Shadows May Fall (41 page)

“Holy crap you two scared the shit out of me!” Lou stood in the bathroom doorway yelling at them. “How the hell did you get in that way?!”

Abby stopped snorting long enough explain. “One of Connor’s gadgets I stole to play a trick on the guys! It’s like a master passkey.”

“What did you do?!” Lou’s eyes went wide.

“Look!” Caroline shouted and shoved her phone in Lou’s hand then fell on the bed laughing.

“Careful!” Lou raced to grab her present off the bed then set the box on the nightstand. Fortunately, she had hidden the card in her suitcase so she wouldn’t have to explain things. Things she didn’t really understand herself. “Video?” Lou asked as soon as the box was safe.

“Watch it!” Abby ordered. “She snuck in and got it!”

Lou hit play on the video and could hear singing in the background. The point of view let Lou know that they were sneaking in through the same upper floor entrance they used to get into her room. Kelly Clarkson’s ‘
What Doesn't Kill You Makes You Stronger
’ was blasting as they snuck in and pointed the camera into the bathroom. There, in the shower Dillon was singing at the top of his lungs shampooing his hair, pausing to dance between lathers. You could see the camera shake when Caroline held her laughter. After a few bars were completed, she snuck back out of the bathroom and headed down the spiral staircase. She pointing the camera down to catch Niko dancing in the middle of the living area, a towel wrapped on top of his head, another around his waist while he too sang at the top of his lungs. Niko, however, was in full blown music video mode dancing his ass off, literally. When the chorus hit, he jumped up on the couch and sang even louder when his towel fell off his waist, giving the camera the full monty. Caroline was unable to contain her laughter, causing Niko to look up. When he realized what she was doing he leaped from the couch straight to the stairs after her. That’s where the video cut off.

“Holy crap!” Lou understood the hysteria now and wondered why Niko wasn’t beating down her door to get the camera. “He is going to rip your arms off unless you delete this!”

“That’s why you’re keeping the phone!” Caroline yanked it out of Lou’s hand and went to hide it in her suitcase.

“Wait!” Lou stopped her. “I gotta see that again.” The three girls laughed so hard, Lou started crying during the second view.

It wasn’t until the third replay that they started appreciating the men’s obvious talents, but it was getting late so they started getting Lou ready. It also helped them to buy time so they wouldn’t be ambushed in the hall. By the time they were finished with her, all Lou needed to do was throw on her dress and shoes then she would be good to go. Abby and Caroline decided it would be safest to head back the way they came, especially since they weren’t dressed. When they opened the door to the hall, both women screamed. Dillon was waiting for them. They slammed the door and raced downstairs for the main door only to find Niko waiting for them also.

“Give it.” He demanded and the girls screamed with laughter. “It’s gone.” Lou lied, yelling from upstairs.

“You mean it?” Niko yelled back, willing to believe her lie.

“They don’t have it anymore, I promise.” Lou justified her statement as not being a lie at all. She had it now and it was safely tucked away not only in her suitcase, but they backed it up to her cloud account.

Niko looked down and growled at the juvenile delinquents. “Payback is a bitch. Now go get ready!” He stepped aside so the girls could run back to their own room, giggling all the way. There was no way in hell he couldn’t appreciate the prank. Even he was laughing. “You almost ready?” He yelled up at Lou.

“Yeah.” She had already pulled on her dress and was putting on her shoes. “Give me three minutes.”

“Take your time.” He told her. “It’s gonna take them ten minutes to finish between their hysterical giggling.”

Lou couldn’t help but laugh again. “Quite an impressive performance, if you don’t mind my saying.”

“I kinda wanted to see it!” He admitted. “But I expect I will eventually.” He called her out on her lie.

“Nothin’ I can do about it, big guy.” Lou finished buckling her straps and checked herself in the mirror after putting on her new earrings. Though the dress was a little shorter than she liked, it wasn’t bimbo short. It was a safe bet she would have the longest skirt in the club, but still it felt short. Lou felt most comfortable in jeans and a hockey jersey, or golf clothes. This was getting more and more out of her depth. She liked herself in it, though, she felt beautiful. The line of the dress was angular like her sharply cut auburn hair and when she tucked her locks behind her ears, the earrings just danced in the light and made her feel oh so elegant and sassy. How could she possibly thank him for such an extravagant gift? As she turned to inspect the back of the dress and noted how low it dipped, she was a little self-conscious again. Despite the straps that crossed in all the necessary places, like the length, it was a bit out of her comfort zone. “What the hell.” She said to herself and shrugged then grabbed her clutch and headed downstairs.

