“Fine, but after that, nothing more.”
“Well, maybe not for Liam but more than likely for me.”
“Why is that? I owe you nothing.”
“That’s what I’m going to find out. I forget to mention last night that when my brother died the cops cleaned out the car of everything, and when I went to collect his belongings, there was a pretty bracelet made out of entwined string.”
Instantly her chest tightened, but she forced herself to remain neutral as he stared, waiting for a reaction from her.
“A string bracelet? So what?”
“So it was in the car.”
“And?”
He squeezed her ass and pulled her tighter. “You wore those bracelets. Was it yours?”
“Doubt it.”
“I don’t know, Pina. I kind of recall you wearing bracelets like that, and he was supposed to collect money from you that night. He had a thing for you, and I couldn’t blame him. You were hot even at eighteen.”
“He didn’t but then got robbed, and Liam didn’t believe the money was collected so he said we still owed more.”
He snorted.
“Crazy fuck is strict when it comes to his cash.” He chuckled and then stroked her hair and clenched her chin.
“I used to think that the person who robbed my brother was wearing that bracelet and it was the only evidence found, but the fucking cops wanted it wrapped up nice and clean. Robbery of a drug dealer. I don’t know. What do you think about the bracelet?” he asked, and she forced herself to be calm and not react in order to save her life.
“Everyone had those bracelets in those days, and by the way people made them and so quickly, they didn’t last long and fell off often. Plus your brother collected from dealers and a lot of teens used drugs. Maybe your brother brought a few girls in his car who wanted a hit, and he gave it to them if they did what he wanted. I heard stories. You’re reaching.”
“I want to find his killer.”
“Then go to the police. They did it.”
“A robber or whoever did it. They tricked Jordene, and then next thing we know he’s dead, filled with lead.”
“A typical death for a criminal,” she whispered.
His dark eyes widened. Hatred filled her heart once again. She was starting to think she would never be free of these men and what she had done, but feeling Keno’s hands on her, and his possessive words, his right to take what he wanted, made her not feel guilty at all.
“You think so? Because I have this feeling that one day the truth is going to be revealed to me and I’ll be able to achieve revenge.”
“Really? Because I doubt anyone even cared that Jordene died that day other than you, his brother. He chose that life. Just as you chose yours and I chose mine. I’ll do this one thing but nothing more, and you leave me alone.” She shoved from his arms, and he released her.
“We’ll see, Pina. It may be too late to be free. A debt to Liam is a debt for life.”
Chapter 5
Pina walked into the restaurant, and Keno spotted her immediately. Long strawberry-blonde hair and behind those dark black designer shades were gorgeous hazel-green eyes. She looked good, really good in the slim-fitting pencil-straight beige skirt that hugged her shapely hips and a sleeveless blouse in a cream color. She carried a briefcase, and the multiple long strands of pearls around her neck shifted as she walked. The closer she got, the better view of her luscious breasts. His dick hardened.
She was professional, classy, a total knockout. Keno didn’t date. He fucked who he wanted when he wanted. Looking at Pina he felt the need to keep a connection. It was this gut instinct, something he never ignored. Perhaps he could get close to her.
Alongside her walked Nolan, smiling wide, unaware of what he was going to be getting involved in today. They would own him and his little museum and school instantly. He’d already paid them for stolen merchandise, fifty thousand dollars’ worth. He was in, and soon Pina would be, too, and she would have to do what Keno said.
“My God, she is incredible,” Liam whispered, and Keno felt his chest tighten. Liam didn’t seem interested in bedding her, just using her to get Nolan to sign a rental contract with no questions asked.
“Hello, gentlemen, so nice to see you again,” Nolan said, and they greeted him with handshakes hello, but Liam reached for Pina’s hand and brought it to his lips to kiss the top of it.
“You get more lovely every time we meet, Miss Leonie.”
She gave a short smile and nod. “Thank you, Mr. Russell.”
“Please, call me Liam, and of course you know Keno.”
