by Pamela Yaye
Chapter 10
The older man stepped up first. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Slater. I’m Ike Drake Sr., chief operating officer of Drake Realty Plus.”
They shook hands. “Please, call me Mo or Monique.”
“Good to see you again, Monique,” Ike Jr. said, shaking her hand.
“You too, Ike. Especially in this safe, well-lit environment.”
She saw the look that passed between the others but chose not to elaborate.
Niko chose differently. “Ike and I were jogging the trail out back and looked to have scared her to death.”
“Oh,” the older man responded, eyeing Monique with a look that was pleasant yet unreadable.
“Do all of you work in the family business?”
Ike Jr. was the first to respond. “In one way or another, except our mom, who rules the roost at home. I’m the president of Drake Realty Plus.”
“Hello, Monique. I’m Warren. In addition to being a director at the realty company, I own and operate Drake Ranch and Vineyards.”
Monique’s eyes shone. “Ah, so yours is the vineyard for whom my dear friend Margo Gentry sang praises. I had the good fortune of trying some of your wine this past weekend. It’s wonderful to have such a quality drink that is locally produced.”
“Honestly, we can’t take all the credit. The grapes are grown locally but then they are trucked to and bottled at Drake Wines and Resort in Temecula, California, owned by our cousins. However, I agree with you. The wine is first-rate.”
“I understand you’re a powerful L.A. attorney,” Ike Sr. said as he eyed her keenly. “What made you leave the bright lights of the big city and come to our small town?”
“What’s not to love about Paradise Cove? The name is fitting and the people are lovely. My skill set uniquely qualifies me to help grow what we now have into a vibrant, self-sustaining yet productive component to Northern California’s economy. I’m committed to making our business community one that regularly attracts outside visitors. Lastly, I want to make our educational system one of the best in the state, if not the nation.”
Niko barely waited for her to finish. “Nice answer, Counselor, but you avoided the question. Why did you leave L.A.?”
She turned to his father. “My job as a defense attorney is satisfying yet stressful. A hard-fought case that took three years to win took its toll. So while I will continue to practice law in some fashion, this was the perfect time for me to take a breath and a break and recharge my batteries by helping others in a different way.” She then turned to Niko and cordially asked, “There. How’d I do?”
The look he gave her was unreadable, but it made her quiver inside. Something told her that this man’s passion knew no bounds and that whether making love or making war he went all out. She’d stared down shark-finned and bear-clawed prosecutors in the courtroom and never broke a sweat. But under the intense scrutiny of these deep brown eyes she felt vulnerable, almost naked, as though he could peer into her soul. As if the fact that she found him incredibly sexy and superattractive was written on her face. It was mere seconds that he looked at her, but it seemed as though time stood still and the room faded away, save for the man in front of her. Her reaction to him was continually unnerving. Monique wasn’t easily fazed and had never been the type of woman to swoon over a man. So why did she feel as if she was about to pass out now?
She was saved from having to ponder further when one of the organizers approached them. “If we can have everyone take their seats, we’re going to begin the speeches shortly after the salad course. Mr. Gao is up first, right after the welcome speech by our president and a few words from Mayor Bachman. Ms. Slater, you’ll speak next, followed by you, Mr. Drake.”
“What about Dick?” Niko asked.
Monique wondered the same thing. She’d read up on both candidates but had yet to personally meet them.
“Dick has a prior engagement and if he makes it here in time will be offering his campaign message at the end of the evening. Now, if you’ll follow me you’ll see your names, on table one for you, Ms. Slater. Niko—excuse me, Mr. Drake, you and your family are at table two.”
As the soup was ladled and the salad consumed, the mayoral candidates made their case for being elected. Monique felt confident about her platform but was admittedly taken by the Drake dynasty. After seeing four of these men in action, she couldn’t call their family anything but that. The father, Ike Drake Sr., had a debonair quality and naturally exuded a confident charm. His salt-and-pepper hair was close-cropped and his neatly trimmed goatee gave an air of sophistication that his eloquent conversation about Drake Realty—a conversation Monique heard following the dinner—only emphasized. Warren oozed a good-old-boy quality that made him easily approachable, while Ike Jr., who Monique assumed was the eldest child, seemed like a chip off the old block who had embodied all of the best qualities of all of his elders. Niko was all of these things and more, wrapped in lickable chocolate.
The evening ended just over two hours after it had begun. She was making her way out of the auditorium when the sound of sirens pierced the space. Everyone near her turned in the direction of the blare. They watched as a farmer decked out in a plaid shirt and overalls rushed up the walk.
“Where’s the mayor?”
“Inside,” the man standing next to Monique responded. “What’s going on?”
“Fire at the school,” the farmer replied. “I drove by, saw the flames and called 9-1-1. Explosion is what I’m hearing. It looks real bad.”
Monique looked around at the worried faces, unaware that her countenance looked even more troubled. “Which school?” she asked, hoping against hope that it wasn’t the one she feared.
