Whispers of the Falls: Book one (Twelve Oaks Farm Series 1) (5 page)

More than likely the death of her parents had caused her to be extremely independent. The oldest, she would believe the responsibility of the farm was all hers. As Grant cruised over the road, he decided to do what he could to make her life easier while he was at Twelve Oaks Farm. She and Juan worked together like a well oiled machine, but like she said he was in school most of the time. Even when he was at home, he had loads of homework. It was too bad she couldn’t hire someone to help her.

An hour later the compact car pulled into the parking lot of Billy’s Bar in Durham. Grant parked on the side of the street and watched Nina and Beth climb out of the car. Duke University is where Lacy, the youngest sister went to college so Beth probably picked that location so she wouldn’t have to drive so far from campus. The oldest always looked after the youngest, even in human nature.

Under the glow of the streetlights he saw another woman emerge from a beat up red Honda. Nina and Beth engulfed her and the three women held each other as seconds passed. He assumed the third woman was the youngest sibling, Lacy. Arm in arm they turned and made their way to the front door of the establishment. From his viewpoint he admired their long, tantalizing legs until they disappeared inside.

Leaving his car parked on the street, he opened the door and got out. If Nina saw his car, she would recognize it so he couldn’t park in the parking lot. Music blared into the streets from inside. When he opened the door to the establishment, the music was almost deafening.

Grant took a moment to access the situation at the entrance. Already at the bar, the three women were drawing a crowd of men. From his position he could see Beth was in her element smiling and flirting with the gentlemen, while Nina seemed to be a little shy. Now that he had a better view of Lacy he thought she looked more like Nina with the blond hair and peachy complexion. Like Nina, she seemed a little shy around all the men pressing in on them. Not wanting the ladies to see him, Grant slipped to the back of the bar where he could observe undetected. The room smelled of stale cigarette smoke and beer. He never cared much for the bar scene.

Alarm bells were ringing when he glanced at the table in the far corner where a group of five men had their heads bent together in conversation. Something about their demeanor caused him to become suspicious. One of the men leaned back in his chair, and that was when he saw the pistol under his jacket. Carrying a concealed weapon wasn’t uncommon, especially in a bar, but Grant had the feeling they were trouble. They were tense and the conversation taking place seemed serious. Clear, cold eyes shifted toward him as one of the men watched him slide into the booth. A moment passed before he turned his attention back to the other men.

His focus back on Nina, he watched as a tall young man asked her to dance. When she turned him down, Beth accepted his invitation. From where he sat he watched her sensual movements on the dance floor. She was hot and seemed to enjoy the man’s hands on her body. He pulled her close and she ground her body against him. The song ended and Beth gave him a quick kiss on the lips before she whispered something in his ear and returned to the bar and slipped onto a stool beside Nina. Even though other men asked the three beauties to dance they were turned down. Heads together they seemed more interested in conversation than dancing.

A curvy, raven haired waitress brought a round of drinks to the table where the five men sat. She bent and whispered into the ear of the tallest man who Grant assumed was in charge. He sat at the head of the table like he was someone important. The man swiveled in his chair and peered at the bar where Nina, Beth, and Lacy were surrounded by male customers.

Margarita in hand, Nina lifted it to her lips and took a drink. The alcohol seemed to give her courage because she smiled at the young man that had taken the stool next to her. Grant studied her magnificent face and felt a twinge of jealousy. She had not once given him any encouragement, but yet here he sat feeling as if she belonged to him. The intense physical attraction he felt for her was screwing with his better judgment. He had a mission and his lust for a suspected drug dealer would only hamper that investigation.

The black dress was stunning on Nina. Cut low, it gave him a good view of cleavage and the side slit revealed the length of her leg. The woman had his heart pounding.

He took a deep fortifying breath before returning his attention back to the men at the table in the far corner. The tall man tucked a bill down the front of the waitress’ shirt before smiling wickedly and sending her on her way.

