Bad Karma

by J. D. Faver

  “Don’t worry,” he growled. “I’ll be good. I just had to get a little taste of you. I love you, you know.”

  A warm flush swirled through her insides. “Yes, I know.”

  “Then start this truck and take me to dinner.” He closed the driver’s side door and slapped his hand against it.

  He climbed inside and directed her across the Queen Isabella Causeway to a small restaurant on the Port Isabel side of the bay where Jorge and his date had already secured a table on the deck overlooking the water.

  Jorge stood and greeted Cassie with a kiss on the cheek and Javi with a shoulder-pounding man hug. He introduced them to his date, Mindy Garcia from Harlingen.

  Javier pulled Cassie’s chair out and slid onto the chair beside her. They made small talk and Jorge explained to Mindy that Javier was enjoying an extended sick leave after being injured on the job.

  Mindy smiled across the table. “I read about that in the newspaper. You went into a burning house to save a woman.”

  “That was me,” Cassie said. “Javi saved me.” She slipped her hand through his arm. He squeezed her hand.

  “You know,” he said, gazing into her eyes. “The Chinese believe that if you save a life, you’re responsible for that life forever.”

  She grinned at him. “Well, I’ll try not to be too big a burden to you.”

  The look he gave her melted her insides together. “You’re not my burden. You’re my treasure.”

  After dinner, the foursome went to the game room to play pool. Javi played a good game considering that he was shooting left-handed.

  They wound up at the bar with Cassie drinking a soda while Javi sipped beer from a longneck. Javi perched on a barstool with Cassie leaning against him, his muscled thigh forming a seat and his chest a comfortable backrest.

  Javi kept his hand on her waist, the one sticking out of the sling. The two couples chatted and Mindy asked Cassie if she would accompany her to the ladies room.

  Cassie and Javi exchanged an amused glance. “I’m kind of allergic to this rest room.”

  Javier chuckled. “I don’t think you’ll have any problems this time.”

  Mindy led the way and Cassie glanced around, experiencing a little tremor as she recalled her last visit to this particular facility.

  Many heads turned as Cassie walked by. She tried to keep her head high and her gaze averted, but she couldn’t help making eye contact with several young men playing pool. They openly stared at her.

  Pushing inside the restroom, she heaved a sigh of relief. At least this might prove to be a temporary haven against the oglers.

  She refreshed her lip gloss and chatted with Mindy who said she thought Cassie and Javier made an attractive couple and that Jorge was Javi’s greatest fan.

  When they emerged, there seemed to be a large crowd gathered at the bar. Cassie pushed her way through and found Javi and Jorge in the middle of a group led by the men who had been staring at her.

  Javier and the leader of the group were standing toe to toe and locked in a glaring match.

  “Baby, get in the truck.”

  “Javi, I...”

  “In the truck.” His voice was icy cold, warning of dire consequences if she failed to comply.

  Cassie fought to control the disobedient urge to stand by her man, but swallowed it like a giant clog in her throat. She turned, reaching in her purse and click-clacked toward the entrance with her fingers on number two on the speed dial of her new claret-colored phone.

  “Sheriff’s Department. What is your emergency?”

  She heard a crash behind her and voices yelling. “Fight at the game room. Big one.”

  “Units on the way.” The dispatcher disconnected.

  As she hit the door she heard sirens. She made it to the bottom step as two cruisers braked hard just feet away. “Save the big fire fighter,” she said to the backs of the deputies who rushed inside. “He’s mine.”

  ~*~

  In spite of Calvin’s dire predictions, dinner was well prepared and looked delicious. Calvin and Zach secured each of the twins in their high chairs, one located beside each parent, before sitting down at the table.

  Calvin carved a large ham at the head of the table and passed plates to the other diners to help themselves to sides.

  Zach scooped mashed sweet potatoes onto her plate just as Sky heard a snort close behind her chair.

  Calvin spoke in a stern voice. “Bacon, no beggars at the table.” He pointed in the direction of the barn. The pig strolled away.

  Sky lowered her fork to her plate and stared at the thick slab of ham on her plate, a horrified look on her face. “Bacon! Is Bacon destined for the table?”

  Calvin snorted louder than Bacon had. “As if! This one though...” He tickled his son’s stomach, making growling sounds. “This one would make good eating. He’s almost table size.” The toddler howled in delight.

  After dinner, Sky helped clear the table and loaded the dishwasher with Zach while Trish and Calvin put their sons to bed.

  “This has been such a great evening, Zach.”

  He smiled at her. “It hasn’t been anything special. Just spending time with family.”

  She nodded. “But, it’s been such a relief from the stress. Since the accident, I’ve had this horrible fear. It’s with me all the time.”

