Chapter 14

 

It was a deep intuition that made Keisha know that Etienne was going contact her and by just after noon, so said so done; but not in the way she had expected.

She had just come from a bathroom break when placed on a movable tray just on before her desk was a tray covered with a gleaming silver cloche. She had stilled for a moment before approaching the tray and with trepidation picked up the neatly folded card against the covering.

Inscribed in the card was; ‘I remember how you work too hard and have too little play; have this on me and indulge yourself for once.’ Signed under it was a flourished, ‘E’.

Sighing she pressed the back of her hand to her forehead and wondered what it would take for Etienne to stop. It was clear that he wanted something but what was that?

She was sure it wasn't money; God knew the man had enough of that. Aside from granting him her ‘forgiveness', she was sure that he would be a mad man to expect that she would sleep with him; so, what was he after?

Lifting up the cloche the aromatic smell of chicken Jambalaya surged up in her nose. The large platter of yellow rice and chicken pieces with the beautiful accents of green peppers, onions, celery, tomatoes and hot chili peppers, was a favorite of hers.

How the hell had Etienne find a Cajun restaurant in the middle of Charlotte she didn’t know but what she did know was that she wasn’t going to eat it. She needed to find a way to get him to stop.

Crossing around the desk she sank into her chair with an inordinate heaviness. She cast a look at the door and sighed, it made no sense to get angry at Lila because she knew the PA had only thought it was another kind gesture and it was her fault for not letting on that Etienne’s gifts were not really welcome.

She needed to take this issue up with Etienne himself. It was only a matter of time for him to call her and when he did she was ready for him.

 

*****

“Tick tock,” Hunter sighed as he looked at the clock for what seemed like the thirtieth time. Eight hours ago, Jackson had told him about setting the trace and it was barely inching to five now.

It seemed like time was deliberately taunting him, hanging the prize right in front of him but not allowing him to reach up and snatch it.

Speaking of a prize- Hunter ran his palms over his face; Keisha was definitely as a prize. The woman was everything Hunter had wanted in a partner; strong and confident, able to hold her own in a battle of words, wits, and wisdom. She was independent, secure and so goddamn hot.

Her body was like something out a fantasy. Her figure was a delight to look on, her face was defined and had all the proportions he admired, but there were two parts of her face he was obsessed with; her eyes and her mouth.

It was completely fascinating how her golden orbs glinted when her emotions, whether filled with humor, anger or even sadness. It was also similarly fascinating how her full and kissable lips moved with those emotions too; they sported a pout when she was displeased, a smirk when she was amused and how they were bitten when she was nervous.

Hunted didn’t know which he preferred; just as he didn’t know how hard he was going to kiss them when he finally broke through his mental blockage.

This morning when he had left her bed, it had taken him a lot to not put her on her back, strip her clothes off her and make love to her. And there was no confusion about those words, ‘making love’. They had passed from having mere sex to something deeper, something with more substance.

Every time he looked at her or even thought about her, something in his chest warmed. Keisha was a prize alright and he would be a goddamn idiot to let her go.

 

*****

 

The soft rings of her landline had been expected hours ago and Keisha took the handle up knowing who exactly was on the other line. Just after receiving the meal Keisha had told Lila to patch Etienne through whenever he called as she was going to make sure he knew his place with her; resurrected feelings be damned.

“Hello?” Keisha made sure to keep her voice level and calm.

“Bonjour ma belle,” Etienne said smoothly, “How did you like the jambalaya?”

Crossing her legs under her desk Keisha replied, “That’s what I need to speak to you about Etienne, I understand that you’re happy with the mend between us but this, giving me all these gifts, is not okay.”

“I sense that you’re not pleased but I’m only trying to be friendly; you know that's how I am from ever since," Etienne replied. "I always loved to demonstrate my affection for the people I love.”

'Love'? What the hell?

"Etienne," Keisha said stiffly, "Please, get this straight-”

“Would you meet me at the Freedom Park this night, about seven," Etienne cut in, "To my surprise, the conference wrapped up quicker than I expected and it's the last night I have in town. Tomorrow I have to drive back to my home and I won't be this side for months.”

Hearing that put Keisha on the horns of a dilemma; on one hand she wasn’t sure about meeting her ex in a place that was known as the lover’s retreat but on the other hand, it was the last time she would see him for a while.

