Adieu to Destiny (The Adventures of Anabel Axelrod Book 4)

by Tracy Ellen

  Checking his watch, Luke said, “I didn’t mention it before with everything going on, but I received a voicemail from Svetlana over a week ago, on the Friday night I was playing cards at your brother’s annual Christmas poker party.”

  I didn’t say a word, but blew my bangs up with a heavy sigh at that piece of news.

  “Svetlana’s message said something to the effect that she had come back to take care of some unfinished work in the office that night. She wanted to speak to me about an irregularity she’d found in a specific DDL account and she asked me to call her back before Monday.”

  Luke had decided he would keep his relationship with Svettie strictly about the job since her seduction attempt at Thanksgiving.

  “I half-suspected she could be using work as an excuse to get me to call. I intended to call her back before Monday, but I felt no sense of urgency.” He raised a brow and quipped, “Plus, you’ll remember my dance card was a little full that weekend. We were looking for your attempted killer, Dickie was murdered,” he smiled darkly in remembrance, “and then there was the awards banquet. When it was announced on Sunday that Svetlana was wanted for Dickie’s murder, I didn’t think too much about her message until I was driving back to Chicago with my parents that evening.”

  Boots on, Luke sat down on the side of the bed at my hip. He tapped my nose with his finger. “And that’s when my spidey sense kicked in.”

  “Ooh, I love my Dark Prince’s spidey sense,” I teased lightly, holding onto his finger, and then aligning his much larger hand against mine.

  “Just one more awesome thing to love about me, right?” he asked, lacing our fingers and then squeezing my hand as I laughed.

  As Luke explained to his rapt audience of one, Svettie reported to Daniel, and worked closely with Dan, too. If there was an irregularity at DDL, Svettie would report it to either of them.

  Luke trusted his partners with his life, but the fact that Svettie had circumvented the normal chain of command--something she had never done--did not sit right. If she was telling the truth and there was a problem at DDL, it followed there was a reason she did not trust Dan or Daniel.

  Despite my booing and despite Svettie killing Dickie, Luke was not totally convinced Svettie was behind my kidnapping.

  He wanted indisputable facts before he’d relax and believe I was no longer in danger. Luke did not like the timing of my kidnapping to be left for dead, Svettie calling to report a discrepancy at his company, and then her being on the run for killing Dickie.

  I pointed out that since we now knew Svettie was related to each event, applying the theory of Occam’s razor, it stood to reason she was our culprit.

  Mr. Tricky pointed out it could be a mistake to think the simplest solution was anything but simplistic, and he preferred applying the modern scientific M-theory of multi-dimensions. He believed there could be three separate issues with three separate bad guys, all tied up within a common denominator we should not ignore--him.

  I had to hold myself back from jumping on top of my boyfriend, his mind was so unbelievably sexy, but Luke had more to tell me and only a little time.

  Luke said my association with him had put me in danger once, and he wanted to minimize the risk it could happen again. That was why he decided last Tuesday that he needed to break up with me publically, and in a way that left no doubt he was completely over me. He planted the seed with his pseudo-drunken behavior and discussion of the kids issue with his friends in Chicago, as witnessed by Pam.

  Luke explained that he used Svettie’s past involvement with the Russian crime boss and accusation of murder to schedule a forensic financial investigation into DDL’s operations for next week, the earliest time slot he could get.

  A forensic investigation would assess their vulnerability to an outside attack, detect any criminal, fraudulent, or terroristic activity that may have occurred from within, and reassure clients of DDL’s commitment to their security.

  His partners instantly agreed that was a great idea. So far, they’d managed to keep DDL & Associates name out of the media hype surrounding Svettie’s disappearance--she was described as an office worker in a Chicago-based firm.

  Luke ran a hand tiredly through his short, black hair. “The specific account Svetlana mentioned in her voicemail was squeaky clean when I looked over the records this week.” He laughed shortly. “I should be relieved, but I’m still suspicious.”

  “The damn spidey sense again, huh?”

