Authors: Danielle LaBue
Chapter Thirteen
Jake sped into Summer’s carport, congratulating himself for his new, land-speed record. Sliding up the sleeve of his tux, he triumphantly checked his watch with the display on the dashboard clock. They both agreed. Seven on the nose. He beat his old best time from his house to hers by almost two minutes.
He stepped out of the Porsche and walked around it, patting the hood on his way. His heart echoed in his ears, the way it used to when he idled at the pole position seconds before a race. This was his chance to prove himself. To somehow maneuver through danger and peril and make it to the finish line the winner. The key was being objective.
He strode up the walk trying to decide if he should knock, or just use his key like a personal bodyguard would. He compromised on the knocking-stroll-on-in combination and headed straight for the living room bar.
Geoffrey was already there replenishing the olives in his martini. He was in a traditional black tux, and an impenetrable layer of spicy aftershave. Mercifully the embroidered “G” had been omitted.
“What’s up Geoff? You ready to party or what?” Jake reached around him for the bourbon on the shelf. He got no response, but scowl on Geoffrey’s leathery face told him loads. The guy had no sense of humor.
“So Geoff, you must be very excited about tomorrow’s match.”
“I am,” he said over the rim of his glass. “Of course Summer gets to play again, but as of midnight tonight I will be the new, proud owner of the whole Vitalie compound. I stand to make a pretty good amount of money this weekend.”
“Really. You know, Summer said you were interested in the joint. You must have made good money off Nila these past months to afford it.” He picked a few peanuts from the bowl and flipped them in his mouth. Geoff wasn’t the o
nly one who could push buttons.
“How I paid for it is none of you business. But I assure you, the transaction does nothing but good for Summer. After she retires, she’ll have a stable full of younger girls t
o inspire.”
“And for you to exploit. How convenient.”
“Geoffrey you forgot your cufflinks.”
Jake turned to see Summer standing in front of him. She wore a short white strapless dress, with a beaded bodice that reflected the light like twinkling stars. It was short, a good couple inches above the knee and wonderfully tight in all the right places. He gawked at the beautiful curve of her long toned legs, and her perfect pale breasts peeking over the fabric. “Geoffrey, go back to your bedroom and find them. You can’t go without them.”
“You’re right, Darling.” Geoffrey set his drink down, then moved from behind the bar. “I’ll be right back.”
Jake barely heard the exchange, too mesmerized by the vision in front of him. He couldn’t tear his eyes away.
“Take a picture it lasts longer,” Summer quipped, putting in her diamond earrings.
“Wow.” He finally said. He
was surprised he managed that.
She checked her upswept hair in the mirror over his shoulder. “I thought you prefer my hair down?”
“Yeah, and that’s the only reason your dress is still on.” Again he looked her over, his wide eyes lingering at her cleavage. “Damn, and you worry about me carrying concealed weapons.”
“You’re disgusting. I’m almost afraid to ask you to zip me up.”
“Turn around.” he said, motioning with his finger.
Standing in front of him, she was a full-on assault to every one of his senses. His feasting eyes followed the line of her shoulders to the nape of her neck where he knew it made her crazy when he kissed her there. The familiar, sweet scent of vanilla tickled his nose, mingling with the musky p
unch of her Chanel Number Five.
His fingers lingered on the zipper, slowly, painfully, pulling it up. “All set.” he said, relieved to be stepping away. He went back behind the bar and poured himself another shot. “You going to save me a dance tonight?”
“Yeah right, you’re lucky you got an invite as it is.” She sat down to fasten the buckles on her shoe. After a close inspection she stood back up with a snap. “I’m just glad I’m marrying someone decent and honest like Geoffrey. At least I know he wouldn’t take advantage of me.”
“Looks like he knows his way around a jewelry store too,” he gestured to the obnoxiously, gigantic engagement ring on her finger. “Nice ice.”
“Jealous are we?”
Her words hit him like darts, striking dead on his heart. Telling her the truth about Geoffrey would feel damn good, but for now he had no choice but to keep his mouth shut.
