by Cait London
“She won’t like that. Shelly is very independent.”
“He’s explaining the facts of life to her now. She’ll want to protect Dani, if nothing else. She’ll buy it until this is over.”
Rosy’s hooves began moving as if she were dream-running and Mitchell reached down to place a big, wide hand on her. “Night-night, Rosy.”
Uma stared at Mitchell, trying to put the fiery lover of the kitchen into the man who had undressed and helped Everett into bed, into the man who was guarding a pig.
He shrugged at her questioning look. “Kitty told me what to say when Rosy is uneasy. The ‘I love you, sugar-pie’ part doesn’t feel right somehow.”
Those gold eyes darkened, narrowing on her. “So are you going to live with me or not?”
“Everything is happening so fast. Madrid has never been in the speed lane. I’d like to—I would prefer to adjust to these new events—I need to know who I am…I’ve changed…” she began properly, as she tried for logic when everyone in Madrid could be in danger and she had collected an ex-husband from Clyde’s Tavern, and then there were the kitchen incidents, and of course, the way she had zoomed down Main Street.
Mitchell lifted an eyebrow. “No time. We need to bring this guy out in the open, to rattle him, to stir him up enough to make a move. He’s caused Lauren to be killed. Shelly’s wearing a scar that says he’s serious about killing her, and he’s only just warned you with that shot in the window. The BBs were warnings, too, after you’d been to my house. The shot was while I was here with you all night. He probably isn’t out to kill you, or you would have been a clear shot at your desk almost any night of the week. Instead, he chose a night that we were together.”
Uma tried to follow his logic. “You think that he doesn’t like me seeing you?”
“I know he doesn’t. And he doesn’t like Roman or me coming back to disturb his plans. He’s getting really good with a bow and arrow, and those other marks on the windmill paddles were from arrows glancing off—probably target arrows, like those used on the cows. It’s likely that Shelly’s car fire some time ago, and her accidents, were all planned.”
“Could it be Walter?”
Mitchell frowned and asked, “Why?”
She shook her head, unwilling to tell Mitchell that Walter had been rejected by Shelly and her—Shelly’s laughter when he exposed himself had made him furious, and Uma’s knee in his privates had deepened that anger. Uma decided to have a very intimate chat with Pearl, not enough to upset her, but she would ask her just the right questions to get a sense if her friend’s husband could be behind all this.
“He’s a candidate. So is Mike. So are Lyle and the others.”
“Mike?”
“Whoever it is likes Clyde Barrow—type guns, and Mike is a collector, though Lonny has already checked Mike’s guns and they haven’t been fired. And there’s Everett, for starters. He had plans for you.”
“I know. I’m sorry about that, but I tried to get him to move on. Everett isn’t a possible. I know him too well.”
“But I’m a complication. There’s gossip. Those weren’t exactly friendly nails in my truck tires,” Mitchell pushed.
“Everett is good and kind and he likes everything in order, all shipshape. He could never hurt Rosy. He appreciates fine machinery and good appearances. He’s not destructive at all.”
“Sure. He’s a saint,” Mitchell said. “But someone did those things…they happened. You can’t ignore them, Uma. Whoever it is is starting to enjoy the game. That means he’s done practicing and is ready for the real thing.”
Mitchell took her hand and pressed it between his. “You’re cold, honey. I know this is hard, but try to think—any little detail might help. Okay, we’ve been all through Lauren’s possible enemies. Now, tell me about Rosalie. Who were her friends, her customers?”
“So many people—she’s been a seamstress for years. Everyone loved her.”
“Someone didn’t. I want you to live with me and help draw this psycho out so that he can’t hurt any more people. The way I see it is that if we’re real friendly, obviously living together, he won’t like it. He’ll come after me, not you, and I’ll be ready.”
Mitchell inhaled deeply, as if bracing himself to serve her a suggestion that might make her angry. “I thought we’d keep up the pressure on him, keep him so annoyed and busy that he’d be distracted from Shelly and Dani.”
