by Jamie Begley
“If they were bright, their asses wouldn’t be sitting in prison.”
“I learned the hard way. Those men have knowledge we’ll never have, Dax. Most of them made bad decisions.” She raised her hand before Dax could speak. “And the others have no respect for the law. But you can’t tarnish them all with the same brush.”
“Yes, I can.” He sat down next to her again, stealing the chip bowl back. “Since you’re so sure you’re safe, and you have an alarm system to rival Fort Knox, I’ll leave tomorrow morning. I want to spend another night with my favorite sister.”
“I’m your only sister,” she repeated the joke they’d always had, laying her head on Dax’s shoulder.
“Yes, you are.” She thought he sounded choked up.
Leaning up, she looked into his face, which was blank as he watched the football game. “I’m fine, Dax. In a couple of months, you’ll be mad at me because I won’t go out with some new friend of yours.”
“By the way, I’ve managed to tie down Leonardo for my next movie.”
“Him, I would consider.”
* * *
“You’re wanted downstairs. Your lawyer is here to see you.”
Ice got off his cot, following the guard downstairs. He was in the very cell Yo-Yo had been trapped in during the riot. He saw Jackal staring at him through the small window as he passed his cell. Max and Fade were at the other end.
He went through the hallways and door until he reached the small room he would be allowed to talk privately in with his lawyer.
Creed stood up as he entered the room. “Ice, you look like shit.” Creed shot the corrections officer behind him a disgusted look before resuming his seat.
“Anything new?”
“All good. I found the informant who gave the police the information to get their warrant. He admitted he lied. I gave the judge yours and the others’ appeal. No warrant, no evidence. He’s signing the papers as we speak. Your case is being suspended until more evidence can be found.”
“How pissed was Slater?”
“I heard he overturned his desk.” Creed smiled.
“I wish I could have seen it.”
“Don’t antagonize him for a while, Ice. He’s angry enough that he could cause some trouble. You would have already been out of here, but he’s doing his best to see if any charges can be filed on you for the escape attempt.”
“He won’t find any.”
Creed raised a brow. “You took a college teacher and two guards hostage.”
“I saved their lives. I heard Church had the riot planned with her as the target, and he was going to kill the guards.”
“He’s denying it, said you masterminded the whole thing.”
“Doesn’t matter what they say, only what they can prove.”
“Isn’t that the truth, brother?” Creed laughed, standing up. “I’ll see what I can do about getting you out of here faster. It’ll be tomorrow at the latest.” Creed turned to the door, about to motion for the guard.
“What about Grace? Is she saying anything?”
Creed turned back. “Nothing I’ve heard. Her family has her surrounded by security.” Creed gave a low whistle. “Could you have picked a worse hostage?”
“I didn’t know. The information didn’t come in time.”
“From our source at the police department, she’s said very little. She described how you and your men took her and the guards hostage and led them downstairs to the common room. She said you kept her and the guards from being hurt. Other than that, she hasn’t told anyone what happened inside.” Creed turned more fully toward Ice. “Anything I need to be worried she could say?”
“No.” Ice shuttered his expression. “Have you heard how she is?”
“The family gave a statement that she is fine and recovering at her home. Ice, you’re not…”
Ice stood up, not wanting to talk about Grace to Creed. He had lowered his guard briefly to find out what he could about Grace, but it wasn’t smart to let his interest in her be known by anyone. “Just curious.”
“Curiosity killed the cat. Her family isn’t messing around. I watched the television report showing her home surrounded by those reporters. Those aren’t just any security guards holding them back. It’s Gamble Security.”
“Gamble with your money, not your life,” Ice repeated the motto the company was famous for.
“Those fuckers aren’t a joke,” Creed warned.
Ice shrugged. “Makes no difference to me.”
“Keep it that way.” Creed motioned to the guard to let him out.
Ice followed the guard back to the cellblock.
“I heard you might be getting out.”
Ice didn’t respond, going inside his cell. The guard didn’t immediately leave; instead, he leaned against the doorway.
“Did you know Jackson has a brother-in-law who works on the police force?”
“No, I didn’t, and I don’t give a fuck.” Ice faced the guard with his feet braced apart.
“You should.” Jackson came to stand in the doorway. “You should always know everything about someone you piss off, Ice. Slater signed for our first home. My paycheck wasn’t enough for us to get the mortgage. I owe him a favor for helping out his sister.”
“Is your wife as ugly as her brother?”
“You can decide for yourself. She works at the hospital in the ER.” Both guards raised their clubs, coming toward him. “Slater wants us to see how far we can shove this up your ass.”
Ice didn’t lose his cool as he prepared himself. His only goal was to survive.
For the next twenty agonizing minutes, he discovered two reasons to live: one was Grace, and the other was to kill Slater.
Chapter 13
“Maman, it’s time you went home.” Exasperated, Grace stared aghast at the huge meal her mother had cooked while she was at work. Christmas had passed two weeks ago, and her father had left last week to help Dax on his movie. Now she just had to get rid of her mother’s smothering presence to get back to a normal life.
