Authors: Danielle LaBue
He didn’t answer. Snapping his lighter open, he lit his cigar.
“First you use me as a pawn, now you want to kill the only person in the whole world who has ever done right by me?”
“Summer, darling,” Geoffrey cooed. “I think you are misunderstanding your father.”
“What kind of fool do you take me for, Geoffrey? You two set me up, used me and what has that left me? Nothing.”
“Nothing!” Al challenged, getting up from his seat. “You call this place nothing? This whole Vitalie compound is yours thanks to me. You and Geoffrey will be happy here.”
Summer shook her head. “I don’t know how you roped Anston into all of this or how Geoffrey acquired all of his things. But I know it’s because of your dirty work and I sure as hell don’t want any part of it!
“Geoffrey, get her out of here.”
She ripped the engagement ring off her finger and tossed in his face. “No need,” she said, snagging the car keys from Geoffrey’s sweat jacket pocket. “I’ll show myself out.”
On her way out the door she spotted Leslie at the stairs with her cell phone tight against her ear. “I tried calling Jake but he won’t answer,” she whispered. “I’m trying Diggs but he’s in
Tampa at the field office.”
“There’s no time for that.” Summer said. “I’ve got to find that tape.” She bounded down the stairs, Leslie tailing behind her.
“Summer, wait! What are you doing? You can’t just take off by yourself.”
Summer knew the danger in betraying the plan, but running to the ends of the earth wouldn’t save their lives. Rain spilled from the sky as she darted across the lot with her dress sticking between her knees.
She kicked off her heals and ran barefoot through the puddles scanning the row for Geoffrey’s Jag.
When she found the car she quickly piled in, her wet skin dragging loudly against the leather. In her rear view mirror she could see Leslie coming at her. A flash of lightning illuminated her panicked face as she peele
d away from her into the night.
***
Jake stepped into the shower. The hot water scalded him but he didn’t mind. Maybe if he concentrated on the burn, the pain of his broken heart wouldn’t seem so bad.
He had watched the coverage on ESPN when he got home from the court. Even her smiling face on the damn TV screen was enough to knock him off his feet and he sat on the couch a good hour after just thinking about it. He wanted to remember her just that way. Happy.
When his skin was red and raw he turned off the water and grabbed a towel from the rack. He eyed his gun and the CD sitting on the counter across from him. As long as he still had the tape, he would have to be extra careful, but there was actually a small part of him that would welcome Al’s retaliation. One parting shot and Summer would be free of him forever.
He chucked the towel to the floor when he heard the front door open. He pulled on his pants then jammed the tape in his pocket, before snapping off the bathroom light. His car was in the driveway, but the house was dark. If the intruder thought he wasn’t home, Jake didn’t want to alert him to his presence.
The creek of his bedroom door opening drove him for his gun. Urgent footsteps padded across the tile until they stopped at his dresser. Drawers crashed to the floor, presumably spilling their contents. He felt for the tape in his pocket to re-assure himself. Safe and sound against his hip.
“Come and get it you bastard,” he whispered to himself, before lifting his
gun and throwing the door open.
Thunder crashed and lighting lit up the room. He lunged on the figure and pinned him to the bed, pulling his arms against his back and smothering his head in the comforter. “What the hell are you looking for?” Jake demanded. “If it’s a bullet in the head you’ve come to the right place.” He thrust his gun into the figure’s temple, digging it into his skull.
The rain pounded against the roof, making the muffled pleas of the intruder inaudible. With a grunt, Jake hauled him off the bed, then threw him against the wall. “Jake, don’t hurt me. It’s me!”
“Summer?” He stumbled away, tossing his gun on the bed as if it burned him. The lightning illuminated her pale face as she fell on the bed. “What the hell were you thinking?” He yelled, pushing his hand through his damp hair. “I almost shot you! Why didn’t you say it was you?”
“You didn’t give me a chance. The place was dark and you didn’t answer either of your phones.” She wiped the rain from her eyes, still panting from the force of his blow.
Jake searched her eyes as best he could in the darkness. She looked pale and weak and her skin was clammy and chilled. “Sweetheart, look at me,” he pleaded with his thumb on her cheek. “Are you okay?”
“Where is the tape?” she croaked. “You need to give it to me.”
“What?”
“Al! He wants to kill you.” She gasped, rubbing her stomach with an unsteady hand. “He was at the reception with Geoffrey and I heard them talking.”
