by Calinda B
“Gus, please call me Logan, and I would love to hear about your family. How did you two meet?” He relaxed against the seat as a smile turned up the corners of his mouth.
“I met Sally when I joined the Army. I was eighteen. Seems like a lifetime ago. I was stationed in Georgia, and she worked in the canteen. Man, she was the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen in my life. She had the bluest eyes, blonde hair, and the most infectious smile. When she smiled, everyone around her did too.” He chuckled before glancing in the review at Logan again.
“How old was she?”
“Seventeen. She was working to help out with the younger kids in the house. Every time I went in, I looked for her. Finally got the courage to ask her out and she said yes. We dated for two months before I had to go to Nam. She wrote me darn near every day. I couldn’t wait for her letters, and I responded to all of them. I still have them. She saved everyone just like me.”
“I think letter writing has become almost a lost form now.”
“When I got back, we picked up right where we left off. Things changed for me when I was over there. When I came back, all I wanted was to be with her and have a normal life. We never talked about what went on when I was there. I wanted to protect her from the ugly truth of the world. Ever have anyone like that in your life, kid?”
“Yeah, my grandmother. But it was her trying to protect me from all the shit life throws at you when you’re the small kid in school with no father. But enough about me, go on. I’d like to hear more about you and Sally.”
“Well, long story short, we were inseparable from the day I returned. When I found out that I was being transferred to another army post, I couldn’t wait. I went and bought her a little diamond and asked her to marry me.” He laughed and Logan knew he was back in the memories of that moment. “She didn’t even want to wait. We went and got the license. We were married as soon as the ink was dry. She packed up and spent the next eighteen years following me around to every duty station I was sent to.” Gus swung the cab to the curb in front of the gym.
Logan sighed. “Thanks for the lift, Gus. Thanks even more for the story. Can I request your cab when you’re on duty?”
Gus turned, a big grin on his weathered face. “You sure can. Here you go.” He handed him a printed card with the cab number and his name. “Sally had these made up for me a long time ago. I’ve only given out a handful.”
Logan pulled his wallet out and slid the card next to his license. “Thanks, Gus. I’ll see you later.” Whistling, he walked to the front door of the gym.
Logan decided to go to the club early, grab something to eat, and get out of there before Tim and the rest of the crew made their way in for the evening. He was still a bit pissed at Tim for calling him. Those guys needed to grow up and stop whoring around. It would catch up with them. Logan was starting to feel like the parent of a bunch of rowdy kids who refused to act like adults. He called for a cab and changed into a casual but classy suit and dress shirt before making his way downstairs.
When he heard the honk of a horn, he made his way outside, locked his door, and was pleasantly surprised when he saw it was Gus’s cab. He opened the door and climbed inside. “Hey Gus. How are you this evening?”
“I’m fine. How are you?” Gus chuckled.
“Great. I’m going to the Diamond Club. I’m glad you took the fare.” He glanced at the pleasant eyes watching him in the rearview. “You’re the best cabbie in New York.”
“I try to watch for your calls. You’re the best fare in town, Mr. James.”
“Gus, I told you to call me Logan.” He leaned back against the seat, glancing out the window as Gus headed toward downtown.
“You’re going early tonight.” Gus glanced in the rearview, his brow raised.
“Yeah, I wanted to be in and out before the guys showed up.” Logan sighed. “Some of them act like nothing can touch them, and they can do whatever they want. It’s getting old.”
“I think people like you and me who had to work our way through life, and learn manners, honesty, and common sense, seem to have a better head on our shoulders. What can you do about it?”
“I guess you’re right. It gets tiring being the one person who always has to clean up the mess and watch out for everyone.” He ran his fingers through his hair.
“Well then, stop doing it. Let them be responsible for their own actions. You can’t be responsible for everyone.” Gus chuckled. “Took me a long time to learn that lesson.” He swung the cab to the curb in front of the Weirs building. “Here you go. I’ll watch for your call when you’re ready to head home. If I’m still on, I’ll get you.”
“Thanks.” Logan stepped out and pulled a little extra from his wallet, leaned in the window and placed it in the cabby’s hand. “I’ll see you soon.” He stepped back and waved before walking into the lobby and heading for the elevator. Using his keycard, he entered the elevator and leaned against the rail thinking about what Gus had said.
He nodded to the host by the podium, noticing he was someone new. “Logan James, and I’m not meeting anyone today.”
“Yes sir,” he replied before calling for Sergio, who promptly arrived and actually offered Logan a slight smile.
“Good evening, sir. You’re dining alone tonight?”
“Yep, just me.”
Sergio turned and led Logan through the club to a smaller table near the back bar. A table Logan noticed was further away from where Drew usually sat.
“Thanks, Sergio.” He sat down and surveyed the club, taking in the less romantic atmosphere and slower pace of the early hour.
A leggy blonde appeared by his table. “Good afternoon, I’m Stawcee. I’ll be your waitress today. Would you like to see a menu, sir?”
Logan smiled as her southern accent tried to win through her attempt at sounding like a New Yorker. “Good afternoon, Stawcee. I’d like a coffee, and could you tell me the specials for today?”
