by Gun Brooke
“You all right, my queen?” Darcy said in lieu of a hello. “What’s up?”
“The list. Have you had a chance to go through the last page?”
“Not yet. I just pulled it up on my phone when you rang. I’m on a surveillance mission, while Meghan is dedicating all her time to your case.”
“Ivers, Charles. Does that name ring a bell?” Sabrina leaned back in her chair and pinched the bridge of her nose, trying to ward off a threatening headache.
“Ivers?” Darcy made a noise as if she was tapping on the phone as she spoke. “Charles Ivers? Oh. I’m not sure how common that name is, but…do you remember this Ivers?”
“No. Not at all. I can’t remember knowing, let alone talking to, anyone named Ivers before your ex-partner—Steve, wasn’t it?—stepped into my office the other day.”
“I’ll have Meghan run him via the official records. If she finds something, she knows someone who has access to the confidential stuff.”
“Confidential? But—won’t that get her, and you, into trouble?” Sabrina turned her chair toward the window.
“I don’t care in this instance, and neither does she. Should this Ivers be related to Steve Ivers, we need to know everything.”
“All right.” Sabrina paused, her cheeks warming. “I’ll be out of here around five, since you wanted to drive me home.”
“I’ll be there. And we’re still talking about my home, right?”
“Of course. That was the agreement.”
“Great. Just checking. Prepare to take an extra spin when I come to get you. Got to shake off some potential crooks.” Darcy’s tone was light, but Sabrina could tell the stark seriousness behind it.
“Since you’re my driver, I’m okay with that.” Sabrina found she wanted to reassure Darcy that she wasn’t about to do something stupid—or start arguing. She wasn’t quite sure why that was important, but it was. Darcy did a lot for her via her work and privately. The least Sabrina could do was check her affinity for sarcasm and being difficult at the door.
* * *
Later that day, an hour after Darcy and Sabrina had circled around East Quay before Darcy decided it was safe to drive to her house, Karimi stood just inside the door to Darcy’s home, holding a thick envelope. “Thanks to Meghan’s head start on what she could dig up, we’ve found more discrepancies, but some are of an economic nature, and you’re the expert, Sabrina. From what it looks like, a very wealthy couple has retired, or is about to. My financial experts ran a few algorithms on the data you sent over, Sabrina. Something has happened to their personal savings, as far as we can see. They are new clients to you, and I believe that next season will be your first time doing their taxes. They’re elderly and have worked longer than intended since their grandson was too young to take over. Their daughter and son-in-law died in an—”
“Airplane crash.” Sabrina came down the last two steps of the stairs. Standing next to Darcy, she held out her hand to receive the envelope. “I remember that. It was a couple of years after I graduated from college.”
“Why don’t we sit down?” Darcy motioned toward the kitchen, where she had coffee brewing. Karimi and Sabrina took the seats opposite Darcy as she pulled out coffee mugs and a box of almond biscotti.
“This doesn’t make sense.” Sabrina opened the envelope and let the contents spread across the kitchen table. “Carla and Bruno Constanzo. I can’t imagine them doing anything wrong. Their seafood-restaurant chain is highly successful, and now that they’re retiring, they’re handing it over to their grandson. Mario? Matthew?”
“Mark.” Karimi nodded. “Mark D’Angelo.”
“What?” Darcy frowned and glanced at Sabrina. “That sounds familiar.”
“Yes,” Sabrina said and rubbed her left temple. “This is—”
“He’s on the list of people you went to college with, Sabrina,” Karimi said, his voice grave. “We have a team trying to find him. We won’t approach him, but we will stay on his trail once we locate him.”
“Did Meghan get back to you about Charles Ivers?” Darcy asked. “Meghan has been in one meeting after another since lunch, and all I got was a message that she was going to send you what she had.”
“She did. Charles Ivers is the older half-brother of Steve Ivers, your former partner, Darcy.” Karimi regarded her with his dark, calm eyes.
“Fuck.” Darcy sat down on her chair with a thud, and the coffee splashed inside the glass carafe.
“Easy, Flynn,” Karimi said and took it from her. “I know it’s a weird coincidence.”
