Perfectly Toxic

by Kristine Mason

  Guilt made her nervous stomach queasy. “It’s too late now. They’ll be here any minute.”

  “Warn him.”

  “Back off. I know Cash. He’ll be fine.” She hoped.

  Damn it. She honestly planned to tell Cash about ATL and how they were going to look into what had happened to Noah, along with Ian’s interest in the case. But Noah had been such a wreck. They’d finally talked him into going to the hospital. Of course, once he was there, nurses and doctors had immediately assumed he was a user and on a bad trip. And it was quite possible Bobby didn’t know his friend that well, and Noah was hallucinating. But that didn’t add up. Bobby had been there when Madeline had chosen Noah and Troy to go with her, and the Noah she knew didn’t do drugs. Fortunately, Harrison had distracted one of the nurses with his cute smile and witty charm—that she hadn’t realized he possessed—long enough for her to snag a vial of Noah’s blood. Whether Ian’s people could do anything with it or not, she didn’t know, but the opportunity was there, so she’d taken it.

  She could have told Cash about ATL after they’d left the hospital, but selfishly wanted another great evening with him. And they were having a good time, up until an hour ago. That had been when Lola had called to let her know they were coming. To tell Cash now would only set him off to the point where he might be rude to Lola. An excuse on her part? Maybe. Or maybe she wanted to be surrounded by other ATL agents when Cash learned what she’d been up to during the past ten months.

  They could reassure him that she hadn’t ever been in real danger. Not really. Well maybe the one time when—

  “Thinkin’ about me,” Cash murmured against her ear, then pressed the cold beer bottle along her neck.

  She shivered and grinned. “I was thinking about later.”

  He skimmed a finger along the straps of her sundress. “I’ve been thinking about your bikini.”

  She took the beer from him. “Maybe we’ll have to go for swim,” she said, keeping her eyes on his as she took a drink.

  “I’m going to throw up,” Harrison said, and walked over to where Dolly lay on a blanket near the corner of the patio.

  “What’s his problem?” Cash asked.

  “Maybe the two brats he ate weren’t cooked through,” she suggested.

  “Or maybe I don’t want to know what you two are going to do later,” Harrison said. “I’m not invisible and have excellent hearing. Either you two don’t care what people hear, or you’re oblivious to your surroundings when you’re in the same room together.” He looked around the backyard. “Or just together, period. Whatever. You know what I mean.” He stroked Dolly’s head. “If Mel wasn’t Mel, it might be kind of hot. Like watching the beginning of a crappy, soft-core porn movie.”

  She looked to Cash, who burst into laughter. She did the same, and walked toward Harrison. “I’m sorry I gross you out and that we act like porn stars.”

  Harrison chuckled. “I said the beginning of a porn movie. I don’t want to see either of you in action.” He shook his head and looked at her. “You’re like family. That’s what grosses me out.” He frowned. “That didn’t come out right.”

  “Works for me,” Cash said, sitting on one of the patio chairs. “I like the brother-sister angle. It saves me from having to kick your ass if I feel slightly threatened.”

  “Like he could feel threatened by me,” Harrison said quietly, his head down as he continued to pet the dog.

  Mel took another drink and studied Harrison. She realized she—maybe no one from ATL—hadn’t given him the credit he’d deserved. Since no other man compared to Cash, she’d never looked at Harrison in any way other than…well, Harrison. Vlad’s little buddy. ATL’s computer guy. But if her heart hadn’t belonged to Cash, she could see how women would find him attractive. She liked her men tall, and Harrison had her by almost a foot. He was lean, but muscular. Svelte came to mind. While she preferred Cash’s short hair, Harrison’s longish, thick brown hair would be something fun to run a hand through. Too bad she didn’t have any girlfriends. A woman could knock the block off Harrison’s shoulder, and also help give him and Vlad some space.

  The doorbell rang. Harrison looked up at her, his eyes wide with concern. She took another quick sip of her beer. “No worries, honey.” She forced a smile. “Mel’s got this covered.”

  He gave Dolly a final pat. “You need to seriously stop doing the Vlad thing.”

  “I have it.” Cash rose from the chair. “It’s probably Jude. He said he might stop by.”

