Cashing Out

by Pierce, Nicolette

  “Whose blood?” I questioned.

  “David’s. He was shot in the leg as we escaped.”

  “Is he okay?”

  “As soon as we were out of the country, we stopped for medical attention. He’s fine. But you’d think he lost a limb the way Mom and Mya are flustering over him.”

  I smiled at the image. “I’m sure he likes the attention.”

  “For now. I escaped before they could quarantine me to my bedroom.”

  “Smart move.”

  “Speaking of moving, my study has been reorganized. Do you know anything about that?”

  “We tore the study apart looking for the necklace.”

  “But you did find a necklace in the study, didn’t you?” It was more of a statement than a question.

  I felt a flush rushing through my neck and face. “Yes.”

  “Why didn’t you take it?”

  “You didn’t finish the card. And I don’t need divorce diamonds. We were hardly married.”

  “Don’t think of them as divorce diamonds. I want you to have them, and not because I feel guilty about marrying you under Greyson’s nose. I would do it again in a heartbeat. I truly want you to have them.”

  “And the unfinished card?”

  “I said everything that needed to be said to Greyson on the flight back.” He glanced at me. “You know nothing happened between us that night, right?”

  “I had my suspicions, but I wasn’t sure.”

  “You can rest assured. Nothing happened between us. I never take advantage of women who pass out in my bed . . . especially my own wife.” He smirked.

  “Good to know. I’m sure that will make your real wife feel better.”

  “You’re my real wife. Well, at least for a few more days. If you care to fool around during that time, I wouldn’t say no.” He laughed when I playfully elbowed him in the ribs.

  “I meant Gwen,” I said, eyeing him for a reaction. I still didn’t know what to think of Gwen.

  “Gwen?”

  “Yes. Gwen Miller. Your wife.”

  Ian paused. “Gwen was here?”

  Maybe she really is Ian’s wife, I thought.

  “She introduced herself as your wife and helped look for the necklace,” I said. “Are you okay? You have an odd expression.”

  “My wife?” Ian coughed. “No. She’s not my wife . . . she’s a thief.”

  “A thief? As in stealing your heart, right?”

  “A jewel thief, to be precise.”

  “She took the necklace from us right before the Sierra Leone thugs showed up. Thank heavens she didn’t leave with it. I had a feeling I couldn’t trust her, but she didn’t do anything to warrant the mistrust.”

  Ian paused again. “How long was the necklace in her possession before the Sierra Leone men showed up?”

  “Not too long. Maybe ten or fifteen minutes.”

  His head fell back with a dry laugh. At my confused expression, he finally explained, “She stole the diamonds.”

  “But I saw the men take the necklace.”

  “I guarantee she’d already switched the diamonds.”

  “But how?”

  “It’s one of her many skills. She only goes after expensive pieces that she can replicate. Most victims don’t know they’ve been stolen from until the piece is appraised for insurance or sale. It’s not the first time she’s stolen from me. I have a feeling it won’t be the last.”

  “How do you know her?”

  “She visited my diamond mine one day.” He shook his head as he remembered. “A beautiful blonde out in the middle of nowhere. She looked as if she owned the land she was trespassing on. I hate to admit it, but I was too enthralled to question. She stayed for dinner and disappeared the next day with a pocketful of rare diamonds.”

  “Back up the train. You have a diamond mine?!”

  “I’ve owned it for a few years. It’s a small mine that doesn’t yield many diamonds. However, what we do find is extremely rare.”

  “How many people work for you?”

  “I hired one family. There are twenty-two of them, and they take care of almost everything, including my estate and land. Even the grandma has her job of scolding me and then feeding me.”

  “Why does she scold you?”

  “I couldn’t tell you since she speaks an old dialect, which, for the life of me, I can’t understand. I just smile and eat. And then she gives me a pat on the head and scoots me out the door. God, I love her,” he said with a fond smile.

  “So the necklace was yours?”

