Deborah Brown - Madison Westin 07 - Kidnapped in Paradise (19 page)

Didier climbed out of the pool and, being a gentleman, offered her a chair. Apparently she asked for something to drink, because Didier went to the outside refrigerator and retrieved a bottle of water for her. She flashed her dollar sign smile and eyeballed him as though he were a banquet meal.

“
Madison,
” Creole whispered. “She
’
s uh…
older.
”

Fab got out of the pool and stood in front of her. “Lift your top. Now,” she barked.

Didier said something in French and Fab ignored him, but Mrs. Ricci laughed.

It surprised me when she reached inside her waist band and handed over her gun. “I want it back when I leave.”

“Who is she?” Didier whispered.

“Take your eyes off my boyfriend before I kick the hell out of you,” Fab sneered at her. “He
’
s not for sale either.”

I cleared my throat. “Let me make the introductions,” I said, flashing a half-hearted smile. “Carlotta Ricci, Carmine's mother. You may remember her from the headlines; she just got arrested for being a pimp. We were hired to keep her out of jail, and she paid us back by threatening to shoot us and locking us in her pantry closet. You remember?” I asked Creole. “You didn’t show up until after we escaped.”

“The car thief?”
Creole laughed.

“That pimp nonsense was made up by so-called journalists for headlines,” Carlotta sniffed. “If I ever get to tell my story, you
’
ll find out that I facilitated in making love connections between very wealthy discerning men and beautiful women.”

“Does Snot Nose know you
’
re out on the loose?” I asked. “That
’
s her sweet nickname for her son,” I explained to the boys.

“Oh shut up!” Carlotta yelled. “You owe me and I
’
m here to collect. I need to hire the two of you to hide me from Carmine.”

Fab yelled back at her. “Have you lost your mind? Who has ever crossed Carmine and lived to tell about it? Besides, it
’s
unanimous––
we don’t
like you.”

Carlotta, not to be intimidated, stood and got in Fab
’
s face. “It
’
s your fault I ended up caged in Carmine
’
s house.”
      
“Ten thousand square feet of waterfront property and plenty of household help to attend your every whim is hardly a cage,” I said unsympathetically.

“What happened with your court case?” Fab asked.

“Carmine shelled out big. I got a fine and community service, and he took care of that already, but that doesn’t mean I want to be locked up with a body guard watching my every move. When I mentioned re-opening my business and that I
’
d call it a matchmaking service if I had to, would even make it appear legit, he flipped out and locked me in a guest suite.”

Fab fisted her hands at her side. “And when Carmine finds out we
’
re harboring your old ass, what then?”
      

“Fabiana.” Didier pulled her against his body.

The ringing of my phone was a welcome reprieve and, as I raced across the patio, I said to Fab, “Get rid of her.”

I whooshed out a breath when I saw Brick
’
s name. For once he might be the best one to help get rid of Carlotta, but I decided against it. He might call Carmine, to hell with Fab and me. Rather than blow him off, I
’
d answer so he wouldn’t burn up the phones.

“This isn’t a good time,” I said.

“Why the hell is her phone turned off,” Brick yelled.

“Yell at me again and my phone is going off. By her, I assume you mean Fabiana. Does she know she
’
s on call tonight?”

“Don’t you dare hang up. I
’
ve got an emergency and I need you both. Now.”

I never heard Brick sound frantic before. While I was inclined to be sympathetic, I had problems of my own. I looked over and saw that the madam had now made herself comfortable in a chaise lounge.

“Can’t this wait until tomorrow?” I asked.

“Carlotta Ricci has run off and Carmine wants her found, pronto. Triple rate.” Brick blurted.

“Quadruple! And that
’
s not enough for that pain in the ass. She
’
s here now,” I whispered.

Dead silence.

“Are you still there?” I asked.

“Carlotta is at your house?” he whispered back.

I rolled my eyes. “You don’t have to whisper. No one can hear you unless you yell. Yes, she's here, and she wants us to hide her. She wants to hobnob with the little people or get back to pimping or something, who knows.”

Brick continued to whisper. “Keep her there and I’ll call you back.”

“You listen to me, I don’t want you-know-who at my house or any of his goons. You promise me.”

“Answer when I call back.”
Brick hung up.

I felt nauseated and hoped I wouldn’t
get sick.
“We have a job tomorrow,” I nodded at Fab.

Carlotta and Fab were in an animated conversation about Carlotta
’
s demands and how we owed it to her to be helpful. Let them fight it out. I sat on the chaise next to Creole.

“I could put her in jail; let her sit there until Snot Nose picks her up.” Creole and I laughed.

“I love that name. Wouldn’t you love to see the big tough guy
’
s face when she calls him that?” I continued to laugh.

