by Girard, Dara
Her phone rang. JD—again. She took a deep breath then answered. “Hello?”
“Just as I thought,” a voice said behind her.
Monica spun around.
JD put his phone away, his expression unreadable. “My father told me he liked the catbird because it reminded him that things weren’t always what they seemed.” He stopped in front of her. “I knew you were beautiful, but never expected this.”
She stared at him. “You’re not mad?”
His mouth curved in a hint of a smile. “I won’t be if you’ll let me in on the joke.”
“Joke?”
“This game you’ve been playing all these months.”
“It’s not a game and I can explain it, but not right now. There’s no time.”
His good humor vanished. “Are you in trouble?”
The taxi drove up and Monica marched toward it. “I really have to go.”
“I’ll go with you.”
She held her hand out to keep him at a distance. “No.”
JD took her hand and brought her close. “Monica, tell me what’s going on.”
“I love you more than I’ve loved anyone, and if you love me too, you’ll let me go.”
JD sighed heavily. His voice cracked with misery. “God, don’t ask me to do that. Not if you’re in danger.”
“Please.”
He cupped her face in his hands, his dark eyes filled with anguish. “Somehow I knew it was all too good to be true.”
“No, it was all real. It is real. Every last bit of it.” Monica kissed him, determined to make him believe her. She didn’t want him to rebuild his wall against the world and she wanted to indulge in the sweetness of his lips one last time. She pulled away then repeated her plea. “Now let me go.”
He tightened his grip, his voice urgent. “Just tell me—”
“I can’t, Jasper Douglas.”
He clenched his jaw and narrowed his eyes. “I told you never to call me that.”
“I know. Are you mad enough to let me go?”
JD stared at her for a long moment then hung his head and released her. “Will you come back to me?”
“If I can, yes.”
His head shot up and he searched her face but didn’t ask her to explain.
Monica got into the taxi and closed the door. “Just drive,” she ordered. She didn’t look back as the taxi sped away.
Chapter 17
It would end tonight. Monica rode the elevator to Anton’s hotel suite. He always stayed at the Madison on his visits to the city. She got to his room and knocked on the door. The door slowly swung open. She hesitated then stepped inside and removed the gun from her purse. She saw his jacket thrown over a chair. A book lay open on the dining table and the TV was on. That wasn’t like him. Anton liked to leave things in order. She saw a vase overturned and went toward it but stopped when she heard footsteps coming down the hall. She ran behind a curtain and waited.
The footsteps came through the front door then hesitated. Monica peeked through the curtains and saw JD.
“What are you doing?” she demanded, coming out from her hiding place.
“I followed you.”
“Why?”
He raised his brows. “Why do you think? Did you really think I’d let you go without a fight?”
Monica made a small sound of frustration. “You shouldn’t be here. This is not how I planned it.”
“Well, I am and you can’t change that. I thought you needed my help, and I was right.” He held out his hand. “Give me the gun. You killed for me once. I’ll do the same for you, if I have to.”
“You could go to prison.”
“Better me than you.” He snatched the gun from her. “What kind of trouble are you in?”
“Anton Stevens is blackmailing me. He’ll kill people if I don’t marry him.”
“A romantic rival?”
“This is not a time for jokes.”
“I’m not trying to be funny,” JD said, surveying the room with a grim look. “This doesn’t feel right.”
“I know. I—”
He abruptly held up his hand for silence then pressed his fingers against his lips. She nodded in understanding.
He turned and walked toward the other room then a loud crash pierced the silence. Monica and JD ran toward the sound and halted in the doorway of the study. Anton lay facedown with blood seeping from his head. A woman stood over him with a gun and a silencer. She swung it around to them.
JD shoved Monica behind him. “We’re not here to hurt you,” he said in a gentle voice.
The gun wavered in her hand. “I had to do it.”
“I know,” Monica said.
The woman let the gun drop. “He killed my husband.”
“I’ll handle this,” JD said. “Monica, get out of here.”
“Why?”
“When the police come the media will soon follow. They’ll swarm this place and you won’t be able to leave.”
“I’m not going anywhere. I’m tired of running.” Monica walked over to the woman and put her arm around her. She looked dazed and in shock. “Come on and sit down.”
“He killed my husband.”
Monica led her to the other room. “Mine, too.”
The young woman looked up at her with shining eyes. “Really? Reginald was such a good man. I was worried about the distance and how far away he’d be, but he wanted to get the money so that we could start a family. He was only there a few months before he killed him. They sent me flowers and paid for everything, but it wasn’t enough. He couldn’t give me my husband back. So I tracked him down. I got the name of a man they said did that sort of thing and he led me here. Now I know my life is over.”
“We’ll get you one of the best lawyers around,” Monica said, certain that JD could find someone to help her.
Within minutes the police arrived and Alice Bower, Reginald Bower’s widow, was put in handcuffs and led away. JD and Monica were also taken to the police station to give their statements. Afterward they had to duck the paparazzi, which had gotten wind of the story, by sneaking out into the alley dressed as bums. They both knew that sex, murder and revenge would sell, especially with three high-profile figures involved. Once they’d gotten to the end of the street they jumped into a waiting car that JD’s associate, Cliff, had hired for them.