  Mel met him at the patio door. “It’s not Jude.”

  The doorbell rang again. This time Dolly gave a tired bark.

  “How do you know?”

  Her stomach swarmed with angry hornets. “Harrison and I called in a couple of people we know to help with Noah. I’m going to need you to be open-minded about them. Can you do that for me?”

  He grinned. “No problem, babe. You know how laid back I am.”

  When it suited him. “Great,” she said. “Then I’ll just get the door.”

  He kissed her cheek. “Hang out with Harrison. I got it.”

  “You should go with him,” Harrison said from behind her.

  “I should.” But she made no move. She might’ve screwed up this time. Instead of chickening out, she should have been upfront with Cash. Now she’d have to deal with his temper. She took another sip of beer. Would there ever be a day they didn’t argue?

  ****

  Cash made his way to the front door. He hoped whoever Mel and Harrison had invited over didn’t stay too long, and took Harrison with them when they left. He had plans for his wife.

  He opened the door. The dying sun silhouetted the shapes of three people, one who was blowing out a stream of smoke.

  “Hi, I’m Lola.” An Asian woman with long black hair pulled back in a ponytail, stepped into the foyer, offering her hand. She had a pretty smile and carried herself like a dancer. “We’re here to see Mel and Harrison.”

  “Cash.” He shook her hand, and stiffened when the other two men followed behind. The guy who had his long, dark-blond hair slicked back was an inch shorter than Cash, with a similar build, and maybe weighed a little less than him. Either way, Cash could take him if needed. The other guy, who’d just snuffed out his cigarette on the front porch, might be a different story. The man with short white-blond hair turned a broad shoulder and ducked his head as he stepped into the foyer. When he straightened, Cash realized the man wasn’t that much taller, but damn if he wasn’t huge. With his massive arms and chest, Cash wasn’t sure how many blows he could take from this guy. Not that he planned on fighting anyone. These people were friends of Mel and Harrison. Nope, he just liked to be prepared.

  “Cash, this is Shane.” Lola introduced him to the slicked-back hair guy. “And this is—”

  “Vlad,” the big guy said with a thick accent, and shook his hand. Based on the name, Cash was going to go out on a limb and guess the man was Russian. “Where Harry?”

  Yeah, definitely Russian. “He and Mel are on the patio. Want something to drink?”

  “Vodka,” the Russian said.

  Shane shook his head. “I’m good. I gotta fly home.”

  “Where’s home?” Cash asked, leading them to the backyard.

  “Everglades City.”

  Cash stopped and glanced over his shoulder. Two of his three new guests stared at him with concern and confusion. The Russian looked angry enough to chomp on broken glass.

  “You flew in from the Glades?” Cash asked, keeping his temper in check. Mel had some serious explaining to do. “Do you do charity work for the homeless?”

  Lola’s brow rose. “No.”

  “Then you must work with drug addicts.”

  Lola cleared her throat. “Do you think we can talk with Mel and Harrison, please? Oh, and I’ll take a water, thanks.”

  He would not wait on these people or leave them alone with Mel and Harrison until he knew exactly who they were and why they were here. Mel wa
s up to something. He’d sensed it earlier at the garage. At first, he’d thought Noah’s outbursts had upset her. Then, once they’d taken him to the hospital, she’d relaxed and he had blamed paranoia over their marriage for making him see things that weren’t there. Just last night they’d set everything straight between them. He was going to marry her again, give her the wedding and honeymoon she deserved. He was going to try his damnedest to be the husband she needed. Now he knew he wasn’t paranoid, he was right.

  “Sure,” he said, opening the patio door. “Mel, your friends are here.”

  Mel walked over wearing a forced smile. He knew his woman, immediately noticed the fear in her blue eyes. Who the hell was she afraid of? Them? Or him?

  “Hey, y’all,” she greeted them. “I take it you met Cash.”

  Just Cash, not my husband, Cash. So much for straightening everything out between them.

  Lola nodded. “We did.” She looked over Mel’s shoulder. “Hi, Harrison.”

  “Lola, Shane,” Harrison said, but ignored the Russian.

