by Marie Harte
“Hold on.” Noel set the baby down in the crib Deacon had purchased while he was gone. “Nice crib, by the way.”
Deacon shrugged. “At least now I’m not worried he’ll roll off the bed. Kid wriggles like an eel.”
Noel left the baby after turning on the baby monitor. Deacon followed him into the kitchen, where Noel turned on the other monitor and put a kettle on for some hot chocolate.
“Want some?” he asked.
Deacon brightened. “Do you have mini-marshmallows?”
“No, the big ones. They didn’t have any tiny ones at the store or I’d have gotten some.”
“Bummer, but okay.”
Noel saw the humor in two grown-ass men who killed for a living bonding over hot chocolate and marshmallows. “So, what did you learn?”
“That there’s rumor of a plant living on the island, keeping watch. Our guy, I think. That the hits on you were to shake you up, to see if you could handle yourself on your downtime. Someone’s been following you and knows your habits. Not good, Noel.”
“Damn.”
“But we both know the only people who know where you live, who know who you are, come from the Business. I had a friend in admin do some quiet research for me. Four names popped up. Hammer’s one, for that mix-up in Madrid. But I don’t think he’s in on this at all. He’s one of us.”
“Is he?” Hammer had been quiet while on his trip to Pennsylvania. Maybe too quiet? “That excursion to Madrid cost the Business two agents and nearly had me and Hammer killing each other.” A rogue handler had tried to take out several contractors, Hammer and Noel being two of them. Only Noel’s keen sense that something was off had kept him from shooting Hammer. Hammer had seen the truth and backed down as well, questioning orders when others would have simply pulled the trigger.
“Yes. I’d stake my life on it.” Deacon nodded. “But the other three names are potentials.”
“Who are they?”
“We have another we can scratch off. The Prince had a problem with me and Hammer in Mexico. You remember Jonas Hood?”
Noel thought for a moment. “Oh, right. He was better looking than you are and more skilled with the ladies.” And a man who’d always put Noel on edge. Jonas had been one of the contractors who seemed to revel in death and destruction.
“Bullshit.” Deacon scowled.
Noel smirked. “Whatever you say. But Jonas died in a fire during the Diablo Blanco Cartel bust. That had nothing to do with me or you two. Did it?”
“No. But he died, so he’s off the list. Though he might have had friends who could have blamed us if they had the right intel. I did have contacts in Sinaloa at the time. I could have prevented Jonas’s death if I’d been told. Not that that’s the case, but it could be made to look like I didn’t care.”
“Something to look into. The other two names?” The kettle whistled, and Noel poured the water. As he and Deacon stirred their hot chocolate, they both eyed the marshmallow bag.
“Five left. Three for me, two for you,” Deacon suggested. No question of splitting that last.
“Yeah, right. My house. I get three.”
“I’ll shoot you for it.”
Noel raised a brow.
“I meant in the basement. We shoot for the last one.”
“You know you can’t beat me with a gun. A knife, maybe. Not a pistol.” He tapped his Jericho, which remaining tucked in his belt holster at all times—when I’m not with Addy, that is.
“Shit. Fine. Have it.”
But Deacon looked so dejected, Noel handed it to him. “Baby.”
“Waaa.” Deacon bit into the treat and sighed. “Ah, this is the life.”
Noel shook his head. “The names?”
“Oh, right. Burleigh and Vasquez. Burleigh, you remember, is a British expat who hates your guts.”
“Oh, right. The rapist.” Noel seethed, remembering Burleigh’s favorite pastime—hurting underage girls in the name of “gathering information.”
“He hates that name.” Deacon chuckled. “He earned it, but still. Because of us, he was let go and had to hide for fear of getting the ‘axe’.”
“The bastard.”
“Well, hear-tell he still hates the three of us. So even though he’s been living it up in Jaipur, I think he’d be happy to kill us all slowly.”
“I agree, except the sloppy nature of the hits isn’t his style.”