  “It was commissioned,” he explained. “I started hearing rumors of an uprising. When the courier didn’t pick up the necklace, I knew someone else would be knocking down my door. We shut down the mine, and the family crossed the border. I flew home with the necklace for safekeeping.”

  “Will the family return?”

  “Of course. We have a good working relationship and depend on each other. They’ll be back in a month or two.”

  “Why did they have to leave? Is it dangerous?”

  “We don’t want our diamonds to become blood diamonds. Government takeover requires money. The easiest access to funding weapons is with diamonds. It’s safer to shut down and leave.”

  “Did the rebels get the fifteen million?” I asked, feeling sick at the thought of bloodshed.

  He smiled. “We escaped before the exchange.”

  “So, the government has a fake necklace and the rebels don’t have ransom money,” I thought out loud. “It’s perfect. But will they come back for the necklace . . . or you?”

  He shrugged. “I’ll lie low and see what happens. But I’m sure they’ve already found their next victim.”

  That wasn’t too comforting. But at least neither party had the necklace or the cash, and the Millers were back home.

  “The sunset is beautiful,” he commented. “For a few days, I feared I might never see one again.”

  “I’m glad you’re home to see it,” I said with a smile.

  Ian glanced toward the hotel. As he looked back at the sunset, I noticed a glimmer in his eye. Perhaps it was just the sun’s reflection. That’s what I thought until he leaned over and whispered into my ear, “Do you want to see how much he likes you?”

  I turned toward him in confusion. “Who . . .” was all I could say before Ian planted a kiss on my lips. It was firm, but brief and unaffected. He pulled away with a wink right before he hopped up and ran across the beach.

  I was left sitting in the sand in utter confusion until I saw Greyson storm by, chasing after Ian. I watched as they raced down the beach. The waves and breeze swallowed their hollers.

  “Would you look at those two idiots,” Frankie said, not knowing he was referring to Greyson and Ian. He plopped down next to me and grabbed the bottle.

  “What happened to leopard pants?”

  “I found out what Muffin told him. She’s no longer my wingman.”

  “Do you need me to fill in?”

  His eyes brightened. “Really?”

  I eyed the two idiots who fell into the water as they wrestled. “Yep. Nothing to see here.”

  Chapter 25

  The next night, the last night of vacation, Frankie sniffled into a tissue as he stood on the beach in front of a handful of family and friends gathered to witness Mya and David renew their vows under the stars, surrounded by candles tucked into the sand. He hiccupped as he recited the ceremony passages by heart. Frankie wasn’t the only one sniffling. Even Muffin was discreetly wiping her eyes on her sleeve.

  The simple and enchanting ceremony was planned in less than twelve hours. I had received Mya’s frantic call at eight in the morning, ordering me to get out of bed for a shopping trip. The shopping trip took an entire day; we raced from store to store to find the perfect dress. I begged her not to shop for shoes since we’d be on the beach anyway. Then it was off to the salon.

  Then to a family dinner.

  A Miller family dinner.

 
I sat between Mya and Ian, dodging Greyson’s glowering stare.

  It was worth it, I thought, as I watched David and Mya standing at the edge of the water, gazing into each other eyes. As he leaned his weight on his good leg, he took Mya’s hands into his with a tender smile as she spoke to him.

  “David, when you’re far away, it feels as though my heart travels with you. It has belonged to you since we first met. It will always be yours no matter how far away you wander, no matter how long you’re gone, and no matter how much I hate it. I love you with all my heart. You’re my past, my present, and my future. You’re my everything.”

  “Mya, you are my light; my beacon. On those days when I never thought I’d survive, to the nights filled with nothing warm but my memories of you, you kept me safe. You kept me going. You are my one love. My only love. When we are parted, I only want you. And when we’re together, I only see you. You are my everything.”

  Frankie sniffed into his damp tissue as he attempted to finish the ceremony. “Oh, to hell with it,” he sobbed. “Just kiss your wife, dammit!”

