IF I WERE YOUR WOMAN

by LaConnie Taylor-Jones

  Ray offered a sympathetic nod. “I believe you. Imagine how I felt when I found out. I’m the reason Red had to do what she did in the first place.”

  Charles shook his head slightly. “Raphael, I suspect after Laney learned that Candice Parker and Evangeline Williams were the same that she went through with things as much for herself as she did for you. Candice has been the one demon in her life she’s never been able to overcome. Now she’s free from it.”

  He beckoned Ray with his hand, and they continued walking. “Laney was so racked with guilt after Clarisse died, I honestly didn’t think she’d ever get over it. Olivia…God rest her soul…was the reason Laney is where she is today. When everyone else in the family had given up hope, Olivia refused to believe that Laney wouldn’t make it.” He paused and swallowed back the lump in his throat. “She hadn’t been able to save her own child, but she was determined to save her grandchild. Every day, I thank God for her perseverance. Laney’s so much like Olivia it’s frightening.”

  Ray chuckled. “Was Olivia stubborn?”

  Charles nodded. “If you’d pick up any dictionary and looked up the word, you no doubt would’ve found Olivia’s picture next to it.”

  “From this day forward, no harm will ever come to Red. I give you my word on that.”

  Ray shared with Charles what he planned to do next. He’d already contacted Laney’s cousin Jewel and requested her assistance. It was a scintilla, but it was the only way he knew to repay Laney for the sacrifices she’d made on his behalf.

  Charles listened intently, nodding occasionally. “You’re an honorable man, Raphael Baptiste. What do you need me to do?”

  “Two things. First, keep a close eye on Red while I’m gone.”

  “Consider it done.” Charles lifted his brow and asked very carefully, “And the other?”

  Although his eyes were cold, deadly and angry, Ray smiled. In the calmest tone imaginable, he communicated the solemn vow he planned to make good on. “Those bastards made a mistake.”

  “How?”

  “They hurt my woman.” With that, Ray turned in the opposite direction and walked off.

  ~ ~ ~

  Raphael Baptiste wasn’t happy.

  In fact, nobody was happy. The next day Les Croisés along with JoJo and Alex, boarded a private jet, final destination Los Angeles. Ray swaggered into the office of Evangeline Williams, unannounced. Everyone else followed in a single file. He halted in front of the desk, his eyes like flint. “We need to talk.”

  Evangeline eyed Ray shocked by his physical appearance. “Conversations that begin with that phrase are usually ones I don’t like.”

  Ray took in a deep breath and let his heartbeat settle down. Then he went into performance mood. His senses heightened as they always did before a concert. He shut out everything except the issues at hand. “Well, you better start liking this one,” Ray countered in an icy tone.

  “So, Mr. LaSalle, what brings you here today?” Evangeline directed the sarcastic comment to Ray when he took a seat on the sofa on the opposite side of her desk.

  Ray glared at Evangeline and offered a chilly response. “Cut the bullshit, Evangeline. I’m here for two reasons.”

  Still seated at her desk, Evangeline lit the end of a cigarette. “And the first being?”

  “Today, we’re going to play a little game of truth or dare.” Ray’s expression was stoic, his voice flat. “And I dare you not to tell me the truth.”

  With a smirk, Evangeline looked at Ray. “What on earth would make you think I’d lie to you?”

  Ray’s expression was bland, his tone laced with wrath. “Evangeline, I’m not in the mood to deal with trifling people or listen to nonsense. Not today.” The anger in his voice was controlled.

  Evangeline reared back in her chair, releasing a cynical laugh. She looked at Alex. “And you are?”

  Ray answered instead. “If I were you, I wouldn’t be worried about him.”

  Evangeline took a long drag from her cigarette and blew the smoke out the side of her mouth. “And exactly who should I be worried about, Mr. LaSalle?”

  Ray flashed a mirthless grin. “Me.”

  Evangeline grounded out the cigarette in a nearby ashtray. “So, Mr. LaSalle, I take it your little visit today is because you’ve reconsidered my offer. You will be signing the renewal option, correct?”

  “Hell to the no,” Ray roared.

