Rescuing Riley: The Gold Coast Retrievers, Book 2

by Alexander, S. B

  But a speeding ticket had a lower penalty than breaking and entering.

  Tanner gripped Josh’s arm. “Let’s go.”

  “Please. Can I at least call my girl?” Josh pleaded one more time.

  “You’ll get your phone call down at the station,” Tanner said.

  As soon as they were outside, Josh’s head darted to where Riley had been parked, but there was no car. He searched up and down the street to no avail. Even the black SUV was gone.

  Chapter Eleven

  Riley knew what she was doing was crazy and dangerous, but she had to follow the black SUV. The car had taken off about a minute after Josh had gone into Liza’s apartment. Riley figured she could find out where they were going before Josh came out.

  She wasn’t an expert on how to follow someone, but at that point, Riley didn’t care. All she wanted to do was find her friend, even if that meant the two men were leading her into a trap. Maybe then she would find Liza.

  Riley was three cars behind the black SUV on a narrow city street that was as steep as a roller coaster, with the bay in the distance. The sun was setting, and if it weren’t for the pretty scenery, she would’ve probably puked from the way her stomach pitched and rolled. She kept pumping the brakes as she made her way down the hill.

  Charlie sat in the back seat, seemingly enjoying himself.

  The SUV turned left just as the light changed to red.

  Feeling helpless, Riley banged on the steering wheel as she came to a complete stop. Suddenly, she wanted to cry. Liza was missing, and she had no idea if Liza was all right.

  After what seemed like hours, the light finally changed, and Riley blew out a breath, staving off the tears that were ready to spill if someone looked at her the wrong way. When she made a left on Geary, the black SUV was nowhere in sight. Tears streamed out, hot and fast. Her stomach was ready to heave the coffee she’d had that morning. Now that she was thinking about it, she hadn’t eaten all day.

  Riley felt as if she were in a time warp or a bad movie. She pulled over into a spot in front of a coffee shop. Charlie stuck his head in between the seats and panted in her ear. She reached around and scratched his jaw. Then he licked her face. As if that were all she needed, Riley giggled through tears.

  “Thank you,” she said to him. “We should call Josh.”

  At the mention of his Josh’s name, Charlie barked.

  The line went to voice mail. Riley redialed. Again, no luck. Maybe Liza’s place didn’t get great cell service.

  “Josh, I’m sorry, but I had to follow the black SUV, only I lost them. I’m headed back to Liza’s to pick you up.”

  Riley typed Liza’s address into the navigation system in the car. She was about to merge into traffic when her phone rang.

  “Riley,” Josh said, sounding relieved. “You’re all right.”

  “I’m fine. I’m lost, but good. Charlie is fine too. I’m sorry, but I wanted to follow the SUV. I lost them, though. Any luck on Liza?” Riley didn’t think Liza was at the apartment like Taylor had said.

  “No, but I need you to come down to the San Francisco police station and pick me up. I’ll explain when you get here.”

  It took Riley over an hour to get to the other side of the city. She wasn’t a great driver, even though she lived in one of the busiest cities in North America. She mainly took the train in and around Boston, although her job as a wedding planner had her traveling to the suburbs, which she always dreaded because of rush-hour traffic.

  Construction plagued her through several streets with red lights and stop signs. The sea of pedestrians gave her a warm feeling that she was home despite the steep hills that were making her woozy.

  Once Riley finally found the police station, it took her another twenty minutes to find a parking spot. By the time she walked into the station, her nerves were fried to a crisp.

  Josh was waiting for her in the lobby, and wow! She wanted to run and jump into his muscular arms, kiss his thick lips, stare into his forest-green eyes, and run her hands through his sandy-blond hair. More than anything, she just wanted to feel his arms around her and have him tell her everything would be okay and that they would find Liza alive and well.

  But her vision of him embracing her was shattered when Charlie wagged his tail and ran to his owner. Josh squatted down and greeted him, peppering kisses all over Charlie’s ears and nose.

  Please do that to me. What Riley wouldn’t have given to have that kind of attention.