  “Yes,” he agreed dryly. “My partners have wanted to come spend a long weekend on the farm for a while now to see why I’ve spent so much time in Minnesota these last months.” He brought my hand up for a lingering kiss, his eyes on my face. “I apologize again for making them think you’re a heartless bitch--it can be fixed when this is over and I can explain.”

  “I trust your instincts. I’d rather be a live bitch than a popular corpse,” I replied blandly, keeping my opinions to myself about his partners, as well as Emma and Prissy.

  “Thanks, Princess, that was my reasoning, too.” Luke chuckled. “When they suggested this weekend, we agreed it would be a good place to do our internal investigation of the firm outside of the office before the official audit. I’ve also been doing some investigating on my own on our files, but nothing’s turned up.” He shook his head and his tone was rueful. “I have to say, I didn’t expect their woman to be part of this weekend package.” He added wryly, “I know you’ll be so surprised to hear this, but so far, we haven’t got much work done.”

  I giggled, but almost choked on it when Luke informed me then the accounting firm DDL used on a daily basis to handle their finances was owned by Dan’s wife Emma, who was a CPA. Also, if that wasn’t incestuous enough, Emma employed Bucky, which was how she and Daniel had met six months ago.

  I seriously had to bite my tongue not to express my incredulity that Emma, the emotional freak of nature who had erupted in the bar and at the party, was trusted with the firm’s money. Heck, I’d order an outside financial investigation as well--every month.

  I didn’t have the same compunction to shut up about Priscilla.

  “Six months ago! Geez Louise, by the way she acted, and how she was ‘behind you’, I thought you’d known Pussy Galore for years.” With a disbelieving huff, I threw a small pillow at Luke’s head.

  “Priscilla Powers,” Luke ducked and flashed his pirate’s grin, “is a very friendly woman.”

  I had to slug him for that comment, which led to some Scottish-Greco wrestling.

  Pinning my slap happy hands up over my head and pulling away the blankets, Luke’s eyes roamed appreciatively over the view while he said, “I’ve known Dan, Emma, and Daniel for years.” Torquemada leaned down and licked my left nipple, smiling slightly when my back arched off the bed before he added, “Daniel’s a serial monogamist, although Priscilla’s lasted longer than most. They’re talking marriage.” He licked and blew on my right nipple, eyelids heavy as he watched the rosy point stiffen. “I don’t know how Daniel can afford her. The rock she wants is forty thousand.”

  “That’s nothing,” I scoffed softly, “I’m much more expensive a girlfriend.”

  Luke glanced up from kissing my curves and arched a brow. “You are?”

  “Yeah,” I murmured, and pulled my hand away to stroke up his leather clad thigh and cup him. “The rocks I want are priceless, baby.”

  Shared smiles, a long kiss, some hand rubbed leather, and detailed instructions from my Emperor later, Luke reluctantly pulled away. “I have to go. Don’t forget, you have to hate me in public until this is settled.”

  I laughed. “Have I told you lately how fun it is to be your girlfriend?”

  Luke smiled, but his eyes were intent and serious on my face. “Repeat back to me what you need to do.”

  I didn’t tease him anymore, but lovingly held his cheek, my thumb stroking. “I will continue to be hyper-vigilant. I will carry Rita and a spare loaded clip at all times. I will get a new battery for my p
hone first thing. I have memorized the phone number you gave me and will text you every four hours, if not sooner, beginning at noon today.”

  Inside, I cringed at that instruction because I had a hard time checking in. Luke sensed my dismay and began to issue a warning, but I frowned. “Hey, I said Batgirl will check in, so she will. I will also leave a voicemail if I discover any information.” My heart warmed at that one. Luke hadn’t wasted his breath ordering me not to do my own investigation, but had rightfully assumed I would. “By the way, my beloved, darling boy of a Shyster-Meister, I love you more than company meatloaf.”

  His eyes gleamed at that statement, but the arrogant nose motioned for me to continue.

  “I will call 9-1-1 or Jack Banner if I even remotely suspect something is not right, and I will shoot first and ask questions second if I am attacked or chased.” I snapped my fingers. “Oh, and I will not accept candy from strangers.”

