Big Girls Don't Cry (28 page)

“It’s like this, Mike,” Jake grinned to himself when the colonel scowled at the use of his first name, “We Southern boys don’t give up easy. My uncle Peter Tom used to say even a blind hog finds a nut every now and then. And there’s enough loose ends in this investigation that convinces me we just might find a whole bag of nuts. In answer to your question, as I told you before, I’ll follow this investigation wherever it leads.”

General Peters voice was icy. “I’m with Mike, Colonel Gardner. Do you have specific information that you haven’t shared with us? By the way, your answer to that question damn well better be no.”

Jake gave him an easy smile. “No, sir. Nothing specific. Just the fact that neither Chief Burton nor I believe that Walter Cochran is smart enough to mastermind a snake pit this convoluted, one that has such far reaching implications. ”

He added with a wicked smile. “And for better or worse, I have a tell-tale symptom that clues me in when something isn’t right. I’ve learned when those nerve endings on the back of my neck start to prickle or shriek the way they are now, I’m on to something.” He added with the hint of a threat, “And nothing and no one is gonna pull me off.”

~~~

Lexie waited for Jake outside of the MMA center. He’d tried to convince her to stay at home, but she knew herself well enough to know she’d go stir crazy staying all day in the empty house. Jake did convince her not to go into the club tonight. He said there were news people twenty deep in the parking lot. Eager to discover a new hook to keep the story alive, they virtually accosted anyone going in to the club. Apparently, the waitresses and the strippers were their primary targets.

She thought she’d been over her nausea until they started flashing the pictures of Walter Cochran. Giving him a name didn’t help, didn’t make him a person. Rather than a heavy set nondescript gray haired man, she saw him as he was--the man who’d killed Anthony and Bella. Looking at a mug shot, she tried to see in his eyes. To see how she’d missed the evil. She’d thought he was pathetic, disgusting. But she hadn’t seen the man who dismembered her brother and set him on fire.

She’d almost fainted when she first saw Bella’s face. But that was nothing compared to seeing Anthony. The first time his picture flashed on the screen, she screamed. He looked real, alive. Crouched next to an Army jeep, his dark brown eyes flashing and tufts of blond hair showing under his beret, he looked as he did the last time she saw him--vibrant, young, handsome. And now dead.

Jake rushed in the room when she screamed. He held her in his arms. For many long moments, she buried her face against his shoulder, listening to the voice of the television anchor breaking the news of Anthony’s death. Listening to the professional voices describing the way he’d been killed, as though they were reading from a menu in a restaurant, Lexie thought she might throw up. When she managed to pull away from Jake long enough to look up at him, she was struck by grief on his face. He looked as broken as she felt. The pain on his face, the tears in his eyes, reminded her that other than her and Master Wan, no one had been closer to Anthony than Jake. By mutual agreement, they turned off the television. Lexie didn’t know when, if ever, she would look at it again.

~~~

Seeing his Jeep pull up, she marveled at the rush of excitement she felt. His mirrored sunglasses added a rakish touch to his regulation camouflage. And the smile that broke across his face when he saw her made her heart skip a beat. God, he’d only been gone a couple of hours and she’d missed him, as though she hadn’t seen him for days.

He hopped out of the Jeep and came toward her, his grin broadening more if possible. He took hold of her arm and leaned down and kissed her on the cheek. She felt her cheeks heat, surprised at his open show of affection. But she didn’t mind. In fact, she wished she had the nerve to kiss him back. The memory of last night came flooding back. The horrific events of the day had blocked the memory of their tryst on the kitchen counter. But the smell of his subtle cologne and unique male odor sent shivers up her spine.

Jake must have been thinking about the same thing because he pulled her closer to him and said in a husky voice, “How about we get out of here, sugar, before we give those guys over there with their tongues hanging out more of a show than they already have playing in their minds?”

Lexie nodded startled at how shy she felt. It was impossible to believe that it had been barely a week since she met Jake. And now he was the most important person in her life. The realization was shocking.

Inside the jeep, he reached across and buckled the seat belt across her lap. This casual show of protective possessiveness should have annoyed her. It would have if it had been anyone else. But, instead, she thrilled at his touch, remembering with a start how she’d felt when he handcuffed her to him on the back of the motorcycle. When she looked up at him, trying to hide the jolt of desire zinging through her, his lips twitched in a knowing smile.

“I’ve been thinking, darlin’, if it’s all right with you, maybe we could stay in tonight. I’m not much up for a restaurant. But I sure as hell could go for some great Thai food and a bottle of wine. Let’s face it, darlin’, we’ve had a hell of a day. How about it, sugar? Think you can handle a horny guy who doesn’t want to share you with anyone, especially the vultures circling around anyone associated with the club?”

Lexie breathed a sigh of relief. The idea of going out where they were sure to meet curiosity seekers horrified her. Everyone on the base knew Jake. And, of course, after her escapade dancing at the bar, she had a following of her own. So far, her relationship to Anthony hadn’t surfaced, but she knew it was only a matter of time. She tried to decide if the twinge in her belly telegraphed fear or excitement at the thought of spending the evening alone with Jake. Seeing the wicked grin on his face, she decided it was some of both.

