Murder in Paradise (Paradise Series) (31 page)

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My alarm woke me up from a sound sleep. I felt like crap, my muscles sore, and I had a slamming headache from too much crying. I had snuck back into my house quietly, Fab and Didier in her room, the ribbon on the knob. I peeled off all my clothes and climbed under the cool sheets, turning off my phone and sobbing myself to sleep.

I dragged myself off the bed and into my closet. How many times had I told myself not to wait until the last minute to decide what to wear? I couldn’t compete with stilettos, but I could wear something barely covering my ass with a smaller heel and not look dumpy.

I jerked a dozen dresses off the closet rod before deciding on a short black dress with a plunging neckline that tied around my neck, and was backless, with a full skirt that hit mid-thigh. I picked up a pair of alligator looking slides and a handful of jewelry and tossed everything onto the bed. I headed for the shower to let the jets of cool water beat on me. I used special relaxing body wash, rubbing it onto my neck and shoulders, and stood under the waterfall until the stress washed away.

Cheap therapy.

Tonight would not be the night I told my family about Zach. Mother loved her parties, and she planned everything to the last detail. Nothing would spoil this dinner. I would tell them he had to work, an important client. I’d confide in Mother tomorrow and she could spread the news. Then she’d show up with something sweet to eat and put her arm around me; she had experience nursing a broken heart or two in high school.

I blew my red curls out, and pulled my hair off my neck, fastening it in a messy up-do with a tortoise shell hair clip. I twirled in the mirror and added bracelets and earrings, no necklace to distract from the neckline that plunged just below my breasts. Thank goodness it had built in cups that pushed the girls into a revealing cleavage.

When I passed by Fab’s door, the ribbon was still firmly tied in place. I’d bet money that she was using every trick in her arsenal to not have to go to dinner tonight. Didier had mystery control over her that was fun to watch. My guess they’d be late but they’d be there. I laughed softly. Oh, Fab, you’ve met your match and you’re in love.

CHAPTER 42

The drive to Islamorada, along the Overseas, was beautiful as the birds crisscrossed the highway. I cranked up the music as a much-wanted distraction from thinking too much. Mother had chosen a brand new “in” restaurant, Water’s Edge, which had garnered rave reviews. I pulled in next to her car. I was happy I had on low heels, since it was a hike from the parking lot down the boardwalk to the restaurant that hung out over the water. If one were drunk they’d have to walk barefoot.

Word had gotten around. The restaurant had a waiting list and the bar was full. People sat around outside, pagers in their hands, waiting for them to glow red, the sign their table was ready. Mother, the consummate hostess, had arrived early to see to last minute details. She reserved a large table on the outside deck, just steps from the beach; you could wiggle your toes in the sand. It would be a perfect night to sit outside—clear skies and a light breeze—and watch the sun go down. I breezed past all the people patiently waiting. Mother stood just inside the door, next to the eight-foot long aquarium filled with exotic specimens.

Mother rushed over. “You’re the first to arrive.” She kissed me.

I hugged her tight, a little longer than usual. “I could use a drink.” We both laughed.

“I had your favorite shell store make a centerpiece. You can play with the shells during dinner and then you get to take them home.”

“You hate it when I make a mess at the table.” I smiled, brushing my finger along her cheek.

“I’m so happy you’re alive, you could throw a tantrum in the middle of this restaurant, and I wouldn’t threaten you.”

I groaned. “Please tell me I never did that.”

“Your father and I were very lucky. You and Brad were well-behaved in public and at other people’s houses––not so much at home.”

The owners had gone to some expense: muted-blue walls, upscale bamboo furniture, ceiling fans, and small palm trees, fichus trees, and flowering cactus plants all well maintained.

“Everything is ready for your party, Mrs. Westin,” the manager announced to Mother, offering his arm to walk her to the table.

I followed behind; we walked through the dining room, passing by floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooked a private saltwater lagoon and the Atlantic Ocean beyond. I looked into the eyes of Zach, sitting at a table for five, an older couple I just knew were his family, father and son carbon copies. Zach had his arm draped across the shoulders of a stunningly beautiful woman with waist-length black hair, huge brown eyes, and flawless olive skin. A young boy under five colored furiously on the paper provided.