He wondered if she was delirious. As far as he could tell she had no fever, but it was obvious she was somehow stricken. “Summer, what’s up? Did Al hurt you
?
“Jake, I can’t do this anymore!” she screamed over the roar of thunder. “I’m sick of living my life in fear. I don’t care what happens to me. Just arrest my father.”
Again the thunder clapped. When the lighting flashed he could see her wild eyes, tearful and desperate and his heart ached in response. “Baby, listen to me. You could lose everything, your career, your freedom and maybe even your life. I care about you too much to let that happen.”
“What about you, Jake? You stand to lose as much as I do. You’ll never have a chance at my father again.”
“I don’t care about that.”
“But I do!” Her voice trailed off. Her teeth were chattering now as she clung to the comforter. A sweatshirt hung from his middle drawer. He pulled it over her head then took her in his arms. “Shh, just relax.”
“Leslie called Earl. They know you have the tape. You have to turn it in.”
A flash of lightning lit the room. He cursed, his stomach hitting his throat. “Damn it Summer, why are you doing this?”
“Because I love you Jake!”
He looked at her, incredulous.
“You opened my eyes to the fact there is so much more to life than just tennis. I realize now my career doesn’t love me back, but even if you can’t either, at least I know your life won’t be ruined twice at the hand of a Riley.”
“Are you crazy, Summer? You are the farthest thing from ruining my life.” He brushed the hair from her eyes and held her cheek to his. “You saved me! Before I met you I didn’t care if I woke up in the morning. But you changed all that. I love you, Summer! I just want you to be happy.”
“Then please give me that tape!” She jammed her hand down his pockets, and he feared she was too fragile for him to fight back. Finding what she was looking for, she stormed out the bedroom door. “Summer, wait!”
“I’m going to drive this to the field agency in
Tampa if I have to.”
“No need for that.”
Al’s voice pierced the silence, the orange light of his cigar glowing in front of them. He was flanked by a stooge on each side but the darkness hid their faces.
Jake placed his hands on Summer’s shoulders. He shoved her behind him when he saw the silver glean of the revolvers poised in their direction.
“I’ll be happy to take that off your hands,” Al said. “Save you the time and trouble. Come on Summer, be a good little girl and give Daddy the tape.”
“No.”
Jake chuckled. “I should have killed you when I had the chance.”
“Shut up,
Harrison.”
“Look, you have a problem with me, you deal with me.” Jake warned. “But let Summer go. She’s your daughter, for Christ sake.”
Al smirked, a cloud of grey smoke settling in front of his face. “You know, you two have a lot in common. Blessed with talent but cursed by fate.” He gnawed on the tip of his cigar. “To bad it had to end in your untimely death, Harrison.”
“Daddy, please don’t hurt him.”
“This guy is nothing but trouble for you Summer. Daddy’s only righting a wrong here.”
Jake felt her shudder against him, her fingers clutching his waist. Reaching around, he wound his fingers in hers, just as much an effort to calm her as it was to calm himself. He took one last glimpse around as best as he could in the darkness. He was cornered and defenseless, but a part of him didn’t care. He didn’t want to live his life without the woman he loved and if it was his fate to die in her arms, he couldn’t think of a better way to go.
Al gave a nod to his stooges and they raised their guns in unison. He closed his eyes and held a breath.
“Freeze! FBI!”
Leslie’s voice echoed over the thunder. A flash of lightning revealed the gun in her hand, as a herd of officers stormed in behind her.
“Summer, get out of here!” Jake yelled, jumping the stooge in front of him. “Go! Now!”
Yellow explosions flickered in between the white lightning as bullets whizzed back and forth. Jake wrestled the stooge to the floor, pushing his face into the tile.
Another surge of uniformed men barged through the door with guns wielded and voices raised. Earl and his constituents followed. They barked orders in rain slickened trench coats before
Jake signaled to them for help.
“You guys have good timing.” Jake said to Earl. “I’m glad for the backup.”
“You should be. Looks like you were close to being fish food.”
Jake nodded, looking over at Al. Another agent was handcuffing him. “Well, at least we can add attempted murder of a federal agent to the list of charges.
Earl laughed. “Well, either way you got your man, Harrison. Congratulations.”
“Yeah, thanks.” Again he looked across the room at his nemesis. Excusing himself, he strode over to him.