  ‘Okay, I fibbed on the no teasing part, although anybody offering me candy is no stranger.’

  Luke snorted, but nodded his pleased approval at my recital as he stood up beside my bed. “You get two quick questions on my way out.”

  I walked my fingers up his thigh. “Next time we’re alone, can you leave all this leather on? You look so hot; I want to undo your pants. Just your pants,” I squeezed along his zipper a few times, in the event he wasn’t clear where I meant, and smiled up at him under my lashes, “and then I want to take out my favorite one-eyed trouser snake to play.”

  “Hey, I’ll never stand in the way of a girl and her pets,” Luke went on with a cocky smile, “but just so you know, that’s no trouser snake, it’s an anaconda. Last question?”

  Weak with laughter, I managed to get out, “How the heck did you break into my apartment this time?”

  “Situational awareness, Princess,” the smile grew, “you’ll have to figure it out.”

  I rolled my eyes as he picked up the tiny package and put it in my hand. “It’s later.”

  The present in the gold gift bag was Sparky.

  Luke patiently waited for a nanosecond while the gem encrusted ring and I had a joyful reunion, and then put a finger under my chin to forcibly raise my eyes from the ring to his face.

  “Geez, are you still here?” I teased crossly.

  His dark green eyes danced with amusement. “Anabel, my sweetheart, whether we get married next week or live in sin until we’re old and gray, this ring belongs to you. Hide it for now, but it won’t be for long.” He leaned down for a long goodbye kiss, nipping me on the lips as he swore in a deadly voice, “I am done with people messing in our lives.”

  “Go team, go!” I clapped my hands and did a little shimmy action, along with a quick jumping in place cheerleader routine. Sparky lit up on my finger. Luke stared with fascinated interest at my bouncing breasts and suggested another cheer for the road.

  I hugged him tightly before collapsing back on the pillows, my eyes closing even as I sneaked in a last question. “Swear to God you will never turn your back on the Tasmanian devil in your bedroom?”

  I was able to fall asleep with a smile on my face when my Devil tucked me in, brushed the bangs from my eyes, and swore softly at the goose egg he uncovered, even as he swore to God not to turn his back.

  Chapter XIV

  “You Are The Sunshine Of My Life” by Stevie Wonder

  Sunday, 12/16

  7:40AM

  No nightmare interrupted my three hours of deep slumber. Delighted at the final proof my subconscious was placated over the issue of children; I ran on the treadmill and thought about Luke’s revelations last night.

  Betrayal sucked. For Luke’s sake, I wanted his two partners to be loyal and have his back. I hadn’t gotten off on the right foot with Luke’s friends, since that was Luke’s plan. I did hope when all this was resolved that we could be friends somehow.

  I frowned doubtfully when the images of the wasted Emma and Bucky entered my head.

  ‘Yeah, how’s that going to work for you?’ the mean mommy voice snickered.

  I snickered, as well. My idea of a good time with friends would never involve hysterics, baby crusades, or blatantly coming on to other men when I had a boyfriend.

  I set aside those issues to apply my brainpower to the unending problem of the un-cousin. I hadn’t brought up the horse rescue to Luke because it wasn’t my secret to tell, not even to my boyfriend. For curiosity’s sake, I did kick myself for not finding out what Luke’s deal was for the un-cousin’s assistance as his slut-beard. It didn’t really matter towards my own plans for her, except perhaps in the timing. Luke’s deal was not my deal.

  I twisted and turned different plans for the un-cousin in my brain while I showered. I examined the emerging strategy for faults from different angles and polished up some of the rough edges. I applied another new eyeliner technique Mia had showed me called Va-Va-Voom. I may need the boost today once word got out that Luke had dumped me and spent the night with the praying mantis.

  I had just finished brewing a latte behind the counter at the Laissez Fare, my second nice boost of the morning, when Anna called me from the car on the way to St Paul with my brother.

  Thank God it was her day off and they were going to spend the day with some of Reggie’s friends. If she were home, nothing would hold her back this time from going over and over the events of last night. She would hound me for every detail.