“Too late,” Zach had said earlier. He failed to mention he’d already moved on. The woman was not a relative, judging by the adoring look on her face, and she just kissed his cheek. I knew in my heart that if he didn’t have impeccable manners he would’ve chose to ignore me. My body went stiff, pains shot up the back of my neck and I struggled to breathe. I should’ve kept walking but I had to know.

“Hello, Zach,” I stopped in front of him.

“Madison,” He nodded. We stared at one another, neither one of us saying anything. I could see in his eyes he wanted me to keep moving.

“Where are your manners, son?” His father stood, extending his hand. “Anthony Lazarro.” He took mine and pressed his lips to the top of my hand. “My wife, Carlotta and this is Lucia Lazarro and our grandson, Anthony III.”

I blinked hard. “You’re married?” I asked Zach. My legs felt like they’d give way any minute.

“We wish,” Carlotta gushed. “But soon, maybe,” she said, and winked at Lucia.

Mother walked up behind me. “Hi, Zach. Your parents? We finally get to meet. I’m Madison’s mother, Madeline.”

“You smoke?” Carlotta Lazarro said in indignation.

Mother held a small cigar holder in her hand. “Would you like one?” she said to Carlotta. Anthony extended his hand to Mother, also kissing her hand. “Clients of Zach’s? I’ll have one.” He smiled at her.

Zach finally spoke up. “This is...Madison, she and I dated. And this is her mother.”

Mother bristled. I squeezed her arm.

I felt him before he spoke. “Hello, everyone.” Creole stood behind me. He kissed Mother’s cheek. “Long time no see, Lucia.”

“Papa,” said the little boy, looking at Zach, “I need more paper.”

Creole’s arms went around me, holding me tight, keeping me from falling.

“So, you’re a couple,” Carlotta said to Creole. “You boys have shared a lot of things over the years.” She looked relieved.

“Not officially, Carlotta, but I’m working on it. I have to overcome the hurdle of her last crappy boyfriend,” Creole smiled.

Zach stared icily at Creole and me. “That’s the worst idea ever, you two getting together.”

“Oh, shut up,” Mother whispered behind him.

“Long way from Italy, Lucia.” Creole looked at her.

She said something to Zach in Italian. Both Carlotta and Anthony looked surprised.

Zach turned and glared at Creole. Creole glared back. “Thanks for stopping by to say hello,” Zach said. “I know you’re having a party. Thank you for the invitation and sorry I couldn’t make it.”

“Congratulations, you two,” Carlotta said to me and Creole.

Creole’s hand had moved up my back, holding me hard by the back of my neck, one of his perp-walk skills. He whispered, “Give them a big smile, say nice to meet you, and then I’m going to walk you away from here.”

I wanted to sag against his side, but he held me firmly upright. I did exactly as he whispered. Good to his word, he led me to my chair, pushing me down. He leaned down and kissed me hard on the lips.

“If you even look like you’re going to cry, I’m going to stick my hand under your dress and do some exploring.” He took my face in his hands. “You understand me?” I nodded and he kissed me again.

Creole sat me down with my back to the window, so I wouldn’t be tempted to stare at the unfolding family scene. I reached for Creole’s hand in his lap and laced my fingers between his and held on tight.

“I had severe punishment in mind for you if you hadn’t shown up.” Mother hugged Fab.

Fab stared at my hand, and gave me a long look. “Later,” I mouthed.

Didier kissed Mother’s cheek. “You look beautiful, Madeline. Like mother, like daughter.”

It brought a smile to my face to watch Didier charm Mother.

“Get your hands off my woman,” Spoon growled. He turned Mother around and laid a long, hard kiss on her lips.

“Really, Mother,” Brad said. “Not in front of the grandchild.”

Brad and Julie looked happy, smiling, holding hands. All of the women rocked a variation of “the little black dress,” and with accessories, we managed to look different.

Liam ran around the table and gave me a big hug. He knuckle-bumped Fab. Mother waited until we all had our drinks and stood to make a toast. “To Madison and Fab, I love you both. To the rest of you, this is an awesome family.”

We traded good stories, laughed, ate, and I drank too much. Creole winked at me. His hand moved slowly up my inner thigh, I parted my legs. I wiggled my finger to him, and he leaned forward. I said in his ear, “Stop. I’ve had too much to drink and I won’t stop your fingers from going wherever they want. But when I wake up in the morning, I’ll be angry with you.”

“Can I at least kiss you?” His blue eyes twinkled.

“Not in front of my family. But later, one kiss.” I held up one finger.

He put his lips on my ear and laughed.

