Off the Grid for Love

by Rena Koontz

  She closed her eyes and said a silent prayer of thanks as she rode the elevator back to Jake’s floor. He’d shown her the spare key he stowed in the medicine cabinet in the guest bathroom. She tucked it in her skirt pocket and remembered the missed call when her fingers touched her phone.

  It hadn’t been Jake calling. A voice message left by a personnel supervisor she didn’t know replayed, terse and to the point. “Miss McElroy, we’ve been advised by the FBI that you are a person of interest in a series of robberies targeting Good Neighbor banks. You’ve been placed on unpaid administrative leave pending the outcome of their investigation. Your employee identification card has been voided until then and your Good Neighbor account frozen. If you have any questions, feel free to call me. Have a good day.”

  Have a good day? Was he kidding? She wanted to throw her phone against the wall. They must be desperate to distance themselves from her to call this late at night.

  Unemployed. Homeless. And wanted by the FBI. Even her worst nightmare wasn’t as frightening as her real life.

  Eyes closed, she stood motionless. Breathe in. Breathe out. She couldn’t afford to panic. No one could help her but herself. One final inhale and she strode to Jake’s bedroom and opened his clothes closet. The aromatic scent that rushed out smothered her in Jake’s essence, fortifying her. Soapy clean and woodsy. Even when he wasn’t present, his strength prevailed. She closed her eyes to contain it in her lungs, immediately reliving their lovemaking last night. He’d asked her not to believe anything she read or learned today. Apparently he’d known he’d be arrested. How had he known that?

  Well, when you came right down to it, wasn’t she in the same position? Wasn’t it a matter of time before Agent Crews located her and arrested her? And she was innocent. She had to believe Jake was too.

  Mackenna made a scene of rushing back to the business office to return the key and thanked the manager profusely for staying ten minutes beyond quitting time. He locked the office door and watched her walk to the elevator, so she tapped the button for her floor and waved to him as the double doors closed.

  She walked down two flights to Jake’s apartment. When had she become so cautious?

  Nothing to do now but wait. For what, she wasn’t certain. For Jake to come home? For Agent Crews to track her down? She drew the balcony drapes closed and snapped on the television, casting the apartment in black-and-white shadows like the TV show the manager viewed. The only other light she switched on was the guest bathroom, which didn’t have a window and would cast no reflection beyond Jake’s walls. It was enough to illuminate the apartment.

  Jake’s refrigerator contained a case of beer, three bottles of water, two sports drinks, and two leftover food containers. How did the man live like this? She reached for a can of beer. It was the only way she’d turn off her brain and sleep tonight. Tomorrow, in the daylight, a clearer picture of what to do would materialize.

  Her nose crinkled when she sipped the beer but it was cold and vaguely reminded her of Jake’s kisses. Absentmindedly she strolled to his bedroom and eyed the bed. A smile crept across her face remembering the way he’d made her scream in ecstasy.

  Another gulp of brew and she stretched across the bed on her belly. Oh Jake. What’s going to happen to me? What should I do? Where are you when I need you? You’ve always been here for me.

  That was true, she realized, drinking again. She needed Motorcycle Man. Her own Jake the Jerk. He’d materialized on her darkest day and shined light into her life. A light she hadn’t known was extinguished. And now, she lay in the dark, missing him, wanting him, feeling emotions she’d never known. For him. Was this what love felt like? Painful yet pleasing? Hot and cold. Exhilarating one minute, scary frightening the next?

  Jake was in trouble too. Was he in some cold jail somewhere? This wasn’t the time to worry about herself. She needed to find a way to help Jake. She hadn’t lied to Agent Crews and Jake had said that day in the FBI building that if she told the truth, she’d have nothing to worry about. Tomorrow she’d put aside her personal concerns and try to locate Jake. He’d rescued her more than once. Time to return the favor.

  The air conditioning clicked on, and Mackenna took one last sip of beer before reaching for the bottom of the bedspread and drawing it up over her legs. She dragged the opposite top corner over her shoulders as her eyelids drooped. Tomorrow. She’d find Jake tomorrow and rescue him.

