Kiss Lonely Goodbye (21 page)

“I'd thought of getting her input,” Russell said in an aside as he continued talking to Jesse.

“Wonderful,” she muttered and massaged her temples, but she stopped when she saw Russell glance at her.

Marcus felt a flush of pride in her grace under fire. He gazed at Nicole as she sat straighter and lifted her chin. The cobalt blue jacket and matching skirt made her honey skin look even more delectable. Even taking care of business she stirred a fire in him. Suddenly Marcus wanted to take Nicole into his arms and comfort her. Russell's voice reminded him that he could not.

“Of course I know that, Jesse,” Russell said, biting off the syllables in irritation. He hung up and punched the keypad. Moments later he was talking to Imani in an officious tone.

“The Russell Summers art of alienating people. That's what I have to put up with.” Nicole looked at her cousin with a sour expression.

“I feel the same pain. Remember I've been here with him longer than you.” Marcus leaned closer to her as he spoke.

Nicole's taut frown eased somewhat when she looked at Marcus. “Reason enough for you to earn a high salary,” she deadpanned.

Russell came toward them with a purposeful stride. “Jesse says the first employee will be here in an hour.”

Marcus nodded. “Good. Might as well get it over with. We were just discussing how to inform our customers.”

“Inform them? That's suicide. I say we keep quiet except to answer questions if they call,” Russell said.

“If we let rumors run wild and keep silent, they'll think we have something to hide. Trust me, speculation can be even more damaging than telling them as much as possible,” Nicole replied.

Marcus silently gave her points for her composed re
sponse. “Nicole is right. Keeping secrets will only make them trust us even less. We've got to take the initiative.”

Imani came in. “I caught the tail end of your comment, but you're absolutely correct. We can't let them hear it from our competitors.”

“Or worse, hear it on the evening news,” Nicole added.

“Maybe Imani has a point,” Russell admitted grudgingly. “I took communications classes in college. I could write out a script for Nicole. She'll need to be coached on handling the media.”

“Having a speech that sounds like a script is exactly what we don't want,” Imani said quickly. She sat down at the table and turned on her PDA. “Marcus and Nicole, you're seen as leaders of this company. Be yourselves and be truthful, up to a point.”

“Marcus. It's always him,” Russell muttered under his breath.

“Yes, Marcus,” Imani cut in before Nicole could speak. “Like it or not, Russell, Marcus has tremendous credibility. Nicole is still considered inexperienced.”

“They're wondering if I can handle the company, let alone this disaster.” Nicole nervously tapped the arm of her chair with one fist again.

“Since you said it, yes.” Imani nodded. “Now is the time to show them you can. Let's show them how we respond to a breach in our own system.”

“Tell them we've tightened our internal security, that precautions in today's world must evolve, and we're prepared to be ahead of trends,” Nicole said.

Imani grinned in approval. “Good. Criminals stay up late thinking of ways around security systems. We're staying up even later.”

“Sounds like an ad campaign,” Marcus said.

“I agree. Let's develop print ads and develop a television thirty-second spot.” Nicole leaned toward Imani.

“Damn, boss, that's a great idea. You're a quick study.” Imani attached a keyboard to her PDA and entered notes.

“When should we start calling our clients, Marcus?” Nicole looked at him.

Jacinta stuck her head in the door. “Heads up, people. A pal of mine that works at the newspaper says the LaSalle robbery will be in the
Chronicle
tomorrow. He also says the manager has taken a turn for the worse.”

Marcus looked at Nicole. “Tomorrow?”

“Yeah,” she said and rubbed her temples again.

“Gotta run.” Jacinta disappeared.

“Me, too. I'll work on these ads.” Imani detached the keyboard and stood.

“Keep the costs down.” Russell frowned at her. “I mean, we could be losing business. I think we need to economize.”

“Russell—” Nicole's eyes narrowed to slits.

“He's got a good point to a degree,” Marcus jumped in to head off another battle. “No need to give the board more to complain about.”

“I can do the graphics and write the copy. That will save us money. Andre can help me do a simple video ad using our digital equipment and computer.” Imani looked at Nicole.

“Print space and television airtime are both expensive,” Russell put in.

