Turn To Me (28 page)

I motioned for her to follow me and walked back to room 1282.  I stood aside while she slid her key into the lock and opened the door.

“Gracias,” I said, handing her a five dollar bill.  She nodded and smiled, pocketing the money.  I slipped inside the room.  I paused just inside the doorway, listening, but heard nothing to make me think I wasn’t alone.

Even though I was the only one there, I still tiptoed into the bedroom.  There was a desk in the corner.  Thinking that looked promising, I went over and looked through the papers on it.  There were some notes from the trial. 

A few newspapers were piled up, all of them turned to articles on the trial.  Blane’s photo was prominent on the top one.  As I moved the papers, I saw a cell phone lying underneath.  I picked it up, wondering if it was Adriana's.  Strange that she would leave without her cell phone.  I slipped it into my pocket.

The sound of a door opening made my head jerk up.  Alarm shot through me as voices filtered through the suite.  I frantically looked around, searching for someplace to hide.  With little else from which to choose, I scrambled inside the closet.

The voices grew closer and my heart pounded.  I struggled to breathe slowly and not gasp for air in case even that small sound might betray my presence. 

I could hear now that it was a man and woman.  I thought I recognized Adriana's voice, but the man spoke too low for me to distinguish what he was saying.

“You shouldn't be here,” Adriana said.  “What if someone saw you?”  She paused while the man answered her.  “That girl was here, Kirk’s girlfriend.  Nosing around and asking questions.  I thought you were going to take care of her.”

This last was said accusingly and a chill went through me.  “Take care of.”  Well, that certainly sounded ominous.  Finally, I could distinguish his words when he answered her.

“I told you I have a plan.”

“If you don’t get Kirk to lose this case-”

“Stop worrying,” he interrupted her.  “I’m taking care of it.”

Their voices lowered as they moved further from the bedroom.  I hardly dared to breathe. 

“Have you seen my phone?” the man asked.  “I thought maybe I left it here.”

“Just call it,” Adriana said.  “If it’s here, I’m sure we’ll hear it.”

Panic surged in me and I fumbled with the phone in the dark, blindly feeling for the silence switch.  I found it and flicked it, turning off the ringer, and not a moment too soon as it began to vibrate in my hand.

I stared at the phone for a moment, then cautiously slid the bar on the screen to answer, pressing the mute button once it connected.

“Hello?”  His voice was much clearer now and I realized it sounded familiar to me.  “Anyone there?”  I racked my brain, but I just couldn’t place where I’d heard him before.  The phone disconnected without him saying anything else.

“It’s not here, but someone has it,” the man told Adriana.

“Well get a new one then,” she said.  “It’s probably some teenager playing a prank.”

I heard the door to the suite open and close.  I listened carefully, wondering if both had left again.  It seemed they had for I heard nothing.  I waited a little while longer for the coast to be clear.  Deciding I had to chance it, I crawled out from inside the closet.  Easing through the bedroom door, a quick glance assured me I’d been correct – no one was there.

A few minutes later, I was out of the hotel and walking down the block to where I’d parked my car.  I was nervous, afraid I’d been mistaken and they’d known I was there.  Maybe they were following me.  The cell phone seemed to burn a hole in my pocket.

I glanced behind me again, then let out a small shriek as I ran point blank into someone.  I would have fallen backward, but hands grabbed my arms, holding me upright.  I looked up to apologize, but the words froze in my throat.

“You should really pay more attention to where you’re going, sweetheart,” James sneered at me.

“What...what are you doing here?” I stammered, taken aback by his sudden appearance.

“None of your business,” he replied, his eyes narrowing.

“Why aren’t you in court?” I demanded, trying to step away from him, but his hands remained firmly locked on my arms, holding me in place.

“Recessed early today,” he said with a smug smile.  “It is Friday, you know.  The judge likes to take it easy on jurors for this kind of trial.”

Taking a quick look around at the crowded sidewalk, James released me, but before I could get away he had grabbed my wrist in a tight grip, tugging me with him.

“What are you doing?” I spat at him, trying to pull free.  He ignored me, dragging me behind him into the small alley between buildings.  It was empty of people, the shadows thicker, and alarm shot through me.  What if James had been the one with Adriana?  What if he knew I’d heard their conversation?