Keno was right next to her and took her hand, but instead of shaking it or kissing it, he pulled her closer and kissed her cheek. “A pleasure as always.”
She pulled back. “Too kind, but thank you. Shall we?” She took the seat Keno pulled out for her and then pushed in while she sat.
He inhaled her perfume.
“The wait staff will be bringing out an assortment of finger foods for appetizers while we talk. A chardonnay, Pina?” Liam asked.
“Iced tea please.”
“Don’t be silly. You’re going out afterward anyway, Pina. Have a drink,” Nolan stated, and Keno saw her eyes glare as though the comment pissed her off. So she was going out. With whom, he wondered.
“Big plans this evening?” Keno asked her.
“Just meeting some friends.”
He held her gaze and narrowed his eyes at her. “I hope not male. It would make me jealous.”
Liam chuckled. “I don’t think you would be the only jealous male, Keno.”
She looked away from them and exhaled.
Nolan cleared his throat. “So, Liam, what did you want to discuss about the school and museum?”
As they exchanged small talk while the waiter brought over their drinks, Keno wondered who she was meeting. Was it a male? Keno kept his eyes on Pina as she took a sip from her iced tea and didn’t add any comments as Liam described some art he would donate and of course a charitable donation to be used for scholarships. Then when it came time to tell Nolan about the idea for use of the basement storage, Nolan squinted, glanced at Pina, and then back at Liam.
“I don’t know how much of the space I’ll need eventually, Liam. I haven’t really thought much about it.”
“Well, it makes it a great opportunity for you. I’m prepared to pay you rent for the storage space, I just ask that no one be allowed access to it but myself, Keno, and someone from my company,” Liam said.
Nolan cleared his throat and looked at Pina. “How much space do you think I’ll need, Pina?” he asked her.
“I’m not certain, Nolan.” She glanced at Keno and Liam, who stared at her.
Keno gave her a wink. “It will be quite profitable for your boss. We plan on paying him well, as we are in need of good, safe storage.”
“What do you want to store there?” Nolan asked, and Keno was surprised.
“Some rare pieces, but don’t worry, we’ll have our own security in place.”
“I don’t know.” Nolan swallowed hard.
“What do you think, Pina? Wouldn’t it be a wise business move, considering we’ll offer top dollar for rent? We just ask for disclosure and a contractual agreement that no one go in there or that you reveal to anyone that it’s Liam Russell renting the storage space. People would try to see what’s in there or break in,” Keno said.
“That would be terrible, you know that someone of my stature and abilities has to take these types of precautions,” Liam added.
Keno saw Pina’s eyes narrow, and he knew she really didn’t like either of them because of the debt she had been forced to pay. She would be in a lot of trouble if she didn’t comply with his orders.
She took a deep breath, leaned back, and exhaled. Her boss looked at her, but Pina remained straight-faced and just stared at Liam.
“If you’re willing to pay big bucks and make it worth Nolan’s while, then it may be something for
him to consider, but that contract must also ensure his rights. I mean we’re not allowed to know what’s in there. It could contain something unethical or something that could put Nolan at risk for a lawsuit or debt. As his CFO, not his attorney, I would imagine his lawyer would be concerned over similar things. Neither I, nor his attorney, couldn’t possibly allow him to sign any deal that would endanger his bank account or his lifestyle.”
Keno was shocked. It seemed that Pina had a badass side of her he hadn’t been prepared for.
Liam, on the other hand, found it amusing and leaned closer.
“Pina, work up a contract with Nolan and your business attorney. Confidentiality is key. Nothing illegal will be in there, and no one will ever have access but us.”
Liam raised one eyebrow up at Nolan, but then Keno went back to staring at Pina.
“We’ll get it together. I don’t have a problem with that at all,” Nolan said.
“Be sure about this Nolan,” Pina added, and Keno clenched his teeth.
“I can assure you, Pina, I will make it worth it. Plus, I plan on providing some unique paintings and sculptures from my own personal collection to be placed at the museum,” Liam stated.
