Risky Shot (18 page)

Dani tried not to roll her eyes. She was twenty-seven, not seventeen! But, in her father's eyes she would always be six years old with long pigtails tied in bows.

“It is such a beautiful bed and breakfast and Miss Rose is just wonderful,” her mother praised.

“I will be happy to drive you back to Miss Lily’s then. Dani, why don’t you show your mother the garden? I want to discuss your father’s next donation to my charity.” Mo gave her knee a little squeeze and then stood up, holding out his hand to help her up.

Her mother rose and held out her hand for her to take. “I would love to see it. If it is nearly as beautiful as your house, then I am sure I will enjoy it and be immensely jealous.”

Dani took her mother’s hand and cast one last questioning glance to Mo before walking out. “I wonder what that was all about.”

“Bella, really? I didn’t think you were so clueless. The man is obviously in love with you, as he should be," her mother said, causing Dani to blush. “And you are obviously just as in love with him as I am with your father. I am very happy for you. It is what your father and I always wanted for you.”

“Sure didn’t look like Papa was happy.”

“Well, you have to admit it wasn’t the first meeting anyone pictured. Hands, mouths, and other body parts all engaged... not what a father wants to see. I, on the other hand, think it goes to show you will have a very happy marriage. Oh! Look at those roses!”

“Wait, Mama. Who said anything about marriage?” But her mother was already lost in the rows of red, white, pink, and yellow roses.

Dani and her mother were sitting on a stone bench looking at the ornate fountain of a race horse when she saw Mo walking toward them. He smiled and waved to them.

“It looks like good news then. I am glad we are staying. I will meet you at the car. And, Bella, don’t take too long. Your father may be appeased right now, but it won’t last if you disappear for an extended period of time.”

She nodded even though she was feeling pretty stupid. She was missing one big piece of this puzzle. Her mother hugged Mo and he pointed her toward the house.

“Yes, that’s it. Did you enjoy the garden with your mother?” She nodded and looked back to the fountain. “After just two nights together, I am already missing you in my bed tonight. I have gotten attached to sleeping with you.”

“Me too,” she smiled. She snuggled into his chest when he put his arm around her shoulder. It really was quite amazing how fast she fell into a pattern of expectation with him. She, too, had expected to spend the rest of her nights with him. The thought of sleeping alone in her big bed at Miss Lily’s saddened her.

“Okay,” she smiled. Being in love was so much fun. “When facing the house, my room is the last window on the left on the second floor. There’s a huge tree that should be easy for you to climb.”

“You expect me to climb to your window? I mean, you’re worth it, but I have never climbed anywhere.” Mo's look of shock caused Dani to laugh. She pushed back a piece of his black hair that had fallen over his eye and quickly kissed his lips as she smiled at him. “Fine, I will do it. As soon as you turn off your light, I will start climbing up. The window just better be unlocked.” Mo stood up and held out his hand. She took it and they laughed about the lengths they’d go through for love as they made their way to the limousine waiting to take them to Miss Lily’s.

Dani slipped off her bra and panties and pulled on an old button up shirt. She brushed her teeth and checked her hair before flipping off the lights in her room. She went over to the window and opened it. She looked out into the perfectly manicured yard, but didn’t see Mo. It had been an hour since he dropped them off and said his goodbyes.

She was about to give up hope when she saw him walking across the front yard as if he was on his way to a business meeting. He sure didn’t know the meaning of the word ‘sneak’. He stopped at the base of the tree and smiled up at her. Grabbing a low hanging branch, he easily pulled himself up and climbed to her window.

“Are you sure you never climbed a tree before?”

“I practiced in the park while I waited. It’s a lot of fun! We don’t have trees like this in Rahmi.” He walked across the limb and easily stepped onto the window seat. “If I get to see you dressed like that, I will climb a tree every night. Now, I believe you told me earlier this evening that there were some things you wanted to do.” Mo pulled his shirt over his head and tossed it onto the window seat. He moved to the bed and sat down, kicking off his shoes. “I am all yours, love.” He leaned back on his elbows and Dani stared at his muscled chest and flat, sculpted stomach.

Oh, the things she wanted to do! Her eyes traveled upward to his face and she saw his amber eyes darken. She raised her fingers to the top her shirt and unbuttoned it. She enjoyed the rush of seeing his eyes glued to her as she undid button after button. Her shirt parted and she shrugged her shoulders, causing the shirt to fall to the floor. She took a deep breath and stepped towards him.

Dani woke up in the predawn morning. She was warm and completely relaxed. But she thought she had heard something. There it was again. There was noise above her. Her parents were already up!

Mo shot up in bed and scrambled out of bed, not bothering to cover up. He flashed a smile as he walked around the room picking up his clothing.

“I guess this means I get to make my exit via the tree. I was really hoping for the door. He leaned out the window and tossed his shoes out. “I’ll see you for dinner tonight. Ahmed said he had some problems fitting in at your office, so the Davies’ brothers will be in charge of your safety inside the office. When they are unavailable, Cole will post FBI outside of your office for surveillance. Marshall will go over the schedule with you today.” He walked over to the bed and kissed her goodbye, “Be careful. I love you.”

She crawled out of bed and watched as he worked his way down to the ground. He was about to pick up his shoes when he jumped back and crashed into the tree trunk. Peering over the windowsill, Dani saw Miss Lily standing on the edge of the porch with a hose in her hand. When Mo stepped away from the tree she saw that he was soaking wet. Dani tried not to laugh and leaned further out the window to hear the conversation.

“Good morning, Miss Lily,” Mo smiled and bent down for his shoes.

“Good morning, Mohtadi. So sorry I sprayed you. I always get up and water my plants before the hot sun can wilt them. What a surprise to see you dangling out of my tree. I trust that I will not have you dangling in my trees every morning? After all, what would the neighbors think?”

