Deadly Prospects (14 page)

“I don’t want to complain,” Ally said.

“But you will,” Finn finished for her, leaning back on her couch and slinging an arm over Emma’s shoulders. “You always complain.”

“I thought Jake and I were going to actually get to go out on a date tonight,” Ally said, ignoring his sarcasm. “If that makes me spoiled … well … so be it.”

Emma clucked sympathetically. “I know this is hard.”

“Hey, even when you were going through your stuff, you and Finn got to go out together,” Ally said. “You got to spend time together, just the two of you. I feel like the ugly stepsister.”

“You’re not ugly, angel,” Jake said, rubbing her back. “I promise I’ll take you out to dinner tomorrow.”

“I still don’t understand why we’re stuck here,” Ally said, her bottom lip jutting out.

Jake brushed a kiss against Ally’s temple. For some reason, the idea of showing affection in front of Finn bothered him less than doing the same when James and Grady were in the room. “They have information we need to hear.”

“What kind of information?”

“We won’t know until they get here.”

“You must have some idea.”

“I don’t.”

“You must.”

“I really don’t.”

“Well, what were you looking at earlier today?”

Jake sighed. “You seriously just can’t be quiet, can you?”

Ally scowled, as Finn erupted into a fit of laughter. “Ally, you know he’s got a point, don’t you?”

“You be nice to her,” Emma chided.

“Hey, I’m on her side,” Finn said. “I’m comfortable with Ally and Jake being together. I’m the good one.”

“Why is that?” Jake asked. “Why are you perfectly fine with this?”

“I’m the youngest brother,” Finn said, shrugging. “We were the closest in age. I didn’t feel the same protective instincts Grady and James did where Ally was concerned.”

Ally was affronted. “You’re not protective of me?”

“I am,” Finn said, laughing. “Just not the way they are. You forget, I was in the same house with you during your wild dating years.”

Jake was intrigued, settling into the armchair and shooting a flirty look in Ally’s direction. “She had wild dating years?”

“Please, she and Mandy were obnoxious with the dating,” Finn said. “They had more guys sniffing around than should be physically possible.”

“That’s a lie,” Ally said.

“Oliver Thompson?” Finn challenged.

“He was just a friend,” Ally said.

“Joey Knight?”

“He was kind of cute,” Ally conceded.

Jake smirked. “And which of these guys stole your heart first?”

Ally pursed her lips, fixing Jake with conflicted look. “You.”

Jake swallowed hard, patting his lap. “Come here, angel,” he said. Ally slipped onto his lap, letting Jake wrap her in his warmth. “I still want to hear about the wild dating.”

“One time, Mandy and Ally dated twins from one town over,” Finn said, warming to the subject. “What were their names again?”

“I think you’re making up that story,” Ally said, burying her face in Jake’s neck.

Jake poked her in the ribs with his index finger. “Tell me the story.”

“I kind of want to hear it, too,” Emma admitted.

“Mark and Matt Simpson,” Ally said, sighing.

“That’s right,” Finn said, guffawing. “You guys decided they were really clones and that they shared a brain.”

“And that brain had only one thought,” Ally said.

“And what thought was that?” Jake asked.

“Sex,” Ally said.

Jake frowned. “What?”

“They were teenage boys,” Ally said. “Aren’t all teenage boys interested in sex?”

“I guess,” Jake hedged. “I’m not sure I want to hear this story.”

“You do,” Finn said. “Mandy and Ally went out on a double date with these guys. In the middle of it, they convinced themselves they were clones and shared the same brain. So, to get away from them, they climbed out of the bathroom window and called me for a ride.”

Emma laughed. “They just ditched them?”

“After ordering the most expensive things on the menu,” Finn said. “Mark and Matt showed up at the house demanding answers like two hours later. I had to lie to them and tell them I didn’t have a sister, and I had no idea who the blonde devil was.”

Jake laughed, rubbing Ally’s thigh. “Did you really do that?”

Ally shrugged. “It was Mandy’s idea.”

“Oh, please,” Finn said. “You two came up with it together. You were always in sync on stuff like that.”

“They were douches,” Ally said.

“It sounds like you were a handful even then,” Jake said.

“You have no idea,” Finn said. “I have so many stories to tell you. I can’t wait.”

“You’re dead to me,” Ally grumbled, sinking into Jake’s arms and relishing the feeling of his chest as it rumbled with laughter.

