I put my hand back on his mouth as I pulled harder and the ligaments in his wrist creaked. The man's legs scrambled against the hospital bed mattress as he tried to get away. I removed my hand.
“I never checked for sure. Why would I when the envelope had the money in it?”
“Tell me who you saw,” I growled. My patience was wearing thin.
“This little woman with wavy hair and light green eyes. You know, pretty except for a pinched face. Woulda liked to tap that ass.”
My fingers flexed, but I tried not to jump to any conclusions. “Was she with anyone?”
He scowled. “Some really rich dude. Total asshole. Made a scene over the cream being out.”
“Would you be able to pick them out of a photograph?” I asked. When he nodded, I dropped his wrist and got out my phone.
I had a few large group shots from one of the house parties I'd worked. I didn't remember which one exactly, but at some point, Leighton had stolen my phone and snapped a bunch of random shots. I just hoped my hunch was right.
Or not, because it would crush Leighton if I was.
I flipped to one that showed both of them.
He had a little trouble focusing, but once he did, I saw the recognition in his eyes right before he said it. “Yeah, sure. She's in that little sequin number, but her man's over there with the leggy blonde.”
I called the police on my way to the car. Thanks to their reluctance to work with me, I ended up being halfway to Silverlake Java before my call finally got through to Detective Travis.
“What do you want, Welch?” the detective asked. “I thought you'd be recuperating.”
“I'm on my way to Silverlake Java to question an eye witness who helped two people hire Lennon and two of the men who attacked us yesterday. Thought you might want to come along.”
I was sitting at a window table with Raul the barista when the two detectives marched into the coffee shop. As I stood, Raul repeated to them exactly what he had told me: he'd made three hundred dollars every time he handed a customer an envelope. He then described Lennon, the other two men...as well as Paris and Ricky. I had no doubt he'd be making a deal in exchange for his testimony.
“Where do you think you're going, Welch?” Detective Travis asked.
I didn't stop. “I'm going to go babysit your suspects just in case your paperwork falls through. Don't worry, I'll keep in touch.”
I paused and considered waiting for the police, but then I remembered what they'd done to Leighton. And from the sounds I was hearing, they were doing it again.
The door was unlocked and that decided things for me.
Ricky looked up when I came in, but was apparently too drunk to either notice or care since he didn't stop. Paris was bent over the white sofa with her short dress hiked up over her hips, the top pulled down so her breasts were hanging out. She didn't even notice the interruption as she pushed back against Ricky.
“Harder, harder, you know how I like it,” she said between thrusts. “I know you like it dirty, honey. I let you do it dirty like that uptight bitch never would. You like it, don't you, Ricky, baby?”
He pushed her head back down against the white cushions and grunted as he increased his speed. He screwed his face up, concentrating as he pumped into the now shrieking Paris, her cries muffled by the cushion.
I'd seen enough.
“Picturing someone else, Ricky?” I asked. “I'll bet that's the only way to make it happen with her, huh?”
Paris pushed up from the couch and came with a guttural wail. I felt sick as she smiled, making it clear that my being there was the thing that pushed her over the edge.
How the hell could Ricky give up Leighton for this woman?
Ricky pulled up his pants, and staggered over to the bar to make a drink. “Yeah, well, you do what you gotta do, right?”
Paris was still fixing her dress as the conversation registered. “Wait, you were picturing someone else? Leighton? You were picturing her when you were fucking me?!”
“Come on, Paris, you had to know that.” Ricky shrugged and took a shot of tequila.
The girl’s face was red. “You make me sick! You kept begging to get in my pants, and once she dumped your ass, you came crawling back to me. And now you're picturing her while you're fucking me?”
“I didn't beg you,” Ricky said, raising his glass. “You lifted your skirt, just like you always did.”
I leaned against the wall, wondering if I’d be lucky enough to get one of them to say something incriminating.