  As if the universe had heard her, Josh rose, smiled so wide that her heart jumped a mile, and swaggered over to her.

  Riley clasped her hands in front of her so he wouldn’t see that she was shaking. Then his large palm landed on her cheek. He leaned in and whispered in her ear. “Thank God nothing happened to you.” He sounded as though he would’ve died if something had.

  On that thought, she melted into a puddle of water. She’d only been in California for twenty-four hours, and her life had changed drastically. She was afraid when her vacation was over, she would turn into a pumpkin. She wasn’t living the life of Cinderella with Liza missing, but Josh was definitely treating her as if she was a delicate flower, and she was absorbing every moment in his presence.

  He edged back. “Now, about you taking off to follow that car. That wasn’t the smartest thing to do.”

  Riley wasn’t about to argue. It was stupid on her part because she had no idea what she would’ve done if they’d led her into a trap. “Were you arrested?”

  “No. The cops showed up and thought I broke in to Liza’s. But they cleared me. I also filed a missing person report. They have my contact info. So they’ll call if they come up with anything.” He grabbed Charlie’s leash then wrapped his arm around Riley. “I think it’s time we relax for the night.”

  Riley wasn’t sure she could relax or sleep. She had to do something to search for Liza. But what? That was the million-dollar question.

  They walked out as the city lights brightened and the sky darkened. A chill hung in the air, and Riley shivered.

  Josh pulled her tighter to him.

  She snuggled as much as she could against his rock-hard body, inhaling his masculine scent and enjoying the hold he had on her. She felt protected and like she wasn’t alone on this crazy roller-coaster ride. Despite her worry for Liza, Riley was beginning to feel something for Josh. If she were being honest with herself, she was both scared and excited. She did want to settle down and have kids. She did want someone like Josh, who was caring and a gentleman. She also wanted a man who was accepting of her, flaws and all. She felt as though Josh could be that guy.

  But. There was always a but. Riley wasn’t ready to get her heart broken again. Not that Josh gave her any vibes he was a cheater. It was more the long distance between them that would cause the damage.

  She was getting way ahead of herself. She had a best friend to find first. “There’s got to be something we could do to find Liza.”

  “Rest is the best thing right now. Otherwise, we won’t be worth much if we’re tired. I have to check on my dad too.”

  Riley’s heart broke at the mention of his dad. She’d had a chance to talk to Mr. Bandon the night before. He’d shared that he had been diagnosed with ALS shortly after his wife died, and each day since, he’d lost more and more of his ability to hold a cup, help himself up out of his wheelchair, and even eat.

  Josh and Riley strolled to the car that she’d parked a block from the station.

  “Do you think a room at the inn might be available tonight for me?” She’d intruded enough on him and his father.

  “Not cool on staying with my dad and me?” Josh asked in a playful tone, but underneath she got the impression he was disappointed.

  When they got to the car, Riley handed him the keys. “With the time change, I would only be up early, and I don’t want to wake anyone.”

  “We’re booked solid. I doubt we’ll have a room.”

  Maybe it was best to stay with Josh and his d
ad. At least they would keep her company and get Riley’s mind off of Liza.

  Chapter Twelve

  The weekend came and went with no sign of Liza. The SFPD didn’t have any leads either. Josh and Riley checked in with Taylor several times, but she hadn’t heard from Liza since Friday, which was four days ago, the day the cops had dragged Josh down to the station. Josh had racked his brain since he and Riley had questioned Taylor, trying to remember if Liza had ever mentioned anything about her former employer or anyone she’d dealt with recently that might have frightened her. But Josh had nothing.

  Riley had to extend her trip. She didn’t want to leave until she knew Liza was safe.

  Josh waltzed into the restaurant at the inn. Riley had found a corner table near the window that overlooked the Pacific. Her black-as-night hair was tied up on top of her head. Gold-looped earrings dangled from her ears, and her long neck appeared smooth as silk. Josh itched to drag his fingers over her skin.

  He slid into the chair across from her.

  She typed furiously on her laptop, completely absorbed in what she was doing.

