I must have been driving that day. “That was you in the BMW, wasn’t it?”
“Rich people.” He shrugged. “Not even an alarm on that baby. Got a buyer for the parts who’s meeting me later with cash. Now there’s a lucrative business. The perk of my job is that I get to drive one swanky ride after another.”
“Surprised you didn’t get pulled over with no tags.”
“Not as unobservant as I thought. But where did it get you? Here. With me.” He laughed again, pure evil emanating from him.
“There’s no reason to kill the cats. It’s not like they can finger you.” I glanced down, blinking back tears—I wasn’t crying in front of this cretin.
“That it bothers you is reason enough for me. Another perk of the job. Let’s get this show started. When I get my face-off with Brad, I’ll tell him that he can be proud you didn’t grovel or beg for your life. Or better yet, tell him you did both of those things on your hands and knees.”
I hoped Spoon was the one to track Cardio down, and when he got his hands on him, that he’d cut him up one small piece at a time and flicked them to a nearby alligator.
“Thank me,” Cardio demanded.
“For what?”
“Killing you before setting the place on fire. Thought about it—can’t run the risk of you escaping somehow.”
Here’s your thank you. I gave him the finger.
“Bye-bye.” He grinned and pulled the trigger.
Pain blossomed first near my left shoulder, then seared through my chest and the rest of my body as I hit the floor. Terrible shot. I kept my eyes shut, not daring to move an inch, no matter how much it burned, wondering how long I’d be able to fake death. At the sound of liquid being splashed around, I risked a peek under my eyelashes and tried to calm the panic as I watched him carry out his threat to turn my house into an inferno.
I’d been shot before, and it hurt like the devil. I lost the fight to stay still and began twitching—so much for not attracting attention and another bullet that would finish me off.
Cardio finished slinging the gasoline around the lower level and threw what was left of the one can on the stairs. The other, he picked up and placed in the middle of the living room. He kicked open the French doors and backed out.
“This has been sheer pleasure.” He laughed manically and put a bullet in the remaining can.
The can exploded, flames of gasoline shooting out, igniting the carpet and licking across the room.
I struggled to my feet, grabbing the countertop, and scanned the corners of the room for the cats. If they hadn’t taken off at Cardio’s first shot, they were gone now—upstairs would be their only option, and my heart sank as the fire swept up the stairs. The flames flicked around towards the front door, blocking the exit. Grabbing a broom, I leaned over the kitchen sink, ripping out the garden window shelf and sending it flying to the floor. I jammed the handle into the double-paned glass. The inner pane shattered, but the outer remained intact.
I wrapped myself in the kitchen rug and eyed the flames that engulfed the French doors. I didn’t like my idea at all, but I had no choice. It would take a miracle to survive.
As I struggled to breathe, the last thing I remembered was falling.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
My stomach hurt. It felt weighted down. Cracking my eyes open, I wanted to laugh at the familiar head of black hair, forehead resting on my navel, just below where my chest and left arm were bandaged. What came out was a crackling noise. The panel on the machine that was hooked to my other arm remained lit up and silent, which I took as a good sign and the reason for my pain-free state. So I’d made it to the hospital. I wiggled my fingers and examined all the parts of my arm that I could see—no burn marks or scorched skin.
Happy that no one had closed the blinds, I gazed out the window. I surmised that it was early morning, as the sun was just making its appearance.
Vague recollections swirled about. Being lifted into the arms of a fireman—or so I assumed, as he was dressed in yellow from head to toe, a gigantic mask over his face. Laid on a stretcher, loaded in an ambulance. An air mask covering my face, and then nothing.
Jazz. Snow. I whimpered, tears rolled down my face. My cats had died in the fire. Everything in me hoped that they were overcome by smoke and died that way. I couldn’t bear the other. I moved my hand across the sheet, twining my fingers in Creole’s hair.
He jerked up. “You’re awake.” He kissed me lightly, his fingers wiping away my tears. “No crying. You’re alive, and that’s all that matters. I love you.”
