by Madelon Smid
“Siree.” His lopsided grin said it all. “It’s so good to see you.” He wrapped her in his arms and held her close, his chin nuzzling the top of her head.
He took a step back and gave her the once over. “You look good.”
“I am good.”
“The last time I saw you, you were shuffling across your cubicle in the ER like an octogenarian, on your way to the can.”
“They wouldn’t give me a housecoat.” She puffed out her bottom lip in remembered annoyance.
Sam smothered a smile. “So I recall. You couldn’t hold your gown closed in the back because of the pain in your ribs and you made me do it. I had to shuffle along with you, resisting the temptation to peek, I might add.”
“Yes, but you did peek and I promised to pay you back sometime.”
Sam pretended dismay, then wrecked it by laughing. “So what can I do for you, my bare-assed princess? Something tells me you’re up to no good.”
“Well, I do need a teensy favor.” Siree held up her hand, her forefinger a smidge away from her thumb.
“That small, huh? Somehow I doubt it.” Sam suddenly realized he’d kept her standing.
“Here, let me take your things.” His eyes narrowed as she handed him her small overnight case, and turned so he could lift her suede jacket off her shoulders. “When you asked to stop by to see me, I didn’t realize you meant to stay overnight.”
“Oh, I’m sorry. I thought you knew that’s what I meant. I hope it’s no trouble.” Siree widened her eyes and let her voice trail away. “You’ve certainly got room enough.” She turned a circle in the large salon fronted by glass windows looking over the bay.
Sam’s Adam’s apple jerked. “I’m not sure that’s a good idea, even though we’ve become close friends, Jake might not like it.”
“Jake? What does Jake have to do with it?” Siree acted mystified. “Jake’s moved on. I’m free to follow up on any attraction I feel.” She closed in on Sam and walked her fingers up his chest. “You and I have had a connection since you picked me up on the Beast. I thought we should explore it.”
Sam snatched her hand from his body. He opened and closed his mouth in alarm. “No. NO. There’s no connection. I’m sorry. The code. I couldn’t.” He floundered to a stop.
“Code, Sam?” She tilted her head and peeped up at him. “What code?”
“You know, the code between buddies. You don’t encroach on your friend’s property.”
“Are you saying you think I’m your friend’s property?” She poked him with her finger. He leapt back.
She advanced. “Are you saying you’d rather make nice for Jake than make out with me?” She poked him again.
Sam backed into the side of a leather recliner, lost his balance and fell over the arm, his feet dangling. He searched the room, a wild look in his eyes, seeking reinforcements.
She choked, bit her lip, made a snorting sound and went off into a paroxysm of laughter. “The look on your face,” she wheezed out between gales. Tears crowded the corners of her eyes and her ribs ached.
“Not nice, Siree McConnell. Not nice at all.” Sam swung his legs to the front of the chair and stood. The relief on his face sent her off in another bout. He snickered then bellowed with laughter.
“I told you I’d get even.” She paused. “Now here’s what I really want.”
Sam wasn’t buying. “I’m not convinced providing you with an opportunity to talk to him is a good idea,” he expounded. “Look what happened when I went along with not telling him you’d be on the climb. Besides, Josh is his confidant, better able to sway him. I’m just the fun friend, the party animal.”
“You’re selling yourself short if you think that’s all you are to Jake.” She tapped the bottle of Pinot Grigio when Sam offered her a choice. “Besides, it’s the party guy, who is about to have a birthday, I want. You’re going to throw yourself a birthday party next week. He will fly in for it. I’ll be here and get a chance to include him in a plan I have to catch his stalker. I’ve tried to call him, but he always gets Finchley to run interference.”
“The guy’s just trying to protect you,” Sam defended.
“So it’s important that he be part of my plan, and I need to see him in person to make it work.”
“Why do I think I’m going to get caught in the middle of a real blowout?” Sam rubbed his scalp vigorously with both hands. “All right. I’m throwing a party. He’s invited, you’re invited.”
“And enough guests to make a crowd big enough for me to hide in.”
He groaned. “Now I have to book the Yacht Club. You’re fast changing from bare-ass princess to pain in the ass.”
