by Kari Lemor
“Katie.” The Hispanic lilt caressed her name and cold seeped into her pores, chilling her blood.
“Mr. Moreno.” She couldn’t even muster any warmth to her tone.
“Can I see you in my office for a moment?”
Meg groaned but moved to stand in the doorway of Moreno’s office. Then she saw it. The picture was back again on the bulletin board. The one that had gone missing from her bag when she’d first got here. This time the big red push pin was stuck directly on her brother, Ty’s face. Last time her mom’s head held the pin. It wasn’t always there. Only when her boss wanted to make a point.
Moreno walked toward her and his hand immediately stroked her arm. Nausea roiled in her stomach. Good thing she hadn’t eaten anything today except a few orange slices and cherries from the bar.
“Katie, I hate to see you this tired all the time. You know there are other jobs you can do for me. Ones that pay much better and will get you off your feet.”
Yeah, off her feet and on her back. Moreno played the role of respectable businessman to the community but his employees all knew the truth. At least those he wanted to move into different positions. Like her. She gathered her last ounce of strength to force a smile. “I know. I just…can’t. Please.”
Moreno ran his hand over her hip and she wished she was wearing something more tangible.
His eyes narrowed. “Only because you bring in so many customers and you never complain. You are an asset to this club. For now I will let it be.”
He walked out and she crumpled against the wall. She hefted her bag running for the door. As she exited the now silent club into the chilly night air, Sonny, one of the bouncers, sidled up next to her.
“You want me walk you home, baby doll?”
She cringed. Couldn’t they all leave her alone? Not much worse than Sonny walking with her for two miles. The slime ball would want something out of it too. He’d been hinting at it for a while now.
“All set, Sonny. I’m sure you have important things to do.”
She brushed past him, but his overly-muscled arm slithered around her waist. “You could be the important thing I’m doing, baby. And you’d enjoy it. I’d have you screaming my name, begging for more.”
She ripped herself out of his grip. “I’m not one of Mr. Moreno’s high-priced whores so you can forget about doing anything to me. Go find one of them.”
“Oh, baby doll,” he called out as she scurried off. “One of these days, Mr. Moreno’s going to put you to work serving more than drinks. I’m willing to give you a few lessons so you’ll know what to do.”
Meg flinched, hoping that day would never come. She simply wanted to get back to her room. Not her home. It was merely a place she slept and kept her meager belongings. A week’s worth of clothes and some long exhausted toiletries were all she had packed when Eddie whisked her off here what seemed like eons ago.
Eddie. He’d been exciting and fun when she’d met him. She’d needed that. Life in her little Pennsylvania hometown was predictable. Meg wanted something more than her parents had.
She loved them immensely but a truck driver and waitress with five kids lived frugally. Money was tight and vacations nonexistent. Her life was stifling. She wanted to see the world before it was her turn to settle down with a nice, dull boy from town. Then Eddie had blasted through the area on his motorcycle. An obvious bad boy, she’d been dazzled by his pretty face and charm. He’d been perfect to fulfill her quest for adventure.
Footsteps sounded behind her and she peered around cautiously. A few people were still out at this time but none seemed interested in her. She picked up the pace still thinking about Eddie and the huge mistake she’d made in trusting him.
Checking out the classic cars at the fairgrounds, he’d checked her out as well. A few days together and he’d talked her into going to Florida with him for a week-long trip. What would it hurt, it was only a week? Sun and sand, clear blue sky and ocean.
Eddie’s idea of fun was cruising down to Miami and hitting the clubs every day and night. He’d treated her great, but too soon the fun times were over. Bluffing his way into a big poker game, he’d lost his shirt. Lost a lot more too. She’d lost as well; her family and the life she’d known. Her freedom.
The town she’d grown up in may have been boring, yet she’d trade this hell to spend the rest of her life in Mayberry, USA, and she wouldn’t complain. Because where she was now, she had no life.
She adjusted her bag as she started across the bridge over the bay separating the luxury part of Miami from the rougher neighborhood where she lived. It was barely halfway to her dumpy apartment. She couldn’t afford any place closer. What she wouldn’t give to be able to stay someplace like The Ocean Terrace Resort. Well, she wouldn’t give some things, but seeing her rescuer’s room this afternoon reminded her how bad her crummy life was.
Christopher Martin. She’d tried not to think about him but he’d shown up at the club tonight, constantly staring at her while she worked. He was too handsome to be sitting alone, not that she was the type to keep him company. With his good looks and money, he’d have women pounding on his door soon enough.
His actions had surprised her, made her skeptical at first. No one had been nice to her for unselfish reasons in far too long. Did he have other motives? She’d thought Eddie was a true hero, and he’d turned into a real toad. Was Chris Martin a toad too?
Her kiss seemed to have turned him into a prince. Or was it that he was a truly nice guy? Without his help she could have been spending tonight in a holding cell at the local precinct. Mr. Moreno wouldn’t have bailed her out without major consequences. She couldn’t afford to owe him even more.
When Chris pretended to be her boyfriend it had bailed her out. The Pool Nazi had been put out by that. Chris might have been hoping for a little payback, but he hadn’t said anything, hadn’t tried to collect.