“Elementary.” The farmer pushed past her and walked to the mayor, who rushed out of the auditorium in search of news.
Monique’s heart dropped. Without another thought, she raced to the parking lot.
Niko, who’d been watching her while listening to the farmer talk to the mayor, was hot on her heels. “Monique!” She didn’t slow down, so he broke into a trot to catch up with her.
“Where are you going?” he asked once he’d reached her and placed a firm hand on her elbow to slow her pace.
“The school.” She broke free from his grasp, pointed her remote at her car and unlocked its doors.
Again, Niko reached her. “Wait!” He placed a hand on the open door so that she could not close it. “Ride with us. We’re both too upset to drive.”
Monique didn’t argue. She didn’t want to waste time. “Where’s your car?”
“Right here,” Niko said, as a black town car pulled beside them.
Niko’s dad and brother Ike Jr. were in the front. Niko opened the back door, then stepped aside to let Monique enter first. Even in his panicked state he admired the view, how the well-constructed suit skirt clung to Monique’s curves and the toned definition of her shapely calves. He saw a familiar SUV and waved as Warren headed to his ranch. When Monique moved to scoot to the far side of the car, Niko held her close.
“Are you calling Lawrence?” Ike Sr. asked his namesake. Ike Jr. nodded. “He’s probably left already, son. I know you’re worried but try to stay calm.”
The sons agreed. Monique did as well, pulling out her own phone to make a call. She knew why her heart was in her throat but, aside from the obvious loss the fire had caused, wondered why Niko was so worried.
“Who’s Lawrence?” she asked.
“A childhood friend,” Niko explained. “And the school principal.” He looked over as Ike Jr. sighed and once again used his thumb to tap the phone screen. “No answer?”
Ike Jr. shook his head. “Busy signal.”
“Every parent who has his number is probably calling,” Ike Sr. commented as he turned to look at Ike Jr.
Monique noted that he looked as worried as those he was trying to calm.
“We’ve all known him for years,” he said to Monique as if reading her mind. “I’m good friends with his father. Lawrence is someone we’re all proud of, an upstanding citizen and great dad.” He looked out the window. “Everything is going to be all right.” By now, Monique assumed, he was trying to convince himself as well as the other riders.
She was trying to persuade herself of something as well—that the shortness of breath and butterflies she was experiencing were from nerves about the fire and not the fact that Niko’s strong leg kept brushing against hers, and in the cramped quarters of a full-back seat she couldn’t escape the raw male heat emanating from his body or the musky, sensuous smell of his cologne. One whiff of it had conjured up memories of the beauty salon and the first time she’d shared space with him, had revived the amorous feelings that she forced down now as she had the day of their fateful meeting. Trying to force her thoughts back to the potential catastrophe at hand, she rubbed her eyes and took a deep breath to still a heartbeat quickened by Niko’s nearness, not knowing that this simple act would only make matters worse. A shaky finger tapped the phone screen.
“Calling someone connected with the school?” he asked her.
She nodded. “My mentee, Devante. He works there. I’m getting voice mail.”
“It’s late. More than likely, there was no one in the building when the fire started,” Niko said, placing his arm around her.
“He’s the janitor and works after hours.” Her voice was soft, strained, as she fought against the urge to remove his arm from around her shoulders. A part of her knew that in no way should she ever feel any part of his anatomy while another part of her wanted to cuddle into his embrace.
Ike Jr. looked at Monique. “Lawrence told me about him. Said there was a young man working at the school who he’d talked to about becoming a gym teacher. Naturally athletic, great personality and said the kids all looked up to him, especially the boys.”
Monique nodded. “That’s Devante. Had circumstances been different, he could have played pro sports. He’s that talented.”
“I sure hope he’s all right.”
“Me, too.” Once again, she dialed the number. This time she left a message. “Devante, this is Monique. Please give me a call as soon as you get this message. There’s a fire at the school. I’m worried about you.”
They covered the few remaining miles in silence, with Monique battling against thoughts of demise and desire. She didn’t know what she’d do if anything happened to the young man she’d decided to mentor and had convinced to come here. Similarly, she didn’t know how she’d survive this night, let alone this town, if this strong, relentless desire for the man sitting next to her didn’t go away.
Chapter 11
They reached the street where the school was located, now crowded with onlookers watching the firefighters battling the massive blaze. Everyone exited the vehicle. Niko looked over to where two police cars blocked off the part of the street closest to the fire. “There’s Randy,” he said over his shoulder before walking toward the officers standing beside the patrol cars. He’d known Randy for most of his life. Monique followed closely behind.
“Hey, Officers, Randy.” Niko nodded toward the burning building. “That’s a nasty blaze.”
“Sure is.” The officer’s eyes remained on a firefighter who’d just opened up another forceful stream of water to combat the flames.
“Any idea how it started?”
Randy shook his head. “Neighbors reported hearing an explosion. But we won’t know anything for sure until the fire is out.”
“Was anyone inside?”
