“That’s true, but the building has excellent security. The first floor is set up to be a commercial lease. Or split up into several commercial leases. This is a great opportunity, Ally. Getting in on the ground floor of an up-and-coming real-estate location. Once the rest of the community gets wind of this, the prices are going to go through the roof. Imagine the equity you’ll have.”
“How did you find out about this, anyway?” She eyed him suspiciously. Joel was a great realtor, but she never would have suspected he had the kind of connections that allowed him this type of access.
“Another realtor turned me onto it.” He shrugged, turned and scanned the room. “I love the floors in here.”
Well aware he was trying to distract her, Ally dutifully admired the original wide-plank wood flooring. Carefully refurbished to retain years of wear, they’d been finished with a beautiful clear stain. In a word, gorgeous. They ran through all fourteen hundred square feet of the condo.
“I still can’t get over the price,” she said. “Only two hundred forty-nine thousand for this place? For this area, that’s insane.”
“Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth,” Celia quipped.
Ally glanced at her sharply, but Celia was busy admiring the large windows with the original glass, dating back to 1889 when the factory was built. The glass surviving looters and juvenile delinquents was a miracle.
“Yeah.” Joel drew the word out and she turned toward him. He was staring at Celia like a lovesick puppy. Even knowing she was practically living with Detective Lucas Jones didn’t stop him from mooning over Celia when she wasn’t looking. Ally rolled her eyes.
Joel cleared his throat. “The low price is one of the perks of being the first to buy.”
Walking around, Ally took in the brick, the floors, and the fabulous kitchen. “I think you guys are right.”
“Of course I am.” Celia smiled. “That’s why you brought me. For my exquisite taste and expert opinion.”
Ally returned her smile. Celia had blossomed in the last few weeks. Being in love and loved by Lucas had helped her accept herself. A new contentment and happiness radiated from within, increasing her stunning beauty. No wonder Joel was smitten.
Decision made, Ally grinned. “Write up the offer, Joel.”
“Thank you, Lord.”
“Are you saying I’ve been difficult?”
“Yes, I am. We’ve spent weeks searching every corner of this city and the outlying suburbs. At least I get paid for this torture. I’m not sure how Celia managed.”
The over-the-top, admiring gaze he turned on Celia made Ally wince, but Celia just smiled. Celia’s poise left her in awe. Ally was doing her best to mimic her, but she didn’t know how well she succeeded.
“Ally, could we grab a coffee?” Celia turned to Joel, all lovely tact and sweet smile. “I hate to exclude you, Joel, but it’s girl-talk. You understand?”
“Of course, of course. No problem. You girls run along and have fun.”
Ally rolled her eyes again.
“No problem at all. I understand completely.” Joel grinned, rolling his shoulders back and propping a fist on his hip. He stopped short of bowing them out, thank heaven.
Celia slipped her arm through hers as they left, a conspiratorial grin on her face. Ten minutes later they settled at a little table in a bistro around the corner.
“Another reason to love the condo,” Celia said with a smile. “You’re steps from great restaurants and shops.”
“Good thing I’m making an offer.”
Ally sipped her nonfat chai tea latte. The last weeks had been a whirlwind of activity. Packing and moving out of her old condo had been a huge relief. Celia had offered her the temporary use of her apartment. She was pretty much living at Lucas’ house, while her apartment sat empty.
Ally had gratefully accepted. On top of that, Celia’s help in her house-hunt had proved invaluable.
A healthy savings account enabled her to quit her painfully boring job and future employment was very much up in the air. Talk about a life in upheaval. At least she’d always been smart with her finances. Her last place had been paid for, which allowed her to buy the new one without worrying about little details. Like a job.
A man’s low voice rumbled behind her. She thought of Greg and closed her eyes against the flare of pain. She hadn’t seen or heard from him since he’d left her sleeping in her bed the night of Victor’s second arrest. His absence left an aching hole in her life.
“Hello?” Celia waved a slim, manicured hand in front of her face.
