5+Us Makes Seven: A Nanny Single Dad Romance

by Nicole Elliot

  “That's enough, Goldie. Let’s go.” I saw Conall leave the room, his two goons following him out.

  “Oh, enjoy the meth. It’ll help with the pain!” Conall shouted, laughing as the three left. I heard the front door slam, and the house was suddenly quiet. Filled with merciful silence.

  I shuddered with emotions of fear, shame, but mostly anger.

  Fuck you, Conall.

  I rose quickly, tears of pain and rage welling in my eyes. I probed my cheekbone, wincing at the bruise that was starting to form already.

  Don’t think makeup is gonna hide this one.

  I strode to the table, picking up the bag of meth. I looked at it closely. It was yellow, with a strange blue hue that shone as I turned the bag under the kitchen light.

  My first instinct was to flush it away before Conall had a chance to come back to ask if I’d enjoyed it. But then an idea came into my head. I felt a strange strength come over me, a grim resolve as I gritted my teeth.

  I’m gonna take you down, Conall. Jack doesn’t know it yet, but he’s gonna help me. You won’t get away this time.

  I put the meth in a drawer in my kitchen, a plan forming in my mind as I went upstairs to have a shower, double locking the front door on the way past.

  NINE

  Jack

  I awoke early on Monday, eager to get started on what would hopefully be my case by the time I got into work. My mind had also been equally filled with thoughts of Eden, and I felt a tingle of excitement at the thought of seeing her again at the bar after work. Since Friday I’d found thoughts of her a pleasant distraction from what was otherwise an uneventful weekend. I’d been to see Kale, who was recovering well physically but still didn’t seem his usual, confident self. I didn’t expect him to be back at work any time soon.

  I sure don’t want most of those other cops in my department as my partner. No, I’ll work this case alone until I have all the evidence I need.

  There were a couple good reasons why I wanted to work the case on my own. First off, I knew it would be a fairly high-profile case, and I would be set to earn a great deal of prestige if I took down the O’Rourke gang. Also, you never knew who was listening. Hell, even straight cops talked about their cases to other cops and their families. I didn’t want word getting to Conall O’Rourke or any of his associates, or even details spilled to the corrupt cops would probably be just as bad.

  I thought about what the old cop had said on Friday at the office. The way I figured, by the time the case was in full swing I was pretty sure they would have had a chat or two with Conall O’Rourke. If Conall was really good he’d have approached them, made some sort of offer in a dingy bar or restaurant somewhere, handing over a couple brown envelopes stuffed full of bills.

  The old Conall I knew would have been too greedy, but this time he’d managed to pretty much corner the meth market in the town. If you went around killing and intimidating everybody, there’d be no dealers left to work for you and no cops to cover your tracks.

  No, it seems Conall has smartened up at least a little since my time undercover. Maybe he’s been plotting this takeover since the day he left town. I better be damn careful.

  One thing was for sure though, if any of those old cops were making deals with Conall or interfered with the case, I’d be taking them down too. That and working the case alone would give me an edge over all my adversaries. There wouldn’t be any chance of info getting to the wrong people if I played my cards right.

  And I always did.

  I got to work a couple hours after waking up, feeling refreshed and strong after a good workout and a big breakfast, washed down with a black coffee. I’d brought a spare, crisply ironed white shirt with me to change into after work which I’d left in my locker, wanting to look as sharp as possible for when I met Eden.

  I arrived at my desk just before 9am, straightening my trench coat over my shoulders and checking my white collar was showing over the top of the jacket’s neck. I knew I looked smart, strong, and not someone it would be wise to mess with. I felt a few furtive glances sent my way from a couple of other older detectives. Probably jealous, I figured.

  I made myself another coffee before sitting down at my desk, having taken a thick notepad and a few pens from stationary. There was no way I was gonna start filling the case wall out with names and details. That would be the quickest way for Conall to catch wind of what I was up to.

