by Lee, Taylor
Lexie pondered him for a moment. She was an excellent judge of people. It was one of the side-effects of sizing up sparring opponents for the last twelve years. She didn’t for a moment question that Peter was being truthful. But she also knew that there was much more to this charming man than he chose to reveal at the moment. It may take a while, but there was no question that layer by layer she would figure out what made this mysterious man tick. And enjoy his company while she did.
Meanwhile, he didn’t shirk the question. Instead he answered it directly.
“It’s as I told you last evening, I own properties in the Distract. I occasionally walk the area at night. Like you, I’m aware of what goes behind the blight. I want to be very sure that the illegal activities aren’t affecting my properties directly. I care not only as a businessman overseeing my investments, but now in my new role as a member of the City Council. It was a propitious accident that I happened upon you and those despicable men at the moment I did. And as much as it angers me that you were being assaulted, I admit, the role of the ‘knight in shining armor’ has some appeal.”
For the moment, Lexie let his carefully constructed answer stand. She knew no matter how much she tried, it was unlikely she could throw him off guard. He was as accomplished at sparring as she was. But she knew they both had questions they wanted the other to answer. She decided to up the ante.
“I assumed that was what you would say, Peter. You’ll understand if I continue to wonder at the ‘propitiousness’ of your being in the right place at precisely the right time, but I’m glad that you were. But you had a distinct advantage. You knew who I was. I am just now learning some of the roles you play. For example, I didn’t know that you are the new appointee to the City Council, which explains how you might know who I am.”
Peter smiled.
“I’m not as much of a mystery as you are making me out to be. As for knowing who you are, to a Councilman or simply someone who follows the news, your reputation precedes you. And yes, not everyone in the District or on the City Council is as charmed with you as I am. In fact, Alexis, you may have more detractors than I do. But as my mother always told me, ‘consider the source.’ The people who don’t appreciate what you are doing are precisely the kind of people that I want to take down. Both as a businessman who cares about my investments and now as a public official charged with upholding the public good.”
Lexie cocked a questioning brow.
“Please forgive me if I seem somewhat skeptical, Peter. Most of the businessmen and the government officials I run into don’t find me ‘charming.’ In fact they think I am a major pain in their ass.”
Once again, Peter chortled with laughter.
At that moment, Lexie heard a familiar voice call her name. She turned then startled to see Jake and Brady approaching their table. They looked as surprised to see her as she was to see them. The two of them would have been enough of a shock. But walking between them, with Jake’s solicitous hand on her elbow guiding her into the room was Dalila. A flushed, scurrying Paul Prentiss brought up the rear.
Jake nodded to Lexie, his expression impassive, but she didn’t miss the way his jaw tightened as he glared at Peter. He turned back to her with a slight shrug.
“I don’t know what to say, Lexie. I didn’t expect to see you here.”
Peter rose to his feet with a polite nod, glancing at Lexie as if expecting her to introduce the newcomers. Lexie could only stare at Jake. Her stomach rolled and her face flamed. Try as she might, the sight of Jake’s hand on Dalila’s arm took her breath away. She couldn’t have spoken if she tried.
Apparently Jake was more composed than she was. He extended his hand to Peter.
“I’m Jake Gardner and this is my partner Lt. Colonel Brady Schaefer. And this is Dalila Minyawi and Paul Prentiss.”
Accepting Jake’s hand, Peter said pleasantly, “It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Peter Kim. And, yes, I know Ms. Minyawi and Mr. Prentiss.” He reached out to shake Paul’s hand, and nodded to Dalila.
Turning back to Jake, he explained, “Paul, Dalila and I have worked together on a number of occasions. I heard that you and the Lt. Colonel were going to do some consulting with Immigration Enforcement. That’s good news. We have hard issues in that arena.”
He shook Brady’s hand. “I’m pleased to meet you as well, Lt. Colonel.” He turned back to Jake, “It’s Colonel Gardner, correct?”
Jake gave a quick nod.
“Yes, but, please, Jake and Brady are adequate.”
