“This will go a lot better for you if you tell us what you know,” Miles said helping Beau to his feet.
“I don’t know where she is. He told me if I had the chance to grab her. I tried. I did.”
Street prowled closer, menace in every stride and Beau shrank back.
“I didn’t mean for any of this to happen. Things just got out of hand.”
“I have a deputy who can take him back to the station.” Miles led Beau outside.
Street ran a hand over his head. What now?
Clapping echoed behind him and he whirled. Kyle lounged in the doorway wearing a smirk.
“That was well played, I must say.”
Street drifted his gaze over the smaller man, trying to place where he knew him. It slid into place. The man used to work at the spa and was one of Auggie’s friend, the one Na’arah didn’t like. Kyle’s jeans appeared damp from the knees down. Unease settled in the pit of Street’s stomach. A gold button dangled from a long thread on the left sleeve. He checked the other arm, two buttons. Unease kick-started dread.
“Looks like you’re missing a button.”
The man inspected the offending sleeve, then shrugged. “I guess I am.”
“Maybe it’s in the spa somewhere.” Street scrutinized the other man. Sweat beaded on his forehead. “I could help you look for it.”
A scowl “N-no. That’s not necessary. I’ll just replace it.”
He nodded.
“Why you lookin’ at me like that?”
“Why are you paranoid? It’s not like you killed anybody.”
Strained silence filled the space.
“Now why would you say something like that?” His gaze never left Street’s face.
“Because it’s true.”
The door banged open, but Street stayed focused on Kyle.
“He took Na’arah!”
Street grabbed Kyle by the lapels and slammed him into the wall. “Where is she?”
“Who?”
Another hard shove.
Kyle laughed. “You can do that all you want. I know my rights, but if you’re willing to deal I could give you a clue.”
A singular snap and Street glanced out the corner of his eye. Zee held a switch blade. He flashed a mirthless smirk.
“Nobody hits my sister and she already knows I’d do time for her. So tell us where she is and you may get to go to a men’s penitentiary.” She held the pointy end just at Kyle’s crotch.
Damn, little sister didn’t play around.
A flash of concern flickered through Kyle’s irises. “You gettin’ a little too close with that sticker.”
“Where is Na’arah?”
“Where’s the money?”
The box Street had given to Miles. This was all about the Hack House money. “At the police station.”
Kyle sneered. “Then I guess you better get it if you want to know where she is.”
Zee rotated her wrist.
“Ow! Hey watch it.”
“I am.”
The door banged open. In one fluid motion Zee closed the switchblade and dropped it in her pocket. If Street hadn’t been watching he’d have missed it.
“I thought we just had this conversation, Street.”
“He wants the money in exchange for Na’arah’s location.”
“The more we debate this, the less time she has. It would be a shame for such a pretty girl to die.”
Street released Kyle and shoved him toward Miles.
“What are you doing?” Zee grabbed a handful of Street’s shirt, desperation in her eyes. “He hasn’t told us where my sister is.”
“I know where she is.” He removed Zee’s hands from his shirt, then looked her in the eye. “I promise I’ll bring her home.”
****
So cold. Na’arah had never been so cold in her life, yet it didn’t really seem to be happening to her. She’d long since stopped shivering and she knew that was bad, but why she couldn’t remember.
The water seemed warmer as gentle waves lapped at her breasts. Her eyes fluttered closed and she had trouble of keeping them open. The lull of rest and comfort was a powerful attraction. Every now and then she’d make a feeble attempt on the ropes suspending her arms above her head, but she was too weak to do more than quiver.
Her one regret was not getting to spend the rest of her life with Street or raise their baby. She’d never know what it was like to hold her baby in her arms. A wave buffeted her body and set the chains to clanging. The sound registered from faraway as if she was looking down on someone else’s life.
The water touched her chin. Why couldn’t she have a little more time? Dark and alone. That’s how Kyle said she would die. In the dark and alone. She hated the dark. Why couldn’t there be a little bit of light, like now?
She blinked. Light bounced around. She was hallucinating. Had to be. Water skimmed her earlobes. Dim voices reverberated in the darkness. One last breath and she was completely submerged.
Chapter Sixteen
Security and warmth surrounded her. Low voices filtered through her consciousness. Someone was holding her hand and stroking her hair. The caress was intimate, familiar, like she was loved. She snuggled closer into the strong embrace while inhaling a familiar woodsy scent.
A heartbeat thudded beneath her ear and the murmur of sensual smoke wrapped around her heart. She strained to hear what he was saying.
“Please. Come back to me. I love you.” The whispered plea tore at her heart and urged her to comply.
“I love you too,” she sighed. She had to be dead if Street was saying he loved her. He’d never say those words if she were alive.
Tender kisses rained over her lips, her eyes, her cheeks, infusing her with a sense of belonging she’d never felt before. She clung to him afraid to let go, afraid to open her eyes. What if it was all some terrible dream and she was still underwater.
