Bittersweet Chocolate (38 page)

“You’re right. People from my neck of the woods have honed the grudge, the family feud, and revenge to a fine science. Often it doesn’t end until the lineage dies out.”

“I hear you. Do you think we should change the locks?” she asked.

“No, locks aren’t a deterrent. Don’t worry about it. I’ll take care of this.”

“Tris, I’m not worried for myself. I’m worried about the twins.”

“Hey, with the dogs here, I won’t worry about Korey and Kristen. I’ll feel sorry for the person who tries to hurt them.”

* * * *

Marissa came downstairs the following morning, surprised to find Tristan at home, in his den on the phone. He hung up as soon as she entered the room. “Don’t you have to work today?” He looked up from the open day planner on his desk, his distraction obvious.

“Hmm...oh yeah, had to make a few phone calls, take care of some things first.”

“Well, I have my final checkup with the doctor today.” That gained his undivided attention.

Tristan rose from his chair, came around the desk, and pulled her into his arms. “Good. It’s been a long time. Baby, I need you in the worst way.” His head lowered and her tongue slipped between his parted lips. He tasted of toothpaste and mouthwash.

Pulling away, he sighed. “I hate to break this up, but I do have to go to work.” He grabbed his briefcase off the desk and walked to the garage with Marissa at his side.

“Okay, see you tonight.” Standing in the doorway, pensively watching him back out of the garage, it occurred to her that she’d forgotten to ask him something. Damn. His kisses had that effect on her.

Marissa entered the kitchen, saw Kate going into the laundry room, and quietly gathered her breakfast, hoping Kate wouldn’t notice and interrupt the chores to serve her. Settled at the table, reading the newspaper and enjoying the last of her breakfast, she remembered she’d forgotten to ask Tristan about his phone calls. Shrugging, she gaffed it off as possibly a work issue—wait a minute.

Business calls from home, uh-uh.

Tristan had top-secret clearance, worked with classified documents from the Naval Weapons Base. Not the type of documentation he’d bring home, or information arbitrarily discussed in an unsecured environment. On occasion, he’d bring home administrative work, like scheduling and evaluations, but those didn’t require phone calls.

Curiosity piqued, she made a mental note to ask him about those calls when he returned.

* * * *

Tristan drove to work, pondering the predicament with the unlocked doors and the possibilities it opened up. But fully convinced his phone calls would take care of everything, he relaxed.

* * * *

Marissa headed for her doctor’s office, happy to be out by herself for the first time since the birth of the twins. Conversely, she felt a certain amount of guilt about leaving the babies.

Doctor Carey released her from all restrictions and she left the office, fantasizing about being with Tristan, her anticipation palpable. She was glad she’d arranged to meet Vi for lunch after her appointment, hoping the distraction would take her mind off later that night. She and Vi had agreed to meet at the Black Angus on Park Sierra, not far from her doctor’s office.

“Hey, little mommy, how goes it?” Vi asked.

Marissa grinned. “Well, Auntie Vi, it’s all good. The doctor said I’m fine and healthy.”

A waitress appeared and both ordered the chicken, avocado, and bacon sandwich with fries, and iced tea.

As soon as the waitress moved away, Vi asked, “If it’s all good, why did you sound so down when you called?”

She should have known she couldn’t fool Vi. “Remember the unlocked door episodes at our old house?”

“It’s happening again?”

Marissa nodded. “Don’t know if it’s the same, but something is happening. While Tristan and I can take care of ourselves, the babies are my biggest concern,” she admitted. “Oh, I know the dogs will do their best to protect the twins, but this person could kill or maim CJ and JC in the process. It’s the only way a stranger could stop the dogs.”

“That’s for sure. Hell, I don’t like this.” Vi’s pensive stare remained on Marissa. “What do you think it’s about?”

“I’m not sure. It could be Joel. He knows I live in California, but I can’t figure out how he found out exactly where.” She shrugged. “Nonetheless, it would be like him to have waited this long, waited until I’m happy to make his move. The perfect revenge, he could destroy me, if he went after Tristan or the kids.”

“What are you going to do?” Vi asked.

“For now, I’m going to trust Tristan. He says he has it under control. As long as he keeps the kids safe, I’ll take care of myself.”