Paris stamped her foot. “What is it about Leighton? Why is she different? Why does everyone want to be with her and not me?”
“I don't know.” He shrugged. “She's just classy or something. Better.”
Paris sneered at him. “She wasn't so classy when she was crawling through that basement with my foot in her face.”
I tensed, reminding myself that I didn't hit women.
“You were there?” Ricky asked and stumbled sideways before righting himself. “That wasn't part of the deal.” He shook his head. “You really are a sick bitch, aren't you?”
How stupid could two people be?
I knocked the second tequila shot out of Ricky's hand. “You'd better tell me exactly what part you had in all this before you're tied in with her.”
“Don’t say anything, Ricky,” Paris warned.
He sneered at her. “Shut up! You fucked this up. Not me.”
“Fucked what up?” I prompted.
He ran his hands through his hair, pulling it at the roots. “I was jealous, hurt, you know?” Ricky whined.
“Shut up, Ricky,” Paris hissed and took a step toward him. I stepped between them, keeping an eye on the little bitch.
Ricky went on, slurring drunkenly. “Leighton dumped me and I wanted to get back at her, but I also wanted to get her back. So, when Paris told me her plan to fake kidnap Leighton to scare her, I went in on it with her. I figured after it was done I could, I dunno, comfort her and be there for her.”
“You've never been there for her before,” I said, disgusted. “And no one was surprised when you weren't there after she was found.”
“I couldn't.” He made a face that I only half-blamed on the alcohol. “I didn't know she'd be all bloody and bruised. It was sick. It wasn't the plan.” He looked at Paris and frowned. “I didn't know Paris would be there. How did Leighton not recognize you?”
I couldn’t believe it when stupid woman sauntered to her purse, rummaged in it for a moment and then pulled out a small device. She held it up to her mouth and, in an electronic voice said, “You should have seen her face when he started beating her.”
I was trying to hold myself in check when Ricky shocked me by throwing himself across the room at Paris. It took me a minute to respond, but it didn't take much effort to hold him back. Alcohol – and probably some drugs mixed in for good measure – kept him from putting up much of a fight.
The combination also kept both of them from realizing they should keep their mouth shut.
“You let that sick fucker beat her?” Ricky shouted the question.
Her mouth twisted and I clenched my fist to my side. “I let him do more than that to me. Let me tell you, he knows how to do it hard.” She flipped her hair behind her shoulder. “And I would've had fun watching him do her too.”
“You are one sick bitch!” Ricky stared at her.
“She's been planning this for months,” I told him. “Leighton's been getting death threats in the mail, and I bet the police will find traces of Paris' DNA on the paper.”
“I'm getting really sick of you, Mr. Bodyguard,” Paris pouted, crossing her arms over her chest. “Why can't you just give up? I mean, you've been beaten and shot and you still won't just let her go.”
“What's she talking about?” Ricky looked up at me.
I didn’t take my eyes from her. “She hired two men to try to kidnap Leighton again. I stopped them and got shot.”
“That's so
me serious shit, Paris. Way more than I signed up for. I'm out of here.” Ricky bolted for the side door and I briefly considered going after him.
Then I turned around to see Paris trotting toward the stairs that led down to the beach. I caught up to her easily, but a few stitches popped loose when I grabbed her before she could take a header down the stairs. The pout on her face when I saved her made me wonder if a serious injury had been her plan for getting out of jail time.
I was already going through ideas for finding Ricky again when Detective Travis came around the side of the house.
“We got the other one sobbing in the back of a squad car.” He held out a hand and I gladly handed Paris over.
“She confessed in front of me, but I'm not sure what she'll tell you,” I said. Then I handed him my phone. “The entire confession is recorded on this.”
Detective Travis gave me a hard look. “Miss Machus is lucky to have you,” he said grudgingly, taking the phone.
I gave him a nod of acknowledgment, but I knew the truth. I was the lucky one.