She saw Mo smile as he slipped on his shoes. “No Ma’am. Now that I know you’re awake, I will just use the front door.” Dani laughed when she saw Mo jerk back as Miss Lily sprayed him again. Mo chuckled and shook his head, sending water drops flying off. He tucked the wet pieces of hair behind his ears before giving Miss Lily a little wink. He waved good bye to Miss Lily and walked down the street to where his car was parked.

Dani got dressed and had breakfast with her parents. They were planning on sightseeing and she had walked to work with Ahmed’s car driving slowly behind her. Signs were being put up all around town for the County Fair that ran from Friday through Sunday. She didn’t even know if there was a county fair in New York. But it was one of the social events of the year in Keeneston. There were beauty pageants ranging from baby to seniors. Every contestant got a picture in the weekly gossip rag/newspaper. There were concerts, tractor pulls, pig wrestling matches, and 4-H livestock shows. It sounded so bizarre that she couldn’t wait to go.

She opened the door to the office and noticed Tammy staring off at the corner of the room. Dani followed her gaze and found Miles reading Field and Stream while Marshall read the Keeneston Journal.

“Morning, guys. What brings both of you to the office today?”

“Good morning, Dani. We hoped you would come in early enough for a quick self-defense review. Marshall will stay here for the rest of the day, but tomorrow we’re both tied up at the fair. We'll make sure FBI is stationed outside though. Cole has informed the agents in the Lexington Office that Edwards had died. He also said it was Edwards that had issued the phony call regarding Dani and Kenna. So, you won’t have any worries about them arresting you,” Miles told her.

“Thank you, both. I feel so much better knowing you are out here. I know it must be boring to sit out here doing nothing.”

“I am glad. We’ll be here as much as we can. Let us show you some more moves for the times when we aren’t around. Miles and I will demonstrate and then you try them. Okay?”

She nodded and moved back when Miles and Marshall strode to the center of the lobby. Dani took a quick look and saw Tammy had taken a seat on her desk, her feet dangling over the front as she smiled at the men.

Miles moved behind Marshall. He reached around Marshall’s neck and put him in a head lock. “This is a traditional attack move. A person will come up from behind you and slip his arm across your neck. The pressure will panic most people. You have to remember that most attackers do not know how to do this move properly. If you keep calm, then you will be able to breathe. Always slip your fingers between his arm and your neck, but don’t try to claw at his arm or he will tighten it. With your fingers there, it makes it difficult to completely cut off the air. Watch.”

Miles demonstrated on Marshall and then on her. “That’s right, just apply gentle, steady pressure with your fingers. Keep calm. Breathe through your nose. Good,” Marshall told her as Miles let go and she took a big gasp for air. She was able to breathe, but only a little. But, a little was better than nothing.

“If you are in this type of situation, you have two options. The first is to fight immediately, and if there is a weapon involved it is best to do that. If there is a car involved, you want to fight with everything you have. If they get you into that car, your chance of survival plummets. However, if he has you in an improper head lock,” Miles put her in another head lock, but this time it felt different. If she just lowered her head the lock had her more around the jaw than her throat. “Then you can try to talk your way out of it or stall until help comes. I am usually in favor of attacking instantly, but sometimes you need a moment to calm down and take in your surroundings before knowing how to act,” Miles explained.

Miles went back to Marshall and put him in another lock. “To get out of the lock there are two things you can do. First, you are tall and can reach back with both hands and place them on his ears. Your thumbs will be in his face. You can then gouge the eyes. To fully escape, hang on and pull his head sideways. He will follow.” Miles showed her how to do it and then she tried. It was clumsy and she could she if she was too slow her attacker could pick up on it.

“The next is all about leverage. If you move your left leg behind his right leg and then hit him with your left elbow to his midsection you can knock him down. See how I hit, then push with my arm at his midsection causing Marshall to trip over the leg I placed behind him? Come on, you try it.”

Dani tried over and over again. By the fifth time, she had Marshall down on the ground in one movement.

“That is so cool! Can I try it?” Tammy jumped up and stood in front of Miles. Wrapping his arm around her, he instructed her on what to do.

“Okay, go.”

“No, this is just fine like this.” Tammy sighed and laid her head back against Miles’ chest.

“Tammy! You’re just as bad as Henry, and that is not a compliment. Now kick his butt!” Dani chided her while trying not to laugh. Tammy did the move and Miles went to the ground.

“So, is there anything we can do down here together?” Tammy asked as she leaned over Miles.

“Sorry, kid. You're a little too young for me. However, my brother Pierce should be just perfect for you,” Miles chuckled before standing up.

“Pierce? I haven’t seen him since high school. I don’t mean to sound rude, but he’s not really my type.” She turned to Dani and explained, “He was so skinny. All knees and elbows. He had braces with white and blue bands and he played in the band. He was a band geek! Not to mention president of the Future Farmers of America.”

Dani went to the front door and flipped the closed sign to open and waited for the inevitable line of women to come. It didn’t help that Marshall was wearing the tightest black t-shirt she’d ever seen, or that he was opening the door and complementing all the women that came in. Henry didn’t care though. He was happy as a pig in mud with an office full of desperate women.

She turned on her computer and pulled up the legal research site. She still needed to find some case law on the adoption case she was working. The man and woman who wanted to adopt the baby were foster parents. They had gotten a call from the hospital explaining that baby Emma had been abandoned by her birth mother. Eight months had gone by and they decided to adopt the little girl. After meeting with the social worker, the drugged out mother showed up demanding they turn the baby over to her. Dani started the program and searched the relevant statutes and started reading cases. She looked up when she heard someone walk into the office.