Authors: Kathleen Brooks
Tags: #Fiction, #Romance, #Suspense, #Contemporary, #Romantic Comedy
Dani closed her eyes and listened to the noise of Henry, Tammy, Paige, and Red. She felt Kenna grab her hand and squeeze. She squeezed back. She’d just close her eyes for a minute.
“Kenna!”
“Danielle!”
Dani shot up in her chair and saw Kenna’s arm slip and her head fall to the side before shooting upright.
“What?” They said at the same time.
Dani turned her head in her seat and wiped her face to help wake up. Apparently she and Kenna took a little cat nap while debate raged over what to do next. A frantic looking Will and Mo ran into the room. Tired of explaining she just pointed to the note on her desk and the frame in the wall.
She saw both men clench their jaw and look at each other. Uh-oh, Chad was going to be in trouble. They both looked so fierce that Dani was almost afraid. But when Mo turned to her, there was nothing but kindness and concern in his eyes. Oh yeah, she was in love alright.
“About damn time you got here,” Paige walked over to the door where Cole was standing. “We called you almost thirty minutes ago.”
“I was in a meeting. Sorry it took so long. The local office got a call from Gene Pottinger, Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Office.”
That got everyone’s attention.
“Apparently we have two material witnesses in the area and our assistance is needed to bring them in.”
“You wouldn’t dare, Parker.” Will moved to stand between Cole and Kenna. She noticed Mo shift to her side as well.
“Of course not. I told them we’d keep our eye out for them and let them know if anything turns up. The meeting I called was to make sure the other agents knew that Pottinger had asked me to do this. If they heard anything they should let me know. I will report that nothing has popped up on our radar. Now, Dani, why don’t you tell me what happened.”
“I got a package. I opened it and found that note.” She pointed to the note. She noticed that the shock had worn off. She was no longer shaking or crying as she retold what happened. “Then I got a little mad and threw the photo he sent. It’s there.” She pointed to the wall. She really did have a good arm.
“Son of a bitch. Paige, you’re in this photo too and he refers to you in the note. When was this taken?”
“About four hours ago,” Paige answered. “But, I want to know what you are going to do about all of this. We have the FBI trying to take them away from us and we have a psychotic rapist playing with them. What are you doing? Nothing, that’s what!”
Dani sat back and watched Paige in a full rant. It was really something to behold.
“You walk around like some big shot when you can’t get anything done. You haven’t found this bastard. You haven’t made them safe. Now because you can’t get anything done, I am in this sicko’s sights.” Paige threw up her hands. She pulled her cell phone from the back pocket of her jeans and punched in a number. “Hey. I need you. Something has happened. Yes. I am at Kenna’s law office. Okay. Bye.”
“Just what in the hell was that all about?”
Paige got right into Cole’s face. “I am calling someone who I know can help.” She turned on her heel and walked out of the office.
“What do you mean by that?” Cole yelled after her.
Kenna leaned over to Dani, “It’s like a real live soap opera.”
Dani grinned. She’d been thinking the same thing.
For the next ten minutes Dani, Kenna, Will, Mo, Henry, Tammy, and Red took the opportunity to enjoy the Paige and Cole show.
“I bet they don’t even know they both are completely crazy about each other.” Kenna said.
“Nope. Just like me and my Susie were forty years ago,” Red told them.
“I think it’s romantic,” Tammy sighed. “Oh my!” Tammy stood up so fast she almost knocked the desk chair over.
Three very large, very strong looking men walked into the room one at a time. The man who walked in first lifted an eyebrow as Paige shouted at Cole in the back room.
“I take it our sister is angry?”
Will stepped forward and shook his hand. “Sure is. She’s something when worked up. Miles, this is my fiancé, McKenna Mason and her friend Danielle De Luca. This is Miles Davies, Paige’s oldest brother. This is Marshall and Cade,” he said as he introduced the other two men.
“So, who wants to tell us what’s going on?” Miles asked.