“Whoa.” Niko paused to admire her. “You clean up good, kid.”

Lou grinned. His approval made her feel a thousand times better. “You’re not so bad yourself when you’ve got clothes on.”

Niko wore an obviously expensive suit in jet black with a white-on-white pinstriped dress shirt, no tie. His hair was longer than Lou remembered, but perhaps it was because it wasn’t slicked back in his usually style. His long layers were loose and feathery, making him look less dangerous than he normally looked. “Ready?” He asked as he held his arm out for her.

“Ready.” She grinned and took his arm. “Where is this place?” It finally occurred to her to ask.

“The roof.” He told her as he hit the button for the elevator.

“Really?” Lou didn’t remember there being a nightclub on the roof. But she hadn’t been there for a while. Things were always changing in Vegas and the Golden Nugget had renovated things since she had been there last. “That’s handy in case I get drunk. I just need to remember my room number!”

Niko chortled. “Very true!” He held the door so she could go first. He put his key card in the slot then hit the button marked pH for the penthouse. After a quick ride up, a giant man stood facing them when the doors opened again and Lou now knew what a sumo wrestler would look like wearing a suit.

“Mr. Gattilusio, Miss Donovan.” The huge man greeted them. “This way please.” He motioned for them to head right down the corridor, Lou going first.

“Crap.” Niko stopped. “Lou, you go in. I forgot my phone in the room. I gotta have it on me in case Connor or one of the other guys call.”

“Don’t worry, sir. I’ll see her to your table” The man assured him.

“Yeah, it’s fine.” Lou smiled. “Hurry, though.”

“I will!” Niko turned back and pressed the button on the elevator repeatedly as if that would make the thing go faster.

“This way, Miss.” He escorted her to the door and opened it for her.

It was a peculiar entrance for a nightclub, but Lou knew that was all the rage these days, the whole industrial thing. She heard music coming from behind the door at the top of the stairs but couldn’t place the song. Before she could reach for the door at the top, it swung open and a gentleman in a white dinner jacket and bow tie smiled down at her.

“Good evening, Miss Donovan.” He smiled. “So glad you could make it.” He gestured with his hand for her to go to his right and she walked through a corridor constructed of massively tall potted trees, all densely placed to create a hallway. She could see stars overhead so she knew the place was open air, but it was quite warm for an April night in Nevada. When she came to the end of the hall, she could only turn right again and when she did, she couldn’t move.

The rooftop of the hotel had been transformed into something out of a movie. Potted trees created the feel of a large room while blotting out anything other than the exceptional view. The ground appeared to be some sort of clover or grass, but the fact that they were on a roof made that unlikely. There were giant urns with vines and flowers spilling out everywhere and beautiful steel, glass and flame patio heaters woven into the mix, thus there being no chill to the night air. Hundreds of tiny bulbs that looked like fireflies were strewn back and fourth, high overhead making it look like they were stars within reach. There was a lounge area set up off to the right with a circular couch, just like you’d find at a club. The difference was this one had a fire pit in the center, but the flames glowed pink and blue. Almost directly straight ahead was a beautifully set table with a crisp white table cloth, crystal candelabra and the reddest roses Lou had ever seen pooled at the base. There were speakers somewhere and the music had changed to something softer, but not overtly romantic. It was nothing short of magical and Lou simply could not move or even speak.

“Good evening, Detective.” Max’s voice greeted her. He was the only person there since the maitre d’ had taken his leave the moment Lou froze. Max stood there, looking like someone who stepped out of a classic movie. He wore a full tuxedo, complete with one of the impossibly red roses in his lapel. When Lou didn’t say anything or move, he started to panic a little so he walked towards her and held out his hand. “Will you join me?” He asked.

Lou didn’t know what to say. Her heart was beating so fast she was sure she would pass out so taking his hand was probably a good idea if she could only lift her arm. When he was close enough, he grazed her arm with his fingers, reaching for her hand. That was it. Her knees buckled and everything went black.

Max caught Lou
before she could fall. He swept her up in his arms and carried her to the couch, panic-stricken. As he carefully set her down, he could see her eyes start to flutter.

“Tallulah!” He cradled the back of her neck for support as he knelt next to her. “Please, Lou, say something.”

“What...” Lou realized she had passed out. “Oh, crap.” She tried to sit up.

“Take it easy.” He suggested. “Are you okay?” As soon as she could right herself he sat back on his heels and waited for her to respond.

