by Olsen, Lisa
That earned her the first look from him that lasted longer than half a second, and it came with a raised brow. “You're not?”
“Okay, maybe I did say hello under false pretenses,” she allowed with a flap of the hand. “Do you see my two friends over there?”
His gaze never shifted, but he described them well enough. “Petite brunette, dressed like a widow, and the bottle blonde, five six, her ass hanging out on the dance floor?”
Her head craned back in time to see that Kelli was indeed out on the dance floor, shaking her booty. “Then you were checking us out.”
“Not particularly.” He shrugged a single shoulder.
“Um…” Not quite sure what to make of that, she plunged ahead. “Anyway, I sort of promised I'd try to pick you up, but I'm not really. It’s just to get them off my back, and Penny thinks you’re safe because we’re neighbors.”
“That’s the most ridiculous argument I’ve ever heard.” He didn’t bother to keep the scorn from his voice and it earned her another look. “Why would I be safe because we live in the same building?”
Even though she’d expressed the same doubt not two minutes before, she couldn’t help but try and defend her friend’s position. “Well, because… if you tried anything I could always tell the cops where you live.”
“And that would make whatever sicko attack I could dream up okay?”
“No, but you wouldn’t attack me, knowing I could turn you in. It’s a natural deterrent, see?” Her winsome smile didn’t appear to have any effect on him.
“Only if you survived it.”
“My friends know you’re my neighbor, they’d report me missing if I didn’t turn up for work tomorrow.”
“Big comfort that would be to your friends and family after I murdered you in cold blood.”
Her head canted to one side as she wondered how they’d strayed to that particular topic. “Do you often kill girls who pick you up in clubs?”
“Not usually, but I’m beginning to understand the appeal,” he muttered, shaking his head. He looked over at her and she got the feeling he was truly seeing her for the first time, his eyes giving her as frank an appraisal as she’d given him before lingering on the delicate gold cross that hung around her neck. His face softened, and when he met her eyes again, his tone was earnest. “Look, whatever this is, no thank you. The safest thing you can do is take your girlfriends out of here and go home. In a group, together. In fact, you shouldn’t be out in a place like this at all.”
He was starting to sound like her brother. “I can take care of myself.” Before he could reply with what she was sure would be a cutting remark, she changed the subject. “What are you doing in here anyway? Besides not picking up girls or guys?”
“I’m… working,” he replied after a moment’s hesitation.
All at once the reason for his protective disinterest hit her. “Are you a cop?”
“Something like that.”
“Why didn’t you say so?” Cady relaxed beside him. It made perfect sense to her, a cop would find the neighborhood dangerous for a girl her age, and it explained his hyper-vigilance. “You know, it actually helps with your stakeout in a club if you’re seen talking to a girl. Otherwise you stick out like a sore thumb.”
“You think so?” A half smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. “Been on many stakeouts have you?”
“Oh yeah, I’m an old hand at them. My dad was a cop back in the day. He used to take my brother and I with him plenty of times.”
“I’ll bet.” His eyes narrowed, but at least they were focused on her for a change. “What kind of a cop takes his kids into a dangerous situation like that?”
“The kind who can’t afford a babysitter?” she grinned, and he shook his head in amusement.
“Let me guess, you saw the back seat of a cop car a few times and now you think you know all about surveillance?”
“I know the trick is to blend in, to not look like you’re there just to watch. Which you are failing at, by the way. You look like you belong in the alley behind the club, not inside it.”
He frowned down at his jacket. “I’m not trying to blend in, I’m here to make sure nothing bad happens. There’s something to be said for a visible deterrent, you know.”
“Then why not show up in your uniform and flash your badge around? Besides, what are you expecting to stop from here? Everybody knows the drugs go down by the bathrooms.”
“I’m not here because of the drugs, I’m here…” he stopped, eyes darting back to the crowd. “Shit… I’m here letting myself getting distracted by a pretty girl instead of doing my job.”