“Ouch, that hurt. And just when I felt so supported.”
“You’re not going to cause a scene, are you?” He looked at her sternly as he poured wine into a glass. “Jake’s a great guy, and he’s hurting because he’s doing what he thinks is right. I won’t have you causing him more pain.”
“I promise I’ll just ask him to talk with me and if he says no, I’ll leave.”
“I’m only doing this because my gut tells me he needs to talk you out of doing something stupid.” Sam upended his beer, drained it. “And Siree”—he looked her dead in the eye—“if Jake asks if you’ll be there, I’m not lying to him again. I won’t lose his trust to help you.”
She nodded, sobered by the thought of Sam risking his friendship with Jake. Was she asking too much of him? No, dammit. He wanted Jake to be happy, didn’t he? Well, this would make all three of them happy in the end.
She flew home, feeling satisfied with the trip. Janice flicked through a magazine beside her, casting sidelong looks every few seconds. Siree refrained from sharing. After all, friend though she’d become, Janice reported to Gribbs, and Gribbs to Jake.
Siree relaxed back in her seat. Her plan was shaping up nicely. Now I just have to get an escort to the party, she thought, checking her mental to do list.
Her invitation came via email. Sam had chosen a theme for his party: come as your favorite criminal. Probably a jab at me. I seem to have developed a felonious attitude. Again, she felt a sad affinity with Jake’s stalker; what it felt like to love a man and fight to keep him.
She flew back to Seattle five days later in a seaplane. She told Janice she was staying in for the weekend. The guilt of lying didn’t weigh nearly as heavy on her as the need to free herself and Jake from this interminable lockout. At this critical stage she didn’t want Jake getting wind of her plans. Her escort, a successful freelance photographer, sold pictures of the rich and famous to the gutter press for thousands of dollars. He’d do anything to get the shot she wanted. Dressed appropriately as Bonnie and Clyde, notorious robbers, they took a taxi from Sea-Tac Airport to the posh venue Sam had chosen for his party. He broke free of a laughing group near the door and moved to greet her.
“Happy birthday.” She hugged him and handed him a card that held season tickets for the Seattle Seahawks. “Sam Pradzinki, my date Johnny Minnelli.” She didn’t have to ask if Jake had arrived. Her radar had picked him up by the bar the minute she’d entered the room. He passed a glass of champagne to an attractive blonde then, hand at her waist, turned her into the crowd.
No sense procrastinating, she thought, feeling her heart clench. It hurt to see him with another woman, no matter how much she reassured herself that he loved her. “Let’s get a drink.” She threw a seductive smile at Johnny and straightened her perky beret. They moved away from Sam. “I’ll try to get him alone, or at least find a thinner place in this crowd, but if he refuses, you’re going to have to get your shots fast. And for goodness sake, don’t let him see you.”
“I know my business, Ms. McConnell. You just get close to him, the friendlier the better. I’ll get the shots.”
“Here goes then.” She pressed her sweating palms to her ribcage. She knew her tight ribbed sweater drew eyes to her breasts, and her strappy heels made the most of her legs. She’d chosen them for greatest impact
on Jake. She felt her skirt swish against the back of her knees with each step. Jake stood with his back to her, listening to the blonde. He slid a hand into his pants pocket and rocked back on his heels. He lifted his glass to his lips. Siree saw his back stiffen, heard the sharp intake of his breath just before he swiveled and trapped her with his eyes. For seconds, her heart stopped beating, her lungs stopped working, then he looked away.
She gathered herself to deceive him. All in a good cause, she promised herself. Johnny had melted into the crowd. She’d approached from the left, away from the blonde and facing Johnny. With a light laugh, she rushed at Jake and threw her arms around his neck. “Darling, what a surprise.” She took advantage of his frozen state to plant a kiss on his mouth, lingered over it to feed her hunger for him rather than Johnny’s need for a good shot.
Jake grasped her hands, unclasped them from behind his head and levered her backward. “What are you doing here?” His smooth baritone took on a crisp bite.