She should just bite the bullet and get it over with. “Okay… I’ll be there.”

“Très bon,” Etienne almost purred, “I don’t think you’ll regret it.”

 

*****

 

He was coming from getting another cup of coffee when the phone on his desk blared alive and after a startled moment Hunter snatched it up.

“Blake,” he said.

"I cracked it!" Jackson said hurriedly, "I cracked it, Detective."

Frowning a bit in confusion Hunter asked, “Cracked what?”

“The name!” Jackson said with his voice almost trembling, “Stephen Wood, it’s an alias. I ran it through some scrambling engines and it came out 'Etienne Dubois'. Stephen is English for Etienne and Dubois is derived from an old French word that means 'wood'."

“Holy shit,” Hunter snarled, “That goddamn son of a bitch; I knew it was him. Jackson; where is that engineering conference in town, give it to me now!”

“One second...” Jackson said.

As the furious typing was in his ear Hunter was mentally picturing hauling the bastard into the interrogation room and throwing the whole library at him. Hunter wanted him buried so deep that not even God could lift him out.

“…. It’s at… the Harris Conference Center.” Jackson replied. “Not less than fifteen minutes away.”

With the phone cradled in his shoulder Hunter could only grunt his answer while grabbing his gun and jacket, “Thanks Jackson, keep on that trace. I’m going to get that asshole.”

Those parting words grated Hunter grabbed his keys and half ran to his car. It was time to collar this guy.

 

*****

 

A steady stream of curses was continuously being muttered under Hunter’s breath as the traffic inched forward. He had been trapped in the lines of traffic on the highway. Why in God’s name did he choose to drive on Kenilworth Ave where the heavy traffic was always on?

He was sorely tempted to put on the sirens but if he was dragged before the IA for another of his ‘urgency' but not for any ‘official business', like going after an armed gunman or a domestic dispute, there was no question that the officials would give him another citation.

So, with teeth grinding so hard it was a miracle he wasn't swallowing enamel coated dust, Hunter bore the holdups until he got to the center.

The burnt wood exterior of the grand building and didn't put Hunter off as he pushed the door open a made a beeline for the receptionist desk. A line of people was there but there was no way he could stand in line so he flashed cut into the top of the line while flashing his badge and instantly grabbed the receptionist attention.

“Detective Hunter Blake of the CM P.D, ma’am where is the engineering conference happening?”

The woman eyes had gone startled for a moment but then she calmed. “I’m sorry sir; that conference closed about three hours ago. Everyone from that meeting is gone.”

It took every bone in Hunter’s body to not let out and aggravated snarl but he managed to keep his voice in check, “I need to know where a Mr. Etienne Dubois is staying.”

“Sir,” The woman, Jessica by the name on her tag said calmly, “I cannot give that information out without a warrant. Our company has a strict privacy rule which I cannot break without losing my job.”

Damn it. Leaning in Hunter said evenly while digging his wallet and plucking out a card, “Jessica, please, this is a life and death situation. This man is dangerous and unpredictable, I have strong reason that he will try to harm a woman who was previously involved with him. Please, give me that address and I will defend you in whatever problems that might come up. I swear on my life.”

Jessica looked indecisive for a moment before she took the card, nodded and tapped her console and in a few moments offered, “I’ll hold that to you. He's staying in the Courtyard by Marriott Charlotte City Center.”

Internally, Hunter cursed; that was a seventeen-minute drive and it was six-thirty-five and god knows the man could have already slipped town. But he still had to try.

“Thank you,” Hunter said spinning on his heel and striding out.

 

*****

Twenty-three minutes later Hunter pulled up to the hotel and left the car running as he took off to the lobby.

A few people stepped out of his way as he got to the receptionist’s desk and slammed his hand on the table. The perfectly dressed woman behind it jumped and before she could say anything Hunter railroaded her.

“Detective Blake of the PD, I need Etienne Dubois’ room now and I really don’t have time to deal with any red tape.”

She swallowed hard and tapped her keyboard, “…. Um…his room was ‘301’ but it won’t do you any good; he checked out three hours ago.”

“Damn it!” Hunter snarled only to make the woman jump once more, “Do you know where he went to?”