“Seriously? My God, Liam, thank you so much. Can I ask which ones?” Nolan asked.
“I have a few in mind, and I would like to invite you and Pina to my estate by the water Friday evening. They’ll be other guests as well. Then you can view the items and make a decision on selecting them. Does that sound like a reasonable deal?” Liam asked.
“Definitely, and Pina and I will be there.”
“Perhaps you should bring your attorney with the documents so that he can compile a final contract and all parties involved can sign?” Pina suggested.
“That’s a wonderful idea. I understand that the museum and school will be having a grand opening in less than a month,” Liam said.
“Yes, Liam, that’s the hope,” Nolan replied.
“Wonderful, and see, there is money to be made all around even on a philanthropic project like this one. Let’s enjoy our lunch,” Liam said, and he raised his hand and snapped his fingers, and the servers began to bring over the food Liam had already ordered.
* * * *
Pina headed out of the restaurant and toward the parking lot. She sighed in relief. It hadn’t been as bad as she thought it would be, except now she had to go to the man’s house for dinner with her boss and the lawyer. Perhaps she could get out of it? Glancing down at her cell phone, she saw she’d missed a text message from Rose. She read it and smiled. A change of venue. They were going to eat at the pier down by the marina. She hadn’t been there in months.
As she got into her Jeep, she noticed Keno standing by the door of the restaurant talking on his cell phone. He stared right at her, and she gave him a dirty look. He smirked smugly. He’d gotten his way, but at least she could keep Nolan safe so he wouldn’t wind up sued or in jail. She wondered what Liam and Keno intended on storing there and figured she better not let her curiosity rule her mind. It wasn’t her concern. It was Nolan’s.
She started the Jeep and headed down the road, glancing in the rearview mirror to ensure that Keno wasn’t following her. Glancing at the clock, she had an hour before she needed to meet Rose at the restaurant. She stopped by the supermarket and grabbed some things she would need for breakfast and for snacks between workouts this weekend. She headed home to drop them off and freshen up but didn’t bother to change.
She headed back out to her car, noticing a dark sedan sitting by the street at the end of the development. Her gut clenched. Was that someone connected to Liam and Keno, or was that the police? She felt uneasy and started to think about the night she’d defended herself and stopped Jordene from raping her. She hadn’t killed him, the cops had, so she shouldn’t feel guilty at all. Yet, she felt like a criminal, as though that night was going to come back and continue to haunt her. Maybe she should have moved out of state instead of needing to be with her parents.
The car remained in place as she stared at it, showing them she identified them, and then got into her car. When they didn’t follow her, she passed it off as paranoia. After Keno showing up at her place out of the blue, no wonder she was paranoid.
Ten minutes later she arrived at the outdoor restaurant and tiki bar. She spotted Rose right away, her long blonde hair dancing in the gentle breeze. Two men were standing there talking to her, and she didn’t seem to bat an eye at them. As soon as she caught sight of Pina, she stopped talking and smiled wide.
“Pina.” She gave her a hug. “I thought you were going to text back that you changed your mind.”
“Are you kidding me? I need a drink and some downtime.”
“Good, meet Taylor and Bo. They do freelance work for a local construction company. Guys, meet Pina.”
Both men smiled and took turns shaking her hand.
“Nice to meet you,” Pina said and then gave Rose a look, squinting and wondering if this was some sort of setup for a double date or if Rose was interested in one or both men.
“Well, we should meet up after dinner for drinks,” Bo said to them.
“Are you sure you can’t join us for dinner? We don’t mind,” Rose said, but Pina minded. Who were those guys, and what was Rose up to?
“We called for the dinner meeting, but if you’re both still here, we’ll meet at the bar,” Taylor told them.
“Okay, enjoy.” Rose gave a little wave.
“You, too,” Bo said, and both men looked at her and Rose, then turned and started talking as they walked toward the docks and a very large yacht, which had its lights on and people on the deck.