“Let me go!”

My protest was abruptly cut off when James threw me against the wall, grabbing my wrists and pinning them to my sides.  His body pressed against mine, holding me in place so tightly I couldn’t draw a full breath.  His smirk made a shiver run through me.

“I’m looking forward to tomorrow night,” he hissed in my ear.

My blood ran cold.  “Tomorrow night?” I played dumb, hoping he didn’t mean what I thought he meant.

“I told Simone I’d forget about the money she owes me if she got me you.  For one night.”

I couldn’t speak.  My eyes must have betrayed my horror, for he laughed.

“I’d tell you to not be so scared, but I rather like your spunk.  Makes it more of a challenge.” 

I finally found my tongue.  “You’re crazy if you think I’m going to sleep with you.”

His eyes narrowed and his smile disappeared.  “You’ll be there tomorrow night, or I’ll make sure you regret it,” he threatened.  “Jimmy may be dead, but there are others who took his place.  You’ll be begging to die once I let them get their hands on you.”

I had no warning before his mouth was on mine, his tongue pushing inside my mouth.  Nausea roiled in my stomach.  I hated that he could use his size and body to bully me and I was helpless to stop him.  Infuriated, I bit down hard on his lower lip.

James pulled back with a yelp and I was gratified to see blood on his mouth.  Before I could brace myself, he backhanded me.

Pain exploded in my cheek and my head hit the brick wall behind me.  For a moment, I saw stars, then I tasted blood.  The class ring James always wore on his right hand had cut me.

“You’d better rethink any moves like that tomorrow,” James growled at me, “or you may walk away with worse than bruises.”

He abruptly released me and in the next second, he was gone.  I stood on legs that seemed too unsteady to hold me and leaned against the cold brick.  I closed my eyes and tried to get a grip, silently calling James every vile name I could think of.  Wiping the blood and the taste of James from my mouth with my sleeve, I hurried to my car to drive home.

I ate while I watched television, trying to regain some control over my shattered nerves.  MacGyver reruns left me feeling woefully inadequate.  What that man couldn’t do with a paperclip, matches and a magnet.

When it was time to get ready for work, I grumbled as I pulled on the ridiculous red outfit Romeo had decreed we should wear, and brushed out my hair until it lay in shiny waves down my back.  I didn’t have a bruise on my cheek, yet, though my mouth was swollen and split from where the ring had cut me.  I covered it with some lip gloss and studied the effect in the mirror.  It helped, sort of.

“Nice night, princess.”

I spun around to see Kade leaning against the door jamb of the bathroom, crooked smile firmly in place.  I hadn't even heard him enter the apartment.

The knot that had been in my stomach all day finally eased.  I hurriedly looked down, hoping Kade hadn’t seen the relief in my eyes.  I couldn't decide if I was glad he was back because I felt safer with him around, or if I was glad he wasn't still angry with me.  Anger that might reappear if and when he realized I’d been gone all day.

I cleared my throat. 

“Hey,” I said.  It seemed we were going to ignore what had occurred last night, which was fine with me.  I took a good look at him, glad to see the cuts on his face had begun to heal, and noticed he was wearing a tuxedo underneath a black overcoat.

“Going somewhere?” I asked.

“Kandi’s Christmas party is tonight,” he replied, his light tone belying the sharp look in his eyes as he watched me absorb this information.

The knot in my stomach was back, heavier than before.  I’d forgotten.  Tonight was the night I was supposed to meet Blane at the party, but had to work instead.

“Is Blane going?” I asked, keeping my tone as light and uninterested as his.  I moved past him into the living room to get my coat.

“It would seem so,” Kade said, following me.  Taking the coat from my hands, he held it while I slid my arms into the sleeves. 

“What happened today?” he asked.

“What do you mean?” I said automatically, my mind busy turning over in my head the information that Blane was going to Kandi’s party, supposedly an intimate gathering of family and friends.  No doubt everyone there would assume they were together, since Blane would be going alone.

Kade’s hand flashed out to grip my chin, forcing my eyes to his.  When he was sure he had my attention, his eyes dropped to my mouth.  His grip eased as his thumb brushed over my swollen and cut lip.  I winced.