“I- I don’t sir, I just came on shift but Jason might know, he was the one on duty,” She said scrambling for the phone, “I hope he hasn’t left…”

Every second that passed made the tension in Hunter’s gut grow stronger, by the time she was connected to someone; his blood was pumping his ears.

Dimly, he heard her asking if Jason had left and when it was clear he hadn’t e hears her telling the same someone to tell Jason to come to the foyer as it was an emergency.

By the time Jason came rushing into the foyer Hunter didn’t have the time or the patience to be formal with him.

"Do you know where Etienne Dubois went?" Hunter snapped. At the man's bewildered expression, he tersely said, "Tall, dark-skinned, flashy and has a Louisiana accent, does that ring a bell now?”

“Oh,” Jason replied as his eyes lit up in realization, “Oh him, yes…he asked me for directions to a park with ponds or lakes because he has some romantic rendezvous planned, I told him Freedom Park had one and they-”

The only things that registered in Hunter's ears were a lake and romantic. Etienne was going to kill Keisha.

"Damn it!" Hunter half shouted as he ran out of the room and back to his car.

With his heart in throat Hunter grabbed his phone and called Keisha, her phone rang out to voicemail.

The word ‘no’ was a frantic mantra in his head as he rushed to the car and jumped into the running vehicle. Hunter hadn't asked but he knew that Keisha had a soft spot for this man and if he pulled some shit like them having a last rendezvous, she would go. A macabre image of seeing Keisha's dead body floating on the water sprung behind his eyes. It felt like pins and needles were stabbing his gut as he sped off in the dark.

 

*****

 

As she pulled up in the park’s parking lot another wave of insecurity swamped Keisha. The lights were up and the park seemed calm enough but she still wasn’t sure; that was why her Glock was sitting in the bottom of her handbag.

A few other cars were in the lot and a few people, couples as expected, were seen drifting through the bushed and strolling over the imbedded walkways.

The fairy light coming from the spaced-out lanterns rendered the whole area like a fantasy land. The light flitted over the plush bushed and the open flowers and highlighted the tiny dewdrops on the blades of the deep green grass.

Sighing, Keisha stepped out and wrapped her sweater around her tightly and grasping his handbag closed the car behind her. She scanned the lot once and the spotted Etienne leaning in the hood of his car just a few feet away from a light pole.

With a stoic emotion on her face Keisha walked to him and when she was about ten feet away he looked up and saw her. One of his trademark smiles crossed his face as she came closer and then he moved away from the car.

through

“Thank you,” Keisha said quietly, “So what do you want to talk about?”

Etienne glanced over his shoulder and then back to her, “Not here darling, there are too many prying ears, let’s walk a bit.”

“O… okay,” Keisha said while tightening the beige sweater around her, “Lead the way?”

She was prepared but not ready to feel Etienne drop his arm around her shoulders and steer them down a lit path.

They passed a few other couples who had eyes only for themselves as they meandered through the bushes. Keisha even pointedly turned her eyes away from a couple who were kissing against a tree. On the woman’s finger whose hand was wrapped around the man’s neck she spotted the glint of diamond engagement ring,

Her mind instantly pictured her and Hunter in the same position and hopefully with the same reason.

God knew that she just wanted to get this slight indulgence over and go back to Hunter.

Etienne led her to the lake’s edge and they walked down the bank of the dark water. A cool breeze was blowing from the lake and the chill made her unconsciously press herself into Etienne for warmth.

A motion that from the pleased smile on his face as they strolled down the walkway was very agreeable to him. A few more steps and she stopped them.

"I think this is far enough from the prying ears; don't you?" Keisha said as she turned while praying that seeing him in such a different atmosphere wouldn't affect her.

Even though Etienne's dark eyes were black pools brimming with deep emotions, Keisha managed to turn away.

“I do…” Etienne turned to her and brushed his knuckles over her cheek. “Would you believe me that the mere moments we had has reignited my love for you?”

Keisha looked at him with strong incredulity then laughed with a soft mocking tone, “I believe a lot of things about you Etienne but not that.”

“But it’s true love," Etienne said while grasping her shoulders, "And I felt like we had gotten somewhere… until that cop showed up.”

