Mine Until Dawn (14 page)

“Hmm, good…very good. You’re an amazing cook.” Actually, he was an amazing man period. She continued to eat when he didn’t speak.

“You have a very healthy appetite. I like that.”

Jade’s hand froze in midair. Appetite for what? Food, she hoped. She looked at his plate, untouched, then hers. She was half-way through her frittata. Vince was chewing on a piece of bacon, but from his expression, she didn’t think he’d meant food.

Eyes narrowed, Jade placed the morsel on her tongue, closed her teeth around the fork and slowly pulled it out. Vince, who watched the entire process with rapt expression, actually licked his lips. Jade grinned as she chewed and swallowed. She pretended to misunderstand what he’d meant.

“I didn’t eat much last night. You saw the finger foods at Ashley’s party. There’s just so much phallus-shaped… Never mind. Let me enjoy your delicious offering in peace, okay?”

“Okay.” Vince sounded amused, but he picked up his fork.

For a moment, they ate in silence.

They were almost done when she said, “So, are you going to tell me about—?”

“Uncle Remus,” he cut in. He picked up his coffee. “Sure, but first, can you tell me why you decided to be my champion last night?”

She’d known he’d bring that up. Despite the casual way he’d asked it, she knew the answer was important to him. Jade placed her fork on her plate and rested her arms on the counter top. “I need to know the identity of the person after your statue and I can’t with you in jail or being harassed by cops.”

“Why?” His eyes narrowed.

“My mother. She was very much involved in your father’s campaign. She hosted fund-raising parties for him and Wilkinson, volunteered a couple of days a week at their campaign offices. Two weeks ago, she stopped.” About the time his father held his party and lost the statue. “When I spoke with her, she said she was tired. She even stopped going to her office at Fitz-Valdes and had her assistant come to the house instead. I was convinced she was fighting chronic fatigue. I don’t know if her behavior is connected with your missing statue, Vince, but after what happened to Cohen, I must know what’s going on and who’s behind it.”

He took a sip of his coffee and studied her from the rim of his mug. “Why not just call your mother and ask her what went down that night?”

“I intend to. But I’m concerned for her too. If she’s involved in all this…and that’s a big
if,
I want to tell her everything that’s been happening here.” When he didn’t say anything, just continued to stare at her in his
 
usual intense way, unease slithered up her spine. “I need to know everything, Vince.”

His broad shoulders lifted and dropped. “No problem. You’re still planning on taking off tomorrow, aren’t you?”

In other words, he wanted her out of his way. She crossed her arms and glared at him. “Dana Point is only an hour’s drive from here, not the end of the world. We can easily meet everyday—”

“I’d prefer nights,” he cut in. “Talk shop between rounds of lovemaking or wait until we’re done at dawn. I’m game either way.”

Tingling heat raced across her skin. Done at dawn, and he didn’t even crack a smile. “You have a one-track mind.”

He shrugged. “I don’t like to play games when I go after something. I want you, Jade, and I have no intention of hiding it. Unless, of course, you have a problem with my saying it.”

How could she when he made her feel so feminine and sexy. No one ever had such an effect on her. On the other hand, he made it sound so unromantic, as though their coming together was only lust-driven. She didn’t know why the thought bothered her.

Jade picked up her fork and broke the remaining frittata on her plate into pieces. She glanced at Vince from the canopy of her lashes. He raised an eyebrow, obviously waiting for an answer.

“I don’t have a problem with you saying you want me, Vince.”
I just need to get used to hearing it.

“Good. About Uncle Remus.” He sipped his coffee and cradled the cup between his large hands, a smile playing on his lips. “He’s the last of a dying breed. Generous. Noble. If you met him, you’d never know he was once a renowned criminal lawyer.” The smile disappeared from his lips. “That changed the day a man he couldn’t get off sent his gang after him. He was on a fishing trip with a colleague when they went to his home. They killed his wife and only child. Uncle Remus sold his home, walked away from his practice and relocated to the Orcas Island to become a fisherman.”

“A fisherman?” Despite his neutral tone, she felt the waves of tension from him. Not sure what caused it or how to ease it, she put the fork down, propped her chin on the heel of her hand and locked her gaze on his face. “Commercial?”

“No, mainly for us. Whenever he had a really good catch, he’d share with a local restaurant. I grew up wanting to be just like him, a fisherman.” He must have read the disbelief in her expression because he gave a sheepish shrug. “I really did, except I saw it as a business venture. Anyway, Uncle Remus is not a blood relative, but he might as well be. He took my mother in when she was pregnant, broke and homeless. Took care of her and helped raised me. I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for him.”