Gerald Hicks watched from the shadows as the car disappeared into the New York night. He’d have to get into a new line of work, but it had been worth it. He’d gotten paid and had enough money until he came up with a new situation. He couldn’t let Stevens have Venus. A woman like her deserved to be free.
And Alice Bower deserved her revenge. When his cousin had asked him to find Stevens for her, he’d resisted at first until he heard the price and the reason. Stevens had made the guardians angry by disposing of one of their own so callously. They had been used to him getting rid of the girls, but when it came to one of their own, Stevens had made an error. They were like a family, and family mattered. He hoped that Alice enjoyed pulling the trigger. The guy had a lot of enemies who’d thank her for what she did.
Gerald turned from the street and thought of calling Anika to keep his bed warm, but he changed his mind. Instead, he began looking for a place to get a drink. He deserved it. He’d set a goddess free.
“When did you first suspect I was Venus?” Monica asked as Cliff drove them to a private location where the paparazzi wouldn’t find them for a while.
“The moment I touched your neck,” JD said, letting his finger make a sensuous trail down it. “When I put that necklace around you, I knew.”
“And you didn’t say anything?” she asked in disbelief.
“I wanted to know what you were up to.”
“I can’t believe I didn’t see it.”
He sent her a sly look. “I’m also good at hiding things.”
“You’re sure you’re not angry?”
“I was at first,” JD admitted after a pause. “I couldn�
��t believe you didn’t trust me.”
Monica grabbed his hand and pressed it against her chest. “I do trust you.” She kissed the back of it. “I did then, too, but I was frightened. I’d seen what Anton could do, and I couldn’t stand the thought of losing you.”
JD’s gaze roamed over her face, as if he still couldn’t believe she was real. “The moment you came into my life, I was a new man. It took me a while to recognize it, but I know it now. You taught me that happiness is a choice and that I have to fight to keep it. Letting it go is the easy way out, and I finally understood what my father and grandmother wanted for me. But I want you to learn something from me. I want you to know that you never have to be afraid again. You’re always safe with me. To me you’re a treasure worth dying for, and I’d give my life for you without hesitation.”
His ardent words shook Monica to her core and frightened her a little. It was too much of a sacrifice. “And I’ll die for you.”
JD shook his head. “No, I want you to do something my father asked of me.”
“What?”
He gathered her close. “Live for me.”
Chapter 18
They made love that night and kept all the lights on.
Anton’s empire crumbled and the men who benefited from his services scattered like cockroaches. Most of the guardians disappeared before the compound was seized. All the women he’d kept were released and their story made international headlines. Some were eager to tell their stories, while others disappeared and chose to remain hidden.
Monica made provisions so that Lola could come see her in America. She met Lola at the airport, and when the two women saw each other they rushed into each other’s arms and cried.
“This is all because of you,” Monica said through her tears.
“No,” Lola said in a hoarse whisper. “The moment you left, I was free.”
Monica stared at her in shock. They were Lola’s first words after nearly two years of silence. Monica didn’t know what to say, so all she did was hug her again to let her know she was safe now.
Lola decided to stay with Monica in Georgia (although Nikki offered to let her stay with her) while JD took care of business in the city. Lola loved the town and she soon started to volunteer at the local animal shelter and help with various fundraisers. She related to the animals in a special way no one else did, and everybody believed that she had a gift of making scared animals feel calm.
Back at his apartment, Donnie helped JD pack some things he planned to keep at the farmhouse.
Once it was all done, JD treated his little brother to a beer and said, “Thanks.”
“No problem,” Donnie said with a nonchalant shrug. He took a long swallow.
“No, not for the packing. For staying out of trouble.”
“Oh, that.”
“Yes, that. You were becoming a nuisance.”
He grinned. “But I made your life exciting, right?”
“I don’t need that kind of excitement,” JD said in a grim voice.
“I know. And you have better things to do with your time than help me out of scrapes. Don’t worry. I’m on the straight and narrow now.”
“When you lie like that it makes me nervous.”
Donnie laughed. “Okay, maybe my path’s just a little crooked, but it’s nothing for you to worry about.”
“Good.”
He took a sip of his drink. “A woman like Monica could make a man rethink his ways. She could help me—”
JD directed his drink at him. “Don’t even think about it.”
“Hey, we’re going to be related, right? What’s wrong with me asking her for a little sisterly advice?”
JD set his drink down and gripped him in a playful choke hold. “Say that again?”
“I’m kidding. I’m kidding.”
“Let’s come to an agreement. You stay out of trouble and stay away from Monica for at least a year until I know I can trust you. Agreed?” Donnie nodded.
JD released him and patted him on the back. “Glad to hear it.”