Keisha frowned, what the hell did Hunter have to do with what had happened between them? “I’m sorry, come again?”

“The detective,” Etienne replied, “He looks... I just don’t like how he looks at you Cherie, it’s like he’s stripping you with his eyes.”

Oh, how she wanted to tell him that Hunter had done more than strip her with his eyes. He had not only physically stripped her but given her some of the best sex of her life.

“Really,” Keisha replied, trying to play dumb, “What’s your reasoning for that?”

“I saw his eyes,” Etienne replies with his tone darkening into either jealously or anger, “I saw him look at you like you were nothing more than a slab of meat. I just… he just rubs me wrong Keisha…”

‘But he rubs me in all the right ways,’ Keisha thought instantly.

“…And I’d like it if you stayed away from him.” Etienne finished.

At that Keisha sat up in her chair with an incredulous expression on her face which then morphed into anger. Who the hell did Etienne think he was? What basis did he have to say something like that to her so blatantly and callously?

Her eyes narrowed, “Excuse me?”

“I said that I don’t want you around that cop again,” Etienne said with the clear misinterpretation that Keisha hadn’t heard him, “He looks like trouble.”

Now that had her blood boil and she pocked a finger into this chest, "Listen to me Etienne Dubois, if anyone looks like trouble, it's you and it is not your place to tell me who I should and should not hang around. You lost those privileges years ago! You do not have a place in my life permissive enough to even think of telling me that! A few days ago, you begged my forgiveness and I gave it to you but that was not a leeway to butt into my business! I am a grown ass woman Etienne and if you think so, tu es plain de merde!”

“Keisha,” Etienne gasped, fully cognizant that she had just told him that he was full of shit. “I’m only trying to protect you from men who only want you for your body. I meant no harm; I’m only trying to look out for you.”

"Well, your help is not welcome," Keisha spat, "Or even wanted, I make my own choices Etienne, not you. As a matter of fact, don't come to me at all if you insist on being such a bastard."

"Keisha," Etienne begged, "Please, believe me, I didn't mean it that way. I just don't want anyone to take advantage of you."

“You mean more than you did?” Keisha replied, “You know, for the past few days I really wanted to believe that you changed. I wanted to think that you were a better person and goddamn it, I actually felt some of my old emotions for you coming back… but this? Etienne, this isn’t okay. I cannot put you back in my life if you keep doing this.”

Etienne sighed, “I was hoping that you’d come to your senses and ditch him just as I was hoping it wouldn’t come to this…”

Keisha stepped back in strong wariness, “Come to what?”

In less than a few moments, Keisha was staring down the barrel of a gun, "Me, getting rid of you."

The words were uttered with cold calculation as the moonlight glinted off the silver of the gun.

“Etienne…” Keisha said slowly, “What are you doing?”

“About to kill you because you and that goddamn detective that you’re screwing are putting my business in jeopardy," Etienne said smoothly.

Then the dots connected, “You! It was you! God Etienne, you’re the one who’s framing me for money laundering!”

“I can’t believe you didn’t put that together already,” Etienne replied coldly. “For such a brilliant woman you’re incredibly blind when it comes to those who are close to you.”

“What the hell did you do?" Keisha asked while shifting her handbag into a position where she could grasp the handle of her gun through the soft material.

“Remember when you changed out your Dells for Mac’s after you decided that Apple had more programs to offer. Do you remember when I volunteered to see the move and I told you one of the comps got damaged, well, I took it and set up the account.”

“For who?”

“No one you’d know.” Etienne taunted.

 

*****

 

Just as Hunter pulled into the parking lot and saw Keisha’s car and at the same moment his phone rang.

“Yes!” he snarled while popping the inner handle.

“It’s Jackson, I sent the cops to the terminal where they used the bank card and withdrew the money. Two men from Hidden Valley Kings were grabbed, Hunter. They’re being carried in right now.”

“Good work but I have to go.” Hunter snapped before curtly cutting off the call. With light feet he ran to the direction of the lake, hoping that he wouldn’t find Keisha’s body.

 

*****

 

“If I’m going to die,” Keisha said evenly while the pond wind was blowing on her face, while trying to position the gun even more, "I think I have the right to know who is benefiting from my death.”

