Bryce bends and lifts the leg of his jeans. He removes a knife and presses it into my hand. “At least carry this.”
“Okay. If I don’t walk out with Emerson and Gabby in five minutes, you’ll know something’s wrong. Call 911 and report a robbery or something.” Adrenaline pumps into every cell as I close my fingers around the knife. I don’t have time to question the intelligence of carrying a concealed weapon that I’ve never used, so I stick the closed knife into my pocket.
“Got your back.”
When I get to the club’s door and pull on the handle, I’m surprised to find it open. I glance at Bryce and nod toward the shrubbery lining the front. He takes a couple of steps to hide his presence.
Emerson and Toby must’ve just beaten us here. I’d half expected to find the door locked. I quietly open the door and slip inside. It’s silent as a dungeon and my bad feeling grows by the second. The room is dimly lit and the stage empty. The layout of the place is familiar since I’ve been in Earle’s once before—the first time I saw Emerson.
I flash back to Emerson on that stage, shaking her booty with a stunning enthusiasm that had every guy in the place wishing to take her home. I’d never wanted to be a silver pole so bad in my life.
A couple of lights over the bar area reflect off the mirrors that line the back. Muffled voices filter in from somewhere beyond the main room.
My footsteps are soundless but my thoughts are loud. If something happens to Emerson, I’ll blame myself. Something made her run from me and I should’ve tried harder to find out what. I should’ve made her trust me by trusting her.
I’m in the dark hallway leading to the back when the voices stop talking. A hush surrounds me as if they sense my presence. Then I recognize Emerson’s voice. I inch forward to a door at the end, trying to figure out how many people are inside before I bust in.
“You can hear better inside,” a deep voice says behind me.
I pivot to grab him, but cold metal touches the back of my neck. “Easy. I was looking for someone.”
“I’d say you found trouble instead,” he answers.
The door opens and I’m staring at a dark-haired guy behind a desk. He reminds me of Antonio Banderas with an extra hundred pounds on him. “And who is this?” he asks Emerson.
Emerson’s gaze flicks to me and then back to the Banderas lookalike. “It’s Gabby’s boyfriend. Let them go and I swear I’ll do what you want.”
No Code
Emerson
Earle’s Temptations smells like old cigarettes, damp carpet, and deadly deceit. I am so tired of being played the fool by people I trust.
Introductions have been made, and it didn’t take long since the room looks like an Earle’s staff meeting.
Earle won’t look at me and has taken a seat designated by the man in charge of this meeting, Rafa. Jenny stares at the show schedule on Earle’s bulletin board.
I smile at Gabby. “Sis, they didn’t hurt you, did they?”
My sister shakes her head and her bottom lip trembles. She’s already been crying. Her makeup-smeared face tells me that much.
I shift my attention to Jenny. “How long have you and Earle been working for Rafa?” It’s difficult to tone down the level of hurt in my voice.
Jenny keeps her face business-like. She gives the cardboard smile. The one she uses when a customer propositions her after a show. “I had to do it. You don’t understand, Emerson. People like you are in this life temporarily, like stopping at a bad gas station and making a note to avoid it next time. Me and Bailey? We’re here forever unless we take advantage of opportunities.”
“That’s garbage and you know it.” My throat is tight, like a very weak man has his hands around it. I lean against Toby for support. I don’t want Jenny to see how much she’s hurt me.
Also, I wish I could read Toby’s mind. I steal a glance at him. He said to let him lead. Well, lead on. I’m waiting.
The office door opens, and I’m ready for Toby’s guys to wrap this up like a prime-time TV episode. Arrest Rafa, Jenny, and Earle so I can pick up the pieces of my messed up life.
Instead, I gape at the person in the doorway. Instead of the cavalry, it’s Dylan. Unsuspecting-but-madder-than-hell Dylan. Bailey’s bulky frame appears behind him.
Add another traitor to the list.
My pulse thrums in my head, and I wonder if anyone else can hear it.
I attempt to stay calm. “It’s Gabby’s boyfriend. Let them go and I swear I’ll do what you want.”
Rafa ignores me and stares at Dylan. “You picked the wrong time to play hero.” A muscle in his jaw twitches.