“SO,
what did you find out?”

Mandy unpacked the bags of food, dispersing them onto the coffee table. “Well, I was right about Archer and Lawson.”

“You’re a genius, baby,” James said, patting her rear. “I’ve always said it.”

Ally made a face. “You two are disgustingly cute today.”

“Thank you.”

“It wasn’t meant as a compliment,” Ally said.

“Lawson and Archer piqued Peter’s interest, too,” Sophie said, digging into her Thai. “He marked the two of them off, and one more name.”

“What name?” James asked, settling onto the floor next to Mandy.

“Raymond Thredson,” Sophie said.

“Who is that?” Mandy asked.

“Well, this is why it’s good to know people with inside information,” Grady said.

Sophie frowned. “Oh, now you like him?”

“I like you,” Grady said. “Isn’t that enough?”

Sophie scowled. “Raymond Thredson was an employee at First United Bank,” she said.

“Why does that matter?” Finn asked.

“Because First United Bank was the facility that had their money stolen,” Grady replied.

“I don’t think I’m following.”

“There was a rumor that it was an inside job,” Sophie said. “When you think about it, someone had to know the route of the armored car.”

“That makes sense,” James said, splitting a spring roll in half and slipping part of it onto Mandy’s plate. “What’s the deal with this Thredson?”

“We don’t know yet,” Sophie said. “Peter didn’t know everything. He just said that there were rumors that this Thredson was involved.”

“And we don’t know what happened to this guy?”

“No.”

“We need to run more intensive searches,” James said. “I’ll set all three of them up tomorrow morning. It’s a weekend. We can’t do much else.”

“So, we have Archer, Lawson, and Thredson,” Jake said. “And we’re thinking one of these guys thinks that Ally knows where the money is hidden.”

“See, this doesn’t make a lot of sense to me,” Mandy said. “If Sawyer was the one who was taken into custody, wouldn’t one of the other three have been the one who took the money and fled?”

“In theory, yes,” Grady said.

“Why wouldn’t the guy who ran with the money just keep it for himself?” Ally asked.

I’m guessing that some sort of agreement was reached,” Jake said.

“What kind of agreement?”

“Well, I’m just throwing it out there, but Sawyer probably agreed to turn evidence against the other two in exchange for his share of the money.”

“Why did they never claim the money?” Ally asked. “And if they really think I have information, why would they want to kill me?”

“Maybe they couldn’t claim the money,” Finn said. “Maybe they were waiting for the other two to go up the river and that never happened. As for trying to kill you, that’s a pretty good question. We have more questions than answers right now.”

“So, why didn’t the four of them come to a meeting of the minds?” Mandy asked.

“I don’t think like a criminal,” Finn said. “I have no idea.”

“Something about this just doesn’t make sense,” Grady said. “Mandy is right. It’s been twenty years. At a certain point, you just say ‘hey, the cops aren’t looking at us anymore, let’s get rich.’”

“I’m always right,” Mandy said.

James kissed Mandy’s cheek. “You certainly are.”

“Ugh,” Ally said. “Did you guys have another office interlude or something?”

James froze. “What are you talking about?”

Mandy fixated on her dinner. “So, let’s talk about these three guys.”

“I’m talking about you fulfilling Mandy’s office fantasy,” Ally said. “She told me all about it.”

“Ally,” Mandy scolded her.

“You told my sister about that?” James’ face was drawn.

“I may have given her a few details,” Mandy hedged.

“Oh, get over it,” Sophie said. “We’ve told each other everything.”

“Everything?” Grady asked, arching an eyebrow.

“Everything,” Ally confirmed.

“See, you need to explain this to me,” Grady said. “I’m your brother. It doesn’t bother you to hear this stuff?”

“Nope.”

“Not even a little?”

“I think it’s funny,” Ally said.

“What’s funny?” Finn asked.

“Well, for starters, I know that James has a thing for painting Mandy’s toenails.”

James shot Mandy a look. “That’s not true.”

“Oh, crap, I knew it,” Grady said, rubbing his forehead. “I’m scarred for life. This must be how James felt walking in and seeing Ally having sex with Jake.”

“Oh, man” Jake said.

“How did you know that?” James asked, ignoring the rest of Grady’s admission.

Grady shot a look in Sophie’s direction. “Women have big mouths.”

