Greed in Paradise (Paradise Series) (23 page)

“Don’t kick me in the face.” Creole grabbed my ankle, easing me back into the water.

“Shouldn’t you knock or something?” I sputtered.

“I don’t knock at your house. Besides, who could hear with the music turned up full blast? Good thing I don’t have neighbors.” He took the sponge and ran it up my leg. “I’d be happy to bathe all the hard to reach places.” He stared at the water as though he could see through the bubbles.

I blushed and my body tingled. I changed the subject. “What’s the update?”

“We’ve got someone working on Ramon’s exact location now, and once we narrow the coordinates, the bust goes down tonight.” He picked the cigar up off the floor. “You ruined a perfectly good cigar and didn’t even light it?” He looked at the dish soap. “Remind me to put real bubble bath on my grocery list.”

“I don’t smoke!” I took the cigar from his hands and put it in my mouth. “Hand me the book.” I hung my leg back over the tub. “I’m feeling pretty decadent in this sexy bathtub.”

He groaned and picked up the sponge again.

“If you’ll close the door on your way out, I’ll be out in a minute.”

I slapped on his lotion and wrapped myself in a terrycloth robe, pulling the belt tight. I smiled in the mirror, happy he came back so quickly and in one piece.

Creole lay across the bed. “I like my favorite robe on you. Come kiss me, I have to leave.”

“You just got here,” I whined. “Promise me, same as before, you’ll be careful.” I shook my finger at him moving to the edge of the bed.

“I promise I’ll be here when you wake up.” He pulled me down next to him. Our lips collided in a ruthless kiss. He groaned and ran his tongue against me, urging my mouth open as he deepened the kiss, toying with my tongue and biting my lips until I was breathing hard, longing for more. He drew back, hooking one of my fingers into his mouth, and sucked. Then brought my hand to his lips and placed a lover’s kiss on my palm.

* * *

Last night had been a complete bore, cut off from the outside world. I brooded, deeply in phone withdrawal. I missed the constant stream of people in and out of my house. The television only had local channels, and there was no laptop—it had been hard to entertain myself. I double checked the door locks, read, and then left the television on with the sound down for company.

I had my morning coffee and breakfast, made the bed, and paced the floor watching the clock. Where in the hell was he? He said when I woke up, not hours later. Creole wouldn’t leave me waiting, he knows I’d do something rash. Yesterday I found a change jar while snooping. I helped myself to the paper money and left an IOU note. I grabbed a cloth grocery bag that still had the “Congratulations, you’re a winner” sticker attached, threw in three bottles of water, and hoped the walk to the road wasn’t as long as I remembered.

I loved his house and really liked the idea that he hadn’t brought another woman to share the view. I daydreamed about sitting out on his deck, sharing breakfast, and doing something as mundane as talking about our day and enjoying every moment.

It had been a healthy hike to the main road, and sucking down one bottle of water, I thought to myself that those long walks on the beach were paying off. I mulled my options; my thumb might very well get me a ride with a weirdo. I couldn’t remember how far the next exit that boasted businesses was, and stopping at someone’s house might get me the same result as sticking my finger out. I stuck to the far side of the road as cars whizzed by blowing my hair every which way. Hoping to get to civilization before dark, and wondering why the hell Creole hadn’t passed me up to turnaround so that he could yell at me, I refused to think anything negative.

Up ahead a sheriff car sat parked, lights flashing. Of all the bad luck, Johnson sat behind the wheel. He lowered the passenger window. “It’s dangerous to walk alongside the road.”

I started to say something and noticed that the car in front belonged to Tropical Slumber. Before I could step away, Johnson called me back. “This is official business, I suggest you move along.”

“I know the owners of the funeral home. I’m just trying to get back to The Cove or the next town where I can use a phone.”

“You’re not far. The next gas station is about a mile up the road.” The window went back up.

I walked past the Cadillac. Dickie had the visor down and was playing with his hair while looking in the mirror. I stepped in front of the car where Dickie saw me and waved. I stuck my thumb out.

Johnson’s eyes bore into me as he approached the driver-side window. “No hitchhiking,” he yelled and pointed to the sign.