“Yeah, that bugs me too. Plus, he wouldn’t know where you go when you’re not at work. The house isn’t in your name, and you don’t file taxes. There is no Noel Ridgemont anywhere but in Washington, D.C.” A false trail the Business had for all their employees. Fake last names and fake addresses of record. “And you know he’s hated by everyone in admin. Rape ain’t pretty by any means, and especially not to the ladies working with our files.”
“Right. So our last possibility?”
“This one makes the most—and least—amount of sense. Angelina Vasquez.”
Noel paused from dumping his marshmallows in his cocoa. “The Angel. Also dead. The same name in a locket sent with the baby. A code, a name, the locket, a baby. And attempts on my life. You know, they have to be related.”
“Yeah, but how? She’s been a ghost for years. If only we had a face to put with the name. The only thing we know for sure is she’s female.”
“Addy saw her,” Noel said.
“True, but that description she gave us accounts for anyone with dark hair and dark eyes. For all we know, the mother used some random woman to drop off the baby.”
Noel nodded, thinking. “We know for a fact Addy and Solene are who they say they are.” Neither of them could be Angel.
“Exactly.”
Noel had checked and rechecked Addy’s credentials years ago, especially when he’d felt such an attraction to her. Anyone associated with her got the same scrutiny. Solene was an ex-model turned entrepreneur. Addy’s ex-boyfriends and dates had also panned out.
Noel was missing something. “I don’t like any of this.”
“Neither do I.” Deacon frowned. “Solene’s a major pain in the ass, and she’s in danger by association now. It’s too late now to back her out. Or Addy for that matter. Let’s hope Hammer has something more definite for us when he gets back. If he gets back.” Deacon took out his phone and scrolled through it. “Where is that jackass?”
“He’s in Maryland right now, or so he said a few hours ago.”
“And he couldn’t tell me that?” Deacon swore. “What a dick. And who made you boss of our little group?”
Noel dumped the marshmallows in his mug and took a satisfying drink. “Ah. What do you mean who put me in charge? I’m a natural leader. You’re our ace intelligence-gatherer. You, who can charm the pants off of anyone.” Except Solene, apparently. Interesting she bothered Deacon so much. “We both know Hammer isn’t known for his subtlety. He’s the muscle.”
“I guess. But I don’t have to like it.” Deacon swigged his cocoa. “Man, this is good stuff. Much better than that cheap crap. Okay, it’s decided. Your place remains HQ until we see this through. I like your food.”
“Gee, I’m so glad. I hadn’t thought that was up for debate.” Noel gave Deacon a glare. “Oh, and on that note, you’re babysitting on Wednesday. At Addy’s house. You can keep an eye on Solene while Addy and I finish our date.”
“Finish, huh?” Deacon gave him a sly grin. “I’d say you finished earlier, if you get my meaning.”
Noel refused to grace that comment with an answer.
“Truth hurts, huh? Well at least you’re getting some action. I’m dry as dust lately.”
But not for lack of offers. Noel had seen Deacon wield that smile with deadly efficiency. “What? Solene not impressed by your charms?”
“Not yet. Woman is stubborn, annoying, and a know-it-all.”
“Maybe.” Deacon finished off his drink. “But she’s not so nice, so there’s that. Your teacher is way too good for you, Ice.”
“I know. But I’m keeping her anyway.” I think. Hell, I hope.
“Does she know that?”
“Kind of.”
Deacon laughed. “Watching you try to charm your way into her good graces would be fun if I wasn’t so busy babysitting. Fine, you get Wednesday night. But I want a favor in return.”
“What?”
“I don’t know yet.”
“Great.” Noel sighed. “Let’s hope Hammer’s having more luck than we are with this.” He glanced at Deacon. “So… You ever think of seriously leaving the Business?”
“Sure. Who hasn’t? But what else would I do? I’m good at it, and I’m not into gardening or sunsets. I’d be bored living the good life.” Deacon kidded him, but Noel thought he heard a hint of longing in his friend’s voice.