  Before getting started I went through my morning ritual. I took out both of my pistols and released the clips from both. I emptied the rounds from the clips and placed them carefully on my desk. I usually let the springs relax for a while or so every day. Didn’t want a bullet not fully entering the chamber when I needed it most.

  Then I put my feet up on the desk, legs crossed as I waited for my coffee to cool a little. My mind was going over what I knew so far about the case and what I would need to take Conall’s gang down.

  Movement from over to my right caught my eye. My heart rate increased as I saw Lucas and two other cops heading for the Lieutenant’s office. Lucas looked calm, his expression guarded yet confident. Head held high as he surveyed the department.

  Good work, Lucas boy. Knew I could count on you. Go get me my case, brother.

  I’d have to buy Lucas beers for the rest of our days if I made Lieutenant from this case, I thought, smiling to myself.

  I guessed it wouldn’t take long for the cops to go over their evidence and thoughts with the Lieutenant. With a hand shaking slightly from pure excitement, I downed my coffee. I set to putting my bullets back into both my guns carefully and methodically, distracting myself with routine.

  Opening the notepad, I began to make a few quick points. It was all clear in my mind, but I knew I’d have to be organised on this one. The Lieutenant would want to see everything mapped out. Times. Dates. Names. Places. Crimes.

  I knew there were a few vital pieces of the puzzle I still knew little about. First off was the lab, assuming there was one. With consistent, fairly high-grade meth being produced, there had to be some sort of cook and lab. If there was, I’d need to find it.

  Secondly, I’d need solid evidence against Conall. Which could be done by catching him red handed, if he did something stupid. But chances were he now had people doing all the dirty work for him.

  Therefore, the third jigsaw piece was finding out who were his top associates, dealers, enforcers, and distributors. If I could get dirt on them, they might then make a deal for a lighter sentence if they dished the dirt on Conall. That was probably the most solid chance I had of taking the whole gang down in one fell swoop. If one talked, then the others would likely follow suit. As long as we could promise them protection from the O’Rourkes behind bars, of course.

  Finally, there was Eden. She’d recognised me from somewhere, and I’d quickly figured out it was from my time undercover. That meant when she first saw me she thought I was still rolling with Conall, and for some reason that made her shit scared.

  So what does she know? Is she willing to talk?

  At the same time I knew I was really attracted to this girl, and if she was any near as nice as she was hot, then I couldn’t see her wanting anything casual. I could see myself falling for her real quick.

  I don’t want to get her involved in this mess. Should I tell her about the case? If she was scared of Conall I doubt she’d go running to him at the first sign of trouble.

  For once I was stumped. I shook my head, resolving to think about the matter later,nwhich I struggled with repeatedly. She was on my mind all the time, and while it was a pleasant distraction, I felt uneasy that my mind wasn’t as sharp as usual.

  Lucas came swaggering over to my desk, one thumb through his belt, the other pointing back over his shoulder. He was trying his best not to smile.

  “Lieutenant wants to see you, Storm. Says it’s urgent.” His eyes were bright with excitement as he winked at me.

  “All right. Thanks Lucas. I’ll be right in.” I tried to act as
casual as possible as I rose to walk to the Lieutenant’s office. I felt a few eyes on me as I passed through the department.

  The Lieutenant was on the phone as I entered. He waved me in as I poked my head round the door and gestured for me to shut it after me.

  “Yes sir. Absolutely. Thank you, sir.” He put the phone down with a flourish, turning to face me with a broad smile.

  “Jack. You got yourself a case. Congratulations.” He leaned forward, arm extended. I shook his hand gratefully, grinning with relief.

  “Now,” his expression turned serious in an instant, his voice low. “Tell me what your thoughts are. And Jack, keep this case to yourself.” He looked over his shoulder to the other detectives, some of whom had been staring through the slats at the window and turned away awkwardly as he looked their direction.

  “We both know there are ears everywhere. Let’s just keep things quiet until we get something solid, something that makes us, you, untouchable by those meatheads out there.”

