Tides of Time (The Legacy Book 1)

by Luna Joya

  Sam leaned against the counter in his bathroom almost a week after their conversation with the gangster’s son, watching her put on lip gloss and mascara from her duffel bag. Maybe he’d need to upgrade to a bigger apartment when he moved her in. Not if. When. He’d have to take that step slowly, since she’d turned down his offer for even a drawer he’d cleaned out.

  What was the big deal about her keeping a damn drawer at his apartment? It was only space, and he was tired of wondering when he’d get to see her between long shifts at the restaurant. Wait, what had she asked? He didn’t want to admit he’d forgotten what she’d said while he stared at her.

  “If Artie the Hat didn’t do it, who did?” She prompted. “Or do you think his son was covering for him?”

  Sam’s gaze met her questioning one. Oh, right. Murder mystery. “Artie’s son loved him. That was clear enough. Even called him Pops like I call my Grandpa Corraza.” Hell, maybe Pops was related to this Uncle Joey. How many ocean-side restaurant owners named Corraza could there be in SoCal? Pops always said his people had been a little shady, but loyal to family. Unlike Sam’s parents.

  “Must be an Italian thing.” She ran a finger over her brows. “But do you think he was lying to us?”

  Sam shrugged. “Artie the Hat was never connected with a murder, but he was a part of the crime family. After the casino in Vegas he’d started with his brothers failed because of Felix Fortuno and the East Coast mafia, who knows how desperate he got.”

  “I don’t think Artie did it.” She studied her reflection and scrunched her hair before dragging stray strands off her collar.

  “Love the School House Rocks shirt,” he told her.

  She tugged on it, swinging her shoulders side to side.

  He kissed her hair, breathing in the ocean scent. “Thanks for coming to the beach and the restaurant with me today.”

  He’d picked her up early and watched as she played fetch with Bogart in the ocean while he took a work call. He didn’t know if she talked to Bogart or controlled the water around them or both. She didn’t talk much about her powers. Or anything, he realized with a frown. He’d talked with her every night this week, but somehow the conversation always came back to the restaurant.

  She packed her makeup in the bag. “You haven’t told me what we’re doing other than a night at the park. You sure I’m dressed for it?”

  He glanced at his sweatshirt wrapped around her waist. Curves like a Coke bottle and wearing his clothes. Could she be any hotter? “You look perfect. We’re headed to Will Rogers Park.”

  “Named for the cowboy actor?” She braced a hand on his arm as she stepped from one foot to the other, slipping on her sandals. He nodded and stared at the pink pedicure. There was something so sexy about a woman with painted toenails.

  He followed her into the kitchen where Bogart rose to rub his head against her. She reached into the fridge for water.

  She trailed her fingers over the silvery reflection of the door. “I still can’t believe this is your place. Fancy stainless steel appliances. And you have a stove!”

  He replayed her last words in his head. “Wait, sweetheart, you don’t have a stove?”

  “Nope,” she admitted. “It’s more of a wet bar than a kitchen. Mini fridge and all.”

  What the hell? “How do you cook?”

  “Hot plate and a small microwave.” She shrugged. “My starting salary doesn’t go very far in Santa Monica beach rents, and I don’t know how to cook anyway.”

  He groaned. Obviously, he needed to move her in with him as soon as possible. “Remind me to feed you more. Anything else your place is missing?”

  “I don’t have a washer and dryer in the apartment like you do. Or a bedroom with a door. Now that’s sexy.” At her suggestive tone, he skimmed a hand to her waist.

  “The ways we have used my bedroom door? Beyond sexy.” Memories of pressing her against the door for the first time and the sounds she’d made had him pulling her close. Cami hummed in a cute agreement before she brushed her mouth against his. She nipped at his lower lip.

  He kissed her back, tasting her. His hands roamed to the sweatshirt draped over her butt. “Stop,” he told her. “Or we won’t make it to our date. We’ll have one right here.”

  She kissed him once more and pulled away. “I can’t wait to see what surprise you’ve planned.”