“So, it looks like the good guys won this one.”
Al chuckled. “What were the odds?”
“Well that’s normally your area of expertise, but I’d say they were pretty good.” Jake looked at him. He was smiling. Totally cool. Like the prospect of jail was nothing but summer camp. “You look pretty happy for a man who’s going to rot in Federal prison for the rest of his life.”
“We’ll see about that. But in the event I will be away for a while, I have a request.”
“Oh yeah, what’s that?”
“You look after my daughter.”
Jake stood there a moment, speechless. He realized his crusade was over and he imagined he would feel healed and vindicated. Like a huge weight would be ceremoniously be removed. But as he watched the officers lead Al out the door, he now understood that regardless of whether justice was served, his heart would always be heavy. Unless he could be with Summer.
“Hey
Harrison!” Earl bolted across the room breathless and soaked from the driving rain outside.
“What’s up? Did you get the tape from Summer?”
“Yeah we got the tape, but it’s Summer. Come quick. We just found her.”
“What?”
Jake sprinted after Earl out the door and down the marble stairs. At the bottom on the lawn Summer lay unconscious, dark blood matting her blonde hair.
“What the hell happened!” Jake demanded, peeling her off muddied grass.
“She must have fallen down the stairs.” Earl replied. “We didn’t see her until just now. The fog settled in.”
The medics brought over a stretcher and Jake hoisted her on. Pushing her soaking hair from her face, he kissed her as if it would jar her to consciousness.
“Jake, let them take her!” Earl yelled, pulling him off of her.
Jake nodded, watching her lifeless body disappear into the ambulance. His own tears mingled with rain drops as both streamed down his cheeks.
Chapter Eighteen
Jake scribbled his name across the dotted line, then replaced the cap on the pen. It was official. Jake was no longer Special Agent Harrison. He looked down with a smile at the documents in front of him, then slid them across the small, hospital room table to Earl Diggs. “That’s all you need, right?”
“That’s it.” Earl said.
“It will take a few days to process, but as far as I’m concerned, you’re retired.”
Jake rubbed his hands together. “Sounds good to me.”
“That makes one of us.” Earl replied with a groan. “I don’t know what we’re going to do without you.”
“Aw come on. I was nothing but a pain in the ass.”
“A productive pain in the ass.”
Jake stood up, extending his hand across the table for Earl to shake. “I appreciate you running the paperwork down here. You can understand why I don’t want to leave. After last night, I want to be here when Summer wakes up.”
“Then the doctors are convinced she’s okay?”
“Yeah,” Jake replied. “She’s got a hell of a gash on her head but she’ll be fine.” He walked over to her bedside and t
ucked her hand under the sheet.
“She’s definitely going to need your support.” Earl rested a hand on his shoulder. “She’s been through a lot. Her father, fiancé, Anson Vitalie. That’s a lot to lose for one person.”
“Well, she’ll have me.” He looked down at the love of his life, her features as pale as the bleached sheets she lay on. She’d have him forever if she wanted.
“You are sure leaving your job is the right thing?”
Actually, he was surprised at how easy the decision was. He glanced at Earl beside him. “I did what I set out to do. It’s time to move on.”
“Jake?” Leslie came through the door with the doctor close behind her. “I think you
need to answer some questions.”
“Excus
e me, Agent Harrison?”
Jake smiled at the doctor, a graying little man who had earlier identified himself as a big NASCAR fan. “I need to speak with you regarding Summer’s blood tests.”
Jake chest tightened with worry. He jammed his hands in his jean pockets then took a long, deep breath. “What’s wrong, Doc? Is she okay?”
The doctor sighed. “Agent Harrison
...”
“Oh man, she’s sick, isn’t she? I told you guys last night she was weak.”
“She not sick,” he corrected. “She’s pregnant.”
Jake shook his head. “Excuse me?”
“She’s pregnant, and I need to discuss medication with, well the father or whoever...”
“That’s me.” He heard himself say, unable to believe the exchange. “It’s my baby. I’m the father.”
The words sounded so right falling off his tongue. Earl and Leslie just stared at him while a smile cramped his cheeks.
“Okay, Mr. Harrison,” The doctor said. “I worry about giving her pain medication because it might hurt the fetus.”
“She wouldn’t want it in that case and neither would I. Don’t worry if there is anyone who knows how to deal with a headache it’s me. I’ll take care of her.”