I pull air into my lungs and steady myself. There’s a chance Dylan can get out. “He’s not here for me. He’s dating Gabby now. Let them go and I swear I’ll do what you want.”
Rafa sits at Earle’s desk, his elbows propped in front of him and fingers loosely laced.
Dylan folds his arms across his chest and looks boldly at Rafa. “I’m not leaving without Emerson and Gabby. Be smart and let them go. I’ve called the police.”
My heart stills, like its battery finally ran out of juice. The office reminds me of one of those wax museums; we’re a scene frozen in time.
“Check his cell phone,” Rafa demands. Jenny’s husband, Bailey, steps from behind Dylan, keeps a gun pointed at Dylan, and holds out his free hand for the phone. Dylan gives it to him and Bailey tosses the phone to Jenny.
Earle doesn’t sit behind his desk. Instead he’s been moved to the side of the room opposite me, from where he avoids eye contact with me. Gabby’s beside him in one of those folding chairs. She keeps staring at me with an expression I haven’t seen since we were kids. Her too-wide eyes and pale face make me want to grab her and run.
While Gabby won’t quit looking at me as if I’ll disappear, Jenny hasn’t looked at me once. I should be more hurt that she’s here and helping Rafa. I’ve been fooled so many times lately. I’m starting to expect disappointment. I only ache because of baby Reed.
Toby’s presence at my side is barely reassuring. I’m well aware he’s got a gun, but I have no idea of FBI protocol. Will it even be possible to pull it on Bailey without getting us killed?
At the corner of the desk, Jenny looks up from Dylan’s phone. “No. He lied. Last calls were made to Emerson.”
Rafa shakes his head at Dylan. “I’m not a violent man. But you’re a problem.” He looks at Bailey. “I don’t need any more problems.”
Bailey grabs Dylan’s arm. My still heart has resurrected into a rocketing burn in my chest. I step toward Dylan but Toby places a hand on my shoulder.
“Don’t kill him. He might know more than he’s let on about the code. He’s been tight with Emerson. Maybe she’s confided in him,” Toby says. His words, so evenly spoken, skid across my brain. I swing around to glare at him. My hands are clenched into tight fists.
“No, he’s not.” My voice isn’t as steady as Toby’s. “You want that code? He and Gabby leave. Now.”
Rafa smiles at me as if he pities me. “Toby, if she moves, shoot the sister,” he says.
Toby reaches inside his jacket and pulls out a gun. My mouth opens and I suck in air as he points it at Gabby while his fingers dig painfully into my shoulder. Fear rushes in my ears and whirls in my belly.
“Toby? Why?” I cannot process this moment, stuck again in the wax museum scene where something momentous is going to happen.
“Sorry,” he whispers. “Nothing personal. Money talks.”
“Fuck. You.” Shock and hurt punctuate each word.
The door swings open and hits the wall at the end of its path. Bryce stands with a handgun pointed at Rafa. “Surprise, bitches,” he says, theatrically rolling out the ‘r’.
Bryce? How the hell did he get here?
Rafa stands and points a gun at Bryce.
Gabby’s surprise spreads across her face in slow motion. She hops from her seat and Bailey instinctively swings his gun to her. Bryce grabs Bailey by t
he arm and swings him hard. I break from Toby’s grip and run to shield my sister.
I’ve almost reached Gabby when a body hits me from behind and I fall flat. The impact knocks air from my lungs like a popped balloon.
“Stay down,” Dylan says, his lips at my ear to be heard above the noise. His hands are on my shoulders and his entire body covers mine.
Pop. The sound echoes amid the screaming.
A distant part of my brain recognizes Gabby’s scream.
“OhGod-OhGod-OhGod.” Jenny whimpers from somewhere. “Bailey,” she screams. “Not, Bailey.”
“Gorgeous Girl. You okay?” Dylan lifts the bulk of his weight from me. His voice is unsteady.
I raise my head. “Gabby.” They are the only words I can utter.
“Sissy.” A hand grabs mine. “I’m here.”
Noises ratchets inside the room like the volume’s been turned on in a surround-sound theater. “No one move. Show your hands. Hands up.”