Where was his father? Jade waited for him to continue. When he took his time sipping his coffee, she realized he was done. A sigh escaped her. Only Vince could summarize an entire lifetime in a few sentences. When he picked up his plate and reached for hers, she placed her hand on his wrist.

“We’re not yet done.”

He scowled, looked at his watch then back at her. “We have to go to DMV to get your driver’s license and stop by a car rental place to pick up a car.”

“I know. I also need to contact my security company and the housecleaning company I use, and be at my house before they get there, but you don’t see me complaining. Please,” she pointed at his stool, “sit and talk to me. Why was your mother alone? Where was the judge when your uncle was raising you?”

A wary expression crossed his face. “You want to talk about the judge?”

He made it sound as thought it were a distasteful subject. Refusing to be deterred, she nodded. “Unless it’s a state secret and you’ll have to kill me afterwards, yes.”

The smile she’d hoped for flashed, accompanied by his adorable dimples. “You’re something else, you know that. Unfortunately, it’s a long story and—”

“Come on,” she protested.

“And we don’t have the time. We’ll talk on our way. I’m supposed to stop by your brother’s gallery later and—”

“You’re going to see Baron?” When he nodded, she grinned. “That’s great. He knows a lot that goes on in the art world. Of course, I’ll come with you.”

“Do you think that’s wise?”

“My brother can be very difficult, Vince. I should be there to introduce you and make sure he helps.”

Vince scrubbed his face with his hands. “I was more concerned about how your brother would react to your involvement in my investigation, Jade. I saw how protective Eddie was. Should I bring my boxing gloves?”

She laughed. “No, silly. You’ve got me.”

A glint appeared in his eyes. “Do I?”

The double-entendre wasn’t lost on her, but she’d never been surer of anything in her life. The man had her. “Yes, Vince. You got me.”

His full smile, when it came through, sucked the breath out of her. He reached for her hand. “Let’s get out of here.”

CHAPTER 11

An hour later, Jade and Vince walked through the doors of La Baron Gallery. As usual, the gallery’s ambient temperature and spaciousness created by its wooden floor and vaulted ceiling soothed her senses. There was a throng of customers milling through the main floor, many more people than usual. She glanced upstairs at Baron’s office. The draperies were drawn, so she couldn’t see inside through the glass wall.

“Hmm, I wonder who’s having a show,” she murmured.

“Prelude by Dan Chancy,” Vince said, drawing her attention. He’d just read the card propped beside a sculpture of a reclining nude woman. Her arm extended and her neck held at an enticing angle, she appeared to be inviting a lover to join her. Vince glanced at her with a gleam in his eyes. “Nice piece.”

Heat crawled up Jade’s face. “I’ll let the artist know.”

“You know him?”

“It’s a she. Dan is short for Danielle, and please, don’t ever use the word “nice” to describe any of her pieces when she’s within hearing distance. She would chew your ears off, audience or no audience. Exceptional and inspired are the words Dan prefers, anything else is an insult.” She looked around for her brother’s tall figure, worrying that he might not be around.

Vince moved to another piece. “This is hers, too.”

“That explains the crowd in here.
 
She allows Baron to showcase her work once every two years.” Could her brother be with the artist now?

“Your brother only sells sculptures?”

“No. That,” she pointed to an entryway to their right, “leads to the painting room. It features everything from charcoal to oils. Farther on is photography, video, and film presentation. Upstairs are works from the turn of the century and some antiques. Each year he showcases different exhibitions by various artists. Historical or thematic shows, one person retrospective, or at times works by emerging, established artists, or commissioned projects. My cousin Ashley, the bride-to-be from last night, uses his gallery to sell most of her pieces.”

“Impressive,” Vince murmured.

Yeah, she was proud of her brother. It hadn’t always been easy for him as the other half of an identical twin and growing in the shadow of her perfect older brother Lex. The transition from playboy to a serious businessman had been interesting to watch. Unfortunately, he was now married to his gallery.

Jade touched Vince’s arm to draw his attention. “Do you want to look around while I try to locate Baron?”

Vince shrugged. “Sure. There’s enough here to keep me busy.”

“See you in a bit.” Jade skirted around customers and headed straight for the mocha-skinned woman with spiky hair behind the customer service desk. “Hey, Maya.”

The woman looked from a computer screen. “Jade. I though it was you.” She glanced past her at Vince. “You left your friend behind.”

Jade heard the curiosity in her voice. Sometimes a girl had to lay claim to avoid confusion. “Don’t worry. I’ll be back for him.”