“Sorry.” Ally opened her eyes and made a face. “Guess my mind wandered.”
“Uh-huh.” Celia eyed her speculatively.
“Anyway…” Blowing out a breath, Ally quelled the nerves fluttering in her stomach. “I had an idea I wanted to talk to you about. Something we’ve touched on a few times, which has been on my mind a lot lately.”
Celia cocked her head to the side. “Sure.”
“I got the idea while we were walking around looking at the main level of the building beneath the condo. What would you think about opening a women’s shelter? But go all out. We wouldn’t be giving them just a place to stay. We would also offer education, prepare them to enter the workplace, the ability to manage a budget and balance a checkbook. We could especially look for women who are leaving an abusive situation and prostitution, whether voluntary or forced.”
Ally sat back, chewing on her bottom lip and staring at Celia. The idea meant so much to her. The beginning of a dream, stepping up and taking full control of her life. Still, she couldn’t take on such a big project alone. Celia had the kind of financial backing necessary to make her dream a success. If she was interested.
Celia grinned. “I love it.”
Ally clapped her hands, almost bouncing in her seat, relief and excitement rushing through her and going to her head like a cold glass of bubbly.
Celia fixed her with a determined gaze. “Just one thing. Let me handle the details of the space, okay? It’ll be a joint endeavor, one hundred percent, but I’d like to take care of the real estate.”
“As long as you agree to let me pay my share. It won’t be much of a partnership if we start out with you biting off such a huge chunk alone.”
“Ally, please. I’m a trust-fund baby.” Celia voice was quietly self-mocking. “I could buy a dozen of those buildings and still have enough to last a lifetime.”
Ally gaped. She’d known Celia was rich, but that rich? She shut her mouth and shook her head. “I don’t care. I still want to pay half.”
“You don’t understand. All my life I’ve just been this flibbertigibbet-do-nothing. I shopped, I went out with friends, but I was nothing. I had nothing. I want this for more than just a way to help other women. It’ll help me too.” Celia leaned forward, every line of her slim body tense. “For once, my money will go to something with a purpose. Something beneficial. Let me do this.”
She sighed. “Sure. Take away all my cards. That’s playing dirty, Celia.”
“I know. I’d apologize, but I wouldn’t mean it. Just say you’ll let me pay for it, and you won’t regret it.”
“Okay, fine,” Ally smiled. “Go for it.”
It took a month to get everything set up. Celia purchased the entire main floor of the building housing Ally’s condo. Within a week of receiving the necessary permits, workmen were everywhere. Thanks to Celia’s family connections, their permits flew through the usual channels.
Meanwhile, Ally moved into her new home. A shortage of furniture—her old space had been much smaller—sent her and Celia on a weekend shopping trip out of town. They returned with enough furniture to fill her condo, as well as some great pieces for their office downstairs. Lucas lounged against the old brick exterior when they pulled up to the curb Sunday evening.
Ally busied herself parking the moving truck, opened the back and pulled out some of the smaller pieces while Celia and Lucas reunited. Watching them kiss like lo
vers parted for months instead of a few days sent her unruly memories flying back in time to Greg. Misery settled around her heart. Straightening her shoulders and lifting her chin, she loaded the freight elevator with everything she could carry and headed upstairs.
Greg leaned against the wall beside her door, bringing her up short.
“Hey, Sugar Lips.” He grinned and took the small hall table from her hands.
“Uhm…hi.” How could he show up with zero notice, acting like they’d just seen each other a few hours ago? “What are you doing here?”
“I haven’t seen the new place, so I thought I’d drop by.”
“Just like that?” Ally cleared her throat and muzzled her inner bitch. “Celia and I just got back.”
“Yeah, Lucas told me about your weekend expedition to the far reaches of our fair state. Knowing he was waiting down there for Celia, I figured retreat to be the better part of valor.”
Wishing she could laugh, she unlocked her door. “I know what you mean.”
She held open the door as he carried in the table.