I peer up, vaguely aware of too many people in the room. Bailey lies on the floor near me. He’s face down, but blood is in his hair and on the floor.
“Dylan?” I ask.
“I’m right here,” Dylan says, his lips touching my ear. “Gabby’s not hurt. Rafa shot his own guy. He was trying to shoot Bryce.”
I nod and rest my forehead on the floor and cry.
* * *
Gabby and I sit at the table trying to wake up and start fresh today. I scribble on the pad in front of me: 1) Live life without fear of making mistakes, 2) Be smart, 3) Being honest. Gabby smiles at my list, which she is nosily reading, pushes her coffee to the side, and pulls the laptop in front of her.
She summarizes the internet news to me aloud—Rafa arrested on several counts, with Bailey’s murder, kidnapping Gabby, and cyber terrorism at the top of the list. Toby was an FBI agent but somewhere along the line accepted Rafa’s offers of employment as well. His arrest made as many headlines as Rafa’s.
My cell rings with Dylan’s name on the display. I gulp, my mouth dry and my chest tight. My heart slams furiously against my breastbone.
“Hello.”
“Good morning, Gorgeous Girl.” He sounds cheerful, like it’s a regular day and nothing different has happened between us.
“Morning.” I laid awake for hours thinking about the way he came to find me. He was fearless. For me.
“Can we have breakfast?”
I glance at the coffee and cereal I finished a couple of minutes ago. “Yes. I’d like that.”
“Jordy needs to say something to you first and then we can talk. Can you come here?”
“Oh. Okay. I can do that. I’ll be there in a few. Bye.” I press END and slowly place my phone on the table.
Gabby places her hand on top of mine. “Don’t be scared.”
“I’m not,” I lie. “Okay. I’m terrified, but he’s worth it.”
“You deserve it. Go on. Tell him how much he means to you and that you deserve the best and he better live up to that.”
I flip my hand up, lace my fingers through hers and squeeze. “Thanks.”
Sunday morning traffic is non-existent and I make it across town in minutes. Dylan opens the door, looking fresh and relaxed. I hope I don’t look like a bundle of nerves.
I sit on the sofa and wait. I’m guessing that Jordy wants to apologize to me and I’m uncertain why I should be the one nervous about it.
“Jordy,” Dylan yells up the stairs. “She’s here.” He strolls over and casually sits beside me on the sofa.
Jordy enters the room and sits in a chair. He’s holding an envelope. “I should’ve told you everything.”
“Yes.”
He takes off his Cardinals cap and rubs the top of his head. “I turned your father in because it was the right thing to do. I don’t always do the right thing. I’m not ashamed that I did it, but I am sorry that I didn’t tell you from the start how I knew about you. How I’m connected to what happened to your father. I sincerely apologize for that.”
I think about my next words. “I was really hurt at first. But I guess I can see how you thought I’d hate you. Honestly, if you’d met me and confessed it...I’d have been done with you.”
He nods. “There’s more.”
“Okay.”
“I’m the benefactor of the scholarship that pays your tuition,” he says.
“Oh.” My shoulders slump. My entire life over the past few years has been an illusion. “You didn’t have to do that.”
“You earn it. It’s not charity. Your grades determine renewal,” he says. “I have lots of projects that help students.”
“Glad you told me.” I fold my arms across my chest.
“About working for us here...” Jordy looks at Dylan. “You have a lot of talent and could probably do anything. We should find another housekeeper, so you can do something you love.” He hands me a business card.
I frown at the card. “What’s this?”
“I created a dance game called Booty Bounce and we need dancers to hook up to the sensors so we can map the moves. When gamers dance, they’ll see your body doing the moves they complete. I’d like for you to work at the lab.”
I turn the card over in my hand and Dylan reaches toward me. He grabs my free hand in a loose hold.
Jordy lifts his gaze from our hands to my face. “So, that would be a great job paying as much as you make here or more. Now here’s the last thing I need to tell you. I’ve written your dad in prison a few times this year.”
“Why?” I shake my head incredulously. I’m feeling a little weepy again and want to kick myself for being so emotional.