  The Russian’s frown deepened. “Harry no talk to Vlad?” He shrugged a shoulder. “That fine. Harry bore Vlad to crying anyway.”

  “Whatever, dude. Why don’t you go smoke a carton of cigarettes and play in the swamp with your stupid gator?”

  “Why do not Harry pull stick out of ass?”

  “I’ll pull the stick out, then hit you upside the head with it. Maybe it’ll knock some sense into that Russian brain of yours.”

  Damn, did Harrison have balls. Cash couldn’t believe the man was provoking Vlad.

  “Boys, enough,” Lola said, then gave Cash a tolerant smile. “Sorry about that. I don’t mean to be rude, but I’m really thirsty.”

  She was trying to dismiss him. In his own house. He hooked his fingers in the front pockets of his jeans. “I’ll get right on that. First, let me see if Harrison or my wife need anything.” He turned to Mel. “Babe, need another beer?”

  Her plastered smile fell. “Don’t be mad.”

  “Who said I’m mad?”

  “The nasty look on your face.”

  “You used that line yesterday, I’m seeing a trend.”

  “Is this a joke?” Shane asked, irritation in his tone.

  “Our marriage is a laugh a minute,” Cash responded.

  “Vlad call shit of bull. Mel have no husband.”

  “Mel?” Lola stepped forward, looking confused and upset. “Is this true?”

  Mel nodded.

  “But what about…” Lola glanced to Shane, then quickly looked away. “When did you get married?”

  Jealousy rooted itself deep in Cash’s chest. He stared at Shane, and wondered just how good of friends he and Mel were. “Three years ago,” Cash answered, then turned to Mel and nodded toward Shane. “Are you fucking that guy?”

  She cringed. “God, no.”

  “Nice,” Shane said.

  Cash ignored the man and stared at Mel. “He seems a little upset that you’re married.”

  “That’s because I’ve known him since we were kids. Shane and his brother, Ryan, who is Lola’s fiancé, are like family to me.”

  “Family you don’t trust.” Shane shook his head. “Ryan’s going to be thrilled when he hears about this. Does Barney know? Did you at least tell your daddy?”

  “Daddy knows, Barney doesn’t.”

  “That’ll go over well, since it’s normal for a woman to marry a guy no one has ever met, and not tell her uncle and brothers.”

  Mel pressed her hands to her temples. “I had my reasons. But I’m not getting into them now. Besides, you knew I was dating the repo man when I was living in Tallahassee, and you were in prison when I married him.”

  “I’ve been out for eight months. And you could have told Ryan and Barney.” Shane glared at Cash. “What’d he do to you?”

  She turned to Cash. “This is the other reason why I didn’t tell anyone about us.”

  “Because you thought your family would head to Tallahassee to kick my ass?”

  “I hoped eventually we’d get back together and didn’t want them hating or resenting you when that happened.” She glanced to Shane. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. Or anyone else. You and Ryan always accused me of being too impulsive. I wasn’t when I married Cash, but I was embarrassed that I couldn’t make our marriage work.”

  Guilt erased any traces of jealousy. Cash wrapped his arms around her. “You didn’t do anything wrong. I wasn’t man enough to step up. I’m sorry this is coming back to haunt you now.” He touched her cheek. “I got your back, though.”

  Her smile filled his hand. “I love you.”

  “I love you, too.”

  “Christ.” Shane let out a sigh, and shoved a hand through his hair. “I’m glad I have witnesses, because I never thought I’d see the day when Melanie Scarlet told a man she loved him.” He grinned, then stepped over and offered his hand to Cash. “Belated congrats, man. Next time I’m around, we’ll have to have a few beers. I’ve got some stories about Mel you might like to hear.”

  Cash chuckled. “Sounds good to me.”

  “Not to me. And the last name is Maddox,” Mel said, then gave Shane a hug. “I’m sorry. Please don’t say anything to Ryan or Barney. Let me be the one to tell them.”

  “You got it.”

  “Ice Cream Lady woman of many secret. Vlad impressed.” The Russian wrinkled his forehead. “Vlad have confusion.”

  “Why’s that, honey?” Mel asked.

  “Lola have confusion, too.” Lola crossed her arms. “Did you tell Cash?”

  “Tell me what?”