“I don’t believe in coincidences,” Darcy said flatly. “But if Mark and Charles are after Sabrina…I mean, then what reason do they have? You’re not doing their taxes too, are you?”
“No. But it could have something to do with Mark’s grandparents.” Sabrina reached over the table and took Darcy’s hand. Darcy could tell by the way Karimi’s eyebrows jumped that the gesture didn’t escape him. Darcy ran her thumb back and forth across the back of Sabrina’s hand. If Sabrina didn’t mind Karimi witnessing the caress, neither did Darcy. “I’ll go over the numbers tonight or tomorrow morning. I have a few conference calls to make, as some of my clients have heard of the break-in and need reassuring.”
“The sooner the better,” Karimi said. “I ran into a friend of yours, Sabrina. Eryn Goddard?”
“Yes? I was supposed to get back to her about doing lunch. She and Manon are going on tour soon with Chicory Ariose, and they won’t be back until Thanksgiving.”
“She was sorry she can’t help as much as she’d like. Being the editor-in-chief now, she’s given a standing order that you and Darcy can use the newspaper’s archives if you need to. Eryn said the paper’s archives are more extensive than the library’s.”
Darcy nodded. “She’s amazing.”
“I’ll call her back before she heads off to…what was the first stop? Rehearsals in a studio in California?”
“I believe so.” Karimi finished his coffee and stood, bowing politely. “I have two men in your truck like we had yesterday, Darcy. Glancing at the dog sleeping next to the threshold to the kitchen, he smiled. “I can see you have reinforcements tonight as well.”
“He’s a godsend,” Sabrina said. “I never thought I’d say it, but once this whole mess is over, I’m getting a dog. A big one like this.”
Darcy had to smile. “Yay. You’re not the first person Khan has converted.”
“For good reason. Well, I’m out of here. You have protection, and you don’t plan to go out anymore today, do you?” Karimi stopped at the front door, gazing back over his shoulder. Dressed in his long, black leather coat and charcoal-gray fedora, he looked like he was cut from a Bruce Willis movie, Darcy thought, not for the first time.
“You stay safe also. After all, they know you’re helping Sabrina.”
“I’m well aware of that fact. Sent the wife and kids to spend time with friends and family upstate.”
This remark shook Darcy more than anything else. She had worked with Karimi on several occasions, as her boss where she worked nights often shared bigger clients with him. This was the first time she’d seen him be rattled in any way. “Tell them to be safe also,” Darcy managed to say before he walked out the door. She locked it behind him and set the alarm. Returning to the kitchen, she found Sabrina filling the dishwasher.
“I heard,” Sabrina said quietly. “That’s a first, right? For Karimi?”
“As far as I know. We should go do some more of our homework, don’t you agree?”
Sabrina straightened and closed the dishwasher. “I suppose we should. I’m just so jittery, and I can’t focus on any of my scattered thoughts without losing the thread after a few moments. I hate this. I should be doing some of the work I brought home with me, but…God, Darcy.” Sabrina turned, her eyes huge and filled with anguish. “This situation, all that’s going on, it’s crazy. I can’t make heads or tails of it, and it drives me crazy because that’s the one thing I do that g
ives me true pleasure—bring order into the mess that can be people’s lives, financially speaking. I get to know my clients very well while going through their receipts. When I deliver my solution to whatever issue they’re having with their finances, no matter what it is, it sometimes even means they have to live on practically nothing for a while to solve their problems, but they still seem so relieved—and grateful.”
“I would imagine your clients adore you for straightening everything out and providing them with a future away from a life of debt. Yes. I’ve read some of the testimonies on your website.”
“Yes, some of my clients are—what?” Sabrina gasped when Darcy pulled her along to the living room where her laptop sat on the coffee table.
“Your website. I browsed some of it earlier, but that was before we spoke with Karimi. The testimonials. Some of them include a blow-by-blow account of how you saved their financial situation and how thorough you are.”
“So?” Sabrina sat down next to Darcy as she woke up her computer.
“If someone like this Mark dude is concerned about something he may have done that isn’t quite all right, he might be concerned if his grandparents turn to someone like you. Reputable, of a certain local fame, and from a family with tentacles all over New England when it comes to accounting, financial expertise, and trading on the stock market.”