“To let him know how his daughters are doing.” He pauses and holds up a letter. “He finally wrote me back. It was delivered in yesterday’s mail.”
“That’s great,” I say. I’m unable to look at Jordy for fear he’ll read all my emotions. I’m jealous and ashamed and curious.
“He wants you to write him.”
“Then why did he refuse to see me?”
“He knows what Rafa wanted. He was afraid Rafa would kill you after getting Eavesdropper.”
“My dad made some bad decisions. But I’m glad he didn’t give the code to me.”
“Actually...you do have it. It’s on a laptop he gave you for your high school graduation. Do you still have the computer?”
I give a slow blink. “Wow.” I’m mesmerized by Dylan’s thumb stroking the top of my hand. “I’ve had it all along?”
Jordy grins. “Yeah. So, you’d better remove all your porn from the computer because we need to hand it over to the cyber unit of the FBI.”
“I do not have porn.” I kick Jordy’s foot lightly.
“No nudes of Dylan?” He waggles his eyebrows.
Dylan laughs. “Not yet.”
Jordy stands and hands me the letter. “I don’t mind if you read it. Emerson, I’m so sorry and I hope you can learn to forgive me.”
I stare at him for several seconds. “I’m tired of holding grudges and not trusting people. I’ve already forgiven you.”
“Whoop!” He leans down and gives me a strangling hug.
“Can. Not. Breathe.” I can’t stop my smile.
“Hands off my girl.” Dylan taps Jordy on the shoulder. “Get lost dude. I need time alone with her.”
Jordy rolls his eyes. “Take it upstairs. Don’t want to think about makeup sex while I’m sitting on this sofa.”
“We are not—”
Dylan leans over and places a finger on my lips. He gets to his feet and pulls me into his arms. “My turn.” He rocks his hips against mine.
“Mmm…” My face heats when I realize Jordy’s watching.
Jordy laughs at me. “I’m leaving. Give me a minute to clear the room.” He takes off to jog up the stairs.
“No,” I say to Dylan. “I have some things to say first.”
“Keep it short,” he says and rubs his hands down my back. A thrill shoots straight through me, buzzing all th
e way to my toes.
“I trust you. I don’t know why I didn’t realize it until it was too late.”
“It’s not too late,” he says and traces a finger down my cheek.
“I thought I could always rely on my dad and he let me down. It’s like I was sure if I put my heart in your hands, you’d let me down too. But you know what? You haven’t. And I know there’s no guarantee. You might do something that hurts me sometime. Life is full of disappointments and people don’t mean for them to happen. I know my dad loves me, but he made bad choices. He thought he needed to make a fortune to be happy, but that wasn’t true. I want you to let me into every part of your life—work, play, all of it. No secrets.”
Dylan slides his fingers into my hair, resting his forehead against mine. “I don’t have any secrets about work. The business is great. If I’ve held anything back, it’s been not wanting you to know exactly how much I think about you.”
“What about the lawyer? You said you were talking legal stuff with her. I’m not cool with a female attorney who makes house calls.”
Dylan smirks. “Yvette? Gorgeous Girl, we were talking about you. Jordy told me the FBI was doing surveillance and I wanted to be prepared.”
I duck my head, embarrassed by my irrational jealousy. We’ve both guarded ourselves, afraid to let the other see we cared.
Because I knew once I let myself care, I’d hand him my heart.
He takes a finger and lifts my chin so I meet his gaze. “I thought if I didn’t look for love, I wouldn’t find it. I hurt so badly after Kate and Paisley died. I didn’t want to risk having my world taken away from me again. So, I told myself I could be with you and not be serious about it. You know…live each day without worrying about tomorrow. But I was wrong. I don’t want to wonder where we stand next week or next month. I want to commit to you. Denying love doesn’t work, ‘cause it sure doesn’t wait for an invitation. I know I’m in love with you and I’m positive that you love me.”
I grin at that. “You are so cocky.”
He laughs. “Yeah. It’s one of the things you love about me.”
Then he threads his fingers through my hair and kisses me with all the cockiness of a man without doubts.
Seducing Fortune (A Serendipity Novel Book 3) Page 21