“I’ll have to think about this, Mitchell.”
“I want you more than I’ve wanted anything in my life,” he stated rawly, unevenly. “I’ll try. I’ll really try to make you happy. But the decisions are yours as to the living arrangements—your call. For tonight, I’m sleeping right here, on the floor, next to my girlfriend Rosy. Everett is down for the count. We’ll talk about this in the morning.”
“That can’t be true,” Shelly said, when Roman had finished telling her of the danger in Madrid.
“Believe it.” Roman’s face was set in lines, as he watched her place aside her mending basket. He stood at the window, the drapes closed, the soft lamp light near her chair the only light in the room. In his usual jeans, shirt, and evening stubble, he looked tough and predatory, a contrast to the feminine room. He raked a hand through his shaggy hair and pinned her with those dark eyes. “Nothing is going to happen to either one of you.”
“Dani? You think someone would hurt Dani?” Terror locked her fingertips to her armchair.
“She’s a part of you—and of me. Though Mitchell and I agree that you are really the focus, and they’ve branded you with that scar.”
Shelly’s trembling fingers traced the scar at her temple. “Do you think that Uma will let Mitchell live with her?”
“He’s going to protect her, one way or the other. And I’m going to protect you and Dani. That’s how it’s going to work. And Dani knows the situation. She’s agreed to stay close—we’re going to work on her bike and on her school work. She wants to test for her high school diploma, using a home study course.”
The wry grin said he approved. “The kid is sharp, just like you. You did a good job.”
“She’s wonderful. But I’d rather send her away until this is over.”
“I already suggested that to her, but she won’t go. She wants to see you safe, and so do I, but she’s not leaving.”
Shelly still couldn’t imagine anyone so dangerous prowling Madrid. “I’ll be fine. There’s Lonny and—”
“Dammit, Shell. This is serious. Where you go, I go.”
She couldn’t see him dusting furniture or lining kitchen shelves with paper. “I clean houses, Roman. Maids and cleaning women don’t need bodyguards.”
“I’ll help. They’ll get two for the price of one.” His eyes were soft upon her. “You’ve turned white, Shell. We’ll get through this.”
“Lauren…whoever it was arranged to kill Lauren.”
Roman took her hand, studying the capable rough palm. He folded it within both of his. “Those shots at the house and at Uma’s said you’re both on the list, too. Pearl’s dog was poisoned, and she’s almost had wrecks. But if Mitchell’s plan works out, our boy will be so busy trying to get at Mitchell that he won’t have time for anyone else. Whoever this is doesn’t like him around Uma.”
“Just don’t alarm Pearl. She comes apart. Where’s Dani? I haven’t seen her for hours. If she’s out there, we have to find her.”
She was on her feet, tugging aside the draperies to look at the street, and Roman tugged her back. “Stay away from the window. That’s a perfect shot. Dani is in her bedroom, studying. She’s letting me break this to you. I don’t think she had the heart to see you take this punch. But it’s a reality—believe it. Someone in this good town is just getting warmed up to do some real damage, and it isn’t going to be you or Dani…you can come out now, Dani.”
Dani opened her door, a pair of headphones dangling from her neck. At Roman’s warning look, she said, “So I took a break from the books. Music soothes t
he kid, and all that. How did she take it? Did you get the part where she’s your Vargas girl and your Lamborghini all rolled into one?”
Roman eyed his daughter and his look said he hadn’t. “Get a Coke or something, will you? And make sure those curtains are pulled in the kitchen, okay?”
Dani grinned. “Sure, Pops. It’s so much fun to see you squirm.”
“Smart mouth,” Roman murmured with a grin as Dani left the room. “Well, you are,” he said to Shelly. “My Vargas girl and my Lamborghini. Maybe you always have been. Since you’ve been through too much, I just thought I’d warn you, so you could see me coming—in a serious way, I mean.”