  As it was, I quickly discovered the upside to being the injured party in a break-up. I didn’t have to have all the answers. Anna begrudgingly accepted Luke’s explanation of wanting a family for breaking it off with me. However, publically dumping me and then going off with the un-cousin was not something Anna could wrap her head around easily. The only explanation that slightly pacified her bewildered shock was my suggestion Luke wanted to shove it down my throat that he was moving on and not looking back, that we were over.

  My best friend’s heated answer was, “Next time I see that jerk off, I’ve got a fist I’ll be happy to shove down his throat!” Her next curse was delivered with vengeful satisfaction, “I hope he gets a raging case of gonorrhea or…anal leakage!”

  Listening to Anna’s side of the conversation in the car, Reg piped up and said loud enough for me to hear, “Ah, come on, Anna, anal leakage? It’s too bad they broke up, but Bel didn’t want to marry Luke or have his kids, so we can’t hate the dude for moving on.”

  Anna avowed fervently, “Speak for yourself, I can hate him just fine for hooking up with your cousin, Candy.” I winced when her voice went dangerously high and she warned, “If you ever think of doing such a bastard move, I’ll cut your balls off with rusty scissors and stuff them in your big mouth. This is your sister on the other end of this phone call. Luke’s out screwing another member of your own family, for God’s sake!”

  She made a gagging noise and I heard Reg ask hurriedly if she was going to hurl.

  Anna irritably replied, “I was only making a point and you didn’t need to swerve off the road like a crazy man.”

  Reg’s voice was tightly patient when he shot back, “If not wanting to get covered in something disgusting makes me a crazy man, since you’re always leaking something from your mouth, nose, and eyes these days, then go ahead and call me crazy.”

  Anna’s voice rose even higher when she exclaimed, “I am not leaking from my nose! Anyway, you’d better get used to getting covered in disgusting stuff with a baby coming soon, mister.”

  Reg’s tone of voice was still calm, but he did sound awfully patronizing when he commented, “By the way you’ve been carrying on lately, it’s like one baby has already arrived.”

  Soundlessly whistling at that remark, I sipped my steaming hot latte while I listened to my best friend and brother bicker.

  Anna fired back, “Oh, and you aren’t famously known to rip ass and leak some disgusting liquids from different parts of your body? At least I have the excuse of being knocked up!”

  Before he could reply, and as mu
ch as I hated to interrupt, I did have work to get done.

  “You two are so cute together. Goodbye, lovebirds,” I sang out and ended the call before Anna could get back to grilling me.

  Settling in my comfy office chair, I found the throwaway phone I’d gotten from Jazy inside my purse’s zippered side pocket.

  I texted Jazy and Tre. Done deal. No more worries.

  Jazy promptly called me back from another unknown phone number and demanded to know the details.

  I was prepared for my sister and had concocted a story that would have made a great truth, if it wasn’t such a dirty, rotten lie.

  I told her it was a snitch-for-pay scheme originated by none other than Mr. China.

  Jazy had interacted with Mr. China at the airport and got his number--that part was the truth. My story started when the dude had circled back to get Jazy’s number and overheard her talking to Tre.

  Being an unethical criminal-type, he jumped at the opportunity to make a quick buck. He didn’t have the time or the wherewithal to follow Jazy between his flights, but he did have time to locate Gus Wilson’s cell phone number.

  Mr. China enticed Farmer Gus with enough information to convince the old man something was going down on his farm on a certain time and date. Furious to be messed with by a couple of women, Gus stupidly agreed to donate money to the snitch by PayPal.

  By the time I finished explaining Mr. China’s dastardly scheme, I wholly agreed with Jazy’s one word whistling summary, “Sonofabitch!”

  I gently reminded my sister that it was a good thing she was pursuing celibate dating because Mr. China was a perfect example why we were taught to look below the surface of the men we allowed in our lives, not to mention our beds. Mr. China may have a world class ass and the graceful body of a martial artist, but inside he was nothing but a skeevy con artist.

  Jazy was thrilled it was resolved, but a little bemused. “How did you figure out it was Mr. China?”