“Don’t you want to wait for them?” Dani nodded her chin in the direction of the argument.
“Nah, we’ll probably get more done without those two. Who’s the guy by the way?”
“Cole Parker of the FBI.”
The three brothers just nodded. It was amazing. They were all between six foot and six two and they all had the exact same hazel eyes as Paige. They were muscular, but not bulging steroid type muscles. Sexy muscles they got from hard work, not pumping endless hours of iron at a gym. They varied some in the nose and jaw line though. Miles had a square jaw, Marshall a sharp nose, and Cade had a slightly more angular face than Miles.
Kenna gave a brief run down of what happened to her and what happened to Dani over the past four months. She showed them the note and then the picture. They were looking at the picture when Cole and Paige came back into the room.
“Miles!” She ran over and jumped into her brother’s arms. Dani looked at Cole and would have sworn she heard him growl.
“Just who the hell are you and what are you doing at my crime scene?”
Ignoring Cole and looking at Paige, “He doesn’t know who we are or why we’re here? Paige, you should have obtained permission.”
“Sorry, Miles. When I saw that picture and when Cole said the New York Office was trying to have Kenna and Dani arrested, I just flipped out a little.”
Cole gave what sounded like a snort before asking them again who they were.
“Miles Davies. Paige’s older brother.”
“Brother?” Cole realized he sounded pretty relieved when he immediately continued in a sterner voice, “And the rest of them?”
“This is Marshall and Cade,” Miles paused for dramatic effect and then to poke fun at Cole said, “also her brothers.”
“And what does she expect her brothers to do about this?” From the smile on their faces, Dani guessed they could do a lot. There was something very mysterious about her brothers.
“We have experience in these types of things. We were special forces.”
Dani really tried not to laugh at poor Cole. His face was turning red and it was clear he was getting close to the end of whatever rope he was hanging onto.
“What special forces group and what kind of experience?” Cole inquired.
Poor guy. He was going to break a tooth if he kept grinding his teeth together.
“Knock it off, Miles.” Marshall turned to Cole, “We started off with the Rangers. We’re trained in counter terrorism. We served in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. If there is someone you need found, we can find them.”
“Started out? Where’d you end up?”
“Sorry, that’s classified.”
“I just bet it is. Look. I have my hands full right now trying to walk a very tight rope between legal and illegal. I am trying to figure out a way to stall the New York Office from calling in the cavalry and arresting these two.”
“We can help with that.”
“Sorry, which one are you?”
“Cade. I teach biology at the high school and coach football with Will.”
“Oh, a science teacher is going to help me with the FBI? I don’t believe this. Your whole family is nuts!”
“Give me two hours, then check the FBI database and see if there is still a bulletin out for Kenna and Danielle.” Cade turned around and walked out of the office.
“Is he serious?”
“Look, we’re not here to step on any toes. We’re here to help. Paige has our numbers. Call us if you need us,” Miles told Cole before turning and leaving with Marshall.
Dani felt Mo’s hand on hers. She turned and felt horrible when she saw the stress lines around his eyes and mouth. He was so worried and it was all her fault.
“I would feel so much better if you came home with me tonight. Then I would know you were safe,” Mo said with a concerned look.
“Thank you. That’s very kind, but I really just want a glass of Miss Lily’s special ice tea and maybe a big brownie before I go to bed. I will be fine.”
“Then, at least let me walk you home. I am sure you are exhausted.”
That was for sure. It was well past dinner time now, but all she wanted was some comfort food and a good drink. She knew Miss Lily would fuss over her, but in the end give her the mothering she needed so badly right now.
“Come on then, let’s get you home.” He escorted her out of the room as everyone said their goodbyes.
Walking down the street she felt the waistband of her skirt for her knife and was comforted by its feel.
“I was so scared when Will called me to tell me something had happened to you.” He paused as if gathering his thoughts.
Her stomach started to flutter at the thought of being lucky enough to have someone like him care about her. It was too soon to hope he had feelings for her as strongly as she had for him. She was still amazed that love had hit her so fast.
