Whirlwind (SAI Book 2) (19 page)

“No. As far as they’re concerned, they are meeting with Sabal Rowen.”

“Are you going to inform them that’s your pen name or are you going to tell them your real name?”

“I haven’t decided yet. I thought I would meet with them and get a feel for who they are and what they want, and then I could make a decision. The last thing I need is my name all over the internet.”

“Seems like a good choice for now. But I’ve been wondering if it wouldn’t make sense to start talking about the threat against you. When I spoke with Sam, I brought it up, and he wasn’t completely opposed to the idea. There may be some value to getting the word out that the Outfit is after you. It will make it harder for them to get away with anything if a lot of people know you’re under threat.”

“So, it’s the exact opposite of what I’ve been doing for the last year.”

“Yes. The only way it works is if you have protection, and you do. When we get back to Miami, I’m going to meet with Sam. Who knows? You may be free of this a lot sooner than you think.”

Standing, she walked over and hugged him. “Thank you.”

“My pleasure, Sabal Rowen.”

“Just think—you get two women for the price of one.”

“I’ll just take Sara. You’re more than enough for me.”

“Good answer.”

***

Sara held Grady’s hand as they walked out of the convention center. The breeze picked up, and her dress flew around her knees. Holding it down, she tried to hold on to her portfolio.

“Let me hold that. I don’t want anyone seeing those sexy legs of yours.” He slipped the large case out of her arm and smiled.

“That’s sweet, but nobody is looking at us. I’ve never felt more out of place than I did in there.”

“Was it because we left our costumes at home?”

“No. It’s because we left our snotty attitude at home. Everyone was so busy acting cool and unaffected that they forgot to act professionally. The guy from Top Shelf practically sneered at me when we arrived.”

“Honey, he just didn’t know what to do when a beautiful, talented woman showed up. He was clearly intimidated, so he acted like an ass. Maybe having me stand behind you didn’t help.”

“I’m happy you were with me. I probably would’ve turned around and walked out if I didn’t have you there. Before he said two words to me, he was dragging his eyes over me, and it felt disgusting.” She smoothed down her dress and shook her head. “This is my good luck dress, and it’s perfectly appropriate for business meetings. I could tell by the way he spoke to me that he wasn’t someone I wanted to work with.

“I enjoyed his reaction when I told him that you were part of my security detail. The way he kept looking at you was hilarious. It was as though he expected you to jump up and start knocking heads.”

“Yeah, I might’ve mean mugged him. I’ve been told that I’m scary looking, so it makes sense.”

Snickering, she squeezed his hand. “It was pretty funny to watch him look up at you and visibly shrink. His hipster façade seemed to slip after he got a good look at you.”

“Not the first time that’s happened.”

“And not the last.”

They walked to the parking garage and claimed the car from the valet. Once they were inside, Sara sighed. “I don’t know about this whole graphic novel business. It may not be for me.”

They pulled out of the parking garage, and Grady turned left. “I’m going to take you to lunch and buy you a margarita. You deserve one after those two meetings.”

“You’re a good partner, Grady. Thank you for coming with me and having my back. I can’t tell you how much it means to me.”

“Always.”

“I’m going to continue to self-publish for now, because I don’t see myself having a career in this genre long-term.”

They drove toward the shops and restaurants that were next to the water. The sun warmed the inside of the car as they made their way down the street. “An idea started to form last night when I was holding Maddy. I haven’t had any in such a long time, but holding that sweet girl gave me some inspiration.”

“Mark and Birdie sure made a cute kid, and she’s a firecracker too,” Grady said, as he turned in to the parking lot. “Not surprising, though. Look at her parents. The kid didn’t have a chance.”

“I really like them. You can see how much they love one another and how much their family means to them.”

“Maybe we can have that someday.”

Her eyes flew to his, and she wondered if she’d heard him correctly. She watched him turn off the engine and flash a smile in her direction. “Well…”

“Don’t get scared. I can see you working on all the reasons why it isn’t possible.” He stepped out of the car and came around to open her door. When he helped her out, he pulled her into his arms and kissed her head. “I’m not saying it’s going to happen next week. But soon.”

Pressing her face into his chest, she breathed him in. Maybe it was time to dream again. Having a man like him certainly made it seem possible. “I think I may need two margaritas.”

“I see my idea is sitting well with you.” He leaned back and grinned. “Milk and cookies, Sara. We go together.”

“How about margarita and chips?”

He tugged her hand and led her in the direction of the restaurants. “Sure, honey. Whatever you want.”

She had a feeling that he was going to agree with whatever she said and then do what he wanted. Which seemed to be binding them together. As they entered the restaurant, she tried to think of some good arguments. And…couldn’t.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

One Week Later

Grady walked down the hall and stopped when he heard Joel call out, “Do you have a couple of minutes?”

He leaned against the doorframe. “Sure. I took a look at the warehouse with the real estate agent. It’s across from the airfield where we keep the plane and the helo. It has potential, so I’m going to show it to Ivy when she gets here next week.”

“Come in and sit down. Let’s catch up.”

Grady strolled in and noticed a couple of stuffed animals on the couch. “Did the family just leave?”

Joel glanced at the couch and laughed. “No, they haven’t been here today. Those damned stuffed animals are everywhere. I swear they procreate. No matter how many times they get put away, they find a way out.”

“Interesting theory. Have you shared it with anyone else?”

“Of course. But Vivi doesn’t agree with me. She thinks it’s the little teething toys that procreate. Anyway, whatever it is, they cover every surface in the house and car. I’ve given up, and I’m embracing the chaos. It’s the only way I’m going to survive.”