Meg eyed the deserted streets. Put the handsome man and his fancy hotel suite right out of your mind. Fairy tales didn’t happen to people like her. Forget about the kiss too. Not as easy. Those lips had been soft and responsive and they’d tasted amazing. Eddie hadn’t been a bad kisser, either. She had to remember that.
Exhaustion seeped into her body but her dump was still a few blocks away. Her tired legs complained loudly as she hurried her steps. Senses heightened, her skin prickled with the feeling of someone following her. She looked around then shook it off. Miami never slept--it was probably her imagination.
As she approached her building, the footsteps sounded again. She pulled out extra energy, not wanting to become another statistic for the crime squad. Running up four flights of stairs, she tripped over a few sleeping bums.
The lights flickered in the dim hallway as usual, the ones that actually worked. Meg stuck her hand inside her bag, rifling around for her key ring. Why hadn’t she gotten it earlier as she usually did? Now was not the time for it to be lost in the bottom of her bag. Oh God, what if it had fallen out when she’d dropped it in the pool?
More sounds echoed behind her, the stairway door creaking again. Her search was frantic and she was winded from her mad dash up the stairs. Finally grasping her key, she attempted to thrust it in the lock but her shaking hands made her drop it on the filthy hall carpet.
“Damn it.” Her nerves twitched as shadows danced down the hall. Was someone there or was it the lights again? She grabbed the key from the floor, shoved it in the lock, managing to get the door opened. Rushing in, she slammed it behind her and twisted the deadbolt. The warped wood of the door supported her sagging body. Sweat trickled down her back as she stifled the whimper that threatened to burst out.
Sounds in the hallway made her glance through the peephole. Someone was definitely walking past. Not that she could tell from the tiny hole. She checked the lock again, waiting for the noise in the hallway to disappear. After several minutes of silence and apprehension, she allowed her body to relax. Tears leaked from her
eyes as she collapsed on her bed. How long could she keep this up? It was no way to live.
* * * *
The door lock clicked and Chris sighed. He hadn’t meant to scare her, just make sure she’d gotten home safely. How safe she was in this place was anyone’s guess. The neighborhood was dangerous and the building was falling apart. The carpet had stains that you’d need a forensics expert to identify, and the smells…
Cigarette and pot smoke permeated every crevice as he made one last pass by her door. This stairway should be condemned, the steps crumpling and filthy. The bum on the landing wore a cap with a military insignia on it. He couldn’t just walk past. Time in a war zone could make anyone want to drop out of life. He reached in his pocket and shoved a twenty into the guy’s hand.
“Use this for food,” he ordered. After some of the things he’d seen in Afghanistan though he could understand why someone might simply lose himself in a bottle. He walked down the rest of the stairs attempting not to breathe. Memories of other places that reeked of body odor and waste came alive dragging him back. It wasn’t any place he wanted to go.
It had been a few months since he’d seen some of the guys from his unit. They talked and texted often but hadn’t had a chance to actually get together and have a cold one. Not his entire unit, but he’d gotten close to half a dozen guys. Men who were like brothers to him and who he’d trust with his life. Hell, he had trusted them with his life for over a year.
Now he had this sarcastic little imp whose sharp tongue could impale him. He kind of liked the challenge. But here’s where the trust issue came in. Whatever her background, a girl like her shouldn’t be living in a slum like this.
What business was it of his? He had to keep telling himself that as he headed back to the resort. Guilt rushed through him, thinking about his luxurious king-sized bed versus her rat infested hovel. The story Dave told him flashed through his mind. He’d make sure he got the facts on her. If she checked out, they might be able to help each other.
* * * *
The day had been too long. Meg hadn’t slept much last night after her scare walking home. Her customers had even gotten to pinch her ass more often than she usually allowed since she hadn’t had the energy to stop them. Dough boy had been ecstatic. She shrugged her long sweater onto her shoulders as she left the club and glanced up. Great. It was starting to rain. Her already dreary night just got worse.
She looked around, double-checking the area so there was no repeat of last night. Where was her white knight when she needed him? He’d been in the club tonight but hadn’t done more than nod. He chatted with Dave and flirted innocently with Tina. Innocent, because he hadn’t attempted to touch her at all. That wasn’t the case with many customers. Most of them thought the waitresses were part of the half-off appetizers.
A cab pulled up next to her and she sighed, If only she could afford one, especially on a night like tonight. She’d pulled in some good tips this evening, but Mr. Moreno had noticed and finagled most of them toward what she owed. How could she argue with that? He was already pushing her to do more. She should be glad she was simply waiting tables.
When the cab door opened, she jumped. Chris Martin stepped out, smiling at her.
“Thought you might like a ride home. It’s starting to rain and your clothes already had one bath this week.”
She glared at him. What was his story? He hadn’t even spoken to her tonight yet here he was offering a ride. As she stood there, debating whether to trust him enough to accept, the sky opened up releasing a downpour.
“Okay, fine,” she grumbled. If she treated him bad enough, would he leave her alone? She didn’t need some guy messing up her life again. “But only because I finally got everything dried out.”