“You think I’m pretty?” Cady’s smile returned at the backhanded compliment, but he didn’t seem to realize he’d given it. His attention was fixated on something else and she turned to see if she could spot it, but everything looked normal to her. There was no sign of Kelli anywhere, and Cady realized she’d been gone longer than she intended. Penny must be… sitting with Rico Suave, chatting up a storm and… flirting?
“You should get back to your friend before she makes a serious mistake.” He seemed to echo her thoughts. But how did he know Penny wasn’t free to flirt in a club with a sexy stranger?
“She’ll be alright, trust me. She’s just being friendly.”
“Very friendly,” he replied in a flat tone and Cady had to agree. Penny was being uncharacteristically touchy feely, laying her hand on the guy’s arm, leaning in close while she talked to him. It was like she and Kelli had switched bodies.
“Okay, but she’s engaged,” Cady insisted, not sure who she was trying to convince more, him or herself. “There’s no way she’s about to leave with that guy.” Except that they both rose from the table together. “I’d better go.”
“Be careful, he isn’t what he seems.”
Cady spared him a last look, trying to figure out the meaning behind that enigmatic statement before she hurried after Penny, eager to catch them before she slipped away with the guy. Could he somehow tell with his cop-vision that the guy was a baddie? She managed to hook an arm through Penny’s elbow as they reached the end of the bar.
“Hey, where are you headed?”
“We’re going to a party,” Penny smiled brightly, her eyes wide and shiny. Had he dosed her with something? Cady thought she saw a flicker of annoyance shadow the man’s handsome face but it was gone in an instant, replaced by an engaging smile.
“You are welcome to join us if you wish.”
“No, thanks. In fact, I think it’s time we called it a night. Don’t you think so, Penny?” Cady nodded encouragingly at Penny who ignored her, her eyes trained on the man’s face.
“We’re going to a party,” she insisted vacantly.
“What happened to Kelli?” Cady did her best to command her friend’s attention, giving her arm a shake. “Where’s Kelli?”
Penny’s head wobbled, but it worked, and she turned to look back at her. “What do you think? She already left with that guy.”
Damn. “Okay, well, it was nice of you to invite us, but I don’t think we’re up for any parties tonight. Thank you.” Cady put a note of finality in her voice, not quite rude, but making it clear she had no intention of letting her friend leave with him.
“But… Claudio said…”
“I’d be more worried about what Justin had to say about this.” Cady gave her a pointed look. “Remember Justin?”
“Justin…” Penny blinked, almost as though she didn’t remember her own fiancée.
“Yep, time to go.” Cady grabbed hold of Penny’s elbow, only to have it pulled from her grasp as Claudio held firm to her friend’s arm. “I’m not playing tug-o-Penny with you, dude. Let go or I’ll scream bloody murder.”
“In this place, who would care?” He chuckled, his voice all soft and silky, but somehow penetrating the din without any trouble. “Join us. I promise it will be a night you would not soon forget.” With his free hand he reached for hers, bringing it to his lips.
Cady felt the invitation down to her toes, and instead of telling him exactly what he could do with his slimy suggestion, she nodded, held captive by those dark eyes. He smiled, and she wanted nothing more than to see him smile again. Her tongue darted out to moisten her lips, poised to say yes, when she was jostled from behind, something cold, wet and sticky spilling over her side. Letting out a yelp, Cady turned in time to see a girl with frizzy orange hair shrug her shoulders in apology.
“Oopsie,” she grinned sloppily before tottering away on platform heels.
It was better than a bucket of cold water for cooling her jets, and Cady shook her head to clear it. Was she seriously contemplating leaving with this guy and Penny for a night of… ick! Maybe he’d used some kind of hypnotism on her? She wasn’t about to stick around and find out.
“Now, ladies, if I may suggest…” Claudio started to say, but Cady ignored him, grabbing onto Penny with a jerky tug, pulling her free of his grasp.
