Chapter 1

Angela had just barely stuck her head up into the attic door when she heard the knock. Someone was at the front door. Shit! What if it was Thomas? She tried to tell herself that he wouldn’t be knocking, but she had no idea what he would or wouldn’t do anymore. She’ll have to see what’s in there later. So far all she’d gotten a glimpse of was a wall that looked like it was papered in photographs. She wasn’t able to see what any of the photos were of, but that would have to wait. She scrambled to get the door closed when she heard the knock again. Once the attic was secured, she closed the closet door and then did a quick glance around Thomas’ room to make sure nothing looked out of place. She left the door to the hallway open like she’d found it and she hurriedly made her way into the living room.

“Who is it?”

“Angela, it’s me, baby. Are you okay?”

She breathed a sigh of relief when she heard Steve’s voice. At the same time she was reluctant to tell him about any of this. She wanted to know exactly what Thomas has been up to before she filled Steve in. If she told him what she’d found out today, he’d definitely go off on Thomas and reduce the chances of them finding out all of the facts.

She took a couple of deep breaths and pulled open the door. He looked so worried…and even at that, he was still freaking gorgeous. “Hey,” she said, doing her best to sound normal. “What are you doing here?”

“I called the office because you’re not answering your cell. Marg told me you didn’t come back after your doctor’s appointment…that you’d taken the rest of the day off. I was worried.”

She was touched once again by what a caring man he was. She laid her hand on the side of his face and when she looked into his green eyes she couldn’t help but think about the baby. It was the first time she’d let herself think about it since she left the office. Would Steve be happy about that? Wasn’t it just way too soon? She didn’t even know how it happened, she takes her pills religiously.

“Angela?” She realized that she’d been staring at him silently way too long.

“I’m sorry,” she said. “That was so sweet of you to worry and come all the way over here. I’m fine though, really. The doctor didn’t find anything,” she lied. “He thinks maybe I’m just overdoing things and not getting enough rest.”

He looked like he didn’t believe her, but he didn’t argue with her. Instead he said, “Then why aren’t you resting?”

“I did, for a bit. I’m feeling a lot better now and if I sleep too long, I won’t sleep tonight. Why don’t we go get some lunch?”

“Are you sure? Baby if you’re sick…”

“I’m not sick, I promise.” At least that much wasn’t a lie. She wasn’t sure exactly what she was, but sick wasn’t it. “I am hungry. Are you going to let me starve, or buy me some lunch?”

He smiled at her and in spite of all the crap she’d been dealing with, it still turned her insides to Jell-O. “Of course I won’t let you starve. What do you want for lunch?”

“I want a French dip with au jus, and steak fries,” she said with a grin. She grabbed her purse and steered him out of the loft, locking the door behind them.

“Phillippe’s?” he said. It’s the oldest sandwich shop in Los Angeles. Steve took her there for lunch one day and she fell in love with the French dip sandwich.

“How did you guess?” she said with a smile. As they walked towards the elevator she made herself a promise to put Thomas, the escort card and the secret room out of her mind for now. She couldn’t do anything about any of it at the moment, so what she was going to do was choose to enjoy her day with Steve.

They went to Phillippe’s and Angela got her sandwich and fries. She was surprised at how hungry she was, considering the day she’d had. She ate every bite and even a few of Steve’s fries. He seemed to feel a little better once they were out and he saw she was eating and seemed to be feeling okay. After they finished lunch, they walked over to Olvera Street hand in hand and went from kiosk to kiosk, looking at all of the beautiful, handmade goods, clothing and jewelry and everything in between. Steve kept trying to buy her things, but Angela insisted that all she needed was him. She meant it too. Just being with him calmed her down. Whatever was going on with Thomas was not good…she was ready to accept that now, but the more she obsessed over what it was, the more out of proportion things were going to get blown. Towards the end of the street they came to a kiosk that had bikes lined up all alongside of it. People were strapping on bike helmets and pads. Angela stopped to watch them and Steve asked her,

“Have you ever done this tour?”

“No, what is it?” she asked.

“It’s a bike tour…obviously,” he said with a smile. “They take you to the “undiscovered areas” of Los Angeles. It actually starts from Long Beach. The metro will take us there and then through the streets of Long Beach and back in this direction. It’s kind of fun…but only if you’re up for it. I know you’re supposed to be resting.”

“Actually, the fresh air is helping a lot. Maybe I’ve been spending too much time indoors. In Miami I ran every morning and walked every evening. I’ve gotten out of that habit here.”

“So what do you say? It takes a couple of hours.”

“I have a couple,” she said with a grin. Steve went up to the kiosk and took care of their registration. Half an hour later they were in helmets and pads and on their bikes following the tour guide. The air was pleasantly cool and Angela felt better than she had in a long time. It was also fun to see Steve on a bike. He was usually the epitome of the businessman. It was great to see a different side of him.