I had tired of brisk-walking, my feet preferred to shuffle now. I glanced over my shoulder constantly, not able to walk backward because it made me nauseous. Finally, Johnson got in his car and drove around Dickie. Before he could drive off, I ran back. Dickie got out and opened the door, always the gentleman.

“Please, oh please, give me a ride home. I’ll owe you a favor.” I turned slightly but couldn’t see in the back.

“I’ll give you a ride home and no favor needed, what kind of person would do that? Don’t worry, there’s no one else but the two of us, dead or alive,” he laughed.

Must be funeral humor.
“Any breaking news I should know about?”

“I bet you’ve got a good story—no car, walking, inquiring about the news. Just a few drunks we know, getting into fights. Are you going to tell me?” he asked.

“I can’t now, but I’ll share when I can.” If the story were only about me, I’d tell him. I trusted Dickie, but with others involved, it was not my story to tell.

“Butch quit. Good thing, we wanted to fire him without a confrontation. Took the Cad and had it detailed on the inside.” Dickie shook his head. “We hired a nice older gentleman.”

“Will you drop me at the main beach parking? I’ll walk the rest of the way. Don’t tell anyone you saw me.”

His dark eyes clouded over. “If you’re in trouble, we’ll hide you at the funeral home.”

“You and Raul have certainly become good friends.” I got out after he took a space in the far corner. “Thank you.” I waved and sprinted across the sand and down to the water.

Coming in the back way, I noticed the patio doors were closed so, not having a lock pick handy, I got out the hide-a-key. I called out, but no one answered. I picked up Jazz and hugged him until he meowed. I took him upstairs with me, where I sat him on my bed, next to my purse. That was nice of someone. My replacement phone sat on top, dead, and I plugged it in while taking a shower. The phone company had it replaced within twenty-four hours with a lecture that insurance didn’t cover the carelessness of throwing it in the water. I thanked her and asked when my contract would expire and made a note to switch companies.

My first phone call was to Harder. I wanted to hear Creole’s voice but didn’t want to be a distraction on his case either.

“Where are you?” he asked. It surprised me that he saved me as a contact.

“Creole promised to check in this morning and I haven’t heard from him. Just need to know he’s okay.”

“I didn’t know where he had you stashed or I would’ve come for a visit myself. Creole’s in the Tarpon Cove hospital.”

I shrieked. “Is he going to be okay? I have to go.” I hung up and grabbed my purse, running downstairs.

My phone rang several times, but I left it unanswered until I skidded out of the driveway.

“Don’t you ever hang up on me again,” Harder yelled. “I’ll arrest you.”

“Tell me he’s not going to die.” I cut over to a side street, knowing the route the ambulance used to avoid traffic.

“He got shot, but it’s not life threatening. He took a tumble off a second floor parking structure. An awning broke his fall but when he rolled off, he bumped his head and he’s in a coma. It’s not as bad as it sounds; he’s showing signs of coming around any time now.”

“Did you get the drug lord?”

“Him and three of his bodyguards. One is in the hospital. We’re going to amp up the pressure on that one for information.”

I pulled into the parking lot, irritated that the pedestrians I just braked for seemed to be taking their sweet time. “I’m at the hospital, so I’m hanging up on you now, okay?”

“Talk to you later.”

I ran into the hospital, slowing to a walk when I got to the nurse’s desk, happy to see Shirl. “Where is he?” I asked, out of breath.

“I suppose you mean Creole.” She smiled. “He’s got a corner cubicle in intensive care but hospital rules, family only.”

I looked her straight in the eye. “We’re cousins. He’s not by himself, is he?”

“He sure doesn’t look at you like family, unless you folks don’t object to inbreeding. He’s getting top-rated nursing care. Creole’s aunt, you know, your mother, is quite the pain in the…you’ll find out. Thank goodness Brad showed up with his kid and took her to dinner.”

“I’ll call them after I see Creole. Do I really need to make threats? Because I will.” I stared her down.

“You can be really annoying. If anyone asks, you’re his sister.” Shirl motioned me to follow her down the hall. “I’ll note it on his chart.”

“Tell me he’s going to fully recover?” I hustled to match her long-legged stride.

Shirl escorted me through intensive care to the far side where she waved to two nurses behind the counter. She led me to a cubicle in the far corner, which in actuality was a smaller version of a hospital room.

