Vote Then Read: Volume III

by Aleatha Romig

  “You’ve got to be shitting me?” Cold ice ran through his veins and he felt his fingers spasm, surprised the ceramic mug did not shatter under the pressure.

  She lifted her eyes and held his gaze steadily. “I left that night. I was not going to stay with a man who hit me and I was not to have my child raised in that environment. I offered him an easy out—no alimony, no child support. I wanted nothing from him.”

  “And David? Does he know?”

  “He was a baby during the divorce, so I’m the only parent he’s known.” Almost as an afterthought, she added, “I would have allowed Ed to be part of David’s life if he wanted, even after what he’d done, because a boy should have a father. But if he’d treated David in any way like he’d treated me, I would have ended their relationship. In the end, none of that mattered, because he didn’t want to be there.”

  Shrugging, her face pinched, she continued, “Of course, David’s asked about his father. He knows most of the truth, but he’s only a child and I’d never lay anything on him that he can’t handle. I suppose it’s a sad state of affairs when many of his friends have divorced parents, so he doesn’t think too much about it.”

  Silence settled between them as they continued to sip their coffee. Sylvie surreptitiously glanced Mace’s way, unable to decipher what he thought of her marital confessions. She almost admitted that Ed never asked to see David when he approached her for money, but that was an embarrassing fact she was not ready to reveal to anyone.

  11

  After taking David to school and making sure Sylvie got to work, Mace went back to her house to wait for his men to show up. Not sleeping the night before was not what had his stomach in knots. It was the revelation about her ex-husband. It was one thing to have remembered him as a jerk, but something else entirely to know that Ed had taken his hand to her.

  He would have felt this way about any man and woman but, that it was her, seemed to have brought his blood to boil. Seeing his men arrive, he was grateful for the interruption.

  As Walker got busy, he went over the plans with Rank. “We need outside lights, security for all doors and windows, and a tie in directly to the police and our monitoring.” Satisfied that they had it well in hand, he climbed back into his SUV and drove to the lighthouse.

  Anxious to see if they could determine what Charles had been looking for when David saw him, he hurried inside, sending a hasty greeting to Marge and Horace. Once downstairs, he settled at the table and asked, “What was he working on?”

  “Digging into his work files,” Bray said, pulling up his notes. “He’s had investigators working on the money laundering of some of the hate groups in the state.”

  “Anyone in particular?”

  “The National Supreme Endeavor Group.”

  He narrowed eyes as he tried to recall what he had heard about this particular group. “They sound familiar, but I can’t say that I remember what their deal is.”

  Bray nodded toward Drew, who took over. “They tend to fly under the radar because terrorism isn’t their thing. They’re an antigovernment group that engages in groundless conspiracy theorizing or advocates extreme antigovernment doctrines, often warning others of the government coming into their homes and taking over their lives. They’re moving in the direction of trying to influence elections and have been suspected of laundering their money for years to keep their tax-free status in place.”

  “How far had Charles gotten?”

  “State Police had gathered evidence and when they presented it to the State Attorney, he agreed it was enough to take on. So, his office is now running the investigation and it looks like he was going to keep pushing until he could prosecute.”

  “Any idea of who they were running money through?”

  Bray said, “I talked to Roberto just before you came in and he said that his office is now tasked with finding Charles Jefferson, using the photos that Ms. Gardner’s son took. They’re looking into the group but, the money laundering case is taking a back seat to finding him…or his body.”

  “Right now, I haven’t gone through all Charles’ files, but I wondered why the fuck he was in that building after the workers went home,” Josh commented.

  Drew spoke up, “The construction company is Crossover Building Company. The owner is Doug Smiteson.”

  “Any ties to the National Supreme Endeavor Group?”

  “Not overtly, but I’m still digging.”

  Blowing out his breath, he nodded. “Okay…so, right now, we’ve got a State Attorney who’s still missing and a small boy who was the only witness to his disappearance. He was last seen at a building site owned by the Crossover Building Company, which may, or may not, have anything to do with the investigation.”

  “Think it was just a random location for him to meet someone?” Blake asked.

  Mace rubbed his chin, his mind working over the notes in front of them. Shaking his head, he said, “No. The assailant came in a construction worker’s vest and hard hat. Charles knew enough about where he was going to have a hard hat. And, David said that Charles was looking at his watch and talking on his phone. That would indicate he might be there to meet someone specific and called when they didn’t show.”

  “And when the other man in a suit came in?”

  “I don’t know. He might have been the person Charles was supposed to meet…or a replacement and that’s why Charles was so angry. Maybe it was just someone to keep him busy until the assailant got there.”

  Babs looked up from her desk, her phone in her hand and called out, “Walker’s calling in. Says they’re finished at the Gardner house.”

  Nodding, he said, “Good. I’ll head back over in a couple of hours to pick David up from school, swing by and get Sylvie, and then show them the system we have in place.”

  Looking at the group, he said, “Let’s follow the money trail. Cobb, you’re the financial expert. You take the lead and see what you can get.”

  Cobb nodded, asking, “You want me to follow Crossover Building or the extremist group NSEG?”