“Okay, I’ll come back later to discuss other options.” The doctor shook his hand then left, leaving Leslie and Earl in the room.
“So that’s why he’s leaving his job.” Earl kidded. “He wants to be a stay at home dad. So I guess congratulations are in order.”
Jake sat down in his chair before he fell down. “Wow, a baby.”
“I thought you couldn’t have kids.” Leslie said playfully punching his arm.
“That’s what they told me.”
Earl laughed and picked the papers up from the table. “I’m going to see if this place has copy machine. Save me some time. I’ll be back.”
When Earl left Leslie sat down in the chair beside Jake He heard her voice but the words didn’t register, his mind completely fi
xed on the news.
“Earth to Jake?” Leslie kidded. “You okay?”
Jake looked again over at the bed. He was more than okay. Never in his whole life did he ever figure he would have kids. He wasn’t able and he couldn’t imagine how they would fit into his lifestyle anyway. But now he knew that the woman he loved was carrying a part of him, he didn’t think it was possible to want anything more.
“She’ll have to marry me now.” Was all he could think to say. He laughed. A tear ran down his cheek.
“Are you sure that’s what is going to make you happy?”
“Oh yeah, Leslie.” He closed his eyes then took a long breath. “Absolutely.”
“Then I’m happy for you.”
He could sense the slightest sadness in her voice. But he knew she was sincere in her words. He turned to her, meeting her gaze, placing his hand on her knee. “Leslie, I want you to know something.”
“What?”
“You and I go back a long way, and there were times when I didn’t think I would make it. I might not have if it weren’t for your
friendship. If I ever hurt you.”
“You haven’t,” she said, putting her hand over his. “You’re a good man, Streak. You’ll be a good husband. A good father.”
“God, I hope so,” he whispered. “She’s never had a family, or at least one that was any good. I just want to make her happy.”
“So what are you going to do now you’re retired?”
He shrugged. “I called a real estate agent this morning. I don’t know. I got a few irons in the fire.”
“That’s Jake. Never still for long.” She laughed. “I can’t believe Big Al Riley is going to be your father-in-law.”
“Don’t remind me.” He stood up and went to the bed, brushing his fingers against her bruised cheek. “I wanted to propose as soon as she woke up. But I don’t have a ring.”
“You don’t need a ring.” Leslie stood up, then looked out the window. “I think the news about the baby trumps any
thing else you could give her.”
“Are you sure?”
Leslie nodded. “Oh, yeah.” She stood up and headed for the door, but paused when she reached the threshold. “I think you guys are going to be very happy,” she offered.
“Thanks S
hel,”
She disappeared. Jake felt a twinge of regret. That part of his life was over. A new one was in front of him, and he was ready to embrace it with the woman he co
uldn’t picture it without.
***
The dark haze thinned to white as Summer pushed open her eyes. The scent of bleach and antiseptic told her she was in a hospital again and the crushing pain against her temples told her what for. She gasped when she tried to sit up, spying the huddle of people gathered at the side of her bed.
“Don’t move, sweetheart. It’s just going to make it worse.”
“Jake?”
“Of course baby, who else did you think it was?”
She wanted to see his face but the effort was too painful. Thankfully someone placed a cool cloth on her head, allowing her a deep breath. “What happened?” she finally managed, her voice as weak as she felt.
“A concussion.” Earl said. “You fell down those marble stairs at Jake’s. They brought you here by ambulance last night.”
Suddenly it all came back. She was running from Al with the tape. “What happened with my father?”
“He’s in custody.” Earl explained. “So is Geoffrey. Jake did a great job.”
“I had a lot of help.”
“We’re sure going to miss working with him.” Leslie added. “The FBI is losing
one of its best field agents.”
Summer closed her eyes. The conversation was too hard to follow. She winced when she felt a hand against her, stroking the side of her cheek.
“Guys, maybe we should chat later.” Earl said, and she heard a parade of heavy feet heading to the door. “Harrison, how about a drink later while you’re still a free man?”
“Will do, buddy.”
“Free man?” Summer peeled the cloth from her eyes. “What’s wrong, Jake? Are you in trouble? It’s the tape isn’t it?”
“Shh, baby.” He held her behind her neck, easing her back on to the pillow. “Earl didn’t mean it that way.”
“Well, what did it mean then?”