Determined not to let him intimidate her, she tossed her head and gave him a sly smile. “Sounds, great, Jake, I love Thai food.”

His laugh was low and deep. Words weren’t necessary. His smile and that soft sexy laugh said it all. Her body responded as if he’d kissed her. In a way he had.

Chapter 29

The alluring aroma of Thai food drew Lexie forward. Her mouth watered at the smell of curry, coconut milk and lemon grass. The silky spiciness of the subtle aromas was intoxicating. Just what she needed, she thought, with a shiver for a night alone with Jake. He was crouched in front of the fireplace, fanning the beginning of a small fire. He smiled at her over his shoulder.

“I know it’s ninety degrees outside, but this is why we have air conditioning, right? So we can have a fire in the middle of the desert in May. ”

She smiled at him, intent on ignoring the way his uniform hugged his strong thighs and strained across his broad shoulders. She chastised herself. She had to keep her wits about her. She was already embarrassed that it had taken her over an hour to shower and dress, especially since the shower had taken no more than five minutes and the rest of the time she’d agonized over what to wear. She didn’t want to give away the trepidation she felt. How much she cared about what he thought. Seeing the appreciative look in his eyes as he looked her up and down, she was reassured. Apparently, the flirty short skirt and lacy camisole did the trick. The five inch platform sandals were over the top, but she’d seen the way Jake looked at her red stilettos. Clearly, the guy liked women in sexy shoes.

He stood up and slowly walked toward her. His penetrating blue gaze held her as tightly as if he held her in his arms. His voice was low, seductive.

“Great idea, sugar. Let me help. I just realized that neither one of us has eaten today. I hope you’re as hungry as I am.” He winked at her, underscoring the double entendre.

~~~

Jake kept up a patter of conversation throughout dinner. After they cleared away the plates and cartons, they lounged in front of the fire. Little by little, Lexie allowed herself to relax. They hadn’t had a conversation like this since that challenging night at the restaurant. She thought to herself how far they had come. She found herself telling him about the Strong Women Survive program. He asked a dozen questions, mostly interested in the kind of women she’d attracted.

“Damn, Lexie. You’re saving lives. I hope you know that.”

Remembering the faces of the women at the center, their pride in their accomplishments, let alone the skills they were learning, she nodded.

“I…I know that, Jake. I guess I should be more modest. But if you could see how far some of these women have come since I started the program, you’d be amazed.”

“Anthony told me that the FBI wanted to hire you?’

She was surprised that he knew that, but then remembered how proud Anthony had been when they approached her.

She said with a shrug. “Yes, getting my master’s degree helped, but more than anything, they wanted me to train other women. Maybe start programs like SWS around the country.

“You’re quite a woman, Alexis Beloi. No wonder Anthony was so proud of you. I know you both experienced hideous things when you were young. It’s a credit to you both what you achieved.”

She looked away, not wanting to let him see the pain on her face.

“Darlin’, just so you know, Anthony did tell me about some of the things you experienced, some of the men who took advantage of you being a kid.”

He held up his hand when she shook her head and frowned. “Hear me out, sugar. You never have to tell me a damn thing about what went on in those years that Anthony was looking for you. But if you do, if you want an understanding man who, like your brother, would kill anyone who hurt you, I’m that guy, Lexie.”

She looked down at her hands, realizing that she had ripped her napkin into small pieces. She took a deep breath and looked him in the eye.

“I’m much better than I was, Jake. Master Wan and Anthony insisted that I do counseling. And the martial arts made all the difference. I’m not defenseless any more, Jake.”

He laughed that infectious laugh that made her heart sing.

“You can say that again, sweetheart. I haven’t told you this yet because I was so goddamned angry that you went off last night by yourself, but I’ve never been more impressed with a fighter than I was watching you last night. One more thing, Lexie. I meant it when I said that if you hadn’t killed that motherfucker, I would have.”

He raised his glass and saluted her, then reached over and refilled her glass. When he turned to look at the fire, Lexie noted that the frown lines on his forehead were more pronounced. Even though he’d been talkative and a perfect dinner companion, she saw signs of distraction.

“About what you’d expect. What did you call them? The ‘cover your ass’ meetings the military are fond of? The best way to sum it up is that they pulled me off the investigation. As General Peters put it, “When I say it’s done, it’s done.”

“So…so is it over?”

Jake snorted. “Hell, no. And those fuckers damn well know it. But it’s over as far as the army is concerned.” He looked pensive.

“I can’t go into detail, Lexie, but I’m right on the edge of something that can only be termed a full scale bomb. If I’m right, it’s going to turn everything we’ve learned so far on its head. ”

“Yeah, I’ve got three more pieces to fit in the puzzle. But I’m close. I hate to ask you this, Lexie, but, I’m hoping you’re willing to go back to the club tomorrow. I’m missing one critical piece that you can help me get. You won’t be alone. At least six of my men will closer to you than your shadow.”

“I’ll do whatever you ask me to do, Jake.”

~~~

They were quiet for several moments. Then Jake pinned her with a hard questioning gaze. She didn’t have to see the bulge in his pants to know what he was thinking. Taking a sip of his wine, he settled back against the sofa with a soft smile.