  He thought for a moment and said, “Chances are the building company will be easier, so start with them. But, specifically look for any link with NSEG.” Before anyone left the table, he added, “Just for the record, the State Police are the legal investigators and our position is to protect Sylvie and David. It’s a weird coincidence that I had already decided to provide protection for them based on the police chatter but, now that they’re officially involved in the Charles Jefferson investigation, it makes it easier.”

  “Easier?” Drew asked, his brows lowered.

  “Easier for us to investigate in order to keep them safe. So, while Roberto takes the lead for Charles, I want to find out who the fuck is threatening Sylvie and David. All roads will lead to the same group I’m sure, but my focus is their protection.”

  The men agreed, but shared grins. Turning away he shook his head. There was no way to hide it. His normally stoic personality came alive when discussing the two Gardeners who were now in his life.

  Sylvie waited outside her office building, having told her boss she was leaving early. She sighed heavily at the withering look he had bestowed upon her at that news. Balancing on the knife’s edge of keeping her job, she wondered why she bothered at all. Oh, yeah…it pays the bills. Rubbing her forehead, she tried to shove all the dueling thoughts out of her mind. Looking up, she spied Mace’s SUV moving closer and she smiled, tossing a little wave.

  She tucked a wind-blown strand of hair from her face, then blushed. God, I’m not a young girl interested in flirting with a handsome man…been there, done that. But, in her heart, she knew he was everything Ed had not been.

  His intense expression softened when he saw her and her stomach flip-flopped as a smile spread across his full lips. He pulled to the curb and she ran around the hood to get to the passenger side.

  He leaned across her to make sure she was buckled and her breath caught in her throat at his nearness. As he settled back, pl
acing his hands on the wheel again, she said, “I feel bad that you have to come to get me—”

  “Don’t,” Mace interrupted. “I didn’t want you to go into work today, but since you insisted, taking you and picking you up was the next best thing.” His gaze focused on Sylvie, seeing the nervousness in her eyes. Instinctively, he reached his hand over and placed it on hers, giving a little squeeze. Speaking gently, he asked, “How was work?”

  She closed her eyes, but was unable to keep the grimace from crossing her face. Shaking her head sadly, she replied, “I don’t know.” As a rueful snort slipped from her lips, she added, “I don’t know what I’m doing in a job that doesn’t appreciate me. I don’t know what I’m doing working for a boss that is demanding and demeaning, all at the same time. And, right now, I don’t know what I’m doing about David—”

  He heard her voice crack and watched as she turned her head away, blinking at the moisture that had gathered in her eyes. Unable to stop himself, he leaned forward and with his free hand cupped her cheek, turning her face toward him again. “Hey, try to put the job out of your mind. Right now, focus on you and David. I’ve gotta say, you’re doing a great job as a mom.”

  “But…I’m scared…”

  He gently caressed her cheek with his thumb, and said, “From what I’ve seen, you’re a wonderful mother. And you’re doing everything right…believing him and keeping him safe. He’s lucky to have you. And, if you’re scared, that just means you’re smart.”

  “Smart?” Sylvie stared into Mace’s masculine face, the concern in his eyes taking her breath away.

  “Yeah, smart.” A slow smile curved Mace’s lips, the feel of Sylvie’s petal soft skin underneath his hand drawing him in. He leaned closer, barely aware that she did the same, until their faces were a few inches apart.

  A car horn sounded behind them, jerking him back to his senses. Unable to believe he had almost kissed her at a time when she was vulnerable, he dropped his hand and turned away, grabbing the steering wheel once more.

  “Sorry,” he mumbled, not wanting to see the censure in her eyes.

  Cold seeped through Sylvie and she leaned back in her seat. She had been so focused on Mace’s deep eyes and his thick, sensuous lips that she hoped were coming toward her, that she had forgotten where they were. Seeing his professionalism slip back into place, she could feel the heat of blush burning her skin. Refusing to trust her voice, she said nothing as he pulled into traffic.

  Once home, Mace walked Sylvie, with David tagging along asking questions, through the new security on their house. Floodlights had been installed on the front, sides, and back. Set to motion, he showed them how they would work. All windows, on both floors, had been wired, as well as the front and back door. He instructed them on how to set the security and had them both practice the codes several times, until he was sure they knew them.

  After a while, David ran off to play, and he and Sylvie stood in the front foyer. She dropped her eyes, fiddling with the hem of her shirt. He lifted his hand toward her, but halted, dropping his arm back to his side.

  “Well, I guess I should go,” he said. Even as the words fell from his mouth, he stood rooted to the floor.

  Tired of playing it safe, Sylvie lifted her eyes and observed Mace’s gaze was on her. Rushing the offer, she asked, “Can you stay for dinner? It’s not fancy, but we’d love to have you.”

  For only a few seconds, Mace battled the desire to stay against the knowledge that he should leave. Finally giving in, he smiled and said, “Yeah. That’d be great.”

  Her relief was evident on her face, her smile widening. “Good. Good. I’ll get it started.”

  David ran back to them, and asked, “Is Mr. Hanover staying for dinner? Can he play with me?”