They stored their bikes on the train and sat down for the fifteen minute ride to Long Beach. From there, their guide Mark began the tour by leading them through some of the residential streets of Long Beach and pointing out where some of the more notable and “affluent” citizens lived. Angela looked over at Steve as the rode by the McAllister Mansion. He was listening attentively to Mark as if he’d never heard of the family before. She grinned…he’s so damned cute.

They went through an oil field which surprised Angela. She had no idea there were working fields in L.A. From there they found the L.A. River Bike path. Steve looked over when they stopped to wait for a light and said, “This will take us through a few of the more “questionable” neighborhoods in L.A. It’s safe, I’m sure the guide knows what he’s doing, but stick tight.”

He didn’t have to tell her twice. She kept her bike right next to his the whole time. The trail was pretty and looked more like they were deep in the woods than in the middle of the city for the most part. It smelled like pine and the squirrels chittered from tree to tree as the birds squawked above them. It was enough to soothe Angela’s soul, at least temporarily.

When they came out of the trees, they were in fact in a “sketchy” neighborhood. Angela looked at Steve with wide eyes and he said, “Are you scared?”

She grinned, “Nah, I was worried about you…poor little rich boy.”

He laughed. “I am a little nervous. Will you look out for me?”

“I’ll do my best. Just don’t raise that fine ass too high up off the seat in the wrong neighborhood. There may be little I can do.”

He laughed again and said, “I’ll do my best.”

Not long after that, they entered a long, dark tunnel. The bikes all had reflectors and Mark had a light, but it was still a little spooky. Angela wondered what they were doing there until Mark stopped and shone his light against one long wall. It was painted with a mural. Everyone got off their bikes to take a look. Steve immediately grabbed Angela’s hand and held onto her. He made her feel safer than anyone ever had and she was falling for him more every day. He led her further into the tunnel, away from Mark’s light. She wondered what he was doing, but she wasn’t frightened, only curious. Once they were a ways out he took a small flashlight from his pocket that was attached to his keychain and shone it on a spot on the wall.

“What is it supposed to say?” she asked him. There was a serious of crudely painted letters that didn’t spell anything at all.

“Look really closely,” he said, holding the light closer. When she saw it, she smiled.

“That is so cool!” Inside the letters were tiny little messages…all positive and inspiring as far as she could see. Each letter only had messages in one color. The first one was an “L” and all of the messages inside were red so at a distance it just looked like a giant red “L.” When you looked at it closely, it was a different story altogether. She was in awe.

“This one says, “Laugh every day, it’s like exercise for the soul.” I like that.” Angela was smiling as Steve moved the light to the next letter which was a big, blue “S.” She found a message and read it:

“Seek advice but never choose it over common sense.” He was moving the light onto the green “W” when they heard a sound on the ground. He grabbed her and gripped her tightly as he asked,

“Did you hear that?”

“Yeah,” she said, “It kind of sounded like a rat.”

She could barely make out his face in the dim light coming from his hand…but she could see that he looked distressed. “A rat?”

She giggled. He raised the light and shined it on her face. She giggled again. “Big, strong guy afraid of a little furry critter?”

He narrowed his eyes at her. “I’m not afraid…I’m…disgusted. They’re dirty.”

She laughed again. “You’re afraid.”

“Did you make that noise?” Angela laughed and he knew then she had done it. He tickled her up against the wall. “You punk! I wasn’t scared.” He was still holding onto her when they heard the sound again. His body jerked and he clutched her tighter. “Damn it!” he shone the light on the floor. There was nothing there but some trash. “What the hell is that?”

She put her mouth close to his ear and with another giggle she said, “Listen,” he heard the noise again and she said, “It was my shoe…tough guy.”

She got tickle tortured again until they heard Mark calling for them to join the group. He had her against the wall, so he found her chin in the dark and tipped her face up towards his.

“You think you’re so funny.” She giggled again like a mischievous child.

She finally said, “You’re the funny one. You’re built like a tank, and scared of a little mouse.”

He put his mouth down close to hers and said, “I’m not afraid…I just didn’t want it running up your pant leg or something.”

She laughed and said, “You were scared like a little girl.”

He sucked in a breath like he was going to say something but instead, he pressed his lips down against hers and against her mouth he said, “I give, I’m a girl.” Then he slid his tongue into her mouth and began to explore the deep, wet, warm caverns there. Nothing about it felt like she was being kissed by a girl. She was angry with Mark when she heard him just behind Steve saying,

“Um…sorry guys, but we have to get going.” Steve pulled back and grinned at her. She’d like very much to make love to him right now…against the graffiti wall and in the presence of varmints. They settled for another quick peck and followed Mark out of the tunnel.