Chapter 24
Leighton
I paced around until I was exhausted and then finally crashed in front of my laptop. I couldn't do more than stare at it though. Worry for Ian and for Haze mixed in my head. Grandfather told me that Haze had gone to see someone about news about Ian.
But I didn't think it should've taken this long.
I had a bad feeling he was doing something stupid.
“How are you doing?” Haze asked.
I jumped out of my chair as relief rushed through me. I threw my arms around him. “I'm so glad you're okay. What'd you do? Did you find something out about Ian?” The words rushed out of me, tumbling together.
“No, no, not yet,” Haze said. He pulled me down on the tufted leather sofa and held both my hands. “I went to see a friend. He said you shouldn't worry. Communication from where your brother is sometimes takes a lot longer than it should.”
I thought it over and then nodded. “You know what I keep thinking about? I keep thinking about that breakfast on the balcony. About us. And it gives me hope.” I leaned against him and he wrapped his arms around me.
We were quiet for a moment, and then I felt Haze's body tense. “There's more,” he said. “I followed up on the men who attacked us and one of them described the people who hired him. I went to another eye-witness and they confirmed it.”
I pulled back, looking into his beautiful eyes. “So you know who's been threatening me this whole time? It's over?” I frowned at the look on his face. “Why doesn't it look like that's good news?”
He blew out a breath. “The people he described, you know them.”
My chest constricted. Someone I knew. “Who was it?” I was proud of myself for keeping my voice even. “Who would do that to me?”
Haze leaned back and took both my hands again. “It was Paris, sweetheart. Paris and Ricky.”
I just stared at him. He had to be wrong. “They had me kidnapped and beaten?” Now my voice shook.
“Ricky thought it was just a prank to scare you. Paris tricked him. She'd been writing the letters for months hoping to scare you, but your grandfather kept them from you. She got more and more frustrated and, in her jealousy, took it too far.”
“What's going to happen to them? Did you see them?” I asked. My hands were cold inside of Haze's.
“I got to them before the police. They had an argument in front of me, confessed everything.”
“Where are they now?” I asked.
“In jail, and probably both facing prison.” He wrapped his arms around me again, pulling me against his chest.
Both Paris and Ricky had betrayed me before, sleeping with each other, but the numbness I felt now was colder and more frightening. They weren't my friends. They'd never been my friends.
“I'm so sorry, baby.” Haze kissed the top of my head. “I'm so sorry I had to tell you.”
“I'm glad it was you.” I looked up at him. “You've challenged me, protected me, and helped me face the truth. They can't hurt me anymore.” The cold inside me melted as the realization hit me. “In fact, I feel sorry for them. I mean, look at where we all ended up. I have you.”
He unwrapped his arms and put his hands on my shoulders. Suspicion made my eyes narrow as his expression grew serious.
“Leighton, you do have me, but, I have to go. I'll be back as soon as I can. I promise.”
What the hell was he talking about?
“Back? Where are you going?” Before I finished the question, I knew the answer. There could be only one thing that would make him leave me. “Please, don't say it. Don't even think it.”
“I have to go, Leighton. I know the area. I can find out what happened. I can bring him back to you.”
“So I've lost my brother, and your solution is to put yourself at risk?” My voice was harsh, but I didn't try to temper it. I pulled away from him, unable to take his touch when he was talking like this.
“I'm doing it for you, baby. You and your grandfather. I can do this.”
“Of course you can do it, you idiot, but I can't believe you think I'd let you.”
Before things could get any more heated, a sharp ringing interrupted. I stood as Haze pulled out a phone I didn’t recognize.
“It's my friend.”
I held my breath, every nerve in my body stretched taut as Haze answered the call. In short, concise words, he held a conversation that told me nothing. He finally said goodbye and I stared at the phone as he tossed it onto the leather sofa.
With a huge grin, he picked me up by the waist and spun me around before pulling me so tight against him that it almost hurt.