“Let’s go, Penny,” she insisted, looking anywhere but at the guy. Penny objected weakly, but Cady had no trouble dragging her out of the club, sucking in a shaky breath once they reached the relatively fresher night air outside. Without stopping, she pulled her down the block, knowing they’d never get a cab in that area of town, but at least the busses were still running. Darting a look over her shoulder, she half expected to find Claudio following them, but apart from a short line of people still trying to get into the busy club, the street was empty.
“What’s going on?” Penny blinked, rubbing her arms against the cooler temperature, which was probably still over seventy-five degrees. “Where’s my sweater?”
Cady laughed, nerves and relief lending a touch of hysteria to her giggle. “Where’s your sweater? That’s all you have to say to me right now?”
“Well… I…” Slowing to a stop, Penny placed a hand over her heart, her forehead crumpling as she puzzled through the mental fog.
“Come on, we have to keep moving.” Cady propelled her forward. It was one of the unspoken rules of the street. Keep moving, keep your head down, don’t make eye contact. Especially given the weirdness they’d just experienced. Her thoughts went back to her neighbor, the cop. How had he known that there was more to Claudio than met the eye?
“Did I almost just go home with a random guy?” Penny’s already tinny voice squeaked into a higher register as the magnitude of her actions sank in.
“Yep,” Cady nodded, pulling her across the street. “You and me both.”
“Oh my God…”
“It’s alright, Penny, you didn’t do it.”
“Yes, but I…”
“Let’s just get out of here and we can talk about it later.” Cady gave her another subtle tug and this time Penny allowed herself to be led. “Do you want to go grab a cup of coffee?”
“No, I want to go home.”
It wasn’t Cady’s first choice, they lived in opposite directions and she’d rather not be alone just yet, but she nodded, understanding her friend’s desire to feel safe at home. Luck was with them, and Penny’s bus appeared at the end of the street as they reached the stop. “Here comes your bus. Will you be okay getting home from here, or do you want me to come with you?”
“No, I’ll be fine.” The words tumbled out too fast, and Cady wondered if her friend was trying to convince herself. “I think I just need to lie down for a bit. I feel so strange.”
That didn’t sound so good. “Are you sure you don’t want me to come with?”
“No, don’t be silly,” Penny smiled weakly. “It’s not all that late, I’ll get home just fine.”
She started to sound more like her old self, and Cady didn’t really want to ride clear to the other side of town and back. “Okay, but call me when you get home so I’ll know you made it there alright.”
“Sure, of course I will.” The bus stopped with a squeal of the brakes, the doors opening with a hiss. “Goodnight, Cady. Thank you.”
“No worries. Remember to call me, okay?”
Penny nodded, hurrying up the steps to flash her bus pass at the driver who barely glanced at it. Crossing the street, Cady studied the schedule posted under the number for her bus. Weighing the time against the probability of it actually showing up on time, she decided to hoof it, glad she’d worn comfortable walking shoes. Besides, she didn’t want to stand around waiting, it made her feel more like a target.
Usually walking home at night didn’t bother her all that much. It drove her brother, Ian, nuts whenever she did it alone, but damned if she wasn’t going to sit at home every night off because he had to work. As long as she carried less than twenty dollars on her, getting mugged wasn’t that big of a deal.
The spilled drink on her shirt felt clammy now, smelling unpleasantly of sickly sweet cranberries and hard alcohol. Feeling somewhat exposed with her bare shoulders and arms in the brief tank top, she unwound her hair from the knots on the side of her head, letting it spill down her back.
Her hair was the one thing Cady was vain about. She never cut it, and it hung just past the top of her jeans, even with a bit of curl in it from the tightly wound knots she’d twisted it into. When she was a little girl, she’d loved the story of Beauty and the Beast. Not a princess, but an ordinary girl who gladly traded her life to save her father’s, and found love in the strangest of places.