The waitress prepared a couple of drinks and carried them to Nina, and Beth, a Coke for Lacy. When the waitress pointed toward the man at the back table, Nina paled. He raised his hand and smiled revealing a mouthful of perfect white teeth. By the look on her face she knew and feared the man. Beth glared at the man before she shoved the tray of drinks away shaking her head in the negative. The waitress shrugged her shoulders as she peered at the man that had ordered the drinks. Undaunted, the man raised his glass in the air and saluted the ladies with a look of pure lust on his face. Rage showed on Beth’s face as she scooted off the barstool and sashayed in the direction of the man.

To keep from being recognized Grant grabbed a menu and placed it in front of his face. The click of her high heels on the tiled floor was loud as she walked only a breath from where he sat. She walked with purpose and determination.

Only a few feet away, Grant heard Beth snap, “As I have told you before, leave my sister alone. You make me sick to my stomach. You can’t have everything you want, Randle.”

Grant peeped to the side of the menu and saw Nina slip off the barstool. Nervous, she chewed on her bottom lip.

“You look lovely tonight, Beth.” He let out a cruel laugh as his eyes roamed over her curvy body. “Let me guess. You are here to celebrate Nina’s birthday.” Quick as a flash, the man reached out and grabbed her hand. She tugged and pulled but he wouldn’t release his hold on her.

Nina and Lacy sprinted to their sister’s side. In a calm voice, Nina replied, “It’s my birthday, Randle and we are out to celebrate. Please don’t ruin it with your heavy handed tactics. Now release my sister this minute and we’ll leave.”

His eyes softened when he gazed up at Nina. “I know it’s your birthday, Nina. I called hoping to take you out, but you never return my calls.”

“You know why I don’t return your calls. I will not give you false hope. You and I are finished.”

“My apologies, Nina. The last thing I would do is ruin your night away from the farm.” He released his hold on Beth. “Please, the three of you stay and have a good time. The drinks are on me.”

Randle stood and so did all the men at the table. His fingers grazed Nina’s cheek. “Happy birthday, my sweet.” From where he sat he saw her grit her teeth to keep from pulling away. He wondered what their story was. The man didn’t seem to be her type. But then women did like bad boys.

Grant let out the breath he had been holding. For a moment he feared he would have to intervene. He relaxed as Randle and his thugs disappeared through the door.

Nina placed her trembling hands over her face. Beth draped her arm over her shoulder and whispered, “I’m sorry. I assumed he would be at his establishment tonight. If I had known he was here tonight, I’d never suggested coming. Let’s go to Raleigh to celebrate your birthday.”

Nina lifted her head and swiped at a tear. “I want to go home. I’m not in a partying mood.”

Sitting close enough to reach out and touch them, Grant gripped the menu until his knuckles turned white. He waited until Beth led Nina through the exit door with her arm still draped over her shoulder, Lacy following behind before he motioned the raven haired waitress over. He grabbed one of the beers from her tray. Giving her a cheeky smile, he asked, “Do you have time for a break.”

Excitement showed on her face before she slipped into the chair beside him. She slid in close, her thigh rubbing against his. “What’s your name?”

“Grant.”

“Well, Grant, my name is Sheila. What do you have in mind, handsome?”

He placed a hundred on the table and answered, “Information.”

She tucked the hundred into her bra pouting prettily. “Here I thought it was me you were interested in.”

He provocatively raked his eyes over her. Dark eyes framed by long, jet, black lashes peered back at him. “Maybe another time, sweetheart. I’m in a bit of a rush. But I don’t see why I can’t come back another night and spend a little time with you.”

Dimples popped out in both cheeks. “It’s a date. Now what information you lookin’ for?”

He tilted his head toward the table where Randle and his goons were sitting. “The men that were sitting at that table earlier, who are they?”

Suddenly nervous, she peered over her shoulder to make sure no one could hear their conversation. “One of them was Randle Collins. He owns The Red Diamond Bar in Raleigh.”