“I’m done with this conversation,” James said, turning to Mandy. “And you’re cut off.”

“Whatever,” Mandy scoffed. “I can last longer than you.”

“No, you can’t.”

“Yes, I can.”

“I can’t believe you’d tell my sister that,” James said.

“Ally has a big mouth,” Mandy said. “I told her that in confidence.”

“You told her that in front of me and Heidi,” Sophie corrected.

“Thanks for helping,” Mandy said.

Sophie shrugged. “Hey, you guys are the ones with the weird fetish.”

“Says the woman who likes to cut newspaper articles out while watching television and then leaving the mess behind,” James scoffed.

Sophie frowned. “What?”

Grady punched James in the arm. “That was a secret.”

“Hey, if my stuff is out there, so is yours.”

“I knew about the nail-polish thing and I kept my mouth shut,” Grady said.

“No, you didn’t.”

“Hey, I didn’t tell anyone about Mandy’s underwear.”

Mandy scowled. “What is that supposed to mean?”

“I’m going to kill you,” James threatened Grady.

“Yeah, what is the whole thing with my underwear?” Mandy asked.

“Oh, that’s actually not bad,” Sophie said. “James told Grady that he knew he was really in love with you because of those shark underwear.”

“How is that not bad?” Mandy asked.

“I think it’s sweet.”

“It doesn’t sound sweet to me.”

Jake, Ally’s thigh resting tightly against his own, glanced over at her. “Do I have this to look forward to?”

Ally shrugged. “Will that make you run?”

Jake tilted his head, considering. “I guess not.”

“Think of it this way,” Ally said. “We’re one big, happy family now.”

“I’m really starting to wish that we’d had a night alone,” Jake admitted. “All of this is a little overwhelming.”

Ally patted his leg. “I told you.”

“I should have listened.”

“Can we kick them out now?” Ally asked, her tone hopeful.

“Go nuts.”

“You’re starting to make me dizzy,” Jake said.

It was Saturday afternoon, and he was sitting on Ally’s couch working on his laptop. He’d hoped for a relaxing day, but Ally’s edgy nature was starting to get to him. He’d spent the past two hours watching her walk the same path around the living room.

“What?” Ally asked, pulling her thumb from her mouth. She’d gnawed eight of her perfectly manicured fingernails down to the nubs, and she was currently going for the ninth.

“You’re pacing,” Jake said, his eyes glinting.

“I am not,” Ally protested.

“You are, too.”

“I am not.”

Jake sighed, leaning back on the couch. “Why don’t you sit here with me for a few minutes,” he said, patting the open spot next to him.

Ally eyed him dubiously. “I was not pacing.”

“Fine, you weren’t pacing,” Jake said, turning his attention back to the computer. “You were just making sure the carpet gets worn into a very specific pattern,” he grumbled under his breath.

Ally narrowed her eyes. “What did you just say?”

“I said you’re beautiful when you’re angry,” Jake said, not risking a look at her drawn face.

“I am not angry,” Ally said.

“Fine.”

Ally planted her hands on her hips, glancing over his head so she could check out her reflection in the mirror on the wall behind him. Jake watched her, the corners of his mouth tipping up into a mischievous grin. “Are you trying to decide if you’re beautiful?”

“No,” Ally said, her face coloring at being caught doing just that.

“Well, let me solve that conundrum for you,” Jake said, tapping on the keyboard. “You’re always beautiful.”

Ally sighed, flopping down on couch next to him. “What are you doing?”

“Reading emails and sending invoices.”

“It’s Saturday,” Ally said. “Why do you have to work?”

“I don’t
have
to work,” Jake said. “We’re behind, though, so I thought I would catch up.”

“You should bill James for overtime.”

“I’ll consider it.”

Ally shifted on the couch, looking around the room. Jake exhaled heavily. “What are you thinking?”

“Who says I’m thinking anything?”

“You have
that
look.”

“What look?”

“That look that tells me you’re about to careen completely off the rails,” Jake said.

“And what does that look like?”

“Well, it has big brown eyes, a really pouty mouth, and long brown hair that makes me want to run my fingers through it,” Jake said.

Ally fought the urge to smile – and lost. “You’re really sweet when you want to be.”

Jake leaned over, planting a firm kiss on her lips. “You make it easy when you want to.”

Ally leaned back on the couch. “Finish your work. I’ll be quiet.”