“Not exactly G-rated, huh?”
“No.”
She stuck a towel underneath the door as an impromptu doorstop and went back for a couple of lamps from the elevator. When she got back, Greg stood in her kitchen.
“Want the grand tour?”
“Uh…” He shifted from one foot to the other, looking uncomfortable—until his alter ego slid into place and he grinned. “Sure.”
Ally gritted her teeth. When would he stop hiding?
By the time they were done, Celia and Lucas had managed to pry themselves apart to join them. The men moved the heavy pieces and Ally directed positioning upstairs while Celia handed out instructions downstairs. Two hours later, they all collapsed in Ally’s living room.
“Man, moving is exhausting,” Greg said.
“Tell me about it,” Ally said. “I won’t be doing it again for a long time.”
“What if—” Lucas broke off with a grunt. Ally raised her head from the back of the couch. He and Celia shared a couch and Lucas arched his eyebrow at Celia.
Ally dropped her head back, her belly twisting over their display.
Communicating without words, loving touches… sometimes it killed her to be around those two.
“Love the new place,” Greg filled the silence.
“I do too,” she said. “And I can’t wait until we open our shelter operation in a few weeks.”
“That reminds me,” Lucas said. “I talked to the security company on Friday. They’ll be by tomorrow morning to look at your setup. Then they’ll let us know what you need.”
“I still don’t think—” Celia started.
Lucas firmly interrupted her. “We agreed it wasn’t up for debate, Celia.”
“It’s a good idea.” Ally glanced between the two. “Some of the women will be coming from difficult, even dangerous, situations that could follow them to us. We don’t want any of the women hurt or threatened. I don’t want to be hurt or threatened.”
“I know.” Celia sighed. “I just worry the women will find the system invasive.”
Lucas hugged her to his side. “They’ll set up cameras around the perimeter, alarms on the doors and windows and guards on a few of the more vulnerable entrances. It may take some getting used to, but before long you won’t even notice. Besides, just think how much safer the women will feel.”
“That’s true,” Celia said.
They stared into one another’s eyes.
Ally shifted, crossed her arms, glanced at Greg and quickly looked away.
Lucas and Celia clearly needed some private one-on-one time.
Lucas stood and pulled Celia up with him, confirming her thoughts. They made an attractive, if unlikely, couple. The tough, hardened detective and the delicate-looking socialite.
“We’re gonna head out,” Lucas said.
Celia came over and hugged her. “You’ll be okay?”
“Of course.”
“I had so much fun this weekend.” Celia stepped back.
“Me too.”
“See you later.” Greg waved from his reclined position on her couch.
Celia went over and dropped a kiss on his cheek, whispering something to him before she rejoined Lucas on the way out the door.
The door slammed and awkward silence descended. What did she do now? Offer to feed Greg? Jump him? Throw him out?
“See much of St. James these days?” Greg asked a little too casually.
Jealous? In a less-than-forthcoming mood, she crossed her arms. “Not really.”
“Huh. Guess I’ll head home too.” He stood and stretched. “It’s getting late.”
She wasn’t about to get clingy and hate being alone at this point in her life. Ally lifted her chin.
“You’ll be okay?”
She must look like some wilting hothouse flower to make everyone ask if she’d be okay. “I’ve lived on my own for years. I’ll be fine.”
“I know.” He shrugged. “It’s a new place. Hard to settle in sometimes.”
“This isn’t my first night. I moved in two weeks ago.” She was suddenly very tired.
“Alright.” He rose and headed down the hallway, toward the front door. “Just trying to look out for a friend.”
That didn’t sting. She followed him.
“Thanks for your help,” she ground out through clenched teeth.
“No problem. G’night.”
Ally locked the door behind him and rested against it. The quiet closed in around her.
“Music. I need music.”
In her room, she switched on the alarm radio by her bed. The loud music thumped, lightening her mood while she changed into a little nightgown. Then she sank into the plush armchair she’d positioned at an angle in one corner of her sanctuary.