  Chapter 23

  Vinny’s penthouse apartment resembled a scene from a bad gangster movie, all chrome and leather. The lawyer dropped him off outside the high-rise in an upscale part of town and drove away after nodding to the doorman to admit Jake. They hadn’t spoken beyond her inquiry about the cut on his eye. Before he exited the car, he asked, “What happens now with my arrest?”

  She smiled that phony smile. “Don’t worry about it.”

  He shrugged, thanked her, and stepped onto the sidewalk. Once inside the lobby, another uniformed bellman escorted him to the penthouse elevator, tapped the button for him, and waited until the elevator arrived, touching the brim of his cap when Jake entered.

  When the doors opened, Vinny stood with his arms spread wide, a wineglass clutched in one hand.

  “Jake. Mio fratello.” He embraced him, patting him vigorously on the back. “It’s good that you called me, brother. Come in, come in. How about some wine? Or do you prefer beer? A cold one sound good after the day you’ve had? What about food? I can have something sent up. How long were you locked up, man?”

  Jake ran his hand through his hair. “Yeah, a beer sounds good, Vinny. Thanks for bailing me out. I couldn’t call anyone else.”

  Vinny waved it away as he walked to the stainless-steel kitchen and retrieved a beer from the double-door refrigerator. “Don’t mention it. Glad to help. It doesn’t pay you back for saving my life but it’s a step closer. You want to talk about it? The news wasn’t clear about the case and we couldn’t find out much on our end. I figure the feds are keeping a tight lid on things. What was your involvement, Jake? I didn’t know you worked at City Hall.”

  Vinny’s comments surprised him and Jake hoped his internal reaction didn’t register on his face. They weren’t able to find out information? From whom, he wanted to ask. If nothing else, it confirmed that Cabacolli had inside contacts. But where?

  “I’m just a bagman, Vinny, doing a guy a favor to work off some gambling debts. I didn’t know anything about the payoffs. That’s my luck. The wrong place at the wrong time.” He needed to change the subject. “Thanks for sending the lawyer. Man, she was a hottie. Worth getting arrested just to meet her.”

  Vinny slurped his wine and bobbed his head. “Yeah. Pretty sure my old man is banging that but I don’t know. I’d sure like some of it.”

  Same old Vinny. Put the man in a penthouse with a state-of-the-art kitchen, high-end furnishings, and expensive artwork on the walls and he was still a low-life.

  Jake sipped his beer and nodded as if he agreed. “Thanks for bringing me here, man, but I gotta get home. How ’bout we hook up tomorrow?” By now, Mackenna had seen the news. When she called, he’d been unable to answer and she hadn’t left a message. Was that a good sign or a bad one? He wanted to hold her in his arms when he told her his version of today’s events. It’d be the same story he just relayed to Vinny. Caught in the wrong place at the wrong time. She’d ask questions. She was too smart not to. He’d tell her anything to keep from losing her. Except the truth.

  “You should stay here at least for a couple hours, Jake. Let the dust settle. My people will make sure the feds aren’t scoping out your place. That’s how they operate, you know. Turn you loose then sneak around spying. You’re better off here, outta sight. There’s a guest room you can use. And friends are coming over later. You remember, Misty, don’t you? I invited her special. Sink between those thighs and you’ll forget all about toda
y.”

  Jake ran his hands across his face, frowning at the stubble. “I don’t know, Vinny, after the day I’ve had I’m not sure I can get it up. I need a shower and my head is splitting from a punch I took. Some overzealous deputy trying to prove his worth. I’d prefer to crash at home.”

  “Not until I get an all-clear from my men,” Vinny said, reaching for his phone. “I’m ordering dinner. Clean up in the guest bathroom if you like. Everything’s in there you should need. I’ll try to rustle up a shirt that might fit you. Or just wait for the ladies to arrive. I’m sure Misty will be happy to wash your back for you.”

  Already making his way toward the guest room, Vinny’s lecherous laugh smacked Jake in the back. Good thing. Vinny didn’t see the disgusted look on Jake’s face.

  Fuck. Reaching out to Vinny for bail might’ve been a mistake. The last thing Jake wanted to do was have a goddamn pajama party with him and his cheap entertainment.