  Evangeline arched a brow. “All right then. Since you insist on playing this little game, I dare you to tell me why you’ve been out of pocket all these months.”

  The only evidence of the storm raging inside of Ray was a piercing gaze. On the flight from Memphis to Los Angeles, he’d thought long and hard about how he’d answer that question, if it were ever posed to him. With the sordid details of Evangeline’s past at his disposal, he could easily find out the information he was in search of without ever revealing the nature of his illness. Yet, keeping the fight of his life, the one he’d fought for and won with Laney’s help a secret was the very reason the woman who’d stood by him had been attacked and why he was here today. He was here for the truth and it started with him. He answered without hesitation. “I was recovering from testicular cancer.”

  Evangeline looked dead at Ray, examining his loss hair and obvious weight lost. “I must admit, you look like you’ve been under the weather, but I don’t believe you had cancer. Surely, you can come up with a better explanation than that.”

  Ray shrugged. “Believe what you want, but that’s the truth.”

  “Never use all your ammunition in the opening salvo,” Evangeline taunted.

  Ray stood and walked over to the desk, hitching one hip on the edge, his cool gaze switching to arctic cold. Slate blue eyes glinted like shards of ice. “Sometimes you have to, if you want to get to the truth.”

  Evangeline waved a dismissive hand. “This game of yours is turning into something I don’t like.”

  “That’s too bad,” Ray countered sharply. He shifted until his gaze locked with Evangeline’s. “Here’s another truth. The SEC is investigating you for stock manipulation.” His voice was so low and controlled, he barely heard himself. “Dare…”

  Evangeline’s eyes narrowed and she exploded. “That’s a malicious rumor that someone is spreading about me.”

  Ray shook his head. “That’s not what I heard.” He glanced over at Alex. “Detective, tell the lady what you found out.”

  Evangeline waved off Alex before he opened his mouth. With her gaze narrowed, she snatched the gold cigarette case up and opened it. “You said there were two reasons you were here. What’s the second?”

  “I should tell you what Sir Donald tells his folks who don’t cut the mustard.”

  Evangeline was stymied.

  “Oh, you need a minute to catch that one.” A wry smile turned the corner of Ray’s lips up. He folded his arms over his chest. “I’ll wait.”

  “You can’t fire me!” Evangeline cast a skeptical look at the solemn look on everyone’s face. “Is this some kind of sick joke, Mr. LaSalle?”

  Ray answered bluntly. “Truth.”

  “B-but why,” Evangeline stuttered.

  “It’s called payback,” Ray answered.

  Evangeline shook her head, confused. “Payback for what?”

  “Eighteen years ago, your carelessness caused the death of a brilliant researcher.” Ray winked. “Didn’t think I knew that truth did you, Candice?”

  “T-that’s not true,” Evangeline shot back.

  Ray’s jaw tightened. “That’s not what the police records say. How about I drop a dime to the media with that bit of info?”

  Evangeline’s eyes flared. “You won’t dare.”

  Ray swung his left leg back and forth, and flashed a soft, dangerous smile. “Try me.”

  Evangeline shot an angry glance at Ray. “You bastard.”

  Ray peered over the top of a pair of rose-tinted Dior frames. “Come again.”

  “You don’t own t
his company,” Evangeline fired back as she leaped to her feet.

  Ray glanced at his watch and tightened the knot in his silk tie. He winked, again. “As of two hours ago, I do.”

  Evangeline hissed between her teeth. “You can’t blackmail me like this!”

  Ray shrugged. “The word blackmail never crossed my mind. In fact, I was thinking of a term more like, umm…” He placed his index finger next to his temple and snapped his finger as if he remembered the word. “Poetic justice. Ever heard of that?”

  Evangeline sank to her chair. After a short silence, she spoke again. “So, exactly what is it you want from me?”

  “You know Dave Nelson?”

  “N-No,” Evangeline stuttered.

  Ray sucked his teeth with limited patience. “You know what, Evangeline? You’re playing me. I want the truth!”

  Evangeline dropped her head. “Yes,” she admitted.

  Ray nodded. “And Nelson’s the one who’s been blackmailing you. Right?”

