CHAPTER 9
THE MAN SAT behind the desk looking through a cloud of cigar smoke. “What did I tell you? No witnesses,” he growled.
“And I didn’t think we had any,” Snake bellowed.
“You were wrong.” The man dropped his beefy fist on top of the newspaper, knocking a pencil holder over.
“It’s no biggie. She didn’t see us.” Snake reached inside his pocket and pulled out an orange.
With a raw cackle, the man sat back in the chair and took a long drag from his expensive cigar. “Maybe I’ve hired the wrong man to do the job. I’ve paid you good money to take care of my problem, and so far this has become a circus.”
“We killed Cox and the bitch. That’s what you wanted. The list is gone. Now that he’s dead it won’t matter.”
Snuffing out the cigar in the crystal ashtray, he planted his palms on the desk, then stood up, nailing Snake with his pensive stare, refusing the crippling need to wrap his hands around the man’s scrawny, tattooed neck. “Listen, Snake, you were supposed to find and bring the list to me. Now it’s in the hands of that Sheriff. The blind girl is gone. And we’re fucked because everyone on that list is breathing down my neck because they have deputies asking questions. This is a shit mess and even I can’t make it magically disappear.” He slowly rounded the desk, picking off a piece of lint from his designer jacket. “My wife’s been nagging me to retire. Why the fuck don’t I? I like being in control. I’m greedy. Do you have any clue what it’s like to be the string master of an operation that works? Having a new pussy at my fingertips and providing that luxury to others? And I thought you were smarter, but I see you’re about as dumb as a kakapo. Let me fill you in. Cox didn’t have the brains of a bird, my friend. He would have been very useful to me if he’d been willing. His talent could have lined my pockets, but he was dangerous. The list doesn’t mean shit, but he’d played his hand well. How did Cade get his hands on it? I’ll tell you how. The sum’bitch Cox hid it on the blind girl’s computer. Did you even think about that as a possibility? Fuck no you didn’t because you have shit for brains.”
“How the fuck was I supposed to know?” Snake threw the orange peel into the trashcan.
“Where are the pictures? You were told to find the evidence and you failed.” He gripped the edge of the desk. “There are two important things here and you should pay close attention. I’ve been called a patient man, a hero in fact, but I’d like to consider myself more of a savior. A man who protects many from the restraints of the law. I understand that sometimes a man must make decisions that aren’t easy. To protect people, and his money, a man must be willing to sacrifice for the greater good. I thought we had that understanding. I don’t like messy. When things get messy I get angry and no one likes it when I’m unhappy. I can make or break your world including the life of that measly, punk brother of yours who should have his addicted ass in prison.” He reached across his desk, picked up a pencil and tapped it against his palm. “Men like you come and go. But the business I’ve created won’t.” He snapped the pencil in half. “Do you understand?”
A drop of sweat slid down Snake’s temple. “Loud and clear.” He popped a piece of fruit into his mouth. A drop of juice slid down his chin and he swiped it away with the back of his hand.
“Great.” The man patted Snake on the shoulder then wiped his hand down his pant leg in disgust. “Now get the hell out of here and find that blind girl. Clean up the mess you’ve made.”
~~~**~~~
“Thank you so much for coming to help me get ready for the wedding.”
Phyllis patted Ria’s hand. “I’m glad I could help.”
“Are you sure I look okay? Is the dress too much?” she asked for the third time.
“Honey, you look amazing. The red brings out your complexion and the fit is perfect. Trust me, Jamie will take one look at you and realize he made a huge mistake. Or, maybe it’s someone else you’re hoping to impress? A certain man with a gun.”
Ria smoothed her palms down her thighs. “I want to look good, simple. Not for anyone but me. Phoenix is only going with me because he thinks he must keep me safe. He believes I’m a damsel in distress.” She rolled her eyes.
“Hell, if I had a bodyguard that looked that good, I’d always be in distress.” She giggled. “Anyway, if that was the reason, I wouldn’t blame you for wanting to look good for the Sheriff.”
Ria brought her hands up and touched her shoulders exposed in the cut of the dress, following the material to her cleavage to make sure she didn’t show too much. “Are you positive I’m not revealing too much?”
“Stop fidgeting and worrying. You are perfect. Now let me finish your makeup because we’re running out of time.”
Lifting her chin, Ria stayed very still while her friend applied the mascara. “I don’t know why I’m so nervous.”
“I do. One, you haven’t been near Jamie since you walked out of the condo. Two, whether you call it a date or not, this is one.”
“Wrong.”
“I’m right.”
“Pretend date.”
“Admit it, babe. You like Phoenix and who’d blame you?”
“Yes, but…”
“There is no but, my dear. You’ve been here in his cabin for three days and you’ve told me how nice and helpful he’s been. A man doesn’t invite a woman to stay with him unless he wants to be near her.”