“No!” She jerked upright, struggling in the arms which held her.
“Shh, I’ve got you.”
Na’arah bounced her gaze around the room. White sterile walls held equally stark cabinets and a beige curtain. Beeping that seemed to keep pace with her erratic pulse filled the air. The wall mounted television played, but no sound was heard. Finally she rested her gaze on the man holding her.
She lifted a hand and smoothed her fingertips over the scar near his eyes, down his stubbled jaw to trace his full lips.
“I never thought I would see you again,” she whispered.
He palmed her cheek, brushing a tear away with his thumb. “I did too. From now on you stay with me.”
She lowered her head. She couldn’t stay with him anymore, not if he couldn’t say the very words she needed to hear or even trust her about the baby. The baby!
As if sensing her thoughts he captured her hands. “You’re fine. The baby’s fine.”
She sagged in relief. “Since I’m here maybe they can do the DNA test.”
He shook his head. “Too risky.”
“Oh.” She tried to look away, but he held her fast.
“I love you, Na’arah and I want to be there for you and our child.”
Maybe she was still sleeping. She stared at the bandages on her wrist and the IV taped to the back of her left hand.
“Look at me, sweetheart.”
She lifted her gaze and stared into light brown eyes full of love and promise.
“Nothing else matters but you.”
“But you...”
“I was wrong and foolish. When I think about how I almost lost you and our baby, I couldn’t let another day go by without telling you how much I love you.” He smoothed her hair from her face. “And yes,” he skimmed a hand down her still flat stomach, “this is our baby. No test required, or if it makes you feel better I can wait until the baby is born.” He slipped his hand in his pocket and removed a ring. “Either way I want you and my child with me where I can keep you safe.”
He gently pushed the ring onto the third finger
of her left hand. Na’arah stared at the chocolate diamond solitaire. The emerald cut stone was framed in tiny white baguette diamonds, nestled in a white gold setting. Her vision blurred as she stared at the jewelry, too overwhelmed by his love and acceptance.
She clasped an arm around his neck and held him close. “You do. You already do.”
Epilogue: Five Months Later
“Oh my god! How many times do you have to pee?” Zee demanded. She draped the beaded lace train of the ivory wedding dress over her arm and away from the dingy bathroom floor.
“I can’t help it. This baby has been tap dancing on my bladder all day,” Na’arah said, washing her hands at the sink.
“You really could’ve waited until after you had the baby to get married.” Zee huffed and lifted the gown higher when the hem threatened to skim a questionable puddle.
Na’arah stared at her sister a moment. “Are you serious? Did he say that?” She dabbed at the tears burning her eyes. “I knew it. He doesn’t want to marry me anymore.”
“No. Oh crap. Arah, I was just—honey—please don’t cry. I’m sorry.” She snatched a couple of paper towels from the holder and carefully wiped the tears away. “I got a little frustrated. Street can’t wait to marry you. He’s standing at the altar. Looks positively fabulous. I promise.” She drifted her gaze over her sister. “This is like the fifth bathroom trip and you haven’t even walked up the aisle yet.” She glanced at her watch. “And you’re late for your own wedding.”
She inspected her make-up. Satisfied that it didn’t need repairing, she faced the younger woman. “I’m so weepy and it’s driving me crazy.” Ever since Street had declared his love, there had been no stopping him. He’d thrown everything he was into making her happy and that included planning a wedding while he ran his bar. He even helped get the spa back into shape.
“Well that’s what you get for flirting with the bartender. Now come on before he thinks you’ve gone into labor.” Zee held the door open and once they were safely on the carpet, she rearranged the gown. “There. Perfect.”
Na’arah wrapped her arms around her sister in a fierce hug. “If you hadn’t been here, I couldn’t have gotten through this without you.”
Zee returned her tight embrace, the little one kicking between them. They broke apart, chuckling. “Seems like the baby agrees.” She patted Na’arah’s belly, then wiped her eyes. “You look absolutely beautiful.”
“Thanks, sis.”
Music swelled and with one last glance at her sister, Zee grabbed the arm of Miles, the best man, and started up the aisle. Miles leaned close.
“Does she know?”
Zee shook her head.
“Do you plan on telling her?”
“Afterward, but it would sound better coming from the both of us,” she whispered from the side of her mouth.
A half hour later the wedding party spilled into the bar.
“She totally makes a beautiful bride.” Miles handed Zee a glass of champagne and commandeered the chair next to hers. He draped an arm along the back of her chair.
“She does,” Zee agreed and sipped the alcohol. “I guess I can’t have any more fantasies about the bartender.” A mischievous smile quirked her lips.
Miles laughed. “New brother-in-law. I suppose that would make bedtime dreams a bit awkward.” He trailed her fingers along the bare skin of her shoulder, and a ripple of desire fluttered through her veins. “Does that mean you haven’t a man to keep you warm at night?”