“Who knows? Maybe we can find you something to do on the island. I hear Solene can always use a hand at the daycare.”
“I’d rather lose another pair of jeans to stink-butt again.”
* * * * *
“Did you do it, Nine?”
“Yes. He’s out and has his directions. He’ll do it, no question. I paid him in advance.”
“Outstanding work.” He nodded. Pleased. The plans had come together so nicely. He hadn’t expected Noel to find the woman so quickly, or to dispatch Rene in front of her. But having done so had surely put a wedge between them. Adeline Rose couldn’t possibly like being near a killer.
He knew more about her than anyone would think. How sweet and kind she was. How she treasured her school children. Even her bitch of a friend, one who might yet serve him if she played her cards right.
He had a place for a woman with Solene Hansen’s looks and fire. Oh yes.
With a glance at his bedroom, where two women lay doping up, waiting for him to return and give them what only he could, he picked up a photograph, stared at it, then put it back in his desk drawer.
“I miss you, Angel. With any luck, you’ll come back to me. But make no mistake. I’ll have your heart. One way or the other.”
And he planned to witness his enemies go down. He had a front row seat, after all.
Chapter Eleven
Wednesday evening, right before Noel’s big date, Hammer returned. Of course. Worst possible timing, but what the hell? Noel had been having one of those days. The baby had just puked over his carefully chosen outfit, much to Deacon’s amusement.
The bastard still hadn’t stopped laughing.
Wilkes had disappeared before the clean-up crew had arrived, and no one knew how he’d gotten away, which was still preying on his mind. Addy had stayed late after school due to some plumbing issues in her classroom and was working with her principal and the maintenance crew to fix it, so their date had been pushed back another hour. And earlier in the afternoon, Solene had taken her lunch break at his house, despite not receiving an invite, and bitched him out thoroughly.
“I swear by all that’s holy. You hurt Addy in any way, break her heart or her pinkie toe, even by accident, and I’ll make your life a living hell,” she said, the words cold and concise. A threat by any measure, and one he knew to take to heart.
If Solene hadn’t meant the world to Addy, he could have ignored the woman. But she was Addy’s best friend, and she only had Addy’s interests at heart. How could he not respect her for that?
“I treasure her. I’d never do anything to hurt her.” He looked her in the eye. “And I’d never allow anyone else to hurt her, either.”
She swallowed but didn’t step back. A sure sign of courage, since she knew he could take her out between one breath and the next.
“Good.” She nodded. “One more thing. Just because she and I are best friends doesn’t mean we share everything. I am not on the menu.”
That had surprised him, that she’d needed to tell him what he already knew. “I take it others have made the assumption?”
She grimaced. “Yeah. It was so skeevy, but I couldn’t tell Addy because I didn’t want to hurt her feelings. She hadn’t been into the guy anyway, so it hadn’t mattered. But she can be a little self-conscious about her looks sometimes.”
“Addy?” He snorted. “You have to be kidding me. She’s gorgeous.”
Solene smiled. “Yes, she is. Okay, enough said. Now what do you have I can eat? Oh, and I’m a huge fan of carbs.”
Noel had dealt with obstacles like that all day long, when he should have been focused on Addy. And here, another big one to overcome.
“What a trip.” Hammer yawned. “I want nothing but a bed for the next twelve hours. I found out a few things, but I now have more questions than I did before I left.”
“Yeah? Like what?” Deacon propped himself against Noel’s dresser, the little guy in his arms and starting to fuss.
They stood in his bedroom watching him hunt for a new outfit, one not covered in baby vomit. “Can it keep?” Noel growled, needing to concentrate on his evening with Addy, not more bad news. He couldn’t screw up with her again. He’d only get so many chances to convince the woman he wasn’t a bad bet.
Deacon patted the baby on the back. “Come on, Hammer. Noel’s getting ready to put it to his lady. We don’t want to be here when that happens.”
Hammer perked up. “Addy, right? His lady now? I go away for a few days and miss so much.”