No one asked about Zach and I was relieved, but surprised. Creole got me through the evening, squeezing my hand, encouraging me to eat, keeping me present in the conversation. Spoon had already delivered a couple of parts on Brad’s Corvette restoration, and they seemed to have bonded over the experience.

“Give me your keys.” Spoon held out his hand to me. “Why did you drive down here by yourself?”

“You were supposed to come with us.” Fab glared.

I fished my keys out of my purse. “Catch.” I tossed them at Spoon and he caught them easily. I turned to Fab. “And be late? I don’t think so.”

“We’re working on getting places on time, aren’t we?” Didier asked her.

“No we’re not.” Fab frowned at him, bringing laughs from around the table.

“When you two wake up in the morning,” Spoon said, indicating Mother and me, “your cars will be ready and waiting.”

“You’re riding home with me,” Creole said quietly. “If you dare get in someone else’s car, I’ll drag you out and throw you over my shoulder.”

I giggled. “A little caveman is...huh...” My cheeks turned red.

“You can ride with us.” Didier smiled at Creole.

When no one was looking, Creole gave Didier the finger and Didier laughed.

When I stood and turned around for the first time, the Lazarros were long gone. The table had been set, ready for the next set of diners. What a day. I let out a long sigh.

Creole leaned over. “You okay?”

I reached across the table, grabbing the last of my drink and downing it. “Who cares if I have a hangover?”

Mother pulled Creole to the side and they spoke for several minutes. My ears should be on fire. We walked out to the front and everyone kissed good-bye.

“Swim party this weekend,” I said to Brad. “You bring the food.”

We waved and Creole and I walked to his truck. The only way for me to get in by myself was to pull myself up onto the seat, my dress riding up, leaving nothing to surprise. I stopped and looked at him.

“This pains me greatly to do this,” he said, and swept me off my feet and sat me in the front seat, buckling my seat belt. “I would’ve rather watched you crawl across the seat.”

He got behind the wheel, and pulled my face to his and kissed me lightly. “What the hell happened back there, you didn’t know?”

“I saw Zach earlier today; he said he wanted to take a break. I thought eventually we’d kiss and make-up, we’ve been through a lot. I didn’t know he’d already left. A wife and a son. I would’ve never gotten involved with him.”

“Lucia and Zach got divorced five years ago. She’s beautiful, but high maintenance, and demands, and keeps on demanding. I caught a little of what she said in Italian, I don’t think she’s been here long.”

“Zach said something about it being too late and I guess this is what he meant. Did he not know that he had a son? There is no Zach and I anymore, whatever his feelings for Lucia, he’d never walk away from his son. He asked me today if I wanted children. I practically broke out in hives.”

“I can make you forget his name.” Creole twisted my hair in his hand, forcing me to look at him.

“You deserve better than being someone’s rebound lover. You’re excellent for a girl’s ego, but I need time. I wish I’d heard about Lucia and Anthony from Zach. Wished he didn’t look embarrassed to say, ‘we dated.’ I didn’t realize until today how unhappy he’d been. I wonder for how long?” I told Creole about the conversation, Zach doing all the talking, and leaving out a few important details.

He tugged on a curl. “You can have all the time you want, but remember your promise. I get first right of refusal.”

My eyes filled with tears.

“What did I tell you about that?” He rubbed my eyes with the pad of his finger.

I took his hand in mine and kissed his fingers. “Thank you for everything. I couldn’t have made it through tonight without you infusing me with strength. If I had melted down, I would’ve ruined everyone’s evening.” I ran his hand across my face and kissed his palm.

“Look, we made it back before anyone else,” Creole said, pulling into my parking space in the driveway. He turned my face to his. “I’m walking you to the door, collecting my kiss, and keeping my promise to be a gentleman.”

I nodded.

He unbuckled my seat belt, slid me across the driver’s side, and out the door into his arms. He spun me around, making me laugh before setting me on my feet. “Where are your keys?” He held out his hand.

“Spoon. We’re locked out.”

Creole laughed and reached into his back pocket, extracting a lock pick. He had the door open with the same speed as Fab. He carried me across the threshold, kicking the door closed, and sat in the double chair, pulling me into his arms. He slipped my shoes off, dumping them on the floor. He tipped me back, cradling my head in his arm, and clamped down on my mouth. His other hand freely roamed up my skirt, running up my thigh, across my butt and up my back, holding me firmly.