“He's okay,” Haze whispered against my ear. “Ian's okay. He made contact. He was pinned down in enemy territory without a radio, but he got through. He'll have to wait until he's done being debriefed before he can call, but he's okay.”
All the strength went out of me and my legs buckled. If Haze hadn't been holding me, I would've fallen to the floor. He kissed my temple.
“I'm here, sweetheart. Everything's going to be okay.”
I let him hold me and make his promises because I knew I could trust him. He wasn't going to leave me. And, more than that, I knew things would be okay because I knew now who I was.
And I was strong.
Chapter 25
Haze
“Better?” Ian asked as he tied his black bow tie for the fourth time. “I swear, I can break down and clean a rifle fifty times faster than I can tie this thing.”
I chuckled and shook my head. I knew what he meant though. Sometimes being a soldier was a much simpler life.
“What on earth have you done to your tie?” Devlin asked. He batted his grandson's hands away and deftly tied a perfect flat bow in seconds.
“I don't even know why I'm wearing a bow tie,” Ian said, looking at me. “Haze, your entire family is here. Are you sure you don't want one of your brothers standing up there with you?”
“Leighton and I decided we didn't want big wedding parties. Just want you. After all, you're the one who brought us together.” I grinned at him.
“Come on, we all know you met before that.” Ian raised his eyebrow, gave it a little wiggle.
I grinned. “Met, but I screwed it all up. Lucky for me, you decided to get shot.” I slipped on my jacket.
“Right before you blew us both up. You should probably stick with telling people you met Leighton at that party. Less gore.”
“If you two don't mind,” Devlin said. “That's your cue, Haze.”
He shoved me out of the pool house dressing room and I heard a ripple of laughter go through the guests. A moment later, Ian joined me and we walked to the altar that had been set up underneath the Roman columns.
“Just a warning,” Ian said as we walked. “Grandfather's been looking forward to this since before I re-enlisted. I might have to read parts of the letter he sent me as part of my best man wedding toast.”
&nbs
p; “Really?” I looked over at Ian.
“Face it, Haze. For all your fast reflexes, you were pretty slow on the uptake when it came to my sister.”
I punched him in the shoulder and the guests chuckled again.
“You better not have messed up my bow tie or Grandfather's going to kill you,” Ian whispered as the music started.
Then Leighton appeared on the garden path and I forgot how to breathe. The huge bubble of happiness that welled up inside me threatened to suffocate me. Even Ian was speechless.
Leighton's dress had a loose wrapped neckline that reminded me of the red carpet dress she'd worn, except this version was ivory white and sleeveless. I'd never paid much attention to dress styles before I met Leighton, but now, I noticed everything she wore. The plunging neckline was tucked in tight at her waist by a wide band of pearl embroidered flowers. The skirt was layer upon layer of wispy, translucent chiffon and it floated out and back as she walked.
She'd left her curls free and untouched, my one request for our wedding day. The sunlight caught them in bursts of fire as she joined me under the Roman columns. A delicate circlet of pearls perched on her head and a gossamer veil draped over her shoulders and down to the middle of her back. I felt it brush my hand, light as a spider web, when I reached out to pull her to my side.
Devlin patted me on the back and kissed Leighton's cheek before he found his seat. We hadn't bothered with bride and groom sides so my family was scattered amongst Leighton's classmates, colleagues, and a few of the soldiers and staff from the rehab center. Hardly the big to-do LA had expected from Leighton Machus.
The chaplain gestured for all the guests to sit and then turned his attention to us. “Leighton and Haze, this is a happy day.”
I caught Leighton's lips twitch and knew she was remembering how I'd flat-out refused to let the chaplain use my first name. Mom was still the only person who got to call me Cormac.
The chaplain continued, “I know I can speak for everyone here when I say we are honored and overjoyed that you have included us in your union.”
By the time we stumbled over our vows, there wasn't a dry eye, myself included. And, when Leighton jumped into my arms, the cheers were exuberant and loud.