  “I know. It’ll all be over soon. Rafael and his deputies are combing the area, looking for the arsonist.”

  “I hope they get him before...before.”

  Zach folded her into his arms. “They will,” he whispered into her hair. “They will.”

  ~*~

  CHAPTER NINTEEN

  Persecution

  Cassie leaned against the door of the big red truck, resisting the urge to return to the interior of the game room. Her gut was tied in knots, wondering if Javi had been injured, but he had sent her outside, like a child. She juggled her anger with her fear, considering each in turn.

  In a fairly short time, deputies began hauling people outside. The man who’d been in Javi’s face was brought out in handcuffs, blood from his nose smeared across his face and onto his shirt.

  His three shackled buddies joined him in the back of the sheriff’s department vehicles.

  Cassie took a deep breath and let it out slowly.

  Moments later, a grinning Javier and Jorge emerged with several others she recognized from the fire station. There was back-slapping and high-fiving amongst the boisterous group.

  Cassie breathed hard, choked the anger back down, and silently celebrated her relief that he didn’t appear to be injured.

  Javier turned and sprinted down the steps toward her. “Baby, are you okay?”

  Cassie let out a little shriek of frustration. “Am I okay? You just...Did you...?”

  His smug grin made her want to hit him herself, except that she wanted to kiss him more.

  He solved her conundrum by crushing her against the truck and capturing her face with his hand cupped to her cheek. “I’m fine. You don’t ever need to worry about me.”

  Her arms wound around his neck of their own volition. She stretched up to receive his kiss.

  He raised his head, pressing her against him. “Sorry that had to happen.”

  “What did happen in there?”

  “Difference of opinion. No problem. We worked it out.”

  Cassie made a guttural sound in her throat. “Yeah, I saw where you worked it out on that guy’s face. Is your arm okay?”

  “I’m ambidextrous when I fight. I can punch left-handed as well as with my right. And Jorge was there.” He grinned maddeningly. “And the place was filled with fire fighters. Those four didn’t stand a chance.”

  “What was it all about?” she persisted.

  “Some guy thought you were too good for me.” He stroked his fingers through her hair. “And you are.”

  She gazed up at him, trying to fathom his meaning. “I don’t understand.”

  “It’s not important.” He k
issed her temple.

  “It is to me. What started all this?”

  “That guy thought you were too...blonde for me.”

  An avalanche of realization hit her. She felt like she’d been sucker punched. “Oh, Javi.”

  “Not worth stewing over. Just one ignorant clod. Come on. I’ve got something to show you.” He opened the driver’s side door for Cassie and helped her inside before closing it and climbing in on the other side. “Let’s get out of here.”

  ~*~

  Sky and Zach spent the rest of the evening relaxing on the patio with their hosts under a black sky strewn with stars like diamonds. A baby monitor close at hand gave off the occasional coo or murmur from one of the sleeping twins.

  Sky learned that Calvin and Trish married immediately after high school and that Calvin had worked as a mate on a shrimp boat to support them. He’d spent his earnings on buying the citrus grove when it became available after a particularly hard winter. They had lived on the property in a travel trailer, while he’d nursed the damaged trees back to health and continued with shrimping. Their oldest son, Thomas had been born around that time.

  Calvin worked odd hours at the Bait Camp for his uncle and was surprised when the uncle deeded the property over to him at his retirement.

  Now, the proceeds from both enterprises kept his family well fed and his former labors on the shrimp boats gave him street creds with the fishing community who always remained loyal to their own. They frequented the Bait Camp in the morning to buy ice and supplies and then again after they’d sold their catch at the wholesalers to drink beer with their buds and swap lies until the wee hours.

  Sky was impressed that the big, former high school football player had taken his responsibilities seriously at such an early age, and that his work ethic had earned such a stable lifestyle for his family.

  “How old are your sons?” Sky asked.

  Trish smiled. “Thomas is eight and the twins will be a year in September. We wanted to wait to start a family. Calvin wanted us to have a real house before we had kids, but Thomas came along and surprised us.”

  Calvin slipped his arm around Trish’s shoulders. “She has to finish raising me right along with our sons.”

  She gave him a loving smile and stroked her hand over his muscular, tree-trunk of a thigh. “I hope you’ll always be my big little boy. You’re way too much fun to play with.”

  Calvin pointed a finger to the rear of the property. “You kids look away, now.” He leaned over to kiss Trish.

  Sky and Zach grinned at each other and then he stood. Offering both hands, he drew her to her feet. “We should be going. It’s been a great evening, but Sky has the early shift tomorrow.”

  Their hosts rose to show them out.

  Sky leaned in to hug Trish and Calvin in turn. “Dinner was excellent, Trish. You should make Calvin sleep in the barn for saying your cooking was terrible.”

