Beauty and the Beast (27 page)

Dennis knew Marco too well to celebrate before he found the second half of this deal he wouldn’t be allowed to refuse.

“If the cops find Jay before you, I forgive your debt, then kill both of your asses.” The line went dead.

Shit!
Dennis handed the phone over to Redman.

“Damn, man, you look like you seen a ghost or somethin’.”

“How did I get caught up in Marco’s mess?”

“I feel sorry for ya, man. But you know how Marco is. He don’t want no cops snoopin’ round. I know this ain’t got nothin’ to do with you, but you got ta see this from Marco’s sidepoint.”

The word is viewpoint or standpoint, you idiot. Damn, I have an illiterate thug consoling me. Could my life be any worse?
 

“From Marco’s side, he’s also an innocent bystander. He ain’t got nothin’ to do with Butch. Now the cops is gettin’ all in his game. That’s why he had to call on another innocent bystander, you, to help get him out of this bind.”

“Look, Redman. I thank you for everything, but I need to get to work on this. My life is on the line.”

“I hear ya.” He reached in the front pocket of his baggy jeans and pulled out a wad of cash. “Marco said to give you twenty grand to help you find this mark. He don’t want you wastin’ no time at the office. Go on sick leave or somethin’. We got a doctor who can give you a note if you need it. Don’t come back lookin’ for no mo’ money before next week.”

Shortly after Redman left, Dennis called Jay and updated him.

“… So you can’t return to Chicago any time soon,” Dennis said into the phone as he lay on his suede sofa and stared at the painted white swirls on the ceiling. “You need to lie low. I can wire money to you. As long as the cops don’t pick you up, we’ll be fine.”

“You need to get them paintin’s, man. What’s going on with Nefertiti?”

“She won’t even answer my emails.”

“Stop actin’ like a punk and go get your woman. You know she’s at her aunt’s house.”

Anger rose in Dennis. “The only thing that’s gonna stop is you calling me a punk. Just because I’m not reckless like you—”

“Aw, hell naw. Your reckless gambling ass is what got us in this mess. But you right, dawg. You been steppin’ up to the plate. Damn, you actually stood up to Marco. I’m impressed. I’m gonna lay off. But you gotta go for Nefertiti.”

“I know, man. It’s just…” He drew in a deep breath. “Bruce isn’t a joke, man.”

Jay chuckled.

“What?” Dennis asked.

“To tell you the truth, he scares the hell out of me, too. I’m just glad he didn’t see my ass in the car when he went after you in the hospital parking lot. I thought for sure you were a goner.”

“Thanks for your support,” Dennis replied dryly. “I’ll go by there tomorrow.” He didn’t think Nefertiti would take him back, but he was hoping to see the paintings and the layout of Maxwell Manor. He might have to plan a robbery of the place. From what he’d heard, Maxwell Manor was ten miles on the other side of nowhere, so the security was most likely lax.

“You got to come on strong with Bruce. He’s like some freakin’ animal. He can smell fear.”

“Hey, I handled Wilson’s ass.” The more time passed, the easier it was for Dennis to see that Jay had been correct. Wilson had to die. “I’ll be ready for Maxwell this time.”

CHAPTER TEN

T
hough tempted to take off her teal veil and bask in the midmorning sun, instead Nefertiti closed her eyes and inhaled deeply.
The honeysuckle actually smells stronger than the roses today.

Her cell phone sounded with “Toccata” and sent her heart thumping against her chest.

“Daddy!”

Colored pencils, an art eraser and sketchpad flew off Nefertiti’s lap as she jumped to answer her cell phone. Her phone literally hadn’t rung in months, so she knew who was calling. With her movement, the phone tumbled between the slats of the wood bench.

She ignored her scattered supplies and bent to retrieve the phone before he thought he’d missed her. She reached for the cell, and the ringing stopped.

“No!” She checked the caller ID, but it didn’t say “Daddy.” Instead, it had an area code and number she didn’t recognize.

Her heart fell to the ground and shattered into tiny pieces. “I’m too old to be pining for my ‘daddy’ like some baby anyway.”

“What’s up?” Bruce entered the flower garden and knelt beside her.

“Nothing,” she sighed.

He stared at her a long while as she fumbled with the pencils. Man, how she hated being such a baby, but she couldn’t help how she felt. It didn’t make sense for her father to turn his back on her, yet here she sat being forced to face his abandonment as a real possibility.

Bruce motioned toward the phone, which she did not realize she had clutched to her heart with one of her hands. “What’s wrong? Did Uncle Nathan call?”

 
“Not yet.” She set the phone on the bench, then began picking up her supplies.

“Give him time. Maybe he hasn’t checked his email yet.”