She set her glass on the cloth covered table and met the man’s curious eyes. “I do, but he’s bossy and doesn’t have much of a sense of humor.”
He smirked, flicking an appreciative glance over her wavy shoulder-length hair, over the low cut slinky dress she’d chosen to wear to the reception. His gaze lingered on the swell of her breasts, made a little fuller by the push up bra she wore.
Zee bit the inside of her cheek. In one glance the man made her feel exposed, as if she wore nothing at all. She fought the urge to primp and pose. No other man had been able to do that. Any other time she and Miles would be at each other’s throat, but ever since Auggie’s funeral they’d come to a compromise.
A mutual one where they ended up in each other’s arms and bed. Now that her sister was safe, knocked up and married, she could focus on her own relationship.
He traced the ink on one of the tattoos ringing her bicep. Desire crackled and snapped through her veins.
He placed his mouth close to her ear. “Are you sure she won’t mind?”
Her nipples tightened as his lips grazed her earlobe, while her juices clung to her thighs.
“She’ll be happy for us.” How long did they have to stick around before they could leave. Maybe they could sneak into the office for a quickie. She crossed her legs against the ache. There was no way they’d make it to either of their places.
As if sensing her thoughts, he chuckled.
“What?” She feigned innocence.
The heat of his arm encompassed her shoulders. “I can make that a reality.”
She winged a brow. “Really?”
“Are you wearing any panties?”
“I never bother with those irritating things.” She placed hand on thigh. The material of his slacks was a little coarse as she slid her palm upward until her fingertips brushed his erection. There she caressed him. “What about you?” She held his gaze, daring him to stop her.
Arrogance stared back at her and a thrill raced down her spine. He would retaliate and she sucked in a breath, thinking of all the naughty things he’d do to her.
“You know exactly what I want.” His voice dropped to the husky purr that riddled her every fantasy.
From the corner of her eye, a man in a disheveled uniform approached. She fought down disappointment. “Heads up.”
Miles glanced around.
“Sheriff.” The deputy greeted.
“What?”
Irritation colored his tone. Whether it was from being interrupted or the sloppy way the deputy was dressed, Zee couldn’t be sure. She looked closer. Not sloppy, like he’d been in a fight. The man’s name tag was missing as were a couple buttons from his shirt. A bit of blood streaked his collar and his jaw looked a little swollen.
“He got away.”
Miles straightened.
Zee gasped.
“I called in everyone else, but sir, Kyle Adams has escaped.”
“Ohmigod.” Zee watched Street twirl Na’arah around the dance floor and then looked at Miles. “We can’t tell them now. I mean look at them. They’re so happy.”
Miles twined her fingers with his. “We’ll let them have this dance, but we’ll have to tell them.”
Zee bounced her gaze from the couple on the dance floor, to the man at her side. She picked up her purse, reassured that her switchblade was inside. Standing, she slung the chain strap over her shoulder and tugged Miles to his feet.
“Fine, then we dance too.”
He nodded and led her to the dance floor. As he swept her into his arms, all Zee could think about was the promise she made to Auggie before he died. She rested her head on Miles’ shoulder and breathed in his familiar scent. It did nothing to dispel the knot of tension in her stomach. Somehow she had to keep her promise, even if she lost Miles.
The End
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Other Books by W. Lynn Chantale:
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Author’s Note
One of the really cool things about writing is finding inspiration in different places. On a tour of Hack House, (yes it’s a real location) I learned of the Sugar Scandal, of how Henry C. Freund, (or Friend) and his wife, Olive conned Investors out of millions of dollars to for an electric sugar refining process that would process sugar faster and easier. However there was no process, just the Freunds’ idea of a noisy machine and bags of purchased sugar.
In Street Safe, I hint that money was left behind or hidden in Hack House
. This is purely fictional. From the research I’ve done and speaking with one of the Friends of Hack House, the money from the sugar scandal was invested in purchasing and remodeling the home. Hack House was later sold to a relative and is currently held by the Milan Historical Society. Check out their website here; http://www.historicmilan.com/m2_hack_house.shtml
And for more information on the Sugar Scandal as it’s known about the town of Milan, Michigan check here http://www.museumofhoaxes.com/hoax/archive/permalink/freunds_electric_sugar_fraud
I even learned that one of the original stock certificates for The Electric Refining Sugar Company was up for auction and sold for $50. How cool is that?
If you’re ever in the Milan, Michigan area I urge you to visit Hack House, it’s a little walk through history and the house has some amazing artwork and decorations. Definitely worth a visit.
If you enjoyed this book, you may also like:
Most Eligible Bachelor by Empi Baryeh
Far From the Usual by Avril Ashton
Riding the Storm by Delilah Hunt
Evernight Publishing
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Street Safe Page 16