Lexie clung to the edge of the table staring at them. She couldn’t remember when she’d been more off balance. It was shocking enough to see Brady and Jake. But seeing the gorgeous dark-haired woman with the supercilious smirk on her face standing next to Jake was too much. The image of Jake’s hand on Dalila’s arm was seared in her brain. As much as she wanted to be as coolly confident as Dalila, she couldn’t pull it off. Her heart was racing. She tried to speak but the words stuck in her throat.
Jake’s frown deepened with concern when he met her gaze. Peter came to the rescue.
“May I assume you all know Alexis?”
Jake’s voice was curt.
“Obviously.” He added, lightening his tone, “I owe you a debt of gratitude, Councilman. Both Lexie and I do. I don’t like to think what might have happened last night if you had not come along when you did. I’m very grateful.”
Peter nodded graciously.
“Please, don’t mention it. I’m just glad I arrived at an auspicious moment.” He hesitated then added, a slight smile tugging at his mouth, “From what I understand, you and your partner finished the job that Alexis and I began.”
Lexie was astonished at Peter’s casual admission. If Jake was surprised, neither he nor Brady betrayed it with as much as a flinch.
Peter looked from her to the group standing awkwardly at the side of the table.
“Alexis and I are just about to finish our lunch, but we would be pleased to have you join us—”
Lexie surprised even herself by standing quickly.
“No, Peter. I should have told you. I… I have another appointment. I’ll… need to leave… soon.”
Jake’s voice was soft, smooth.
“That’s not necessary, Lexie. We won’t barge in on your meeting with the Councilman. The four of us need to discuss an operation we are planning. Please, finish your lunch. I’ll see you tonight.”
He leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. The touch of his lips on her fevered skin sent shockwaves to her core. She might have fallen if Jake hadn’t pulled out her chair and seated her.
He nodded to Peter.
“I apologize for interrupting your lunch. I’m not sure how we all ended up here together, but, nevertheless I’m pleased we were able to meet.”
He drew his wallet from the inside pocket of his tailored jacket and handed his business card to Peter. Peter and Brady did the same.
Jake glanced at Peter’s card.
“I’ll give you a call. I’d again like to thank you personally. I’m also interested in hearing about your business.”
Peter quickly agreed. “Additional thanks are unnecessary. But I would enjoy talking with you. Let’s meet soon.”
Jake nodded. His lips twisted slightly. “I don’t think we will lack for conversation topics.”
Peter smiled pleasantly. “Indeed. I look forward to it.”
While they were talking, Jake let his hand rest on the back of Lexie’s neck, his thumb rubbing against the knotted muscle at the top of her spine. It was a blatant assertion of his territorial rights. Peter cocked his head and bowed slightly, a knowing smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. Jake nodded. Message sent. Message received. Lexie glanced between the two of them and would have shrieked but the sight of Dalila waiting patiently, her hand resting lightly if possessively on Jake’s sleeve stopped her. She thought with a grimace, apparently Jake was too caught up in his alpha male standoff to notice the woman preening at his side
. Lexie declared at that moment, that if it was the last thing she did, she was going to wipe that smirk off Dalila’s gorgeous mouth.
As he turned to go, Jake leaned down and once again kissed her cheek. He murmured, “Tonight, Darlin’.”
Over his shoulder Jake heard Brady saying good bye to both Peter and Lexie, and saw Brady buzz Lexie’s cheek. He wasn’t surprised to see Lexie cling to Brady for a moment. Jake was grateful. Brady had always been able to comfort her when she and Jake had upsets.
At that moment he realized that Dalila was talking to him. Her voice was soft, but her meaning came through loud and clear.
“Well, well. If it isn’t the dashing Mr. Kim? I’m not surprised that Peter is intrigued with your girlfriend, Jake. But, I should warn you. He’s quite a player. And I understand he has a penchant for blonds, the younger the better.”
Jake came to a full stop, glaring at Dalila when he felt Brady’s finger jab him in the ribs.
“Hey big guy, lose the frown, or somebody’s gonna think you’re jealous of the guy who was hangin’ with your girl in the middle of the night.”