  “Why do you believe someone is blackmailing me?” Evangeline cried out in frustration.

  Alex cleared his throat. “Evangeline, with the allegations over your head and the investigation by the SEC, there’s no way you can sit here and make any of us believe Nelson hasn’t been yanking your chain over this. Now is the perfect chance for you to come clean.”

  Evangeline moved swiftly in front of Ray. “Why are you doing this?”

  Ray’s expression was as hard as steel. “Someone attacked my woman a few days ago and word on the streets is that you’re somehow involved.”

  Evangeline laughed nervously. “Do you really think I’d stoop to the level of violence?”

  “You were running around trying to find dirt on me and my boys,” Ray said. “If you did that…”

  After a short silence, Evangeline spoke again. “Why should I be concerned about some woman you share a bed with?”

  “That woman is the child of the researcher whose death you caused,” Ray shot back.

  Evangeline was dumbfounded and a questioning look drifted over her face. She uttered her words to no one in particular. “W-was she the one who investigated my past?”

  Alex nodded when Ray glanced over at him. Without revealing Laney’s identity or direct involvement in the purchase of Universal Entertainment, he answered the question from a different angle. “Actually, it was O’Reilly Enterprise who investigated your background, which made it easy for me to follow your trail and discover the truth.”

  A confused frown etched across Evangeline’s face as she nervously paced behind her desk. “If I provide the information you want, what happens then?”

  Ray shrugged. “Talk first. We’ll negotiate later.”

  Hesitating for a moment, Evangeline glanced at the men who had now positioned themselves around her desk. “How do I know I can trust you?”

  “You don’t,” Ray said. “It’s a chance you’ll have to take. Now start talking.”

  Evangeline swallowed hard to steady her nerves and took a deep breath. “Yes, Nelson is the one blackmailing me.” She glared at Ray. “Satisfied now?”

  Ray had seen the emotion play across Evangeline’s face. His gut told him she was telling the truth. He nodded. “You know the millions you and Pretty Boy Floyd,” he said, referring to Antón, “scammed from your last gig?”

  “It was a legitimate payout,” Evangeline explained.

  “Legitimate, hell,” Ray countered sharply. “Here’s the deal I’m offering, and the one you have no choice but to agree to. I want what’s left to be donated to a music academy I’ve started.”

  “W-what?” Evangeline’s knees buckled, and her breathing became wheezy as she slumped to her chair. “B-but Dave is expecting a payout from that money.”

  “You let me worry about Nelson. All I want you to do is get the funds ready for transfer.” Some of the tension which had consumed his body earlier, began to seep away. “Now we’re going to discuss a fair exchange.”

  “Fair exchange,” Evangeline repeated hesitantly.

  Ray nodded. “You’re going to make a phone call and tell Nelson you’ve come up with some cash for him.”

  Evangeline shook her head. “I don’t want to get involved in this.”

  “You’re already involved,” Ray reminded.

  “Then what?” Evangeline nervously asked.

  “Let me worry about next steps. The only thing you need to know is that I’ll do everything in my power to keep you and Perry out of jail for as long as I can,” Ray promised. “I want you both to remain employed at Universal Entertainment. And just so you’ll know, beginning today your compensation package will be structured a little differently.”

  A frown knitted Evangeline’s brow. “How?”

  “Your salaries,” Ray explained, “will be donated to a cancer research project I’ll be funding.”

  “What?” Evangeline exclaimed. “How do you expect us to live?”

  Ray shrugged. “Uuh…that’s not my problem.”

  Evangeline frowned. “If this illness you say you’ve recovered from is true, what makes you so certain I won’t go to the media?”

  Ray reached inside his suit coat and pulled out two sheets of paper, which he’d neatly folded in half. It was a copy of the interview he’d granted to Laney’s cousin, Jewel, which detailed his bout with cancer and that was scheduled to run in tomorrow morning’s edition of The Star. He winked as he carefully placed the printed interview on the desk. “Go ahead and call them. You’ll be a day late and fifty cents short.” He stood and swaggered toward the door.