Etienne rolled his eyes, “So goddamn nosy, it’s the HVK, Keisha; happy now? Mon père worked with them and I just continued his legacy. Trust me, I don’t want to do this but I have to-”

What happened next happened in flash. From the corner of her eyes, Keisha saw some movement from the bushes and when that movement then materialized into a familiar body she screamed, “Hunter, no!”

A nanosecond later, a flying tackle took both Hunter and Etienne over the edge and into the water and then a furious struggle started. Fear literally cramped Keisha’s body

Etienne tried to gun-butt Hunter but the seasoned marine easily grabbed his arm twisted it behind him and forced him to drop the gun. Somehow Etienne slipped out of his grasp and lunged at him.

With her heart beating a mile a minute, Keisha dug into her bag and took out her gun in case Hunter needed some help.

The two men were wrestling in the water with deep grunts. The water was splashing so high that even if she had a chance to, Keisha couldn’t get a clear shot. She then she did what was best, she dug into her handbag, grasped her phone and called 911.

The operator started to speak but Keisha cut her off, “I’m at the Freedom Park and someone just tried to kill me, and one of your officers is in danger, you need to come here quick!”

The next three minutes felt like something out of a dream. One moment Etienne had his hands around Hunter’s neck and the next Hunter was dragging Etienne’s unconscious body out of the water.

While still trying to come to grips with the whole ordeal Keisha stuck her gun into the waist of her jeans and helped to drag the insensate man back on dry land. Hunter hauled himself up, turned Etienne on his belly and reaching for the handcuffs in his pocket solidly cuffed his wrists.

“Is he breathing?” Keisha asked when some of the adrenaline drained from her system.

While she said those words a dozen puzzle pieces fell into place. She was free from the crime, her reputation wouldn't be soiled, the bastard at her feet was going to jail and she was fully free to move on with her life.

“I really couldn’t give less than a damn,” Hunter said while digging his soaked cell out of his pockets. “Damn it, that’s the third one this year,”

“I already called the cops you know,” Keisha replied as they heard the faint sound of sirens in the air. “They’re on the way.”

Hunter's head twisted to look at her with an undecipherable before he stood, reached out and grasped her by her hand and then pulled her in, "So proactive, I knew there was a reason I love you."

He didn’t give the stunned woman a chance to respond to that bombshell as his mouth was suddenly on hers and a warm tongue flicked out against her lips. Without conscious thought, Keisha parted her lips and moaned deeply when Hunter slid his tongue in.

She had been kissed before but none, absolutely none, of those kisses felt like this. His normal intensity, now heightened by adrenaline was even stronger and his tongue surged deeper into her mouth with a ravaging intent.

Her hands were up and dug into his damp hair as the soul-stealing kiss continued. In moments, her lungs were burning for the lack of air, but she didn’t care even though her head felt so light. Hunter pulled back and she took a quick breath as his teeth closed on her bottom lip before he pulled away.

“God, I want you.” Hunter murmured on her lips, “Tonight, when all this is done I’m going to make love to you, like never before.”

They pulled away as one of the squad cars opened just as Etienne started choking out water at their feet. A man ran up to her and asked, “You were the one that called?”

Keisha nodded and nudged Etienne with her shoe, “And that’s the bastard who tried to kill me.”

"We'll take it from here," the cop said while hauling a half-unconscious Etienne to his feet. "You just need to come in a make a statement."

Hunter flashed his credentials. “I’ll take care of that; just don’t let the slimy bastard out of your sight.”

As a wet Etienne was shoved into the backseat of a cruiser, Keisha leaned on Hunter’s shoulder and looked up at him, “I’m not going to give a statement, aren’t I?”

Hunter’s lips quirked as he wrapped his arm around her and pressed a kiss to her forehead, “Oh yes you are…just in the morning…in the late- late morning.”

She quirked an eyebrow, "How are you going to pull that off?"

“The witness was traumatized and needed some time to get her head together at home." Hunter's face was serious like he was facing a judge, “And I couldn’t do anything but satisfy her needs…”

“And yours.” Keisha added slyly.

Hunter gave her a shark-like grin as his arm tightened around her, "You know me so well."

Keisha just buried her head in his shoulder and breathed deeply of the night air, “Yes, I do… and I love you too, by the way.”