He didn’t answer, and it was too much to press the issue. Closing her eyes, she turned her head enjoying his touch as he caressed her cheek. “You scared the hell out of me, you know that? I saw you lying at the bottom of those stairs.”
“You warned me a long time ago about the marble.” She ran her fingers along gauze patch on the side of her head. “Am I okay?”
“Nothing a little rest won’t help.”
“The tape.” She croaked. “Where is it? You aren’t here to arrest me, are you?”
“I’m here to tell you I love you.”
Suddenly she was totally alert, her wide eyes painfully focused on the smiling face above her. He hadn’t shaved, and she could tell by the red in his eyes he hadn’t slept either. “I love you, too,” she whispered. “So much.”
He kissed the palm of her hand then placed it against his heart. “I know you already have a pretty big headache, but since you’re awake I should probably update you and what’s going on.”
She drew a big breath, bracing herself for the worst. “They have the tape, don’t they?”
“They do.” He answered. “Your father and Geoffrey are in custody.”
“And?”
“And, Geoffrey won’t get more than a slap on the wrist, but there was enough on that tape to keep your Dad busy in the Federal Pen for a good couple of life sentences.”
At least some news was good. She felt a hint of relief. “What about me?”
He smiled, still holding her hand against him. “What can I say? Nobody wants to waste their time on you. One Riley is all law enforcement can handle I guess.”
She held a hopeful breath. “Jake what does that mean? Am I in trouble?”
“They aren’t pressing charges. And I don’t think the Tennis Federation will pursue it either.”
Something released within her, a relief that somehow dulled the pain. “Thank you.” was all she could think of to say.
“Don’t mention it.”
“What about you?” she asked. “You accomplished what you set out to do. How do you feel?”
He shrugged, his blue eyes dazzling. “I don’t know. Vindicated. Free. Unemployed.”
She sat up with a bolt then took a long blink to steady herself. “Jake, don’t tell me you lost your job because of me.”
“No, I left by choice.”
“Why would you do that?”
His gaze fell to his hand holding hers. “I don’t know. I guess it’s like you said, I did what I set out to do. Besides, you hate guns. What am I supposed to do pack a sling shot?”
“Jake...”
“I already have a new business venture.” He looked at her, his smirk blushing his face. “I thought I’d go back to my roots. Get back into the sports world.”
“Jake, if you’re considering driving a race car again, I’d rather you’d still be an agent.”
“I bought Vitalie.”
“You did what?” She winced at her own loud voice. Closing her eyes, she let him help her back down to the pillow.
“I’ve been doing some thinking,” he explained. “Since the accident, I’ve kind of been drifting. I didn’t really belong anywhere. You gave me a direction, Summer. Now I realize if it hadn’t been for the accident, I would have never have fallen in love with you. This is where I’m supposed to be.”
There was a calm about him she’d never seen before. He spoke softer, he smiled easier. The intensity had retreated behind his azure eyes.
“Jake, that’s a huge investment. Are you sure that was a smart decision?”
“I thought it would be fun.” He pulled the covers tighter around her. “I could be your manager.”
“But you don’t have to give up your life’s work.”
“You’re my life’s work now.” Gently he brought his arms around her and brought her head to his heart. “I never thought I would ever fall in love, Summer. But I swear to you the minute I laid eyes on you I wanted you. You gave me my life back and I don’t want to live the rest of it without you. I need you to marry me.”
She wasn’t sure if it was his words or her injury, but suddenly the room began to spin. She closed her eyes and nestled closer against him, letting his heartbeat steady her. “I’m sorry, I guess I didn’t realize how bad a head injury can be. Do you always feel so nauseous?”
“It happens.”
“How long do you think it w
ill be before I can play again?
He didn’t answer, the silence forcing her to open her eyes. “Jake, did the doctors tell you anything?”
“Oh, they told me loads.”
His smirking voice confused her.
“Jake, what’s going on? What did they say?”
“He said tennis is out…at least until the baby is born.”
“What?” The spinning room came to a screeching halt and a sudden energy found her bearings. “Am I? Are you sure? But I thought you couldn’t have kids?”
“I guess I was wrong.”
“And when I felt nauseous at the court?”
“Morning sickness.” Jake told her hair behind her ear. “The doctor said your hormone levels are really high. He wouldn’t be surpris
ed if you were carrying twins.”