“Maybe you should go put a rush on Geoffrey, sweetheart. We’re late.”
“He’ll be out in a minute.” Grabbing her pocketbook she headed out the door. “I’ll be on the porch getting some air.”
He watched the door close behind her then finished the last of his bourbon. It burned as it trickled to his gut, but did nothing to calm the churning just below it.
***
Red carpets were all the rage in Hollywood but Summer never figured there would be one at the Citrus Ball. What was once a party of about two hundred people had grown to at least a five hundred head affair. It was lavish as always. Food, drink, ice sculptures with fountains of champagne. Even the help was dressed in black tie, smiling wide as they floated through the room.
“Wow, I think every photo journalist in the state of
Florida is here tonight.” Summer declared as she stepped into the ballroom. “But I’m not complaining. The attention certainly is nice.”
“And necessary.” Geoffrey replied, glancing at Jake. “It may be a security risk but if you want a career, you need fans.” He looked back at Summer, studying her dress. “Take off the scarf, will you, darling? Camera’s love cleavage.”
She would have protested if he hadn’t walked off. Presumably, to schmooze his business contacts whoever the heck they were.
“Hey Riley, nice dress.”
Summer smiled as she turned toward the voice. “Thanks, Nila.”
“Prada or Valentino?”
“I’m surprised you can’t tell.” Nila reminded her of a small child using new vocabulary she just learned at school. It seemed like yesterday Summer was explaining to her the difference between Vera Bradley and Vera Wang. “Vintage Halston actually. You like it?”
“Who doesn’t? Don’t you see every guy and some of the women gawking at you? Including your bodyguard here.”
Summer glanced at Jake beside her. “Well, you can borrow it when I’m done.”
“The dress or the man.” Nila struck a pose in her skimpy black dress. “You can protect me anytime, by the way.”
“Good evening everyone.” Anston Vitalie cut in, wiping his forehead with a handkerchief. “I hope you all are having a good night.”
“Are you alright, Anston?” Nila asked, taking him by the arm. “You look a little faint.”
“I’m fine,” he slurred. “What makes you think I wouldn’t be?”
His eyes were focused on Summer. They were bloodshot and dull and his lips trembled in between words. “We need to talk later,” he said to her. “Privately.”
“Sure Anston,” she said sweetly. “I’ll be here.”
He took off as abruptly as he appeared, presumably toward the bar. Nila took a swig of her water, thoughtfully chewing on an ice cube. “Anston is getting weird in his old age.”
“He does seem a little off,” Summer replied. “ I hope everything is okay.”
“Okay, new subject!” Nila declared with a clap of her hands. “Let’s talk about our big grudge match tomorrow. You ready or what?”
This was Nila’s true sincerity, not a threat. She may be annoying, but she wasn’t a viper. Something that was widely regarded as her Achilles heel on the court. She was honestly just a nice, yet annoying, person.
“Come on, you know I’m never under prepared.” Summer teased. “Wow, I can’t believe it’s tom
orrow. I’ve missed it so much.”
“Well as much as I hate to admit it. We’ve missed you too.” With a wink Nila touched her glass to hers. “See you on the court.” Slipping by Jake, she squeezed his butt. “And I’ll see you on the dance floor.”
Silence crept in as the rest of the room seemed to drift away. All night she pretended she didn’t notice how incredible he looked. Jake in jeans and a t-shirt was striking, but him in a tux should be down right illegal. It took a moment to realize she had lost herself, suckered again by his mesmerizing blue eyes.
“Take a picture it lasts longer,” he teased.
She could feel her face redden as he peered down at her.. This was the moment she swore she would avoid all night. Being so close to him and looking that good was too tempting a situation to navigate. He held his hand out to her, leading her out to the dance floor. At that moment, she would have followed him to the ends of the earth.
“Summer, may I have a word with you outside, please?” The tight grip of her shoulder startled her. She turned, her eyes meeting the frantic bloodshot ones of Anston Vitalie. “Please, this is urgent. Can you step out side with me?”