Maya pursed her lips. “Too bad. Are you looking for Baron?”

“Yes. Is he around?”

Maya pointed up. “Upstairs. He was finalizing a sale with a client, but the man already left.”

Jade took the curving ramp without pausing to admire the pieces on the wall. Upstairs, she knocked briefly then pushed open the door just as Baron stepped into the room from the bathroom.

“Hey, stranger,” Baron said. “I haven’t seen you in months.”

Jade wrinkled her nose. “Liar. We had dinner at Lex’s before Mom left for the cruise.” As usual, Baron was faultlessly groomed in his trademark black silk shirt, black tailored pants and wing-tipped shoes. His chestnut hair cut short in the back and long in front caressed his face. “But I’m here now. I hope you aren’t too busy to talk.”

“I always have time for my baby sister.” She walked into his arms for a warm hug. He kissed her cheek, then draped his arm over her shoulder. “How was Ashley’s party?”

“Great, but I’m sure you don’t need details.”

He leaned back so their gazes locked. “Actually, I do. A little birdie told me about a certain stripper that did an opening act and then disappeared. With my baby sister. What’s up with that?”

Olivia. Just how many people had she called with that tidbit of gossip? Jade forced a blasé smile on her lips when she was anything but.

“Don’t believe everything you hear.” She stepped out of Baron’s arms, gripped her purse with both hands and took a deep breath. “I need a favor, though.”

“I guess that means no more discussion about last night’s escapade.”

“Yep. You know how it goes—you stay out of my business and I stay out of yours. Anyway, I have a friend who needs to pick your brain. I know you’re busy, but it would mean a lot to me if you helped him.”

“Is he the guy you came in with?”

Jade turned and looked at the security screens along one wall. One showed the entrance while several covered the main floor, the ramp and the second floor. “I guess you saw us.”

“Why does he look familiar? Do I know him from somewhere?”

She shrugged. “Unless you remember him from high school. His name is Vince Knight, although he went by Vinny then. He wasn’t around for long and—”

“Was a royal pain in the ass the entire time he was there,” he finished the sentence for her, grimacing. “I remember him all right. Thought it was weird how he disappeared just before the year ended. What exactly does he do now?”

“Why do you have to say it like that?” Jade scowled at him.

A cynical smile crossed Baron’s lip. “He seemed like a candidate for the penitentiary in high school.”

She narrowed her eyes at his condescending tone. “Whoa, is that my brother talking? When did you become so judgmental? People change, you know. You’ve changed. I remember when you had a different woman in your arms every month while you played at being a junior executive at Fitz-Valdes. Before all this,” she waved to indicate his gallery.

He raised his hands in mock surrender. “Ouch. Enough with the sucker punches. You can’t blame me for wanting a little diversity in my life.” When he teasingly pinched her nose, Jade brushed his hand aside and laughed.

“Yeah, right. Anyway, don’t use Vince’s high school exploits to judge him. He’s a writer now.”

“Is that so? What has he written?”

“Ever read anything by V.D. Knight?”

Baron’s green eyes sharpened with recognition. “A few. He’s all right. Okay, I’ll meet with him.” He glanced at his watch, then his gaze zeroed on the panels on the security screen. “Better make it quick, though. Dan brought twice her usual pieces, and I have to use temps as salesgirls. I must keep an eye on them.”

Jade turned and followed the direction of his gaze. He was studying Vince who was now upstairs, conversing with one of the salesgirls. “C’mon, I’ll introduce you.”

They left Baron’s office and Jade quickly introduced the two men to each other. “I’ll head to the loft to see Ashley while you two talk,” she told Vince. “Call me when you’re done.”

Vince nodded, and for a moment, their gaze locked. Jade forgot they had an audience. When Baron cleared his throat, she glanced at him guiltily. He gave her a grin she knew only too well, Vince was in for the third degree.

“Be good, big brother.”

“Aren’t I always,” he said.

“No.” It was wonderful to have older brothers, but they could be a real pain sometimes. She wasn’t staying long at Ashley’s, just long enough to check her voice mail and call her mother. The sooner they spoke the better she’d feel.

Jade smiled at Vince. “I’ll be back shortly.”

***

Vince gaze stayed riveted on Jade as she walked away. Before she disappeared down the ramp, she glanced back, caught his gaze and winked. He grinned.

“Wipe that smirk from your face, Knight. That’s my sister,” Baron snapped.

Vince turned around to consider Baron Fitzgerald’s tense expression. “She’s a fascinating woman.”

“And you’re one bold bastard.” Baron’s eyes narrowed.