“Why, celebrating Sam’s birthday, of course.” She looped her arm through his and stared up at him, giving what she hoped was an entranced expression. “Surely, you aren’t angry with me for accepting Sam’s invitation?”
He looked her over. His face relaxed a little. “Bonnie I deduce. And Clyde is…”
“Over at the bar.” She pressed her head against his shoulder, puffed out her bottom lip. “You don’t seem nearly as happy to see me as I am to see you.” She let him hear the genuine ache in her voice.
For a moment, she had him. His eyes heated and travelled over her, taking in every detail. Her nipples tightened, her mouth opened, inviting his kiss. He leaned closer. The blonde shifted, making a muffled sound.
Jake jerked his iron discipline into place. “Where’s Janice?”
“Oh, somewhere being covert.” Siree waved her hand and looked around the room.
“She better be. Gribbs persuaded me to give her another chance, and she better not mess up again.”
“She didn’t mess up.” Siree took full advantage of his anger with Janice to extend her time with him. “She’s entitled to a day off. I messed up when I didn’t find out from Gribbs who was on duty, and ask them to come.” He opened his mouth, then closed it, his lips a tight seam. He turned to include the blonde who stood taking it all in. “Sorry, Celia, I don’t believe you’ve met Siree McConnell. She and Sam climb together. And speaking of Sam, I promised I’d catch up with him. Shall we?” He took Celia’s arm and stepped past Siree.
“Don’t approach me again. There are photographers around.” The muscles of his face tightened. “I suggest you go home and stay out of trouble.” He growled near her ear.
Siree left minutes later. She had what she’d come for and she wouldn’t get another chance at Jake. Insulated by those moments when he’d slipped up and let her see his true feelings, she didn’t allow his rejection to hurt her.
Tomorrow morning the whole world would think they were in bed together again.
****
“Finchley!” Jake’s roar lifted his EA off her chair in the outer office. She stalked into his office, an electronic tablet in hand.
“You called oh lord and master,” she inquired in her usual irreverent way.
“Did you see the crap they’re writing about Siree and me?” He thumped his fist on a pile of tear sheets.
“I did pull them from today’s issues and put them on your desk for review, as per our routine. Any article on you, remember?”
He gave her a killing look. “Why the hell are there any articles on me, when I’ve buried myself in a hole to avoid them?”
Finchley sucked her lips out of sight. “You wouldn’t be saying I’d leaked stuff to the tabloids, sold you out?”
“What?” Jake pulled himself back from skimming yet another piece. “Sold me out? You? Honestly, Finchley, get with the program. You’re more loyal to me than I am to myself. Who removes my chocolate toffees from my desk because they know I get headaches from eating them? The question is who did leak this trash to the tabloids.”
“Well, since you ask.” Finchley stepped closer to his desk and let her lips reappear. “You might consider who would have access to all those photos of you and Siree sitting at a picnic table, climbing a mountain. Look at this one.” She shuffled through the articles. “That was taken back in July. You’re wearing a summer suit.”
“You have a point.” Jake’s eyes narrowed to twin bands of azure flame. “Sam took all the photos on the climb.” He shook his head. “He’s trying to protect Siree as much as I am. He’d never release them. Josh wouldn’t. Gribbs?”
“Never,” they said in unison.
“When you factor in the thirty minute interview Siree had with Patricia Watson on CTV’s Look at Life, seems like your culprit is obvious.”
“She did a television interview? You saw her? What was it about?”
Finchley’s weight settled more comfortably on her plain navy pumps, her face flushed. “About all the time you spend together.”
She leafed through the newsprint and lifted one to the top of the pile, tapping her finger on a half-page photo of Jake and Siree kissing. Jake Ingles of JDI and Siree McConnell Talking Marriage.
He stared at it pole-axed. “What the hell? How did this happen?”
“You don’t remember kissing Siree at Sam’s birthday party? How much did you have to drink?” Again Finchley’s finger tapped the paper, indicating the beret on Siree’s head, and Jake’s pinstripe gangster suit.