“I can still save money depending on which channels we choose and the time of day the commercials are shown,” Imani said to him.

“Do a budget and we'll look at it.” Nicole turned to Russell. “How's that?”

“Those ads could bring us more business. Something we'll need if customers dump us,” Marcus put in.

“I'm willing to listen after we look at the figures,” Russell replied.

“Thanks.” Nicole pursed her lips as though restraining more words.

“I can have the total in one hour.” Imani left.

“I'd better get with Jesse to make sure he's prepared. Leave a message with my secretary if you need me again.” Russell strode out with a determined expression.

“You did very well,” Marcus murmured to Nicole. He put a hand on her arm and kneaded her rigid muscles.

“Remind me again why I want this job.” Nicole squeezed her eyes shut.

“To show the world you can handle a challenge, which you're doing,” he added firmly.

“I'm in over my head. I know it, my family knows it, and pretty soon the world will know it.” Nicole's bottom lip trembled.

“We're going to get through this together. Even Russell is trying to be helpful.” When Nicole let out a snort, Marcus grinned at her. “In his own unique way.”

Nicole tried to smile and failed. Her eyes glittered with unshed tears. “I love you for trying, but it's no good. I'm not CEO material. My family was right.”

Marcus felt a rush of heat. “Say that again.”

“My family never thought I could take on such a big job and they were right. I—”

“No, the first thing you said about love.” Marcus put his arms around her.

She rested her head on his shoulder. “You're the only person who believes in me. I love you for it,” she whispered.

“And for other reasons, I hope.” Marcus kissed her forehead.

“Lots of them.” Nicole relaxed in his embrace.

“Same here,” he replied.

Marcus kissed her nose, then her mouth. Nicole moaned softly as her lips parted. For one intense moment they took comfort in each other. More than physical, the emotional connection hit him with such force that he felt dazed by the blow. Seconds later they pulled away from each other with effort. Nicole stroked his cheek once, then tugged at her jacket and glanced around.

“Last thing I need is for Daddy or Uncle Lionel to catch me kissing you during business hours.” Nicole went to her desk. She took a cosmetic mirror from her desk drawer and stared critically at her lipstick.

“Have they said anything about us?” Marcus grabbed a tissue from a nearby dispenser and dabbed at his own mouth.

Nicole went into her private rest room. When she came out her lipstick was perfect again. She brushed off her jacket and skirt before sitting at her desk.

“The usual, office romances are a bad thing, I'm not giving the company my full attention blah, blah, blah.” Nicole fluttered a hand as though brushing away their criticisms.

“I'm sure they mentioned how different we are, our backgrounds I mean.” Marcus studied her.

“To tell you the truth I stopped listening two seconds into their spiel. I let them know that my personal life is my own. End of story.” Nicole smoothed her hair in place.

“Not hardly, Nicole.” Marcus was about to say more when Nicole's father and uncle came in from the conference room.

“We'll have our first meeting next Thursday. Couldn't get everybody together any sooner.” Uncle Lionel looked less than pleased.

“Just as well. Maybe we'll have some positive developments by then,” Marcus replied. The two men looked from Marcus to Nicole with stern expressions.

Marcus walked over and stood beside Nicole. “I'm sure we will,” he said in a definite tone.

“Humph!” Uncle Lionel said as he left.

“I hope so,” Stanton said and followed Uncle Lionel out.

Nicole looked up at Marcus. “Have you lost your mind? No way will we have ‘positive developments' a week from now.”

Marcus wondered just what had gotten into him. Still, he placed a hand on her shoulder. “Be optimistic. Dayna could crack the case by then. We could keep the fallout with our customers to a minimum and bounce right back.”

“Uh-huh. All that will happen by next week, along with a snowstorm in hell.” Nicole shook her head.

Marcus touched her cheek. “I happen to think anything is possible these days,” he said softly.

Nicole grasped his hand tightly, then let go. “Okay, you've got me convinced. Now clear out of my office so I can concentrate on something other than your fine body.”

“Yes, ma'am. We've got a long day ahead of us. I'd feel a lot better knowing you're at the end of it.”

She gazed at him with a sigh. “Oh, yes. Your apartment?”

“It's a date.”