I had turned the sound off on my phone, and it buzzed in my hand. I jumped and turned, walking to the other side of the pool. Creole followed me, and I leaned against his chest.

“What?” I snapped at Brick.

“Put her in one of those cottages of yours and let her mingle with the regular people. Let her enjoy a real life experience. She
’
ll be running back to the mansion,” Brick said. He was at ease now, his agitated tone gone.

“Are you out of your mind? She
’
ll run off the guests with her sparkly personality. Does Carmine know and approve?”

“Keep me informed; let me know what she
’
s up to.”

“Don’t you dare….” But it was too late, he
’d hung up.

I knew just how to send Carlotta packing back to the mansion. I called the professor to find out if there was a vacant Air Stream.

“Do we have any vacancies?” I asked when he answered.

“We got two empty until the weekend. You need a place to hide out?” he asked in his crotchety style.

“I
’
m bringing over a woman to stay for a few days. I want you to lay on the charm and have her running for the road, the sooner the better.”

“Speak the hell up. I
’
m not hard of hearing, because I could hear just fine before you called,” his surly voice boomed through the phone. “A criminal friend of yours?”

“One more thing, you need to keep an eagle eye on the wily b…woman. She
’
s slippery. Just consider it repayment for one of the many favors you owe me.” Babysitting Carlotta would drive Fab and me nuts.

I stashed my phone in my pocket and went over to the battling duo. Interrupting them, I glared at Carlotta. “I
’
ve got a place for you to stay. One hint of trouble or anything illegal––you
’re out.
”
      

Fab looked at me like I
’
d lost my mind. Creole whispered to Didier, who relayed something to her, and she flashed her creepy smile.

“I thought I
’
d stay here,” Carlotta said.

“You thought wrong. Now let
’
s go.” I leaned down and kissed Creole. “Be back in a half hour.”

I didn’t have to explain anything to him. I let him listen in to the calls so I didn’t have to repeat anything.

“Fab can stay here. I
’
m coming with you. I don’t trust Carlotta.” Turning to the older woman, he lectured her. “I suggest you behave.
I
don’t have any problem kicking your ass out of my truck and leaving you on the side of the road. No one has accused me of being a gentleman like Didier here.”

“You have impeccable manners,” I pressed my lips to his.

“I can’t wait to see her face when she finds out her choices are a trailer or back to Snot Nose,” he chuckled in my ear.

“Let
’
s see how fast we can get there. Come along, Carlotta,” I said, motioning with my hand. “You can have as much freedom from Carmine as you can stand.”
 

Chapter 22

“What the hell is this place?” Carlotta beat the back of the seat with her hand. “
Answer me.
”

I was disappointed when she hadn’t jumped out at one of the signals and run down the street. The scenario entertained me, until I thought of having to tell Carmine I
’
d lost his mother and I shuddered.

“You do have choices. You can stay here, return to the bosom of your son, or there
’
s the Bluebird Motel, down the highway a few miles. Pay by the hour, cash only. They do a brisk all-night business, if you get what I mean. Decorated with mirrored ceilings, all night porn, and I hear the beds jiggle and shake in exchange for a fistful of quarters.”

Carlotta had sucked every bit of sympathy from me after she pulled her gun on Fab and me. The only reason I relented and decided to be the slightest bit cooperative was for Fab. She wanted Brick as a client, and this would have the man owing her big. I smiled at the bill I would be sending him––to hell with quadruple rates.

Creole pursed his lips, but not before letting a snort escape.

I slid out of the truck and shut the door, effectively cutting off Carlotta
’
s harangue. Just outside the picket fence, Crum leaned against his ratty red pickup in his tighty whities. He'd had exchanged his rubber boots for a worn down pair of flip flops. In his arms he held a gigantic ball of white fur.

“What is that?”
I sputtered.

He looked at me as though I was one of those ignorant stoops he claimed to have taught at that top-rated college where he was granted tenure.

“This is Harlot,” he introduced.

“Let me guess, you named her?” I snorted. “I assume that she
’
s not grossly overweight, but pregnant?”

Why me?

“According to the vet, she
’
ll be making me a papa in a couple of weeks,” Crum beamed down at her.

“Are you competent enough to care for an animal?” I heard the truck doors slam twice behind me.

He sneered. “My IQ is far higher than yours.”

“That doesn’t mean you
’
re capable of taking care of a cat.” I stroked the fur around Harlot
’
s head and ears. She purred in contentment. “There are cat rules. I will be back tomorrow with the list in writing. Which you will sign.”

He straightened his spine more than usual. “
Hello, Madame,
” he bowed to Carlotta, shoving Harlot in to my arms.