“The specials are scallops in a light, garlic cream sauce, served over angel hair pasta, with a side of seasoned, steamed broccoli. We also have a prime rib served with a baked potato and steamed green beans.”
“I’ll take the prime rib, please.”
“Good choice. I’ll get that right in for you.”
Logan watched her as she stopped at the bar to speak with Rex before making her way to the kitchen to place his order. Rex glanced over and nodded at Logan before pouring the hot coffee into a large mug and placing it on a serving tray. He added a small metal pot full of cream.
He heard voices and glanced to his right as two people made their way into the dining area from a doorway he had never noticed before. He started when he realized one of them was Drew. The other a man he’d never seen before. He watched as they immediately stopped talking and split up before entering the dining area, as if they were not just together. Drew made her way to her normal table as the man went to the bar and spoke to Rex as he slid onto a stool, his back to Drew.
She sat in her usual chair, her back now toward him. He leaned back and wondered where they’d just come from. He narrowed his eyes, deep in thought. Who are you really, Drew?
Stawcee appeared with his coffee. “Your dinner will be out shortly. Is there anything else I can get you?”
“No, not at the moment. Thank you, Stawcee.”
Logan hoped Drew didn’t turn around and see him. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to talk to her, but he could tell something was going on, and he didn’t want to interfere with her work. Although, he was here earlier than normal and so was she. Maybe she wouldn’t mind. He motioned for Stawcee, and she promptly hurried to his table.
“Yes sir? Do you need something?”
“Yes, would you please let Ms. Taylor know I am here, and ask her if she would care to join me, if she is not busy?”
“Of course.” She hurried over to Drew’s table and motioned toward him. Logan held his breath as Stawcee walked back over to the table, a large smile plastered on her face. “She sa
id you could join her at her table, if you wish. I can deliver your meal there.”
“Thank you.” Logan pushed back his chair, grabbed his coffee, and made his way to her table. As he walked past the bar, he caught the man she’d been with earlier turn his head slightly and give him a once over before turning back to his drink.
“Hello.” He pulled a chair out and nodded at it, one brow raised.
A small smile turned up the corners of her mouth. “I already invited you, Logan.” She motioned for him to sit. “What are you doing here so early this evening?”
“One might ask you the same thing. By the way, you look stunning tonight.”
“I was out shopping today and decided to have an early dinner and spend the evening at home. You?”
“I decided to eat early to beat the guys here. I’m a bit tired of dealing with their antics at the moment.” He shrugged. “So, you’re spending a quiet evening at home tonight?”
“Yes. I’m a bit tired from shopping.” She raised her brow. “What are you going to do for the rest of your evening?”
“I’ll probably head home and read for a bit.”
She sat back, her brow creased. “You read?”
Logan chuckled. “Yeah, I read. Don’t you?” Something about this woman tickled him. Part of her put off airs that she was worldly and stately, while parts of her were so innocent and soft. He shook his head. “Haven’t you known a man who read before?”
Drew’s eyes crinkled as a genuine smile spread over her lips and lit up her entire face. “Most of the men I know read only to gain knowledge for their business or to figure out how to take over someone else’s.”
“Most of the guys I know don’t read anything but the playbook.” He chuckled.
Stawcee walked up and set her tray down on the stand. She placed a plate of scallops and pasta in front of Drew and Logan’s prime rib in front of him. “Will there be anything else?”
“Not at the moment. Thank you, Stawcee.” Logan glanced at Drew. “That looks wonderful. I debated but the prime rib won out.”
She wrinkled her nose. “I prefer seafood over beef, but yours does smell divine.”
“Would you like to try a taste?” Cocking his head to the side, he winked as he waited for her response and laughed when her eyes widened. “What’s wrong? Hasn’t anyone ever offered you a taste of their meal before?”
“No, they have not.” She eyed his plate, and he noticed a small blush spread over her face. “Actually, I think I would like a small taste. Would you like a taste of mine?” She pushed her plate a little closer towards him.
10
Drew enjoyed the secret back room meetings. This one was special. Ramsey was her most trusted contact, more so than any of the others. She wouldn’t disclose her plans, of course, but would make sure everything was falling into place to return the emerald. Something was bothering her about how easy this heist had been, and she hoped returning it would be just as easy. She sure as hell wasn’t making up with Scott to do it. Stealing the gems wasn’t the high it used to be anymore. God knew she didn’t need the money. It didn’t have the same thrill as it did when she first started.
Arriving early at the club, she had made her way to the room they kept booked just for the elite group. She moved through the space, glancing around at several seating areas. An elegant, dark, rich wood of the octagonal poker table sat near the corner windows that overlooked the bustling city. She crossed the room and entered her code on the panel recessed into the wall. As the hidden door silently opened, she stepped through.
Drew had arrived first. She paced the little area with the warm, saddle-tan, leather sofas and rich walnut tables. She loved this room. It was soundproof, comfortable, and no one could get in without the secret code. There was one other exit just in case the back room was occupied so they could slip out unnoticed. Whoever the main owners of the club were, they had thought of everything. Drew made a glass of ice water in a crystal tumbler as she waited for Ramsey to arrive. She walked to the darkened window and looked out over the city.