“This is what I mean,” he said flatly.  “I told you to stay put today.  I see you did your usual bang-up job of listening.”

There was no way I was going to tell him, though the temptation was great.  If I told Kade that James was the culprit, he’d either tell Blane himself or make me tell him, which would only cause a load of trouble for Blane.  Kade’s solution of asking Blane for the five thousand dollars had evaporated when Blane and I had fought yesterday.  Neither my pride nor my common sense would allow me to ask that of Blane.  It would be foolish to think he’d just give me that kind of money.  I’d find my own way out of the mess I’d made.

“It’s nothing,” I said jerking my chin out of his hand and stepping beyond his reach.  His blue eyes pierced mine and I had to look away.  “And you gave me a promotion, remember?  I had a job to do.”  I decided to change the subject.  “Aren’t you going to be late for the party?” I asked.

“Wanted to take you to work first,” he replied.  “Make sure you arrive alive.”  The teasing note in his voice belied the seriousness of the words.  His eyes narrowed as he studied me.

“Great,” I said quickly.  “Let's go.”  I didn't want to think about Blane or the party or Kandi.

Thirty minutes later, I was clocking in.

Kade slid onto a barstool and I set a cup of coffee in front of him.

“You don't have to stay, you know,” I said.  “I can take care of myself.”

Kade didn't reply, his eyes conveying his skepticism quite adequately as he peered at me over the rim of the coffee cup.

“I ran into some trouble today,” I reluctantly acknowledged, “but I’m fine.  So go.  Have a good time tonight.”  My smile was brittle.

He hesitated for a moment, taking another swallow of the bitter liquid.  “I'll be back by closing,” he finally said, getting to his feet.

I nodded, watching him as he turned to go.  The striking elegance of his formal attire was not the only thing that made Kade stand out in the crowd.  Kade had a confidence to him, an assurance in his walk and a grace to his movements that drew the eye.  The nearly palpable aura of danger surrounding him only added to his appeal.  I couldn’t tear my eyes away from watching him as he walked out the door.

The bar was busy already, and Scott was my partner tonight.  I noticed with disgust that he didn’t have to wear a skin-baring uniform for the holidays, just a red silk shirt to go with his black pants.  I grudgingly admitted he looked good in it, but then again, Scott looked good in just about anything.

“Damn, Kathleen,” he said with a crooked grin, “you look amazing in that.”  His eyes drifted appreciatively down my body, lingering longer than usual on the ample cleavage on display.

“Trade you,” I said, forcing a smile and nodding at his red shirt. 

He laughed.  “I don’t think I’d look nearly as good in that as you do.”

We were so busy that night I didn’t have much of a chance to even think for a while, which was a good thing.  I felt very alone.  I didn’t see how I was going to get out of meeting James tomorrow night, and it was terrifying.  Ideas and plans formed in my head, each one more desperate and unlikelier than the last.

I tried not to think of what Blane was doing as I worked.  The hands of the clock moved so slowly, I wanted to scream.  If we would just slow down, maybe I could get Scott to cover for me so I could go.  Blane had invited me to the party – I wouldn’t be crashing it.  But those hopes were dashed as the minutes and hours crawled by with business showing no sign of letting up.

It was after eleven when Tish called out to me.  Finishing the garnish on the drink I’d just made, I handed it to a waiting patron, then hurried over to her.

“Someone’s on the phone for you,” she said, balancing a tray of drinks. 

“Okay, thanks,” I said, coming out from behind the bar and going to the phone in the back.  There was no way I was going to be able to hear out front.  I wondered who could be calling me.

“Hello?”  I waited, but heard nothing.  “Hello?”  I said more loudly. 

“I bet you’re wondering what your boyfriend’s up to tonight.”  The voice was male and raspy and made the hair stand up on the back of my neck.

“Who is this?” I demanded.

“He’s having a good time, by the looks of it,” the man continued, ignoring my question.

His words penetrated and I realized that wherever he was, he was watching Blane.  Helpless fury filled me.

“Leave Blane alone.”  My tone was as low and threatening as I could make it.

He laughed a soft, derisive sound that made my knuckles turn white as I clutched the phone to my ear.  When he spoke again, his words turned my blood to ice.

“I wouldn’t worry.  Kirk’s only going to get what he deserves.”