Simon Says (27 page)

“They'll be destroyed.” Before Barber could work himself into another fit, Dakota tried to reassure him. “Hey, don't sweat it. I've decided I don't care anymore.”

“Don't bullshit me.”

“No, I won't. I'm not sure I could.” She rubbed the bridge of her nose as she struggled to find the right words. “Maybe Mom wrote me something nice.” She looked up at Barber. “But maybe she didn't. Maybe she was still mad and wanted me to know how she resented my behavior. Whatever the letters say, they won't change anything, so in the long run, it doesn't matter if I see them or not. From here on, I'm moving forward and forgetting the past.”

Measuring her resolve, Barber said, “I hope you mean that, considering you and Simon have something going on. A bona fide relationship. Maybe a future together.”

She wanted to believe that. “With Simon so busy making his comeback, who knows if things between us will go anywhere?”

Barber looked at her with sober intensity. “I'd say you two were in love, but I don't want you to keel over on me.”

Dakota ducked her head. This time, the “L” word didn't rattle her quite as much. “I'd already decided to tell Simon about Barnaby. Not about the letters or any of that, but I'll fess up to the fact that Barnaby was my stepfather until my mother's death.”

“Why do I feel a big ‘but' coming on?”

“I was just thinking…it might not be so bad if I go to see Barnaby first. Like you said, he's a liar. I could feel him out a little, try to figure out why he wants to see Simon so badly.”

With every word she spoke, Barber looked more apprehensive. “Okay, hold up. Before you start talking up a visit with Barnaby, can I tell you what I think you should do?”

Dakota snorted. “Like I could stop you?”

He drew a calming breath. “I know it's not your strong suit and with good reason, but you should try a little trust. That's always a good first step, and for a guy like Simon, trust will be top of his list.”

“I trust you.”

His expression left a twinge in her heart. “I know, and I love you for it. But Simon's the one, so you gotta extend the trust to him, too. Tell him
everything
, hon, and then if you have to go see Barnaby, see him with Simon, not on your own.”

She picked at her French fries while thinking that over. “It's not that I don't want to. I do trust Simon—I think I always have. I can't explain it, but from the day I met him, I felt like I knew him. And for some reason, he's the only man I've been attracted to
that
way, too, if you catch my drift.”

“I catch it. And that's another reason to clear the air and get rid of the lies.”

Seeing the mess she'd made of a fry, Dakota wiped the salt off her hands and covered the plate with her napkin. “In the short time we've known each other, Simon's had too much of my drama dumped over his head. He made it clear that he doesn't want anything to do with Barnaby. But if I tell him about the letters, he might go see him for me. I don't want that responsibility.”

“What if Simon is right about Marvin and Barnaby working together?”

Dakota didn't know what to think. “I talked with Barnaby earlier. I even accused him of sending Marvin here.”

“You did
what
?”

“He denied it, and I dunno, Barber. I think I believe him.”

“I don't fucking believe this.”

Lifting her brows, Dakota said, “What?”

Face furious, he leaned closer. “It's like poking a bear with a stick. Do you want Barnaby to get pissed?”

“Why should I care? Once the letters are gone, pissed or not, there's not much else he can do to me.”

In the middle of that debate, her phone rang. Glaring at Barber, she dug it out of her pocket and flipped it open. “Hello?”

“Are you all right?”

“Simon.” Her mood lightened, and warmth surged through her. “Hi. I'm fine.”

“Are you sure? I heard about Dean's car.”

Dakota wanted to groan. “I feel so bad about that.”

“I knew you would, but it's not your fault. Dean doesn't blame you. And we're both just glad he was with you, since that bastard obviously followed you.”

She, too, was glad Marvin hadn't found her alone. “Same here.”

With an added edge of frustration, Simon said, “I don't like you being there alone.”

“I'm not. Thanks to you, poor Dean stuck with me for hours. And some of the guys were at the bar, and they helped to pass the time.”

“What guys?”

“Fighters. From Dean's gym. Don't worry, Michael was there.”

“Yeah, that reassures me.” He cleared his throat. “So how are you feeling? Not too sore?”

“For what?”

His sudden laugh sent a rush of heat through her body, and she knew Barber noticed. Half turning away, she said, “I'm fine, really.”

“Fibber. But I admire your stoicism.”

Changing the subject, Dakota asked, “How was your flight?”

“Boring. And I have some bad news.” He let out a breath. “I have to stay in Vegas an extra day. Seems like everyone knew I'd be here, and they all want a piece of my time.”

Visions of beautiful women lining up to see Simon added an edge to her tone. “Who's everyone?”

“Sponsors. Fighters. Friends. But I hope to be out of here day after tomorrow.”

“Want me to pick you up at the airport?” She glanced across the booth at Barber. “I could get Barber to come with me.”

Barber made a face, but didn't refuse.

“That's all right. I left my car there. But I wouldn't mind if you made some time for me when I get home.”

“Guaranteed.” Dakota hedged a moment, but she wanted to share. “I have some good news, too.”

“Let's hear it.”

A little apprehensive, she said, “I talked with Roger, and we came to an agreement.”

“You'll be staying in Harmony?”

“For a while at least.” Dakota couldn't be sure, but she thought Simon might have sounded pleased. “I'll start after Barber finishes up with his contract.”

“Good.” Before Dakota could relax, a new tension entered Simon's voice and he said, “I'm starting to sound like a broken record, but I think we need to talk.”

“Oh, really? Again?” As Simon laughed, Dakota looked up and saw Bonnie coming into the restaurant on the arm of yet another fighter. “Hang on a second, Simon.” She covered the phone.