He planted a quick kiss on the top of her head, then went to his office. Staff scurried around like mice on special missions. The phones rang nonstop. Marcus calmed two agitated secretaries, smoothed out a dispute between two employees, and checked in with Dayna on the way. Even as turmoil swirled around him, Marcus felt joy deep down. Nicole loved him.

“L
oose ends drive me nuts.” Dayna twisted an ink pen as she frowned.

“Like we get all the loose ends tied up even when we solve a case,” Detective Bates replied with a shake of his head.

“I know. I should be used to it by now, but I'm not, damn it. I want to know who done it and why.” Dayna shuffled papers on the desk before her.

“Which makes you a good cop,” Marcus put in.

“Hmm.” Dayna seemed to have tuned out everything.

He'd sat quietly waiting for the two detectives to explain why they'd called him in. Even though it was seven o'clock at night, the office still buzzed with activity. Marcus hadn't spoken to Nicole since leaving her office five hours ago. Yet he burned with the anticipation of having her in his arms soon. If only he could give Nicole some good news.

“Learn anything useful yet?” Marcus tried to read upside down and failed.

“Can't tell you. Everyone is a suspect.” Dayna looked up
at him, her dark brows drawn together. “Including Ms. In-Charge.”

“Nicole is the least likely suspect. She doesn't need to steal because her daddy's got big money. Her mama comes from money.”

“My grandmother used to sing a favorite old blues song called ‘God Bless the Child That's Got It's Own.'” Dayna sat back with a guarded cop expression.

“Come on,” Marcus said with a grunt.

“Maybe Daddy wouldn't come across with the cash for some reason. Say they think she hooked up with Mr. Wrong.” Dayna lifted a shoulder.

“Okay, now you're in my business. Is this the cop talking?” Marcus squinted at her.

Irritation flashed across her face. “I'm trained to examine human motivations.”

“Yeah.” Marcus continued to stare at her.

Dayna blinked first by looking away. “All right, smart-mouthed rich girls tick me off in a special way. Guess I'm just pissed. I missed the signs when I got the Phoung case.”

Marcus switched gears to get information. “Signs?”

“I shouldn't have been so quick to dismiss this place as being the connection. Now Robbery is gonna get the glory.” She tossed a sheaf of papers aside in a gesture of self-disgust.

“You're going to be a big part of the investigation. Maybe you'll move over to Robbery on your way to that big promotion you deserve.” Marcus hunched forward, ready to move into his own set of questions.

“Real smooth, but don't get your hopes up. I can't give you any information,” Dayna said before he could speak.

“I need to know if any of our employees look dirty, Dayna. Our company is on the line.”

“You've heard the phrase innocent until proven guilty, I'm
sure. We're following up on all leads,” she intoned as though speaking at a press conference.

“Which tells me nothing,” Marcus said with a frown.

“Now you get it,” Dayna wisecracked.

“So funny,” Marcus grumbled and sat against the back of the chair. “I'm about to lose six years of hard work, and you give me Comedy Central.”

“Okay, you help me and I'll help you.” Dayna crossed her arms.

“How?”

“Tell me more about Nicole. I hear she's a spoiled party girl who is only serious about the next shopping trip. How does she end up running a successful business? Who were her pals before she started working here?”

“Nicole is intelligent and her late Uncle Hosea saw skills her own parents didn't see. As for her friends, from what I gather they're all pretty much like her. You know the profile, old money and old family names.” Marcus shook his head. “Not fertile ground for the America's Most Wanted list.”

“Humph, you'd be surprised. Mummy and Daddy cut off the funds and suddenly you've got classy thieves. Toss in a drug problem and stealing comes easy.”

“Not Nicole,” Marcus said in a tight voice.

“She got into some trouble seven years ago. Seems our princess got wasted and took a swing at somebody.” Dayna tilted her head to one side.

“Seven years ago she did something stupid. We all did at one time or another,” Marcus replied. “Nicole paid a small fine for public disturbance.”

“No signs she's drinking too much or got some shady friends hanging around?” Dayna frowned. “I'm assuming you'd tell me if she did.”

“No to both questions and maybe I would, maybe I wouldn't,” Marcus shot back.

“You're not objective. I wonder if you could see the warning signals,” Dayna replied.

