by Tara Randel
She closed the door against the churning wind that continued to blast cold air into the shop. “It’s wild out there.” Shivering, she ran her hands over her arms.
Ness merely nodded in agreement.
“Is there a problem at the warehouse?” she asked conversationally, the man’s muteness getting to her.
“Due to a lack of good help, I’m making your delivery this morning.”
“Did something happen to Tommy?” she asked as she moved her belongings aside to make room for the container. “He’s the best delivery guy we’ve ever had. I’d miss him.”
The tall, well-built man, with his hair shaved close to his scalp, set the flowers on the worktable. She wrinkled her nose against the body odor he’d unsuccessfully tried to mask with a large dose of cologne. “Tommy? No, he’s off today.”
“Oh. What about the guy who was shadowing Tommy?”
“Scott. Yes. Turns out he doesn’t have what it takes to work for me.”
Thankfully, Mr. Ness moved away. She gulped in some fresh air.
“Nothing is done best unless you do it yourself,” he remarked in an offhand manner.
Kady wasn’t sure how to reply, so she checked over the flowers. Why hadn’t Mr. Ness left them in the van until she arrived? How long had they been outside, exposed to the wind? She brought them to her nose and inhaled. Light and sweet, just as she expected them to be. Thankfully, they were fresh and undamaged.
Out of the corner of her eye she watched the man roam the workroom, his gaze moving over every shelf, every surface. What was he doing?
“Um, why don’t I sign for the delivery so you can take off? I’m sure you’re busy.”
Ness leaned against the counter, his hands still in his pockets. His unnerving gaze never left her. “That won’t be necessary.”
Okay, this was weird. The creepy vibe from Ness kept growing stronger. She hated being here alone, but Christine wouldn’t open the shop for a few more hours. Kady was on her own. Her hands trembled slightly as she separated the blooms, but she squared her shoulders against the uneasiness building inside her. “Well, I can’t thank you enough for getting these flowers to me today.”
Ness nodded, not moving an inch. Why wouldn’t he leave?
“Is there something else you need? I’ll be going shortly.” Well, soon, anyway. She had to make her bouquet first, but he didn’t need to know all the details.
“Why, yes. You have something that belongs to me.”
“I do?” she asked with a slight shake of her head.
“My clueless employee left some boxes here the other day. He came back to retrieve them, but they were gone.”
“Really? I’ve been in and out of the shop due to a commitment, but I’m sure Christine would have helped him.”
“She was unable to.”
“Oh. Well, she’s new. Maybe she didn’t realize what he wanted.”
“Very true. So he came back after business hours to look for himself.”
She frowned. That didn’t make sense. “After hours? No one would be able to help him then. If there is a problem—”
“There is a problem. The boxes aren’t here. We’ve searched.”
“Why would you search? Christine would gladly give you back what belongs—” She stopped when the realization of Ness’s words hit her. “You broke into the shop?”
“Not me, personally. My men.”
She blinked. His men? When did wholesale flower distributors call employees their men? “I’m sorry, Mr. Ness. I’m confused. What boxes are you talking about?”
“The ones you asked Tommy for. The ones Scott mistakenly left here.”
She had to jog her memory. So much had happened in a few short days. “I remember now. I needed empty boxes to carry arrangements in. Tommy always gives me a couple when I run low.”
“Except they weren’t empty. At least one wasn’t.”
Kady thought back to the stack of boxes that Tommy—er, Scott—left for her. Christine claimed they were heavy, but after piling all her supplies and the vase into the top box, Kady had attributed the weight to her items, never considering that one of the other boxes might actually be full. Explained why Ness wasn’t happy.
She glanced at him, noticing the dangerous gleam in his eyes, the taut way he held his body in check. Lines wrinkled his forehead. He radiated anger. Over a box?
That was when Kady realized she was in trouble.
Clearing the tremor from her voice, she said, “I’m sure we can sort out this mix-up.”
“There is no mix-up. Return what is mine.”
“As you can see, the boxes aren’t here.”
A nasty grin curved Ness’s lips, making Kady shudder. “But I’m sure you want to tell me where they are.”
She could. They were still in her trunk. But whatever he was after must be bad news. Would she give it to him so easily?
“I can see the wheels turning in your head, Ms. Lawrence. Let me assure you, there is only one outcome here. I leave with my possessions. And if you don’t give me any problems, maybe I don’t hurt you.”
Kady swallowed. Hard.
An uncomfortable silence engulfed the room.
She had two options. Give the man what he wanted or somehow call the police. Which wasn’t going to be possible since her cell was in her tote and Ness stood next to the shop’s phone. Okay, no to the shop’s phone. But her cell?
“I think I know what you’re talking about, Mr. Ness. My employee carried the boxes to my car trunk the other day. I haven’t bothered with them since.”
“See. Now you’re being reasonable.”
With clammy hands she opened her tote. “My keys are in here.”
He nodded.
She fished around, found her cell and tried as subtly as possible to punch in 911, hoping Ness wouldn’t notice. Then she grabbed her keys, leaving the phone near the opening of the tote in case she needed it. In a loud voice, to cover the dialing sound, she said, “Why don’t we go to my car?”