“I was afraid I had lost you just as soon I had found you.” They turned up the street and she saw the light on the porch at Miss Lily’s. “I have never felt for anyone the way I feel for you. I had always thought myself cold and unfeeling, but you have changed all of that. I can’t control my feelings for you. I burn for you.”
Her heart lifted as she walked up the stairs. “It’s the same way for me.” She couldn’t look at him. For some reason she was so embarrassed about her feelings. She felt Mo’s hand squeeze her’s as he pulled her up the last step and into his arms.
“Danielle.” It was said as a plea right before capturing her lips in a passionate kiss. He pulled her closer and his hand traced the side of her body up to her face as he wiped away a tear she didn’t know had fallen. “Do not fear, we can face anything if we are together.” He nuzzled his head into her neck while kissing a path up to her ear.
The screen door slammed shut. She and Mo jumped apart and looked toward the noise. Miss Lily was standing in the front door with her broom in hand.
“Don’t mind me, just straightening up for the night.” She started humming Camptown Races while she swept the porch.
“How does she do that every time?” Mo whispered. Dani giggled and felt the tension from the day start to crack and fall away.
“Miss Lily, I had a rough day. I would do just about anything for a cup of your special ice tea and a brownie.” Dani smiled even more when she saw all five feet of Miss Lily puff up with pride at the compliment.
“Of course! Just let me take care of you! Come on inside and get settled.”
Dani sent Mo a wink as Miss Lily herded her in side with her broom.
“Good night, Mohtahi,” Miss Lily sang as she closed the front door.
Chapter Ten
In New York City...
“What do you mean Chad is gone?” Pottinger yelled. He slammed the door to his large, corner office and paced in front of the bank of windows overlooking the New York City skyline. Not once did he look at the pathetic excuse of an agent standing rigid before his desk. “You were supposed to keep an eye on him, Edwards.”
“I am sorry, sir. I will find him.” Edwards kept his eyes fixed on the framed photo of the Pottinger family that sat in the center of Gene’s desk. What a hypocrite. Banging teenagers at night and then going home to his country club wife and perfect kids.
“I want him found, now. Bob thinks he went after the attorney in Kentucky. Get down there now and find him before he does something stupid, like getting caught.” Pottinger rubbed his hand over his chest. This was too much stress. The heartburn was killing him. All because Bob had insisted on inviting that idiot Chad. The man was a menace, always thinking he was better and smarter than everyone. Now he was in charge of cleaning this mess up. “And Edwards, if you find Chad, kill him.”
“Yes sir.” Edwards turned and left the office, quietly shutting the door behind him.
He smiled as he retrieved his car and punched Keeneston, Kentucky into his GPS. Twelve hours from now, Pottinger would owe him big time. He could kill two birds with one stone, maybe even three birds. Take out that attorney bitch, Chad, and maybe even the assistant if she was around. That had promotion to Special Agent in Charge written all over it.
In Keeneston...
Since the afternoon Kenna had dropped the marriage bomb on her, Dani had been planning a surprise bachelorette party. She and Paige wanted something less formal than the engagement/wedding party Betsy was throwing, and agreed on a
Say No to the Dress: Keeneston Edition
theme.
“Shhh!” Dani held her finger up to her lips. Paige slapped her hand over her mouth to suppress the next bout of laughter from bubbling out. Dani knew Kenna endured a long day in court and was taking a nap on the couch in her office before finishing up some work. But, with her wedding just two days away, it was time for a party.
She kicked off the heels she just bought from Walmart to avoid making any noise as she crept down the hall. Dani took a deep breath to stop the contagious giggles. She and Paige tiptoed down the hall towards Kenna’s office. Dani carried a bag filled with a cheap veil, a tacky wedding dress, and a lot of liquor. Paige was carrying a bag filled with food Miss Violet had prepared and a pitcher of the Rose Sisters' ice tea.