  “Hush, young lady,” he said. “I was just getting ready to make my move.”

  Trish laughed. “After twelve years of marriage, you don’t have any moves that I don’t see coming a mile away.”

  Calvin and Trish escorted Sky and Zach around to the Audi.

  Sky felt buoyant, as though the fear keeping her submerged had been dealt with. She knew that the man who stalked her was still waiting for her, probably watching Zach’s house, but at the moment, she was content to grab a handful of joy while she could.

  A little shiver played around her spine. She wished she could live forever in a safe place with Zach as the Bailey man taking care of his woman.

  “What the hell?” Calvin’s jovial countenance evaporated in an instant. His brows drew together as he stared at the Audi.

  Sky followed the direction of his gaze, the smile frozen on her face. Her skin felt hot. The food she’d consumed for dinner rose up in her throat. Panic welled in her stomach. She felt the crosshairs on her neck again as they stood together in the bright moonlight staring at the Audi sitting on its rims with four slashed tires.

  ~*~

  “What is this place?” Cassie stared at the high-rise apartment complex situated on the beach front.

  “Come on and I’ll show you.” Javi opened her door and held out his hand.

  She slid off the leather seat into his embrace. He swung her to the ground and, pushing a card key into a slot for the external elevator, he stepped inside with her in tow.

  He was grinning as the elevator rose to the fifth floor.

  When the doors opened, Javi led her out onto a long covered walkway and opened the door to one of the apartments.

  “What do you think?”

  Cassie looked around the empty space. It had a large combination living room and dining room and a kitchen beyond with a doorway leading, she supposed, to sleeping quarters.

  “It’s nice Javi. Whose is it?”

  He stepped close to her, slipping his arm around her waist. “It’s mine. I leased it a couple of days ago. Do you like it?”

  “Yes, it’s a great place.” She turned to him, perplexed. “Are you moving out of your parent’s home?”

  He nodded. “Yes, it’s time. When I came back to port I after my tour in the Navy, I let myself slide back into a comfortable situation, but it’s not comfortable now. I’ve been able to save a lot of my paychecks by living at home.”

  “I understand, but why make a change now?”

  The look he gave her was scorching. He stroked the side of her face. “I was hoping you might want to live here with me.”

  Cassie opened her mouth to protest and he took advantage of it, kissing her deeply, sending swirls of sensation to all her female parts.

  She pulled away, gasping for air. “I have to live with Skyler. I have to protect her.”

  “Zach is doing a pretty good job of that. The sheriff is going to find the man who set the fire. Give him a chance.”

  His words brought her up short. How was she supposed to trust her sister’s life to strangers?

  “Cassie, I’m afraid for you. This guy almost killed you once. I want to protect you…and I need you in my life.” He rained little kisses over her face and neck. “Did you ever think that maybe Zach and Sky could have a little privacy if you weren’t around?”

  She heaved a giant sigh. “Yes, there are plenty of times when I feel like the fifth wheel, but I try and give them plenty of alone time.”

  “That’s what I want, Cassie. Lots of alone time with you.” The intensity of his gaze sent a little shiver racing through her. “Don’t you want to be with me?”

  Her pulses throbbed in her ears like drums beating cadence. “Yes,” she whispered.

  “Then, take this. It’s yours.” He held up a shiny brass key.

  Cassie swallowed hard, her fingers reaching for the key.

  He held her hand to his lips. “Don’t tell me no. If you can’t say yes, just take this key until you can say yes.”

  She nodded.

  “Tomorrow, you can help me pick out some furniture for this place.”

  She cleared her throat. “I have to work tomorrow.”

  His brows drew together. “No, you don’t. There’s no reason for you to work delivering lunches. I can provide for you. I want to provide for you.”

  “Javi, I...”

  “I know the fire wiped you out. Just allow me to take care of you.”

  “I have money,” she got out. Taking a deep breath, she tried to organize her thoughts. This is the perfect time. I’ll tell him and he’ll forgive me for my sins of omission. “I have a savings account. The bank is sending me another ATM card. Really, there’s lots of money in it, my savings and graduation presents.”

  Javi embraced her, kissing her forehead. “Baby, your high school graduation presents were meant for something special. Maybe you want to go to school later on.”

  “Well, yes, I plan to further my education.” I plan to get my doctorate.

  “Great, baby.” He favored her with a wide grin. “What do you want to
do?”

  “I want to teach. I am a teacher.”

  He kissed her forehead. “Of course you are, baby. Maybe you can take some basic courses online, just to get them out of the way. And then later, you can look into classes at one of the nearby colleges.”

  “No, really. I am a teacher.”