She’d painted the walls a deep sea-green color. Silky bedding draped her new king-sized bed in shades of blue, green, and purple. Soft, floaty fabric accented the windows.
With a heavy sigh, Ally flipped off the lights and crawled into bed. Lying there watching the headlights of passing cars play over her ceiling, her mind hummed at a steady clip and her muscles twitched.
Grumbling under her breath, she crawled out of bed and headed for the kitchen, not bothering with any lights. She grabbed an open bottle of wine from the fridge and poured a small amount into an antique crystal glass. One of a set she’d picked up over the weekend.
Staring out her windows, she sipped her wine. Gradually, her muscles relaxed and her breathing deepened. Exhaustion and wine swept aside her body’s resistance to sleep. She headed for her bedroom.
Just shy of her room, the click of a locking mechanism tumbling open froze Ally in her tracks. The doorknob on her front door rotated. All her lovely relaxation fled, replaced with the sting of adrenaline in her veins.
What the flip? Did she have the worst luck or what? Had she broken a mirror unawares and gotten seven years back luck?
Thankful she’d chosen a black silk nightie to sleep in, she crept into deeper shadows. She was tempted to sneak into her bedroom to hide, locking the door behind her. But, if one doorway hadn’t stopped him, another one wouldn’t either. Then again, if he only wanted to rob her blind, maybe he wouldn’t bother with the bedroom.
Ally stood in the shadows, watching a very large, dark shape slip inside and close her front door. She could be lying sound asleep in her bed about now, blissfully unaware. Somehow, oblivion didn’t seem like an appealing option.
The most likely scenario was definitely robbery, although why he hadn’t waited until she left for the day was a mystery. Oh, right. There were workmen around all day. Still, she could hope.
He crept closer to her hiding spot and she focused on being invisible. Fingers tensing, the cut-crystal stem of the antique goblet bit into her fingers, reminding her of its presence. Wait a second. What the hell was she doing? Get the phone, dumbass!
Or—she glanced at the big sha
pe approaching and then the remarkably flimsy little glass in her hand—a weapon at least. Well, she sorta had a weapon. Something was better than nothing.
Maybe if she kicked him in the crotch and then broke the glass over his head. Yeah, that sounded like a plan. Of course, she would have to let him get really close first, which sucked sour grapes.
Pressed against the wall, she held her breath. Almost there. Almost…
Ally lashed out with her bare foot and connected with solid, warm flesh. He grunted and she quickly brought down the goblet. The man caught her wrist mid-swing and flattened her against the wall. She wanted to howl in frustration.
“Damn woman, castrate a man why don’t you?”
“Daniel?” She sagged in relief, swiftly replaced by fury. “Daniel!”
“Yeah, I think we cleared that up already.”
He sounded a little off. Oh right, she’d kicked him in the testicles. She jerked her wrist free. Served him right.
Spinning on her heel, she marched back into the kitchen, flipping on lights en route. She rinsed the goblet and put it away, needing time to calm down. At least she hadn’t broken the irreplaceable glass over his worthless head.
“I’m glad you didn’t break it over my worthless head too.”
She’d spoken aloud? “It would’ve served you right. What are you doing breaking in anyway? And in the middle of the night. Normal people knock, ya know.”
Turning to face him, she planted her hands on her hips and glared. He just grinned and leaned against her counter, unrepentant. An appreciative gleam lit his gray eyes as he surveyed her black nightie.
Clearly she hadn’t kicked him hard enough. She refused to be embarrassed. Even when she glanced down and realized the cool air had pebbled her nipples.
Daniel glanced around her condo. “What fun is there in that?”
Considering this was the third time he’d broken in, she doubted there was that much “fun” involved. Ally crossed her arms and tapped her foot. Focusing on her again, his eyes darkened. She dropped her arms. Nature had given her enough cleavage.
“Might I enquire as to the reason behind this midnight visit?”
“I was in the neighborhood.”
Sweet Deception Page 23