  Standing in the hot shower, Jake debated calling Mackenna. He needed to talk to her but a phone call wouldn’t work. This rationalization required a face-to-face meet so he could look into those beautiful brown eyes when he explained about his arrest. His FBI training kicked in as he scrutinized the bathroom, scanning all the corners, rummaging through the drawers, suspicious that Vinny would have a listening device planted somewhere. He couldn’t take the chance.

  Jake stepped into his jeans and yelled, “Enter” when Vinny knocked on the door. He held out a black undershirt, the type often referred to as a wife-beater shirt. Vinny’s eyes widened when he saw Jake shirtless. “Ah, you don’t look that built with your shirt on. I don’t know if this will fit. It’s the only thing I have without sleeves and your shoulders are twice the size of mine. I can send someone to your place for your own clothes if you want.”

  Vinny’s goons nosing around his undercover apartment was the last thing Jake needed. He shook his head. “Nah, this is fine.” The soft cotton undershirt hugged his chest like a layer of skin. But he’d already gotten a whiff of the dress shirt he’d worn all day and it definitely couldn’t stand another wearing.

  Vinny canted his head. “You look like something off a magazine page, man. Misty’s gonna love it. The girls are on their way with dinner.”

  “I’ll be right out.” Standing in front of the mirror, Jake laughed. What magazine? Guns and gangsters? Hang a few gold chains around his neck and dangle a cigarette from his mouth and he’d resemble the stereotypical mob guy. If she saw him right now his mama would have a fit of the vapors, a condition she always threatened but he’d never witnessed.

  Misty couldn’t keep her hands off of him but her attentions turned him off. She wasn’t the woman he wanted falling all over him. At least the meal Vinny ordered from his family’s restaurant was top-notch. Vinny reiterated his invitation to the upcoming family dinner and hinted that he might have a job for Jake since he was now gainfully unemployed. That was all good. But Jake was on edge. And wary of the whole buddy-buddy performance.

  Half-heartedly, he placed a kiss on Misty’s cheek. “Listen, honey, I’ve had a helluva day and my head is pounding. You and me will happen some other time, okay? But not tonight.” He rose. “Vinny, I gotta crash for the night. Too much has happened today. I’m turning in.”

  Misty jumped to her feet. “I’ll come with you, baby.” He shook his head, said “no thanks,” and started toward the bedroom. But she followed him, closing the door and leaning against it with her hands behind her back.

  “I can make you feel better if you give me the chance, Jake. You’ll forget everything that happened today, I promise.”

  “Not tonight, Misty.” He sat on the edge of the bed with his back toward her. God he wanted out of this place. The mattress sagged behind him when she crawled onto the bed and his back stiffened. She leaned in from behind and extended her arm in front of his face. A black lace bra dangled from her fingers. Her enhanced breasts pressed into his back like torpedoes and he immediately recalled the rush of excitement he’d felt with Mackenna behind him on the motorcycle. This was nothing like that.

  Misty blew into his ear. “Mommy can make it all better,” she cooed.

  He rocketed up out of her reach and strode to the window, stunned by the sudden realization that he was a one-woman man now who would opt for celibacy if he couldn’t lie in Mackenna’s arms. The depths of his feelings for her drowned him, at the same time bringing him a sense of peace. Finally, he’d found his soul mate.

  But he couldn’t let Misty, and by extension Vinny, know that. He turned to find her stretched out on the bed wearing only black lace panties. Her pose mimicked the way Mackenna had waited for him to emerge from the bathroom that morning they first touched each other. Misty missed the boat when it came to arousing his desire.

  He clenched his teeth and forced a smile. “I’ll tell you what, Misty. Give me about an hour to catch a power rack and I’ll be all over you.” She knitted her eyebrows.

  “You know, a quick nap. Let me get some sleep, get rid of this headache, and I’ll be all yours.”

  Misty patted the bed. “Sure, Jake. Let’s both take a nap. I have a unique way of waking up my men.” Her tongue wiped her upper lip and his stomach turned.

  “You can go out and watch TV or something, honey. You don’t have to stay with me.”