“What’s he planning?”

“Haven’t a clue, but he loves us. I believe he’d die trying to keep us safe.”

“True. I’ve come to really like and trust your Tristan. He’s one of the good guys.”

“Whoa. Am I hearing you right? That’s high praise coming from you, miz cynic. I’m scared of you,” Marissa teased.

“Hey, I remain a full-fledged, card-carrying member of the cynical coalition, but I see the way Tristan watches you and the kids, he exudes...” Voice trailing off, Vi blushed. “Enough of the sentimental, I have to get back to work, keep me posted. This shit is starting to get scary.” Vi stood and placed some money on the table. “Watch your back. Okay?” She hugged Marissa and hurried from the restaurant.

Marissa remained seated, sipping her tea and staring out the window. The unease sparked by the unlocked door weighed heavily on her mind. What Vi said about watching her back had such a familiar ring.

“
Shh-yit!
” She bounded to her feet and peered through the glass, her focus on a man walking by the restaurant window.

Is that
...it was him, but the changes, his appearance surprised her. They were the same age, but he looked much older. He became lost among the cars in the parking lot and she squinted into the sunlight, scanning the area, but couldn’t spot him. Glancing down at the bill, she pulled a twenty from her purse, tossed it on the table, and hurried from the restaurant.

She reached the sidewalk and spotted him weaving his way through the cars. Keeping him in view, she followed at a discreet distance, hoping for a chance to catch him alone. Anger foolishly spurred her on.

Was he the one stalking her? She reached into her purse, palmed her knife, and slipped her hand into her jacket pocket. Moments like this made her extremely grateful to her cousin. Frank had replaced her switchblade as a going-away gift, but she never thought she’d have a use for it again. Out of habit, she always had it with her. She hadn’t changed in that respect.

At that moment, she prayed she hadn’t forgotten what her cousin had taught her. For this bastard to jeopardize her children’s existence, she took a deep, calming breath. She didn’t want to kill him, only wanted answers.

Please God, don’t let him provoke me.

He walked to the row of cars at the back of the parking lot along the street. Checking to make sure no one else was in sight, she waited until he approached his car and inserted the key, before closing the distance.

Easing up behind him, she said, “Rick.”

He stiffened and whipped around, eyes widening, voice a strangled cry. “Marissa.”

“Ah, you remember, huh.”

“You haven’t changed much,” he said, eyes darting from side to side.

Noticing his panic, she smiled. “I’m alone.” His gaze traveled down her right side to her pocket, indicating he remembered more than her name. Back in the day, everyone knew she kept a weapon on her. Only once, she’d been unprepared, in her own home.

“Where’s Joel?”

Rick forced a smile. “Joel. I haven’t seen him or any of the old crowd for several years.”

“Don’t lie to me. What, you think I’ve forgotten? Uh-uh, I vividly remember everything you and Joel did to me. I’d still like to see all of you dead.”

“Marissa, I swear to God. I haven’t been in contact with Joel. After you cut his throat, he was bitter, alienated everybody, didn’t talk about anything but getting even with you,” he whined. “I believe we got what we deserved―hell, Gray died, and we were still alive. Gray didn’t deserve that. It never should have gone that far. I told Joel to put it behind him. He’d go off on a tirade about payback. I had to get away from him.”

“Bull. Shit. What are you doing in California?”

“I have relatives here, and I’ve been here for several months, trying to decide if I want to live out here.”

“Okay, Rick, let me cut to the bottom line. Someone’s been stalking me, getting into my house. If I find out it’s you, we end it this time.” Enraged by the idea he or Joel imagined they deserved some sort of payback, she stepped closer and spoke quietly. “If I find out it’s you, or you’re involved in any way, I’ll tell my father about your involvement with Joel and what went down in Philly.” He started shaking his head. “Don’t go back to Philadelphia, Rick. You might not be safe there. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

“Marissa, it’s not me. If Joel is in California, he hasn’t contacted me.”

She turned and walked away, saying over her shoulder, “Just remember what I said, Rick. It’s a promise.”

She returned home, pulled into the garage, and remained in the car.