“No, I'm not,” Marcus said evenly. “But that doesn't have anything to do with the facts. You won't find a trail that leads to her.”

Dayna wore a crooked smile after a few seconds of gazing back at him. “Just testing the waters. Sure wish I had a guy sticking up for me with such passion.”

Marcus relaxed. “You will one of these days.”

She held up a palm. “Don't tell me some guy will be lucky to have me, blazy-blah.”

“Okay, even though it's true.” Marcus grinned at her. His smile faded when a thought occurred to him. “Who told you about Nicole's little run-in with the law in Louisiana?”

“Guess.”

“Russell. I should string him up.” Marcus clenched his hands into fists.

“He doesn't like his cousin at all. He's not that wild about you either.” Dayna laughed. “Don't worry, I saw through him fast.”

Marcus waved a hand. “Russell swings from being a minor nuisance to a major pain. He and his father didn't get along. Mr. Summers may have been unfair toward him for years, but Russell didn't help.”

“So I heard. Could be he's taking revenge against his father and Nicole.” Dayna rocked her chair back and forth. “Now there's a possibility. If he can't have the company, no one can.”

“Russell couldn't plan a one-float parade, let alone a slick criminal operation.” Marcus gave a short, humorless laugh. “Not that I wouldn't love to see his aristocratic ass in jail.”

Dayna grinned. “Yeah.”

“Your turn. I know you can't tell me a lot, but give me something.” Marcus leaned forward.

“We pulled up the arrest record of Tameka Grant. Three years ago she had a charge of harboring a fugitive. It was dropped. The people we're looking at have some shifty acquaintances.” Dayna waved a legal-sized sheet of paper.

“Can I see that?” Marcus nodded at the sheet. Dayna handed it to him. He scanned the faxed copy. “Two years before she was hired here.”

“Yeah. Recognize any of her buddies?” Dayna handed him three more sheets.

He scanned them. A name stirred a memory. “Olandon D'Jarrod Jackson,” he mumbled.

Marcus blinked hard. Shaun's cousin had literally been their partner in crime on more than one occasion, except Olandon had progressed to more serious offenses. Marcus had finished college and Shaun had earned an associate degree, just barely. Olandon had been studying his chosen profession in various jails and prisons for the past twelve years.

“Somebody you know?” Dayna stared at the list as though trying to see what held his interest.

His old habit of protecting a partner from the 'hood kicked in. “Nah, just thinking out loud. Can I get a copy of these?”

“Why?”

“Nicole has to know. She is my boss,” Marcus added when Dayna started to object.

Dayna continued to gaze at him a beat longer. “All right. I can print out another one. Just don't tell that idiot Russell. He's got an itch to be the hero. He wants to be the boss bad.”

“Oh, yeah,” Marcus said, his thoughts on the list of names he held.

“You don't seem too worried. He's got plenty of ammuni
tion against Nicole.” Dayna tapped a finger on a stack of reports detailing the thefts.

“We'll see what the board thinks.” Marcus frowned as he carefully folded the sheets of paper.

“Are you gonna tell me?”

Marcus glanced up to find himself the subject of Dayna's piercing scrutiny. Marcus forced his facial muscles to relax. “You know it all, Detective. I've got a super-sized mess on my hands. I don't think the board will seriously consider putting Russell in charge of anything more than office supplies. That doesn't mean Nicole won't have problems.”

“Interesting dilemma. If they decide you should be CEO, there could be real trouble in love land.” Dayna pursed her lips. Her expression almost suggested she'd welcome such a development.

Marcus stood. “They could fire us both. I've been working here longer than Nicole.”

“Russell is at least smart enough to know he needs you. If Summers Security is the center, then someone has done a good camouflage job.”

“Until Tameka slipped.” He slapped the folded reports against the palm of one hand.

“Solid police work and stupid criminals, a combination that warms my heart,” Dayna wisecracked. “Remember, don't tell Russell. Knowing him, he'd tell some of the employees before we have a chance to follow up.”

“Gotcha. Thanks, Dayna.”