He slapped his hand over her tapping finger and glared into her eyes. “I certainly didn’t drink enough to forget kissing her. Jesus.” He raked his fingers through his hair. “Siree and me together. Doesn’t she realize what that will do to my stalker if she finds out?” He felt his face drain of blood. He hit the speed dial on his phone.
“Oh, I’d say she realizes full well.” Finchley pulled her finger free and pointed it at Jake. “The girl’s no dummy.”
“She played me.”
Finchley patted his shoulder.
“She bloody played me.” His voice climbed in volume. “Gribbs, I need you in here right now.”
“That’s what it looks like,” Gribbs agreed when Jake finished running the theory by him. “The security staff following her all reported a change in pattern. Janice says Siree has thrown away the rule book. She’s shadowing her without her knowledge, since Siree evaded her several times. She urged me to tighten protection and keep the guards working in closer. Siree’s taken up where you left off. She’s turning herself into a media darling, wooing the press wherever she goes. She’s showed up at three high profile events this week alone, ostensibly to represent her mother.”
“If we’re supposed to be an item, how does she explain I’m not with her?”
“‘Heavy travel schedule,’” Finchley quoted from one of the papers, before dropping it back on his desk. “According to People’s Pleasure, you’re meeting in Maui next week for a hide-away holiday.” The wink she threw him appeared ludicrous on her basset hound face.
Gribbs straightened, one of the tear sheets in his hand. “Couples says you’ve been seen shopping for rings. Have you?”
“I wish.” Jake ran his fingers through his hair, paced from one side of his office back to the other and repeated the process.
“It’s not just the media. The Internet is jammed with Siree and Jake references,” Finchley added to the bad news. “Siree’s virtual coverage on the two of you has gone viral.”
“She’s making herself a target,” Gribbs pointed out needlessly. “Must be tired of letting other people dictate her life.” He gave Jake a hard stare.
“Of waiting to have a life,” Finchley said tartly.
“For Christ’s sake, I just want to keep her safe. Is that so wrong?”
“Admirable.” Gribbs looked to Finchley.
“Safe is good,” Finchley gave back. “Happy is a whole lot better.”
“You two are fired.” Jake bit out. “Right after you
put another detail on her, Gribbs, and you, Finchley, get the captain on the phone and see if the police have anything, any damn thing new on this case. And don’t forget to cut your severance checks on the way out.”
“Since I’m fired anyway, I might as well tell you I only take your chocolate toffees because they taste good.” Finchley sniffed, squared her shoulders and turned on her heel. Grinning at each other, they slipped from the room as Jake punched Siree’s number into his phone. He got her voice mail. He texted, emailed. She didn’t respond. He left message after message. Dead air. “Now I know what she felt like when I didn’t answer.” He bracketed his lips, tugged at the bottom one. Fear dueled with weariness. Would this hell never end?
Chapter Thirteen
Siree sank back on to Sharon’s sofa, determined to have a relaxing afternoon. Her plan to saturate the media with stories about her romance with Jake had worked flawlessly. She deserved a rest. She’d flown through the night from Hawaii, where she had worked for a new client. It had taken just over a week to assess the company’s financials and come up with a plan for expansion they could afford. She’d left the young female CEO elated over the opportunity to open a second factory on the mainland for her customized baby furniture.
When the press snapped her looking over baby cribs and change tables in the showroom and issued a whole new barrage of articles around a possible pregnancy, she was thrilled and made sure they got photos of her wearing a waistline concealing dress.
Safely home with satisfactory results, she just wanted to veg in front of the TV. She confessed to herself that she needed a few hours to feel safe. Though she knew security followed her everywhere, and camera toting paparazzi lurked, her mother’s high security condo was the only place she felt inviolate.
She channel surfed till she found the CTV coverage for the Annual Earth Day celebration in the Niagara Peninsula. Patricia had mentioned Jake would be speaking at the event. She’d cover his announcement of an additional JDI initiative to help plant native trees in urban developments. Jake believed in environmental conservation and put a lot of JDI money behind anything that would keep the earth healthy. Described as “Local Boy Made Good and Giving Back,” the people of the Niagara area loved him. It made for excellent press. Diving her hand into a bowl of buttery popcorn, she focused on getting her first look at Jake.