Jake debated whether he’d punch him in the face or wait until they were outside to kick his ass. But he heard the caution in Brady’s voice. Glancing at the surrounding tables he saw a number of people looking from him to Peter and Lexie. Knowing that gossip was a spectator sport among the elite who were always on the lookout for a juicy scandal, he forced himself to nod and smile as he moved to their table.
Brady sidled between Dalila and Jake. He said in an undertone, but loudly enough for Jake to hear. “I heard that remark, Dalila. You don’t give up easily do you, sweetheart?”
He grinned at her and stroked her cheek as though soothing an annoying pet. “Time to sheathe those claws, kitty cat. I tell you what. Better leave this guy and the woman he loves alone, or you’re gonna have me to deal with.”
Dalila shook off his hand with a haughty sneer.
“Is that a threat or a promise, Colonel?”
Brady’s smile didn’t reach his eyes.
“Both.”
Chapter 15
Lexie spent most of the afternoon teaching classes. She forced herself to pay attention to her students, but several times she realized one of them had asked a question and was waiting patiently for an answer. The third time it happened, Lexie knew it was no use. She was more upset than she remembered being in a very long time. The mix of anger alternating with sadness was overwhelming. During a break she sought out Ming and Quitin, two of her most advanced students. They quickly agreed to teach the rest of the afternoon classes. Ming followed her into the hallway.
“Jai Li, I’m so sorry about what happened last night. Are you all right? Did they hurt you?”
Lexie sighed. “I’d be lying Ming if I said I wasn’t hurting. But in a strange way the ‘hurts’ from those pigs are the least painful.”
Ming’s eyes filled with tears.
“Jai Li, I feel terrible. I feel responsible. I know you and Jake are arguing and it all started with Sun-ja’s death. Oh God, I wish I had never gone into the District. If only I hadn’t been so sure that my ‘missions’ would do some good. I thought they would, but look what has happened. Jai Li, I know this will make you angry, but I think that Jake is right. What you’re doing is dangerous. I’m afraid for you. And I know that Master Wan is concerned as well.”
Lexie felt an irrational rush of fury.
“Dammit, Ming. You, too? Can’t I count on anyone? Yes, it’s dangerous. It always has been. But don’t you see? We can’t stop now. Ming, we are right on the verge of a breakthrough. We are so close. Please. Don’t stop believing in me now. I promise you. I will not allow you to do anything that endangers you.”
“Jai Li, you don’t understand. I want to do this. I know we are getting close. But I am scared. Not for me. But for you. Please don’t be angry with me. I’m sorry if you feel like I don’t believe in you. I do! I just don’t want you to get hurt.”
Lexie sighed. Oh God, now she was shouting at Ming. What was wrong with her? She felt like she was losing her grip, her sense of proportion.
“Ming, please forgive me. I am on edge, and I’m lashing out. A very poor example from a Master teacher. Please accept my apologies. You can help me the most if you and Chang take over my classes for the rest of the day. I’m going to go for a long run. I need it badly. And I need to be by myself.”
When Lexie couldn’t get to a punching bag, her next best outlet was a long hard run. She didn’t run in a leisurely fashion. She ran like she did everything else. With fervor and passion. She wondered if she would ever get to the place in her practice that it would bring her peace. She’d watched Master Wan over the years. And Anthony, and now Jake. Even Brady could move into a space of detached simplicity when they practiced. But a “quiet mind” was elusive for her. The few times she’d achieved that centered solitude, she’d felt so blessed. But those moments were few and only made her all the more aware of how frazzled she was most of the time. It had been worse since Anthony died. What equilibrium she’d had before was gone. It was as though she was inside a tall tower made of steel. The only way she could get out was to scale the walls. But there were no footholds or handholds. And though she could see the bright blue sky at the top, she had no way to reach it. She despaired that she ever would.