“Wuv…” I tried to tell him and got cut off by a coughing fit.
“Ssh…” He brushed my hair back. “Rest and I’ll do all the talking.” He reached for the water cup sitting on the bedside stand, sticking the straw in my mouth. “Drink,” he ordered. “You’re going to need your strength when your family comes flocking through the door to see for themselves that you’re okay. I kept them at bay, except for your mother.”
“How long—”
“Overnight. Even that was too long,” he said gruffly.
The door opened, and Dr. A sauntered in. He flashed his most wolfish smile, picking up the clipboard at the end of the bed. “I was here earlier. Did you wake up for me? No. I tried my best. Very happy to see those beautiful brown eyes of yours.”
If looks could kill, the charming doctor would be laid flat out on the linoleum and Creole wouldn’t feel the least bit of remorse.
I coughed out a half-laugh and opted for a wave.
“My favorite patient is doing well.” Dr. A winked. “I’m personally going to see that you’re on your feet and out of here before you get bored and get into trouble.” He turned to Creole. “You want to get out of the way?”
Creole growled at him and reluctantly moved to the other side of the bed, grabbing a chair and bringing it closer.
“I’m Madison’s doctor.” Dr. A laughed. “Besides, I tried long ago to steal her away, and she turned me down.” He perused the chart, digging his stethoscope out of his pocket. “You’re lucky, my dear. Lean forward. You know what to do—we’ve done this before.” He pressed the stethoscope to my back, and then front, and listened to my breathing amidst the coughing. “Much better.” He picked up the water cup and handed it to me, waiting patiently while I drank. “More?” When I shook my head, he took it back and set it on the table. “The more you can drink, the better. Along with plenty of rest, and no jumping out of windows… for now.” He teased. “The firemen rescued you just in time, saving you from more serious injuries. You’re suffering from smoke inhalation, which we’re treating, but thankfully no burns.”
“You’re the best,” I coughed out.
“You know I make house calls.” He laughed as though we shared an inside joke, which we did. He had treated more than one person at my house who’d refused to go the hospital, mostly because they didn’t want to end up explaining to law enforcement how they got hurt. “Once you’re released, I’ll stop by the house and check on you.”
“How many patients do you do that for?” Creole asked sarcastically.
Dr. A thought for a moment. “Two, maybe three,” he said with a smile before becoming serious again. “Are you up to talking to the police? I can hold them off for a bit, but they want a statement about what happened.”
“Did they take Cardio into custody?” I asked.
“Who, babe?” Creole patted my hand.
Cardio got away. That wasn’t possible… or maybe it was. Panic set in. “K-killed P-patty.” I struggled to breathe. “Brad. Protect Brad.”
Dr. A pulled me into a sitting position. “Easy. Breathe. Watch me.” He demonstrated slow breaths, which I copied.
Dr. A and Creole stared at each other, and I had no clue what message they sent between them.
“I hate to be the pushy one,” Creole said with a look of remorse, “but… Did this Cardio fellow start the fire?” I nodded. “You’re going to need to answer questions so we
can get this creep behind bars.” He took out his phone. “I bet Fab knows this weasel.”
“Bastard!” Dr. A growled.
“Madison’s awake,” Creole snapped when she answered. “Brad’s in some kind of trouble. Find him and don’t let him out of your sight. Then get over here—we need your help.” A few seconds later, he disconnected. “You’re not to worry. With Fab and I working together, Cardio will be begging to go to jail.”
I reached for the water cup and came up short. Creole pushed my hand away, picked it up, and held the straw to my mouth.
“I’m off on rounds,” Dr. A said. “Take it easy. You feel a panic attack coming on, breathe through it. Doctor’s orders. I’ll be back to kick you out when you’re well enough. If you need anything, here’s the magic button.” He held up the cord tied to the side of the bed, then left with a wave.
I teared up again.
Creole thumbed them away. “What are you thinking about?”
“Jazz, Snow,” I whispered.