Jake snapped the laptop shut. “I’m done.”

“Great,” Ally said, jumping to her feet. “Let’s go out.”

“Where?”

“I don’t know. How about the mall?”

Jake immediately shook his head. “That’s too many people.”

“How about a coffee shop?”

“That’s just annoying,” Jake said.

Ally grabbed the collar of his shirt. “I am desperate to get out of this house.”

Jake glanced down at her whitening knuckles. “What if I told you I had an idea?”

“I would kiss you.”

Jake waited.

“I’m not kissing you until I hear the idea,” Ally said. “You could be trying to trick me.”

“Go and get your coat,” Jake said.

“Where are we going?”

“Get your coat.”

“You’re not going to tell me?”

“Get your coat, Ally,” Jake said, scowling. “I swear, it’s like talking to a really stubborn wall sometimes.”

“WE’RE
going on that?” Ally examined the motorcycle with a mixture of excitement and worry.

Jake nodded, walking over to the workbench in his garage and grabbing two helmets. “Put this on.”

Ally regarded the helmet like he’d asked her to pet a snake. “That will mess up my hair.”

“I’d rather have your hair messed up than your head when it hits the pavement without protection,” Jake said. “Put it on.”

“I didn’t even know you owned a motorcycle,” Ally said, grabbing the helmet and pushing it down on top of her head.

“You never asked,” Jake said, smiling at the way her long curls bunched around her face.

“I’ve never seen you on it,” Ally said.

“I only get to use it about five months out of the year,” Jake said. “I’ve only had it out twice so far this spring.”

“And what’s in the bag,” Ally asked, pointing at the refrigerated bag he’d affixed to the back of the motorcycle.

“A picnic.”

Ally made a face. “You packed a picnic?”

“Don’t get too excited,” Jake said. “It’s just some fruit and a couple of sandwiches. Don’t worry, I plan on taking you out to a nice dinner tonight, just like I promised.”

“Where are we going?” Ally asked again, struggling with the strap of the helmet.

Jake pushed her hands away, buckling the helmet into place tightly and giving her a quick kiss. “It’s a surprise.”

“I don’t like surprises,” Ally said.

“Yes, you do,” Jake replied, tugging his own helmet on and climbing onto the bike. “Get on.”

Ally shot him a nervous look. “I’ve never been on a motorcycle before,” she admitted.

Jake grinned, enjoying the way her eyes darted around. “Just think of it as an exercise in trust.”

“What do you mean?”

“You have to let me be in control,” Jake said. “Now, I know that will be hard for you, but I think you’re up to the task.”

Ally scowled. “You’re getting off on this.”

“Get on the bike, Ally,” Jake said.

Ally climbed onto the seat behind him, gripping the metal bars on either side of her tightly.

“Put your arms around me, angel,” Jake said. “Press yourself close.”

Ally arched an eyebrow. “This is just so you can cop a feel, isn’t it?”

Jake smirked. “I’m fairly sure I could’ve done that on your couch.”

“Fine,” Ally said, wrapping her arms around Jake’s waist and leaning her face against his back. “Just … not too fast.”

“Not too fast,” Jake agreed. “The last thing I want to do is scare you.”

“I’m not scared,” Ally said. “I don’t get scared.”

“Then hold on,” Jake said. “Just enjoy the ride.”

He started the motorcycle, the engine roaring to life. Ally jumped at the noise. Jake sat there a moment, letting her get comfortable again. When they pulled out of his driveway, her hands were digging into his sides. By the time he merged with traffic on the freeway a few minutes later, she’d relaxed enough to lift her head and look around.

Jake stayed under the speed limit, pointing the motorcycle north. The wind whipped past them both, and although Jake couldn’t see her face, he knew Ally had relaxed enough to enjoy herself.

She leaned in, pressing her lips as close to his ear as she could. “Go faster.”

“Are you sure?”

“Go faster,” Ally urged him.

“You got it,” Jake said. “I’m going to give you the ride of your life.”

“THIS
place is beautiful,” Ally said, extending her arms and twirling across the field. “How did you find it?”

Jake had brought her to an isolated bluff overlooking Lake St. Clair, trees on three sides and an open expanse of blue water on the fourth. He’d discovered the spot two years before while out on a hike, drawn to the solitary beauty and quiet. He returned from time to time, mostly when he was feeling the walls close in on him. He’d never brought anyone here before, afraid that the spot would lose the magic if he let someone else in on the secret. Ally was magic all on her own, though, and introducing one form of magic to another only led to bigger magic.