“Well, look at her, will ya?” Barber slanted Dakota a glance. “Seems you aren't the only one who felt the need for a little shake-up to the image.”

Dakota rolled her eyes. Her wardrobe update didn't begin to compare to Bonnie's alterations. The woman had sheared off her long hair into a tousled, and admittedly sexy, shoulder-length shag. Her makeup was brighter, her clothes more revealing. “She looks sexier.”

“I'm sure that was the point. And what do you know? She's sent the escort on ahead and she's coming this way. In fact, it appears she was looking for you.”

Dakota stiffened, then lifted the phone to her ear. “Um, Simon, I sort of need to go.”

“Why? What's wrong?”

“Not a thing, except that Bonnie is fast approaching. I think she wants to…talk.” Nearly choking on that last word, Dakota said, “Will you let me know what time you're getting in?”

Simon ignored her question. “What the hell does Bonnie want?”

“I have no idea.” Bonnie stopped in front of her, so Dakota said, “Should I ask her for you?”

Bonnie looked at Barber and smiled. “Hello, Barber.”

“Hey, darlin'. Lookin' good.”

“Thank you.”

“The new 'do rocks.”

Bonnie gently shook her head to ruffle her hair. “I like it, too.” Lazily, she turned to Dakota. “I don't suppose that's Simon on the line.”

Dakota wanted to tell her to go to hell, but instead she said, “None other.”

Holding out a hand, Bonnie asked, “May I?”

Of all the nerve! Eyes burning, Dakota swallowed her ire and said sweetly, “Why not?” as she handed over the phone.

Bonnie smiled, but didn't thank her. “Simon, how auspicious.”

Disregarding manners, Barber stayed seated while Bonnie continued to stand near their table. He even went back to eating.

Dakota didn't budge.

“Now, Simon, don't be surly. I have something important to tell you.” She laughed. “Well, if you're certain you don't want to hear, of course I won't bother you. But since it's about Dakota…yes, that's what I thought.”

Barber stopped eating to stare up at her.

Dakota's heart thumped against her ribs.

“I received the oddest phone call from a man who refused to identify himself. He said if I wanted you back—which I no longer do—that he could arm me with enough information about your little songbird to make you dump her. And those were his exact words for her, not something I made up.”

Dakota couldn't move. Her legs felt frozen—like her heart.

“If you raise your voice at me, Simon, I'll not share the rest.” Bonnie looked at Dakota while speaking. “Naturally I told him I wasn't interested in gossip. He called me a fool, and told me that if I cared for you, I'd save you from her. It's because I do care that I'm sharing this. Honestly, he had a very odd way of speaking that didn't feel right. After what happened in the parking lot, I thought it'd be best to let you know so that you can protect yourself.”

Heartbeat slowing, Dakota went rigid. Her hands curled into fists on the tabletop.

“You're welcome,” Bonnie said. “I don't expect to hear from him again, but yes, if I do, I'll let you know.” She paused, and then smiled. “Actually, I'm doing quite well. I got a promotion at work, so I gave myself a makeover and I'm taking tonight to celebrate. Thank you.”

Dakota began fuming again, especially when Bonnie gave an intimate laugh and made a kissing sound into the phone before handing it back to Dakota.

She started to leave, but Barber took her hand. “Bonnie?”

“Hmm?”

“Thanks. It was real nice of you to share that info.”

She glanced at Dakota with pure dislike. “She's trouble, and she's going to drag the lot of you into that trouble with her. Whoever called me was uncouth and crass, and apparently well acquainted with her.” She looked at Barber's hand on hers. “I'll play no part in any of it.”

Barber released her and pulled back. “Loud and clear, sweetheart.”

“Good.” With another fleeting smile, she sashayed away.

Well done, Dakota thought, watching Bonnie make a strategic exit after shoving the knife in her back. The woman was an out-and-out pro at retaliation.

Reluctantly, Dakota put the phone back to her ear. “You still there, Simon?”

“Let me talk to Barber.”

She knew that tone too well. “Why? So you two can plan things around me? I don't think so. I'm not stupid. I hear the warning bells the same as you.”

“And you'll be extra careful?”

It was how she lived her life. “I repeat—I'm not stupid.”

“I'll take that as a yes, but I want to hear you say it. Tell me you won't go anywhere alone. I don't want you to leave your room for ice without letting someone know about it.”

This day had not gone well. “Sure, I'll say it. If you will, too.”

“What?”

“Bonnie didn't parade over here for my benefit. She only shared that stuff because she was worried about you. So I want you to promise that you'll be extra careful, too. Being the generous sort I am, I won't forbid you to get ice. Just look up and down the hotel hallways first, to make sure the coast is clear.”

Simon chuckled. “Okay, I get it. You're pissed that I'm being overbearing.”

“No, I'm annoyed that you think I'm too lame to look out for myself. I don't plan to skulk around in dark alleys or go for midnight drives alone, and I won't even play with sharp objects. So give me a little credit for common sense, okay?”

“I'm sorry.”

“You say that sincerely enough, but I can tell you're grinning.”

“I really do miss you, honey.”

And that easily, he defused her temper. She sighed. “Same here.”

“Now that we've got that settled…” He paused for emphasis. “Put Barber on the line.”

Dakota handed over the phone. “This is getting ridiculous.”

Barber grinned evilly. “Hey, Simon.”

Rather than listen to them, Dakota put her thoughts to figuring out why Marvin would call Bonnie. What had he hoped to accomplish? Or was it Barnaby? Crass and uncouth sounded more like Marvin, but Barnaby had his moments. She knew what Marvin wanted—to annoy her, to frighten her. He got off on it, for some reason. But what could Barnaby possibly want? Maybe she should ask Bonnie a few questions about the call…the hell she would.