Shelly placed her hand over her heart as Roman smoothed her hair, studying the lights in it. Her life had been harsh, but she knew what would happen each day. With Roman, anything was possible. To think that he would compare her to a calendar girl or to a finely tuned, sleek, expensive car stunned her. “Don’t say things like that.”
“You’ve got hair like silky fire. It catches the light…can you trust me on this, Shell? That I’ve never felt like this with anyone?”
He was too close, his hand caressing her nape, his thumb stroking her chin. Then, gently, he raised her face to his. “Shell?”
The storm of emotions swirled around her as she looked into those dark gold eyes, shadowed by the fringe of his lashes. He could make any woman swoon and he was focusing on her. The currents between them ran strong and vibrated within her until she looked away. “You’re so unpredictable, Roman.”
A corner of his mouth tugged up at that and he leaned closer, his lips just fractions from hers, his breath mingling with hers, his body warming hers. “So they tell me.”
She couldn’t move as his lips warmly caressed hers, slanted and teased and beckoned. She had to touch him and reached to place her hands on his shoulders. Roman inhaled sharply and opened his lips, nudging hers, his tongue tempting as his hand slowly moved downward to smooth her hip, then back up to rest on her side, just under her breast. She picked through the scents, the soap of his shower, to find that of his skin—dark and brooding and exciting—
Roman took her hands and placed her arms around his neck, tugging her full length against him, his body taut against hers. “It’s like this with me,” he whispered roughly. “But there’s more. I just don’t know how to give it to you. The right things to say to make it easier for you. You’re so innocent that I—”
He closed his eyes and eased away from her. “I’ve been around a lot of women. But you’re the one I want—if you’ll have me. I’m trying to take this slow for your sake, but it isn’t easy,” he stated shakily.
She wanted to help him, to say something that would ease him, yet she feared herself and him.
And Dani was right, there was just something about nudging Roman that was exciting. “Tell me about the Vargas girl and the Lamborghini.”
“Are you kidding? The two best things in any man’s life. I’ve loved those calendar girls since I was—well, old enough to get steamed up in the back room with the door locked. Long legs, good hair, and pure woman in between. Just like you.”
When he saw her blush, Roman spoke huskily. “Nice lines, purring like a Lamborghini motor, sleek and sweet and when touched just right, handling like a dream. I’ve got a whole bunch of mistakes behind me and a dream in front of me, Shell—you.”
Dani chose that moment to come into the living room and sprawl full length on the couch, watching them. “So, Pops. Did you tell her that you and I are going to see good old Gram in the nursing home?”
Shelly thought of her mother’s searing dismissal of her granddaughter. She couldn’t let Dani be exposed to that. “Oh, no, he’s not.”
“She ought to realize she’s got a granddaughter, and a good one. She ought to be grateful for all you’ve done for her. She certainly didn’t do anything for you. Neither did I. That’s why tomorrow morning you’re going to Mitchell’s—”
Shelly was furious now, her life being torn into shreds without her control. “I will not have you hurt my mother. Don’t you dare!”
“Mom, give the guy a break. He’s set to win her over. He’s got charm, you have to give him that. She’s a woman, after all.”
Shelly knew that her mother would definitely say something to hurt Dani. Shelly also knew her daughter—she wasn’t backing down from this meeting, not with Mr. Charm backing her up. “You two are just pure trouble. I’m coming, too.”
“Not a chance,” Dani and Roman said together.
“I’d rather you didn’t see me in action, sweet cakes,” Roman said after a pause in which Shelly wondered what happened to the pattern of her life, the safety of it. She felt as if she were on a swirling river, clinging to a mossy branch with her fingertips and the branch was creaking, giving way—
“Uma probably needs you. Mitchell is having this same discussion with her, about keeping safe. We thought we’d drop you off and ride over to the rest home. Dani said she’s going to look like Miss Sweet Innocent American Girl, didn’t you, kid?” Roman was saying.
“Sure. I’m going to be a real sweetie,” Dani said with a grin that mirrored Roman’s.
