Before too long they had an IV in his arm and were strapping him to the gurney.

  A warm hand curved around her elbow and she turned her head. Her father stood beside her, tears in his eyes. His smile wavered as he looked at Joshua. “He’ll be just fine.”

  Kenya nodded. “I know. It’s just hard to see him like that. He’s waited so long to escape the mental ward and to have it end like this…” Her voice broke again.

  Her father gathered her in his arms and she rested her head on his chest. “Come on. Let’s follow them to the hospital.”