  The Lieutenant looked at me with concern, the way a kindly uncle would when offering advice to his nephew. I knew I was one of his favorites, and it was common knowledge that he was due to retire soon. If I did well on this case, my gut told me I’d be sitting in his desk come the end of the year.

  “Of course, sir. I got this. I’m not gonna say a word to anyone until I get something we can use.” I sat down in the chair opposite him, notepad in my left hand as I rubbed my chin thoughtfully with my right.

  “So here’s what I’m thinking so far...”

  TEN

  Eden

  I’d managed to put a brave face on the day after Conall’s visit while I was working at the diner. I passed off the bruised cheek and slight black eye as a drunken stumble into a door when visiting my friend over the weekend. Hell, I’d rehearsed the lie so many times I was actually starting to believe it myself.

  In truth, I was shaken. My confidence that I’d built up from nothing over the last few years had taken a big hit. As soon as I left the house in the morning I was looking over my shoulder constantly, paranoia turning every shady looking character into one of Conall’s goons.

  God knows there’s enough of them in this town…

  I had the same feeling when I was walking home after finishing at the diner, like I was being watched. The hairs on the back on my neck stood on end, and I felt a shiver run down my spine.

  Then all of a sudden an image of Jack appeared in my mind. Strong, tall, handsome. Smiling casually at me like the last time I saw him, as he rested against the bar, eyes looking deeply into mine. Part of me longed to see him when I opened the door to my house, for him to take me into a warm, protective embrace.

  Thoughts of Conall and his threats started to evaporate as I thought about Jack. When I did, I found myself distracted, unable to concentrate on much else. I’d been a bit ditsy since I’d seen him Friday, not my usual, intelligent, focused self.

  I got back home, head held high and smiling as I entered the front door quickly, making sure to lock the door behind me. I was once again greeted by silence and a sense of loneliness as I walked through to the kitchen.

  Damn. No Jack. Well, maybe if I play my cards right one day soon he’ll be waiting for me when I get home. Just need to make sure I get this right, or we’ll both be in trouble...

  I still had a few hours before starting my shift at the bar, and I set to work rehearsing my plan for when Jack visited me later in the evening.

  That’s if he turns up…

  I smiled to myself, thinking about the way he’d looked at me when we’d met. Somehow I knew he was gonna be there.

  I decided to wear pretty much what I was wearing before, choosing a different set of underwear than the last time. A bit less cleavage, makeup not so pronounced. I wanted Jack to see the bruise on my face. Plus I didn’t want too much unwanted attention from any drunken strangers tonight.

  A while later, after having a long, hot shower and getting ready for work, I sat on a chair in my kitchen, chewing thoughtfully on a pen. My laptop sat on the table in front of me, a small scrap of paper next to it. I was browsing a local map online, zooming in and out and scrolling around town. I nodded decisively, the screen fixed on a single location. I brushed my hair back over my ear as I scrawled a note onto the scrap of paper, then hiding it in my pants pocket.

  “Here goes nothing,” I said aloud, sighing as I rose to leave for the bar.

  I rehearsed my story about how I’d gotten my black eye in my mind as I walked to the bar. I didn’t need Jack to believe me, in fact I wanted the opposite. And anyway, if he was as good a detective as Cindy had said, he’d see through the bullshit anyway. It was anyone else who might be listening that I needed to convince.

  I needed to convince them I was still covering for Conall. And that I wasn’t interested in talking to a cop.

  My heart felt slightly heavy as I arrived for work, knowing that I’d need to brush Jack off casually if I wanted the ruse to work. But something told me he was sharp, that he noticed things others didn’t. I was confident he’d understand, maybe even play along.

  God, I hope so. I don’t want to ruin things before they’ve even started.

  I steeled myself with a deep breath before entering the bar, looking around casually and smiling furtively at the few faces I saw dotted around. As I’d expected, there were only a handful of drinkers in so far tonight. Only a few more would likely come and go before the end of the night.