Randy glanced at Monique, standing beside Niko. “This is Monique Slater,” Niko said, having followed his gaze. “She’s an attorney from Los Angeles now living here and running for mayor.”
“Good to meet you,” Monique said, holding out her hand. “Though I wish it were under different circumstances.”
Randy responded with a brief nod before returning his attention to Niko. “Except for one person, it seems that everyone has been accounted for.”
Niko and Monique took collective breaths. “Lawrence?” Niko asked.
“Thank God the principal is fine. On his way to an emergency meeting with all of the teachers, school officials, the police chief and some members of the city council. Even if part of the building can be salvaged, we’re going to have to move classes to an alternate location temporarily. More than likely that will be the city auditorium.”
Monique stepped forward. “Who have you not located?”
“A young man who cleans the place at night.”
“Devante?”
“I don’t have a name, ma’am, but he’s the janitor there.”
The news hit like a physical blow. She sagged against Niko. His arm immediately came around her.
“Try him again.”
She did, her hands shaking as she made the call.
“No answer?” She shook her head. “Leave another message. He’ll call.”
“I hope you’re right,” she replied, regaining her composure and stepping away from his touch.
Niko looked around to see where his brother and father had gone. They were standing with a group of parents, two of whom he knew from their gated community. When he saw the fire chief walking in their direction, he turned to Monique. “Wait here. I’ll be right back.”
“It looks as though the fire started somewhere near the gymnasium,” the chief was saying when Niko reached him. “The whole place has no doubt received smoke damage. Most likely the gym, cafeteria and surrounding classrooms are totally destroyed.”
One of the women listening held up her hand. “But the building was empty, correct? All of our children are safe?”
“We’re still trying to account for one employee who so far has not been located. We’re hopeful that if he was in the building, he had time to escape before the fire got out of hand.”
“You’d think if he escaped that he’d call someone,” the woman’s husband said. “He has to know the school was looking for him and would be worried.”
The woman nodded at her husband before saying to no one in particular, “No one could have survived the blaze in that part of the building.”
Niko felt a hand grab his arm and knew that Monique had not followed his instruction. He turned to see her eyes wide with fear.
“They found him?”
“No,” Niko said, gently guiding her away from the group. “The chief said that they wouldn’t be able to check the building until tomorrow, once the fire is out and the scene has cooled enough for a thorough search.”
Monique brought a hand to her mouth as she shut her eyes against unexpected tears. “I asked him to come here,” she said, forcing down anguish and squaring her shoulders in an effort to regain control of her emotions. “I swore that by leaving the city he’d be safe.”
Niko almost reached for her, but remembering her reaction from earlier, he refrained. “Why don’t you come over to my house, share a cup of tea? My dad is friends with the fire chief. I can make sure we’re notified as soon as there’s news.”
“But you just said it would be morning before a thorough search is conducted.”
“Yes, but a preliminary one might be done tonight. I’d feel better knowing that you’re not home alone, worrying yourself to death. If we haven’t heard something by midnight I can have my driver take you home.”
“That’s not necessary. I’ve handled my share of crises.”
“Then will you come and sit with me until I calm my nerves?”
Monique eyed him speculatively. “I don’t know if that’s a good idea.”
“Why not?”
She looked around. “This is a very small
town. I don’t want someone to see me go into your house and start tongues wagging.”
“I wouldn’t worry about it. But if you’re truly concerned, I’ll drop Ike and Dad off and drive the town car. It has tinted windows and I’ll pull into the garage.”
“Hmm. Sounds like an action you’ve done before.”
“Join me at my home and I’ll tell you about it.”
“Oh, wait. My car...”
“I’ll make sure it’s parked in your driveway before 6:00 a.m. Anything else?”
“You really don’t have to do this, you know. I am worried about Devante, but I’ll be fine.”
“I know. You’re a strong, proud woman with an S on your cape. I know a few of those, not the least of whom is my mother.” He was glad for the small smile this comment elicited. “So humor me. Come over and share a cup of tea.”
“Is that all you’re interested in sharing?”
The frank question elicited a raised brow. His intentions when he’d asked Monique over had been totally honorable, but her innocent query opened his mind to other possibilities. The image of her lush backside and shapely legs as she’d entered the car came instantly to mind, as did what he could do ensconced between said shapely legs. Why he was so concerned about her welfare, even to the point of feeling somewhat responsible for her well-being, was another question he’d have to figure out. But that would have to happen later. Right now, he wanted to get away from this scene and the mixture of curious and admiring eyes that were starting to be aimed in his direction. Then he saw Ashley walking toward them, staring hard at Monique. It was definitely time to leave.
“Let’s head to the car,” he said to Monique as he pulled out his phone. He dialed his father’s number, careful to maintain a respectful distance between him and his rival when for whatever unfathomable reason all he wanted to do was wrap her in his arms. “You about ready, Dad?” He listened to the response. “Okay. Let me know as soon as you hear anything.” He ended the call. “Dad and Ike are going to stay a little longer. They’ll ride back with one of the neighbors.”