“I’ll fill you in. And I’ll get a pizza and beer if you keep that blonde barracuda off me while we babysit Noel Jr. We’re staying overnight, right, Noel?”
“Hopefully.”
Hammer grinned. “Cool. I’ve been thinking.” The pair walked away with the baby while Noel continued his search. “How about we call him Monty? He’s a cute kid, and I’m a great guy. We should name him after someone grand.”
“You claiming him as yours?” Deacon asked, his voice growing fainter.
The door opened. “Not exactly, but—”
Noel didn’t hear any more because they’d closed the door behind them. Much as he wanted to know what the hell Hammer had learned, it could wait. He had to calm his nerves, both excited and nervous about being with Addy again.
He had to get tonight perfectly right. He wanted her to feel so much pleasure, so much care, that she’d never want to leave him. Ever. Although he’d told her he wanted her after they cleaned up this mess, he didn’t know if she’d change her mind. He was a killer. He had no one to recommend him, nothing but a great house and the promise of millions behind him. But Addy didn’t know about his money, and she wasn’t the type to like a man for his wealth. She needed a guy with heart—and his had been encased in ice for more than a decade.
He ran a hand over his denim button-down shirt and jeans. He hadn’t worn shoes, because he didn’t like them in the home messing his floors. Deacon and Hammer would have to break that habit, and soon, before he broke them.
After slapping on a bit of cologne and making sure everything remained neat and tidy, he double-checked his stash of lube and condoms in the drawer and smiled.
He’d show her a night she’d never forget.
* * * * *
After picking up their dinner and setting it on nice plates, Noel chilled a bottle of wine and made sure they both had water to drink. The flowers and lit candles also added to the ambiance, and as he surveyed his handiwork, he thought he’d done a decent job.
He wanted tonight to be just for her. With the guys staying at Addy’s with Solene, he had nothing but time for Addy.
A knock at the door drew his attention. He felt his palms sweat and had to laugh at himself. The last time he’d been this nervous, he’d been on his first contract. Since then, he’d been in his share of dangerous situations, some he h
adn’t expected to survive. Yet one pretty woman with bright green eyes and a heartwarming smile made him shake?
God, I’m pathetic.
Where had Ice gone, and should Noel even try to bring him back?
He opened the door and found a maintenance man with a clipboard on his doorstep.
Noel immediately recognized his mistake, taking for granted Addy had been at the door. As if the danger had passed and wasn’t waiting to take him again.
He prepared himself to snap the guy’s neck before assessing the scene for other threats. Stupid stupid. He’d turned off the back alarm since the others had been accessing the back and side yards to come and go through the new gate to Addy’s place.
The maintenance man glanced at the clipboard, then back at Noel in puzzlement. He didn’t go for a weapon or make any sudden moves. “Ah, is Ms. Hansen home?”
“Solene?”
The guy glanced at his clipboard again. His nametag read Bob in bright red letters and he wore a gray-striped, collared work shirt. “Is this NE 2228? Solene Hansen called about a flooding dishwasher.”
Noel relaxed, but not totally. “No. You want the house next door.” He reached into his back pocket for his phone and realized he’d left it on the dining table. “Hold on.”
He turned slowly, still feeling something off about the man at the door. But Bob didn’t move while Noel grabbed his phone. Noel had just returned to the front door when he realized what bothered him about Bob’s untimely arrival. “Where’s your vehicle?”
Bob frowned and turned. “What the…? Son of a bitch!” Bob dropped his clipboard. “I parked it right there. I don’t understand. What the hell is going on?”
Bob faced Noel again with a glare. “Are you screwing with me?”
“No.”
Bob swore as he retrieved his clipboard from the ground. “Christ. This is all I need. I have to call my boss. Hold on.” He reached behind himself.
Noel did the same, gripping the pistol at his back.
But Bob only retrieved his phone and dialed. “Jeff? Hey man, I have a problem. A weird fucking problem.”
Noel eased his hand off the grip and brought his hands to his sides.