Marcus left the small office she'd turned into her interview room. He forgot about Russell in seconds. Instead he turned over the issue of how to approach Shaun. They hadn't spoken in almost two weeks. Looking back over their last conversation, Marcus felt bad about the clumsy way he'd handled it. Shaun's ego had been bruised. Still, deep down Marcus real
ized that the distance between them was growing by the day. Despite what Shaun believed, Nicole was not the reason. They both wanted the fine life they'd dreamed of as ghetto kids. Unlike Shaun, Marcus drifted away from the old methods of getting there.

“I just hope this dude's name popping up is a mad coincidence,” Marcus whispered to himself.

 

Nicole stepped out of the shower and wrapped the oversized terry cloth around her. Steam fogged the mirrors. Humming along with a tune coming from the radio, she walked to the front section of her master bathroom. Marcus watched her from where he sat in the wide Jacuzzi-styled bathtub. Jets sent swirls of hot water over his muscular body.

“You really should have joined me in here.” He sighed and rested his head on the cushioned ledge.

“Not for me. I prefer having pulsating streams of water pound my troubles away.”

Nicole sat down and let the towel fall. She poured creamy lotion into her hand, then massaged it into her skin. The honey almond scent soothed her jangled nerves even more. Marcus splashed around in the tub. None of the nasty details of the day had followed them into this sanctuary. Suddenly Marcus was standing behind her. He picked up the ceramic bottle of lotion.

“Let me help.”

He poured lotion across the length of her shoulders, then spread both his large hands flat and made circular motions down her back. Nicole closed her eyes to better savor the sensation. When he reached around to gently knead her biceps, Nicole moaned with pleasure.

“You're better than my aunt Jacquelyn's hideously expensive New Orleans masseuse.” Nicole squirmed at the tingle of sexual hunger growing in her pelvis.

“I minored in kinesiology, even took a few acupressure courses.” Marcus kneaded her biceps as he spoke in a soft voice.

“I'm not sure what that is, but I like it. I feel tranquil and energized at the same time,” she murmured. Her body went limp from his tender attention.

“That's the point, to bring the body back into balance,” he replied.

“Umm-hum.” Nicole rested her head against his belly. “Balance is a good thing.”

Marcus laughed deep in his throat. He bent forward and nuzzled her neck just behind one ear. Nicole turned around until she faced him, still seated. She planted delicate kisses across the flat, firm flesh of his stomach, then down, teasing him until he cried out. His fingers combed through her hair.

Nicole looked up at him, totally relishing the sight of his tall physique. Tiny beads of moisture made his toasted brown skin glisten. He gazed into her eyes with his lips slightly parted. His breath hissed like steam. The effect drove her to want him so much it was an ache between her thighs. She drew back and spread the thick wide terry towel on the floor. Marcus knelt on it, bringing her down with him. When she lay down, he stretched his powerful body on top of hers.

“I love you, baby,” Marcus whispered.

“I love you back.” Nicole wrapped herself around him.

Their lovemaking was slow, deliberate, and delicious. Every movement seemed choreographed, yet perfectly natural. His rhythmic thrusts drove Nicole wild, then eased her back from the edge. After what seemed like a forever of mind-bending bliss, Nicole took control. She pushed against his strapping body until he got the message and flipped onto his back. Once on top she rode him hard and didn't stop until they came together.

“Wow,” Marcus panted.

Nicole lifted her hips, then lay atop him as though he were a firm mattress. She whimpered when he stroked her buttocks. “I'm so balanced my head is spinning,” she gasped.

“Me, too. I think the phone is ringing.” Marcus didn't move.

“Hmmm.” Nicole didn't move either.

“Baby,” he whispered in her ear. “Too much is going on right now. Better answer it.”

“I'm not ready to leave paradise,” Nicole mumbled with her eyes closed.

“Neither am I, but we've got alligators snapping at our butts.” Marcus gave her buttock a playful swat to emphasize his point.

“Damn! You've got to be Mr. Practical at this very minute?” Nicole extricated her arms and legs from his and got up. She padded to the phone before the answering service could cut in on the sixth ring. “Hello. Yeah, Russell. No, you're not interrupting us. Cut the opening monologue and tell me why you called.”

As she listened to his report, Marcus padded in wearing the robe she'd bought for him. He sat down on the edge of her queen-sized bed. Nicole rolled her eyes at him to signal she was fed up with her cousin.