  “I warned you, Mel,” Harrison said.

  “Tell me what?” Cash repeated, wondering if the Russian was right and Mel was a woman of many secrets.

  “I didn’t tell him,” Mel said. “Even if I did, Cash can be trusted.”

  Frustrated, his temper rising, Cash turned to Vlad. “Talk, and I’ll get you the vodka.”

  “No,” both Mel and Lola said in unison.

  Cash shrugged. “Then anyone who isn’t a Maddox can’t get out of our house.”

  The Russian chuckled. “Vlad like Repo Man.”

  Lola rubbed her eyes, then dropped her hands and released a breath. “This entire conversation has gotten way out of control. It’s time to rein it in. Cash, your wife works for me.”

  “Right. At the ice cream shop.”

  “At a private investigative agency.”

  Cash grinned. “Mel’s a PI? Okay, what else you got for me?”

  “Our agency is real, but we’re operate around the system so we’re not exactly legit.”

  Good God, the woman was dead serious. He froze. His heart rate rose and his chest tightened.

  “When Mel and Harrison called about Noah and their suspicions of what had happened to him, I notified my boss,” Lola continued. “He’s kind of a big deal in the legit world of law enforcement, and he’s interested in investigating Madeline. One of his agents is arriving in the morning.” She looked to Harrison. “She’s bringing the GPS chip.”

  “GPS chip for what?” Cash asked, still trying to soak in that his wife worked for this woman—and not in the way he’d thought.

  “Harrison is going to go undercover as a homeless man. With any luck, this woman Madeline will come back to Hope House. Most criminals like to return to the scene of the crime. In this case, I wouldn’t be surprised if Madeline makes a return to ensure that the police aren’t aware of her. If she’s bold enough to go for a couple of new victims, hopefully she’ll take Harrison. We can find out where she lives, then go from there.”

  “Sounds like a simple enough plan,” Cash said, when on the inside he wanted to pick up the patio table and smash the glass door. “I like it.”

  “Good.” Lola eyed him with caution. “The agent will be here around eight. We need to drive Shane back to the airport, and check into our rooms. Is Harrison staying here?”

  “I have a room and can use a lift,” Harr
ison said. “If this works, I’ll need the rest.”

  “Harry need head examination.”

  “Don’t start, Vlad,” Lola said. “We’ve been over this before. Harrison is perfect for this job. Nothing is going to happen to him.”

  Harrison shook his head. “Like Vlad gives a shit.”

  “Harry right. Vlad give no shit. Get killed to prove Harry big tough guy. Дура,” he finished in Russian.

  “What did you call me?”

  “Stupid fool.”

  “Enough,” Lola shouted. “Please.” She shifted her gaze between Cash and Mel. “Should we meet here or at the hotel?”

  “Here is fine,” Cash said, shocked and disturbed by the emotions running through him. Anger should have been the top dog. Although pissed, he was…hurt that Mel had kept this secret agent crap from him. A sense of betrayal was there, too. After all the hell she’d put him through for his job, and she’d been walking a dangerous edge the entire time.

  When Mel left the patio to walk the others to the door, he went to Dolly, didn’t bother to hook her back into her wheelchair, and lifted her into his arms. He carried the dog inside, then laid her on her bed in the kitchen next to her water. He’d noticed his girl had been eating and drinking less, and sleeping more each day. He stroked the fur behind her ear. Dolly would leave him soon, too.

  “Is Dolly okay?” Mel asked softly.

  “Just tired.” He stood. “I am, too.”

  “Yeah, it’s been a long day.”

  “That’s not what I meant.” He left the kitchen, and headed for their bedroom.

  She caught up with him in the hallway. “Then what did you mean?”

  “I’m tired of this.” He motioned between the two of them. “I’m tired of the lying and the secrets. You want a divorce. No problem.”

  Tears filled her eyes as she shoved him against the wall. “Is it really that easy for you?” She shoved him again. “Maybe you’re right. We should officially split. I don’t want a man who’s going to up and walk the moment things don’t go his way, or when he can’t control every situation.” She wiped her tears with her hand, and drifted her gaze over his body before meeting his eyes. “I need a man who can handle me.”