“I suppose you’re right.” Sabrina still sounded questioning.
“And then, when he’s that concerned, he goes to your About Me or About Us page on your website and learns of your credentials, of who you are. He realizes the two of you were at the same college at the same years, approximately, and he may well remember the whole disastrous assault allegations that were blamed on you and then swept under the rug. Now he knows a whole lot more, and if he wants to prevent you from doing your job—thus potentially exposing him—he has more ammo now.” Darcy cupped Sabrina’s cheeks. “Do you have a Facebook account?”
“No.”
“No? Wow. Even I have one. And my twelve friends add so many pictures, you’d think I have ten times as many.” Darcy slid her hands down to hold Sabrina’s shoulders gently. “Twitter, Tumblr, or Instagram?”
“Instagram. As you say, for pictures. Mainly photos of Ethan and Kevin.”
“Many followers?”
“Lorna and Daniel. Two of my employees. Eryn and the others in Chicory Ariose.” Sabrina pulled the elastic ribbon in Darcy’s hair, freeing it from its constraint.
“And there, depending on your settings, they may share photos and comments outside those narrow circles.” Darcy’s thoughts were still on track. She recognized the signs. Meghan always said she was like a bumblebee on a nectar streak when she discovered a scent.
“Oh, God. This is getting worse by the minute.” Sighing, Sabrina held her forehead with both hands. “I can’t handle it. I can’t even begin to think what it would be like if I was at my condo alone, instead of here with you.” Tipping her head back, she moaned and closed her eyes.
Darcy’s thoughts about intricate ways to stalk someone via the Internet derailed completely, and she responded physically to the sight of Sabrina’s exposed neck and décolleté. Growling softly, she pushed away from the coffee table and the laptop, pressing her lips to the faintly visible pulse on Sabrina’s neck. It began fluttering madly against her mouth, and Darcy parted her lips and let her tongue slide along the artery.
“Darcy?” Sabrina whispered huskily. “What—what are you doing?”
“Please let me touch you, my queen. You’ve been on my mind from the moment I woke up.”
“Jesus.” Sabrina arched her back and tilted her head to the side. “Don’t stop.”
Trembling, Darcy kept kissing Sabrina’s neck, tasting that warm, velvety skin. She inhaled, mesmerized by Sabrina’s scent and the way she sounded. Soft sighs, mixed with whimpers and moans, were about to undo Darcy. She wanted to touch Sabrina everywhere, give her pleasure, and learn about everything this amazing woman liked when it came to sex.
“Darcy…” Sabrina pushed her hands into Darcy’s hair and pulled her closer. “You’re so beautiful. So sexy it damn near kills me.”
“I want you. I realize we haven’t known each other very long in this manner, but…I’ve known of you, known I couldn’t get enough of watching you, fantasizing about you.” Pausing her caresses, Darcy met Sabrina’s dazed eyes. “Can you blame me? You’re the amazing and beautiful one. And something about you…I don’t know. It just pulls me in, and I can’t believe this is really happening. The kissing. You letting me touch you.”
“I want much more than this,” Sabrina said, her voice suddenly steady and certain. “I want you. Under me. On top of me. Naked and ready to allow me to touch you as well.”
Darcy nearly cried out at Sabrina’s impossible words. She caressed Sabrina’s arms, dying to remove the blouse. “Please. May I take you to bed?”
“Hmm? What?” Sabrina lifted her head from where she had licked along Darcy’s jawline. “Yes. Bed. Good idea.” And then she continued to kiss Darcy as if she hadn’t heard her at all.
Chapter Eighteen
Sabrina realized she had never seen Darcy more beautiful than in the setting autumn sun. Her multicolored eyes sparkled, and the highlights in her hair caught the rays as well, reflecting them with blond, red, golden, and auburn highlights among the chocolate tresses. Not curly, but very wavy, it created patterns against Darcy’s tan skin.
“I’m not sure where you got the idea that you aren’t beautiful,” Sabrina said huskily. “If someone said that to you, they were clearly blind or unobservant. Your eyes are amazing. So unique.” Sabrina pulled Darcy closer and invaded what was left of her personal space.