Lou looked around once more and took it all in. He had done this for her. It was so overwhelming, she could barely stand it but this time she didn’t pass out. She tried to compose herself but to her added mortification she let a tear slip. She finally found her voice and spoke. “I’m so sorry.”

“Why are you sorry?” He asked her. “Lou, why the tears?”

“It’s so beautiful.” She tried to breathe. “I’m sorry for my behavior. God, I am so embarrassed.”

He grinned. “Are you alright?”

She managed to look him in the eye for the first time. “I am so alright. It’s just...”

“Can I get you some water? Anything?” Max got up, but she grabbed him by the wrist to stop him.

“You.” She whispered under her breath.

“What?” He had heard her but wanted to hear it out loud.

Lou stood up. “I’m fine, really.” She chickened out and didn’t repeat what she had actually said. “What is all of this?” She looked around, now unable to stop smiling.

He took her by the hand and lead her to the middle of the garden he had created for her. “This...” He stopped and turned to face her. “...this is my grand gesture.” He smiled and the music grew louder.

Lou recognized the song immediately because it was her favorite. As if ripped straight from her dreams since she had imagined it over and over, countless times, Max stepped in close and slid an arm around her waist. Her breath caught and she thought she would faint again when he reached with his other arm and took her hand in his then began to waltz her across the rooftop. As the strings of the music soared, she closed her eyes and he whisked her around as if she were a doll, moving effortlessly to his whim. When he spun her around and let her go, whirling and spinning, she laughed with pure joy. Finally she stopped, giggling and dizzy, almost drunk. She opened her eyes and looked for him, not seeing him at first as things stopped spinning. He was watching her from across the makeshift dance floor, smiling and all she could do was try to cover her stupid grin with both of her hands. There were no words to describe what she was feeling and she was at a loss for anything worthy to say. She tucked her hair behind her ear and fidgeted awkwardly and when he came toward her rather quickly, she froze again.

“Forgive me.” He said as he leaned down, took her face in his hands gently and kissed her.

Everything that had ever existed or had ever been was all just a prelude to this moment. Like windswept starlight and the warmth of the sun poured into one single gesture, neither of their lives would ever be the same. Lou grabbed the lapels of his coat for fear of collapsing again and when she felt his arms wrap around her and pull her close, sure enough, she was out.

He laughed and held her close while he waited for her to come to again, swaying gently to the music. “My beautiful, brave cop.” He whispered and kissed her cheek. “If this is going to work, we’re going to have to make sure you remember to breathe.”

There are just too many people to thank. That would be a book in
itself. Please know I love and appreciate you all so very much and am blessed to have you in my life. With that said, there are those who I need to single out and thank specifically.

To all the incredible men and women who serve with such distinction in our armed forces, law enforcement, peace officers, firefighters and first responders. I thank you all, from the bottom of my heart, for everything you do each and every day. You are an inspiration to so many and are acknowledged too rarely for all that you do.

A huge thank you to all the men and women at the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. Specifically, everyone at Lost Hills Malibu Station for your bravery, kindness and compassion in serving our community. Thank you for your tolerance and good humor in allowing me to take over your house again, even if it is fictitiously. The same goes for West Hollywood, Homicide Bureau and everyone at the Crime Lab. You are all rock stars.

A very special thanks to the Golden Nugget, Las Vegas, for your endless hospitality, thoughtfulness and phenomenal service. John Sunstrum, your patience with my stupid questions will always be appreciated. See you guys soon!

To everyone at Vic & Anthony’s, I’m not sure if I should thank you, since I can’t fit into jeans anymore. Just kidding! You all are so amazing and I thank you for allowing my liberties. John Lesko, thank you sir. I hope you don’t mind my stealing you, but you are just too fabulous and unique not to! Love you tons.

Prince Loeffler, Sensei of Shugyokan Dojo, how can I ever thank you for all the love and support you give? I am so honored to call you my friend and grateful for having you in my little universe. Your students are so lucky to have you and I appreciate everything they have done to support me along the way.

To Fireman’s Brew, specifically Bette and Roger Baer. Thank you for your incredible support and allowing me to highjack your brand! Niko sends his thanks for the lifetime supply of redheads.

To my family. Your patience and understanding know no limits. It’s been a difficult few years and we have pulled each other through it, as we always will. Each and every one of you is a blessing in my life and I simply would not exist if not for all your love, support and encouragement.

Last, but never ever least, to my Mom. Nothing would be, if not for you. You are my best friend, my biggest fan and most skeptical critic and saying ‘
thank you'
is just so inadequate. Your laughter and love sustains me and I will never be worthy of all your faith and support. I love you more than words could possibly convey.