“I will in a few more weeks, darling. I thought you would be happy with what I cooked.”
“It’s not the food. I’ve gained ten pounds. My foot has healed, the reporters have left, and I went back to work last week. Go home, Maman. I know Pére is missing you.”
“He doesn’t do very well without me, does he?”
“No, he doesn’t.”
“All right, I’ll leave tomorrow if you’re sure,” her mother gave in.
Fixing her a heaping plate of food, she set it down on the table, looking at Grace expectantly. It would be worth the extra pounds to keep her mother happy until she left tomorrow.
As Grace sat down at the table and began to eat, her mother sat across from her, sipping her green tea. She knew her beautiful mother well; something was on her mind.
“Grace...” Her mother began. “I want to leave the security team for a while longer.”
“No, they leave tomorrow with you. I have a perfectly good security system, and what that won’t handle, the shotgun in my closet will.”
“Darling, you’ve never even fired that gun.”
“Yes, I have. I went to the practice range.”
Her eyes widened. “You have to be careful. You could accidently shoot yourself.”
“I will be very careful. The good thing about a shotgun is all you have to do is point and shoot.” Her delicate mother had a deep fear of guns of any type; however, the cheap shotgun Grace had bought at a pawnshop, which was hidden in her closet, made her feel safe.
“You won’t need it at all if you just keep the security detail,” she argued.
“I won’t need it because nothing is going to happen.” Grace leaned across the table to take her mother’s hand. “Let’s enjoy our last night together, please.”
“Oh, all right, but if you need anything...”
“I will call immediately,” Grace promised.
“You better, or I will be on the f
irst plane back with your brother,” she threatened.
Grace smiled at the idea of the woman who couldn’t hurt a fly threatening anyone and anything that would dare to cause her any trouble after she left. Now that she had gained her agreement to leave, Grace felt a hole in her heart. She would miss her mother, but she could tell from her conversation with her father last night that he was missing his wife.
“How about I come visit you for your birthday?”
“Really?” Grace nodded. She hadn’t been back to New York City since her kidnapping. It was time she faced all her demons.
A picture of Ice came to her mind. She had tried to forget about him yet found it impossible. Going back to work had helped; even the therapist she had talked to had encouraged her to put the prison riot behind her and begin going out more.
She was right, Grace decided. She had been cooped up long enough. She would call CeCe and make plans to go out with her this weekend and have a girls’ night out. Well, afternoon out. She would make sure she was home before dark because she didn’t want to leave Daisy and Bear alone too long, not admitting to herself she just wanted to be home before dark period.
Bolstered by her talk to herself, she settled down and enjoyed the last evening with her mother, all the while trying to keep her mind off a certain blue-eyed convict.
* * *
“How can you have a closet of clothes like that and find nothing to wear?” CeCe’s envious question brought a smile to Grace’s lips.
“Because my mother has bought me most of them and her taste is different than mine.”
The royal-blue dress she was wearing as she stared at herself in the mirror was seriously hot. She would never have bought a dress like it for herself. The form fitting sheathe dress was cut into a sharp, deep V at the breasts with cap sleeves. It was kind of demure if one didn’t stare at the triangle of flesh bared at the waist, showing her belly button.
“Can I borrow it when you don’t wear it?” CeCe joked.
“I’m going to wear it tomorrow night,” Grace told her with a grin, going back into her huge walk-in closet to change, staring at the enormous row of clothes her mother had bought. Her mother believed a woman should be sexy at all times of the day. Even the jeans she had purchased for her were slim-fitting and cupped her bottom.
“I’ll believe it when I see it,” CeCe muttered.
Grace changed back into her faded jeans and ‘Kiss Me I’m French’ T-shirt before facing her friend who was lying across her bed.
“Your mom needs to adopt me. Seriously, those clothes are wasted on you.”
The doorbell rang and Grace jumped.
“It’s just the pizza guy,” CeCe said, scrambling off the bed.
Grace made a face at CeCe as she turned toward the door. “I thought I was going to call it in.”
“No. You order olives and fishy things on them. I learned long ago not to let you do the ordering.” Shuddering, she went to answer the door.
“Wait!”
Too late. CeCe opened the front door and her alarm activated, shrilling throughout the house. The pizza deliveryman stood in the doorway with his mouth hanging open.
Quickly, Grace deactivated her alarm just as a flying figure sent the delivery driver to the ground. She heard the man scream as he was tackled. She had never heard a grown man scream before—it wasn’t a pleasant sound.
She recognized the security emblem on the back of the man lying on top of the driver.
“Stop. It was an accident! Stop!” She reached down to tug the security guard off the pizza man, who was now whimpering.
She helped the poor, frightened man to his feet as soon as he was freed. “I’m so... so... sorry.”
He didn’t look like he cared about her apology.
Quickly, she grabbed her purse and pulled out some twenties, handing them to him. He didn’t seem much happier, but he didn’t seem as likely to sue her, either, as he picked up the pizza from the ground and thrust it at her. The driver then rushed away when he saw the large man staring at him with hostility.