In the well worn pages of her book, Beauty had long, flowing, crimson hair and vivid green eyes, and her beloved father had always teased her that perhaps she was a descendent of Beauty’s. Cady’s eyes were more brown than green on most days, but she imagined her hair was similar, especially when she treated it with henna. In the sunlight it glowed with red fire, but at night, it darkened to rich mahogany, as it was now. The cloak of hair offered her some measure of protection against the night, and Cady felt more comfortable with it down.
Hurried steps carried her past the entrance to Inferno again as she headed for home, and Cady darted another look in the club’s direction, but there was no sign of Claudio. Ready to dismiss thoughts of the disturbing man, her mind turned to her neighbor, and she wished she’d thought to ask him his name. The mailbox next to hers said D. Brown in faded pencil, but it could have been years out of date for all she knew. It was strange that she’d never talked to him before, too. Not that she was all that friendly with most of the people in her building, but he did live next door, and she knew the names of the residents of the other two apartments on their floor.
Crossing the street again, she turned the corner, breathing shallowly through her mouth as she stepped past an alley that reeked of urine and worse. There were dark shapes huddled there, but Cady didn’t look. If she looked, she would see. If she saw, she might stop. And if she stopped… you never knew if you’d escape the encounter with a dollar less in your pocket or end up in the hospital. In the daytime, she tried to spare a buck or two when she could, but at night it was best to keep moving.
A quick glance at the time showed that if she could make three blocks in the next three minutes, she stood a good chance of catching a bus that would take her the rest of the way home in one shot. Easy as pie…
Easy, except when the figure of a man stepped out from the doorway of a noodle shop, completely blocking her path. Especially when she recognized Claudio’s inviting smile. “What lovely hair you have.” His eyes glittered in the green neon light, casting his features with an unhealthy pallor.
“Oh, balls…”
Chapter Four
Cady focused stonily on his chest, refusing to look him in the eye. “Get out of my way, I said I’m not interested.”
“I seem to recall otherwise. I seem to recall you being very, very interested.” Claudio took a step closer, and Cady immediately backtracked.
“Only because you did something to me, and you know it,” she scowled. “If you knew me at all, you’d know I’m not the type to leave the club with some greaseball I just met. And I definitely wouldn’t be down with a little three-way action.”
“That is precisely why you interest me.” His steps halted and Cady resisted the urge to look up at him to see if he was full of bullshit. “I want to know you, Cady, very much.”
“Well, I don’t want to know you, so if you’ll excuse me…” She took a sideways step to move around him, but faster than she could wrap her head around, he had her pressed up against the dirty building, the edge of the window digging painfully into her ribs. Her mouth opened to suck in a breath, but before she could scream, his hand covered it, effectively silencing her.
Twin lights of an approaching car gave her the hope to struggle for all she was worth, screaming impotently against the heat of his hand, but the car didn’t so much as slow. Maybe all they saw was the intimate embrace of two strangers, or maybe they saw more but didn’t want to get involved. All that mattered to Cady was she was about to become a statistic.
It was exactly what they warned you about. You leave a club alone or with a good looking guy and they find your body raped and mutilated in a dumpster the next morning. Wide eyed, she whimpered as he dragged her away, her feet flailing, unable to gain any purchase on the ground until he pressed her against the side of a car in a cramped parking lot. Cady squinched her eyes shut, concentrating on evening out her breathing to stop the burning in her lungs from lack of air.
“Shhh, it doesn’t have to be this way,” he crooned at her ear. “Open your eyes and look at me.” That only doubled her resolve to keep her eyes tightly shut. Somehow she knew it would be worse if she gave him that satisfaction. “You’re being childish.” Claudio lost some of his amusement, frustration creeping in.
Tough titty, her mind screamed at him with juvenile glee as she dug her fingernails into the side of his wrist as hard as she could.
“You will obey me!” Something sharp jabbed her in the stomach and her eyes popped open of their own volition. Instantly his face swam before her, blocking out all else. “There now, relax. I don’t want to hurt you.”