As she raced along the trail, her long legs eating up the miles, her mind was a jumble of upsetting images. She huffed a grim laugh. Peaceful acceptance was not in the cards for today. She’d hoped an exhausting run would help. But instead of peace, or acceptance, or even insights, the images that flashed in her mind were hurtful. The most hurtful came in the form of Dalila. Damn! She hated Dalila. More than that, she hated that she was allowing the woman to get to her. The thought of Dalila with Jake was agonizing. On one level she knew how much Jake loved her, and how angry he’d been at Dalila yesterday. But just one day later they were together again? Was she just supposed to pretend that it didn’t matter that Jake was working closely with a beautiful woman that he’d had an intimate relationship with? She saw the look in Dalila’s eyes. The way she looked at her today. As if she pitied her. As if Lexie were foolish enough to think that she could beat her. Lexie knew she could. In the ring. But in the real world? She wasn’t sure.
A painful surge of jealousy hit her. God, how many ‘Dalilas’ were out there? She wasn’t blind. Jake was without a doubt the sexiest, most astonishingly handsome man she’d ever known. He reeked sensuality. Forget sensual, he was that in spades. No, he was one powerfully sexual man. She reminded herself he’d told her repeatedly that he had never been in love with a woman until her. At the deepest level of her spirit, Lexie knew that was true. She’d seen it in his eyes. She’d felt his tenderness coupled with an intensity that she’d thought only she could feel. But all the insecurities, all the concerns, the fears that something might happen to him, or some “one” might happen to him, reared up in the person of Dalila. Lexie knew she couldn’t stand to lose Jake—to another woman or to the dangerous world he inhabited. She knew she couldn’t survive. It would shatter her.
Retracing her steps, knowing she had at least an eight mile run ahead of her, Lexie was determined to blot Dalila out of her mind. She tried instead to focus on her work. She knew she was right. It was as she’d told Ming. They were on the verge of a major breakthrough. Dammit, of all times for Jake to thwart her. To try to pull her back. Didn’t he realize how important these next days were? She was close to creating a major scandal. One that could affect the lives of hundreds of young women. Many more than she would ever be able to reach in her Strong Women Survive classes. The classes were a painful one-person-at-a -time effort. But if she could change the face of the massage parlors, shut them down, she could affect hundreds more. She had to convince Jake to listen to her. And if she couldn’t? Well, then they would just have to agree to disagree. Because no one and nothing was going to stop her. Of this she was certain.
~~~
When Jake learned that Lexie had left several hours ago for a long run, he knew their coming discussion would be a hard one. She only ran when she couldn’t get relief from her practice. It didn’t bode well. Unfortunately, he was as upset as Lexie was. He’d been startled when he walked into the private dining room at the Government Center and saw Peter and Lexie. He’d known Lexie was having lunch with the Councilman. That wasn’t a surprise. He didn’t know what he expected Peter to be like. But it sure as hell wasn’t the tall, distinguished man, decidedly good-looking man, ogling Jake’s fiancé with obvious interest. Ah hell, what did Jake expect? Every man looked at Lexie that way… until he saw Jake. Of course Peter Kim was interested. What bothered Jake more was the way Lexie was looking at Peter. She was laughing at something he’d just said. She was delighted and clearly impressed.
It didn’t help that Dalila goaded Jake, purposefully taunting him. She’d obviously seen the way that Peter and Lexie were enjoying one another and couldn’t resist rubbing it in Jake’s face. Dalila was turning out to be even more of a challenge than he’d imagined. He though he’d put her back in her cage yesterday. That he had established their rules of engagement. Brady had snorted at what he called Jake’s naiveté. Jake had to admit, it seemed Brady had a better sense of the woman than he himself did. Add the pained look on Lexie’s face when she saw Dalila and Jake together confirmed this was going to be an ongoing issue. Fine. More damage control was necessary. That was obvious. How could he get Lexie to understand that there wasn’t a woman in the world who could compete with her? That he loved her in a way he hadn’t thought it possible to love a woman. He was already smarting from Lexie’s refusal to commit to a wedding date. It hurt more than he let on. Damn, he wanted to build a life with her. Have a house of their own. And, yeah, he wanted to have children, several of them! But Lexie wasn’t ready and he didn’t know how to convince her. He’d listened to Master Wan’s advice. Let her come to it in her own time. Jake knew that was wise. But it was getting more difficult by the day.