Shelly threw up her hands. “I give up. You’re not going to win my mother over with charm or anything else, so you might as well learn that right away. I’ve disappointed her terribly.”
“Yeah, well. She’s the disappointment. So am I,” Roman said.
Dani rose and yawned. “I’ve got to get some sleep if I’m going to be sweet tomorrow. That’s going to take some effort.”
When her bedroom door closed, Roman said softly, “Shell, it’s really important that you and Uma put your heads together and try to think of anything that might help uncover who is doing this. Any small thing.”
Shelly eased onto the couch and Roman sat beside her. He eased a tendril behind her ear. “You look cute like that, all stunned and revved at the same time.”
“I can’t think of anyone—”
His arm reached to tug her closer. One look at his face and she knew he wanted her. “Roman, I know that you think you’re doing the right thing, trying to protect us, but—”
“I am. Maybe I don’t come from the best of folks, my mother running off and my father a drunk, but I want to do my best for you and Dani. I’m not going to treat her like my old man did me. She’s never going to be worked until she drops. She’s been hurt by your mother and it’s eating at her. I’ve had enough things eat at me, and I don’t want that for her. I’m going to give her what I can, and your mother is part of that enchilada.”
“What things bother you, Roman? Your mother—”
A slash of his hand closed that thought.
“Your father, then,” Shelly said softly and knew by the way Roman’s head went back, that her guess was right.
“Neither one of them was a winner. That proof is in Mitchell and me.”
“You should talk with Mitchell about what bothers you.”
Roman shook his head. “I’m going outside and check the yard. Our guy likes to do his business at night.”
He bent to his tool box sitting against the wall and took out a small, deadly looking automatic. He checked the clip and stuck it into his belt. “Don’t think that I taught Dani how to shoot. She already knows how from that gang she runs with. If you’ve got time, we could use some food down at the garage tomorrow while we’re working on the bikes. Her friends are coming in for some tips. I thought we might get some information from them…and I’m due for some family time and learning more about her. I figure her friends are maybe the best source. She’s quite the girl, Shell. Just like her mom.”
He reached into the tool box and lifted out a small wrapped box with a pink ribbon. “For you. Catch.”
Roman watched as Shelly studied the pink roses on the paper. “You’re my rose, Shell. You should have had something like that a long time ago. You can wear it or not.”
He nodded and left the room while Shelly held the small, ligh
t box, fearing to open it.
Outside, Roman leaned back into the shadows, scanning Shelly’s back yard. The old rose garden was overgrown and rambling, the arched trellis fallen. She didn’t have time for herself, for what she enjoyed. She was sweet and innocent, and he’d taken too much already. But he wanted her in all the right ways, even if it was too late. The arguments of his father and mother echoed in the night. He didn’t want his past to hurt Shelly, his bitterness about his father, the harshness that ruled their lives.
For Shelly, he needed either to forget his father’s death, the guilt that he didn’t help Mitchell, or to deal with it.
And the small diamond ring should have been bigger, coupled with a wedding ring. She deserved more.
Roman saw the racing wall in front of him again, felt the impact and the pain. But that terror was nothing like the fear of Shelly turning him away. Oh, he’d live all right, but a part of him would be missing…
In the morning, at Uma’s breakfast table, Everett was embarrassed. “I know I’ve made a fool out of myself.”
A very delicate situation, Mitchell decided. He’d let Uma and Everett settle the past and the present. He could only hope that Uma would let him be part of the future. This morning, she looked wary and a bit frightened, as though her world had just been torn apart.
Mitchell frowned as he finished the breakfast they had cooked silently together. He probably hadn’t served the dangerous facts to Uma in the best way. But time and trouble didn’t wait. Nor could he.
He wasn’t exactly certain of what was happening between them, other than that he needed Uma, wanted her, and feared he might hurt her as he had the previous morning.
Shocking her in the kitchen—his need to show his possession of her before they collected Everett—probably wasn’t something he’d find in her book. Okay, he was basically a primitive kind of guy, especially when it came to Uma. He’d have to watch that.