“Yeah?” Tilting her head to the left, Darcy peered at Sabrina. “I can safely say that you, my queen, are the most amazing woman I’ve ever seen, let alone known.” Darcy slid a finger along Sabrina’s jawline. Once. Twice. Three times. “Like porcelain, but not cold at all. Warm. And hot.” She slid the back of her curled fingers down Sabrina’s long neck. “And you may regret allowing me to touch you. What if I won’t be able to let go?”
Sabrina took hold of Darcy’s wrist, stilling her wandering hand. “Haven’t you figured out that part yet? I don’t want you to let go. I want your touch. I want you.”
Darcy gasped and leaned in. “You’re sure?” she asked against Sabrina’s lips.
So aroused now, she wanted to scream, Sabrina grabbed Darcy by the waist, turned them around, and placed her on her lap.
“God, I’m too heavy for you,” Darcy said, attempting to get up.
“Don’t move. You’re fine. You’re, in fact…very fine.” Sabrina watched Darcy’s eyes darken as she pushed her hands under the light-blue shirt. She spread her fingers to map the silky skin underneath. “And you feel wonderful. So, so good.”
“And you,” Darcy said and cupped Sabrina’s face. “You’re amazing. I can’t believe I’m allowed to hold you. Touch you.”
“And kiss me?” Sabrina looked into Darcy’s eyes, saw them slowly close as Darcy lowered her head and captured Sabrina’s lips. Immediately, Sabrina could barely think but just acted the way her body demanded. She reached Darcy’s bra and opened it with trembling fingers. Sliding her hands to the front, she slipped them under the loose cups and found the round mounds she’d dreamed about caressing.
Rock-hard nipples drew patterns on her palms as she gently held Darcy’s breasts. Eager to see them and not just touch, she broke free from the kiss and pulled her hands away despite Darcy’s moan. Unbuttoning the now-rumpled shirt, Sabrina pushed it open and shoved it and the bra down along Darcy’s toned arms. Now, nothing stood between Sabrina and Darcy’s beautiful skin, her full breasts and their dark wine-red nipples.
“Jesus…” Sabrina ran one arm around Darcy’s waist, and with her free hand, she cupped the left breast and lifted it to her lips. Bending, she took its nipple in her mouth, humming and whimpering around it. How could anything feel this goo
d, taste this amazing? She had dreamed about feeling like this, but until Darcy had touched and kissed her the first time, she’d thought it was merely that—a dream.
“Sabrina, you’re killing me here. How about upstairs, in our bed, where we can be much more comfortable and where I can have a chance to reciprocate? With more space?” Darcy’s hands weren’t wasting any time either. They were in Sabrina’s hair, pulling out the bobby pins and running her fingers through its lengths. “Like silk,” Darcy murmured. She began unbuttoning Sabrina’s blouse, sighing from either frustration or pure joy.
“Our bed. Sure. Come.” Sabrina nudged Darcy from her lap, and the blue shirt and the bra fell off and ended up on the couch.
“Just leave them,” Darcy said and pulled Sabrina along by her hand. “I can’t wait. Let’s go up.”
“Yes.” Sabrina shivered as she climbed the stairs behind Darcy. Unable to keep her hands to herself, she cupped the gently swaying hips in front of her.
Darcy smiled broadly over her shoulder, which made Sabrina’s heart tremble, and for a moment she feared it might stop beating. Then it hammered away at double the normal speed—or at least that was how it felt. Stopping Darcy on the landing, she drew her in for another kiss. Deepening it, she wrapped her tongue around Darcy’s, caressing it over and over until they both whimpered. Sabrina pushed the door open to the bedroom, out of breath, and the next thing she knew, she was on her back on the bed, staring at Darcy, who pushed her jeans off, leaving only white panties on.
She should be suffering the irregular flashbacks she’d had so many times before. But this time, it was as if the distance to the harsh, accusing voices grew farther away and blurrier and, after a while, drowned them out completely. Holding on to Darcy, whose hands were so gentle, though definitely greedy, Sabrina returned the touches and kissed Darcy back, one smoldering kiss after another.
* * *
“I can’t get enough of you,” Darcy gasped against the swollen, full mouth beneath hers. Sabrina’s hair lay like a fan across the pillow, billowing around her beautiful face like pale satin on fire.