  He shook his head. “Such high expectations. Come on Bogie, let’s see if we can deliver.”

  They piled into the Land Cruiser and headed up the PCH to Pacific Palisades with Bogart hanging out the rear passenger window. The park rolled in the hills off Sunset Boulevard, a green oasis of horseback trails and polo fields among the mansions packed along the ritzy street. Two lines of cars snaked the entrance. Sam pulled out a prepaid parking pass.

  “Wow. I like a prepared man,” Cami said.

  The park sprawled toward a white ranch house flanked by a full porch that welcomed guests with rocking chairs and blooming flowers. Gourmet food trucks lined the parking lot behind the house. In the rolling front yard, hundreds of people lounged on spread blankets and lawn chairs, waiting for the show to begin on a massive inflatable movie screen.

  “An outdoor movie night?” she asked.

  “Given your family’s exploration into the life and death of Sunny Sol, I thought a couple of her films might interest you. It’ll be fun. Even with the creep factor that she and Will Rogers died fairly close in time, and we are basically watching her movies on his front yard.” Sam’s brow creased as he made that eerie connection.

  He glanced to see if he’d freaked her out, but she was still smiling. “They’re playing two of Sol’s comedies. We get a double showing since they’re only about an hour each.”

  She looked toward the waves of people and dogs lounging between coolers, picnic baskets, beach bags, and backpacks. A rock band jammed near the screen. Dogs roamed on leash back and forth between blankets, food trucks, and the ranch house. Every inch looked to be crammed with casual good times.

  “It’s perfect.” She squeezed his thigh. “I guess we better hurry to mark our spot.”

  He kissed her knuckles before he let go to turn into the almost full lot. “No need. I reserved us VIP seating up front and packed blankets and a cooler in the back. I tossed in your favorites from today’s lunch at the restaurant.”

  He pointed to the food trucks parked ahead as he let Bogart out of the back and clipped his leash. “For dessert, Drunken Cake Pops serves liquored cake bites, and The Recess Truck has ice cream treats.”

  She laughed. “Of course, you’d be after the sweets.”

  He slung an arm around her waist to pull her close. “Got my sweet right here.”

  She sighed, and her soft curves sank against him. Maybe he should’ve taken an extra few minutes and tried to get her in the bedroom. They’d never have left the house if he’d gotten her naked, and they would’ve missed the movies. Seeing her excitement he knew he’d made the right choice.

  They held hands and walked Bogart among the food trucks.

  “Any you want to hit up?” he asked.

  “All of them?”

  He laughed. His girl had an appetite, and he hadn’t found time to eat with the restaurant so busy. “You don’t have to twist my arm.”

  “How about a sandwich? Or maybe pizza? Oh look, lobster rolls!” She dragged him toward the Lobsta Truck and got in line.

  “How about some lemonade?”

  “Sounds good. Ow.” She grabbed at her necklace, yanking the charm away from her skin.

  “What’s wrong?” He touched his finger to the pendant and jerked it back when the metal burned him. “Damn!”

  He tried to make the connection between her normally cool golden necklace and the blazing hot coal he’d handled, but Cami only grabbed his arm to steady herself and tiptoed to scan the crowd.

  “It must be misfiring,” she muttered.

  He had no clue what she meant, and she didn’t look like she wanted to
share.

  “Want to take it off?” he asked. “At least until it cools down?”

  She bit her lip and nodded. She turned and he undid the clasp, dropped the chain in his pocket, and trailed his fingertips down her neck while he checked for marks. Seeing nothing, he kissed her forehead and stepped up to order for them.

  They ate a picnic feast on their fancy reserved spot near the front of the crowd. Sam laughed when Cami told Bogart to eat his own food and leave theirs alone, but then he stopped when Bogie immediately did what she told him. She worried he didn’t want her using magic with Bogart, although he hadn’t seemed to mind this morning at the beach.

  She was searching for the right way to ask when her phone lit up. She figured it was family and glanced down. The old familiar number turned her stomach. How had Neil gotten her unlisted number?