  Sylvie saw the eagerness in her son’s face and her heart squeezed. What am I doing? The last thing I want is for David to get used to somebody showing him attention, only to leave. Before she could find a way to rescind the invitation, Mace spoke.

  “Sure, bud. I’d love to.”

  She watched David’s face morph from hope to utter joy and her heart squeezed once more. As Mace walked past her, he reached out, allowing his fingers to trail down her arm, before moving into the den with her son. Standing dumbly in the foyer, her eyes still staring toward the space where the two had disappeared, she finally jerked back to the present. Unable to keep the smile from her face, she moved quickly into the kitchen.

  An hour later, the three of them sat at the table, David and Mace both shoveling lasagna, salad, and garlic bread into their mouths.

  “So, when we come in, it sets off the timer to the alarm that would go off just like if a bad guy came in, right?”

  Nodding, while chewing, Mace confirmed.

  “And we’ve got thirty seconds to put in the code, so the alarm doesn’t go off,” David said. His face scrunched for a moment, before he asked, “But, that also means that a bad guy could get into our house and have thirty seconds to do something bad before the alarm goes off, right?”

  Her eyes jumped from her son’s inquisitive face to Mace, who had just swallowed heavily. She knew David was concerned but had not known how to alleviate all his fears.

  Mace brought his napkin to his lips and wiped, thinking furiously of his answer to David’s question. Deciding honesty was best, he nodded. “Yes, that’s right. But, you have to remember that the security lights will have already gone on when it’s dark, and that, right there, will keep most people away. They won’t try to enter a house that has that kind of lighting, knowing that there would also be a security system.”

  David took another bite of lasagna, but Sylvie could see the wheels turning in his head. Her dinner was beginning to sit like a rock in her stomach and she lay her fork down.

  Mace, missing nothing, saw her concern. “David,” he said, drawing the young boy’s attention. “During the day, you’re at school, and when you’re not, you’ll have me, or one of my men, watching you.”

  David held his gaze, before shifting his eyes to his mother for a second. “But, wouldn’t we be safer, if you stayed here at night with us?”

  Gasping, Sylvie jerked in her seat. She opened her mouth to refute David’s question, but Mace got there before her.

  “You’re right. And that’s why, for the next couple of nights, I’ll sit outside and make sure everything is fine.”

  “David! Mr. Hanover cannot spend the nights in his car! He’s given us the security, so we’re safe—”

  “He can stay in the house with us,” David argued. “That way we’ll be even safer!”

  She opened her mouth to protest, but the look on David’s face halted her words. He was trying to be brave, but she saw the fear deep in his eyes.

  Mace watched the interaction between mother and son and recognized the emotion in David’s eyes as well. “I’ll stay.” Before he could change his mind, or Sylvie could protest, he added, “I’ll stay on the sofa, if the offer still stands.”

  Sylvie opened and closed her mouth several times, grateful to have Mace’s presence nearby and that he cared so much about David’s concerns. But, knowing he would be in the house, just one floor below her, would keep her awake all night. Finally, pushing her attraction to him out of her mind, she nodded. “Thank you, for…well,” she cleared her throat. “Just…thank you.”

  He held her gaze for a moment, a slow smile spreading across his face as if he were reading her mind, causing her to blush. With a chin dip and a wink, he went back to eating. David, now smiling widely, began shoveling in his food once more. Swallowing heavily, she picked up her fork and joined them.

  That evening, after David had long since been tucked into bed, and she and Mace had spent a few hours watching TV, she rose from her chair, and said, “Let me get a blanket and a pillow.”

  Mace watched Sylvie turn and walk out of the room. Standing, with his hands on his hips and his head hanging down, he stared at his boots. What the fuck am I doing? Before he had a chance to a
nswer his own question, she walked back into the room, a folded blanket and soft pillow in her hands.

  He moved toward her, reaching out to take them from her and his hands grazed her fingers. A strange electricity seemed to move between them with their touch and he jerked. She appeared to have felt it also, her eyes jumping to his and her lips parting, ever so slightly.

  Dropping the items to the sofa behind him, he stepped forward, placing his hands on either side of her face, his thumbs caressing her cheeks. He saw desire in her eyes, matching his own, and leaned forward, giving her a chance to pull away. Instead, she leaned closer.

  Their lips met, his warm and strong, hers cool and trembling. Moving slowly, he angled her head gently while keeping the kiss light.

  Sylvie moved her hands to Mace’s arms, sliding upward until she clasped his thick shoulders. His kiss reverberated throughout her whole body, warming her, but doing nothing for the trembling, considering she was now shaking with need.

  She had no idea how many minutes passed as their arms held each other close and their lips moved over each other’s. Want, need, desire—all flew through her. Allowing him to take charge of the kiss, she left no doubt as to how much she wanted this.

  Drawing Sylvie closer, Mace felt her curves line up perfectly against the hard planes of his body, but as he felt his erection press into her stomach, he jerked back. Sucking in a ragged breath, he dropped his hands from around her and stepped backward. Her face changed from languid pleasure to confusion as questions formed in her eyes, but he shook his head and moved further away.