“Sounds like a wise move.” Tilting back, Grady crossed his arms behind his head. “I remember when you were a lonely bachelor living in a neat house and grumpy as shit. Now you’re happy and living the middle of a loud, happy family.”

“Wouldn’t want it any other way.”

“When we were in San Diego, we had dinner with Max and his family. His house looks a lot like yours.”

“Twins will do that. There’s about thirty minutes every day when everything is quiet and it doesn’t look like a hurricane hit our house.” A wicked grin crossed his face. “Then I go home for nap time and it stops.”

Grady put his hands up and shook his head. “Don’t need to hear about what you and Vivi do in the afternoon.”

“Wasn’t going to tell you.” Joel laughed. “The reason that I wanted to talk to you is that I would like to hire a few more people. We now have two contracts with refineries in South America, and I think several more are about to be signed. I can’t send Travis because his wedding is coming up next month, so he’s out. Lance and Harris are already set to go to Bolivia. Dane and Kyle can go, but that leaves us very thin here for two months.”

“I have a buddy who left the Teams about two months ago, and I’ll give him a call. I don’t know what his plans are, but maybe I can talk him into joining us.”

“Which team was he on?”

“Team Two. He’s still in Virginia, so it may not be hard to talk him into coming down.”

“Give him a call and invite for a visit. Let’s see if we can get him interested. He can stay with us, but I’m not sure if that would help or hurt.”

“I’ll get a hold of him and he can stay at my house. I’m practically living with Sara, so my house is empty most of the time.”

“Let me know what happens.”

Grady stood and stretched. “Will do.”

“Any updates on the threat against Sara? Have the folks in Chicago made any moves?”

“No. It’s freaking frustrating. I want to go up there and ask for a meeting, but Sam says all that will do is piss them off. I hate sitting around waiting. It goes against every instinct I have.”

“Any leads on what they’re looking for?”

“No. Sara only has a locket her father gave her. The FBI took a look at it, and they have no reason to believe that it’s anything more than a family heirloom.”

“We should send it to Lucky in the Chicago office. She’s a master at discovering information.”

“I’ll talk to Sara and see if she agrees. I don’t think it has any sentimental value, and she’s more interested in ending this.”

“So, how serious are you about this woman?’

“As serious as it gets.”

“Congratulations. Nothing better than marriage, kids, and random stuffed animals.”

“I can see that. It’s not something that I ever thought I would be interested in. Then I met Sara and everything changed.”

“That’s how it works. It took me a while to accept what I knew from the moment I met Viv. But once I did, there was nothing that was going to stop me.”

“I just need to get rid of some mafia, and then I can move forward with my plan.”

“Piece of cake, brother.”

Grady nodded and then walked out. He wanted nothing more than to solve the problem. It was just a matter of how it was going to be accomplished.

***

Grady walked into the house and saw Gladys, Agnes, and Rose from down the street sitting at the kitchen table. Sara had been right about the women resembling a basket of Easter eggs. Agnes had orange hair, Gladys was sporting a strange shade of lavender, and Rose wore her blue hair with confidence. If the graphic novel thing didn’t work out, she might have a future as a colorist. “Evening, ladies.”

They all looked up and smiled. Sara stood and walked toward him. “Hi, honey. We’re playing mah-jongg. Well, the three of them are playing, and I’m trying to learn.”

Gladys got up, grabbed the pitcher, and refilled everyone’s drinks. “It’s slow going, but we’re not going to give up.”

“We might,” Agnes mumbled. “I’m not sure if this is your game, Sara.”

Sara wrapped her arm around Grady’s waist and laughed. “I suck. No way around it.”

Rose patted her hair and took a healthy sip of her drink. “You can’t be good at everything. The fact that you color hair beautifully and make a mean margarita is more than enough. This game is for old ladies with not much else to do.” Smiling coyly at Grady, she winked. “That man standing next to you must give you plenty to do.”

“On that note,” Grady said, “I’m going to change and then do my run.”

“Are we scaring you?” Sara asked sweetly.

“No, but I know when it’s time to get out.”

“It’s hot out there, Grady. Feel free to go without a shirt,” Agnes called from her place at the table.

“And maybe you should take a swim after. It’s important to cool off after exercise,” Rose added.

Sara laughed and then covered her mouth. “Ladies, quit trying to get my boyfriend to take his clothes off.”

“Why would we quit? We’re old, and we have to get while the getting is good. And Grady is the good that we want to look at. We may all die tomorrow, and this could be our last chance to ogle a sexy man,” Gladys said.

Sara released Grady. “Run while you can.”

“How much tequila did you put in those margaritas?”

“Clearly, too much,” Sara answered.

“As much fun as this has been, I’m going to head out.” Leaning over, he kissed Sara. “Call me when the coast is clear.”

“Okay. I’ll make some dinner in a bit and then give you a call.”

He gave her one more kiss and then waved to the ladies. “See you later.”

As he walked out the door, all the ladies sighed. Sara shook her head as she took her seat at the table. “You made him feel like a piece of meat. Shame on you.”

“We did no such thing.” Rose said. “He doesn’t pay any attention to us.”

“Is he as good as we imagine?” Agnes asked.

Sara glanced out the window and saw Grady walk across the lawn. “Better.”

Gladys moved the tiles around and nodded. “You should keep him, because I don’t think there’s a better man out there.”

“I agree.” Sara straightened the tiles in front of her and shrugged. “I think that I’ve fallen for him.”

Rose patted her hand and gave her a sympathetic smile. “You have. I can see the way you look at him, and it reminds me of the way I look at my Seymour. We’ve been together for over fifty years, and sometimes I feel the same tingles I did when we first met.”