“For stating the obvious?”

“For tempting fate,” Baron retorted. “I don’t take kindly to men sniffing around Jade.” When Vince smiled at his comment, he asked, “You find my comment funny?”

“No, just that you treat her as though she’s a child. She’s a grown woman.”

“Unfortunately,” Baron murmured. “With a mind of her own and a knack for inviting trouble. The last bastard who hurt her wished he’d never set his eyes on her. So watch your back.” He turned and started for his office.

Vince stepped behind him. “I have no intention of hurting your sister.”

“I’m happy to hear that, Knight, because if you step out of line, I’ll make you wish you were never born.”

Baron’s office was spacious with paintings of horses on the walls, Vince noted before he turned to face him. “All that for saying she’s a fascinating woman?”

“For looking at her the way you were doing. I don’t know what’s going on between the two of you, but you’d better be on the level. My sister doesn’t need another man screwing with her head.” He indicated a chair and waited for Vince to be seated.

“Someone hurt her?” The words slipped out before Vince could stop them.

Baron leaned back against his seat and studied him thoughtfully, then he smiled. “Her ex-husband, but don’t sweat it. We took care of the bastard.”

Jade had been married? Why hadn’t she said anything? With all the crap she’d had to deal with since they met, they hadn’t had the opportunity to exchange life stories. Except for this morning, but he’d opted not to fill her ears with sordid details about his childhood. On their way to and from the DMV, he’d steered the conversation to life after high school, their college days and chosen careers, despite her attempt to bring up his father. He had a shit load of stuff to deal with in the present without opening that can of worms.
  

“I don’t have all day, Knight,” Baron interrupted his musings. “What can I do for you?”

Vince leaned forward. “I was hoping that you’d help me locate a missing statue.”

“Sorry, man. I don’t deal in stolen items. However, I can tell you if it’s on the market. “He nodded at his desk top computer. “What can you tell me about it?”

Baron listened without interrupting as Vince quickly described the statue and tried to downplay its significance. “It’s not particularly unique, but the owner is attached to it and I promised to find it for her.”
        

“Hmm, interesting. That description fits an artifact of ancient Maya origin, circa 20 BC. The one I’m talking about is made of granodiorite, not granite. There’s not much known about the statue, but there are plenty of rumors about the writings at its base.” Baron smiled. “It’s funny. Mayans were the only people in the Americas to develop a form of writing yet some of their inscriptions cannot be deciphered.” Baron’s eyes narrowed. “You want to hear more, Knight?”

Vince studied Baron, recognized the tell-tale signs of irritation on the man’s face, but there wasn’t anything he could do about it now. “That would be nice.”

Baron shook his head. “You’ve got some
cojones,
man. I’ve got to give you that. Anyway, Mayans believed in evolving worlds and that 2012 is the year this world ends and the next one begins. Some people say the statue along with eight others of various Mayan gods have instructions about how to escape the apocalypse. How am I doing?”

“That depends on what else you’ve got.”

Baron gave him a derisive grin.
 
“Do you believe in the supernatural—spells, incantations, magic?”

Not sure where Baron was headed with his question, Vince shook his head. “Not really.”

“Then you wouldn’t be interested in the details.” Baron leaned back against his chair and leveled an annoyed look at Vince. “So? Are we talking about the same statue or do you still want to B.S. me?”

“Same statue. How do you know all this?”

“I’m in the field, Knight. I make it my business to know what’s going on.” Baron swiveled his chair around to pull an old, thick, leather-bound book from a bookshelf behind him. “The only record of the
Kukulcan
statue’s existence was in this book.” He turned back to the table, opened a page that was already bookmarked and slid it across the table to Vince.

The page showed a black and white picture of the statue. Vince studied it. “It’s the one.”

Baron smiled. “There’s a fortune being offered to whoever finds it.”

“How much?”

Baron’s gaze became watchful. “A hundred grand.”

That was all Vince needed, dealers and money-hungry wackos impeding his investigation. He turned his attention to the book and turned a page. “What else does the book say about it?”

Baron leaned back against his chair. “Not much now. I recently acquired the book for mere pittance, yet it once was considered one of a kind. Two years ago, it was stolen from The National Museum of Costa Rica. The police recovered it a few garbage cans away, with pages containing the story on the statue ripped off. A real shame because with the pages gone, the book lost most of its value. Anyway, all that remained on the statue was that picture, which, as you can see, is in the introduction pages, and the name of its original owner, Jean-Baptiste Descartes.” Baron put the book away. “So, are you the one offering the reward, Knight?”