He got in after her and closed the door. She gave the address to the cab driver as she sat back. Chris smiled at her again.
“What?” she snapped. “Is my hair all frizzy?”
One corner of his lip turned up. “No, it looks good. It’s got a hint of curl. I like it.”
Doubtful. She inched away to stare out the window. His presence was overwhelming, making her uncomfortable. Not a bad uncomfortable, just off kilter. Her skin tingled with awareness. Chills danced along her spine setting off something deep inside but she wasn’t sure what. He wasn’t even touching her. What would it be like if he did? For real.
Yesterday’s kiss had been brief and she’d been too preoccupied with trying to hide from the hotel manager to be able to enjoy it. Oh, no, don’t think that way, girl. It’s what got you in trouble to begin with.
“I’ll be back out in a few minutes,” Chris told the cabbie. They’d arrived at her building. That fast? The walk would have taken her forever.
She scooted out behind him. “No need to walk me up. Thanks for the ride. I would have been soaked by now.”
He lifted his hand to guide her into the building. “This isn’t the safest neighborhood. Humor me. It’s my white knight tendencies.”
She should argue but deep down she liked him taking charge, making sure she was safe. No one had done that since her brothers tried to talk her out of going off with Eddie. Why hadn’t she listened to them?
She dug for her key and had it out by the time they got to her door. This time her hands weren’t shaking. Pushing open the door, she turned around to thank him one last time.
“Would you mind if I come in for a minute?”
Here it comes. The reason for being nice to her. Did he think they could have a quickie or did he have enough money that he didn’t care how long the cab had to wait? He crooked his head and quietly said, “Come on, Margaret, just for a minute.”
Chapter 3
Chris noticed her eyes widen in surprise. He’d stunned her with that little sentence. Katie, or Margaret O’Hara wasn’t expecting him to use her real name, probably hadn’t heard it in eighteen months. His information told him that’s how long it had been since she’d been home; not this flea-infested dive. He took advantage of her surprise and moved inside, closing the door behind him.
Her eyes snapped up. “How…?”
He pulled out his wallet, opening the hidden compartment in the back to slide out his identification. “Special Agent Christopher Shaunessy, I work for the Federal Bureau of Investigation.”
Her face drained of color and her mouth dropped open as she whispered fiercely, “What do you want? I didn’t do anything.”
Her voice cracked. He hated that she was afraid of him. Or was it more than she could handle after everything else? Hopefully not. He needed her help now.
“Is it because I’m using a fake name?” Her lip trembled but her eyes grew determined, her jaw clenching. “I had to. I couldn’t tell him my real name or where I was from. He threatened me and Eddie and anyone else around us. I couldn’t let him find my family and hurt them.”
Her face now held determination and pride. Good for her. He liked her strength. She’d need it.
“Is that why you haven’t called them since you left?”
“How do you know that?” Her eyes narrowed and she chewed on her bottom lip.
He threw her a cocky grin, hoping to make her less anxious. “We’re the FBI. We know everything.”
She almost rolled her eyes, but not quite.
“Your parents filed a missing person’s report on you.”
Her eyes whipped up to meet his, the surprise in them clear.
“The Bureau couldn’t do much since you were over eighteen and you’d left of your own free will. But the report’s still on file.”
“I sent them a letter telling them I was fine and not to worry. I gave it to someone at work to mail. I guess it never got to them. I figured they were tired of bailing me out of trouble.”
She turned around, staring out the filthy window that looked as if it had been painted shut. Her shoulders moved up and down and her breath came out shaky. He gave her a minute to pull herself together, then walked cl
oser, gently putting his hand on her arm so she faced him.
Tears glistened in her eyes, her voice barely audible. “I didn’t mean to cause them pain. I was scared that Mr. Moreno would find out who they were and hurt them if I didn’t do what he wanted. He threatened me and Eddie with all sorts of bodily harm, and that man is capable of doing what he threatens.”
“Wouldn’t they have come up with the money?”
“They don’t have the money.” She attempted to get her expression back in control. “That’s the problem. Plus, I left of my own free will as you pointed out. And it’s my problem to deal with. They’ve paid out enough money because of me and stupid mistakes I’ve made. I’m not letting them do it again. As it is they had to take out a loan to pay for my sister’s wedding. To pay off the fifty thousand that Eddie lost, they’d have to get a second mortgage or sell the house.”
Her face was red, from the heat of emotion or embarrassment at her predicament? She lowered her eyes to the floor and her voice softened.
“If they thought I was really in trouble then I’m sure they’d do it in a heartbeat. This place is a dive and my life sucks but I’m certainly not in any immediate danger. Unless you count being evicted by the overwhelming number of cockroaches that think they have squatter’s rights in here.” Her eyes closed for a second and when they opened, all emotion was gone. “I don’t deserve the help--not after leaving like I did.”
He tilted her chin up. In a few short seconds she’d gone from stubborn and defiant to resigned and distressed then a few places in between. “How’d you like to get out of this jam?”
The defiance returned. “I will get out of it. On my own. It’s just going to take some time.”
Boy, she was stubborn. A grin forced its way onto his face and he attempted to push it back. “How’d you like to get out of this sooner?”