“Rescued by a fireman.” He grinned. “They weren’t very happy with his methods, but they’re safe at my house. He found them in your bathroom, grabbed pillowcases off the bed, stuffed them inside, and handed them out the window. Fab went to the pet store and got everything they needed.”
“My house?” Looking into his eyes, I could see the terror and anger he’d felt.
“When I thought I’d lost you…” He closed his eyes.
I traced my finger over his lips.
“Took out the first floor, the staircase.”
I could see him picturing what he’d seen as he described what was left.
“There might be something salvageable from the second floor… maybe. Not sure how it’ll smell.” He sniffed. “Didier and I are going to oversee cleanup. Once your insurance gives the okay, it can be rebuilt when you’re ready. Emergency fencing is currently being installed to keep out lookie-loos.”
“So happy Mila was with Mother.”
“Me too. Something like that would have traumatized her—wiped out all the progress she’s made. Mila laughs a lot now that she’s coming out of her shell, and it’s fun to see. I think it has to do with the attention she’s getting, all of us trying to outdo each other. Hands down, I think the top vote goes to Spoon—he’s become her very own chauffeur and she loves to ride on his back. Her next favorite thing is rolling around on the floor.”
“It’s fun to watch the two of them together. Actually, all of you.”
Kevin stuck his head in the door, saw I was awake, and walked in. “Woke up this morning thinking ‘what would heal Madison faster,’ and it came to me—a visit from my smiling face.”
I coughed.
Creole and Kevin engaged in a stare-down, followed by a nod.
“Hear the food sucks,” Kevin said, pulling up a chair. “I volunteered to come ask questions, seeing as how close we are—you know, friends.”
“Your sarcasm appeals to me,” I said. “How did they find me in time?”
“You’ve got your neighbor to thank for that. He wasn’t happy when he came home and found a ladder leaning against his fence and a rope dangling from the tree. Called the cops. Did you know that’s what most people do when they have a problem?”
“Save your lectures for never,” Creole gritted out.
“Anyway… The cop that came to investigate saw the smoke and called it in. Fire department made it in record time. What I want to know is, what the heck happened? Fire, I got that. Pretty sure you didn’t put a bullet in the gas can yourself. Fire Marshall reports that as the cause of the fire.”
“You’ve got to find Cardio Gates,” I rasped. “He killed Patty and tried to kill me. He’s not going to be happy when he finds out I’m not dead—he’ll be setting a trap to kill my brother.” I detailed what happened.
“That chick just doesn’t go away, not even in death.” Kevin grimaced. “Has me rethinking the women in my life.”
“Now’s not the time to be telling us about your love life,” Creole said evenly. “I’m certain there will never be a good time.”
“No?” Kevin faux-pouted. “Good thing, it’s not exciting right now. I don’t want to put a crimp in this bonding moment, but to get Brad off the hook, we need this Cardio Gates alive. Corral your posse. Let the state set fire to his ass.”
“If you wait a few, Fab will be here, and she’ll have a picture of him,” Creole said.
Speaking of… the door burst open, and Fab flew in, tugging on Didier’s hand. She rushed to my side, bending and enveloping me in a hug. “Who did this?” she growl-whispered in my ear.
I grasped her top and whispered back, “Cardio Gates. He murdered Patty and he’s after Brad. We need him alive.”
“I’m going to sic Toady on him.” Fab’s eyes darkened with sadness and anger. “He’s a motivated man, since Cardio clubbed him over the head, leaving a bump the size of an egg.” She took her phone out of her pocket and headed back out the door, Kevin on her heels.
Didier took her place, leaning over, kissing my cheek, and whispering in my ear.
“That Frenchy talk is better than medicine,” I said. “If that was something about me looking beautiful, you’re fibbing.”
“Your being naughty means you’re getting better.”
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Release day at last!
Dr. A had kept me an extra day.
I got discharged with admonitions to rest, which I needed after the endless round of visitors, most peering down at me mournfully and not listening when I told them I was almost recovered. That morning, Crum, Joseph, and Svet had dropped by and settled in for a long visit, jabbering between themselves until I closed my eyes and feigned sleep, and no, they didn’t get the hint.