It had been over twenty-four hours. “Maybe,” she said with less life than a rock.

“Let’s go.” He quickly gathered her things.

“I don’t feel like going anywhere.”

“Exactly. That’s why we need to get out.” He pulled her along. “I just need to change out of this suit into some jeans.”

“Are you sure you’re a recluse?”

“Maybe Daddy is sick and for some crazy reason, they aren’t telling me.”

Bruce held Nefertiti’s hand a little tighter as they descended the stairwell into the entryway. “Now that sounds like a reasonable explanation.”

“Why do people do that?”

“Usually, they think they’re sparing their loved ones worry or some crazy nonsense.”

“Don’t you ever feel you need to spare my worry or some crazy nonsense,” she teasingly mocked as they stepped onto the marble floor. Nefertiti did a spin and curtsied. Since she was wearing jeans, tennis shoes and a teal summer blouse and matching veil, the effect of a glamorous ball gown with all its adornment was nowhere to be found. “Have you ever thought of having a ball?”

Bruce bowed, then took her hand. “I remember those damn ballroom dance classes you dragged me to over the summers.” He drew her in. “Shall we dance?”

As they waltzed around the room to music only they could hear, Nefertiti was taken back in time to their childhood. She had been ten and him fifteen when they took their first lesson. She didn’t fully understand at the time, but the way he had looked at some of the older girls and young women in the class was how Nefertiti had wanted him to look at her. Now as she gazed into his eyes, she thanked God for granting her another wish.

“I’ll admit I loved the Latin dances.” He switched to salsa. “After the trial, let’s have an engagement party. It can be a masquerade ball.”

She clung onto him. “That’s perfect!” She stood on her tiptoes and pulled his mouth down to hers. “You’re perfect.” She lifted her veil and took his bottom lip into her mouth.

“Umm, woman, don’t get me started or we’ll never get out of here.”

“Is that such a bad thing?” she murmured.

“You’re killing me.” He released her and leaned into Janis’s office. “We’re headed out before Nefertiti jumps my bones. I believe I had a conference call some time this afternoon. Go ahead and reschedule it. Do you have a pair of sunglasses Nefertiti can borrow? It will be easier to pretend she’s blind if we cover her eyes.”

Nefertiti entered the office. “He’s making me go against my will.”

“Good.” Janis plucked her sunglasses out of her purse. “Have fun.”

Bruce’s cell rang. He checked the caller I.D., then answered. “Hello, Silas. What’s up?” He frowned. “Who?”

The frown didn’t worry Nefertiti as much as the way Bruce stared at her. The last time he’d given her that look he’d told her Mr. Wilson had been murdered.
Oh God, please don’t let them have gone after Mama and Daddy to get to me. Please no. Not that.
Panic surged through her veins and sent her heart racing.

“Send his ass on down here. Thanks.”

Bruce barely had enough time to disconnect before she said, “Did something happen to Mama and Daddy.”

“Oh no, baby, no.” He held her in his embrace. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.”

“When we come back from seeing the alternative spot for the resort Roy is suggesting, I’m going to see my parents. I have to make sure they’re okay.”

 
“Of course, baby. Janis, make arrangements for us to land in Champaign instead of Chicago for the return trip.”

“Consider it done.”

“So who is on their way up here?” Nefertiti relaxed into his arms.

“Dennis.”

“What?” She backed away. “He’s here? Now? What the…?” She shook her head. “No. No!” She smacked the desk with her hand. “I don’t want to see him. No!”

Bruce was saying something, but all she heard was the sound of Dennis cursing, puking and stumbling out of her hospital room.

“Nefertiti!” Bruce gently shook her. “Look at me.”

“He left me. I was scared, hurt, and alone. I needed him.” The teal material of her veil darkened with her tears.

“It’s time for you to close the Dennis chapter of your life for good.”

“He closed it when he abandoned me.”

He slipped his hand under her veil and caressed her face. “I know this is difficult for you, but you can do it. You’re the strongest person I know. He’s claiming to be your fiancé and insisted on seeing you. I’ll be right by your side.”

“I can’t look at him. I don’t think I can even speak to him. And I thought you didn’t want people knowing I’m here.”

“I was panicking. There’s no way folks won’t know you’re here. But they won’t know you can see until the trial. I’m sorry to say this, but I think Dennis might have had something to do with the attack.”

“What?” Nefertiti and Janis exclaimed in unison.

“Why the hell is he showing up six months after the fact? And those emails…” He trailed off and calmed. “I understand your apprehension, and I won’t force the issue. I don’t even know what I expect to find out.”

“As angry as I am with Dennis, I can’t see him having anything to do with the attack.”

“I pray you’re right, but according to Ken, Butch was sent to steal your paintings.”