Grace put her hands on her hips. “Why are you still here, Searle? Yesterday was supposed to be your last day.”
“Your brother contracted us until the end of the month.” He crossed his arms over his chest, his stance making it obvious he was prepared for her argument.
Grace took a step back and slammed the door in his face. She had learned a long time ago not to waste her breath trying to change Dax’s orders. She would call her family after CeCe left and give them hell.
The security team will be gone by morning, she thought confidently as she carried the pizza into the kitchen.
“That wasn’t nice. He looked hungry. Perhaps I could invite him inside.”
“He didn’t look hungry, but you do.”
“Why do we need to go out tomorrow, not trolling for men, when you have that on your doorstep?” CeCe reached inside the pizza box and pulled out a slice.
Grace grabbed two plates from the cabinet, handing one to CeCe before taking a slice of the extra-cheesy pizza for herself.
Grace stared down at the artery-clogging goo then took a hesitant bite. She waited to swallow before she answered.
“Because I prefer him not to call my brother when he gets home and tell him about it.”
“Oh, that might be a turn-off.”
“A little,” Grace said, taking another bite.
“On the other hand, I don’t have a brother,” CeCe said mischievously.
“I’ll get you his number… right before I send his ass home,” Grace promised.
“Thanks.”
“You’re welcome.”
The two spent the night watching television and finishing the rest of the pizza. Grace knew CeCe had stopped by unexpectedly to check on her at her mother’s urging, but she enjoyed her friend’s company.
After CeCe left, Grace reactivated her alarm before going to bed. Then, as she lay on her bed, she reached for her phone.
“Hello?” her brother’s groggy voice came over the line. Grace felt no remorse for waking him up in the middle of the night.
“Call them off, Dax.”
“No.” She was met with instant refusal.
She punched her pillow into a better position, making herself comfortable. This was going to take some time.
“Please?” She tried being nice first.
“No.”
“I’m fine. I just want to get back to normal,” she said sweetly.
“No.” His voice firmed.
It was time to change tactics.
“I’ll tell Maman about you and Brigitte.” Brigitte was one of her mother’s dearest friends who Grace had caught in bed with her brother when he was just eighteen. She had often been tempted to ask her brother exactly who had seduced who.
“Grace, it’s for your own safety.”
“I’m safe. It’s a quiet town. Nothing’s going to happen.”
“You were held hostage,” he argued.
“I’m not going back to the prison.”
Dax went silent for several seconds. “I haven’t mentioned this because I didn’t want to bring it up, but several of the prisoners who were there when you were held have been released.”
Grace sat up. “Which ones?”
“Let me get the piece of paper I wrote their names on.” She heard a rustling then he was talking again, reading off the familiar names.
Ice, Max, Fade, Buzzard, Jackal were the ones she recognized. She didn’t know the last two.
“Do you remember any of those men?”
“Yes.” She tightened her hand on the phone. “They were in my computer class.”
“Ice is the one who took you hostage, isn’t he?”
“Yes. I don’t understand. How did he get out? When?”
“Not long after you were released.” His grim voice went on to explain, “From what I understand, their convictions were overturned on appeal.”
Grace felt her heart pumping hard in her ch
est. Ice was out. He had been out since Thanksgiving. She ignored the small hurt she felt that he had made no attempt to contact her and then wanted to smack herself for thinking something so stupid. Why would he try to contact her?
“He didn’t get in trouble for the escape attempt?” she questioned her brother.
“No. He said another convict, Church, had planned the escape and had intended to attack you and the guards. Several of the prisoners corroborated his story.”
“Oh.”
She hadn’t asked her mother what had happened to the men at the prison, not wanting to upset her, and she hadn’t asked others because it would have given them the opportunity to ask questions for themselves. She hadn’t wanted her answers printed in the tabloids, which had been begging for an interview.
“Dax, obviously the men have been out for a while and have made no attempt to contact me, nor will they. Let the security team go. I need to get back to normal. The longer they’re here, the more I’ll get used to it. I have to be able to live on my own,” she tried to explain her feelings to her brother. She was afraid she would become dependent on someone else for her safety.
“I don’t suppose you could give a little and just keep them on during the nights?”
“No.”
If you gave Dax an inch, he took a mile.
“I’ll tell them to pull back,” he conceded.
“Thanks. I love you, big brother.”
“I love you, too. Goodnight.”
Grace was about to hang up then changed her mind. “Dax?”
“Yes?” He gave a grumpy sigh.
“Since they’re already here for the night…”
“I’ll wait until morning to make the call.”
“Goodnight.”
Grace lay back down, turning her light off. This was the time of day she dreaded the most, even with Bear and Daisy. She heard every sound. Sometimes, she even imagined she heard Winston’s footsteps coming down the hallway. She and Simone had waited in fear for the sound. She rolled over, curling into a ball.
Ice was back home in his biker club, surrounded by the men he called his brothers. He gained strength from having them close. Maybe she needed to take a lesson from him and start letting others into her life. Maybe then she could quit hearing those footsteps.