  Josh cleared his throat. “I think it’s time you take a break.”

  She’d been working nonstop on her computer for two days in between helping Josh with his dad. Josh had protested that she didn’t need to do anything around the house, but she’d insisted.

  “If I’m going to stay with you, I need to earn my keep, and helping takes my mind off of Liza,” she’d said.

  Dad was loving the fact that there was a lady in the house, and one he was trying every which way to set Josh up with. Josh couldn’t blame him. Secretly, Josh wanted him to do what he could, like put in a good word for Josh with Riley, although Josh had a feeling Dad didn’t have to do that.

  Josh had found her stealing looks at him in the mornings when he walked into the kitchen. He would do the same to her when she wasn’t looking. She seemed so at ease and at home around the house. It was as though she belonged there.

  Stop getting ahead of yourself.

  The only good thing about Liza missing was that Josh got to spend time with Riley and learn her little quirks, like when she stirred sugar in her coffee, she went clockwise and then counterclockwise before setting down the spoon. Or she tugged on her earlobe when she was telling him about how she and Liza had often talked about opening up a dress shop together where Liza would design dresses, wedding ones in particular.

  Aside from all that, Josh’s stomach tumbled endlessly anytime he was around her like at that moment. As he stared into her luscious gray eyes, they mesmerized him.

  She stopped typing. “I might have to fly back to Boston. I don’t want to, but the longer I stay, the more behind I’ll get, and then I’ll have some angry clients.”

  “I’ll call the SFPD again today. Maybe we should talk to Grayson to see if he’s heard any more activity in her apartment.” Josh had no doubt that if Liza was home, she would’ve called or even shown up at the inn like she had been scheduled to the week before. “For now, let’s go for a walk. Drake has things covered here. My dad is taking a nap in between watching Netflix.”

  Riley sighed. “I could use a break.” Suddenly, a tear trickled down her cheek.

  Josh reached over and grasped her cold hand. “Hey, we’ll find Liza.” He wasn’t so sure about that, but the only conclusion he could come up with was that Liza hadn’t been kidnapped by Moretti’s men, not if they were stalking her apartment.

  Riley squeezed his fingers. “I can’t imagine what has happened to her. I keep going over it in my head. My brother, Ross, tells me that Stefano’s arraignment is tomorrow. I can’t help but think that maybe Stefano is trying to shut up all his employees, past and present, until his trial is over. I mean if no one testifies against him, then there isn’t a case.”

  “That would depend,” Josh said, “on what kind of evidence the law has. They may not need anyone to testify.”

  She flicked a button on her computer then began reading. “It says here that Stefano’s lawyer believes the prosecution has nothing on his client.”

  Josh pushed to his feet then circled the table and grabbed the back of her chair. “Come on. A break will do you good. Charlie could use a walk as well.”

  She didn’t protest as she closed her computer.

  After Josh grabbed Charlie, the three of them strolled down Main Street, passing stores and other establishments.

  The air was cool. The sun was shining, and tourists were window-shopping like they were, or like Riley was.

  A bridal shop had caught her attention, one that was for sale.

  Charlie sniffed around one of the many pear trees on the street. Josh tugged lightly on the leash then joined Riley. A mannequin stood tall inside the window, wearing an off-the-shoulder cream-colored wedding dress.

  Riley hooked her arm around Josh’s. “I noticed the inn hosts weddings.”

  “We have. We don’t do many. When my mom was alive, we did more.”

  She stared at the window, her mind so far away.

  A group of bikers pedaled by. Cars passed slowly.

  Before Josh knew what was happening, Riley’s small, cold hand was clutching his. “If you don’t mind me asking, what happened to your mom?”

  Josh glanced at their connection and swallowed hard, mainly because he wanted her so badly, not because she’d brought up his mom. He thought about Mom all the time, especially when he saw a bride. His mom loved weddings.

  “Shortly after I was discharged from the Navy, she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. She died shortly after she found out.”

  Riley squeezed his hand as they both fixated on the wedding dress. “I’m sorry for your loss.”