  Evangeline picked up the two sheets and scanned over them. Her eyes flared and she called out to Ray from behind. “This Laney Houston. Is she really worth everything you’ve just done?”

  Ray froze mid-stride and whirled around. His brows lowered over narrowed eyes as he pinned Evangeline with a gaze so piercing it was all he could do to keep it steady. “The most precious possession that ever comes to a man in this world is a woman’s heart.”

  With that, he opened the door with his mind focused on his next move.

  ~ ~ ~

  Laney awoke startled. Thank God, it was only a dream. For the last two days, she tried hard not to worry about Raphael. An occasional text message was the only communication she had from him. She regained control and sat up in the middle of the bed.

  She missed the warmth of him beside her, missed turning over and feeling his hands on her body as they moved eagerly along her skin. Raphael’s lovemaking left room for nothing else other than fire and desire.

  She glanced down at the fading bruise on her wrist and remembered the last night they were together. The memory of it was so powerful, she grew warm with a passion only Raphael Baptiste generated. The gentleness he’d shown banished the terror of being attacked.

  Her hand drifted down to her belly. The probability she was carrying his child was very high since they’d made love without protection, which was what she’d wanted, and it hadn’t fazed him one bit. Even if their relationship didn’t last, she wanted his child, a child with his strength and character. If it were a carbon copy, nothing would make her happier.

  Tears swam in her eyes as she thought about the man who was determined to find out who had attacked her. Although their relationship began on a slow note, she knew the basics of Raphael, and that’s what she swiftly and fiercely learned to love. Reclining on the mattress, she thought back on how he hadn’t been forthcoming with his feelings at first, but she’d dealt with it. So what if he’d been controlled and private, so much so that it was scary? Whatever else came along, she’d gladly deal with that, too, because he’d long ago claimed her heart.

  “Be safe, darling” she whispered before sleep reclaimed her.

  ~ ~ ~

  Ray moved quickly to put his strategy in motion. On the flight to Los Angeles for his meeting with Evangeline, he’d finally received a message from Laney’s cousins. The three ex-Navy SEALS had agreed to a meeting with him after he’
d spoken with Evangeline. As soon as he landed in San Francisco, he called his father, Alcee, brothers, Marcel and A.J., and brother-in-law, Zach. They agreed to meet at the corporate office of BF Automotive in San Francisco’s financial district.

  A wild, hard edge embraced the identical triplet’s persona. Men walked lightly around them and their icy gazes could flay skin from a body strip by strip. Also, Ray learned how they’d undertaken missions to try and breech security, probing for any weakness that could be exploited.

  Former Lieutenant-Commander Elijah Johnson had a coolly courteous manner, which Ray never took lightly. The deep voice was as deadly as those cold brown eyes that cast a gaze so sharp it could split a single strand of hair right down the middle. Ensign Michael Johnson was just as lethal. He sat with his arms folded and voluntary manslaughter in his narrowed eyes. Peter “Arrow” Johnson was the youngest of the triplets and the quiet one of the bunch. The warrant officer was a highly skilled sniper who’d gained a reputation and the nickname “Arrow” for the precision of his shots. His face and voice were always expressionless.

  Ray let his gaze slowly roam over the three men again. He liked what he saw. They had the same murderous glint in their eyes that he had. Right now he needed that deadly rage to find the two men who’d attacked Laney. He’d stop at nothing until he got the results he wanted.

  When Ray walked inside the executive conference room, the former SEALs were already present. Seven hostile faces immediately turned toward him. After he shared his confrontation with Evangeline and Antón Perry, a rush of adrenaline pumped through him as he prepared mentally and physically for the job before him.

  “Ray, how long will it take to put things in motion?” Marcel asked.

  “Whatcha think, Arrow?” Ray inquired.

  With cold eyes, the sniper cocked his head sideways. “The sooner the better.”

  A.J. looked over at his younger brother and blew out a hard breath, bracing a hand on the back of his neck. “Listen, petite frère, are you sure the four of you can pull this off?”

  Ray offered A.J. a smile of confidence. “We can and we will.” He glanced across the room at Elijah. “Everything’s squared away on your end, right?”