  Most faces I recognized, but there were one or two I didn’t. A guy sat in the booth nearest to the bar smiled at me as I walked past, a little too suspiciously.

  OK. So I’m guessing I’ve got an audience then. Stay cool, Eden. You can do this.

  I swapped with the girl Amy who’d been covering the early shift. She winced when she saw my face, but didn’t say anything. We barely knew each other as we’d never worked a double shift together, and I guessed she thought it was probably better not to ask.

  I was glad to not have to repeat the story for a tenth time already today.

  I set about serving the regulars, chatting away with them calmly as they nursed their beers. I brushed off their concern over my bruised face, explaining the imaginary drunken fall I had on Saturday. A couple of the guys laughed good naturedly at my story. I made sure I said it loud enough for those sitting in the booths nearby to hear.

  As I’d expected, only a few more drinkers turned up over the course of the evening, and the shift was slow. It would almost have been boring if my heart wasn’t hammering in my chest at the thought of seeing Jack again.

  A little while later the door swung open and a tall figure walked in. My eyes widened when I saw Jack standing there as he surveyed the drinkers inside.

  He was wearing his usual jeans and shiny boots, doubled with an immaculate bleached white shirt which fitted his athletic form perfectly. His black leather trench coat adorned his broad shoulders, the collar turned up against the rain that was pouring down outside.

  He brushed water off of his short blonde hair as he approached the bar, and I saw the muscles of his arm strain against the leather of his jacket.

  I felt a tingle of desire mixed with nervousness as I studied him, feeling immediately safe at his presence. I figured it was gonna be a short visit, but all the while he was here I was untouchable.

  I smiled at him as he approached, his eyes meeting mine as he looked up. He immediately frowned with concern as he saw the bruise on my face.

  “Hey, Eden. Everything alright?” he said, in a deep voice strained with genuine worry.

  I think I know how you could make everything better…

  “Hey. Yeah, everything's fine. Nothing to worry about. Just had an accident when I was out drinking with a friend on Saturday night. Stumbled right into a door I thought she was gonna hold open for me!” I giggled nervously, brushing my hair back over an ear as his gaze intensified, his eyes studying my features.

  Good. He thinks it’s bullshit. Now for pha
se two…

  “Can I get you a drink?” I said, hands on the bar in front of Jack. I longed to lean over, grab him by his shirt, bring his face down to meet mine…

  He was still frowning at me as I spoke, and I could see his mind working behind his clear eyes.

  “Yeah. Sure, I’ll take a pale ale.” He took a seat on a stool, drumming his fingers on the bar as I poured his drink.

  I turned to look at him as I poured the beer. He was returning my gaze, his expression fixed with concern and consternation. I think he’d already worked out what had happened and was already thinking about getting revenge.

  Or at least, that’s what I’m hoping…

  I took a deep breath as I approached, putting the glass down gingerly in front of him. I needed to get this part just right, or I was afraid I’d never see him again.

  “Listen. I don’t think we should meet on Thursday. I uh… well I don’t think I’m ready for anything yet. I’m sorry. I hope you understand.” I looked into his eyes, my expression pleading.

  Please…

  His face lit up in a broad, friendly smile and he sat back, taking a long drink from his beer. He set the glass down in front of him then looked back into my eyes.

  “Sure thing, Eden. If you say you ain’t ready, you ain’t ready. I won’t bother you any more, darlin’.” His eyes flashed with an unreadable glint as he fished in his jacket for a bill, setting it down in front of me.

  “Keep the change,” he said, rising to leave his seat at the bar.

  Shit.

  I glanced down at the twenty he’d put down.

  “Hey, no that’s too much. I’ll get myself a drink out of it and you can have the rest back. I insist.” I waited for his response with my breath held.

  “Whatever you say, Eden.” He waited for me to open a beer for myself and fetch him his change. I carefully slipped my handwritten note between two fives as I passed him the money, grateful for the brief contact between our hands.