  She punched the power button on her phone to turn it off. This must’ve been why the pendant went off so suddenly. Maybe she should’ve taken a protection ward from Ama. She would ask about finally getting that restraining order. Anything to relieve the sudden knot in her stomach.

  “What’s wrong?” Sam leaned toward her. “You okay?”

  She tossed her phone in the oversized bag he’d brought and plastered on a bright smile. “It’s nothing.”

  He didn’t look convinced. “You sure?”

  She breathed, relaxed, and pushed aside the bad taste and worry. What could be better than movies in a park with great food, an adorable dog, and this amazing man?

  “I’m positive.” Her tone convinced even her inner critic that this date wouldn’t be tainted by the shadow of her past. She’d left Neil four hundred miles north almost a year ago. She’d get a new, stronger lock for her door and be more vigilant starting first thing in the morning. She could call Ama for wards if necessary. Nothing would spoil tonight.

  The lights faded, and the movie screen flicked to life to cheers. Laughter spread through the audience at the jokes and gags of the comics. Sunny Sol’s beautiful face shone over her flawless timing. She’d been funny, adapting to each role effortlessly, and besting her male costars with downplayed wit and silliness. Cami was enchanted. How could a woman so amazing attract such awful men?

  Minutes into the movie, Sam lay his head in her lap. She divided her attention between the screen and running her fingers through his hair. She could feel the tension melting with every laugh.

  Almost an hour later, Bogart lifted his head from his paws and whined. She whispered to Sam that Bogart needed a walk and started to stand but he grabbed her hand.

  “I’ve got him.” He kissed her knuckles. “You finish the movie. We’ll be back in a few minutes. Maybe with dessert.”

  She smiled and shook her head, marveling over how much she adored this man. She’d fallen in love with him. She couldn’t begin to deny the feeling. How could she when he was walking away looking amazing in those jeans and coaxing Bogart through the crowd as the dog tried to stop for petting and snacks? She was still smiling when she turned back to find Neil next to her.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  “Hello, Camellia,” Neil drawled. He stretched out where Sam had been seconds before. “You take playing hard-to-get to a whole new level.” He propped on an arm and straightened the corners of the blanket. “You enjoying being the plaything to a new rich boy?” He whistled softly. “Sam Corraza. Way to aim for someone completely out of your league. What does he see in you anyway? You’ve barely finished school. You’re boring. You can’t cook for his restaurant, and you’re not pretty enough to work there. Obviously, he hasn’t fucked you more than once, or he’d be bored and gone.”

  Cami swallowed. She wanted to look for Sam but didn’t risk taking her eyes off Neil. “Why are you here?”

  “Not such a smart question for such a supposedly smart girl. You should’ve known I’d find you. I’ve been calling, and you didn’t answer. Such a bitchy move. I thought I’d help you remember your manners.” He reached for her arm.

  She flinched. “Don’t you dare touch me.” Her voice didn’t shake in the slightest.

  Neil leaned away before the smirk returned. “He isn’t here to protect you.”

  “Leave. Now.” She pushed to kneel, but he yanked her back down. She froze at the vicious look on his face.

  “I don’t think so. I just got here.” He poked at the remains of their dinner and ran his eyes up and down her body. “No wonder you’ve gotten fat. What’s he letting you eat?”

  “Go away.” The harsh whisper didn’t even sound like her voice.

  “In a minute. Maybe. After you’ve learned I can always find you and your surfer boyfriend. His dog is a damn barker. Did he enjoy the drain cleaner? Fucking mutt almost bit my leg off when I kicked at him. I only wanted to see what your boyfriend kept upstairs.”

  Bile rose in her throat, gagging her. He’d tried to poison Bogart.

  “Hey, who’s the hot librarian? Friend of yours? And that hotel. Such a swank place. Did boyfriend sleep with you and your sister? Oh, I almost forgot to ask about your family. How’s Ama been lately? I stopped by her house and saw her holding a baby in the yard. Cute brat. Ruby’s? Hope she won’t require as much discipline as you did.”