  A pain gripped his chest. Dad and Josh hardly spoke of Mom. It was still too painful for both of them. But holding Riley’s hand seemed to ease the pain.

  “I don’t know how long I can stay, but if you need my help or advice on wedding planning for one of your guests, I would be happy to chip in.”

  Josh kissed the back of her hand. “Thank you.”

  She blushed as she pointed at the For Sale sign in the window. “Do you know why the shop is for sale?”

  “Business has been slow for the owners. Actually, since we cut back on weddings at the inn, we haven’t had the draw in town. The big tourist attractions are hikes into the redwoods, whale watching, fishing, and outdoor sports like zip-lining.”

  She lifted up on her toes, pressed her lips to his good ear, and whispered, “This would be a great place to open up a dress shop.” Her tone was excited and sultry, and because of that, an inferno lit inside him.

  Josh was about to do something he’d been dying to do since she’d walked into the inn—kiss her deeply and passionately. But Charlie nudged Josh’s free hand, breaking the hold Riley had over him.

  “A man is saying hi to Charlie,” Riley said.

  Josh turned and found Dr. Keller, the town veterinarian and Charlie’s doctor, waving at them as he hurried into Sweets and Treats, the local bakery that served delectables for both humans and dogs.

  Josh returned the wave then gave Riley his full attention again. He didn’t kiss her because the spark had died for the moment, although he was a million percent sure the need to pepper kisses up and down her beautiful neck, face, and body would hit him hard again.

  But right then, he had a burning question for her. “Back to the bridal shop. Are you saying you would move to California?” Please say yes.

  She gave him the most heart-stopping smile. “Maybe.”

  Josh would take a maybe. Maybes were good. No, they were great. This called for a celebration. The sign for Cup of Joe’s poked out in the distance. “There’s a diner down the street that has some good coffee. Why don’t we grab a cup, and I’ll fill you in on Redwood Cove and what we have to offer.”

  She giggled. “You like that I would move here.”

  Like wasn’t the word Josh would use. “Might as well have all your facts to be able to make a
decision.”

  “I only need one fact.”

  Josh cocked an eyebrow when his phone vibrated against his leg. He was tempted to drop the nuisance piece of metal into the trash can, but it could be the SFPD. He dug the phone out of his pocket and answered it.

  “Josh. Oh my God.” Taylor sounded rattled. “Two men from Boston were here, asking for Liza. They’re with the FBI. I told them you were looking for her too. They’re on their way to see you.”

  “Did they tell you anything? Why they wanted to talk to Liza?”

  “No. The only thing they said was that she could be in danger and to call them if I hear from Liza. I’m scared, Josh.”

  The woman was frightened for sure. Yet something was bothering him. “Did you lie to Riley and me about talking to Liza that day we were at your place?”

  She was breathing heavily as though she’d been running. “I promise I told you the truth.” Taylor didn’t strike Josh as the type to be involved in anything bad.

  “Did the FBI say when they would be here?”

  Riley’s jaw came unhinged.

  “They left the office well over an hour ago.”

  Depending on traffic, the agents could’ve been at the inn as they spoke.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Riley jogged back to the inn, her heart racing, her body sweating, and her mind sifting through all the scenarios of why the FBI was looking for Liza. There was no doubt Liza was in danger. Riley could feel that in her bones.

  Regardless, she was fighting with one thing at the moment, and she wanted to laugh at herself. She was so out of shape. She wasn’t fat, but she wasn’t thin either. She was extremely critical of her body. If there were one physical attribute Riley could’ve changed about herself, it would’ve been her stomach. She was always envious of Liza, who could eat anything and have a flat stomach. But if Riley even looked at chocolate, her stomach seemed to grow. Despite her hang-ups, she was thankful she was wearing flats and not heels.

  When Riley, Josh, and Charlie reached the parking lot of the inn, Riley bent over to catch her breath. Josh and Charlie didn’t even seem to be panting. She made a mental note to start back on her treadmill when she returned home to get her heart in shape if nothing else.