Today, when she’d been shopping, she’d noticed others around her going about their day. Most of them walked with their eyes down, mouths set in a hard line. Those that did look up didn’t meet her eye and appeared to have a forced smile on their lips. Do I look like that? She pondered the thought for a moment, glancing at her reflection in the windowpane. She took a sip of water and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. When the hell did things get so boring for me?
She felt the slight breeze from the door sliding open and turned to meet Ramsey as a smile slid onto her lips. She stood to greet him, and he kissed both her cheeks before striding to the small stocked bar.
Raising a brow, he smirked. “Not drinking today, sweetheart?” He dropped two cubes of ice into a tumbler before sliding the top off a crystal whiskey decanter. Pouring some over the ice, he picked up the tumbler, giving it a slight swirl to chill the amber liquid before he took a swallow. “Come, sit here by me.” He sat down on the sofa and patted the cushion beside him.
Drew sat down and turned to face him. “I appreciate you doing this for me. I wasn’t expecting Scott to be so...” She tapped her lips softly with her finger. “Intense.”
“He’s been talking crap around the club. It seems, from what I’ve heard, he has a history of being a bit of a brute with the people who make him angry. You need to be careful with this one. Maybe you should rethink this.” His expression clouded for a moment before he took another sip of his whiskey.
“As long as you keep him busy, I can be in and out of there quickly. If he has the audacity to accuse me, my staff will testify that I was home the entire time.”
“I’m not worried about his accusing you. I’m worried about him coming after you.” He touched her hand.
Drew laughed. “We’ve dealt with his kind before. I’m not worried about him.”
Ramsey leaned forward. “I am. That’s what scares me about him. There is something off. I should have never agreed to let you do this job.”
“No one else wanted to touch it. Ramsey, you didn’t agree to let me do anything. I make my own choices.” She could hear the anger in her own voice. She couldn’t believe Ramsey had the audacity to think he let her do this.
Was she scared? She was more worried about what he would do if he figured out that the emerald in his possession was a fake and put two and two together.
“Maybe there is a reason why no one wanted it, Princess.” He sat back. “I’ll help you if you still want to go through with it. But be careful. I’m learning he is one sick son of a bitch.”
Drew sat back and laughed. She was nervous but didn’t want to let him see it. She stood and walked to the bar to fix herself a drink—this time, something a bit stronger. She took a sip and turned to face him. “Okay, what day did you set up the poker game?”
“Tuesday night at eight. I think we can easily keep him here for a few hours. I’ve asked Rex and Colt to make sure his drinks are strong and to keep them coming. Word has it, when he has a buzz, he thinks he’s unbeatable.” His eyes gleamed as he chuckled with that rich baritone sound Drew found so soothing.
“What’s so funny?” She leaned toward him, looking into his eyes.
“The fact that he thinks he actually spent the night with you. You really need to share your secret with me. Some of these ladies I have to romance…” He shook his head. “It’s all I can do to keep up the pretense.” A wicked look flashed in his eyes. “It would be much easier for me if I had a special concoction to give them.”
She felt the corners of her mouth turn up. “One day, I’ll share with you. When I feel you need it.” She giggled. “From what I hear, you do just fine in that department.” She loved watching him blush.
“Oh, I do. It’s just a lot of needless work, and it’s rather tiring to have to constantly be on game every time just to get the jewels. Sex just to have it was never my forte.”
Now, it was her turn to blush. “Thanks f
or setting everything up. You know what to do if anything changes.” She set her glass down and hugged him when he stood to do the same. “Thanks again.”
Guilt over what he said spread over her. She understood. That was the part she hated and when she found her little magic potion, it had made things so much easier. She would share with him. Ramsey was one of the good ones, and she hadn’t realized before that it bothered him to just have sex. Maybe there was hope that all men weren’t callous jerks after all.
“We’ll talk soon.” Drew walked to her table while Ramsey waited a moment before heading to the bar.
Drew hadn’t wanted any distractions tonight. All she wanted to do was eat and get out of here so she could finalize the plans for returning that damn emerald. She wanted to run through everything again until she had her timing and plan perfect. When she saw Logan sitting alone at one of the smaller tables, she deliberately sat with her back to him hoping he would get the point. Sitting down at her usual table, she motioned for Stawcee.
“Good afternoon, Ms. Taylor. You’re in early today. May I get you something to drink?”
“Yes, and what are the specials today?” Once Stawcee was finished, Drew chose the seafood special and placed her drink order. She sighed as she thought about eating another dinner alone.
“Ms. Taylor?”
Drew turned her head and saw the waitress was back without her drink. “Yes?” She felt her brow rise as she wondered what was going on.
“I’m sorry. Mr. James inquired if would like to join him this evening.” She tugged at her blouse as if she were afraid Drew was going to bite her head off.
Drew sighed. “Ask him to join me at my table.”
“Yes ma’am.”
She turned slightly to see Stawcee rush to a table set back further off to the side of the bar and motion with her hands. Turning away so Logan wouldn’t catch her watching him, she waited for him to join her as she felt a smile turn up the corners of her mouth.