“How do you know them?” Pina asked and took a seat at the bar with Rose.
“Drink, ladies?” the bartender asked.
“Another mai tai for me. How about you, Pina?” Rose asked.
“I’ll take a tequila sunrise,” Pina said and then looked back at Rose.
“Bad lunch meeting?” Rose asked and gave her a cockeyed look.
“It wasn’t pleasant.”
“Why not? Weren’t you with your boss?”
“Yes and two other men he’s doing business with in regards to the museum and art school.”
“I heard all about the museum and art school. It sounds incredible. I’m thinking about applying.”
“Why? You’re self-taught.”
“Yeah, and undiscovered. I want to do my own show and be the front-runner not the side stuff down the hall that no one even glances at.”
“That’s not the case, and you know it, Rose. Your work is incredible.”
“You’re biased, but I appreciate the vote of confidence.” Rose took a sip from her drink.
Pina felt bad. She didn’t want to get Rose’s hopes up, but she had asked Nolan if he would take a look at her work and show it at an event in two weeks and consider hanging a few paintings at the new school.
“So how do you know those two guys?” Pina asked and took another sip from her drink. She felt the alcohol slide down her throat, and she exhaled, enjoying the taste.
“I met them at an event a while back, then saw them here as I was waiting for you. They have a meeting with none other than one of the Mondave brothers. You heard of them, right? They’re friends with Louisa’s men.”
Pina felt her body go warm at the mere mention of the Mondave men. “I know of them.”
“I thought I heard you met them the other night.” Rose winked.
“I met Jonah, Niall, and Trace. Complete stuck-up control freaks.”
“But hot.” Rose raised her eyebrows up and down in a silly manner.
Pina chuckled. “If you like eye candy.”
“Who doesn’t? I sure could use some eye candy. Something to make me feel inspired.”
“A man doesn’t make a woman inspired. Self-achievement does. The faster you learn to rely on yourself instead of hoping for a supportive male in your life, the better off you’ll be.”
“Says the woma
n who hasn’t dated a soul, not even in college. Are you a closet dater?” Rose asked and then snickered.
“No, I’m not a closet dater. I’m too busy to be bothered with the whole nonsense dating thing.”
“Oh, so if you’re attracted to a guy you’d rather just screw him for his body and then be on your way?”
“Not exactly.”
“I haven’t had sex in two years, Pina. If it’s been longer than that for you, then you need it more than I do.” Rose looked around them.
Pina chuckled. “God, you really did need this night out. You sound depressed.”
Rose shrugged. “I was hoping that Bo and Taylor would invite us along to the yacht for that meeting so I could meet the Mondave brothers.”
“To seduce them?” Pina asked and was shocked at the bitter, sour, jealous feeling that ate up her insides in two seconds flat.
“No, to show them pictures of my work and hope that maybe Jonah would support a gallery showing at the small place he owns.”
“What place is that?” Pina asked.
“The one by the Colonial Marina, where the strip of high-priced storefronts are. There aren’t many items on display, and they are all high-end but if I could sell one painting at the prices they list things in there, I would be set for a while instead of struggling so much.”
Pina thought about it and felt bad for Rose. It was hard to be a struggling artist.
“Have you been working on anything new? I want to come by and check out your work.”
“I have a bunch of new paintings. How is your schedule this week? I’ll be in the studio Thursday,” Rose told her.
“I should be able to swing by, even if just for lunch.” Pina took a sip from her drink. “Oh God, this is good. Too good.”
Rose chuckled. “Want to grab a table?”
“Sure.”
* * * *
“I’m glad that you’re happy with the pieces. We appreciate the business, Brennan,” Trace said to the man.
“It’s a shame that you and your brothers won’t be able to deliver more of these antiques. I hope you aren’t offended that I go elsewhere to a different importer,” Brennan said to Trace and his brother Jonah.
Tequila Sunrise [Love on the Rocks 4] (Siren Publishing LoveXtreme Forever) Page 8