Donnie was quiet a moment then said in a serious tone, “I’m glad things worked out for you. Gran was always afraid you’d end up alone.” He finished off his drink then set it aside. “You remember Dad a lot more than I do, and I’ve always felt that you keep him alive.”
JD looked at him in surprise. “No, not me. You’re more like him than I am. He could make people laugh and he had charisma like you.”
“But he was smart too and great at business.”
“Yes. I guess we’re both keeping him alive then.”
Donnie nodded, liking the idea. He raised his drink in a toast. “To Dad.”
JD raised his own drink. “Yes, and to us.”
JD and Monica got married at the farmhouse. Although they both could have afforded a big, showy event, they chose to keep it quiet and simple. The ceremony was short but the reception was not. Guests dined on sumptuous dishes and cool drinks into the early evening.
“I thought Nadine was crazy when she rented this farmhouse,” Crystalline said to Monica as the two women stood outside the grand structure that had been decorated for the occasion. “But I guess she knew what she was doing, especially when she selected you. You were meant to be here.”
“Oh, no, she was just desperate. She told me I was the only one interested.”
Crystalline shook her head with a knowing smile. “That may be what she told you, but there were others. The Wooley brothers offered to continue to manage the place for her. She refused, and when you showed up she knew why. She knew that you belonged here.” She cupped Monica’s chin. “You are a luck child, aren’t you?”
Monica hesitated, surprised by the question. “My parents thought so.”
“And they were right. Your beauty shines so bright because your spirit is pure. My husband once said that someone born under a lucky star would come here and change our lives. I never believed him, but now I do.”
Monica shook her head, not wanting to take credit. “No, I didn’t change anyone’s life. You changed mine. I never realized how much I missed belonging to a family.”
Crystalline took her hand. “Daughter, from now on you will never be alone.” She lightly kissed her on the cheek then left.
Monica touched her cheek, now realizing how much she’d missed being someone’s daughter.
Nikki rushed up to her. “This place is fabulous! When you told me you were staying in a farmhouse, I was thinking of some dilapidated shack that smelled like horses and hay.”
“That would be a barn.”
Nikki dismissed her. “Like it matters. This place is amazing. No wonder you wanted to stay here. The architecture is stellar and the carpentry…”
Monica laughed at her sister’s enthusiasm. “I know. I know.”
“I have so many ideas I want to give JD about this place. I think it’s a great idea that you two will spend most of your time here.”
JD was ready to try something new and wanted to help the local businesses prosper. For the first time in her life she had a place that was hers. Monica looked at Donnie making Lola laugh and Treena sipping drinks with another guest. She no longer felt like an outsider. She wasn’t strange or different. She was home.
“What are you thinking, Mrs. Rozan?” JD asked, coming up behind her.
“How wonderful all of this is.”
“It will get even better.”
He bent down to kiss her, but someone cleared his throat. They both turned and saw Treena’s husband, William.
“Sorry to interrupt,” he said, embarrassed. “But could I have a word?” he asked JD.
Monica slipped away and JD looked at him and waited. He’d been surprised that William had even come.
William cleared his throat. “I just wanted to say that I’m sorry about what I’d said last summer.”
“Forget it. I understand. I didn’t write like I said I would.”
“It wasn’t that. I was jealous.” He glanced at Monica, who
was now talking to three of the waitstaff. “You’ve always been a lucky SOB.”
“I know it.”
William laughed. “Yeah, that’s what pissed me off. You were always so sure of yourself. Confident that things would go your way, and they always did.”
“No,” he said, remembering the death of his father. “Not always.”
William remembered too and sobered. “He would have been proud of you.” He shoved his hands in his pockets. “I guess that’s it then.”
“How’s business?”
“It’s still bad.”
“Can I offer you some advice, or are you going to bite my head off again?”
“This time I’ll keep my mouth shut. I’m open to any advice you can give me.”
JD patted him on the back. “I’ll get in touch with you.”
“Thanks,” William said then went to rejoin his wife.
The sound of a helicopter filled the evening sky and everyone looked up and watched it land in the back field. JD went to gather his new bride.
“Looks like our ride’s here,” he said, taking her hand. Donnie and Lola handed them their luggage.
“Where are you taking me?” Monica asked as JD opened the door.
“First, to an exclusive hotel.”
“And then?” Monica asked as he climbed in behind her and locked his seat belt.
“I have a friend who couldn’t attend, but he owns a private island in the Mediterranean. Darling, I’m taking you to paradise.”
Monica wrapped her arms around him, joy shining in her eyes. “I feel like I’m already there.”
They returned from paradise with a beautiful souvenir.
“A baby? I get to be an aunt?” Nikki squealed on the phone.
“Yes,” Monica laughed, pleased with her sister’s delight.
“You have to let me decorate the nursery. Please.”
“Okay,” Monica said then nearly regretted the idea when Nikki came down to visit and share her ideas.
“Don’t you think you’re overdoing it a bit?” Monica asked, looking at some of her sister’s sketches.
Nikki surveyed the guest room she’d selected to be the nursery and waved her sister away. “I never go overboard.”