Finally, the door opened, and I peeked under my lashes as Creole came to an abrupt halt. “What the devil?” he said, startling the two men who were camped on the settee with the blowup doll. “Get out.” He pointed to the door.
At least it wasn’t the window, as the room was on the ninth floor.
Crum and Joseph left, taking Svet with them and grumbling all the way. As soon as the door closed behind them, I opened my eyes. “I owe you.”
Creole leaned down and gave me a noisy kiss.
Behind him, Liam cleared his throat. “Stop. I have a young, impressionable mind.”
“I didn’t see you standing there.” I threw out my arms. “Just happened to be in the area?”
“I offered my brawn.” He flexed his muscles, then leaned down and hugged me. “I’m here to help spring you from this joint, and I’m driving, so get ready to hang on.” He made a revving sound, which earned him a glare from Creole.
I’d planned to recuperate at Creole’s, but Mother wasn’t having any of that. She’d invited Fab and Didier to stay at her condo, which they accepted after telling her that it would only be for a couple of days. Mother also ordered Creole to relocate the cats to her place. I wanted to go to Creole’s, but I also wanted to see Mila and that won out.
“Your mother’s a smart one,” Creole told me when he learned of her plans. “She made it impossible for anyone to say no—first the doe eyes, then the subtle guilt. She didn’t overdo it, but she got her message across. We all caved.”
“On my way out, I heard Grandmother on the phone, ordering all your favorites, so be prepared for food overload.”
“Did she call the liquor store and order tequila?”
Liam laughed. “You might want to stay sober. You never know what she has up her sleeve.”
The nurse came in and delivered me to the curb in a wheelchair limo. Creole opened the back door and lifted me into the back of an SUV I hadn’t seen before, a loaner from Spoon probably. That didn’t bode well for the Hummer. Creole climbed in after me, hooking his arm around my shoulders. I nestled my head against his chest.
“Where’s Brad?” I asked.
“Just got a text.” Creole read: “‘Holed up on Spoon’s boat.’” He shoved his
phone in his pocket. “Didier is purchasing new disguises as we speak. Spoon swapped out your ride and Brad’s—he got a beater truck with tinted windows and bars across the front, and this is yours until Cardio is picked up. The Hummer escaped damage, but I decided to leave it parked in the driveway.”
“I want to see Brad.”
“Figured you would.” He brushed a lock of hair behind my ear. “He’ll be around later, once he’s certain he’s not being followed.”
“Spoon’s got a couple of his guys on round-the-clock parking lot duty at the condos,” Liam said over his shoulder.
“Watch what you’re doing,” Creole barked. “Stick to the speed limit.”
“Yeah, yeah.” Liam stopped at the security gate, then followed the car in front of him inside. “Don’t overthink the living situation.” He turned to me after we parked and got out. “Treat it like a vacation rental with way too many people. You’re not staying forever, just until you decide what’s next.”
“Good advice.” I nodded. “I was feeling overwhelmed.”
Creole hit the buzzer on the security panel in the front of the building. “Open up.”
When the elevator doors opened, Spoon stood in the doorway. “Welcome home.” He kissed my cheek as we entered.
Mila stared, wide-eyed, from the opposite end of the hallway, next to the kitchen, as we crowded into the condo. I’d worried that my being away for a few days would leave her thinking I deserted her, but Mother had assured me that wasn’t the case and brought me one of her drawings in the hospital. Mila jumped up and ran to meet us, hugging my legs.
Spoon scooped her up and leaned her toward me. I kissed her cheek and gave both of them a one-armed hug. He put her down immediately. “Mila enjoys a hug as long as it’s short. At first squirm, she wants down.”
Mila whirled around and ran back, plopping down in the midst of toys and books.
Mother held out her arms, and I walked into them. We held onto one another for the longest time. “So happy you’re here.” Her eyes filled with tears. “I should apologize for being so sneaky. Should.”
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