Creole lay in the big hospital bed hooked up to machines, letting people know his body functions were in the normal range. He had gauze wrapped around his head, two gigantic black eyes, and bruises on the rest of his face and on the one arm not covered by the blanket.

“Please, Shirl. I know visiting time is limited in here but do what you can to make me the exception and I’ll give you free rent for a month.” I covered his hand with mine, and lightly kissed his cheek and then his lips, disappointed his eyes didn’t fly open like in those fairy tales I loved as a kid.

“Don’t think I won’t milk this situation to my benefit,” she said. “Free food at Jake’s for the nurses?”

I nodded my head. “I won’t make any trouble.”

“You bet your sweet ass you won’t. You be quiet, stay out of the nurse’s way when they come through on their regular rounds, and make no demands. Keep your mother under control. I’ll be back later. I’m on the schedule tonight.”

I put my phone on vibrate, sure it would start ringing after people realized I resurfaced.

I brushed Creole’s hair from his face and whispered in his ear, “Wake up, right now, damn you. You don’t get to save my life and die.” I dragged a chair next to his bed, and held his hand. “Should I start talking until you can’t take it anymore and you have to open your eyes to get rid of me?”

“I could take shameful advantage of you.” I giggled at the thought, embarrassing myself. I ran my hand over his cheek. “Who’d know? And maybe if I woke one part of you up, the rest of you would be eager to be in the real world again.”

“How’s the food here?” I asked.

He didn’t answer.

“I want to call Brad and have him bring me dinner but I’m not sharing visitation time. If they know I’m here, they’ll hurry back.” I laid my face on his stomach. “You’re not very talkative.”

The door opened. “You can’t call a girlfriend? I had to find your purse and car gone to know,” Fab hissed.

“How did you get in?”

“I’m family. Don’t look at me like that, I told them I was his sister.” She leaned over Creole. “Wake the hell up,” she hissed in his ear.

I gave her a dirty look. “Miss me?”

“Well, kinda. Didier had to go to New York. Just me and my cat and when Creole got brought in, your mother, Brad, Julie, and Liam.”

“Will you be a best friend and get me some take out from Jake’s?”

“I wouldn’t want you to miss out on yummy hospital food. I’ll stay with him while you run down to the restaurant, it’s on the bottom level.” She half-smiled. “While you’re gone, I’ll peek under that ugly hospital gown. Or have you done it already?”

My mouth dropped. “He’s in a coma!”

Fab shook her head. “I’ll do it.”

I moved between her and Creole, forcing her to step back. “You will not!”

“A little possessive for someone you’re not interested in,” she said, and smirked.

“How’s Mother?” I asked.

“Before he got shot, he was the one to explain to her that he had you in hiding. She flipped. Then he took her outside, they talked, and when they came back in she had calmed down. I would’ve given anything to eavesdrop on that conversation. Brad grumbled big time that he can’t get her to do what he tells her. She’s been here the whole time, issuing orders, hardly allowing anyone to visit. She needs to go home and get some sleep.”

“They have a great relationship. I know he takes her to lunch or dinner at least once a week, in between chasing bad guys. She told me he picks the best little cafes, they’re always trying new food.”

The nurse appeared in the doorway. “One of you will have to leave. His mother is back. Only two visitors at a time.”

I rolled my eyes. “Next thing you know Didier will be a long-lost brother.”

We both laughed.

“I’m going home,” Fab said. “If I don’t see you tonight, I’ll be back in the morning.”

“Did he wake up?” Mother asked a minute later.

I shook my head. “Not yet,” I said, running my fingers across his cheek.

She hugged me. “Are you okay?” She looked me over. “I don’t understand what happened. No one will tell me a damn thing. Why were you on the docks? Why did Creole have to hide you? Were you involved?”

“You make it sound like somehow this is all my fault. You know what he does for a living.”

“I did think maybe it was a stupid Brick case where everyone gets hurt,” she said.

“I went to the docks to meet Brad and the rest you’ll have to ask Creole when he wakes up. I’m going to go say hello to Brad.”

Liam hugged me the second I walked into the waiting room. “Take Mother home, and tell her she needs to sleep or something,” I said to Brad. “She’s dead set against a relationship between me and Creole and just asked me if I had anything to do with him getting shot.”