Ness pushed away from the counter. “Wise choice.”
Stomach in a hard knot, Kady led the way. They had just reached the door when she heard a faint voice coming from her tote. “Nine-one-one. What is your emergency?”
In blinding-fast speed, Ness shoved her from behind. Bright flashes of light swam before her eyes. She’d hit the back door and crumpled, before feeling something hard jabbed into her side. A gun?
“You did not just call for help,” he growled into her ear, shoving her harder. She couldn’t answer with her cheek mashed against the door.
He abruptly let go, stalking to the table. Kady sagged but took a breath and croaked as loud as she could, “The Lavish Lily. Help.”
But Ness had already picked up the phone. He threw it to the ground and stomped on it. Lifting a handgun from his side, he pointed it directly at her. “Under different circumstances, I’d be impressed, but your plan didn’t work. Now get outside and open the trunk.”
Kady forced her shaky legs to move. So much for her options.
She stepped outside. Weak light had begun to filter through the morning shadows, and it was still windy and cold. Kady shrugged her shoulders together, pulling her arms close to her body for warmth. Ness stayed behind her, the gun lodged in her back. She had to get out of this, somehow, someway.
They’d made it only a few feet when a loud voice yelled, “Freeze!”
* * *
DYLAN’S HEART NEARLY gave out as he watched Esposa grab Kady around the neck to drag her back into the shop. In the gloomy morning light, he’d barely been able to make out her features, but what he did see was like a punch in the gut.
Once Dylan had met the team of four agents, they’d taken up various positions in the alleyway. Donning bulletproof vests
, everyone had a strategic view of the back door. Dylan stayed with Turner, lead agent of the group. They’d called for more reinforcements, but time was their enemy. Dylan hoped to get the situation under control soon, making the need for more manpower unnecessary.
“We have to get inside that store,” said Turner, his voice nearly carried away by the building wind. Was a storm approaching?
Dylan knew there were only two ways in. Esposa would be watching the back entrance, keeping watch on the authorities he knew about, which left the front. “Ms. Lawrence’s brother has a key.”
“Can you get ahold of him?” asked Turner.
“Give me a minute.”
Rising from his crouching position in the long alley, Dylan nearly stumbled as the muscle spasm in his thigh took a few seconds to ease. He balanced himself by placing a hand on the scratchy stucco of the building. Cell in hand, he limped a few feet away, out of everyone’s sight, and hit the police chief’s number.
“What’s up, Matthews?”
“Found the suspect I’m after, but we have a problem.”
In as few words as possible, he explained the situation.
“I’m sending over backup. Then let me give Will a call and I’ll head down there.” He paused a moment, his voice careful when he spoke. “Did Kady seem okay?”
Her fear flashed before Dylan’s eyes. He’d never forget the look on her face as long as he lived. “Shaken. I really didn’t see her for very long.”
The chief ended the call. Dylan resumed his position next to Turner. “It’s in the works. The chief is on his way.”
Turner nodded. “What do you want to do?”
“All we can do is wait for the key. If we can keep Esposa’s attention here, then there might be a chance to quietly slip in through the front.”
“He’s probably thought of that.”
“Like I said, we might have a chance.”
* * *
KADY DROPPED HER keys as Ness dragged her inside the shop. He pushed her across the room, where she now huddled by the far wall of the workroom. Through the slightly opened door, he peered out at the alley. What on earth was happening here? With the police, or whoever was outside, Ness wasn’t going to let her go.
Thankfully, her family wouldn’t be walking in here, unaware. She’d been so happy when her folks had gone on the cruise, and now she was doubly so. The thought of them also held at gunpoint made her heart trip.
Okay, her family was safe. But what about her? Was there something she could do?
“You know they won’t just leave,” Kady said, unsteadily rising to her feet.
Ness never took his gaze off the alley. “Shut up.”
She took a few small steps toward the counter where a pair of scissors stood out in a mixture of pens and pencils.
Ness turned the gun on her. “I wouldn’t make any sudden moves. This thing might accidentally go off.”
“So...what? You’re going to stand there all day hoping they go away?”
He’d gone back to the door, but this time he looked over his shoulder at her. She wished he hadn’t. The fury in his dark eyes made her knees tremble. “Not at all. I’m deciding how best to use you as a shield to get away.”
At those words, she held the counter to steady herself. She honestly needed the support, but the move also brought her closer to a possible weapon.
Keep him distracted, her mind screamed.
“So, I’m guessing you aren’t in the flower industry?”
“My family is. I needed a legit cover for my real business.”
“Which is illegal?”
From her angle, she saw a slight grin curve Ness’s lips. “Let’s say the authorities don’t appreciate the entrepreneur I have become.”
What did that mean? He spoke as cryptically as Dylan.
“But in all fairness, I must thank you.”
“Me? What for?”
“For the use of your corsage boxes.”
Confusion reigned again.