  I quietly chuckled at Frankie as Mya and David kissed to a spattering of applause. Glowing paper lanterns were set free and floated up to the twinkling sky.

  “Nice ceremony,” I said, handing tissues to Frankie.

  “Nice?” he questioned. “It was beautiful! Did anyone take any pictures? I need a copy for the website.”

  “Drinks are on me,” David called, leading Mya to the hotel.

  “I’m in!” Muffin said, plowing past.

  “The night is still young,” Ian whispered in my ear. “We still have plenty of time to make Greyson angry. Did you see the way he nearly launched over the table at me during dinner?”

  “You were playing with my hair,” I said. “You really shouldn’t tease him. I’m already on his shit list, and you’re not helping.”

  Ian paused to eye me quizzically. “You really don’t see it, do you?”

  “See what?”

  He shook his head. “Greyson’s jealous. He’s never been jealous about anyone . . . until you.”

  “No. He’s mad,” I said, watching Greyson cross the beach alone to the hotel. I knew he wouldn’t be at the bar with the rest of the wedding party.

  “I have that effect on him,” Ian said with a lazy smile. “You might have heard a few stories about me. I’m a horrible brother to Greyson. He was always so perfect and worked hard for whatever he wanted. He was always focused on school or work. The perfect son. As the imperfect younger brother, I could hardly resist the temptation to vex him. I’d steal his girlfriends just to get a reaction.”

  “It sounds like you didn’t try to resist at all.”

  “True. But it never worked. The most I received was an annoyed glance.”

  “He didn’t care?”

  “If he did, he didn’t let it show. I never expected him to wrestle me into the ocean yesterday.” Ian grinned. “I’ll remember that until my dying breath. Did I tell you he forced me to sign the divorce papers your lawyer sent to him?”

  “He did? You signed them?”

  Ian nodded. “You are free. I would have signed them for you either way, but I didn’t make it easy on him. I stalled until David had to break us apart.”

  “David is injured. He shouldn’t have tried to break you apart.”

  “Have you seen him? He’s built like an armored truck. He did more damage to us.”

  “Perhaps you should retreat to separate corners for now.”

  “He’ll have plenty of space to retreat for a while. I have a plane to catch.”

  “You’re leaving so soon?”

  “For a good reason.”

  At my raised brow, he said simply, “To catch a thief.”

  * * *

  I awoke early the next morning to walk on the beach for the last time. The peaceful waves rolled on the sand and over my feet. I’d miss the beach, but after a long and turbulent vacation, I was glad to go home. With a final glance at the ocean, I turned with a sigh and headed to the hotel.

  Frankie said if we headed out early enough, we might be able to ditch Muffin. It weighed on my conscience. However, another ten-hour car ride with her might make me do something I’d regret.

  I can’t strand her, I thought as my shoulders slumped over.

  My phone chirped. Reading the text from Caleb, heat spread through me.

  Tonight’s the night, kitten. My house. Midnight.

  My phone chirped again.

  Don’t forget to pack an overnight bag. :D

  I quickly typed my reply.

  Did you forget . . . I’m going to win! Pack a bag filled with money for me to take home. See you soon. :-P

  I grinned as I headed to the hotel.

  “It’s about time you got back!” Muffin scolded from the parking lot. “We’re ready to leave.”

  “You’re awake? I thought for sure after last night you’d be sleeping until noon.”

  “A few martinis won’t stop me,” she said. “I already found my new husband!”

  “Where is he?”

  “Right here,” she said, yanking him from the car. The man clutched her mighty fist, attempting to wiggle free. “Hurry up and get Frankie. We need to cross the Nevada border so Frankie can marry us legit.”

  Frankie strolled out the front door with leopard-pants man. Frankie smiled and boisterously laughed at something the man said.

  When Frankie spotted me, he scurried over. “Change of plans,” he said under his breath.

  “I see that. Are you bringing leopard pants home with you?”

  “Yes. He wants to see Vegas, and I thought I could flaunt him around while Mark’s serving his two weeks.”