  “Don’t talk about my family. Or Sam.” She clenched her jaw. After their fight she’d been bloody with black and blue bruises that had turned sickening shades of green and yellow. He’d hit her so hard across the face she’d been knocked off her feet. He’d followed with kicks and fists.

  It hadn’t been the first time he’d left marks on her. Each time he’d hurt her before that night, she’d apologized for whatever she’d done to provoke him because she’d believed it would make things better. It never did.

  She’d run scared of this man for months. She’d been afraid of how he could hurt her or how he would take the revenge he’d promised on her family. She was even more terrified of what he’d pushed her to do during their last struggle at the water’s edge.

  Neil wiped his hand on the blanket in disgust. “Is Corraza enjoying my leftovers? Maybe he won’t be so interested once he knows you’re a carnie sideshow.”

  “Stop.” She breathed in, pushed away the fear, and reached for her powers.

  He snarled. “You think I forgot what you tried to do to me, freak? You’re going to tell me how you did it.”

  “Leave, Neil. Or I’ll finish it this time.” It wasn’t an empty threat. She’d been taught from birth not to use her powers to harm, but because of Neil, she’d crossed that line.

  He’d pushed until she’d lashed out. She’d forced the water over his head, heard him gasp for air, and tried to drown him. She could’ve backed off, but she didn’t. She’d enjoyed it too much to stop. He’d almost died. She’d wanted him to die. The same darkness rose again within her now.

  “No water here,” he snickered, but he looked unsure. “I’d hate for your boyfriend to have another close call out on his board. I might have to tell the cops how you tried to drown me and threatened me again tonight. I bet your fancy frigid district attorney sister would just love that.”

  “The jet ski.” Her stomach twisted. “That was you.”

  He flashed a savage bearing of teeth. “Not so stupid after all. Had a string of bad luck lately?”

  He’d already come so close to hurting Sam and Bogart. What else had he done?

  She started to press him for answers, but he yanked one of her curls.

  “I’ll be seeing you. You’re mine. Never forget it.” He strode away before she could lift her hand to her scalp to rub away the pain.

  She wrapped her arms around her knees and took deep breaths to control the shaking that had taken over her entire body. He’d been to her family’s home. He’d seen Rose.

  Had he been following her this whole time, stalking her and waiting for this moment? The perfect time to strike? To make her feel small and insignificant. Panic spiked until eighty pounds of slobbering dog hurled into her. Bogart snuffed and licked every inch of her as
he fought his way into her lap.

  “Bogart!” Sam yelled and ran after the dog. She held Bogart with both arms, soothing and taking comfort at the same time. “I don’t know what happened, sweetheart. He took off on me. He growled and ran through the crowd to get to you. He’s never done that.” Sam crouched next to her to check on the dog and stopped when he saw her face. “What’s wrong?”

  She sniffed and held the dog tightly. “Can we go?”

  “Tell me what upset you.” His tone was insistent, urgent. She couldn’t bear to see something happen to him because of her.

  “I need to leave.” She tipped her face up to his. “Please.”

  “Back to my place?” His voice was rough, low, and sounded uncertain. She nodded and bit her lip to stop the trembling.

  He hustled them to the truck and drove straight to his apartment. She struggled to find the courage to drag him into this mess. She already had according to Neil. God, what if he’d hurt Bogart, an innocent animal? Or Sam for dating the wrong woman? His words that Sam was out of her league and that she had nothing to offer him played again and again in her mind. Doubt silenced her. What if he’d been partly right?

  Sam reached for her leg, and she jerked before forcing her body to relax. She couldn’t give Neil power over her again. He’d taken too much already. She touched Sam’s hair, brushed her fingers through his curls, ran her hand down the muscles of his shoulders, and tried not to imagine what it’d be like to lose him. For such a short romance, the possibility of an end shot icy fingers of a different fear through her.

  He pulled her into a hug and got her back to his apartment, where she clung to him as he scratched his two-day scruff against her neck. She wrapped her arms around his waist, buried her face in his chest to steal some of his strength, breathed in his scent to calm her jagged nerves, and let his warmth seep into her so very cold body.