“A very neat and easy way to transport my product. No one suspects a florist box to contain...hidden delights.”
Hidden? The man was talking in riddles. The tension headache taking up residence in her temples spread.
Something must have caught his attention outside because he changed position, his head moving back and forth as he scanned the alley. Taking advantage of this, Kady eased closer to the scissors, now only mere inches away.
“I don’t think you want my guest to get hurt,” he shouted from the doorway. “Back off!” Ness barked.
Taking her chance, Kady grabbed the shears and shoved the hand with her prize behind her back. When Ness glowered at her, she hoped she’d pulled off a blank look.
“I said, quit moving around.”
“Right.” She stepped away from the counter and squeezed the cold metal in her hand. All she could do now was wait.
* * *
“WELL, THAT DIDN’T WORK,” Turner muttered.
“I warned you.” Dylan had tried to tell the agent that Esposa would keep a close eye, noticing any movement in the alley. The creep hadn’t become so successful and difficult to apprehend because he was careless.
“So what do you suggest?”
Dylan was still going with the unlocking-the-front-door theory. Esposa wasn’t easy to fool, but he was also focused out back. Since the alarm would have been disengaged when Kady and Esposa entered, he didn’t have to worry about making noise as they sneaked in the front. The hallway connecting the retail part of the shop from the workroom might also play to their advantage. The only obstacle they faced, which had his stomach in knots, was how to keep Kady safe if they did storm the shop.
A movement out of the corner of his eye revealed Chief Gardener with Will in tow, both men sporting identical grim expressions. Dylan elbowed Turner and they then met the men halfway up the alley.
Will spoke first, his hair lifting in the wind. The dark worry circles under his eyes matched the purple bruising from the previous night’s encounter. “Is my sister still in there?”
“Yes.”
“This wouldn’t have happened if you’d told her the truth.”
“We don’t know that. I couldn’t predict Esposa would end up here.”
“At least she would have had a heads-up.”
“Let’s focus on the present,” the chief ordered. “Situation?”
“Esposa is camped out in the workroom. I’m hoping to use the front door to gain access to the building.”
“You’re just going to walk in?” Will asked, his tone incredulous.
“Sometimes the obvious works.”
Will ran a hand over his jaw and cursed.
“You brought the key?” Dylan pressed. “Time is of the essence.”
“I get it.” Will fished a key chain from his pocket. “Here.”
Dylan took it and stopped for a moment. Will looked as bad as Dylan felt. “Thanks.”
Will grabbed Dylan’s arm in a fierce hold. “Nothing better happen to Kady.”
“I will do everything in my power to protect her.” Dylan met the chief’s steady gaze. “Back me up?”
“My pleasure.” The chief pointed to Main Street as he spoke to Will. “I’m only gonna tell you once. Get a couple blocks away from here.”
“But—”
“Now.”
Will hesitated, then jogged away in the opposite direction.
“You know he isn’t going far,” Dylan pointed out.
The chief nodded. “Still, we can’t have him on our heels.”
Dylan held up the key for Turner to see. The agent gave him a thumbs-up. Dylan and the chief proceeded to the front door, but just before reaching the shop, Dylan heard running behind him. He glanced
over his shoulder to see Will.
The chief held his arms out, ready to stop him. “I told you—”
“Something’s occurred to me.” Will spoke over the chief to Dylan. “There’s a bell above the door. It sounds whenever someone enters the shop. They’ll hear it in the workroom.”
Frustration mounting, Dylan strode over to Will. “How loud is it?”
“Loud enough to alert anyone working in the back that someone’s come in the front.”
He was slipping. He hadn’t even considered that. “Let me talk to Turner.”
“Make it fast,” the chief said and Dylan raced to the agent in charge.
* * *
“WHY DON’T YOU let me talk to them,” Kady suggested. “You know, convince them to go away.”
“Won’t work,” Ness answered in a tight voice. “I’m a wanted man. Trust me.”
“What if I go out, open my trunk and give them whatever you’ve got boxed up?”
He didn’t respond.
“Then let me go as a sign of good faith.”
He snickered. “You watch too many cop shows.”
“What could you have done to make them want you so badly? C’mon. You just want a box of stuff.”
Silence. Then he said, “I shot and killed a cop. Injured another.”
Okay. She didn’t need a television show to know this was bad.
Retreating into the corner, she tried to ignore the pounding in her chest. How would she get out of this?
For all the jumping around from job to job over the years, why couldn’t she have worked at a gym? Picked up a few self-defense moves? She may have scissors, but when would she get to use them?
“So we sit here?”
Ness seemed to be considering what she’d said. Finally he told her, “Bring me the phone.”
“What?”
He snapped his fingers. “Phone. Now.”
Hiding the scissors beneath a corner of the floor mat, she stood and took a couple of halting steps to make sure her legs could carry her. Crossing the room felt like a million miles instead of a few short feet. As she passed her flowers, lying haphazardly on the worktable, melancholy eclipsed her fear. The competition. She’d forgotten all about it. Would she make it back to the convention? Or would this crazy man take everything from her, including her life?