Grant took a sip of his beer before continuing his questions. “Why was he in here tonight?”

Her voice became tight. “Listen, Grant, take my advice. Randle Collins is not the kind of man you should be concerned about. He is a very powerful person.”

“How powerful?”

“As I said before, very powerful.”

By her expression she was frightened to even be talking to him. She wouldn’t give him the answers he needed, so he decided to change tactics. Besides, Uncle Tate could find out anything he wanted to know about Collins. “What about the tall blond he seemed so interested in. What’s their story?”

“Nina Reynolds?” Sheila rolled her eyes. “Randle fancies himself in love with her. They went out a few times about three months ago, but for some reason she broke up with him. He is not accustomed to someone telling him no. I imagine she was the first woman that ever did. Considers himself a ladies’ man.” She rubbed the back of his knuckles with the tips of her fingers. “You know the type, school jock and handsome.”

The bartender stepped to the end of the bar and shouted over the glare of the music, “Sheila, you’ve got tables to wait!”

Sheila placed her hand on his forearm. She leaned in brushing her ample breast against his shoulder. “I get off at one o’clock if you’re interested in continuing our conversation.”

“As I told you, I have another engagement. I’ll see you another night.”

Disappointment showed on her face. “I would like to see you again.” Sheila took a napkin off the tray and jotted down her phone number. “Call me.” She pushed away from the table, hips swaying provocatively she crossed to the bar and balanced a tray full of drinks on the palm of her hand. She winked at Grant before she went about her job of waiting tables.

Not wanting to draw attention to himself, Grant leisurely pushed away from the table. As he crossed to the door, he grabbed the beer bottle Collins left behind and in its place left his. Just in case, it wouldn’t hurt to have Collins’ DNA and fingerprints.

****

It was twelve o’clock before Grant returned to Twelve Oaks Farm. Beth’s compact was parked in front of the house. Some of the tension in his neck eased knowing they arrived home safely. The lights were off inside the house, but he could see a beam of light around back. He left his car parked in front and made his way through the tree darkened path to the back of the house.

The sight before him caused him to stop in the shadows transfixed on the bikini clad Nina bouncing on the diving board. Her body was perfection. Legs all the way up to her neck were well muscled and gorgeous. The bikini top was thin and her nipples puckered as if beckoning him to feast upon their sweetness. An instant erection caused him pain as his eyes lowered to the junction between her legs. Aphrodite herself couldn’t be more tempting. She accomplished a perfect dive from the board disappearing into the pool. Her arms moved in perfect clockwork as she did the backstroke. The pool lights threw watery shadows as his eyes feasted on her gorgeous body.

He waited in the shadows until he had his lust under control before stepping into the light. “Hello, Grant, come join us. Gone was the angry woman ready to fight for her sister’s honor, and in her place was the playful Beth he had met earlier in the evening. Also wearing a bikini, she looked almost as magnificent as Nina, but just not as muscular. Deep in his throat an uncontrollable groan escaped. He hoped neither female heard him.

He fought to keep his voice controlled. “I don’t have a suit.”

With a mischievous smile, Beth purred, “You don’t need one.”

Nina swam to the end of the pool, propped her arms on the edge, and peered up at him. Heat washed over his body and he decided the cool water might be just what he needed to control his passion. Grant sat in the closest chair and kicked off his loafers. He unbuttoned his shirt and dropped it on top of his shoes doing his best not to make eye contact with the beautiful women. Last he shucked out of his jeans. The night air chilled the sweat on his body. Wearing only his fitted boxers, he dived into the pool. When he surfaced, he swam toward Nina. She intently watched him as he neared.

“Juan said you went out tonight.”

Grant looked directly into her brilliant, blue eyes and said, “I was a little restless so I went into town and had a couple of beers.” He pushed the wet hair off his brow. “How was your birthday celebration? Did you have a good time?”

The color left her face proving she was remembering her confrontation with Collins. “Yes, we had a great time.”