  She held out her hand, long shiny red talons beckoning him. Not even close to Mackenna’s invitation to join him on the bed. “I’ll be right here beside you when you wake up.”

  Reluctantly he climbed onto the bed and stretched out on his back beside her.

  “Don’t you want to take off your clothes, Jake?”

  He didn’t. Not even his shoes. He wanted to escape this lair as fast as he could. Out of Misty’s claws and away from Vinny’s scrutiny.

  Jake mumbled his response. “I’m too tired, honey. Just let me rest.” He closed his eyes and slowed his breathing, lying perfectly still so she’d think he was asleep. Endless minutes ticked by while she rolled her fingers along his arm and across his chest, blew warm breath on the back of his neck and ear and plastered her body against his side, stretching her leg over his groin and rubbing. It took every ounce of self-control not to move. Once Misty realized her attempts to interest him were useless she dropped onto her back and hummed softly, eventually falling asleep. When she began to snore, Jake decided it was safe to move.

  As gingerly as he could, he eased off the bed, grabbed his shirt and tie from the chair, and tiptoed to the door. No sounds came from beyond and after opening it ever so slowly, he slipped out of the bedroom. Raucous laughter and muffled moans emanated from Vinny’s bedroom across the hall, causing Jake to smile. He doubted the elevator ding even disturbed them.

  ~ ~ ~

  After sneaking out of Vinny’s apartment, the building doorman asked his destination. Jake nodded to the twenty-four-hour drugstore on the corner. “Condoms.” He walked the block, sensing the doorman’s eyes on him the whole way, and exited the building out an employee’s entrance. Just to be safe, he strolled two more blocks and then hailed a cab to home. Even though it was after midnight, he was determined to talk to Mackenna. He rode the elevator to her floor, grateful the business office was closed and he didn’t see any other tenants. But she didn’t answer his knock and his phone call went straight to voice mail. Dammit. Where the hell was she?

  Jake stopped dead the minute he entered his apartment. He hadn’t left the television on yesterday morning. Or the light in the guest bathroom. Automatically, he reached for his ankle. But he’d left his gun home yesterday knowing the arrests would go down and not wanting his colleagues to confiscate it, which they’d be forced to do if anyone knew he carried. Since he’d ended up back at Vinny’s it had been advantageous not to have his weapon. He felt certain Vinny searched the guest room while he showered. Nothing to find but his dirty clothes. Jake c
arried his cell and wallet into the bathroom with him.

  No, he walked out of his apartment yesterday unarmed. And now he felt naked.

  He slipped out of his shoes and socks. Bare feet could be a viable weapon in a fight. After his eyes adjusted to the shadows, he crept down the hallway in a rehearsed step, rolling from heel to toe in a fluid movement while he scanned the rooms. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary. Arriving at the kitchen he eased an eight-inch chef’s knife from its wooden block holder. He was much better with a gun but he’d been trained to defend himself with and without various weapons. The knife was better than nothing.

  Jake tapped the flashlight app on his phone to better search the rooms. The beam wasn’t nearly as powerful as his bureau-issued tactical flashlight but again, better than none. He’d have about a five-second advantage if the light momentarily blinded his intruder. He could do a lot of damage in five seconds.

  The guest bedroom and bathroom were vacant. No one under the bed or hiding behind the doors or furniture. He turned his attention to the master bedroom, his senses heightened by his diminished vision. He smelled beer. Soft, easy breathing reached his ears. Distributing his weight evenly so the floor didn’t creak he advanced a step and studied the mound on his bed. Now a waft of familiar perfume grabbed him and he saw the outline of one dainty hand hanging limp over the edge of the bed. The sight of Mackenna wrapped up like a burrito in his darkened bedroom instantly made him grin.

  He clicked off the light beam and placed the knife on top of his bureau. Starting by her feet he crawled onto the bed, his hand running over her hip to her shoulder. She stirred and rolled toward him.

  “Sugar, what are you doing here?” The emotions that surged through him choked his words. Elation that she was here. Grateful he’d have the chance to talk to her, to somehow explain about today. And desire so hot he forgot his pounding head and lack of sleep.