Hands gripping the steering wheel, she tried to temper her overwhelming antipathy for Joel and Rick. After so many years, the conflict lingered. She’d wanted to kill him. But remembering the gang crap, her conscience’s ethical counterbalance would weigh in with the Catholic rhetoric, the fire and brimstone of transgressions.

Slamming her fists against the wheel, she hurled herself out of the car, stalked into the house, strode straight to the nursery, and found the housekeeper there.

“How are the kids, Kate?”

“They’re fine. Been fed, bathed, and put down for a nap, a few minutes ago.” Kate frowned. “What’s wrong? You look upset. The doctor didn’t give you any bad news, did she?”

Marissa forced herself to relax. “No, just tired. My first full day out, I guess. I’m going to take a hot bath and relax.”

“Want me to bring you some tea?”

“Thanks. That would be wonderful.” She started to leave, but stopped. “Something smells good, what’s for dinner?”

Smile angelic, Kate replied, “Bacon-wrapped filet mignon, baked potato with your choice of toppings, a Caesar salad, and a bottle of that wine your Tristan likes so much.”

“Kate, you’re too much.” Marissa laughed as she closed the distance between them and gave her housekeeper a hug.

Kate blushed and hustled Marissa toward the door. “Go take that bath before your husband gets home.”

Marissa paused on the threshold, then walked back to the cribs, bent down and kissed each baby. She left the room with a surge of elation lifting her spirits because the dogs had remained under the cribs and didn’t try to follow her. They had learned the babies were now their priority.

Entering the master suite, she kicked off her shoes and undressed as she walked toward the bathroom. She intended to have a hot bath, and turned on the water, periodically checking the temperature as the tub began to fill. What a day. A little aromatherapy should help her relax.

She moved around the room, lighting candles. The scent of jasmine assailed her nostrils as she climbed into the tub, sank beneath the depths of the steamy hot water, leaned back, and closed her eyes. Focusing on thoughts of making love with Tristan, her tension ebbed.

* * * *

Tristan came home early and found Kate alone in the kitchen. He took the opportunity to let her know about his plans.

“Kate, it’s important Marissa doesn’t find out until it’s a done deal, or she’ll try to stop me. I believe it’s the best way to handle this situation and prevent her from trying to handle it herself.”

Kate was reluctant. “I don’t know about keeping secrets from Marissa.”

After several minutes of debate, he convinced her it would be for Marissa’s safety. “Okay, I see you’ve given this a lot of thought, and you’re doing what you think is best for the family.”

“Thanks, Kate. I wanted to prepare you.”

He left the kitchen and went upstairs to find Marissa, stopped at the nursery first. She was sitting in the rocker, holding Kristen and humming softly. Smiling, he eased up behind her to avoid startling his daughter and kissed the top of Marissa’s head.

“Where are the guardians?” he whispered. “Not seeing them near you or the kids is unusual.”

“I sent them out to eat, and to have a good romp, before resuming guard duty.”

“Kate said dinner is ready. Said she’d sit with Korey and Kristen tonight. What’s up?” he asked.

“Kate being a romantic.”

“Oh, the checkup went well.” His lips brushed across her ear. “Thank God.” Straightening, he headed for the door. “I’m going to wash up. I’ll join you in the dining room.”

* * * *

Marissa put Kristen in her crib and reached for the chain around her neck. She put the whistle to her lips and gave it two short puffs. By the time she reached the doorway, the dogs had arrived. She praised them, watched as they took their positions under the cribs, then she turned on the nightlight in the base of the lamp, and left the room. Tristan joined her in the hall and her heart tripped.

He had removed his sport coat and tie. The top buttons of his shirt were open, revealing tufts of white-blond hair. That end of the day, five o’clock shadow thing he had going on always jacked her pulse a notch or two. Walking arm in arm, he bent close and said, “I love you.” She looked up, winked, and he inhaled sharply. “Hey, cut it out. I’m hungry.”

They reached the dining room and paused on the threshold. Kate had outdone herself. The table, shrouded in candlelight, was set for two. The mellow sound of the Isley Brothers emanated from the stereo in the family room. A shiver of excitement pulsed through her body when they exchanged looks.

In order to get through their meal, while they ate, they discussed their two favorite topics, Korey and Kristen. The only subjects capable of holding their attention long enough to do justice to Kate’s superb dinner.