“Okay, I see your point, but…well…”
“Spit it out.”
“He really is helping me, but we almost kissed. He pulled back though.” She played with the hem of her dress.
“Did he say why?”
“He said he wanted to kiss me…but there’s always a but. We haven’t talked about it since.”
“I don’t want to burst your bubble, but maybe he doesn’t want you to feel like he’s taking advantage. I mean, I’d cross some lines with him, but at least he’s aware of what’s appropriate. He has values and ethics. That shows character.”
Ria worked her bottom lip. “I can’t get beyond wondering though if it’s more.”
“Hon, don’t do that. Don’t jinx your chances of finding happiness by tainting it with the rotten history. Trust your gut, not your broken past.”
“You’re talking as if Phoenix and I are in a relationship. Have you forgotten that two men broke into my studio, killed my assistant and a client? This is not a romance made for storybooks.”
“No romance is a fairytale.”
“What if I trip and fall?”
“He’ll catch you.”
“What if I spill wine or food on my dress?”
“He’ll let you know.”
“What if…”
“Oh, come on, sweetie. We could do this all day. Relax. You’ve been on dates before,” Phyllis laughed.
“Yes, and look how they ended.”
“They were bozos. They couldn’t see the wonderful person you are. Okay. Makeup is in place. Clothes look amazing. Heels are strapped. Ready to find your date?”
“As ready as I’ll ever be.”
“And before I forget. I grabbed your mail from the post office before I came up. I put the envelopes on your bed. Want me to read through them for you right now?”
“I’m too nervous to think about mail.”
A soft knock on the bedroom door made Ria jump.
“Ria? Are you finished?” Phoenix asked.
“Yes. Coming.” She walked over to the door and opened it, clutching the knob with her shaking fingers.
“Wow! You look amazing,” he said.
“Thank you. I had some help though.”
“My girl doesn’t need much help,” Phyllis said.
“I like that smell. Did you put on cologne?” Ria inhaled his sandalwood scent.
“I thought it wouldn’t hurt considering I won’t be dodging any criminals tonight. My mom always told me a steak needs a good wine like a suit should be paired with a nice cologne.”
Ria laughed. “Your mom is a smart woman.”
“I have to admit, the jacket’s a bit snug. I haven’t been dressed up in years.”
“Oh? I’m sure it still looks great.”
Phyllis cleared her throat. “He looks great. I should be going and let you two kids get moving.” She hugged Ria’s shoulders and whispered, “He is a hunk. You’re going to have the best-looking man in the place. Trust me, if I wasn’t eyeball deep in marriage with kids, you might have competition.”
Kora had already explained in detail what Phoenix looked like and she’d “seen” him with her hands so she already knew how handsome he was, but hearing her friend talk like they were teenagers again made Ria giddy inside. Although, when it came down to his looks, it didn’t matter as much as his character. He was kind, compassionate, easy to talk to, and a man who dedicated his time to helping others, even when he didn’t get much gratitude in return. This all told her what kind of a heart he had inside of that gorgeous body.
“Take care of my friend, buddy,” Phyllis warned. “I’m an attorney and know all the secrets to making bad men pay.”
Although Ria knew her friend only teased Phoenix, and he laughed, Phyllis always had her back.
After Ria was alone with Phoenix, she wrapped her arms around her waist, feeling some of the nerves returning. “Oh no, I forgot to put on my necklace.”
“Do you have it?”
“It’s on the dresser in the bedroom.”
“Stay put and I’ll go grab it.”
A moment later she felt him come up behind her. “Hold your hair up.” His body brushed hers as he brought the necklace around her neck, his fingers caressing her sensitive skin as he put the locket into place. “There you go.” His warm breath swept across the nape of her neck and he didn’t move. He was quite a bit taller than her and she found herself naturally leaning against his broad chest, soaking up warmth and closeness. She didn’t dare give in to her body’s urgency to turn and kiss him. Although he made her feel comfortable, she had lost a lot of her spunk along with her sight. It was time she built some of the confidence back. Nothing ventured was nothing gained.
“Are you ready to knock the socks off your ex?” he asked in a raspy tone.
“I’m not sure that’s possible, but I’m ready to find closure. I’ve been looking for it for some time now.”
“Well, I’m here with you, for you. You’ll find I’m a good boyfriend.”
“Oh, so we’ve gone from pretend dating to boyfriend now?” she teased, but she liked the sound of “boyfriend”.
“I’m thinking if we really want to drive the ex jealous, we need to make him believe that you’ve moved on completely.”
“Okay.” Who’d argue with that? “Let me grab my purse and wrap from the couch.”
“Let me. I’m right here.” He handed the items to her. “Come, darlin’. Let’s make this a night to remember.”