Jake smiled as he watched her, spreading a blanket out on the ground and dropping the picnic he’d packed at the corner. Spring in Michigan is a mixed bag, but the day was beautiful, both bright and warm. Jake got to his feet and moved toward her, enjoying the way her long hair fanned out as she spun around.

He caught her mid-spin, dragging her to him. “Doesn’t that make you dizzy?”

“No,” Ally said. “It makes me feel invigorated. I like going fast.”

“So, you liked the ride?”

“I loved the ride,” Ally said, her eyes sparkling. “It was … freeing.”

“It was,” Jake said, his fingers tracing circles on the small of her back.

“Is that why you like the motorcycle?” Ally asked, searching his face. “Because you don’t like feeling closed in?”

“Yes.”

“Is that why you come here?”

“Yes.”

“Do all my questions make you feel closed in?” Her tone was low and serious.

“Sometimes,” Jake said.

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be,” he said, kissing the tip of her nose. “I think that quiet is highly overrated.”

Ally giggled. “No, you don’t.”

“You’d be surprised,” Jake said. “If it’s quiet, then I can’t hear you laugh, and I love to hear you laugh.”

Ally leaned in, pressing her lips to his. “I like to hear you laugh, too.”

Jake kept his arms around Ally as he navigated her over to the blanket, pulling her down onto it with him and rolling on top of her. Their kisses were long and passionate, their hearts thumping in unison. Ally’s hands found the hem of Jake’s shirt, and he climbed to his knees and yanked it over his head.

“Are you sure you want to do this here?”

Ally’s eyes were heavy-lidded, her breath raspy. “I want to feel the air on us.”

“What if someone discovers us?”

“I don’t care,” Ally said. “They can get an eyeful. I’m not shy.”

“I’m not sure how I feel about someone else getting an eyeful of you,” Jake admitted.

“We’ll cross that bridge if we come to it,” Ally said. “I want you inside of me.”

Jake remained on his knees between Ally’s thighs. He never moved his gaze from her as he pulled her shoes off, and then her jeans, kissing the inside of her calves as he stripped her legs bare. Ally propped herself up and removed her own shirt, unclasping her bra in the front, and then lifting her hips so Jake could shimmy her panties from her body.

Jake moved to climb back on top of her, but Ally stilled him with a small shake of her head. “Take your pants off.”

“I will,” Jake said. “I just want to get a taste of you first.”

“No,” Ally said. “The next time you touch me, I don’t want anything between us.”

Jake unsnapped his own jeans, rolling them down and pulling them from his body before tossing them onto the pile of clothes next to them. He did the same with his boxers.

Ally climbed up to her knees, her lips finding Jake’s chest and kissing their way up, finally connecting with his ready mouth in a fervent tangle of tongues and desire. Jake snapped her body in close to his, relishing the feeling of her breasts as they mashed against his chest. He kneaded her rounded rear with his hands, gasping for air when their lips finally parted.

“Sit,” Ally ordered.

Jake did as he was told, nuzzling Ally’s jaw as she climbed on top of him. She positioned her thighs on either side of him, grinding her warm mound against his hard length, and wrapping her arms around Jake’s broad shoulders.

Ally teased him for a few minutes, pretending she was going to let him slip inside, getting right to the brink, and then shifting slightly so he couldn’t slide home.

“Please,” Jake gasped. “I need you.”

“I know,” Ally said, covering Jake’s open mouth with her own. “I need you, too.”

Just when Jake thought he was going to explode, Ally lowered herself onto him in one long, fluid motion, allowing him to bury himself to the hilt inside of her. “Oh, my angel,” Jake said, his fingers tangling in Ally’s hair as she started to move up and down on top of him. “You’re my angel.”

“Shh,” Ally admonished him, a devilish smile on her face. “You talk too much.”

Jake growled, thrusting up into her from below. Neither of them spoke again, not even when they jumped into the chasm of perpetual passion together. Ally was trembling when Jake gripped her shoulders, rolling them both onto the blanket still joined together.

No words were necessary now. They had sweaty hands, beating hearts, and soft lips to carry the conversational load this afternoon. It was the best conversation either of them had ever had.