  “That’s ridiculous. Just admit you like Mark.”

  Frankie sniffed. “I refuse to admit to a lie. Anyway, now that Muffin is bringing a husband home, there’s no room for you in the car.”

  “I thought we were leaving her here.”

  “As a single woman, she’s a nuisance. But as someone else’s wife, she’s his problem.”

  “He’s from here. He doesn’t have a home in Vegas. Where are they going to stay?”

  Frankie blanched. “Oh. I didn’t think about that. She’s going to want to stay at your place with him. Drat! She’s done it again!”

  “Get her out of the car this instant.”

  He eyed Muffin and deflated. “Just lie low for a while.”

  “I have to live somewhere. What about Gus?”

  “I’ll take care of Gus.”

  “What about me?”

  “Do I have to think of everything?” he huffed. “Just be thankful I found you a ride home.” He pushed a piece of paper at me that had a phone number jotted down.

  “Who did you pawn me off on? Let me think . . . a serial killer; maybe you booked passage in the monkey cage of a traveling circus . . .”

  Frankie waved me off. “You’re being dramatic again. Just call the number. You’ll thank me later.”

  He bustled to the car and hopped in. I watched as Lucille bounced around until everyone was in their seats.

  I sighed and glanced at the phone number. Well, maybe the person was only a little crazy. I can deal with that . . . I’m surrounded by crazy. I called the number and waited.

  “Hi,” a voice greeted. I knew the voice; it was warm and soft. It was the voice that drifted through my dreams every night.

  I turned to find him walking out of the hotel, his molten gray eyes fixed on me.

  Greyson.

  “Hi,” I returned the greeting as he stepped close.

  “Frankie told me there was a damsel in distress.”

  “Not distressed. Just stranded.” I pointed to Lucille’s packed quarters.

  His hand lifted to tuck a lock of hair behind my ear. His fingers trailed my neck and throat until he had to consciously pull away.

  Muffin wrenched her door open and climbed out. “That’s it! I’m sitting in back. How can I get a moment’s peace with you tr
ying to leap from the car every two seconds? This is dreadful on Bear. Riding in back makes him carsick.” She looked over at Greyson. “Hey, do you got handcuffs?”

  “No,” he answered, perplexed.

  “I thought all you rich men in suits were kinky bastards. I read. I know what I’m talking about. I’m sure you have handcuffs.”

  “He doesn’t have handcuffs. But the police do,” I added, deterring her from continuing.

  She slid a glance at me. “That’s cold,” she said, yanking out leopard pants and climbing in the backseat with her future husband. Leopard pants ran to the front seat and hopped in.

  “Would you care to fly home on the jet?” Greyson asked me, amused by the spectacle.

  “Yes!” I answered, thrilled not to have to ride in the backseat with a carsick Muffin and her escaping fiancé.

  As Frankie backed out of the parking spot, he hollered out the window. “Good luck tonight. I hope you win!”

  Greyson’s glance slid from Frankie to me. “Do you have a tournament tonight?”

  “Well . . . it’s . . . I,” I stuttered.

  Muffin leaned out her window. “It’s with that man that redid the floor.” Muffin’s eyes glazed over. “See if he’ll do it shirtless like when he did the floor. In fact, have him swing by my apartment tonight. I think there’s work that needs to be done.”

  “You’re not moving into my apartment,” I warned.

  “You’re going to lose anyway,” she stated. “I might as well use our apartment while you’re gone.”

  “Gone?” Greyson asked, his eyes calculating threads of the story.

  Frankie’s eyes widened as he began slowly pulling away. “I’m sure she’ll be fine. Caleb has to lose eventually, right? And it’s only for a year. I’m sure she’ll win.”

  Greyson turned to me in understanding. His eyes glinted. “You wagered with Caleb again? What are the stakes?”

  “A million dollars against a year with Nadia,” Muffin answered. “Personally, I think he’d rather have a real woman like me.”