“Of course I will, Anston.” Winding her arm around him, she led him out to the terrace. “Jake I’ll be right back.”
***
Jake watched with a frown as the doors closed behind Summer, Anston and his opportunity at a moment alone with her. “Take a number, Harrison” he mumbled, then made his way through the crowd to follow.
“Hey just because you’re not on her dance card doesn’t mean you have to leave.” Nila laced her fingers around his arm. “Wallflower must be a new gig for you.”
“Looks that way.”
“I’ll right that wrong.” With a tug of her hand, she hustled him to the dance floor and wrapped herself around him. “You move pretty well,” she said after a few seconds. “Don’t tell me you’re not the dancing type.”
“I’m not. I more of the drinking-watching-the-game-at-the-bar kind of guy.”
“You’re a very good looking man.” she said. “Summer’s lucky. I suppose you’re heading off to
Switzerland with her and Geoffrey?”
Jake cocked a brow. “
Switzerland? What makes you say that?”
She leaned in closer as if sharing a secret. “Okay, I know I’m not supposed to know, but I heard Geoffrey filing a flight plan with
Miami International Airport. Seems a weird time to leave when he just bought this place and all.” A devious smile pulled at her lips as pressed against Jake’s ear. “Don’t tell anyone I know, but they’re eloping. Geoffrey told me.”
“Really?” He would have fallen over from shock if his well-trained brain hadn’t been shifted into high gear. “Yeah, that eloping thing was top secret. What else do you know you aren’t supposed to?”
She shrugged. “Not much except they’re leaving after the match tomorrow. I guess Summer was pretty adamant about it. It’s strange but I had the impression it would never happen.”
“Yeah, me too.” He heard the disappointment in his voice and wondered if she did too. But it did make sense. If Summer was truly afraid of repercussions from either her father or the federal government, she’d be unreachable in
Switzerland. She’d also have a place to train, and a husband who was a full citizen.
A waiter finally reached their area of the dance floor. Jake helped himself to a glass for Nila before glancing at the man’s face in front of him. He looked familiar. The bad complexion. The dark eyes, long hair. Jake was never one to forget a face, but it was his presence as a whole that struck h
im. Somehow he was significant.
Jake watched him disappear in the crowd, obviously more rushed than when he had appeared. When he reached the terrace doors he ditched the tray and slipping outside into the night. It was then something clicked in Jake s brain. He did indeed recognize the waiter. The night in the bar. This was the man with the tattoo.
Without explanation he pushed passed Nila and headed out into the night. The terrace was empty but over the stone ledge, he could see his shadow tear across the lawn. As best as Jake could tell in the haze, he was heading toward the pool complex across the valley below. Beyond that there was an access road. Jake couldn’t let him get that far.
He didn’t want to leave Summer alone, but he didn’t have choice. Scaling the brick wall, Jake tumbled onto the lawn below.
He jumped back on his feet taking off in to the darkness, each step vibrating in his tightened chest.
***
Summer hugged herself against the chilly drizzle. The terrace was empty and given the storm clouds above,, it would stay that way. The revelation caused a sinking feeling in her stomach.
Summer’s heels skidded on the wet stone as Anston pulled her around the house to a well-hidden part of the terrace. In his other hand he clutched an empty tumbler, its contents she could smell on his breath. When they turned the corner he shoved her to the wall, then heaved the empty gla
ss at the stone all beside her.
“Anston, you’re scaring me,” she told him, eyeing the glistening shards at her feet. “How about we talk inside.”
“You must think I’m a very stupid man, don’t you?”
“Why would I think that?”
“Letting things go like this. Letting things happen like they have.”
“I don’t know what you are talking about, Anston.” She peered around the corner for anyone else who could be outside. Nothing, just a few rouge mosquitoes and the chirp of crickets on the lawn below. “Anston, please can we go inside.” she asked. “It’s really cold.”